World of Warcraft correspondent Dave Powell gives tips, hints and non class specific advice for players who are new to PvE raiding.

This is a continuation of a two-part article wherein I list virtues which all raiders should have or at least strive for. Previously, I elaborated on being able to think critically, research your class, and develop the sort of attitude raid leaders love in their team.

Read The Virtues of the Effective Raider, 2

Raiders only need a single virtue:  the ability to listen and follow directions.  Sadly...very few have this "virtue."

Excellent write up.

I 'd say raiders need only one thing as well.  The ability to listen and follow directions.

I'd say it too, but if I did it would kill a good joke. So instead I'll say, that it was a good article. I am almost at the raiding stage, myself. Kinda getting cold feet about it. [Yes, I do psych myself out.]

Thanks for the article.  I wished more people would read it and follow the tips listed.

I just transferred over to a friend's server and ran a heroic with his guild. After a horrible time in Heroic UK, I asked him what was wrong with the tank. The tank couldn't hold aggro. He told me that that was the guild's main tank. I was healing and spent most of my time healing the casters and not the tank.

I later heard him talk about the dps always competing for the highest dps, and they even do that in raids. They have no concept of aggro.

I know I'm an outdated old school player, but any dps that went all out every fight and didn't watch their threat meters, should be kicked.

Finally! Someone else thinks DPS metres dont mean much... shammies have to manage totems, and as an enh you have to move around a lot with the melee group to make sure they have optimal dps. I wish the DPS metres would add the bonus DPS I give to my group in a raid to my stats rather than everyone elses >_>