Another night of progression, and more jolly intrigues.

Another night of raiding is over, and was relatively successful, but it did leave me with a couple of topics to blog about, aren't uneventful evenings so boring?

Well, whats so interesting you ask?

A second 10-man Obsidian Sanctum run was slapped together, and we pugged a second healer. After a wipe on each of the Adds, we got to the boss, and took him down second try.

The gloves dropped for mages/rogues/deathknights/druids - which consisted of 80% of the run. 3 Mages, 2 druids and 2 rogues.

some of us already had said item, and the remainder rolled.

The winner happened to be someone who had an equivalent level crafted item, so it was only a sidegrade for them (set bonus, when they get the second item)

This pulled the Drama Llama out of the closet, the second highest roller started complaining that he only had a blue set of gloves and that he should get the drop.

Normally, we would do some sort of loot council for this situation - make sure that someone that will benefit the guilds progression gets it - but were kind of dumstruck with what to do - we had a pug member so didnt feel it would be right to go ahead and choose a winner, I guess, and we didnt check the gloves on the winner before handing over.

The immediate complaint from the second highest roller also didnt help - both sides of the argument were being greedy in their own way, and loot was distributed before it could be properly discussed. (we were also rushed to move to assemble for 25 man which never went ahead due to numbers, and we went to Naxx.)

This brings up a few interesting things. (Greed before greed?)

• The second highest roller, was determined they should get the loot, purely because they didnt have gloves as good as the winner
  

• The winner was trusted to be actually doing an upgrade. As it turned out it was a sidegrade as mentioned and the upgrade couldnt have been smaller.
  

• Someone else in the guild may have had a better use for the item still, but was keeping quiet.
  

• Having the pug member there added complications.

What would you do in such a situation? I agree that the gloves should not have gone to the person that won them, but on the basis of how the second roller was acting, I would not have wanted to give it to them either, unless it was truly best for the guilds progression for them to have them.

A post then went up on the forums, and this is probably what has drawn my attention to the matter the most. The bad loot distribution was a mistake, we will live. But the post makes it out like the guild does this regularly, and on purpose. It challenges a whole set of looting rules we try to abide by, by telling us that our current system is rubbish - when they are saying we should be using a system like we already are... if that makes sense! (Ill make a seperate post on our choice of looting system.)

Here is the poll, before it was removed:

Option 1: You agree that the loot should have gone to me because I had a blue.
My opinion? This depends. There have been many systems invented to try to make loot distribution fair and help guild progression. Not necessarily the worst geared is the best choice. For example, they could get the same crafted gloves that the winner had cheaply off of a guildie that can craft them, and someone with crap gloves but another tier item that would double the upgrade benefit with a set bonus could have had.

Option 2: No, I want more epics!
Clearly put up purely because he was (understandably) frustrated. It says if you dont think I should have gotten the item, you think that you should get it purely because its a very good item, and it has an inkling of a benefit, therefore Im taking! (basically, being greedy)

Option 3: I dont know.

That is all. Basically you agree with me that I should have gotten the loot, your greedy, or your stupid.

The poll had been taken down, and the GM put up a post pointing out that it was a mistake, and the issues regarding loot distribution will be further discussed on the next officers meeting.

I know this post will come accross as more ranty than intended, but I wanted somewhere to put down the details and my thoughts on the matter. Both are decent players, but a moment of thoughtlessness by the winner (purplz plx! moment?), the fact the complaints basically said "oi, no! Give it to me you nubbin!" caused a very uncomfortable atmosphere that resulted in bad judgement, in a rush to move on.

If your reading this guys (youll know who you are, and I know youll end up reading this :p names are kept away for privacy details :D) it was a mistake on our part for not taking action to address the situation, but consideration for other guildies and the progression is critical for a successful guild. The loot will come, its already falling like candy from a mugged trick or treaters goody bag, its just mostly going to waste because we never have the right classes in :p

There are many lessons to be taken out of the above, that shall hopefully make us operate smoother, so its certainly not a bad thing, just obviously frustrating for all involved.

Winner: Why shouldnt I get it? (lack of understanding.)
Wanter: Hey, its a bigger upgrade (correct and realistic, but ignoring the needs of the rest of the raiders.)
Leaders: Confusion, and bad decision. (lack of experience, and implemented working systems.)
Other raiders: Frustration (Complaints, lack of confidence in leader decision, or frustrated because they may agree but someone else stole the limelight first :p)

So, what else could possibly happen to further the evenings intrigues I hear you all ask.

