The Hunting Party Podcast, Episode 8

 Darkbrew, Hunters, Podcast, Podcasts, The Hunting Party  No Responses »
Sep 292009
 


This week on the Hunting Party Podcast, Euripides and I talk to Jurgwena, the PvP writer for OutDPS! If you are a PvE hunter and are looking into the idea of starting some PvP, this is the show for you. You will find that many of the questions we ask are from a perspective of complete cluelessness in regards to PvP. In fact, you could almost call us “PvEtards”.


We also talk about patch 3.2.2’s changes, including Onyxia.


[audio http://outdps.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/huntingparty_008.mp3]




As always, here is the iTunes store link, the Hunting Party Podcast feed, and the direct XML feed. If you email us comments or questions, we’ll read them on the next show. Send an email to outdps@gmail.com or thebrewhall@gmail.com, and mention “podcast” in the subject.


If you don’t do syndicated podcasts, and just want to download this week’s MP3 and play it on your player of choice, click here.




 Posted by at 10:01 am  Tagged with: , , , ,

Brewmaster Darkbrew

 Darkbrew  No Responses »
Sep 252009
 
I’m not a big achievement guy, but there are a couple in the game that really speak to me, and this was one of them.  I started planning for this a year ago back when patch 3.0 was on the PTR.

By the way the clothing required for the Disturbing the Peace achievement functions the same way as badge gear, meaning once you buy it there is a a one hour period in which you can sell it back for a full refund.

As far as getting the Violet Protodrake goes, like I said, I’m not a big achievement guy.  Maybe next year ;)


WoWScrnShot_092509_000823
 Posted by at 9:08 am  Tagged with: , , , , , ,

The Hunting Party Podcast, Episode 7

 Hunter Pets, Hunters, Pets, Podcast, Podcasts, Raiding, The Hunting Party  No Responses »
Sep 242009
 



This week on The Hunting Party Podcast, we had the great pleasure of interviewing Munken, hunter extraordinaire from Ensidia! For those of you who may not know, Ensidia is a premier sponsored guild (formerly known as SK-Gaming) who has many world firsts under their belt.

Munken is often the camera man for their excellent publicized videos. Anyone who wants to use the same UI that he does can look at it here.

This show, while normally G rated, contains a little colorful vocabulary on the part of our guest.

[audio http://outdps.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/huntingparty_007.mp3]



As always, here is the iTunes store link, the Hunting Party Podcast feed, and the direct XML feed. If you email us comments or questions, we’ll read them on the next show. Send an email to outdps@gmail.com or thebrewhall@gmail.com, and mention “podcast” in the subject.

If you don’t do syndicated podcasts, and just want to download this week’s MP3 and play it on your player of choice, click here.


 Posted by at 11:12 am  Tagged with: , , , , , ,

The Hunting Party Podcast, Episode 6

 Hunters, Podcasts, The Hunting Party, World of Warcraft  No Responses »
Sep 152009
 


This week, we cover the news: faction changes, the armor penetration nerf, 3.2.2, bestial wrath nerfbuff, trial of the grand crusader difficulty, the tier 9 set bonus bug fixes, and Darkbrew’s theories on management. We then answered some listener questions!


Episode 6 of the Hunting Party Podcast was also the first live show, however this caused no end of trouble for our producer because the audio synch was much worse on Talkshoe.com than it is on Skype. Until we can find something with as much quality as Skype that allows us to broadcast our voices and provides a chat room, we’re going back to canned podcasts.


[audio http://outdps.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/huntingparty_005.mp3]


As always, here is the Hunting Party Podcast feed, or here is the direct XML feed. If you email us comments or questions for Munken from Ensidia, we’ll ask him on the (hopefully next) show. Send an email to outdps@gmail.com, and mention “podcast” in the subject.


If you don’t do syndicated podcasts (iTunes, or whatever) but just want to download this week’s MP3 and play it on your player of choice, click here.




