There's an interesting fledgling forum thread that tries to pin down quite where the boundary between "hardcore raiding guild" and "everyone else" lies. The 'raiding' part is simple enough, but what makes a guild hardcore?

Some of the criteria from the forums (feel free to comment with your own additions):

• Strict level, spec and gear requirements
• DKP system
• New members have a probation period
• Strict schedule
  
• Close-knit atmosphere
• Lots of free time

However, the above list doesn't make or break a guild -- and some guilds entirely disagree on certain rules (one I know of won't let significant others in; another won't let them be in competing guilds).
 
[Via AFK Gamer, who laments that being part of such a guild means missing out on the weather]

Filed under: Guilds