10 Raid Commandments

I. Do not die. Even if you can Ankh, Soulstone or any other means of resurecting yourself. Using your death as an aggro wipe is an abomination.

II. Do not cause your raidmates to die. In this way, do not allow the healers or wearers-of-cloth to become squished by Lesser Nasties should the Tank ignore them. Your weapon shall be your weapon, but CC shall be your shield in a time of trouble.

III. Do not overtax your healers by taking undue raid damage. In this spirit, do not stand in front of the Big Nasty, nor should you stand in any nastiness the Big Nasty has strewn on the floor.

IV. Focus your Fire by assisting and following the kill order. ALWAYS.

V. Use your trinkets and cooldowns wisely. When in doubt, early and often unless otherwise instructed by your Raid Leader.

VI. If the strategy calls for you to interrupt spell-casting by the Big Nasty, do so. The loss of dps is insignificant compared to violating the First, Second, or Third commandments.

VII. If you have a buff to share with melee, use it. This includes debuffs to the Big Nasty and anything that mitigates damage on the Tank. Though he/she is sometimes crazy and stands in front of the Big Nasty and probably smells a little funny, he/she is your melee brethren.

VIII. Do not show up to raids unprepared. Read the strategies, bring consumables, and have your items enchanted. Listen to your raid leader and class leader. Bring an offering of gold for repairs and pay willingly.

IX. Know what items and statistics will improve you and in what ratios. Do not stand around a dead Big Nasty and debate if his loot is good for you. This too is a violation of the Eighth commandment.

X. Do not covet your neighbor’s Recount. Do not violate the above commandments in an attempt to increase your dps at cost to the raid. This is a violation of the spirit of the law, which is teamwork.

Ding, Dong...Guess who hit 80!!

Well, apparently my post yesterday..that we'd hit 80 by the end of the week...was a lie. We dinged 80 last night, both Eto and I, in a normal HoS run. It was late, granted we gave up some RL stuff in exchange, not so worth it...but we are now 80.



I didn't have time to adorn Kaly with the few 80 epic items she has in the bank, since it was after 1:00 AM by the time we got out of the instance but I'm sure that will be the first thing I will do tonight.

So what excites me about my first ever Horde 80?

1. Dailies for REAL gold..not half gold and XP.
- Having no economic support from various other 80s. I'm finding it hard to remember what it's like to be a new 80 with nothing. Yeah I know, newbies do it all the time. But I do have 80s and a lot of gold...it's just it's all Alliance side on a totally different server. So dailies it is, with added vigor. Since doing dailies on my Alliance toons was more a chore then a necessity, I'm actually doing dailies now for a purpose.

2. Heroics!
- Another thing I was sick of on my Alliance toons. It seemed that running heroics was another "grind". What did I need from them? Nothing really...it was just something to do. My toons Alliance side already had raid gear from higher end content. They had shards, enchanting mats, exalted with all the factions...what was the purpose? But not with my DK...she has so much to gain and I get to see the instances from the prospected of the Tank. Which by the way I LOVE!

3. Farming
- Actually...I like the idea of being able to farm eternals and enchanting mats and anything else I can without a gathering profession. *sigh* I know it was my idea to make my DK a JC/Enchanter..but no gathering professions is aggravating. But anything and everything I can farm...equals gold...equals epic flying! Another annoyance of no financial support from my other toons. Otherwise, Kaly would have epic flying already. I know I could have been farming before 80 but trying not to get too far ahead of Eto in XP...we both avoiding doing too much without the other.

4. Raiding
- I am kinda leery of this. Not sure how ready I am, mentally, to be tanking any raid. But I am a little excited about the concept of it.

5. Achievements/Pets!!
- I can actually work on these now!!

6. Hunter
- I'm not sure how much time I will devote to my baby hunter but I can and hopefully will start leveling her again. It's just the grind of leveling that I hate. Even with the added excitement of the new lore and seeing new things...I'm finding myself getting easily bored with her. It doesn't say much that I have been trying to level a hunter (mainly the same one) for the past 2 years. Though this one is suppose to be my Horde farming toon. She has mining and skinning as her professions. We'll see how this goes.

So..another 80..another day...another list of things to do.....another lonely, once greatly loved, Alliance toon left untouched on Shadow Council..

Will I ever find the time or the balance to spread the love between so many toons?

My favorite 80 ability? Army of the Dead!!

Laugh a little today...

Cross posting these from Eto's Blog...I even laughed at these two!

http://www.darklegacycomics.com/152.html

http://www.darklegacycomics.com/164.html

The Home Stretch

The DK hit 79 last night and is almost half way through the level. I suspect we'll hit 80 before the end of the week.

