Team Thursday 8/23 Raid Report

Mahnalor · Post by **Mahnalor** » August 21st, 2007, 11:06 pm

Greetings! So we start a new week with Kara on our minds. Last week was kind of rough. One of our main issues was crowd control with the Moroes fight. Without the use of any kiting techniques, we relied on the 2-shackle method of cc. This worked well until one or both broke. Better situational awareness will help (along with effective use of the shackle undead macro) manage these events for future runs. I MUST reiterate though... we all MUST work on improving our gear OUTSIDE of Kara by doing quests, other 5-mans, auction house stuff... etc. There should be no excuse for having lower level items that are easily upgradeable by questing. I will say this until I am blue in the face..... Kara is NOT a casual instance. Not beng prepared by not taking the time to do a few quests to get an armor upgrade or not having enchants, gems, pots, elixirs, etc... is just weakening the raid group. Everyone is important and one weak link directly affects the success of the group as a whole. Let's face it... it's not fun wiping over and over and over on the same boss each week. Considering we have the guild resources in terms of extra folks and knowledge, we should be doing a little better than we have been.There was an excellent idea in one of the other threads about asking others of the same class about play style, tactics, mods, etc... all in an effort to improve yourself by chatting with someone who has "been there, done that." Let's make sure we take advantage of this experience in the guild and ask questions... lots of them!

This can work folks... all we need is the right focus and dedication. On the adgenda for this week will be the goal of tackling Curator and Maiden.Thursday - Attumen, Moroes, OperaSunday - Maiden, CuratorPLEASE read up on the encounters on Wowwiki ahead of time. It helps if we all have an idea what we are in for:http://www.wowwiki.com/Karazhan#EncountersHere is the list of folks that have I have down for this week:ThursdayMahnalor - WarriorThandrenn - WarriorBlave - DruidMaggotmilk - PaladinDudepal - Priest (Yes you folks are reading this correctly...

Zuklen - PriestDrp - RogueKrikor - RogueBenvolo - MageKurumi - MageAdditional Help:Drumble - MageWickedwanda - MageTiggerstyle - WarriorGathgor - WarriorIdravenl - RogueSunday Mahnalor - Warrior Thandrenn - Warrior Blave - Druid Maggotmilk - Paladin Dudepal - Priest (Yes you folks are reading this correctly...

Zuklen - Priest Drp - Rogue Krikor - Rogue Benvolo - Mage Kurumi - MageAdditional Help: Drumble - Mage Wickedwanda - Mage Tiggerstyle - WarriorGathgor - Warrior Idravenl - RoguePlease correct me if I have made a mistake above....or if anyone else is available should a spot be available due to group makeup, etc. In addition, there has been some concern of loot and fairness. All in all we are a fair guild, however, there are times when certain items can be needed by several folks. I ask all of us to consider several factorswhen needing on loot: Have I received loot recently from Kara (wether the current week of the previous week/s)? Is this your alt or main? What is my purpose in the raid (am I dps,or non-dps for example)? Will having the item benefit the raid/guild now and in the future (Gruul's)? Lastly, let's keep this thread clean by not entertaining discussions regarding rebuttals to the information presented above. Please send me a tell directly or take these matters into another thread. I merely would like to discuss the raid group's availability, progress, tactics, techniques, and suggestions on this weeks' raid only.-Mahnalor

Fargol · Post by **Fargol** » August 22nd, 2007, 1:39 am

If curator is the goal - is someone ready to be the hateful bolt soak? (i.e. Arcane damage off-tank)

This person should have a high number of hit points, and ideally 200 Arcane resistance.

There are a large number of good craftable blue armor sets, an epic cloth AR set - most tailors can make gloves, and a very nice crafted ring. Also look for various greens of arcane protection.

Curator is very much a *next step* up in difficulty. Group 1 spent a long time getting the fight, including two ENTIRE nights of doing nothing but wiping on him for 2-3 hours.

