The guild has pretty much has had a one-two punch to it. First, the GL after grabbing some fresh air realized the time sink he'd made in the past few years and has stepped away from the game. He's promoted a good guy to run the guild, but they are very different people.
The arrival of summer combined with the numerous alts that everyone has been leveling due to the lack of progression has also contributed to attendance. Why waste time wiping if you have an alt who can do a run with another guild and get the level 80 welfare epix?
My own focus has somewhat drifted to this camp too. My mage, forever the bank character, has leveled in the past few weeks up to 56. Heck, 58 is outland and still very familiar to me from the BC days. I really feel the final stretch is to get to 58, I think from then on I'll be happy with the improved leveling content that is BC & WOTLK.
That doesn't address raid nights. I don't believe I've gotten any loot for my main spec in over a month at least. We are equipping a lot of new players, who I can't figure out why they are in this guild or why they'd want to stay. I believe we'll have an influx in 3.2 when faction switching can happen and we'll get a lot more friends showing up.
This obviously is a good thing...as long as they are good players.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Its been nearly two months since my last post. I have the Betrayer of Humanity...seems like 6+ weeks now. I do miss my expertise rating...but I feel the solid stats from this weapon still outweigh the Jawbone.
For the last several weeks, I simply try and log in for the raid nights. We have our home for sale and having a new baby, etc, there just isn't time for this game. A part of me is happy, its nice to have RL events to keep me focus. My funds have been depleting...no time for farming. That's really fine...there haven't been any chances to upgrade my gear, so no enchants are needed.
Our guild has the eternal issue...DPS. Too many of our folks can't output decent damage. I'd love to try something other than DPS...but I'm still stuck at #1 and probably won't be dropping by much until we get into Ulduar. I think my GL is afraid of venturing too much into there, and seeing how terrible we'll do in our current state. Unfortunatley. its not a gear issue...everyone has 95% of what they could upgrade to in Naxx. Its a skill/class knowledge that is missing, IMO.
I have finished up my healing set. Its not 'top tier' but its 'solid'. My tanking set, oddly enough, is weaker. I just don't have the interest in asking for tank gear when its clear I won't ever get to tank...too many warriors, DKs, and other pallies in our guild *in theory* should be stepping up for those positions.
I don't see a clear way out of our problem. The good dps folks leave for other guilds...the remaining folks seem content on farm instances. We'll see how the next few weeks go.
For the last several weeks, I simply try and log in for the raid nights. We have our home for sale and having a new baby, etc, there just isn't time for this game. A part of me is happy, its nice to have RL events to keep me focus. My funds have been depleting...no time for farming. That's really fine...there haven't been any chances to upgrade my gear, so no enchants are needed.
Our guild has the eternal issue...DPS. Too many of our folks can't output decent damage. I'd love to try something other than DPS...but I'm still stuck at #1 and probably won't be dropping by much until we get into Ulduar. I think my GL is afraid of venturing too much into there, and seeing how terrible we'll do in our current state. Unfortunatley. its not a gear issue...everyone has 95% of what they could upgrade to in Naxx. Its a skill/class knowledge that is missing, IMO.
I have finished up my healing set. Its not 'top tier' but its 'solid'. My tanking set, oddly enough, is weaker. I just don't have the interest in asking for tank gear when its clear I won't ever get to tank...too many warriors, DKs, and other pallies in our guild *in theory* should be stepping up for those positions.
I don't see a clear way out of our problem. The good dps folks leave for other guilds...the remaining folks seem content on farm instances. We'll see how the next few weeks go.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Insane DPS
Ok...there is noone close to my numbers in almost all boss fights. When facing non-undead, different story. Hopefully patch 3.1 will keep me close. I have the Jawbone, Cryptfiend's Bite, Greatness card, 4 piece ret set. Life is good. I am still using two blues...but perhaps those will be replaced soon.
I have respec'd to tank 10 mans....sometimes to heal. I am amazed at the amount of epics for all style of play. Granted, I have done a lot of raids...but makes me happy to have the flexibility to bring what is needed on a run.
My 2nd spec will probably be tank. I think healing shortage will go away but we'll still need tanks.
Tired tonight...got < 3 week old baby snuggling. She's cute. :)
I have respec'd to tank 10 mans....sometimes to heal. I am amazed at the amount of epics for all style of play. Granted, I have done a lot of raids...but makes me happy to have the flexibility to bring what is needed on a run.
My 2nd spec will probably be tank. I think healing shortage will go away but we'll still need tanks.
Tired tonight...got < 3 week old baby snuggling. She's cute. :)
Saturday, January 31, 2009
DPS: Smash FCFS
Its almost been two weeks since I've gone to DPS. Ret pallies appear at the top of our DPS charts. I'm sure once more folks get geared this will change, but for whatever reason we dominate. I've been consistantly #1 by a decent margin for most boss fights. I have agreed with the conclusion that the order of Judgement, Crusader Strike, Divine Storm, and Consencration (with glyph) is the order of choice, meaning, if any of the abilities is ready, smash it in that order.