We ran HoL and UP with the guild and had a pretty easy time. Tanking the instances wasn't too bad. We were heavy in the melee department with myself, a 77 prot pally, an 80 feral druid, 80 shadow priest and then Eto healing. HoL went pretty smoothly, only a couple of mess ups on my part. Simply because I was use to dpsing and wasn't' familiar with what mobs needed to die first but we all made it through without any wipes. The awesome tanky trinket did drop..yay!..but I lost the roll to the warrior...boo. Oh well, she's in more need of it right now then I am anyway. And her main and only spec, is prot so I'll get it next time.

Our first ever wipe came in UP on the last boss. Apparently, Bane, is a very bad thing when you are melee heavy. But after reminding everyone not to touch him when he casts Bane, it went pretty smoothly.

Kaly now has her sexy new silver-plated battlechest from UP as well as some new crafted legs (daunting legplates) and gloves (daunting handguards). I was also able to pick up the Ebon Blade rep tank boots last night. I know, I know, Toxin-Tempered Sabatons, have block and "silly DK you don't have a shield!" I'm just waiting to get this. My guild already thinks I'm just a dumb girl and has no idea what I'm doing. I didn't pick them up for the block but they have nice defense for a starting tank, even if I can't wield a board.

Seems I find myself defending my every move with the guild and most other people I come up against. I swear I'm not crazy, I have done my research and I do know what I need. I need defense, stamina, dodge/parry and expertise. Those are the stats that will benefit me. And if it just so happens that a piece of armor has block on it too...oh well. I can use the other stats from it until I find something more suited for me. So, I'll just kick ass, and watch them eat their words when they realize.."hey, maybe she does know how to tank".

We did find out that Eto and I pretty much have our raid spots guaranteed to us when we hit 80. I'm not really sure how I feel about this. They want me to tank and want Eto to MT heal. That's great but honestly, the guild isn't ready for the content the guild leader is notorious for jumping too.

A little history..
The GM of the guild I'm in now, was a member of Last Call Alliance side awhile back. He's been a friend of Eto's for awhile and played with him on Brozebeard before Eto moved to playing Alliance. So, the GM, is use to running upper end content, isn't very patient and wants things done NOW. Fast forward to the new Horde guild. These players, really don't' know much about their classes, are running really low dps and just need practice in instances and raids. For the most part, the few I've ran with, haven't done much group content.

I topped our DPS meter in both instances last night and that was against an 80 kitty druid and an 80 shadow priest. Granted they are good people but if he wants them to raid, we're going to have to start off slow with things like Naxx.

*sigh*

Trinkets and Trash and ....murlocs!? and Blog issues

Made it back into BRD on the DK for the Brewfest boss again last night. Still no Kodo but I did snag the awesome tank trinket: Brawler's Souvenir. It doesn't have the defense on it I need but the dodge is very nice. Now it's just a debate between my crafted Monarch Crab and the Bitter Balebrew Charm. hehe That is a crap-ton of stamina. Though I know, I know, it's not really the ideal tanking trinket, but it will be nice till I can find a better defense trinket to replace it. After all, when all else fails...stack a ton of stamina right? =) Yeah, not the prefect idea either. *sigh*

On another note, I got Grunty last night!! I am pretty sure the entire server heard me squee on this one. He was the entire reason we ordered Blizzcon this year. Or at least the original reason. Closer to the date, I realized we might actually get to hear news of the next expansion. So, still very glad I got to see Blizzcon. Hope to be there in person, with the boyfriend, next year.

So it seems replying to posts on my blog isn't working so well. Apparently, the layout is preventing anyone from being able to scroll down and enter the validation text? Will try to work on that because I do want to hear any advice or comments people have!

Well, good news, it's Friday! Which hopefully means I'll have time to work in some beneficial WoW time this weekend around the other obligations. *crossing my fingers*

Death Knight Tank Gear

I've been thinking, since my DK is another level closer to 80...what am I going to do for tanking gear. Of course, as I've been leveling there hasn't been many options. I've taken every tank option the quests and instances have offered. But normally, tanks get shafted. Most of the gear offered is plate healing gear or dps gear. Guess Blizzard doesn't' think tanks actually level as tanks.

Oh well. So, what gear can I get. I've searched high and low, every website I could find and done my research. I know as a Death Knight, I need Defense, Stamina, Parry and Dodge. Block does nothing for since I obviously don't have a shield. With those stats in mind, and trying to remember I need the magic 540 defense cap, I've found the following.

