...Pink? -.-

...Yes, pink. But for now - ignore the title. I'll get to that later.

Last night, The Ancients - along with some members from other guilds and PUG's - arrived at Gruul's Lair a bit past 7:00. It was my first time healing - I'd been lucky enough to have Adirix accepted into the raid group, and was eager to see how a 25 man would look from a healer's perspective.

As we walked through the portal, the usual near-endless buffing commenced. Then, we thought all the fuss was over - but, what would Gruul's be without people forgetting to stand right behind the Lair Brute?
Needless to say, this happened just about every pull.

After raid leaders and assistants trying - and failing - to convince people to stand behind the Lair Brute, we got to High King. Konbawa changed into his badly colour-coordinated stamina greens, and, after re-explaining the tactics, we were off.
We managed to down High King on our first attempt, and I found the healing to be quite a welcomed change from spamming Steady Shot.

We then - with more Lair Brute problems, of course - progressed onto Gruul. And can you guess what the final randomised pull before Gruul was?
Yep. Three Lair Brutes.

Running in knowing the tactics for Gruul - and yet bewildered on what to do as a healer - was a quite interesting experience. Unlike for High King, though, healing instead of DPS wasn't quite so fun. Here's what was going through my head, and across the screen, as the Gruul fight went on:
'Out of Range'.
'Out of Range'.
'Out of Range'.
'Out of Range'.
Ooh, I've found someone in range to heal! Yay!
*Start casting*
*Gruul silences*
Damn.
'Out of Range'.
'Out of Range'.
'Out of Range'.
Oh good, another person to heal, and Gruul can't silence yet...:D
*Start casting*
*Gruul uses Ground Slam*
Aww, you gotta be kidding.

Well, you get the idea. But, as with HKM, we managed to down Gruul, first shot. Grats to all who got loot from Gruul and High King - also, I managed to snag myself a pair of Justicar Leggings.

At that time, it was around 9:00, and only two people had to go, so we decided we'd press on for a try at Magtheridon. This was going to be the more difficult one - we'd only had one attempt, last week - which I couldn't go to anyway. But, it was worth the try for this week.

After finding a replacement healer and dps, we were set, and got quickly to HFC for summons. We rushed through the trash, and, before we knew it, the massive Pit Lord was standing in front of us. From there, some people got confused as the cubes and cave-in were explained in depth - but, the fight is simpler in practice than in theory, as long as the cube-clickers time well. Our first attempt got Mag to a near 11%, and after getting back in the instance and making a few changes, we were set for the second attempt. This didn't go quite so well as the first - with Magtheridon staying at 20-ish percent health, but, by now, we knew what to do. Our third attempt, with just a few minor tweaks to the strategy, managed to down the big slug with near perfection - only one death! ^.^

After we rezzed, the loot was again distributed - and, taking a look, I was amazed at the amount. A Thundering Greathelm, three T4 tokens, Magtheridon's Head - which turns into an epic ring and 3k rep - as well as a 20 slot bag, a sack of gems to distribute to the lucky ones, 3 BoJ...and the Aegis of the Vindicator. Loot was spread widely, and again, congratulations to everyone who got some - especially Barrath, who really cleaned up loot in both Gruul's and Mag's. Also, I envy all those who got their Champion of the Naaru titles.

The thing is, though - I'd say not many people would envy me. You see, I was 'lucky' enough to get the shield. Great!, I thought. I collected my BoJ, the shield, and left the raid, and Mort was nice enough to enchant the shield for me. I thanked him, then equipped my shield - and it should suffice to say that this is where the title of the post comes in. I mean, honestly! Does anyone have a slightest idea of a reason that an evil Pit Lord's shield would be flourescent pink! Why!? /QQ.

Pink shield aside, though - it was a great raiding night, and thanks to all that tanked, healed and dps'ed up a storm. Until next time!

Elf.

Guild Progression

Over the last few weeks, The Ancients raiders have been flying through the content. Here's a quick catch-up, gear, and recognition list; if anyone or anything is forgotten, please let me know.

