"I dunno. Maybe I just run with a better group in 10s than when I do 25s (there's more ability to filter stupid people out when you take a large guild and shave it down to the ten people of your choice). But I've never thought 25s were easier."

That actually sorta proves my point. ;)

In 10 mans, we do bring our great raiders and we try to be inclusive and bring our "so-so" raiders too when we can.

In 25 man, those so-so raiders can screw up big time and it isn't a wipe. In 10 mans, it is almost every time.

Which is easier, having a situation where brain-dead Joe wipes you because he likes standing less than 10 yards from a healer in the frost lair or 25 man where the remaining 4-6 healers keep everyone alive and someone b-rezzes the dead healer while we leave Joe dead in 25 man?

Most people would say the 25 man. Our core 10 man group is very good about not standing in void zones, keeping proper distance, using tricks to stay alive and in general not wiping us. People we have gotten from 25 man guilds have forgotten these things or never learned them as well because if they died, well, the boss still went down. Healers could cover for them, and they wouldn't be too much lost DPS.

I do agree with you. When I can pick my raid from the best we have, we can do amazing stuff. Even with some people that are marginal we are good. But sometimes I just need boots on the ground.