 Posted by at 2:06 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,

The Hunting Party Podcast Live This Weekend

 Podcast, Podcasts, The Hunting Party  No Responses »
Sep 112009
 
This weekend, we’ll be recording our first live Hunting Party Podcast at 5:00 PM EST on Saturday the 12th of Sept. Here’s the ustream link!
Ustream is worse than useless. Never use them if you can avoid them. We’ll be broadcasting on Talkshoe!

Powered by TalkShoe

It should be starting a few minutes after the wow.com post show. The episode will be released on iTunes and RSS early the next week, like usual, so our awesome producer can get his hands on it and fix up the sound post process.

(Special thanks to Euripides for organizing all of this.)

 Posted by at 2:36 pm  Tagged with:

The Hunting Party Podcast, Episode 5

 Podcast, Podcasts, The Hunting Party  No Responses »
Sep 092009
 


Episode 5 of The Hunting Party is here.  Unfortunately for me and perhaps good for you, I was unable to be a part of this episode.  This week the role of Darkbrew was performed by none other than Brigwyn.   Euripides started with the interview, and then went over the news.


Today’s show notes contain a lot of links:





[audio http://outdps.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/huntingparty_005.mp3]


As always, here is the Hunting Party Podcast feed, or here is the direct XML feed. If you email us comments or questions, we’ll read them on the show. Send an email to outdps@gmail.com, and mention “podcast comment” in the subject.


If you don’t do syndicated podcasts (iTunes, or whatever) but just want to download this week’s MP3 and play it on your player of choice, click here.




 Posted by at 11:04 am  Tagged with: , , ,

Eight Simple Rules: #5 Ventrilo and AddOns

 Guilds, Raiding  No Responses »
Sep 092009
 
Today I’m going to continue with my Eight Simple rules series, as I present to you rule #5 – Ventrilo and Addons.  We require all raid members to use Ventrilo during raids.  We also require that all raid members have certain addons installed, as well as require some role specific addons.

Ventrilo

All members need to have Ventrilo installed and properly configured before the raid.  The reason for this should be obvious.  Being able to verbally communicate during a boss encounter is huge.  This is a tool for raid leaders to bark out instructions and throw a conniption fit when things go wrong.

During an encounter you should try to keep Vent. clear, allowing the raid leader and other designated personnel to direct the action.  There is no need to call out for heals if you’re not a tank.  The raid also does not need to hear things like “Sorry I couldn’t get the heal off in time.”  Your target is dead.  The raid already knows you couldn’t get the heal off.

If you die you do not need to begin explaining why you died or what you did wrong.  Wait until the encounter ends before you start the debriefing and finger pointing.

If your guild does not have Ventrilo then you should be using the in-game voice chat.  We like to use Vent. because the quality is so much better.

Required AddOns

On the must have list for all raid members are Omen Threat Meter and Deadly Boss Mods (DBM).  Our raid leader listed the reason for needing these mods as follows,

Omen:  Keeps track of how much threat you are generating. You need to stay BELOW the current tank so that you do not pull aggro and kill yourself and possibly the raid. A perfect example of this is the Patchwerk fight, in which tanks must stay in a certain order on threat and all melee must stay below the third tank.

DBM: We require all raiding personnel to have Deadly Boss Mods installed and running at the time of the raid. Certain fights become very difficult without it (Thaddius is a perfect example) It gives various warnings for each fight that you may be required to pay attention to.

In addition to Omen and DBM we ask our Paladins to have Pally Power and all classes that can cleanse need to have Decursive.

Pally Power: (Paladins only) This is for pallies to assign specific buffs during the raid.

Decursive: (Mages, Priests, any class that can decurse, remove disease, etc) This addon allows you to quickly click a button to remove curses, diseases and the like.

Raiding is a team effort and these encounters can have a lot going on at once.  Communication and awareness are critical to getting these bosses down.  Ventrilo and addons are tools that can help you get the job done.

