It’s the final stretch of the raid tier. Your team is deep into Mythic progression (maybe even on the last couple of bosses), and suddenly, applications start coming in again.
New trials. Fresh blood. Players looking to make that late-tier leap.
And now you’re faced with a familiar dilemma:
Do we add new players this late in the season, knowing they may not see much play time?
Or do we stick with the current roster, even if a new recruit might help us push through that last hurdle?
In pro sports, this is known as the playoff push, a time when GMs and leaders have to balance fairness, performance, and long-term vision with acquisitions of players.
The Core Question: Can They Help Now?
At this point in the tier, there’s really only one thing that matters: Direct impact.
Can this recruit help us now?
- Are they geared and experienced enough to immediately contribute to boss kills?
- Are they better than someone currently on the roster?
- Will they raise the team’s overall performance and consistency?
If yes, they may be worth displacing someone, even this late.
If not, then it’s probably not fair to either them or the team to bring them in just to warm the bench.
Loyalty vs. Progression
It’s a delicate thing to consider subbing out someone who’s been with you all tier, just to make room for a new trial. You risk hurting morale, creating resentment, and damaging team trust.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth:
Sometimes, that’s the price of progression.
As raid leaders, we have to make hard calls. If the goal is Cutting Edge, then every pull, every death, every percent matters. Loyalty is valuable, but so is performance.
You can balance both by being transparent and respectful in how you handle it.
Best Practices for Handling This Situation
1. Be Transparent with the Team
Let your raiders know the stakes. Make it clear that:
- You’re evaluating every spot based on progression needs
- No one is “benched forever,” but performance matters now more than ever
- This is about the team goal, not personal slights
2. Have Honest Conversations One-on-One
If you need to sub someone out, talk to them directly. Avoid group calls or public shame.
- Acknowledge their contributions so far
- Be honest about why the change is needed
- Offer paths for them to regain their spot (if relevant)
3. Set Clear Expectations with Recruits
Don’t oversell the opportunity. Be upfront:
- “You may not get much play time this tier, but we’ll evaluate you for reclears and next tier.”
- “You’ll be part of our community either way, but progression comes first right now.”
This helps filter out players just looking for quick kills or Cutting Edge tags.
Thinking Ahead: Building Trust for Future Tiers
These playoff-push moments are stressful, but they’re also when your team’s values and leadership culture show the most.
How you handle this situation tells your players:
- Can they trust you to make fair decisions?
- Do you prioritize the team over individuals?
- Will you own your calls and communicate clearly?
Get it right, and you build long-term buy-in, even if someone has to sit out a few bosses.
Final Thoughts
Bringing in new talent during the final leg of a tier is a high-stakes move. But if the player can contribute now, and if you communicate well, it can be exactly what your team needs to close out strong.
Just remember:
- Be fair
- Be honest
- Keep your eyes on the prize
With Cutting Edge, every decision counts.