Scrub Pug: How to Get Out

We all have different standards to what would be a good pug, and different standards as to when it's so "scrubby" a person would rather stab themselves in the eyes than continue with the group. I'm not here to argue what is a good pug or bad pug. I'm here and making the assumption that you're in a group and you would like to leave.

So what's the best way to get out of a pug without tarnishing your good reputation and avoid depressing drama? 3 steps.

1) Be polite
2) State your limitations
3) Leave gracefully

1) Be polite
From the first words you type to the last ones sent, always be polite. The people in the group may be the worst players and rudest bunch of racists you've encountered, but! we must be polite. Let the others build a reputation of being blacklisted.

Staying polite builds our good reputation and gives us credibility. This is important, because when we say why we're dropping group, people will be more willing to say, "Okay, I can understand why Player B wouldn't want to stick around," and less inclined to say, "That guy was so freaken rude and snobbish." Being polite will give us justification when dropping group.

In general, when you are in party if you want something done
a) state your request
b) provide a reasoning for it
People are more inclined to comply when they understand the reason for your request. Be polite in requests, gently remind others fulfill their role if they are not doing it.
- "Could we get healthstones please?"
- "May I get some mana biscuits please?"
- "Oops, it's not good to soulstone the tank. Next time soulstone the healer please. :) "
- "Hunter, would you please misdirect xmob to tank at the beginning of phase 2 please?"
- "Please don't stand in the fire! Otherwise you take too much damage and healer won't be able to keep up with tank and party healing."
- "Tank, please pull the mobs back, that way we won't aggro more mobs or pats."

Let your party know what is going on if they ever have to wait for you: "Let me repair and I'll be on my way to the instance." "I need to afk for a few mins, bio."

At times, just don't say anything. Cliche but it works: If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all.

Sometimes no matter how polite we are people will be defensive and respond rudely. "Don't tell me how to play my class!" There is no need to argue your point; it is pointless when the other person refuses to listen. No matter what you say, reasonable or unreasonable, it will fall on deaf ears. Just ignore their rude response. As long as they do their job it'll be fine, it's a pug remember? :)

Sometimes the pug is so idiotic, you just have to vent? Vent in whispers to your friends, or IM to people. But no one in your group needs to know how displeased you are with the run thus far.

2) State your limitations
Let people know ahead of time what you are willing to endure, and what kind of actions you are not willing to stick around for. One of the key ways to enjoying WoW, is saying "no" to things you don't find fun in game. You don't have to make up strange excuses to leave, nor do you have to sound like you're giving a rude "ultimatum." Something straightforward, written with tact is all that's needed.

Polite ways to state your limitations:
- "Sorry guys, this isn't working out for me. I'll give it 2 more tries, but after that will be leaving."
- "We need dps to follow the tank's kill order. I can heal tank and party, but not a dps that is trying to tank a mob. If it continues, I'm sorry, I'm not the healer for this group then."
- "Heya guys, I'm willing to give it another try, but after that, I'm sorry it's just too many wipes for me."
- "Sorry guys, I don't think we have enough dps to complete this instance. Thank you for the run so far, and good luck next time."

Rude and bad ways to leave:
- Mysterious disconnection
- Mysterious afk
- "My cat is on fire, sorry" /leave party
- "I have to leave" /leave party

3) Leave gracefully
No matter how bad the run was, or how rude the people in it were, or what they have already ninja'd, when you are ready to leave group. Do it simply, gracefully, and without drama.

Polite ways to leave:
- "Thank you for the invite and run thus far. It's too bad we didn't get to finish." /leave party
- "Thank you for your time." /leave party
- "Thank you for the run so far, and good luck next time."

More rude ways to leave:
- "You guys are terribad"
- "You guys suck." /leave party
- Pull mobs, hearth
- Ninja loot, hearth

You never know when 1 or 2 players in group is a good player and may become your best advocate when applying to a guild or seeking other groups. It is not uncommon for people in high endgame guilds or hold leadership positions to have alts in social guilds or be unguilded, so it is beneficial to build a good reputation anytime you group up with others.

Make the best of every situation, and be willing to say "no" firmly but politely to scrub pugs!