United Defense of Daggerspine

25-man Raiding: Two Weeks of Success

Hieronymous — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:41:50 -0000

Posted 01/22/2010 12:41 PM by Hieronymous.

The past several days have been extremely productive ones for United Defense. Last Thursday we cleared all of Trial of the Crusader, ending with our first guild kill of Anub’arak-25.

After finishing up in ToC, we moved on to Icecrown Citadel, where we defeated Lady Deathwhisper and won the Gunship Battle, both for the first time. This victory was especially sweet because it came at the hands of the first all-UD 25-man raid we’ve fielded in many months. Yes, that’s right, 25 UD-ers, ON A BOAT.

Last week also saw significant success for one of our 10-man groups: they fine tuned our Festergut strategy and were able to down that boss for the first time.

This week is of to a great start. Our Tuesday 25-man cleared the entire first wing of Icecrown Citadel, finishing with our first kill of Deathbringer Saurfang. This is not a trivial achievement for any guild, let alone one that has only been raiding 25-man content for a little over two weeks. We’re building a strong raiding team, and it’s beginning to show. Special thanks to Alphalaxer, Lannister, Resjudicator, Riley, and Farmerdan for the work you’ve put into leading raids and developing the strategies that work well for our guild. Even more importantly, thanks to all of you UD Members who have taken the time to run heroics, farm badgers, attend ToC gear grinds (I know the place grinds many of our gears), work with target dummies, pour over spreadsheets, fine-tune your UI’s, read technical forum posts, and invest all the hard work it takes to develop your characters and your skills as individual players. Without all that effort, there’s no way we could have accomplished what we have.

Here’s looking forward to the coming weeks—to Professor Putricide and beyond; to further reaping the fruits of our labors; and to having fun along the way!

-Hieronymous

United Defense is (once again) a 25 Man Raiding Guild.

Resjudicator — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:36:31 -0000

Posted 01/12/2010 02:36 AM by Resjudicator.

The opening of the second gate of ICC coincided with a tremendous transition for our guild. We were able to successfully down guild first kills in ICC and TOC 25 man. So, the unofficial is now official. We are once again going to be scheduling 25 man raid nights for Tuesdays and Thursdays. For now - we will run ICC on Tuesday and TOC or TOGC on Thursday.

We've been able to reach this point through the efforts of our officers, members and new recruits, but the hard work is far from over. We need to continue to recruit applicants with solid potential to fit into the United Defense culture. We need to continue to work on our boss knowledge, gear levels, wonky internet connections and faulty computer parts.

It is each member's responsibility to gear themselves up and prepare themselves fully for each raid. To know the boss strategy. To know their class and spec completely. To be online, on-time, and consistently ready to go.

ICC 25 man is tuned for guilds in ilvl 245 gear. For this purpose we will continue to run TOC and TOGC as we can to improve our hopes of progress in ICC. Further, In order to ensure continued progress in ICC we are going to institute a moving minimum gearscore* requirement for our Tuesday raids. This requirement will start out fairly low - easily accessible through heroics and badge gear. As we continue to progress we will raise the requirement. The purpose is not to leave members on the sidelines in favor of well geared pugs - the purpose is to ensure that each guild member is putting in the time and effort to improve their character and aid in the progress of the guild. To paraphrase, ask not what your guild can do for you, ask what you can do for your guild. Help us all out.

Additionally we will be instituting the UD Loot Policy (link in top nav) once we reach 90% United Defense participation in the 25 man raid. So - be prepared for the pirate loot master Resj's triumphant return.

What does this mean for our 10 man raids? We often progresses more rapidly and enjoy ourselves tremendously in 10 mans. The ilvl 251 gear is also excellent. We will continue to run and schedule 10's. We cleared the first four bosses in ICC 4 times last week and 3 times this week. As new content opens we want to be certain that we put our best feet forward in 10 man - meaning our best geared and most skilled players will attempt to clear first. After we have bosses on farm status we will split up into farming groups. If you have interest in running 10 man ICC - there will be groups forming regularly -sign up and jump in. Non-ICC 10-mans will not be officially scheduled.

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*We realize that gearscore is only one measure of a character's capability - we reserve the right to disregard it completely in some cases.

Raid Program : A New Challenge

Resjudicator — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:33:48 -0000

Posted 11/02/2009 05:33 PM by Resjudicator.

It seems nothing ever changes in Azeroth--not even the seasons. United Defense, however, is once again facing our own personal spring, a time for new beginnings, the start of a new year, new content patches, new expansions. This summer was a time for weddings, and softball, new jobs, new girlfriends, new children, new schools. The many varied and diverse members of UD spent some quality time leveling up in the real world. But as the sun starts setting earlier, the leaves start falling from the trees, and the rain pours from those ever more present clouds, more and more of our members are seeking solace in the comforting climes of Daggerspine. As such, it’s time for new challenges.

Soon, Arthas, the Lich King, will be ready to do battle. Are you ready to face him?

