Well, I am lucky enough to be friends with a few of the really solid raiding guilds on my server. When the content stops being progression, these guilds sometimes need extra heals or an off-tank, or one of the classes I seem to be able to bring. There are a few great benefits when I get to pug a raid with a raiding guild:
- The tricks that they use to stay efficient can be really helpful
- Boss strats, bugs are easier to explore in game than in videos
- I tend to meet folks who have a lot of skill, and may have alts that need gear from raids below their main progression runs . . . my friends list is usually pretty solid
- I am reminded why I don't want to be in a leading edge progression guild.
When I get to just follow along, life is easy. The guys who lead the raids in realm-first-competitive guilds need to be not as nice as I want to be. They HAVE to do it, basically. To produce results, they need to drive their teams hard, and while most raiders on teams like this do really well without too much guidance, even in these guilds, discipline is very important and needs constant attention.
I would rather be a social director, and allow raiding to happen vigorously, but without pressure. I think I can keep people pretty happy about the social aspect of the guild. I think I can keep people informed, connected and give them opportunities to explore raiding - even progression raiding. To drive any one aspect of the guild toward the hardcore, well, that is something that I don't have the ability to do. So, I'm glad that I have awesome friends who can open the window to that part of the game.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Dont despair!
How do you talk to guildies about raiding when PuGs do as well or better than guild runs?
What is the incentive for folks to raid with the guild?
Typically, I talk about having fun in raids. It is fun to kill stuff, but having fun with guildies is that and more. When you know people in a raid, their success means a lot. When it's just you, only YOUR success matters. The more experienced raiders can make a difference in a raid with guildies who are less experienced. This is how teamwork develops. Also, for the folks who raid with the guild, they have the more tangible benefit of keeping whatever loot drops in the guild.
When talking to these potential raiders - who are in the middle of the pack in many good PuGs, but are at the top of the list for us - I want to avoid talking about sacrifice or responsibility to the guild. I don't want people to feel negatively about raiding with the guild. Down that road people get burned out, and feel like to be successful they need to leave.
Ultimately, people will want to do more and they will leave. Those who stay will be the folks who are ok with slower progression, dont mind pugging once in a while, and who really want to help out their friends once in a while. Also, many of our guildies have been down the 'hardcore' road before. They get stuck because of real life obligations and then realize they have to quit WoW. Or they learn that a hobby is something to do in your spare time and moderate their WoW playing. These folks dont need convincing that 6 hours raiding a week is plenty. That having fun, being casual is ok . . . as long as progression happens too!
What is the incentive for folks to raid with the guild?
Typically, I talk about having fun in raids. It is fun to kill stuff, but having fun with guildies is that and more. When you know people in a raid, their success means a lot. When it's just you, only YOUR success matters. The more experienced raiders can make a difference in a raid with guildies who are less experienced. This is how teamwork develops. Also, for the folks who raid with the guild, they have the more tangible benefit of keeping whatever loot drops in the guild.
When talking to these potential raiders - who are in the middle of the pack in many good PuGs, but are at the top of the list for us - I want to avoid talking about sacrifice or responsibility to the guild. I don't want people to feel negatively about raiding with the guild. Down that road people get burned out, and feel like to be successful they need to leave.
Ultimately, people will want to do more and they will leave. Those who stay will be the folks who are ok with slower progression, dont mind pugging once in a while, and who really want to help out their friends once in a while. Also, many of our guildies have been down the 'hardcore' road before. They get stuck because of real life obligations and then realize they have to quit WoW. Or they learn that a hobby is something to do in your spare time and moderate their WoW playing. These folks dont need convincing that 6 hours raiding a week is plenty. That having fun, being casual is ok . . . as long as progression happens too!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Patches, we don't need your stinking patches!
On one hand, I am really eager for the Icecrown to drop. I think my 10 man is going to do pretty well. We won't have many realm firsts - somewhere in the vicinity of zero percent chance. But, we should be able to make some good progression.
Still, I sorta wish we had more time before 3.3. I know many, many guilds are bored with the current content, but we're still working on it.
There are so many changes when new content comes out. Class changes, new recipes, new instances. The first few days are always as chaotic as Christmas morning in a house full of 7 year olds. Broken mods, bugs, server lag, extended maintenance . . .
Ultimately, wiping on 3 hours before new content in order to get that first new boss dead on opening day will be pretty sweet.
