Absent "R" You? Well, quit it!

I dunno about you, but I'm ready for 3.1; something about an upcoming patch makes putting raids together harder and harder, the closer the patch and it's new content gets.

People just seem to... lose interest in the current content. Which sort of brings me to a problem that's been pissing me off, of late.

I've been noticing an issue more and more; I call it "Only If I Need It" syndrome. Everyone has them in their guild. Everyone knows people like this. They're the ones who show up ready for a raid at the start of content, but as soon as they've got what they want for their toon, they're nowhere to be seen, regardless of whether or not anyone ELSE in the guild/group is still looking for something.

They're the people who are steadfastly on an alt if you need one more for a raid.... until that alt hits 80. And then it's, "I'll go! ...If I can go on my alt!" Or the ones who will *gladly* help work toward an achievement or title... until they've got everything they need, and then it's "Well... I don't really need anything else. Can you bring someone else?" or "Can I come on my alt instead?"

I don't know about you, but man does that piss me off.

I have 1 level 80 character. She's geared nearly to best in slot and hasn't really been looking for much of anything for the last 4 months. And yet... you can be damned sure that I'll be there or offer to come if there's a 25man raid scheduled, or if it's a 10man (organized in our guild by the members at will), you can bet I'll be willing to come if I'm needed. No, I don't need anything from Naxx anymore. But yes, I'll still go because we just had a healer hit 80 and he needs some gear... or because one of our ret paladins was asked to make his enhancement shaman his main to utilize as many buffs as we can, and he needs to spend some time in Naxx etc for that.

Now... all in all, that whole situation wouldn't bother me *quite* as much as it is, except that it seems to be coupled with another little disease called, "Oh... I must've forgot." This insidious malady often presents with symptoms such as, accepting or signing up for a raid invite and not showing up, or getting there 1-2 hours late.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT'S IN ANY WAY OKAY?!

Newsflash, people. It's NOT.

If you accept a raid invite, or sign up to be there, you are making a commitment to not just the raid leader (who then gets to scramble desperately for a replacement when you flake out), but to the 24 other people who also committed their time and efforts to the run!

Yes, World of Warcraft is just a game. And you can bet that Real Life always comes first... but come on. If for some reason you can't make a raid, email someone. Post on your guild's forums. If you're like my guild and many members are RL or very close net-friends and share phone numbers, for pete's sake CALL and let someone know to pass on the message! Show a little respect for your guild tag and the people who wear it.

I often find myself wishing these types of people would be g-kicked, but sadly they are necessary to keeping many guilds operational. There's only so many people you can boot for petty and irresponsible behavior like that, especially if the applications aren't flooding in by the 10's.

So cut it out, people. Seriously. Mkay?

3.1 and Ulduar just can't come fast enough, at this point.