The Leggings of the Lost Conqueror, dropped off Gluth. Yeah, thats right - the same kind of token that dropped last night that couldnt be used by anyone and was wasted.

We are convinced Blizz has a conspiracy after out attempte to (unsuccessfully) get something done about the chest piece from last night.

Ah well, its becoming a running theme in guild chat

"will this get changed you recon?" "Its blizz.." "Oh yeah. Never mind then."

/Facepalm.

-V

Levelling my priest.

I have wanted to level up Asterra for quite some time, but I have promised to work alongside my wife’s mage as a leveling duo. I am a ball hair short of level 72, pretty much from healing people in TBC instances, and the occasional Utgarde Keep and Nexus run.

I recently respecced from a discipline/holy mix to pure discipline. I love all the new toys I have! Over the next 5 levels I will talent into borrowed time for extra efficiency, but for the time being I’m coping without it.

I am surprised how easy it is to solo with her actually. I have macros for many spells and abilities that she uses to activate trinkets and abilities, and with a discipline shield up, and my Inner fire, I can easily take down most same level mobs fast. Averaging 600-700 DPS, which I think is fantastic for someone specced purely for healing, most things go down before my shield, and I have found it very easy to AOE grind groups of around 5 mobs (shovel tusk herds anyone?) with holy nova, and finishing with a good 4 or 5k mana to move onto the next mob that’s in range.

I admit I am tempted to give Shadow another try (specced out of it about level 60 duo in outlands and heal/dps) but I have not heard great things about it, and I like healing, and want to make sure I get to practice at every opportunity.

My current healing technique is a bit messy I must admit. I have healbot on my HUD, and have programmed myself to use it as I find it easier watching health bars in that, than on the party pane, and its also very quick to get heals off to whomever needs, but I also have several abilities that healbot will not work with (Penance, Pain suppression) which means I have to target individuals. It is a bit of a mish mash, but I have now programmed myself up in instances to do most of my heals through healbot (flash, greater, binding, POM, shield, targeting target to fire off a penance by hitting the number 1 key)

As I say… messy, but it works.

I am trying to train myself up with Matticus (link) techniques – having player health bars on screen with Shift-V, and trying to re-learn to use the toolbar for casts (e.g. target player, hit, 1-= for a spell) but when something bad happens, I have to resort to healbot to prevent the wipe.

I’m considering trying grid out as it will basically make a window like healbot, but I can target players quickly with this to cast my spells, instead of mousing over the party panes or the screen to target. Efficiency really.

Regardless, I am hoping to get this priest to 80 soon, and start playing about with some end game and healing.

If anyone has any hints or tips, feel free to pass them on over.

-V

Raid Progress update

Not long finished up the latest trip to Naxx. We didnt get as far as I had hoped - but we did finish off the Military quarter, and got down Patchwerk and Grobbulus.

We could have got further but for a few facts;

• We actually packed in lower DPS than the farm group that went in on Wednesday, so borderline in fact we took down Patchwerk literally 2 seconds after his big enrage where he took out 3 melee before dropping.

• Communication. It was quite a fun and hyped run, but there was some over-describing of boss fights, and tactic modifications. A faster describe and attack drive would have resulted on a good attempt on the third boss.

• Frogger... Due to latency issues, people died on this pretty much every time we had to take another go at Grobbulus, a good hour was spent sitting around/running about as people were dying and needing ressed. Tightening this up should save us a half hour

• Horseman drop issue: The horseman dropped the chest token for Warlock/Paladin/Priest or whatever it is - all of which we were missing from the run, so we tried to get this exchanged for something someone can use - not to much success, the ticket submitters got whispered at the start of a Grobbulus attempt and were ignored when they got the chance to reply. That damn GM wiped us to boot. :p (Perfect kite, then a cloud bang in the tanks path cos a healer was whispering :/

Either way, it was a very entertaining evening - some decent progress - not as much as we could have, but were not a hardcore raiding guild, just planning to get down hardcore raids :D.

