New Raid-friendly Work Schedule, yay!

outplayed · Post by **outplayed** » June 6th, 2008, 2:57 pm

My schedule should be changing soon at work. As of 6/23/2008 I *should* be on a 9-5PST shcedule, which would allow me time to raid. My intention would be to catch up on as much badge loot and weekend raiding as I can to get prepped for progression encounters. As raid spots are available, of course. I understand there are people seniority and its not my intention to take anyone's spot - just declaring my intentions to raid.

Drumble · Post by **Drumble** » June 8th, 2008, 3:52 pm

Glad to hear it! We still seem to struggle for raiders on the off nights ... (and that badge loot is *sweet*)

mahonri · Post by **mahonri** » June 8th, 2008, 4:47 pm

Regardless wrote As raid spots are available, of course. I understand there are people seniority and its not my intention to take anyone's spot - just declaring my intentions to raid.

Awesomly mature way to bring yourself to the attention of those that organize. People should take note.

outplayed · Post by **outplayed** » June 18th, 2008, 3:04 am

I think I'm going to be focusing on my Rogue for raiding. I understand this will come with a DKP reset and I dont mind. I have regemmed my Rogue's gear to be as PvE as possible and have respecced for raiding. It will be my intention to run as many heroics and 10 mans as I can, in an attempt to get caught up. As of 6/22 I will be able to raid if spots are available. And thank you for the recognition, I did choose my words carefully. I don't wish to step on anyones toes. ^_^ I just want to kill some dragons

Drumble · Post by **Drumble** » June 18th, 2008, 6:10 am

I wouldn't want to discourage you from doing whatever you want -- but I would point out that you probably have a good bit more badge farming to do on your rogue than your warlock. Compare your rogue to our current raiding rogues -- compare your warlock to our current raiding warlocks. Personally (I dont think we have a 'policy') I dont think it would be a DKP reset if this is your new main. But it's sort of a catch-22 since with your current gear you would likely only make it in to raid when we're lacking people. It's much easier to swap an alt if it's a *necessary* change (like Fargol gearing up Heimlorn to be a substitute Pally tank -- or DPS for a healer or a tank) -- but when you're swapping DPS+utility for straight DPS, it's just a number comparison. But then .. I dont do invites. EDIT: I know you mentioned running stuff to 'catch up' -- I'm really just poking the Tardcrusher of today, I know you pay proper attention to things and will "bring it" as it were. I just think your warlock wouldn't have to work at that so hard.

outplayed · Post by **outplayed** » June 18th, 2008, 7:03 pm

I'm making this decision for a number of reasons - all of which are open to criticism or suggestion.

1st - It is my understanding we dont have many raiding Rogues. This is detrimental to the raid.

2nd - Given their damage potential, if properly enabled, Rogue DPS potential is higher than that of similarly geared Warlocks.

3rd - We have numerous Warlocks with raiding ambition. There will be more competition for raid spots, and too much overlap of Caster DPS. There is also greater competition for Warlock and Caster gear - this translates to slower progression. EG The more people you have to gear with a set amount of gear, the more said gear is spread out. This is fair as far as distribution of loot is concerned, but is not necessarily ideal for progression in some respects (this is not a criticism, please do not take it as such).

4th - I have raided progression content on my rogue pre-BC for over a year. I am very aware of the constraints of the class and how to play around them.

5th - The only stat my Rogue is severely lacking at the moment is hit. Armory might not have updated, but regemming all my equipment and respeccing, puts my rogue at 200 hit rating, 1560-1600 AP. I have the means to find additional hit gear, and by the time I'm at 300 hit, I will also have 1750-1800 unbuffed AP.

All of the above have lead me towards Roguery, rather than Warlockery. I am competant playing either class. As stated, I am open to any criticism or debate, my ultimate goal and preference is to raid progression content. If those who decide raid invites believe my Warlock is needed more than my Rogue, then I would be happy to raid on my Warlock.

***MOST IMPORTANTLY***

In my opinion, the deciding factor would be how regularly we have a good melee presence. This is a VERY important question, as much of a Rogue's damage in end-game content comes from raid buffs, it is absolutely essential to have an Enhancement Shaman for both Windfury and Unleashed Rage, as well as a DPS Warrior for Battleshout - Feral Druids for Leader of the Pack is always nice, but the aforementioned Shaman and Warrior abilities are absolutely vital to maximizing Rogue DPS.

