4 30 Two Birds One Stone
4 30 Two Birds One Stone
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| "Chogall" Artwork by Oliver Krings |
World of ExcelCraft
Team OverKill
Raid Times:
- Fridays: 9:00pm (tentative)
- Saturdays: 6:00pm - 1:00am
Tactician: Zedman
Zeds filled 25 since coming on board, late Wrath. Cant commit to a full-time schedule, the wife/kid thing is standing in the way of that. Perma-filler has value, but not if hes leading a team the same night as progression.
Juicebox Bandits
Gunsmokeco: Isnt he in JBB? Need to chat with him about this.
Recovering Raidaholics
Raid Times:
- Tuesdays: 8:00pm - 11:00pm
- Thursdays: 8:00pm - 11:00pm
Back into phase three, once more. Instead of struggling with constructs off by myself at the far side of the arena, I was toe-to-talon with Nef, barely able to make out what was happening. Animations and spell effects filled every exposed inch of the screen. Drecca had the adds well under control, his timing swift, his moves surgical. When the raids health dropped dangerously low in the last few minutes of the fight, Dreccas Divine Guardian softened the blow just enough to squeeze out those last remaining bits of damage we so desperately needed. The great dragon roared and slumped to the ground by our hand...for the 2nd time.
Excited cheers of relief filled Vent. Finally. What a rush it was to be able to put the dragon to bed. Three weekends of work on a single boss was going to take some getting used to -- we had Wrath to thank for that. And this was only normal mode!
The two-headed ogre harnessed both fire and shadow in his assault. Flames Orders infused the massive Twilights Hammer with fiery strikes, complemented by pools of lava throughout the throne room. Shadows Orders blanketed us with AoE shadow damage, cascading across the team. Tank swapping was non-negotiable: Chogalls Fury debilitated the current tank, suffering a 20% increase in damage, forcing them out of the line of fire.
Conversion hit multiple raiders at once, enslaving them and boosting the damage they turned back on us. Id interrupt a group with Arcane Torrent, Mangetsu handled the next group with Shadowfury, Bulwinkul used Warstomp, and so on. Blain positioned melee tightly in a moon shape along Chogalls backside, with ranged not too far away, so that any players targeted for conversion could be handled with a single AoE interrupt or stun, while out-of-range stragglers were dispatched swiftly.
Chogall made it clear he would not be insignificant. We also had to deal with a corrupting adherent -- a sort of mini-Vezax from Ulduar. Adherents lobbed shadowy missiles at the group while blasting us with Depravity, more shadow AoE damage. The tank afflicted with Chogalls Fury pulled the adherent away from his master, and Jungard took a team to break off and bring it down fast -- tank switching complicated this part of the fight far more than was necessary.
With a half-dozen significant attempts on our belt, the clock ticked towards 7:00pm, signifying the final minutes of the raid. There was an overwhelming vibe of gusto and tenacity not felt in weeks. Blain and I agreed, one more attempt for the night...the famous last pull.
All...but one.
25-Man Risks:
Eternaal: Has been showing regularly, but get the vibe that he comes and goes as he pleases. Most likely going to stick to his pal Dexi. Hes also pushing Zedman to add a third night on the roster, which means he wants hardcore 10 progression -- safest bet will be not to count on him for many more 25s. High risk.
Makiazo: It was my understanding that Mak wanted to be a part of progression. Not sure whats up here. Going to have to meet with him.
---
Juicebox Bandits
Raid Times:
- Tuesday: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
- Thursday: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
- Tuesday: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
- Thursday: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Tactician: Cheeseus
Fine with him back in the guild, hes apologized profusely for any damage caused via Eh Team. Whats done is done. As long as he stays the fuck away from the 25-Man, therell be no issues. Those in JBB do not appear to possess they same drive to manipulate loot as Crasian did. Told Cheeseus to push JBB for achievements, but to respectfully keep them behind 25 as much as possible. No poaching.
