Gnomicidal Maniacs

‘lo folks,

 
In the update I posted last week, I briefly touched upon some of the changes we would be making within the raid teams.  Here I would like to go over it in a bit more detail, but I would like to remind everyone that this is not set in stone, and it will evolve naturally depending on further conversations, changes in circumstances and having the numbers to be able to sustain two teams.  Ideas and feedback, as always, are welcome and I will open a channel on Discord in a day or so to discuss further, but please, read this in full beforehand.

 
The First Attempt

We will be doing our first attempt on Monday 12 July at 19:00 server time for the Sanctum of Domination Raid. With this, we are asking that nobody looks up the tactics of the bosses, we want to go in ‘blind’ and use our own knowledge and problems solving skills to figure it out.
If you have looked up tactics, please let Astus know in advance and do not spoil it for the others.  We will be looking to do a few tries on each boss without tactics before we start looking, but we will always discuss with the group in advance.

For reference

I will go into these in a little more detail, but for ease of reference the summary of the groups is;

• Team Doombrawlers is the first group that will form and will continue to be a more chilled group, progressing at its own speed.
• Team Executors is the group that will be the progression group.

 NB: The team names are subject to change
 

Concept

We want to acknowledge that people enjoy various aspects of the game, and there is a group of our members that want to progress into harder content, who love the challenge of pushing themselves, analysing numbers and the like. We discussed the options open to us and we want to trial this two-raid team system.
This two-team system allows players who do want to push themselves to do so with like-minded individuals, who have committed to the progression of that raid team and who want to fully put effort into that style of play.  It also allows those who do not want to do it to be in a group who will take things at the collective pace, while still pushing to get better and achieve, there will be less focus on hard-core progression.
 
I need to note, that no matter what team an individual is in, the core mantra of our guild will continue to be at the centre.  Do not be a dick.
 
The current thought around a setup is a 10-person team. This is, as mentioned, subject to change depending on interest and the conversations we will be having with members. If a member of Team Executors is unavailable on a given date, folk who would have volunteered and advised that they are flexible should they be needed can then fill in.

 
The Groups

Team Executors will be the team that forms out of the initial group of players who want to do progression on a harder and more dedicated level than that of others.  It is completely optional, and nobody must join if they do not want to.  However, should you want to join this team then you must understand that you will:

• Have committed to the raid schedule, and to inform the raid leader or an officer, you cannot attend with as much notice as possible,
• Have a good understanding of the class and role that you play,
• Be hitting a minimum benchmark,
• Learn the mechanics of the bosses in advance,
• Have all of your consumables in advance, including enchants, gems, potions, runes, vantus runes etc.

 
This group will have a dedicated raid leader (RL), an Assistant (ARL) and a member of the leadership team to help steer the group in the right direction, allowing for checks and balances, while ensuring no individual takes on too much and burns out.
 
Members of Team Executors will be welcome to join and help in Team Doombrawlers raids should they fall on separate days.  It will also be a good opportunity to see people in action and to see if people are interested in moving groups.
 
The specifics of this group will be finalised closer to it forming, as we need to make sure that we consider the nature of the guild, the needs of the players who join and more.
 
 
Team Doombrawlers will be the first group that forms, comprised of all of those who want to raid. This group will go at its own collective pace and push difficulties in a more relaxed and social aspect. Members of this group will need to ensure they have their consumables up to date (as above) and to have a basic understanding of the boss mechanics (after the initial raid group).
 
 
FAQs

Q) I don’t want to go into the progression group, do I have to?
A) Not at all, it is 100% optional.
 
Q) Won’t this split the guild?
A) I do not think it will.  The progression team that forms out of the first group will be of like-minded individuals who want to achieve a harder progression on the raid.  It is also on behalf of the guild and achieving more as a community.  I think, by splitting the groups this way, it is doing it in a positive way as those who love the hard content, pushing themselves and talking min/max can do so, where those who do not enjoy this will not feel like they must discuss it in depth.
 
Q) What if someone’s ego starts to get in the way, I have seen this happen in the past with other guilds.
A) The way we have discussed the setup and structure of the groups means that no one individual is in absolute control, so nobody burns out.  It also means that the raid leader has the support of the guild’s leadership.  So, should a player get out of line due to ego, attitude, or anything else, then there is always someone on hand to address this in a way that is appropriate.
 
Q) If I am in Team Doombrawlers and I want to go into Team Executors, how do I go about doing this?
A) Currently it will happen via conversation between both group’s leaders and you, should you be interested and reach a set minimum criterion to be set at a later date.  This will ensure that you get the support you may need, or to find a slot for you (if the group has been formed by then).  The support could be with helping you get gear, helping you with rotations and talents should you need it.
 
Q) I would be interested in leading in a raid
A) That is great.  If you are interested, then let the current raid leader know!  I am sure there will be opportunities for individuals to learn more about leading a raid, or supporting on call outs and the like.  Open that dialogue and see what possibilities are available to you.
 
Q) What happens if someone is not performing, or adhering to the agreement for the progressive team?
A) Short answer? Likely to be moved into Team Doombrawlers if they need to improve something, or removed from a team altogether, depending on the situation. This will be part of a discussion with the individual and will be the last resort – we will always talk to individuals in private should there be any room for improvement.  This is a game, not a job!
 
Q) Are there going to ‘bench’ roles?
A) It is possible, but this will be announced in advance as we want to be 100% transparent in how we are doing things.
 
Q) If I am on Team Executors' ‘bench,’ can I be a member of Team Doombrawlers?
A) This should not be a problem, so long as the raid nights are different and you are needed.  This is still to be discussed in any detail but we will update when we understand the structure of the groups.
 
Q) Are the raid days and times staying the same?
A) Currently, yes.  However, when both groups come into force then we will be re-assessing.  We have also decided that Team Doombrawlers will also be flexible, so should several members not be able to make a day one week, we can look at changing if we have enough notice and everyone agrees.  Any changes that come will be notified in advance and via the site & Discord.
 
Q) Can I bring an alt to a raid?
A) As long as the Raid Leader is happy with this and it not in detriment to the group, this should be fine.  Alts should be suitably geared with all consumables too.