Still, I sorta wish we had more time before 3.3. I know many, many guilds are bored with the current content, but we're still working on it.
There are so many changes when new content comes out. Class changes, new recipes, new instances. The first few days are always as chaotic as Christmas morning in a house full of 7 year olds. Broken mods, bugs, server lag, extended maintenance . . .
Ultimately, wiping on 3 hours before new content in order to get that first new boss dead on opening day will be pretty sweet.
Thursday Night - Must Raid CC
Black Axe went back into ToC tonight. We cruised through VoA for a warm up, which was nice. We 22-manned it. Then into ToC for Faction Champions. Had a wipe or two right out of the gate. Then we got into the groove. We killed 1 for every 2 or 3 we lost, by the end it was 10 vs 2, but we got 'em. Took about 16 minutes. I died early. I probably could have made a pie. I like pie. I totally could have made a pie and had it in the oven. Well, I did NOT make pie, but we did clear the encounter. I'm very grateful to my guildies for carrying me through that fight. There is no love for trees or chickens in Faction Champions.
Anyway, we moved on to twins. Again, it took a while for people to figure out how to stay alive. Living raiders do WAY more damage. Once we turned the corner there, we did really well and cleared them too.
Anub was not so nice. We couldn't find a good balance with him. Chins were held pretty high even though we didn't get to finish ToC for the week. It was nice to have 2 full 25 man days for the guild. It has been a while since we've had that, or done this well.
Anyway, we moved on to twins. Again, it took a while for people to figure out how to stay alive. Living raiders do WAY more damage. Once we turned the corner there, we did really well and cleared them too.
Anub was not so nice. We couldn't find a good balance with him. Chins were held pretty high even though we didn't get to finish ToC for the week. It was nice to have 2 full 25 man days for the guild. It has been a while since we've had that, or done this well.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tanking Teams
Setting up a tanking team can be tricky. Ultimately, 'bring the player, not the class' is probably MOST true with tanking. Today I heard tanking described as 30% science and 70% art. I think that is a little generous, but in essence, it's true. We've all run in PuGs, or in VoA with a MT or OT who has 45k health, but forgets to pick up some adds. I've seen tanks try Koralon with 52k health who figure that they can just stand in the fire and 'get heals'. In tanking, perhaps more than in other classes, your 'rotation' is secondary to your objective. Gear certainly helps in tanking, but there is a wide range of acceptable gear for the content is available right now.
The most important thing about tanking is having a tank who WANTS to tank. Personally, I get burned out from tanking. I can do it for a while, but then I need to move to something else. There really is much more pressure tanking. For healers, the pressure is similar, but I've spent a lot of time doing both, and personally, I feel twice the pressure tanking as I do healing. The 2nd or 3rd tank job is another role that is challenging on its own. I usually feel like the second best (or third) and that is usually not a great feeling. It does take a special motivation to want to be a tank. Getting 2 people totally dedicated to it is essential. Having 2 people ready to fill take role, while primarily doing something else is also needed. We use 3 tanks on certain encounters. Most of the time we just need 2, so having one tank, who can dps well, or provide extra heals, is a great benefit.
In a good raid, everybody is comfortable with their role for an encounter. They fill that role, and if able, help others too. The MT pallie who has a minute to sit around waiting for Onyxia to drop, and gets off some heals . . .that guy is a hero. The DK OT who changes his presence for phase 3, swaps out the weapons and piles on 750 more dps . . . that is somebody who understands his class, and his ability. The OT warrior, who gets the debuffs up on the mobs, move the vigilance around to help folks reduce their threat . . .I want that guy on the team.
The most important thing about tanking is having a tank who WANTS to tank. Personally, I get burned out from tanking. I can do it for a while, but then I need to move to something else. There really is much more pressure tanking. For healers, the pressure is similar, but I've spent a lot of time doing both, and personally, I feel twice the pressure tanking as I do healing. The 2nd or 3rd tank job is another role that is challenging on its own. I usually feel like the second best (or third) and that is usually not a great feeling. It does take a special motivation to want to be a tank. Getting 2 people totally dedicated to it is essential. Having 2 people ready to fill take role, while primarily doing something else is also needed. We use 3 tanks on certain encounters. Most of the time we just need 2, so having one tank, who can dps well, or provide extra heals, is a great benefit.
