Raid Leading 3: Hyjal with a Vengeance

With our usual raid leader taking another leave, it was up to me to take the reigns again.  This time it was Mount Hyjal.  This would be our 3rd attempt on Azgalor.  I would later find out that some of the other officers were very worried about even getting to Azgalor this time around due to a few raiders missing this time around.  But I had one thing on my mind: Archimonde attempts.  Thankfully this time around I had a few days notice that I’d be leading the raid so I could prepare, and boy did I prepare.

In my previous post about raid leading, I stressed that it’s all about preparation.  So this time around, I really did my homework.  In our previous 2 Azgalor attempts, I noticed that things were just really hectic, so I looked into the fight and what strats were being used.  I read up on a strat that was somewhat different than what we had been doing but would really simplify things, so I figured I’d try to implement it come raid night.  Then with the rest of my time, I began researching Archimonde.  Videos, strats, you name it and I was reading/watching it.  I wanted the raid to actually be able to learn something from what would likely be only 1 attempt on Archi.

Come raid night, I was excited.  I was in charge, and had the opportunity to lead the raid to downing a new boss.  First 2 bosses go down without any resemblance of difficulty.  But on the first wave of Kazrogal trash our pally tank dies.  AND one of our off tanks..  Honestly, my first thought was to just call it a wipe right there.  A few people just hit exalted with Scale of the Sands that night and it might’ve been a good time to go get our upgraded rings.  But my raiders had other plans   We scrapped our way through the rest of that wave and our fallen tanks began running back.  With the next wave being mostly gargoyles, we could afford being down 2 tanks as we tried to buy some time as they ran back.  Mid-wave they zoned in, rebuffed, and joined the ranks.  Needless to say, our healers were much more on the ball from that point forward   Kazrogal downed, and in record time nonetheless.

Azgalor time.  And time for me to explain my new strat to the raid.  Time for numerous interruptions and questions while I talked right?  Wrong.  I mounted up and began showing the raid the various tanking locations.  As I got to each location, I turned around to see 24 guildies facing directly at me, silent and still.  Perhaps some of my excitement carried over, because I could really feel the anticipation for downing a new boss.  The trash went relatively smoothly, and in no time it was time to see if we really could implement a new strat, with a different tank, and a different raid leader.  Perfection.  Everyone knew their roles.  Everyone communicated.  And everyone enjoyed taking part in yet another celebratory killshot.  The raid cheered, and I waited patiently for loot to be handed out.  The real test was still waiting for us.

Archimonde.  One person failing to do their job will wipe the entire raid almost instantaneously.  So I need to be completely thorough in explaining this fight.  And I need to say it so that everyone understands.  (This is where the extensive research comes in handy…)  Once again, as I’m explaining the fight to the raid, I can easily tell I have everyone’s attention.  They’re all bristling to start progression on the boss that will ultimately begin handing over our T6 helms.  We’re only going to have time for 1 attempt, so we NEED to make this count so we can start to learn the fight.  I’ve described the strategy perfectly, and it shows.  Most raids wipe within 10 seconds of the first time they attempt him.  But not us, we’re 2 minutes in on our first attempt and everything is going perfectly.  Then I find out very quickly that there was one tiiiiiny little detail of the fight that I missed: the tank can be feared…  Woops   Queue the ruthless slaughter of 25 innocent raiders.

Amazing night of raiding.  My first opportunity to lead the raid into progression content goes nearly flawlessly.  And again, it’s all about preparation.  When you’re completely prepared for what’s in store for you, the positive effects extend to other areas as well.  My preparedness put me in a great mood, which rubbed off on everyone else.  It gave me a ton of confidence.  Considering our raid was without our usual main tank, there was plenty of opportunity for doubt as to whether we’d progress anywhere that night.  But I had no doubts, and wasn’t about to let anyone else have them either.