Good Hunting!
 Posted by at 9:56 am  Tagged with: , , , ,

Eight Simple Rules: #4 AFK’s Will Be Raid Wide

 Guilds, Raiding  No Responses »
Sep 082009
 
AFK’s will be raid wide and not on an individual basis. During each raid at specific times it will be called out to take a 5 min afk for the entire raid. There are to be no other afk’s (emergencies excluded) by individuals. The raid will not wait for an unscheduled afk. If you are caught afk when we move on or even start a boss fight, it will be started without you. If it happens more than once you will be removed from the raid and replaced. If it becomes a recurring theme with an individual, that person will not be invited back to raids. This is a very important rule, this allows the raid to run quickly, efficiently, and keeps everyone and everything on track. We will be able to maximize the 3 hours set out for raiding and everyone will be available for each and every fight. This includes running back when we wipe. Wiping is not a declaration for afk. If you die and it is a wipe, release, run back in and be ready to buff and go. Do not wait around for a rez, this wastes everyone’s time and you won’t be receiving it if everyone else is running back. If you have to have an afk for some reason, at the very least send the raid leader a tell as to why and how long.

Tell me if you’ve seen this before.  The raid leader has just gone through a lengthy explanation of the boss fight and issues the ready check.  Everyone responds but one person (a healer or tank of course).  The raid leader sends the player a tell and asks in Vent. if they’re there.  Nothing but silence.  Someone has taken a ninja AFK.

Unnecessary AFKs waste time.  They demonstrate a lack of focus, and can stifle momentum.  They are also contagious, once one person requests an AFK more usually follow.  Before you know it you’ve wasted 20 minutes waiting for people to return.  While this is happening flasks are burning, buffs are running out and people are getting antsy.

Instead of focusing on a boss attempt trains sets are out, paper zeppelins are flying, and battle-bots are fighting.  When everyone does return you then have to spend time rebuffing, and going over assignments again.

Breaks are a necessary and important part of raiding.  If you look at all major sports, there is usually a half-time where the players get a small break.  I’ve seen raiders work harder on an attempt knowing that there was a few minutes break ahead.

Running a twenty-five man raid is like herding cats.  Organizing your breaks and making them a scheduled part of the raid really help keep things focused and moving along.

Emergencies happen, and there are times when you need to take an unscheduled break.  When this happens you need to let your raid leader know that you need to go AFK.  You’re in your home and the raid leader is in their home.  You really can’t be stopped from going AFK.  The least you can do though is be courteous and let people know.  Remember you are part of a team.

Now I need to go /AFK to do some work.

Good Hunting!

 Posted by at 11:46 am  Tagged with: , , ,

Eight Simple Rules: #3 Come Prepared

 Guilds, Raiding  2 Responses »
Sep 032009
 
Come prepared. This means multiple things. It is extremely important that you have your potions (healing/mana), flasks (stonesblood, etc), any specific gear requirements (frost resist piece for saph), individual food buffs in case a fish feast is not available, reagents, etc. Do not rely on others to have these for you and do not rely on the raid to get you through without them. Mana potions mean we can get maximum usage out of you during a fight, health potions make the difference between you dying and giving a healer those extra few seconds to hit you with a heal, frost resist means healers are working much less on the entire raid… I can go on and on, but suffice to say, these things are a *requirement*. This also extends to meeting the requirements to make it to a raid. In other words, if to arrive at a raid requires a flying mount, you must have one. The raid will not be summoning you every time we wipe. Finally, this also branches out to knowing the fights. If we are going to be doing content that is new to you, PLEASE spend the fifteen minutes needed BEFORE the raid night to go to a site like bosskillers.com to view the fight strategies and how the fight works. Just this *basic* knowledge will help you when the raid leader explains the fight and will help the raid get going much quicker. Come prepared to each and every raid.