25-Man Risks:
Gunsmokeco: I think hes struggling to make up for the Eh Team shit, follows the same logic as why he chose to step down as healing lead in Cata. I dont believe hes going to shaft me, but will keep an eye on it.
Teras: Hes helping with the 25 here and there on Horateus, but his loyalty is always going to be to Falnerashe, so wherever she goes, hell follow.
Larada: He goes where progression goes. Hasnt given me any indication that�s changing, not in several years, at least. EDIT: My god, Larada, how many teams do you plan to join???
Bulwinkul: Not particularly keen on him hanging with his old Eh Team buds, but without Crasian fueling the loot fire, should be ok. If he goes off on another drunken tirade and targets Falnerashe like he did Lexxii, if Teras is privvy, I can count on both of them leaving the guild. As such, noting as high risk.
---
Team H.A.M.
Raid Times:
- Tuesday: 7:30pm - 11:00pm
- Thursday: 7:30pm - 11:00pm
- Tuesday: 7:30pm - 11:00pm
- Thursday: 7:30pm - 11:00pm
Tactician: Raziei
A la Zedman, Razzys always been a perma-filler. "Hard As a Motherfucker"? Really, Raz? Really?
25-Man Risks:
Tastyslug: Laradas alt. Pretty sure he is on every 10-Man team now.
Palmabomb: Hellspectrals alt. Hasnt passed out mid-raid for many months. Doesnt mean it won�t happen, but hes been proving to be a changed (read: sober) dude. Low risk.
Jlo: Nepss alt. Hasnt missed a raid since 40-Man Naxx. I expect it would take an act of God to keep him from 25-Man. Low risk.
Gunsmokeco: Isnt he in JBB? Need to chat with him about this.
---
No Rush No Flyers
Leader: Bovie
I have faith that Bovie will not sink the ship. Very clearly defined team rules, raid times, and brings old-school knowledge from TBC.
Raid Times:
- Tuesdays: 8:00pm - 10:00pm
- Wednesdays: 8:00pm - 10:00pm
- Tuesdays: 8:00pm - 10:00pm
- Wednesdays: 8:00pm - 10:00pm
25-Man Risks:
Borken: Love him. He�s adorable. Wish his Shaman could fill the 25 more. Otherwise, no risk.
Larada: If NRNF accidentally runs the wrong instance, hes hosed for progression (but cant the same be said for any of these teams that run early week?) Also indicates hes on multiple teams. Need to straighten this out with him, marking as high risk until then.
Klocka: alt of Sir Klocker. Like Neps, will take an act of God for him to sabotage the 25-Man. Low risk.
Tantaria: alt of McFlurrie. Sadly, McFlurries stepped out of progression, but does not risk the 25.
---
Recovering Raidaholics
Tactician: Joredin
Joredins old-school DoD. Is one of the reasons Tactician exists. Hell not jeopardize the 25-Man, nor will the likes of anyone on this team (Rebornbendar, Goreden, Breginna, etc...all good people).
Raid Times:
- Tuesdays: 8:00pm - 11:00pm
- Thursdays: 8:00pm - 11:00pm
25-Man Risks:
(none)
---
I clicked into the spreadsheet cell just below Recovering Raidaholics, and typed a new team name.
Herp Derp
Without filling out any additional info, I selected the entire row of cells and painted them all red.
Giving one final glance to the empty leader column of the freshly created blood-red row, I sighed, then closed the spreadsheet to get it out of my sight. The clock on the desktop reminded me of how much time Id spent editing the document: nearly an hour.
You�re not going to be unemployed forever. How do you expect to keep this up?
Technically, I was playing World of Warcraft...
...but I wouldnt exactly call this "playing".
You�re not going to be unemployed forever. How do you expect to keep this up?
Technically, I was playing World of Warcraft...
...but I wouldnt exactly call this "playing".