Firstly: A bit under two weeks ago, a mix of our raiding groups 1 and 2 entered Zul'Aman for the second time. We got through the adds much better than the first time, and it showed on the boss, too... we downed Nalorakk within a shot or two, and congrats to Moonspirit on the Robes of Heavenly Purpose. Afterwards, we progressed onto Akil'Zon, the eagle avatar, and tried him a few times. We lowered him to 49% on our best shot, which, considering it was our first night at him, was a quite good effort.

Now, to get more recent: Last Thursday, The Ancients combined with guild Captain Sanders Shirt, as well as some pugs, to give Gruul's Lair a shot. It took a while to get started, but after an hour of getting more people and buffing up, we progressed to High King Maulgar. It was a long process, taking a fair few shots because of mage-tank problems, but we eventually got a replacement mage-tank who had done the fight before, and got the fight easily from there. I'm not able to congratulate anyone on the loot for this one, as I forget who got it. :P

Moving onto Gruul's, we had respawn problems, but managed to clear it. After, again, the buffing and tactic-explaining, we lowered him to 40% for a good first shot...then, our next try was an agonising wipe at 2%. By that time, there were respawns, so after also being on for quite a long time, we had to leave. Correct me if I'm wrong, because I didn't hear much about it, but as far as I know, the raid dissolved soon after, and Gruul, sadly, remained alive, even after a great effort from the raid.

Now, to the most recent, and maybe most beneficial achievement; The Ancients first full one-night clear! We could tell from the start - from Borg's enthusiasm in pulling - that we were aiming for a full-clear. But it went even better than planned...we progressed through all the bosses as we passed them, with lots of loot, BoJ, and void crystals. Zev complained, justifiably, of the lack of Paladin T4 Tokens from Curator, as the Warrior-Priest-Druid one dropped for what seemed to be the millionth time. Also, there was yet again no luck with the ring for Odayla and I... although, a few bosses later, at Netherspite, I got a leg armour replacement, with the Skulker's Greaves dropping, and nobody else wanting to roll on them. Maybe just because gemming and enchanting legs costs so damn much. :P

After just over three hours, we got to Prince, the last boss standing. No wipes so far, and many people having gotten gear already. We were just going for a perfect full clear...when a bad infernal placement wiped us. At 1 damned percent. Annoyed, but still determined, we rushed back up for a second shot, and downed him easy, for us first 1-night full clear! Grats to Odayla on the T4 Headpiece token.

And finally, one last piece of news: Zevon/Beanieone - the guild's fastest leveller, and maybe wit - is unable to play until November. Zev's been a great friend and rival to me for many months now. We'll miss ya until then, Zev :(

So, cyas till next post, guys.
Elf.

New Gear :D

Okay, so I haven't posted in a while, I realise that. Really, it's mainly because not much's been happening, considering Kara was called off last week and a flop the week before...anyways. I thought I may as well post to update with my new gear, since I've gotten some stuff recently which I may as well sum up.

Number one: Crossbow of Relentless Strikes! This is, actually, from about a month ago...but I forgot to make a post. I tend to do that often. Either way, its ownage is nice.

Number two: Midnight Legguards. Was lucky enough to get these from H SP, so I'm in the process of trying to find someone for Nethercobra at the moment. Ugh.

Number three: Vengeful Gladiator's Chain Armour. Managed to finally get this from arena points, still need to get it gemmed though. Although it's PvP, it's still better than the crafted Thick Netherscale Breastplate.

And I haven't gotten another piece yet, although I have been farming BM for the elusive Hourglass. Damn Temporus! *Mutters about drop rates and uses /doom towards Obe and Zev*...anyways. I'll be getting the Skyguard Silver Cross very soon, and although it's pretty damn lame for raiding, it beats my old trinket by a long shot.

Oh...and it seems Gruul's is on the GC for next week, which could be...interesting. And Borg...if you read this, ignore the gems part for now. Please! /scared.

Cyas all.
Elf.