As a former GM and a former and current Raid Leader, I’m going to let you all in on a small dirty little secret. Retro runs are more than just “fun times” for people in those positions. And if you’re new to a guild, it’s in your best interests to go to a few and to take it somewhat seriously.
For many GMs and Raid leaders, it’s a chance to see how new people perform. While a certain amount of goofing off is expected [and even encouraged], things that you do can get you a progression raid spot, or cost you one. Over the years of my experience I’ve seen a lot of things in these runs and I’ve watched people cross themselves off the list of folks I would call on for a progression run. I’ve also seen people impress me so much that I pursued them for a spot in my raid.
Now I’m not saying it’s the end all/be all, or that one true mistake will cost you. But there are some things you just DON’T do.
1. Wiping a raid on purpose “for fun”. No one cares for a wipe. Wipes can still happen in old content if you have too few people, if people are careless, or if people don’t know some of the fights [hard modes in particular]. But doing it on purpose? Likely not going to score you an invite to the progression run.
2. Refusing to listen to the raid leader. Yes, these runs are often LOLfaceroll, but listening to and respecting the authority of the person in charge of the raid is something you should do. Deciding you don’t have to follow what they’re wanting you to do just because you want to be stubborn? Not good. Intentionally messing up an achievement because you take the notion to disobey the raid leader? Not a good impression.
3. Standing in Bad/Refusing to Obey Mechanics – This is what I always looked for most. The first two items are automatic red flags, but this one was also quite important. If you’re dying to “bad stuff” in old content, what’s that going to spell for your ability to avoid it in an actual stressful situation [ie progression]? If you’re the one standing in every defile/etc or getting a debuff on you and killing half the raid time after time – outlook: not good. Telling the raid leader that you can stand in [insert bad here] because this is lolfaceroll shows not only a lack of respect for the raid leader but for the raid in general – and your healers specifically. Making mistakes in this category happen but I’d venture that most raid leaders and GMs are saavy enough to know the difference most of the time.
4. How you react when you make a mistake and do wipe the raid/kill people [we all do it at one point or another]. Seeing someone say “I’m sorry about that, won’t happen again” makes me happy. You know X was a problem and you’re taking responsibility for it and are going to correct it. Then just do. You’d be amazed how that kind of attitude will stick with a raid leader.
4. General Obnoxiousness. Enough said I suppose. Having fun is one thing. Being obnoxious is something else.
Raid leaders and GMs are watching and it’s not a bad thing either. They’re watching where you fall generally on the dps meter [on retro runs your numerical dps really doesn’t matter but they’ll watch where you are relative to current raiders particularly on boss fights] as well as how you move out of bad. They’ll be looking at what spells you use as a healer and how your threat is and how hardy you are as a tank.
For me, new people get slotted into about 5 categories in terms of progression – 1. Ready to Raid; 2. Has Potential/Almost There; 3. Major Work Needed/Red Flags Sent Up; 4. Undecided/Unknown; 5. Heck No. No, not all of them are interested in raiding and it may not be the most fair thing to view things through these lenses but a few retro runs will definitely leave an impression. What impression do you want to leave?
You Yank It, You Tank it: Blog of a Tanking Death Knight Lady 
I seriously cannot think of anything I would want to add to this post. Especially as the raid leader for my guild currently. Most definite plus-1 to this post. Well written.
I’ve broken one or more of these rules on a fun raid before. Heck more than one in a single run =P.
On a serious note, I’m always watching people. Be it a fun run or even just 5-mans. It’s often easier to asses someone in a 5-man than a raid since you can focus on them without shirking your duties also. Same as you noted for Fun Raids.
Man, I miss raiding with you guys.
Agree totally. We’ve been running a lot of level 70 raids for the past month or so for fun and transmog gear like most guilds, it’s a geat place to highlight good from bad. The new recruit facepulling bosses time after time – no raids for you. Going afk once, fine. 4 times in 1 hour? no raids for you. Needing old useless gems? Why? don’t be that guy – no raids for you. Polite friendly guy that managed to off-heal when the main chap was afk – again – and the facepulling DPS didn’t stop? Welcome to the guild. Have a promotion and a raid invite.
Don’t judge me.
I can’t judge you Inq, I wouldn’t know where to start =P
When I join a new guild (not that I do it all the time), I stay quiet, keep my head down and take in the culture of the guild. Each guild has their way of doing things, of killing bosses, their own inside jokes, and as the newbie, I feel it’s up to me to adapt to the guild, not the other way around. If I can’t, if it’s just not a good fit, then I would leave and find somewhere that did fit. But I’m on my best behavior, trying to impress and prove I’m a good catch for the guild and the last thing I’d do is the stuff listed above (on purpose anywho. Who here hasn’t stood in bad before?).
I just do not find wiping for funsies amusing. If a guildie kills me because they, say, dismount off their rocket at a high altitude (seems I remember Inq doing it once >.>), I expect them to foot my repair bill.
LIES!
It was Dethgnome.
Inq is not to be blamed for this.