The Group Nazi: "NO QUEUE FOR YOU!!!"

A little over a year ago, in Wrath, I LOVED grouping. I happily ran Heroics and Raids over and over, and kept running them even long after I'd obtained all possible drops useful to me. Those instances were just dang cool all around. And in running pugs over and over, Mortigan became part of a very loose crew of raiders who were always throwing in together for various encounters. I'd often get an invite, and with a quick scan of the roster, I could immediately say, "With this crew, we got this IN THE BAG." or "Oh crap, this will be a wipefest."

But those raid-with-who-you-know times are gone, or at least seem to be, as I try to understand this new-to-me incomprehensible grouping tool. I guess it is designed to eliminate piles of half-filled groups all hollering for a healer. With that potential benefit in mind, I thought I'd give the new tool a chance.  After all, maybe I've just been reluctant to learn something new. So I put on a positive face and decided to try grouping.

Last night was my big moment. My time to shine. To finally join the ranks of my new guild in a Heroic and show them how well Morty sets things on fire even when dressed in blues and greens. I had just wrapped up the crazy-long quest chain for the Overly Intelligent Robes in Twilight Highlands, and was ready for some serious 5-man action. The guild needed me. I was ready. The green text beckoned:

"Mort, we need DPS. You up for it?"

"Sure!" I respond enthusiastically.

GUILDIE INVITES YOU TO JOIN A GROUP. ACCEPT?

I click 'Yes' without hesitation. The box disappears, but nothing happens.

"Sorry, Morty, you can't join the queue. Your gear is too low."

Apparently the new LFG Tool is the Group Nazi. "NO QUEUE FOR YOU!!!" I remember being under-geared in the old days - sometimes WAY under-geared - but the rest of the crew was solid enough to carry us through. And I usually got an item or two that helped me progress in a hurry. Not any more. "GREEN PANTS?! NO QUEUE FOR YOU!!!"

And so they replace me and take off without me. I'm left standing in the middle of the Twilight Highlands, looking at an Elk who warily wonders if I'm going to set him afire. Somehow, I'm not hungry for venison just now.

Mortigan the Denied