I spend my fight making sure I'm on the side of the boss and tapping '2,3,4,5' while pecking for the occassional Divine Plea and Hand of Salvation. Every 2 minutes I pop wings/trinket. Why 2,3,4,5? well, 1 is Hammer of Wrath, which is only available the last 20% of the bosses health, I find it easier to move my hand to the left and then do 1,2,3,4 and peck sometimes the consencrate, but normally it doesn't matter at that point.
I now have two pieces of tier 7.5. I am hoping to get the remaining two asap, along with Bonejaw. Yea, nice goals. Our guild struggled with Militiary wing...we don't have priests with enough + hit to make the MC work. I honestly don't know what else can be done other than resolve that. Patchwerk pwnd' the guild last week and they avoided him. Issue is that our healers haven't adapted to what is necessary for that fight...big heals always incoming. They are used to watching grid/healbot and reacting...the passive healing of hots and judgements with quick heals does not keep the hateful strike victim alive. Hopefully folks will be open to chain throwing their big heals. Between blessing of wisdom, mana tide totem, and replenshiment, this really shouldn't be that big of a deal.
A part of me would like to try my hand at healing...but honestly I'm setting the bar by which others in our DPS is trying to reach. They are wisely asking questions now and have been doing much better after a few runs. With perhaps just a few more weeks until the next raid becomes available, I hope we can see some real progression. Naxx this week was our first Wed/Thr 25 man run. We did OS before hand on Wed...personally, I would like to see OS for Sunday and then wipe on progression for the rest of the night. *shrug*
We did a quick 10 man OS and then I had to bail yesterday. 10 man anything seems to be a waste of time once you are in the *same* instance with 15 other people. 25 man is simply easier, has more loot, etc. I think there is more of a chance to get my offsets in 10 man...its all good.
Now that I'm done rambling, time to install a child seat in the minivan. Yes, I lead an exciting life. :)
I spend my fight making sure I'm on the side of the boss and tapping '2,3,4,5' while pecking for the occassional Divine Plea and Hand of Salvation. Every 2 minutes I pop wings/trinket. Why 2,3,4,5? well, 1 is Hammer of Wrath, which is only available the last 20% of the bosses health, I find it easier to move my hand to the left and then do 1,2,3,4 and peck sometimes the consencrate, but normally it doesn't matter at that point.
I now have two pieces of tier 7.5. I am hoping to get the remaining two asap, along with Bonejaw. Yea, nice goals. Our guild struggled with Militiary wing...we don't have priests with enough + hit to make the MC work. I honestly don't know what else can be done other than resolve that. Patchwerk pwnd' the guild last week and they avoided him. Issue is that our healers haven't adapted to what is necessary for that fight...big heals always incoming. They are used to watching grid/healbot and reacting...the passive healing of hots and judgements with quick heals does not keep the hateful strike victim alive. Hopefully folks will be open to chain throwing their big heals. Between blessing of wisdom, mana tide totem, and replenshiment, this really shouldn't be that big of a deal.
A part of me would like to try my hand at healing...but honestly I'm setting the bar by which others in our DPS is trying to reach. They are wisely asking questions now and have been doing much better after a few runs. With perhaps just a few more weeks until the next raid becomes available, I hope we can see some real progression. Naxx this week was our first Wed/Thr 25 man run. We did OS before hand on Wed...personally, I would like to see OS for Sunday and then wipe on progression for the rest of the night. *shrug*
We did a quick 10 man OS and then I had to bail yesterday. 10 man anything seems to be a waste of time once you are in the *same* instance with 15 other people. 25 man is simply easier, has more loot, etc. I think there is more of a chance to get my offsets in 10 man...its all good.
Now that I'm done rambling, time to install a child seat in the minivan. Yes, I lead an exciting life. :)
Monday, January 19, 2009
Thanks but no Tanks
Well,
The GL has said me has missed me from the DPS slot. I found that a tad odd, since I've never really heard a peep out of him before on my DPSing pre-wotlk. The issue I have encountered is that our guild has 4 solid tanks, yet only needs 2 on our 10 mans and 3 on our 25 mans. Who gets dropped? Yea, you're looking at him.
Main issue IMHO is that the other 3 are officers. One is a solid tank, a warrior who is rock solid and a great player. The other is a DK who is struggling both with the class role in tanking and his own disconnects. The last is a casual paladin player, yet very focused in raid and friendly.
The DK approached me last night and requested my Blacksmithing services in crafting Spiked Titansteel helm & boots. He is taking the lead and focusing on DPS, since it really hurts to have a tank DC in a fight and he isn't oblivous what that has been doing to the raids.
However, I'm not sure where that leaves me. I enjoy playing wow. I guess role is important, but I really like seeing progression. Our guild really does little to advance better playing. We don't discuss in an open forum suggestions/ideas or what worked and what didn't. Most encounters feel like we win by brute force, rather by smart playstyle.
