Nurfed: F.A.Q.

Do you honestly raid so little? How is that possible?

Yes, we truly only raid 12 hours per week, and that’s at the absolute maximum. A typical progression raid week for us is Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday, all from 8:00 PM EST until Midnight. You will never raid on a Friday or Saturday in this guild, and you will only be asked to attend on a Thursday or Monday a few times per year. The vast majority of our competition will devote more time to a new encounter on their very first day than we will in our first week. We emphasize skill over time spent.

Are 10-mans included in your weekly schedule?

No, they are not. At the onset of a new dungeon, the guild self-organizes into multiple 10-man squads. These groups exist for a short period of time (typically several weeks), lasting only until the guild’s desire for new content begins to wane. Participation in 10-man raids is entirely optional here, though it is encouraged.

What type of loot system does Nurfed use?

Nurfed uses a system whereby the GM assigns loot, though Officers provide their input. This method is widely known as “merit” or “loot council.” Additionally, to ensure fairness and equality, the GM himself may only acquire loot when it is on rot status. We do not use any variation of DKP, though we did develop our own suite of tools (known as NDKP) and released it for public consumption prior to the release of The Burning Crusade. It can still be found for download at the Nurfed UI website.

Alright, then, how many Officers are there?

We have three Officers, and we do not believe in the notion of class leaders.

Most high-end raiding guilds have hundreds of members. Why don’t you?

Our active roster currently sits at 32 players, but alts artificially inflate our tally by another two dozen or so characters. We will never deviate much from these numbers; we feel that a smaller organization helps foster a deeper attachment to one’s fellow guildmates, and lasting friendships inevitably emerge. Moreover, a limited player base is far easier to manage, thus creating a smoother, more enjoyable raiding atmosphere for everyone. Our principles stand in stark contrast to the so-called “zerg” guilds who tirelessly assault new content with their endless supply of unsophisticated players.

Speaking of alts, am I allowed to bring mine to a guild raid?

No, alts are never permitted in our raids — not during progression or otherwise. You are recruited to play one class, and one class only. If you wish to gear out your alt, you must do so on your own time.

If I apply, will I actually get to particpate in Icecrown, or will I be benched?

We do not recruit back-ups. Assuming you are adequately geared, you will be permitted to come to any raid — even progression. However, this is not meant to imply that you will never be sat out. Certain encounters require a very specific raid composition, which is something we have little control over, so expect to be asked to take one for the team on occasion.

How does recruitment work for Nurfed, and do I receive a guild tag during it?

Trial membership is roughly a six-week process. You are permitted to form your own guild during this time, as you are not awarded a Nurfed guild tag until you become a full-fledged member. Furthermore, membership status is contingent upon the entirety (as in 100%) of the guild agreeing that you are someone we would like to keep around. If a single member vetoes you for any reason, you will be let go.

I heard that Nurfed does not recruit the fairer sex. Confirm or deny?

Unfortunately, skilled female gamers are a rarity. While we are not averse to women in this guild, we are severely allergic to drama queens and attention whores.

How does the guild operate during progression?

Throughout the duration of fresh content, the guild bank pays for all repairs and respec fees, furnishes enchanting materials, and acts as a supplement for the exorbitant amount of consumable usage by our players. All guild-earned commodities (such as epic items, rare patterns, and crafting materials) are distributed by the leadership on an as-needed basis. This level of micromanagement enables us to ensure a fair spread of materials amongst our players, guaranteeing that no one is able to abuse the system.

What about guild politics? What happens internally?

On all important issues, the guild is a functioning democracy; every member’s input weighs just as heavily as the guild master’s own. In effect, the leadership exists solely to perform the less important, often tedious task of guild maintenance, doing what they can to eliminate burden on the other players.

Why don’t I ever see you guys posting on the forums?

Generally speaking and with few exceptions, it is against guild policy to post on public forums. Specifically, it is forbidden for members to participate in any sort of “raid progress” thread. We prefer to let our accomplishments speak for themselves. Likewise, we frown upon guildmates who trash talk to anyone via any medium (unless it is plainly in jest and with good will). We have a zero tolerance policy for douchebags, egomaniacs, or otherwise shady individuals.

What is the atmosphere like on Ventrilo, especially during raids?

It is usually very laid back, relaxed, and casual. Under normal circumstances, everyone is free to contribute their thoughts on the current tactic being employed against an encounter. Participation is encouraged, and often times the leadership will go out of their way to specifically inquire about the opinion of an individual who is notably remaining silent.

Overall, people here also tend to be highly respectful in the majority of situations; they will not talk over one another just to be heard. It is integral to our success that everyone in the guild be adult enough to understand that just because a strategy they suggested may never be implemented, it does not mean their input was simply disregarded. Similarly, our players grasp that it is important for them to keep their composure during moments of high pressure, enabling the raid leader to be clearly heard by everyone. This level of maturity is likely a byproduct of the fact that the average age of a Nurfed member lies somewhere between 24-25 years old.

However, none of this is meant to imply that recruits will not be ridiculed to some extent. We are, after all, just a bunch of guys. Many here perceive themselves to be supremely witty, so inside jokes, genius puns, barbs, quips, and sarcasm are all prevalent in copious amounts. If you should happen to spectacularly fail at some point (as everyone inevitably does), be prepared for an onslaught of comedy at your expense. We will tease and snipe at you relentlessly for several weeks, and then it will gently fade to a fond memory. So carry your sins proudly as if they were badges of honor, for you will not survive in this guild without thick skin and an endless supply of confidence.