25 man raids

For those of us who would like to continue to Raid in a 25 man setting, there are a few things we all must understand--how to play your character in raid.

This means many things, but I'd like to try start this chain to deepen the discussion and help everyone raid better.

Now that we are begginning to Raid at a more mature level as a guild, we should take the responsibility to do it like we wish every pug ran--polite, friendly and efficient; speaking as a PUG, it's excusable if you're raid is undergeared, but it's annoying when you're raid is inefficient, so let's not be. If we run efficient, friendly raids, we will attract solid players as friends and even new guildees. Let's put on a good show.

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It's simply inexcusable that if we want to raid as a guild in a 25 setting that those who sign up and show up don't understand basic raid mechanics, so here's a primer--much of the suggestions below are more detailed in spots are are designed to be a starting point for discussions and how each of us can improve our raiding to the extent we want to raid:

1) Show up on time or before

Pugging the remaining slots of a Raid is a chore and how that Raid is pugged and filled directly reflects on the guild primarily running the raid (Danger Monkey) and the hapless toon trying to recruit the raid (often, me). If you want to raid, be there before the scheduled time or take your medicine and don't complain to the raid leader. Raid makeup is contingent on many factors and if you're late your slot may be filled.

2) Raid Make Up

Heals and Tanks are the most important part of the Raid, these slots must be filled, and may be filled at the cost of dps slots, and while they enjoy that privilege they also share a heavier burden of making sure a raid runs smoothly. If you are either a Healer or Tank, please make sure you have read one of the many many strategies online about how to fight each boss. Raids require dedication and concentration. This is just one of the many reasons why many players find them so enjoyable.

3) Know your responsibility/role

While knowing the boss fights will make you a valuable addition and something I think every raid member from a guild-created-Raid should take upon themselves, it's not strictly necessary if your Raid leader can explain all the fights to you. However, beyond knowing your specific role in any fight, it's important you understand basic Raid mechanics.

For example, if you're a pally, you bear a greater buff burden because different classes will need different buffs and if there is only 1 or 2 pallys then 1 of you may have to be responsible for more than one buff. A pro pally will take charge and assign buff roles amongst the pallies in raid without having to get direction from the Raid leader. If you don't have an addon to help you with buffs life may be miserable for you and your fellow raiders and no one likes misery, so do some research.

The same can apply to hunters for misdirect, Warlocks for summons, health stones and soulstones.

I can't speak for all classes, but as an example for my class, the rogue, here are some things I'm always cognizant of:

I. Tricks of the Trade--I'll make sure to get that on the tank a) on each initial pull and b) as often as possible but c) definately before I blow cool downs; ToT is also a must in some AoE pulls, like Razorscale where ToT followed by a Rogue AoE will pull the dark iron dwarves to the tank for initial agro.
II. Feint--because this cuts my incoming AoE dmg in half, I will always cast it if caught in an AoE attack to relieve the burden of my healers
III. CC--some pulls require CC, like the Military wing in Naxx; I'll use dismantle on the whirlwinders if I can and stun only if needed after agro has been established.

4) Looting--Ideally, you should know the loot table before you Raid so you know who drops what and you're aware of what you need. You will likely not have time to compare gear during loot pass out and delays just cause confusion amongst the raid and aggravation amongst an uncoordinated mass of people. There is no reason not to google "[name of raid] loot table" before a raid and know what you need. Especially if you're well geared and there may be many side-way upgrades in the raid. If you didn't have time to learn what you need, no worries, but be ready to inspect the corpse and id what gear if any you may roll on. For hybrid classes, this is a heavier burden but one that should not be borne by the raid.

5) Communicate--questions will always arise and you may need direction on a fight about what you're expected responsibility is, so if you're confused in a raid or have any questions, then 1) ask in guild, 2) whisper a friend or 3) whisper the raid leader. If it is helpful to the raid, post in raid or speak up in vent. If it's not, then keep vent clear so that raid wide communication is not cluttered and those with questions are not intimidated by "inside jokes" from those who are familiar with fellow raiders. If you don't have vent, you are a burden to the raid, plain and simple, unless you know all the fights and your role is not critical--like MT/MH.

Please post comments and suggestions for better raiding. Raiding is not for everyone, but if you choose to raid, please take the time to kick some ass.

jeez i always have the damn critical roles..shitLOL i better get ayuz to 80 so i can go dps..

nice post ez, i hope everyone reads this

Thanks for the post, EZ. One suggested edit:

"If you don't have raid, you are a burden to the raid, plain and simple..."

Should that read "If you don't have Vent..."?

Though I don't disagree with this post, it sounds a bit like the cranky old raider's version of "READ THE QUEST!"

now get off my lawn!

These are great suggestions that will definitely help to improve our performance in raids. I am always open to suggestions and advice to help me perform better by increasing my dps, not taking aggro, and (most importantly) not getting others killed. I feel that as I've been raiding with everyone I am understanding boss fight strategies a lot better, at least my part in them. But ultimately I learn by doing, so I have to practice to get it down. Also I try to come to raids with a full bag of soul shards so I can make healthstones, soul stones, and summoning portals for the team. But if anybody has suggestions specifically for me, you know I'm cool as fuck, so just tell me.

One thought Ophi, since we typically wind up in raid together...one of us in charge of healthstones. and one in charge of portals...simply put right now its a little confusing when someone yells for stones and we both throw em out...lol.

I want to echo Oph's post. Please make suggestions for me. I may not be cool as fuck, but I promise to listen to your criticism. I'm the first to admit that I don't enjoy the stress of organizing the raid and I apologize for any general moodiness I may then take out on our hapless raiders. As we all do the learning curve thing, I'm sure I'll impove. A big thanks to Bilo for taking on the lootmaster role--I bet you enjoyed everyone whispering you or venting about "wait, why is that guy looting mail...oh, he *is* a mail wearer, my bad...wait, what about that guy" Love the backseat loot masters...

Anyway, on another more important note. As for Monkey Raids preferring Monkey guildees. I strongly disagree with this philosophy; as a guild, I believe one of our core principles is equity--meaning, among other things: we want to treat pugs the way we would want to be treated as a pug.

Also, because we don't have the skills or numbers to run a Naxx25 by ourselves, and just barely an Ulda10 beyond the antechamber, I don't think we should necessarily prefer guildees on these runs. I prefer running with an efficient raid, full stop. This comes up in two particular way, I think:

1) If you're a guildee and we *can* carry you through Naxx25, like we did Pulp and Celestina at the beginning, then cool, we will. But if we get to KT and we need to replace a guildee we have carried until then, then I have no problem doing so; and I hope that if I were being carried to that point, I'd have no problem dropping out. The raid is for the collective good and making sure it gets done for everyone who has put the time in, pugs and guildees alike.

2) There are no preferred guild roles. Main Healers or Main Tanks should not feel like they should deserve a particular role in any particular run and/or fight. The best MH or MT for any particular fight should be the one utilized and I would hope that a Monkey would be the first to volunteer a back seat for the good of the entire raid to make sure there are no wipes and an efficient Raid.

I don't think this guild is selfish, and I don't want to see it become that way.

These are only my opinions, and I invite yours.

speaking of selfish
wheres my dooby....

Great post...Thanks Ez for all your work on this