Drumble · Post by **Drumble** » August 22nd, 2007, 6:07 am

I have a great set of Arcane Resist on Drumble if you need a soaker for the fight. (plus some experience

)I wouldn't want to take anyone's spot of course, but I'll be around if you need me.Most of it was craftable - there were a few drops, I'll try and get a list of stuff next time I'm on - but I'm at like 280 or so easily.

Krikor · Post by **Krikor** » August 22nd, 2007, 7:20 am

I will be there for Thursday and Sunday.

Mahnalor · Post by **Mahnalor** » August 22nd, 2007, 8:03 am

Fargol and Drumble,Thanks for the input! That has crossed my mind as well. I do not who else has worked on their AR sets in group 2 and will inquire of the group on Thursday night. I have over 230AR myself and could potentially do it, however, I believe it is in the groups best interest to have me tanking Curator. We'll have to see what we have to work with. Thanks for volunteering Drumble! I'll let you know and appreciate the input from both of you..Koko - See you there!-Mahnalor

Drumble · Post by **Drumble** » August 22nd, 2007, 8:46 am

The actual number is 269 -- but I have 20 more from the Sha'tar glyph, and 30 more from Soulcloth Shoulders (had the mats for a while - -just though someone in our guild would pick up the pattern by now!) + 20 from MotW and 3 Flask of Arcane Resist in the bank. (+30 I think)I'm going to try and get my S. Shoulders still - -but I'll hold off on the glyph until I'm sure I'm needed.With all the gear on (minus a couple gems) I'm at just under 8k health unbuffed. Could be up to 8500-9000 ...

Han · Post by **Han** » August 22nd, 2007, 8:47 am

Jose, I know you have done the fight before, but here is my experience:I have done it before with only 118 AR on Miramel (because our healers rock!), so it doesn't take a ton (more is obviously better), but you really need high HP. Use stam food, use arcane potions (better yet the flask!), etc etc etc. Honestly, I think we focused too much on AR for the rest of the raid and not focus firing down the flares ASAP! Once we nailed down a strategy to smoke the flares we had that fight licked. I strongly suggest Melee DPS take dampen magic if you have a mage. It really helps with all the tiny incremental damage you get from the flares. All DPS needs to stay on the flares until the final flare when rogues should peel off and tear down the curator (burn all cooldowns on the first one). The thing that wiped us was not the hateful bolts, but always being behind on the astral flares. Use a macro, and make sure ALL of the dps is immediately on them as soon as they spawn. Watch for people who try to sneak in some shots on curator between flares, and yell at them

Rogues should be killing the flare and immediately turn around and run toward him and look for the next, they spawn on either side of him. And even though they don't look like they have a back, they can be backstabbed if you are "behind" them. Burst DPS on the flares is huge, and encourage the rogues to try to backstab the flares. If both your rogues can land a backstab, thats like half the flares HP right there. Also use cloak of shadows every time it is up and you are chasing a flare (basically 5 seconds of immunity every 60 seconds in this fight).

Benvolo · Post by **Benvolo** » August 22nd, 2007, 10:07 am

I recently got my hands on the soul cloth chest piece from kara, and I can make the arcanoweave chest and feet (If I remember, its 2 of the 3 pieces the chest and one other) I will try and get my hands on the rest of the patterns for the arcane resist gear. Also I have some gear in the bank that is boe that is all stam. Some of it I have worn, but others are not soulbound yet. The gear is mostly "blah blah of stamina" or whatever, but I have some decent stuff (I think) So if anyone needs some filler gear for stam set (Clothies) I might be able to help you out.Also I will be bringing all sorts of food buffs for those that don't have maxed cooking and fishing. 44heals, 23 spell damage, 20 stam, 20 stam mp5, 30 stam, agility, ap.. etc

Benvolo · Post by **Benvolo** » August 22nd, 2007, 10:08 am

Just wanted to clarify that I have the pattern for the epic soulcloth piece, haven't crafted it yet.

