Chanus said:Ambivalent
I like raiding, but I don't like it when raiding becomes essential for progression or the entire game starts to be designed around the needs and wants of raiders. Raiding to me should be an extra, optional step, not a necessary step. It should be rewarding, but not in such a way it bends the reward structure of the entire game around it. A full-geared raider should be able to excel in group content, but not so much that group content now needs to be tuned to having full raid gear.
I can live without raiding, but I will happily engage the content if I am able. I think it would be a huge mistake to not have raid content. I think it is equally a mistake to treat a game as though everyone wants to or is able to raid. It is often argued that raiders are what carry a game, but I think the truth is more that raiders simply tend to be more engaged and vocal players, and so their voices sound more numerous (not that they aren't valid), so it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
^This
Destination.
Primarily, raiding, is an end-goal of mine because I want my character to be strong enough and capable enough to maximize efficiency during a raid. So I usually focus on stregthening my character as much as I can prior to going tackling a raid encounter.
Exclusionary
To quote Rush: Conform or be cast out.
But, hey... I'm Chaotic Good, so...
Indiferent.
I'm more concerned about the attitude around raiding. I simply don't agree with the idea that raiding is "what seperates hardcores from casuals".
Firstly, hardcore likely means differnt things to different people. Who is more hardcore, those who log in, raid, log out 3-5 times a week, or those that spend hours every day playing?
Secondly, there is more than just adventuring to be done. Personally I am quite an avid crafter ad very much look foreward to that aspect of the game as well.
Will I raid? Hell yea. I totally agree that it is something that takes teamwork to accomplish and is a great feeling when you finally take down a boss you been getting spanked by.
Secondary, no wait fourthiary.... is that a word? 1. Grouping, 2. Crafting, 3. Solo exploring, 4. Raiding.
i still like raiding, it’s just way down the list of things I like to do.