In a good raid, everybody is comfortable with their role for an encounter. They fill that role, and if able, help others too. The MT pallie who has a minute to sit around waiting for Onyxia to drop, and gets off some heals . . .that guy is a hero. The DK OT who changes his presence for phase 3, swaps out the weapons and piles on 750 more dps . . . that is somebody who understands his class, and his ability. The OT warrior, who gets the debuffs up on the mobs, move the vigilance around to help folks reduce their threat . . .I want that guy on the team.
So, I have posted this on our guild forums. Here is a list of my favorite podcasts. I have a long commute on the days I work (about an hour each way). Having these podcasts pretty much fills the whole commute (and saves a ton of money on my cellphone bill).
The Instance
The twisted nether blogcast
WoW.com
I prefer The Instance to just about all the other podcasts for WoW I've heard. The sound production is usually the best. Scott and Randy, the hosts, are usually funny and upbeat. It sounds like they are having fun podcasting and it sounds like they are having fun in the game.
The twisted nether blogcast is something I've only been listening to for a few weeks. I think the material in the podcast is really more about blogging about WoW (it's a little bit meta). Nevertheless, they bring in a different person to interview each week. That fresh voice is really refreshing.
The wow.com podcast is fun too. It is not quite as well produced as The Instance, but Mike and Turpster are great hosts. And, like Scott and Randy, have a lot of fun with WoW. Plus, the WoW.com blog is outstanding.
There are a bunch of non-wow podcasts that I enjoy:
SMODcast
This American Life
Savage Love Podcast
SMOD and Savage Love are definately NSFW, but everything else should be ok for little ears.
The Instance
The twisted nether blogcast
WoW.com
I prefer The Instance to just about all the other podcasts for WoW I've heard. The sound production is usually the best. Scott and Randy, the hosts, are usually funny and upbeat. It sounds like they are having fun podcasting and it sounds like they are having fun in the game.
The twisted nether blogcast is something I've only been listening to for a few weeks. I think the material in the podcast is really more about blogging about WoW (it's a little bit meta). Nevertheless, they bring in a different person to interview each week. That fresh voice is really refreshing.
The wow.com podcast is fun too. It is not quite as well produced as The Instance, but Mike and Turpster are great hosts. And, like Scott and Randy, have a lot of fun with WoW. Plus, the WoW.com blog is outstanding.
There are a bunch of non-wow podcasts that I enjoy:
SMODcast
This American Life
Savage Love Podcast
SMOD and Savage Love are definately NSFW, but everything else should be ok for little ears.
Tuesday Night Raiding Club
Tuesday night is 25-man night.
On the tap for this Tuesday was Onyxia and Trial of the Crusader.
Log report for 12/1/9 for Black Axe Clan
Building the group went ok, but not great. We had 20 people instantly. 6 healers and 1 full-time tank. Abhorred has a good tanking set for DK and was my first choice to OT (but we prefer him dps-ing). Other than that it was a crap-shoot. I was considering getting on my warrior to tank, but Sondebar (one of our leading mages) hoped on his DK to be another OT. At this point we had 24 and were going to bring in another dps, but luckily one of the guild main tanks, Judeaded, logged on to fill a spot. This let Abhorred go back to dps, which is just full of win, and we had the makings of a great group.
We only had one hunter. We only had one shaman. Healing team was 3 priests, 2 druid and a paladin. Not a bad mix, especially since everybody knew their business. Tanking team was Pallie, and 2 DKs.
Onyxia was first. I'm often asked why we do that first. Essentially, I see it as a warm up. Sometimes it takes folks a few minutes to realize that they are raiding, and in that interval we have a few folks die from inattention. Onyxia is something that we can easily kill with 20 people, so I like starting there. Plus, because it's so short, we typically end up giving out some loot that can get quickly gemmed and enchanted before we start ToC.
On this night we did wonderfully in Onyxia:
Nevertheless, we one shot Beasts of Northrend. That is not unusual, really. But we did it without allowing Icehowl to enrage at all. Last week, he enraged on every charge (including hitting ME once!). This week, not once.
Jax went down super smoothly. Lost one person who lagged a little when he had the fire on him. Clothies + fire = toasty cloth.