Gathgor · Post by **Gathgor** » August 22nd, 2007, 12:21 pm

Gathgor will be online both Thursday and Sunday for a dps slot. Is any specific class better than another at being the hateful bolt soak?

Han · Post by **Han** » August 22nd, 2007, 12:35 pm

Gath, you have to able to generate a lot of threat and stay at #2 on the threat meter, and you have to have high HP (and preferably high AR). From what I have read, the targetting mechanics are some combination of highest person besides #1 on threat, and amount of HP, so its important for healers to top off the soak. The cloth AR gear seems like some of the easiest to get, the craftable leather stuff is really challenging to find (scryer patterns, when most LW are aldor), don't know about mail and plate. This is usually why a warlock is preferred, since he can keep up threat with dots, keep up HP with drain life, and generally has really high stam, and can get the craftable cloth AR gear.

Gathgor · Post by **Gathgor** » August 22nd, 2007, 12:55 pm

Cool, thanx.

Drumble · Post by **Drumble** » August 22nd, 2007, 1:15 pm

Benvolo wroteI recently got my hands on the soul cloth chest piece from kara, and I can make the arcanoweave chest and feet (If I remember, its 2 of the 3 pieces the chest and one other) I will try and get my hands on the rest of the patterns for the arcane resist gear. Also I have some gear in the bank that is boe that is all stam. Some of it I have worn, but others are not soulbound yet. The gear is mostly "blah blah of stamina" or whatever, but I have some decent stuff (I think) So if anyone needs some filler gear for stam set (Clothies) I might be able to help you out.Also I will be bringing all sorts of food buffs for those that don't have maxed cooking and fishing. 44heals, 23 spell damage, 20 stam, 20 stam mp5, 30 stam, agility, ap.. etc

Sounds like you have it pretty well covered. There's also a craftible ring you should look for (and perhaps the Sha'tar rep helm enchant if you have a spare). I wish I hadn't equipped some of this gear and could have floated it your way. I have both the Soulcloth and Arcanoweave chest -- but I think the Arcanoweave might be better, you dont have to gem it and it has more stamina ... though missing out on other stats. Gemmed with good gems, the Soulcloth could win out .. it's kind of a toss-up IMHO. The shoulders and gloves are the best Soulcloth I think - since you could still wear the full Arcanoweave with it.

Jon · Post by **Jon** » August 22nd, 2007, 1:16 pm

One thing I liked doing for Curator, was whoever gets aggro on the last flare brings that flare closer to Curator. The goal is that melee dps will then not have to run far to begin attacking curator during the evocation. I've tanked Curator in bear and it's not a hard boss to tank if Blave wants to do it, and Mahnalor takes the bolts could work. Also, tank Curator so his back is facing the group. This is not for any frontal area effect, but rather that rogues/druids have less distance to cover for their back attacks. Also, set up your macros to target the flares /target astral. This fight is different from anything I experienced pre-BC. I think of it closer to arena PvP, maximizing burst damage is the focus. For Maiden, as long as I'm not tanking all I try to do as a druid no matter what spec is keeping HOTs on the tank and spot healing since pallies have a lot more to do on this fight. You want to have 3 lifeblooms stacked on the MT, and if possible Rejuv and Regrowth if timed correctly. He'll incapacitate the raid while he beats on the MT, so keeping those HOTs up is a great help.

draven · Post by **draven** » August 22nd, 2007, 3:01 pm

i am available thursday and sunday if needed

Mahnalor · Post by **Mahnalor** » August 22nd, 2007, 9:47 pm

Excellent feedback folks! Thanks for the extra information! I will urge those raid members that dont visit the forums very often to have a looksee and read up on some strategy.

kurumi · Post by **kurumi** » August 24th, 2007, 12:56 pm

Another (or maggot) and I will be there. As a Mage do I need any Arcane resist gear on.. or will I be far enough away?

