Hello all,
Seeing the progression many have made through the various raids, and gear level of the various guild members I have run with lately, I think it is time to open up this raid. I have been unable to attend any of the guild led runs so have PUG'd a tremendous amount of Naxx, including all but the 4 horsemen and the last 2 bosses in 25 man. I have discussed this concept with quite a few Guild members, so bear with me as I explain what we are looking for. First, remember that we do not run Guild "Sponsored" raids, even though we run raid full of only guild members. As such, there is not set of "rules" consistent across all the raids which are run. We do tend to use the same basic structure, however, simply out of convenience. I will explain in detail what is expected / rules for the run so that there is no confusion.
Date / Time : First run will be February 25, starting 8:30 Server, and will be 2 hours. I know this is a tough time for some of you. I understand that. There is simply no good time which will reach everyone. As stated above, none of the times for the 10 mans have worked for me, but that's OK. I run what I can with who I can and do it for enjoyment, not to stress out. I hope most who are interested could make this time. The 2 hr limit is to be as inclusive as possible, knowing there are those who can't stay much later. The expectation for joining this run is that you will be there on time, and stay the entire 2 hours.
What : Spider Wing. Assuming we rock that (its really no harder on 25 man than 10 man), we will move on to Plague wing. Heigen is EXACTLY the same in 25 as in ten, so if you can dance in one you can dance in the other.
Loot : 1 Set / 1 Non-set max per run. These are for the role / spec you have during the run. If an item drops which is usefull for someones main spec, but they have already won something, and no one else wants for a main spec, this person STILL gets priority over off-specs, even if the off-spec has not won anything. If no one from their main spec can use, the item will be offered for Off-set. This is to provide for faster gearing for main specs. Off-set rolls do not count against the limit for main spec pieces.
Min Gear : While this is a guild run, and we try to be inclusive, there are certain expectations of gear / spec quality prior to joining the run. We have a limited number of slots for each role within the raid, and need each of them to be filled with high enough quality characters to make the run successful. This point makes some people angry, I know. But the fact is, we are trying to make progress in the run. If we cannot make progress due to a few people not being ready for this level of raid, it is frustrating for everyone involved, not just those few. A good level for dps would be capable of sustaining 1600 dps or more during a Vault fight. As 4000 dps is reachable by most people in heroics gear, this is a fairly low hurdle, but one I expect everyone to be able to reach. Healing hurdles are different depending on the class, but have some experience in raid healing prior to signing up. Raid healing is VERY different from 5-mans, even heroic 5-mans. 25-man healing is even different than 10-man, but they are similar enough that its no big deal. At an absolute minimum, please have 1500 +heal and decent mana regen for your class (exceptions on a case by case basis, depending on raid requirements). Tank requirements are most exacting, as they are the focal points for all incoming damage. Tanks need a minimum 540 Defense, be raid buffable above minimum 30k, and have some way to have near 100% avoidance at some point during the fights. If you DON'T meet the minimums above, you can sign up, but I expect you to put in your notes which area is lacking. No one is guaranteed a slot, but I will be as inclusive as is reasonable.
Knowledge : Know the Fights! I do expect some explaining for each fight, but please, at least watch the videos for the fights. This does more than any amount of explaining can do. Experiencing the fights in 10 man is the best preparation of course. I admit, I need to read up / watch the fights from the Four Horsemen on.
What NOT to bring : Bad attitude. This, despite any impression I give above, is a Fun Run. We will laugh, joke a little, be serious when required, but overall we intend on having a good time. Its a game. If something doesn't go your way, shake it off and move on. Bad attitudes will be removed and not asked back. Its just not worth it.
In conclusion, I know some will think I am draconian, but I do have some experience in running some good raids. This is expected to be a progress raid, which is the reason for some of the requirements. As this raid becomes easy, the requirements will be relaxed, as they were for Kara. Hope to see you there!
Seeing the progression many have made through the various raids, and gear level of the various guild members I have run with lately, I think it is time to open up this raid. I have been unable to attend any of the guild led runs so have PUG'd a tremendous amount of Naxx, including all but the 4 horsemen and the last 2 bosses in 25 man. I have discussed this concept with quite a few Guild members, so bear with me as I explain what we are looking for. First, remember that we do not run Guild "Sponsored" raids, even though we run raid full of only guild members. As such, there is not set of "rules" consistent across all the raids which are run. We do tend to use the same basic structure, however, simply out of convenience. I will explain in detail what is expected / rules for the run so that there is no confusion.
Date / Time : First run will be February 25, starting 8:30 Server, and will be 2 hours. I know this is a tough time for some of you. I understand that. There is simply no good time which will reach everyone. As stated above, none of the times for the 10 mans have worked for me, but that's OK. I run what I can with who I can and do it for enjoyment, not to stress out. I hope most who are interested could make this time. The 2 hr limit is to be as inclusive as possible, knowing there are those who can't stay much later. The expectation for joining this run is that you will be there on time, and stay the entire 2 hours.
What : Spider Wing. Assuming we rock that (its really no harder on 25 man than 10 man), we will move on to Plague wing. Heigen is EXACTLY the same in 25 as in ten, so if you can dance in one you can dance in the other.
Loot : 1 Set / 1 Non-set max per run. These are for the role / spec you have during the run. If an item drops which is usefull for someones main spec, but they have already won something, and no one else wants for a main spec, this person STILL gets priority over off-specs, even if the off-spec has not won anything. If no one from their main spec can use, the item will be offered for Off-set. This is to provide for faster gearing for main specs. Off-set rolls do not count against the limit for main spec pieces.
Min Gear : While this is a guild run, and we try to be inclusive, there are certain expectations of gear / spec quality prior to joining the run. We have a limited number of slots for each role within the raid, and need each of them to be filled with high enough quality characters to make the run successful. This point makes some people angry, I know. But the fact is, we are trying to make progress in the run. If we cannot make progress due to a few people not being ready for this level of raid, it is frustrating for everyone involved, not just those few. A good level for dps would be capable of sustaining 1600 dps or more during a Vault fight. As 4000 dps is reachable by most people in heroics gear, this is a fairly low hurdle, but one I expect everyone to be able to reach. Healing hurdles are different depending on the class, but have some experience in raid healing prior to signing up. Raid healing is VERY different from 5-mans, even heroic 5-mans. 25-man healing is even different than 10-man, but they are similar enough that its no big deal. At an absolute minimum, please have 1500 +heal and decent mana regen for your class (exceptions on a case by case basis, depending on raid requirements). Tank requirements are most exacting, as they are the focal points for all incoming damage. Tanks need a minimum 540 Defense, be raid buffable above minimum 30k, and have some way to have near 100% avoidance at some point during the fights. If you DON'T meet the minimums above, you can sign up, but I expect you to put in your notes which area is lacking. No one is guaranteed a slot, but I will be as inclusive as is reasonable.
Knowledge : Know the Fights! I do expect some explaining for each fight, but please, at least watch the videos for the fights. This does more than any amount of explaining can do. Experiencing the fights in 10 man is the best preparation of course. I admit, I need to read up / watch the fights from the Four Horsemen on.
What NOT to bring : Bad attitude. This, despite any impression I give above, is a Fun Run. We will laugh, joke a little, be serious when required, but overall we intend on having a good time. Its a game. If something doesn't go your way, shake it off and move on. Bad attitudes will be removed and not asked back. Its just not worth it.
In conclusion, I know some will think I am draconian, but I do have some experience in running some good raids. This is expected to be a progress raid, which is the reason for some of the requirements. As this raid becomes easy, the requirements will be relaxed, as they were for Kara. Hope to see you there!