As the title suggests, the latest Laid Back Raid was off to Sunwell Plateau last night. When we got going we had a full dozen of us on this night, including fellow bloggers Jai, Matty, Navi, Shoryl, and Tome. That meant an equal number of friends, including newcomer Mavgret! She had contacted me a few weeks ago about joining in on the fun and was able to make her first run.
We had a few rough moments early on with the trash. Part of that was on the technical side. Someone had a storm, someone had to run off briefly, and Shoryl was having a nasty case of sun glare. Still, we did alright to Kalecgos. That’s where in true fashion, something went wrong. We didn’t portal in to take on the demon and ended up getting Kalecgos down to 1%. Guess what? If you don’t kill the demon, you don’t kill Kalecgos, as he becomes banished. So we all left the raid and returned. Second time in, no problem. It was one of those things I didn’t know about, but some quick research saved the day.
The rest of the raid was literally problem free. Alas, Navimie had to leave about halfway through as parenting took precedence. We had a couple of deaths here in there, partly due to levels and partly due to fluke, but I don’t recall more than 4 people needing to be rezzed after a fight. So we went in to the final room, and in what is still the best entrance in the game, Kil’jaeden showed himself.
I think why I enjoyed this fight as much as I did, there were a large number of people who had never been to Sunwell (heck, I’ve only been twice before tonight), so this moment was new to them. It is one of those things you should go see at least once. I also love the Reflection mechanic, but it has no effect on the game at this level as you just burn him down. We did just that, and then posed for the obligatory group photo.
Kil’jaeden didn’t drop the Legendary Bow, unfortunately. The raid as a whole did have a great collection of gear and even a couple Tailoring patterns (sorry Navimie, the second one dropped right after you left). The Sword Breaker’s Bulwark was well received, though I don’t recall who ended up with it. I do knowwho ended up with the Golden Bow of Quel’Thalas, though, and it wasn’t me. There was only one other person in the place who could even roll on it. While my Space Goat Hunter turned green with envy, I’m still happy for Matty -though I made her promise me she’d put together a transmog outfit to show it off.
Property of Sugar & Blood
As it was still early and we didn’t have anything else scheduled for the night, a few of us decided to go kill Gruul quickly. We were down to five when we got there, so I flipped back to Tumunzahar to heal. We had myself, Mavgret now on her Druid, Shoryl, the Mrs. and fellow Claws gents Magik and Killthryn. The council got a little crazy as we didn’t really decide an order to kill them, but eventually they went down and then ‘ol One-Eye himself was pretty easy and folks got the Gruul achievement on their respective toons.
From left to right: Shoryl, Magik, Killthryn, Mrs. Amateur, Tumunzahar, and Mavgret
Definitely another enjoyable Laid Back Raid night. Was glad to have Mavgret along for her first encounter with the group. Hopefully she’ll be another regular as we enjoyed having her. Also, I’ve been a bit lazy this past week (well, busy, too) and finally posted the next two raid nights. I did look into Vault of Archavon, however it can’t be done cross-realm. Partly due to folks having to have control of Wintergrasp all at the same time, but even more logically the fact the Real ID raid system can’t tell how much time a server would have left before the next Wintergrasp.
Another nice thing about wrapping up a bit early last night was being able to catch Kamalia on the Twisted Nether blogcast! I was disappointed yesterday morning when Navimie had asked me if I listened Saturday night. I was nowhere near my computer, and then found out yesterday that it had been moved a day (to what is now the new day for the TNB). As always, it was a great show (Laid Back Raids got dropped, too!). Unlike when Tome was on, for whatever reason Kamalia didn’t sound as I had expected. I can’t describe how so, simply different. She also makes a pretty mean Sunday. The cast should be up later today, so give it a listen if you get the chance.
I didn’t get to say this last night, but I still, and always, will go in anywhere, anytime, to help someone get whatever they want. I rail against the RNGs! Mounts, weapons, gear, bows –because ultimately the reward is fun, and those RNGs can’t take that away from me!
You’ve said that multiple times, my friend, and I know it to be true. As I said at the time, I’d rather have you along than get a loot drop. If getting out-rolled by someone on an item is the price to pay to have them along (any of our raiders), then that’s a small price to pay.
Had a wonderful time as always, next time though I’ll leave the wine downstairs so I won’t go cross-eyed before Gruul. I’ve tried him alone with no luck so wanted to go but by that time I was even more of a hindrance that a help, lol!
That was your reason? Tome, “you so cray-zay!”
You would’ve been fine to come along, and wouldn’t have been any type of hindrance at all.
I’m sorry I had to leave early, but you know how family stuff is
Glad you guys had a great time and got some loots! I’m not sweating those recipes JD, I have them on Navi 
No worries about having to go. I plan to schedule a run one morning, which would be evening for you.
Sounds like fun! I’d be up for a Saturday morning run one of these summer weekends.
As for name-dropping the Laid Back Loot Runs, well, they *did* ask about my current raiding activities, and the LBLRs are pretty much it these days.
I know, I’m just still appreciate
You guys had to all turn up the week I wasn’t there… sheesh
This was one of the higher turnouts this month, to be fair. Sometimes the stars align a bit better than others. I notice it seems to occur more with Alliance than Horde, but I think that’s coincidence more than anything.
LOL! I just noticed that Matty’s bear and I were mooning the photographer!
That’s ok, I didn’t notice until I was editing the pictures that I had to choose between Killthryn being half blocked, or Phinkbunny being entirely blocked by Vultros. Time to go level photography…especially after that sweet Kil’jaeden shot.
Gurdrid got the Bulwark.
I’m thinking I’m going to find an axe to mog with that one, since I have my sword and mace sets designed (for values of designed that include one of them actually being a set.)
I really enjoyed the runs, even “fear-tanking” the council.
That was the Priest’s fault for not tossing up a fear ward…
Then again, as someone who plays a Pally a bit now, how in the heck do they get feared? Paladins aren’t supposed to be afraid of anything…nevermind, logic rant instead of game mechanic rant, lol.