by BrontesGM, 2 days agoDiplomats, please get our new members online and reading the site.
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Welcome to Genivere, Snakepunch, Gundamn, Feenielock, Crispycrunch, Catsupp, Celinne, Fazethree, Tekz, Villain. Also, new 80s: Amnor and Romare.
This is a quick letter to give you some basic background about Artifact, how to meet people, and how to become our next raid god. After you've read this message, please respond with an "I read it". (just so I know who's made it onto the website, and who hasn't, yet)
State of the guild
The guild is about two years old. We've been through a lot together, but we're a friendly, stable group. We turn down more applicants than we accept. There's attrition, but I take it as a sign of guild health that most of those are due to players leaving the game for other pursuits, rather than switching guilds.
Website and the raid calendar
It is a guild requirement that you swing by the guild website daily, preferably before logging in. This is because I, Brontes, like to write walls of text, and I like you to read them. Also, if schedules change, this is where that info comes out.
Raiders are expected to sign up for raids 2-3 days in advance. If you cannot make a raid, you are expected to sign up, then CANCEL your signup, so I can see what we have to work with.
You should do three things now: 1) post something about yourself in the introductions section, 2) go to the guild roster, find your character, and click claim. (log in!), 3) sign up for next week's raids.
Raiding goals and progress
We've raided 25s every week since early January. I cannot remember ever canceling a 25 due to lack of attendance; even in our darkest hours we've been able to fill out raids with pugs and friends. 25s are our main focus, and this is what you should expect -- we'll raid typically 3 times per week, and I expect you to be there at least two per week. Three is preferred.
Last week we killed Vezax 25 for the first time. My short-term goal for 25s is to clear leviathan with 1 tower and vezax within four hours of stepping into the instance. EXPECT that in two weeks, and help us make it happen.
We haven't put as much focus on 10s. This upcoming week, for a change of pace, our main raid days will be 10s. This is partially to get YOU involved, so please, please
sign up and be there.
There are two or three 10s teams. Team Mojo, led by Ghastias, gets first pick of players, and is working on Yogg-Saron as well as hard modes. Teams Fluffy (led by Kral) and Redemption (led by Trym, Leyanna) are not far behind. Fluffy has cleared keepers (one boss off the lead), and Redemption has killed three keepers (two bosses off the lead), so there's a huge chance to step in, make things happen, and score the upset victory. Fluffy and redemption combine if fewer than 17 players remain after Mojo's picks.
Leadership
Diplomats aren't necessarily the top raiders, but they are the people I've asked to help make things run smoothly. Talk to them, ask them to involve you in something. They're all friendly people. Even Trog, the monster under the bed.
I won't be here this weekend, but otherwise I'm usually around and happy to talk to you about anything.
There's no free lunch
If you don't know the fights, don't show up with flasks, don't put real dps or healing numbers up in the meters, we will still love you. We will not, however, invite you to future raids. If you need help preparing or performing, there are a lot of people who can really help you out. Ask a veteran to point you in the right direction.
How subs work
Sometimes I sub you out because I have too many and it's your turn. Sometimes it's your turn a lot, because you're newer to the guild and have to prove yourself, or because you're not performing well in fights. If you want more play time, keep at it, be reliable, talk to me. Do those things and you'll get more raiding time than you can handle. I make a point of understanding that people do get better, so if you think you have, come join me for a heroic.
Loot
10s are free roll. If your main spec is fully geared, you may roll for an offspec, if it's an offspec you sometimes raid with. ("I'd like to one day xxx" doesn't count.) Fully geared means "almost all items iLevel 219 or above".
25s are on a loot system. Type upgrade if it's an upgrade. If you are on top of the list, you will lose all your points. If almost all items in your main spec are 226 or above, you may upgrade for your legit offspec. (and legit here means at least naxx 25 gear).
Finally, chill on loot. We do it quickly, and it's not a big deal. It flows quickly, and if you don't get something this week, you will next week.
Have fun
Above all, remember to be as flexible as you are intense. PvP, running heroics may not get you gear, but it's fun and keeps you in shape. If raiding is getting you down, step back from it -- we'll have our victories and at a good speed, but on the days we wipe, it's just a chance to figure out how to get better.
by BrontesGM, 3 days agoMimiron, Vezax, Yogg tonight -- we're going to need a strong team.
As promised a few weeks ago when we shifted to a 25-heavy schedule, the coming week will be a 10s focus week. 10s on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday! We are GOING to kill Yogg-Saron.
Also, WoW has a tendency to dominate life. If you're going to take a mental sanity day, come talk to me -- next week is a time when we'll be a bit flexible. Also please give a hand in recruiting. A few more players will take the heavy stress off our core, and give people a few days off every once in a while. There are about 10 players who have almost 100% attendance for our past 6 months of raiding.
Fluffy redemption continues Ulduar 10