So You Want to be a Raider?, Part Two

GameSpy continues their series of articles designed to guide those World of Warcraft players interested in participating in the game's raids.
If your gear and skills are up to par, all that's left is the desire to raid. For me, the most important part of raiding is being comfortable with the necessary change in mindset. I liken it to my own experience when running a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. A steady D&D campaign needs one thing more than anything else: attendance. You can't run a game if the DM doesn't show up, and every player is important. Sure, real life issues can interfere with your scheduling, but generally, you should be able to count on people getting together on time. Raiding is like being part of a tabletop gaming group, or even a regular poker game. When you don't show up to a raid, you may end up letting the guild down and hindering its progress, especially if you play an important role, like the main tank or one of the main healers.

No longer will WoW be something that you play on-and-off, it will become an obligation. Looked upon in this way, many players get scared off, but there's nothing wrong with responsibilities. Being part of a regular gaming group offers significant rewards, as you're able to experience content that wouldn't otherwise be possible with independent play. The loot is nice, of course, but it's more about taking part in something with a greater purpose than your own personal satisfaction. Each boss kill is a symbol of your guild's ability to team up, coordinate, and execute. With each new challenge conquered, you've earned additional bragging rights.