I think, most of this should easily get me tanking heroics for some better gear.

INSTANCE/QUEST GEAR:

Head: Heroic Gundrak
Ground Tremor Helm
OR
Head: Quest Icecrown
The Crusader's Resolution

Wrist: Heroic Culling of Strat
Bindings of Dark Will

Chest: Quest (Junk in my Trunk) for Utgarde Pinnacle
Silver-Plated Battlechest

Shoulders: Quest in Halls of Stone
Pauldrons of Reconnaissance

REP GEAR:
Wyrmrest Accord:
Breastplate of the Solemn Council - Revered (Chest)
Cloak of Peaceful Resolutions - Honored (Back)
Sabatons of Draconic Vigor - Revered (Feet)

Argent Crusade:
Special Issue Legplates - Honored (Legs)

Knights of the Ebonblade:
Toxin-Tempered Sabatons - Honored (Feet)

CRAFTED:
Wrist: Tempered Saronite Bracers
Gloves: Daunting Handguards
Waist: Tempered Saronite Belt
Legs: Daunting Legplates

Patch Day Woes

So, 3.2.2 brings back the battle of Ony, yay! But, low and behold, the servers are jacked. Go figure. Lag was so bad on Brozebeard that it was impossible to even take anything from the mailboxes. Shadow Council was a little better. I was able to do the daily Brewfest quests. Though my lock has yet to go back into kill Direbrew for the second time.

That saddens me a little. Again, it's just the thought of not doing anything with her I suppose.

But along that note, the boyfriend and I discussed the issues over lunch yesterday. I think we may both be interested in trying our hand at running a guild again. Yeah, you heard me right. I know, I'm crazy. But honestly, after trying various other guilds after LC, we've both realized LC is exactly what we're looking for.

We both worked our butts off to make LC into what it was. Not a raiding guild, not a twink guild...just a friendly, sociable, active, family friendly leveling guild with some casual raiding. Now, months after, we are realizing, that's what we've been looking for in all these other guilds. We find ourselves disagreeing with their values, their decisions, missing the friendly, talkative guild that LC was. LC wasn't anywhere near the raid progression level of most guilds but they were fun and liked doing things together. That's something we're not finding in the other guilds we've tried.

Guess we'll see how this pans out. There are many obstacles to consider. Having our toons spread out between two factions and two different servers is on major obstacle. Yes, there is the option of faction and server transfers. When you'd be transferring and changing multiple toons, that could get very costly. Second issue seems to be that both Bronzebeard and Shadow Council are very well established, heavily populated servers. Building new guilds on these servers could be difficult.

*sigh* More to debate....

The return of Onyxia!!

Yay, it's patch day, it's patch day....did I mention it's patch day!!

So, looks like the return of Onyxia is finally here. I, personally, am very excited for this patch. Yeah, yeah...it could be because there are so many new and awesome (though unknown drop locations) pets in it. But other then that...I love Ony! She has been my all time favorite and most respected in game boss since I started playing. Who couldn't love her..she is beautiful and I remember, very clearly, the first time I went in to kill her wishing I could have her as a mount!! And guess what...now you can!! And she is just as beautiful as a mount as I had hoped.

Besides having to complete this raid, numerous times, in attempts to get the 310% mount to drop, we all get a ony whelpling pet in celebration of Blizzards 5 year anniversary!

I am a little sad that I didn't get to do Ony, prevamp, on Kalyara. Also a little sad that I didn't get it done again on Kalyina to get the quest for her head.

Other awesome stuff in this patch....pets, pets and more pets!! Though as of now the location of their drops are unknown...I'm sure people will find this stuff out quickly. But just check them out...I want each and every one of them. And you can bet..I WILL HAVE THEM! With the exception of the trading card pets. *cry* I do randomly buy those cards...but the awesome mounts and pets always elude me.

Compliments of MMOChamps:
Pandaren Monk [Screenshot] [Video] drop location is unknown.
Core Hound Pup [Screenshot] [Video] drop location is unknown.
Lil' KT [Screenshot] drop location is unknown.
Spectral Tiger Cub [Screenshot] will be a reward of the upcoming Trading Card expansion "Scourgewar".
Tuskarr Kite [Screenshot] will be a reward of the upcoming Trading Card expansion "Scourgewar".
Onyxia Whelpling [Screenshot] will be given away to anyone in game during the 5th anniversary of World of Warcraft.
Wind Rider Cub [Screenshot] drop location is unknown.
Gryphon Hatchling [Screenshot] drop location is unknown.
Zipao Tiger [Screenshot] drop location is unknown.