The smart playstyle really focuses on DPS contributing in a raid format than a bunch of solos unloading their cooldowns. We did Vault Sunday, for example, and our dps ran into an issue with threat...yet the two hunters and the rogue weren't firing misdirects/tricks of trade when the cooldown was over. Sure, they did for initial pull...but why stop there? Why not blow a cooldown every now & then and help out the rest of the guild? Why aren't warlocks throwing curse of elements? Hunters scorpid sting while the other does serpent sting? Paladins bubbling/hand of sacrifice during tough transitions? Heck, Prot paladins during key phases (heigen dance?) can transfer 30% of all raid damage to themselves and be invulnerable during this ability.
Another individual complained when mentioned that he should come 'prepared' to raid with a flask/food. He didn't seem to mind the epic awarded him. However he was 'broke'. Whatever. Leveling 70-80 means 1000s of gold. Instead blowing them on tradeskills, set some aside to hold onto 5 flasks and a stack of food. Flasks that persist through death are a steal when doing new material. They last 2 hours and that's most of the raid night. Considering its only a handful of times a week we raid, that's easily maintained. The 'all about me' just gets tiring.
The GL has said me has missed me from the DPS slot. I found that a tad odd, since I've never really heard a peep out of him before on my DPSing pre-wotlk. The issue I have encountered is that our guild has 4 solid tanks, yet only needs 2 on our 10 mans and 3 on our 25 mans. Who gets dropped? Yea, you're looking at him.
Main issue IMHO is that the other 3 are officers. One is a solid tank, a warrior who is rock solid and a great player. The other is a DK who is struggling both with the class role in tanking and his own disconnects. The last is a casual paladin player, yet very focused in raid and friendly.
The DK approached me last night and requested my Blacksmithing services in crafting Spiked Titansteel helm & boots. He is taking the lead and focusing on DPS, since it really hurts to have a tank DC in a fight and he isn't oblivous what that has been doing to the raids.
However, I'm not sure where that leaves me. I enjoy playing wow. I guess role is important, but I really like seeing progression. Our guild really does little to advance better playing. We don't discuss in an open forum suggestions/ideas or what worked and what didn't. Most encounters feel like we win by brute force, rather by smart playstyle.
The smart playstyle really focuses on DPS contributing in a raid format than a bunch of solos unloading their cooldowns. We did Vault Sunday, for example, and our dps ran into an issue with threat...yet the two hunters and the rogue weren't firing misdirects/tricks of trade when the cooldown was over. Sure, they did for initial pull...but why stop there? Why not blow a cooldown every now & then and help out the rest of the guild? Why aren't warlocks throwing curse of elements? Hunters scorpid sting while the other does serpent sting? Paladins bubbling/hand of sacrifice during tough transitions? Heck, Prot paladins during key phases (heigen dance?) can transfer 30% of all raid damage to themselves and be invulnerable during this ability.
Another individual complained when mentioned that he should come 'prepared' to raid with a flask/food. He didn't seem to mind the epic awarded him. However he was 'broke'. Whatever. Leveling 70-80 means 1000s of gold. Instead blowing them on tradeskills, set some aside to hold onto 5 flasks and a stack of food. Flasks that persist through death are a steal when doing new material. They last 2 hours and that's most of the raid night. Considering its only a handful of times a week we raid, that's easily maintained. The 'all about me' just gets tiring.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Wotlk Raiding
Its been over a half year since my last post. I have been retribution and then tank for most of this time. When wotlk hit, i switched to tank since I wanted to run instances with my pals. We have a healer priest, an enhancement Shaman, and a hunter. That makes it pretty easy to pick up a 5th, I just wish it wasn't one of the million Death Knights looking to swipe my dps armor. (slightly joking).
I never had done Naxx pre-BC. I have done about 3 runs and have cleared all bosses except for the four horsemen. I've wiped on them lots, but mostly due to raid unable to provide a 3rd healer for the last 2.
The guild has gone through some changes. The guild leader took some time out of the spotlight as everyone leveled. A number of smaller clicks formed of individuals running 5 mans. People also arrived at level 80 at different pacing. Upon the return of the guild leader held a popularity contest for officer positions. One was an oldtimer who was already an officer, but is now an assistant GL. A recruiter position appeared, went to his lady interest. Last, a RL position is currently held by a 15 year on a trial basis.
...welcome back blog...
I never had done Naxx pre-BC. I have done about 3 runs and have cleared all bosses except for the four horsemen. I've wiped on them lots, but mostly due to raid unable to provide a 3rd healer for the last 2.
The guild has gone through some changes. The guild leader took some time out of the spotlight as everyone leveled. A number of smaller clicks formed of individuals running 5 mans. People also arrived at level 80 at different pacing. Upon the return of the guild leader held a popularity contest for officer positions. One was an oldtimer who was already an officer, but is now an assistant GL. A recruiter position appeared, went to his lady interest. Last, a RL position is currently held by a 15 year on a trial basis.
...welcome back blog...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)