Drumble · Post by **Drumble** » August 24th, 2007, 1:40 pm

For the Curator fight -- we've found the best success to be having only one person in the raid have high Arcane Resist gear.I think of Karazhan as the raid instance that teaches people how to raid. Each of the bosses has you think/react in different manner - here is my take on the Curator:The Curator IMHO is where the raid learns what I will refer to as "balls out dps". The Astral Flares have no threat table when they spawn and head directly towards someone. They need to be taken down ASAP -- fast cast spells, high velocity kills - be ready for the next flare when it spawns. You dont/can't worry about threat on this one -- they need to drop as they get to you. They'll be doing a chain lightning type arcane damage effect, but dont gimp your DPS by wearing AR -- kill them FAST.You might try chugging a AR potion before combat starts to offset some of the initial damage, but as a mana user - you'll probably need to use your potion cooldown during the fight for mana.Melee dps should get Dampen Magic as they'll always be next to an arcane flare.EVERYONE should make the macro "/target astral" -- the Curator's hit box is so big you will have a problem selecting the next flare if it spawns somewhere beside him, costing critical seconds.We've found great success in having the person taking the hateful bolts switching off to help DPS down the final flare, and DPS the first "new" flare as it comes out. This is, in my opinion, the key to the fight -- the transition to the next set of astral flares needs to be spot on, once you start getting behind it's hard to catch back up. The hateful bolt taker will help you get on track.We've also done really well in having our rogues with their amazing burst damage peel off to the Curator and let the rest of ranged (and OT and soaker) take the last flare down before getting in on the last few seconds of the evocation. This combined with a few well timed Curse of Dooms and you take a HUGE chunk out of the Curator. The tank has had -plenty- of time to build threat on the Curator -- "balls out DPS", throw whatever you can at him when the last flare is down - - but be ready for the first one to spawn after the evocation. ^-- this is also the reason why I dont think it's the best practice to have a rogue be the hateful bolt soaker (sorry Miramel!) -- a rogue that's already high threat and right under his nose is not only going to be taking arcane damage from every flare as it passes by him, but if he goes nuts during the Evocate -- could easily overtake the tank in threat (yet shouldn't flash or someone else would start taking hateful bolts).Hope this helps! BALLS OUT DPS I SAY!!!

Drumble · Post by **Drumble** » August 24th, 2007, 2:18 pm

I also wanted to add that this isn't necessarily the only way to do the fight and just my opinion on how things should/could/might go, and some things I've learned about the encounter.Everyone needs to get a feel for the encounter and see how their group might best handle it. It could be perfect to have a rogue or warrior be that OT soaker as well, it's one less melee on the flares means less healing.What each of these encounters teach you, really -- is how to work effectively as a team. Know how to handle the boss when it goes perfect, but as a team be able to react and handle the situations that go less-than-perfect.

mahonri · Post by **mahonri** » August 24th, 2007, 2:24 pm

BALLS OUT YO! Here is my take on the Curator fight... Hope this helps other rogues! (And I hope this is in the right thread...) Evocation from a Rogues view: Watch your Deadly Boss mod. When mine says ~3-4 seconds until Evocation I usually run for the Curator so that I can get full benefit of my Adrenaline Rush and his Evocation. With that said, save all your cooldowns for that first Evocation... backstabs will hit for 3-4k and crit for ~6k... its nuts. 5-6 backstabs with an Eviscerate will do a TON of damage. Also, when watching my Deadly Boss mod I try to time it so that I have a good 15-20 seconds of Slice N Dice goin when that Evocation hits to cause even more damage. Astral Flares from a Rogues view: The mod /target Astral is imperative. You have to have it end of story. I have my bound to the "~" key so that it is close at my fingertips. Also, rogues should be using their Cloak of Shadows to offset some of that arcane damage whenever it is up... By using it you could be getting around 4-5k less damage once a minute and that will help the healers a ton. I can't remember if poisons work for this fight or not, but I do equip the Instant Poison as it doesn't stack because those Astral Flares shouldn't be up very long and stacking would be a waste.