So what will the boyfriend and I be doing tonight...first on the agenda...find a pug for Ony on our Alliance toons! After that is done and we ooh and ahh over all the new awesome loot, she drops and have our moment of silent remembrance...I'm off to find the pets!!!!

Happy Patch Day!!

A little tank and spank..

So, DK tanking, seems to be my new found passion. Interestingly enough, the mechanics of it are fascinating. I have never tanked before...have been either on the healing lines or the dps side. Admittedly, I've always held a secret desire to level a paladin and try my hand at being the star of the show. Though, sadly, none of them ever seemed to get past level 20.

Why Paladin? Well I'd seen my boyfriend Paladin tank, and very well I may add, and it didn't seem to difficult for him. Where on the other hand, I've watched warrior tanks in our guild struggle to hold aggro on anything more then one mob. So, in my eyes AOE tanking = Paladin. I have been pleasantly surprised at how easily AOE tanking is with a DK.

Picking a DK was more of a rush decision and less of a thought out choice for me. After more then a year playing Alliance side on Shadow Council, the boyfriend decided he wanted to go back to playing Horde on Bronzebeard with his still, at the time, level 70 toons. So what was I to do? Level a toon from 1 - 70, very quickly, in order to be able to play with him? That wasn't' going to happen...sheesh, leveling toons on my own takes awhile. So, the most obvious thing to do was roll the DK. I hadn't played one to this point. Mainly avoiding them because I was too focused on my caster. Honestly, I'm glad I did.

Creating and leveling the DK was a totally new adventure. I got her all the way though Outlands in little to no time and was caught up with his Shaman. We were well into Northrend before I attempted tanking my first real instance. Yeah, we had 2 manned a lot of stuff in Outlands, but not with real DPS in the group. So UK was a pretty interesting adventure but..I was hooked.

Tanking puts so much spin on the game but at the same time, is relatively easy. Just hold aggro. It's that simple. Well, that sounds simple sometimes but isn't always so easy.

With abilities like Death and Decay and Blood Boil, which took awhile to get in the habit of using, AOE tanking has proven to be about as easy for a DK as it is for a Paladin. Granted, we have to have runic power in order to use our abilities, which is a little hard to manage at times. Though I wouldn't guess it to be any harder to manage then mana for Paladins and rage for warriors.

One added ability DK's have that seems to be the death of most Paladins, is magic tanking. Death Knights can spec into Spell Deflection (16-18 points into Blood tree) that reduces incoming magic damage based on their Parry chance. I haven't been able to figure out how to get my talent build to allow me to get this far into the Blood tree, but that is to be my next project. mwhahahah, I shall be stronger then a Paladin!

My second point of interest is in Death Grip. Do you have any idea how much fun it is to "snatch" an unsuspecting mob? Death grip is on a 35 sec cooldown but can be reduced to 25 sec with two points in Unholy Command. If only I could figure out how to get points into that as well.

So, we'll see what I can do, but just playing around with the talent trees hasn't let me figure out how to get points into Blood tree to get spell deflection. *sigh*

Lions and Tigers and..Brewfest and...Fishing? Oh my...

Up and down the river.....So many fish....now I remember why I hate leveling fishing. Kalyara's fishing went from 1 - 300 this weekend. Talk about a lot of fishing. The last achievement she received was 1000 fish. That's a lot of fish. I think my eyes are going cross from watching the little bobber. Though I did figure out late Sunday that if I turn the volume up, I can watch tv and just click when I hear the splash. So that leaves me just 150 more fishing points to max her out. *sigh* Though thankfully, Glacial Salmon is always in demand.

On the more interesting side. The DK made it to 75 this weekend. Actually, 2 bubbles from 76. Come on cold weather flying! Finally broke down and purchased the normal flying and a mount for her as well.

Oh, the most awesome of awesome! Kaly and Eto did the quest chain in Dragonblight that ended in Veteran of the Wrathgate. If you are horde and have not done this, you are missing out. I won't spoil this for those who haven't done it, but trust me when I say..DO THIS!! It's a very long quest chain that spans the entire zone of Dragonblight but well worth the time and effort. It kind of popped up on us by surprise. We definitely weren't expecting the ending of it.

Scored my first epic 80 trinket last night. Not bad for a level 75 death knight. That's right it's Brewfest time! One of my favorite in game holidays. Not because of the implied fake drinking, etc. But because it gives a event only boss fight that drops great loot and the chance for another mount!!

Well there is much more to report on, but my mood isn't allowing my thoughts to process that stuff today. So....until next time -

Happy hunting, happy gaming!