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| The 25-Man Progression Team defeats Nefarian, Blackwing Descent |
Corruption From Within
February 27ths prospects brightened. Blain had lobbied for a third tank for some time. In a surprise move, we were offered up a helping hand by none other than Drecca; hed recently completed the leveling (and moderate gearing) of a second paladin, aptly named Dreccax. This alt was free from the shackles of the 10/25 shared raid locks in Cataclysm. Blain put Soot and I back on tanking Nefarian and Onyxia, while a class with a different kit could field Nef�s adds. I took absolutely no offense to it. Id strip Mature to the nude and die in the first three seconds if it meant a guaranteed a kill.Hopefully it wouldnt come to that.
---
Back into phase three, once more. Instead of struggling with constructs off by myself at the far side of the arena, I was toe-to-talon with Nef, barely able to make out what was happening. Animations and spell effects filled every exposed inch of the screen. Drecca had the adds well under control, his timing swift, his moves surgical. When the raids health dropped dangerously low in the last few minutes of the fight, Dreccas Divine Guardian softened the blow just enough to squeeze out those last remaining bits of damage we so desperately needed. The great dragon roared and slumped to the ground by our hand...for the 2nd time.
Excited cheers of relief filled Vent. Finally. What a rush it was to be able to put the dragon to bed. Three weekends of work on a single boss was going to take some getting used to -- we had Wrath to thank for that. And this was only normal mode!
I whispered to Blain, inquiring what possible nightmares the heroic version of this encounter might contain. His research told the tale of Geddon-inspired living bombs, mind controlled players that shouldnt interrupt their hypnosis, and players purposefully leaping off of the pillars, back into the lava, lest they wipe the raid. We were going to have to build this team up further if we expected a fighting chance.
The adrenaline finally subsided, and we snapped our screenshots. Blain snapped us back to reality, the blood elf rogue vanishing through Goldenrods freshly spawned portal.
"Hurry up, people. Get over to BoT."
Chogall proudly wore the mutations of an old gods redesign: dozens of independently blinking eyes protruded from the hideously deformed ogres body. Before his transformation, a mere grotesque ogre might only invoke disgust. Gazing at Chogall now could unhinge the mind.
The adrenaline finally subsided, and we snapped our screenshots. Blain snapped us back to reality, the blood elf rogue vanishing through Goldenrods freshly spawned portal.
"Hurry up, people. Get over to BoT."
---
Chogall proudly wore the mutations of an old gods redesign: dozens of independently blinking eyes protruded from the hideously deformed ogres body. Before his transformation, a mere grotesque ogre might only invoke disgust. Gazing at Chogall now could unhinge the mind.
The two-headed ogre harnessed both fire and shadow in his assault. Flames Orders infused the massive Twilights Hammer with fiery strikes, complemented by pools of lava throughout the throne room. Shadows Orders blanketed us with AoE shadow damage, cascading across the team. Tank swapping was non-negotiable: Chogalls Fury debilitated the current tank, suffering a 20% increase in damage, forcing them out of the line of fire.
Conversion hit multiple raiders at once, enslaving them and boosting the damage they turned back on us. Id interrupt a group with Arcane Torrent, Mangetsu handled the next group with Shadowfury, Bulwinkul used Warstomp, and so on. Blain positioned melee tightly in a moon shape along Chogalls backside, with ranged not too far away, so that any players targeted for conversion could be handled with a single AoE interrupt or stun, while out-of-range stragglers were dispatched swiftly.
Chogall made it clear he would not be insignificant. We also had to deal with a corrupting adherent -- a sort of mini-Vezax from Ulduar. Adherents lobbed shadowy missiles at the group while blasting us with Depravity, more shadow AoE damage. The tank afflicted with Chogalls Fury pulled the adherent away from his master, and Jungard took a team to break off and bring it down fast -- tank switching complicated this part of the fight far more than was necessary.
 |
| The 25-Man Progression Team defeats Chogall, Bastion of Twilight |
Naked Lunch
Adherents were a problem either dead or alive; Chogalls Fester Blood saw to that. A living adherent with festering blood violently sprayed shadow damage and spewed corruption until our own blood turned. The festering blood of a dead adherent, however, manifested as black globules of sludge bursting from the body, slowly creeping towards Chogall, laying down a thick, gelatinous trail of corruption in their wake.
