Tuesday (4 Oct) - Rescue

Tuesday (4 Oct) - Rescue

On a quick real life note a couple that we know discovered that they had a mother cat and three tiny kittens living in their wood pile. They had a full half cord of wood in a small space that made it impossible to just go in and get them. The couple lives in an area where coyotes, hawks, and owls are numerous and they were really concerned about them. We have a reputation for taking on challenges like that. As of this morning we have the mother and all three of the kittens. "Mom" will be spayed after she finishes weaning her kittens and the couple plan to take her in. We'll find homes for the three kittens.

There is perhaps another kind of rescue coming for Wild with Patch 4.3, expected to arrive in November. Wild's guild is drifting, with three raid groups now reduced to one. I heard they had trouble filling our one raid on Monday night, and that the once a month 25 man raid never got off the ground on Tuesday night. Wild wasn't present at either. There is the baseball playoffs, and I enjoyed watching the games. Frankly, though, I would have rather been raiding, had there been raids.

Wild is considering trying to hook up with PUG Firelands raids. There are at least a couple always advertising for raiders. It's frustrating, though, as those PUGs generally have 1-3 boss kills already under their belt and want experienced Firelands raiders. Rookies need not apply (ie, link you boss kill achievements or don't bother). And rookie Wild is, since his guild has yet to down a boss in Firelands. I find myself thinking that this may be the first time ever that Wild could finish a patch without ever killing even the first boss in the premiere raid of that patch. And find it hard to care.

Where the "rescue" may come, is in Patch 4.3. There will be a Looking for Raid feature so players can sign up. Valor points will be awarded in addition to boss loot. Wild doesn't like the random dungeon finder, but might be okay with the raid finder, depending on how it is deployed. These raid finder raids are the kiddy pool of raids, offering lower ilevel gear than even the normal level raids. As such, though, players can learn the strats and earn some interim gear to be better prepared. Guilds who can't beat normal level raids could at least earn valor points and raid experience in the new raids, which might entice guildies to join those raids. Maybe.

Don't know if this will work out or not, and I really hope Wild can get back to regular raiding. If not, I see the Wild family finding less and reason to login.