Taking the Reins: A Beginner's Guide to Raid Leadership

Updated Wed, Dec 07, 2011 by Saia

There will come a point in every World of Warcraft player’s raiding life when they’ll have to lead a raid. Even if it’s just for a single, specific boss, it can still be terrifying. Perhaps the Raid Leader is having a night off dealing with something in real life or their connection has suddenly died. Someone has to step up so you need to learn how and we’re going to teach you.

LF Raid Leader. PST.

The raid leader is the most important part of every raid; they have to be a tactician, a human Wikipedia, a counsellor, a motivator and a mediator, particularly when it comes to boss loot that half the raid needs. It’s a pretty hefty job description so finding a good raider is understandably a hard task. So, if you find a good raid leader, you’re going to want to keep them.


So the first and most important thing is knowledge of the raid you’re attempting. So, say, for example, you’re doing the Firelands and you’re on Shannox when the raid leader bails. The reason doesn’t matter, what does is that you’re prepared for the situation. What do you need to know in order to take the reins.

This is the boring bit but you need to read the tactics. Yes, yes, we know. Everyone’s been in that raid where they’ve either a) never done the raid, b) just been drafted in, c) didn’t look at the tactics or watch videos or d) all of the above. This, of course, leads to a ten minute tactics discussion in which most people fall asleep and then causes the first wipe of the night.





If someone does do something wrong, never ever chew them out on Vent. It’s better to gently explain or even have a post-raid debrief in which you talk to the individuals privately. You’ll get a lot more respect for keeping a calm demeanour and treating your raiders like people rather than just their roles within the group.

Psychology 101 and Raid Leaders

People-managing is always going to be at the heart of the raid leader’s job description. Raiding is, in some ways, like herding cats but it’s important to get everyone focused and united as a team as that’s the only way the boss will fall. The most important thing is to remember to keep calm, not to yell and don’t let anyone know if you’re frustrated. Basically, you need the patience of a saint as nothing kills the raid faster than being screamed at by a raid leader at the end of his or her tether.

If you’re in a progression raid, then things are always going to be tougher. There’s that push to get the boss down and a night of wipes can be soul-destroying. Here it’s all about management; you need to institute a couple of things from the start like asking people to bring potions, water, food and feasts with them.





One thing I have found that really helps a raid group, is to delegate the important jobs. As a raid leader, I set the group, do invites, handle loot, and keep us on schedule. What is very important to note however, is that I've identified what others in my raid group do best. I have a wonderful assistant who is second to none at explaining the fights. When we have a new raid member, I have other members of that role explain important points to them. It's all about delegation, because if you try to do it all yourself, you will burn out very quickly.


I am an aspiring raid leader and have lead a few ICC's for achievements and they have gone pretty well so far. I prepared myself by watching the fights and things, but I have been too nervous to try to lead any of the new content. Any tips for how to get some confidence boosters?

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