United Defense is a raiding guild. We band together to constantly improve ourselves as players and to excel as a guild. It is why we choose to set goals and outlandish objectives. While making bosses dead may not be the end goal, it is a means to the end, a method by which we find this game to be the most fulfilling and enjoyable.

It is to this end that we now once again present ourselves with another new challenge. A new old challenge. After much deliberation the officer core has unanimously agreed that United Defense should endeavor to raid 25 man content once again.

*dramatic pause*

Hickory what?

Yes, United Defense, 25 man raiding guild.

Harken back to your favorite moments as a member of United Defense. Was it downing Ragnaros and storming through Stormwind and Iron Forge as Furbolgs? 2-shotting our first ever attempt at Onyxia? Reconvening for Gruuls and Magtheridon? Blasting through Naxxramas sending millions of tells - all having nothing to do with loot - but rather what music should be playing over vent? Owning Phase 3 of Malygos? Seeing your fellow members, United Defense members, at the top of the server gear lists? Storming into Ulduar and facing Flame Leviathan while singing along to Fett’s Vette? All epic moments, all made better because we did them together.

10 man content doesn’t present the same challenges, the same commitment level, the same culture of inclusion. With 10 man content more people have to sit on the sidelines and get left out. It takes ALL of us to raid 25 man content. It makes the challenges and the moments bigger.

So we’ve made a decision. We, the officers, feel that the vision we need to set for this guild’s success is that of 25 man raiding. Now the hard part. Now we need your help.

In the past the efforts of a dedicated few have propelled this guild to great heights. Hieronymous and Sarpedon pulling us into ZG by sheer force of will. Lexloci playing a one man raid-leading band. Officers who spent countless hours and effort to make the raid program a success, but who in turn where burnt out by the sheer demands of the job.

If we make this transition again, this time we’ll have to do it differently. We’ve got to distribute the leadership more broadly and rely on a greater number of individuals. We can’t rely on one or two nut-jobs leading the way, we’ve got to do it as a team. In other words, we won’t be able to make this transition without your help.

We need people to volunteer. To step up into leadership rolls. To help people educate themselves and their fellow members on class mechanics and boss fight strategies. To take personal responsibility and make the commitment to be on time and attend the raids one signs up for. To pick a main, gear it out, and top the charts. To run those heroics, get those badges, find those upgrades and fill those empty slots. To volunteer to farm fish feasts and flask mats. To commit and focus, turn on that concentration aura, do the things we know how to do so well. And most importantly, to bring a positive attitude that will ensure we have a damn fun time!

Can we do this? Are we willing to face these new challenges together?

If yes, we need officers, raid leaders, loot administrators, class leaders, entertainment specialists, tanks, healers and dps. Applications now being accepted.

WAAAAAGH!!!

Onyxia and the Invincible Paladin

Camaron — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:59:41 -0000

Posted 09/24/2009 05:59 PM by Camaron.

This past Tuesday was a patch day and with it came all the usual zany patch day tomfoolery. Disconnects were running rampant while lag brought most activities to a halt. The boat to Theramore decided to dump a few of our raiders in the drink and summons weren't working. When things started to calm down and we got a few summons off, this guy shows up...

The Invincible Pally! Every time we got him below a certain threshhold of health...viola he had 10k.

We then proceeded into Onyxia's Layer. After many deep breaths and what seemed like millions of little whelplings we finally got her down even with only two ranged dps in phase 2.
<IMG SRC=http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo153/camsbank/WoWScrnShot_092209_232306.jpg WIDTH=800>

!starG UD

WAAAAAGH!!!

Ulduar invaded by a Warlock and Nine Bunnies

FarmerDan — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:30:07 -0000

Posted 08/28/2009 07:30 AM by FarmerDan.

It's a normal raid. We're in Ulduar, we've got Thorim and Freya, and we take a quick break before moving on to Mimiron. I go to the bathroom, grab some water, and I come back to this:

What isn't shown is all the spring rabbits that were soon thrown down, and all the babies it produced.

What does a UD raid do once they are bunified? Do they click off the debuff and proceed with the trash pulls? Or do they spend 10 minutes coordinating on vent to get a bunny wave set up? The answer is clear. We do the wave (or something that is kinda like a wave)

This is why I love you guys so much.

If you're on the shore, then you're shore not me-o!

Resjudicator — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:37:21 -0000

Posted 07/13/2009 11:37 PM by Resjudicator.

Who's sailing on a boat?
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 </DIV>
 
 POSEIDON, LOOK AT ME NOW!

Guild First Kills in Black Temple

FarmerDan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:42:26 -0000

Posted 07/03/2009 09:42 AM by FarmerDan.

Despite it being a holiday weekend, United Defense is still on the wining track to guild first kills. Girded buy our earlier success many weeks ago in the Battle for Mount Hyjal, our raid team decided to take a crack at Illidan himself, and invade Black Temple.

With a mere eight people, we stormed the sewer access, proceeded to one shot one of Illidan's top ranking Naga, and then two shot one of the most powerful abyssal lords in Illidan's rank. After valiantly clearing to Akama's corrupted soul, our group fell victim to the dreaded "Don't talk to the NPC" trick.