-V

Heroic badges exchangable for Valor on PTR

Had this tidbit of information come through my RSS feed from WOW Insider

Apparently they are experimenting with an exchange system between Badges of Heroism and Badges of Valor at a rate of 10:1. (You give them 10 Heroism, and get 1 Valor).

The description on WOW Insider was that this seems a bit pointless (At least at this exchange rate)... I disagree.

There are many that do not have the time, or ability to get into Naxx - be it the inability to meet the requirements of a raiding guild, or having such little play time that Naxx Pugs are not convenient. Under these circumstances, if they ever reach 80, they might become a heroic junkie. Heroics get easier and easier as people get better and better gear so it is feasible that prep to boss down is less than an hour for a number of runs, and a collection of badges can be made.

Over time, this collection becomes obsolete (Can we exchange Badges of Justice the same way please? Obviously at a hideous exchange rate, since they can be solo farmed by some in a short time.) and just sits there, it is now that it would be nice to be able to do something with these other than buying the occasional Frozen Orb.

Enter, the Valor token exchange.

To me this makes sense. It is not perfect, and most wont give a damn, but for a select number of people, it is nice - and such niceties keep people playing, keeping blizzard in profit (despite what their stocks might show :S) and getting them churning out new content.

Thats my 2 cents anyway.

-V

Raid Progress

As mentioned in the introductory post – we hit Naxx for the first time about 3 weeks after the release of Wrath. Since then we have made pretty steady progress each week, with the exclusion of the Christmas holiday week, since most people were not available.

In the first couple of weeks, the group learned to mesh and took down Arachnid. The following week onwards, Arachnid was on farm and we took down Plague wing. The week after that was the same and we got to 4 horsemen in the Military wing, then the Christmas holidays hit and everyone had a hiatus (or pugged.) We had an attempt the week back, which was not as good as previous (what with the raid averaging 1500-1600 DPS due to more geared people still absent) but we cleared Obsidian Sanctum, Arachnid, Plague and the first boss in the military wing.

I think we have a strong core group for 10-mans, and a large selection of people to mix and match each week for gearing. At this moment in time our schedule is thus:

Wednesdays: Farm Obsidian Sanctum (0 Drakes at the moment, though we plan to start adding them in with the stronger group visits.) followed up by a quick clear of Arachnid, plague and Military wings (if there is time. Raid starts 7pm and ends 11pm.) This group is comprised of an experienced tank, and a couple of our heavy hitting DPS, and two healers, the rest is made up of a tank that wants experience, and a variety of DPS ranging from low to high, that want gear and experience.

Fridays: At this point, it’s a progression team – the most experienced and hard hitting members (+ anyone available that is well geared if were shy) to learn the remaining bosses, this usually takes 2-4 wipes apiece – and the group will consist of a third healer for the trickier bosses (4 horsemen which are left in military, then Patchwerk onwards.

If we can clear this we are going to get two groups going, we have the numbers – and after a week or two of farming this, we will be doing it on heroic, whenever we can get the sign ups. For this Saturday we also have our first heroic on the books: Heroic Obsidian Sanctum – this will be preceded by regular obsidian sanctum for those that are not locked after Wednesday’s trip in pre-Naxx.

Overall I must admit I am proud of the rate of progress we are making, we are currently ranked 45 on the server (were 26 before Christmas holidays, but have slipped in ranking since then.) for progression. We went in and started doing successful takedowns very early on, with a group of people had had barely seen a heroic, and often 2+ members that dinged 80 the same day.

At the same time, all I can say for guilds like Ensidia is Whaaat???

The fun I find in raiding, is working for the progression, getting to make and work with friends, getting gear and enjoying. It is a game. These guys cleared everything available before my character hit 73… crazy stuff, I can but imagine that they will just be sitting about waiting for Ulduar now with everyone in the raid decked out in full epics – and due to this gearing, they will clear that place the day its released as well. Still. From what I hear they are a paid guild, and that sounds like a fantastic job – as long as the pay is not too bad…

Were actually planning our first outing to eye of eternity actually – it will be weird to hit and take out the “final boss” before the expansion brings in the next Tier. I think it’s possible with the stronger members of the guild (the 2,200DPS + crowd, the healers that never run out of mana and heal for stupid amounts – and the tanks with 30k health each. That’s assuming it’s as forgiving as Naxx on gear if the people are smart about the encounters.

Enough for me on this for now, I will likely follow it up with another progress report in the future.

-V