Jungard once again led the task force against this Blood of the Old God, joined by Hellspectral and Bulwinkul. Hellspectral unleashed a freezing barrage of Howling Blasts on the black blood, while Jungard danced and wove between the globules, cleaving them apart while avoiding the corruption. From afar, Bulwinkul summoned the power of night and day, raining stars down and igniting the blood with the fury of the sun. For precious extra seconds, Mangetsu tossed Shadowfury their way. The creeping blood stopped dead in its tracks while Hellspectrals Death and Decay ate through the blood like acid.
Throughout this ordeal, every player in the raid had an additional responsibility: each managed their own corruption bar, which grew with every mistake made and every bit of damage soaked. The bleakness of the situation grew with the corruption, compounding upon itself. Our strengths soon turned to liabilities; spraying one another amid bouts of projectile vomiting, causing our targets to gain corruption, inevitably leading to the expulsion of more stomach contents. Players quickly learned to spin, and face away from one another, if they felt another wave of nausea coming in.
When Chogall reached 25% health, the final test began. Purple smoke filled the room and tentacles burst forth from the violet mist, a solitary eyeball atop each one, quickly focusing its hypnotic glare onto a member of the raid. Tentacles required immediate attention; the most effective killing strategy for them was one Blain had employed countless times before. One player was designated the MA or "Main Assist", and all damage was focused on to that persons target.
Chogalls Fury continued during this final burn, as did shadow damage and pools of flame. Increasing rates of corruption caused even the sharpest of players to become violently ill. Some were quick to face away, sending chunks of half-digested food out towards the emptiness of the purple mist. Others remained overwhelmed, struggling to cognitively process so many moving parts of the encounter simulatenously -- and they doused us with their lunch. We learned very quickly that even after getting a solid handle on phase one, the transition, and eventual digestion of phase two, the encounter could spiral out of control well before Chogall was in danger of dying.
When Chogall reached 25% health, the final test began. Purple smoke filled the room and tentacles burst forth from the violet mist, a solitary eyeball atop each one, quickly focusing its hypnotic glare onto a member of the raid. Tentacles required immediate attention; the most effective killing strategy for them was one Blain had employed countless times before. One player was designated the MA or "Main Assist", and all damage was focused on to that persons target.
Chogalls Fury continued during this final burn, as did shadow damage and pools of flame. Increasing rates of corruption caused even the sharpest of players to become violently ill. Some were quick to face away, sending chunks of half-digested food out towards the emptiness of the purple mist. Others remained overwhelmed, struggling to cognitively process so many moving parts of the encounter simulatenously -- and they doused us with their lunch. We learned very quickly that even after getting a solid handle on phase one, the transition, and eventual digestion of phase two, the encounter could spiral out of control well before Chogall was in danger of dying.
With a half-dozen significant attempts on our belt, the clock ticked towards 7:00pm, signifying the final minutes of the raid. There was an overwhelming vibe of gusto and tenacity not felt in weeks. Blain and I agreed, one more attempt for the night...the famous last pull.
It all came together on that last attempt of the night. The great two-headed ogre fell to the ground, dead. His dozens of eyes gazed no more.
February 27th was a glorious day for Descendants of Draenor, with not one, but two entire instances cleared. The heroic road ahead would test us like we had not seen since our earliest days. The 25-Man progression team stepped up and demonstrated exceptional focus and skill that Sunday. I was proud of their dedication to the guild they called home, despite the incredibly steep shift in raid difficulty -- something we could all agree on.
February 27th was a glorious day for Descendants of Draenor, with not one, but two entire instances cleared. The heroic road ahead would test us like we had not seen since our earliest days. The 25-Man progression team stepped up and demonstrated exceptional focus and skill that Sunday. I was proud of their dedication to the guild they called home, despite the incredibly steep shift in raid difficulty -- something we could all agree on.
All...but one.
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