We took a 5 min break before PVP for bio and a little R&R. Coming back to the PVP event we were facing: disc priest, tree, holy pallie, rogue, warrior, enhancement shaman, DK, hunter, warlock, shadow priest. Basically, a nightmare group for us. We usually do really well when there is fewer melee. We wiped a bunch. It seemed as though we had everybody cc-ing and nobody dps-ing for a few seconds, then everybody dps-ing and nobody cc-ing for a few seconds. We had rotations for cc assigned, and we had all kinds of teams for that, but it was still a giant mess. Even when we killed the priest quickly, the tide would shift and we would get behind the dps-curve.
Most of us were pretty frustrated by it. Especially on that fight it is hard to find something to correct. Because the fight is so chaotic, we cannot tell who is missing a cc or who is not getting their cleanse off or whatever. We spent about 45 minutes in there (maybe more). We ended up calling it a night a little early to avoid burning out.
The Faction Champions fight is tricky, no doubt, but it is one that we have had success with in the past. I think that our team's overall lack of experience shows a little bit in that fight. The deep knowledge of class and race abilities is less when people have not had as much experience raiding. Still, it was a fun night, and the fact that we really flew through the first 3 encounters was great.
We are scheduled to get back into ToC on Thursday for more PVP love. Fingers are crossed.
On the tap for this Tuesday was Onyxia and Trial of the Crusader.
Log report for 12/1/9 for Black Axe Clan
Building the group went ok, but not great. We had 20 people instantly. 6 healers and 1 full-time tank. Abhorred has a good tanking set for DK and was my first choice to OT (but we prefer him dps-ing). Other than that it was a crap-shoot. I was considering getting on my warrior to tank, but Sondebar (one of our leading mages) hoped on his DK to be another OT. At this point we had 24 and were going to bring in another dps, but luckily one of the guild main tanks, Judeaded, logged on to fill a spot. This let Abhorred go back to dps, which is just full of win, and we had the makings of a great group.
We only had one hunter. We only had one shaman. Healing team was 3 priests, 2 druid and a paladin. Not a bad mix, especially since everybody knew their business. Tanking team was Pallie, and 2 DKs.
Onyxia was first. I'm often asked why we do that first. Essentially, I see it as a warm up. Sometimes it takes folks a few minutes to realize that they are raiding, and in that interval we have a few folks die from inattention. Onyxia is something that we can easily kill with 20 people, so I like starting there. Plus, because it's so short, we typically end up giving out some loot that can get quickly gemmed and enchanted before we start ToC.
On this night we did wonderfully in Onyxia:
- Akaichisuru, our MT, d/c'd when the whelps first appeared, but the two DK OTs did a great job of picking them up and Akaichisuru was able to hop back in quickly. I too always get a huge lag spike during that first AOE blast. Typically, I have Recount hidden, but I think I need to be turning it off entirely to avoid the processing lag.
- Nobody died to her breath, and only 2 or 3 people were hit by it at all.
- The only death was an unfortunate melee who was feared into a cleave and got 1-shot. That was pretty near the end, so I was not at all concerned.
Nevertheless, we one shot Beasts of Northrend. That is not unusual, really. But we did it without allowing Icehowl to enrage at all. Last week, he enraged on every charge (including hitting ME once!). This week, not once.
Jax went down super smoothly. Lost one person who lagged a little when he had the fire on him. Clothies + fire = toasty cloth.
We took a 5 min break before PVP for bio and a little R&R. Coming back to the PVP event we were facing: disc priest, tree, holy pallie, rogue, warrior, enhancement shaman, DK, hunter, warlock, shadow priest. Basically, a nightmare group for us. We usually do really well when there is fewer melee. We wiped a bunch. It seemed as though we had everybody cc-ing and nobody dps-ing for a few seconds, then everybody dps-ing and nobody cc-ing for a few seconds. We had rotations for cc assigned, and we had all kinds of teams for that, but it was still a giant mess. Even when we killed the priest quickly, the tide would shift and we would get behind the dps-curve.
Most of us were pretty frustrated by it. Especially on that fight it is hard to find something to correct. Because the fight is so chaotic, we cannot tell who is missing a cc or who is not getting their cleanse off or whatever. We spent about 45 minutes in there (maybe more). We ended up calling it a night a little early to avoid burning out.
The Faction Champions fight is tricky, no doubt, but it is one that we have had success with in the past. I think that our team's overall lack of experience shows a little bit in that fight. The deep knowledge of class and race abilities is less when people have not had as much experience raiding. Still, it was a fun night, and the fact that we really flew through the first 3 encounters was great.
We are scheduled to get back into ToC on Thursday for more PVP love. Fingers are crossed.
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