Back when I used to play tennis I would to bring the following to my team matches,

  • A jug of water
  • A face towel
  • Two cans of tennis balls
  • Three tennis rackets
  • Head tape
  • Grip tape
  • Bandanas
  • A cooler of beer (usually reserved for after the match, but not always).

Before the start of each match there was 10-15 minute warm-up period.  Warm-up served to achieve two basic things, first was to loosen up and second was to size-up my opponent.  Fifteen minutes may not seem like a long time, but trust me it’s long enough to know whether or not the guy can hit a backhand, overhead, or volley.  It’s enough time to formulate a basic strategy to start the match.

When I attend a raid I bring,
  • Three stacks of Honey Mint Teat
  • Plenty of Ammo (Mammoth Cutters of course)
  • A stack of Blackened Dragonfin
  • Flasks of Endless Rage
  • Mana Injectors
  • Healing Injectors
  • Speed Potion (thanks to grizzlypete for pointing this one)
  • Mammoth Treats
  • Salted Venison

My gear is fully repaired, and my addons are installed and ready.  If I’m facing a new boss chances are I’ve read one of the guides over at OutDPS or watched a video.

You will be amazed at how much easier a fight is when you can identify things such as flame walls and flash freezes on your own and not have to rely on someone to call it out for you.  When the raid leader calls out an event like flash freeze it means the event is in progress.  When you learn to identify these events on your own you recognize them the same time the raid leader does.  As he’s calling it out your already on the move, and have saved yourself a few seconds.  Those few seconds can mean the difference between downing the boss and you dying and causing a chain reaction that leads to a wipe.

Don’t end up lying on the floor with the raid leader yelling at you saying, “You are not prepared!”

 Posted by at 10:44 am  Tagged with: , , ,

Eight Simple Rules: #2 Be On Time

 Guilds, Raiding  No Responses »
Sep 022009
 
Be on time. This is as simple as it gets. The invites start 15 minutes before the scheduled raid time. This means if the raid starts at 9pm, you need to be online for your invite at 8:45pm. Do not be in a heroic, do not be in Wintergrasp pvp’ing, be ready for the invite and ready to head to the instance.  The first pull is expected to be at the time listed for the raid start. This means everyone there, inside the instance and buffed by the raid start time. The raids will be scheduled for 3 hours, this is a strict 3 hours from start to finish. We will begin on time and end on time.

Today I bring you another post from my Captain Obvious collection.  The on-time start is about as rare as a hunter who has all three spirit beasts.

If there’s one thing I plan to drive home in this series is that raiding is a team effort.  It’s not unlike being on a softball team or tennis team.  Your attitude and behavior impacts the other players around you and their enjoyment of this game.

Now I don’t know about you, but I play this game in my home.  This means that all it takes is my entering a password and secure ID number for me to be at my destination.

I used to play on summer league tennis teams.  We had matches scheduled every Saturday morning at 9:00 am.  Early in the week I’d let the captain know of my availability (see rule number one).  On game day I’d get up early and drive to the site of the match usually arriving about 15 minutes early.  If I knew I needed to be late, I’d let the captain know so he could make arrangements for a later start with the other team.

When it comes to raiding I accept/decline raid invitations as soon I know my availability.  I usually logon 15 minutes before first pull, and I let the raid leader know if I’m going to be late.

For some reason it seems that since we can play in the comfort of our own home versus having to “be” somewhere, there is a tendency to take things a bit more casually.

Just because you don’t have to get in your car and drive somewhere, and just because you aren’t meeting people face-to-face doesn’t mean you should treat this any differently then if the raid were a tennis team match, or even a happy hour meet up.

The raid is an event that you have been invited to.  It has a meeting location, a start time, and your actions impact the nine or 24 other players who are also participating in the raid.

It’s not just about you, although it is all hunter loot. ;)
 Posted by at 11:16 am  Tagged with: , , ,
 Older Entries
© 2012 The Brew Hall Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha