Here’s a situation every raid leader has seen at some point.
One of your best raiders (maybe your top DPS or a senior, long-time player), comes to you and says,
“Hey, my friend is looking for a team. Think we could trial them?”
You trust this player, and they’ve been with you through tiers (or years) of progression. Of course, you say yes. You’re sure their judgment is sound and they’re staking their reputation on them thinking it’ll be a solid fit, right? The new guy goes through the interview process and is able to answer the questions honestly, even if they’re a bit light on recent experience (because they’ve obviously just come back to the game or are trying a new class this time around).
But then the trial starts… and it’s rough.
The friend is average at best. They miss interrupts. They’re out of positions. Their logs are low. Worst of all, their mistakes are holding the raid back from moving forward.
Now you’re in an awkward position.
Do you keep the trial to keep your core player happy?
Or cut them and risk losing both?
Why This Happens All the Time
Raid teams are built on relationships. Referrals are natural. People want to raid with their friends. And most of the time, when a top player vouches for someone, you give them the benefit of the doubt.
But the problem is that being a reliable raider doesn’t automatically make you a good recruiter.
Option 1: Keep the Trial
You value loyalty. You want to avoid drama. And maybe you’re hoping the trial will improve over time.
Pros:
- Keeps your veterans happy.
- Avoids an awkward conversation.
- Buys time for development (if they’re coachable).
Cons:
- Weak performance continues.
- The rest of the team starts noticing and asking questions.
- Resentment builds.
If other players feel like someone’s being carried because of a referral connection, the team’s culture (and possibly trust) takes a hit.
Option 2: Cut the Trial
You have standards to uphold, and you’re on the clock. Performance and chemistry matter. You’re willing to make a hard decision.
Pros:
- Reinforces your raid’s expectations.
- Clears up a weak spot.
- It may actually strengthen team trust long-term.
Cons:
- You risk losing the original referring player.
- You might create tension or drama.
- The veteran player may feel resentful or disappointed.
The leadership dilemma is: Do you value the immediate harmony or long-term standards?
Middle Ground: A Collaborative Fix
Before you swing the axe, try this:
- Talk to your veteran player first and be honest: “Hey, your buddy’s struggling. I want to be transparent about where they’re at.”
- Ask if they’ve coached their friend, and if they think the player can realistically improve.
- Offer the trial an alternate or backup role with a path to earn a position on the roster.
- Set clear performance goals: “Hit X DPS, avoid Y mechanic, improve interrupts.” Warcraft Logs can help track these metrics on a raid-by-raid basis, and you can measure that progression.
If they meet the bar? Great. If not? Everyone had a fair opportunity, and the squad stays intact.
The Long-Term Cost of Soft Standards
Keeping someone on the team who doesn’t meet the bar (just to avoid losing a better player) might feel like the easier move to make. I can tell you from experience that it rarely works out long-term.
You don’t just risk performance. You risk your identity.
Every raid slot matters if your team is trying to get that CE achievement. Every weak link creates drag.
Make the Hard Call
Leadership means protecting your team’s health, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Be clear. Be consistent. And be fair.
“If one weak link is sinking the boat, it doesn’t matter who brought them aboard.”
Your star player might respect you more for being honest than they would for bending the rules, and giving an exception. And if they don’t?
Then maybe they weren’t the right teammate you thought they were.