Lo-Quality WoW

Well, it was supposed to be the night of our 10-man raid.  Except we were missing a tank, so we started wtih a quick jaunt into Naxxramas since it was the Raid Weekly.  We were hoping a tank would get on by the time we were finished

So in we go and even though it’s mainly an “alt run”, most the members alt’s are almost as powerful as their mains.  I just don’t have that kind of dedication anymore. 

And the saddest part of that run?  Yes, I’m undergeared.  Yes, I’m learning a new rotation.  But dammit, healers should still not be hitting higher dps numbers than me.  Two of the healers did!  I may just have to switch back to my old method instead of trying to do the “proper” rotation.  Just isn’t getting things done.

After that, an off-tank did log on.  However, he had computer issues from the start.  We had to wait 10 minutes for him to get into the instance and then in the middle of phase 2 of the Lich King fight, he disconnects.  After careful consideration, it was decided to call it off then risk multiple wipes when our off-tank has a flaky computer.  Unfortunately, most of us won’t be on tonight either so it’ll be a couple of days before our next crack at the Lich King.

But that meant more time on my Warrior.  My first random was Drak’Tharon Keep and again, my dps was horrible.  A Hunter who had a barely 3k gearscore out dps us.  (Although to be fair, he out dps all the dps, which makes me wonder how he did that.) 

The run itself was rather humdrum.  The tank ran ahead quite a bit and gathered large groups and held them with no problem.  About the only thing that I remember from the run was that I got the Looking For Multitudes achievement.  I guess I have been running randoms with Aleania more than Keyalnon, Key took awhile before he got that achievement.

Next was an Ahn’Kahet Old Kingdom run.  This was mainly notable because despite my crappy dps, I still somehow managed to pull aggro off the tank.  The tank finally asked that we (I wasn’t the only one who pulled aggro off) wait until he stops moving before we attack.  Even then, we sometimes pulled aggro.  I’m n0t sure but I suspect he was counting on threat being generated by direct damage more than effects.  Or at least, that’s the best I can think of as to why it took him a while to establish threat.  He held it just fine once he settled in.

On this run, we just did the first boss and Volazj.  I started getting a better grip on my rotation but it still wasn’t the greatest.  Still it was enough that we still managed to earn the Volazj’s Quick Demise achievement.  I wouldn’t have minded getting the other two emblems but when the tank and healer leave, well, party’s over.

Next think I got into was a Trial of the Champion, where the tank immediately dropped as we got in.  It’s not the first time it’s happened.  To me, it’s a quick, easy instance but  I think because people did it so much when it first came out, they’re just sick of it.  Still, I think it’s silly.

Anyway, we actually did the joust portion without a tank.  No problem, that part’s easy.  I was just about to suggest I tank for a bit when we did pull a new tank.  At least he got to join us for getting that emblem. 

The fights themselves were typical.  Although when we got to the Black Knight, amazingly, we all managed to avoid the ghoul explosion during the first phase.  The tank realized that and did a good job of moving the group around when another ghoul was about to explode, and we managed to grab the I’ve Had Worse achievement, which was a nice bonus.

Now the main thing I did get from that run was the Helm of the Crestfallen Challenger.  This was important for two reasons.  One, it got my tank gearscore within 10 points of my dps gearscore, evening them out.  Two, it meant I only needed trinkets for my Epic achievement.   

That achievement, I admit, I fudged.  I purchased a trinket that was bind on pickup from a vendor with emblems.  Put it in each trinket slots, got the achievement and then sold the trinket back for a refund.  I’d have kept the trinket but as nice as it was, the amount of emblems I used for it could purchase two different upgrades at the same price.  And I really would love to get my Warrior up to ICC levels.

Of course, if I really am going to mainly be doing dps, I really need to figure out what I’m doing wrong in my rotation.  My Hunter is survival, which means he does “shot-priority” over “shot-rotation”.  But I should be able to apply that to my Warrior’s “attack-rotation” but it just doesn’t quite seem to work out. 

Oh well, if I get desperate, I guess I could always run up my Death Knight as well.  I don’t know the DK rotation either but I still seem to put up decent dps numbers for my level.  Or I could always do my Rogue or Mage.  Nah, I’m even worse with those two.  Guess I’ll study my spec a little more over the weekend, not like I’m scheduled for much raiding otherwise.  Sigh.