Thanks to everyone who came out. In the end, we got some gear for a couple level 73's, and has a blast. Grats on kills of High Warlord Naj'entus and Supremus. Hope we can do this again some time, and perhaps get a couple more bosses down.

WAAAAAGH!!!

Servet prepares a Great Feast!

Resjudicator — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 01:24:23 -0000

Posted 06/08/2009 06:24 PM by Resjudicator.

Servet, Resjudicator and a group of pals have been hosting an annual pig roast for the past few years. For this sixth year Bacchanalia the invite was extended to all of United Defense. Represent well they did. Photogenic and Bloops flew in from San Francisco, Riley flew in from Hawaii, Alphalaxer from Salt Lake City, Furyion came up from Tacoma, and Badsneakers and Nattypants drove down from Vancouver to join the North Seattle crew of Lorathon, Germogh, and Talrothis, and the Seattle Bunch of Hieronymous, Conjeneratur and Sarpedon. 
 
Here is a shot of the gang: 
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The get together consisted of eating and drinking. And more eating. And more eating. And more eating. Three Dick's runs were made over the course of the weekend, 'cus after all, nothing like a good Dicks' Deluxe to soothe the stomach after a few courses of pig. Speaking of pig.... here she is in all her 22 hour-smoked delicious glory: 
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All in all, I think it is safe to say that all present had a blast. Next time, we hope for even more of our online friends to join in the merriment. After all, who can resist an opportunity for a real life CONJ PILE! 
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Costume Contest Roaring Sucess Says Local Gnome

FarmerDan — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:59:46 -0000

Posted 04/20/2009 02:59 PM by FarmerDan.

Amid the cacophony of raiders shouting for more Ulduar raids this week, last Saturday we held our first semi-annual United Defense Costume Party.

It was held on the lovely greens surrounding the Dalaran Fountain in the center of town. There the judges, dressed up in their finest, would decide which UD member was deserving of the prize: A highly valuable Orb of Deception

Here's a picture of our lovely contestants:

Meekrob - Full Haliscan Garb, including the heroic hat with ghost wolf pet - RUNNER UP
FarmerDan - Farmer outfit with glowing pitchfok and Mr Wiggles
Devri - Pole Dancer - MRS CONGENIALITY
Starheart - Captain Hook - Pirate Costume (via Halloween Wand), and Thekal's Grasp for the hook
Camaron - Full Imperial Plate Set for that SW guard look
Samalli - Full Brewfest Garb + Keg + Disturbing the Peace Achievement- WINNER
Lexloci - Santa - Extra points for the beard
Conjenerator - Demon spawned prom night. Also, at various times during the contest: Miner, UD Tabard, and Fire Juggler

Not Pictured:
Lorathon in Tanking Mage garb - Go go ironweave!!
Lannister / Miaa - Firemane Leggings....think they speak for themselves

A good time was had by all. A big thank you to everyone who participated. Watch out for upcoming shinanigan events soon!

Raid Program Goals: Ulduar

Resjudicator — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 02:43:41 -0000

Posted 04/14/2009 07:43 PM by Resjudicator.

With the release of patch 3.1, it is time to readdress our raid program and its goals. 
This expansion cycle has been a tremendous one for our raid program. Clearing Naxaramas 10 man 4 weeks after release. Downing Malygos and championing the frozen wastes. Transitioning into 25 man content by growing from within and adding excellent new friends from without. Clearing Naxx, Malygos, Sarth+2 on heroic. Moving into the top 10 of all guilds on Daggerspine while maintaining our commitment to the values that make us so special. All the while having just a blast hanging out with a special bunch of friends. 
We aim to continue to keep raids fun and exciting while challenging ourselves to move smoothly through the new and difficult content. With that in mind I propose the following long term, 'pie in the sky' raid program goal:
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Meet Algalon the Observer, or in the words of the blue text: "Algalon the Raid Destroyer. He feeds off of your tears." Algalon is an optional boss only available in hard mode, and only available after beating the other raid bosses in Ulduar on hard mode. Very, very few guilds will ever see Algalon, even fewer will down him. Let's be one of them. 
How shall we get there? It's gonna take a lot of focus, a lot of gearing up and a lot of making sure we all make ourselves better players. The progression path is fairly straightforward, we will attempt to completely clear Ulduar on easy mode and then pick off the hard mode encounters one by one until we feel comfortable doing them all. 
One thing we are going to do is create a 10-man Achievement Team. Based on performance in 25 man raids a 10 man team will be put together to attempt many of the hard mode encounters in Ulduar before the 25 man squad is ready. This will help train a strong portion of the guild as well as gear up quite a few. Ulduar 10 man hard mode gear is the same ilevel as Ulduar 25 normal. Participation on the 10 man team will be competitive, based on such factors as attendance, dps, knowledge of class and boss fights, and willingness to struggle mightily while maintaining a positive attitude. It is very likely that the 10 man team will see newer content and achieve guild first boss kills.
All in all, I love where we are going into this next patch, we are ready for the new content and I am very excited to see the new heights we can reach together.

- Lexloci