Do we regularly have both a Battleshout Warr and Enhance Shaman raiding? Are my perceptions regarding the abundance of Rogues on raid-night skewed? If I couldn't count on having regular access to the forementioned raid-buffs, it would probably be more advantageous for me to play on my Warlock. Please feel free to share your comments

WarmApplePie · Post by **WarmApplePie** » June 19th, 2008, 1:08 am

1: Draven, Koko, Alkia, Riggins, all raiding rogues
2: Tell Kaitlynn that.
3: True. But our Melee group is always full, and we can always use more ranged DPS.
4-5: Bottom line - you play what you want. I'm your enhancement Shaman (And I belive Ichigopantsu is also) and between Whitetadpole, Pentamino, Krusher and Gotcookies there is almost always a Battleshout. Ichi I dont think has raided yet, Krusher usually plays one of his many alts. Gotcookies isn't always in the raids either, he's got a spotty schedule. But yes, the buffs are usually there.

draven · Post by **draven** » June 19th, 2008, 2:04 am

i would vote for play what you want and whatever you think you'll have more fun with

outplayed · Post by **outplayed** » June 19th, 2008, 3:33 am

Yeah, everyone's right. I'll just play the Warlock. Thanks for the team meeting ^_^

mahonri · Post by **mahonri** » June 19th, 2008, 7:01 am

Regardless wrote Yeah, everyone's right. I'll just play the Warlock. Thanks for the team meeting ^_^

No dude, you play what you want to play and have a good time doing it. Sometimes we have a crap ton of melee, and sometimes I wonder if melee exists anymore. Bottom line, don't play or not play what you want to play due to us. Have fun with it.

Drumble · Post by **Drumble** » June 19th, 2008, 7:11 am

Yeah -- honestly I was just pointing that it seemed you wouldn't really have to work as hard 'to catchup and get geared' (as you put it) on your warlock. At the end of the day -- you should definately play whatever you want to play. Heck, you're rogue is better geared than some of the people we try out on our Wednesday raids.

Fargol · Post by **Fargol** » June 19th, 2008, 7:38 am

Certainly - play what you feel more enthusiastic about - an enthusiastic, prepared player is really the most important 'class' you can play.

But if you're enthusiastic about both - go with warlock.

Daghi · Post by **Daghi** » June 19th, 2008, 10:09 am

I'm gunna echo the "play what you want to play" comments from abve because that was my first reaction. But I also want to offer something I don't think anyone else mentioned and that is that having two "raid ready" characters is a good thing. Take for example Thandrenn. When we need a solid tank he's got one, when the encounter calls for less tanks and more ranged dps he's got a lock ready he can switch to. So flexibility is very desirable. Case in point. Hyjal. The trash, especially for the first two bosses, requires we have a lot of aoe. However the third boss Kaz'galor is very melee friendly and the raid would benefit from more rogues and warriors in the raid. So to reiterate (sp?) the choice is yours but if you play 1 character and are also working on gearing up the other that works too.

outplayed · Post by **outplayed** » June 19th, 2008, 2:08 pm

I appreciate all the supportiveness, dont get me wrong. I really wanted to find out whether or not my percetion was skewed, and it might be. The dependance of the Rogue class in raiding environments detracts from the promise of the class. If there were a night we couldn't field an ideal raid the rogue would be doing almost half the damage. All said and done, I'm going to continue forward with my Warlock for raiding. I dont need to get caught up on anything, the only badgeloot upgrade that's a stark upgrade, is the pants, and I'll be saving for them. I'm going to get a Belt of Blasting crafted this week, and otherwise I am raid ready. In the background, I will still be taking my rogue to heroics and whatever 10 man content I can. Having the flexibility of either would be nice, the point has been made and it's true. Like I said, I appreciate your willingness to support either decision, but I feel its one best made by the concensus, not which I would prefer. Or rather, I would prefer to play the character that will be of most benefit to the raid. Whichever character is more needed is what I would like to play, I just honestly percieved a shortage of Rogues.

outplayed · Post by **outplayed** » June 19th, 2008, 3:48 pm

Forgot most important reason to play a rogue though! GLAIVES BAYBE!

Dionia · Post by **Dionia** » June 19th, 2008, 5:09 pm

lol