In response to several people on the official forums who noted that my arena rating is less than stellar and my gear too is not amazing I wrote this post and I thought I would share it here since it really addresses the whole purpose of this blog.
The reason I started this blog, is that I find writing on a topic helps me learn more about the topic. I agree, I am not an expert mage by any means and if I come off as one in my blog that is not the impression that I mean to give. I have though leveled four characters to 70 and been involved in a lot of end game content - though I do consider myself a casual gamer (having a job, two kids and other hobbies seriously cuts into WOW time).
What I hope that readers will get from my blog is several things. First and foremost a positive outlook on the mage class as a whole. In reading some posts here I often wonder why some people choose to play the mage class considering how down they are on it. Second, as I progress, I want to share the knowledge that I learn from my research with other mages so that they have a clear and well researched source they can turn to. One of my favorite rogues from worldofwar.net said, and I paraphrase now, that you don't have to be a 2200 rated rogue pvper to write a 2200 rogue pvp guide. I agree with him. So yeah, my guild is not raiding BT and my gear is a work in progress but I hope to bring readers information that will take them from Kara to Black Temple and beyond.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Why I love PUGs and Why You Should Too
PUG - A dreaded 3 letter word used as much as a curse by players as it is a description of a group composition. But the fact is pugs, even the most dysfunctional ones, can be a great tool that helps you to improve your skills as a mage.
It is easy to be an amazing mage, lock, rogue what have you in a competent guild. If your tank can hold aggro and your group works cooperatively then your given class can really shine. But the fact is not every encounter is perfect and if you really want to improve your skills then you have to spend time pugging.
To give some persepective. In my guild the current main tank is excellent. He is well geared and really knows his class. I cannot pull aggro from him even if I tried, he is that good. The raid leader also is excellent. He knows the encounters, marks well and communicates effectively. These traits are all hallmarks of effective guilds they are not usually associated with random pugs.
If you really want to improve as mage though you have to remove yourself from such ideal encounters. This is where pugs come into place. If the pug tank has trouble building theat you as a mage learn how to build manage your threat. If the pugs breaks your cc you get good at resheeping. If communication is an issue you learn to read the group. If marking is an issue you become an expert at determining which mob the tank is focused on. If the pug is falling apart due to lack of leadership then you step up and lead. All these skills make for a more effective mage and when things do go wrong in your guild run you will be that much better prepared to handle it.
So I say, "Long live PUG's"!!
It is easy to be an amazing mage, lock, rogue what have you in a competent guild. If your tank can hold aggro and your group works cooperatively then your given class can really shine. But the fact is not every encounter is perfect and if you really want to improve your skills then you have to spend time pugging.
To give some persepective. In my guild the current main tank is excellent. He is well geared and really knows his class. I cannot pull aggro from him even if I tried, he is that good. The raid leader also is excellent. He knows the encounters, marks well and communicates effectively. These traits are all hallmarks of effective guilds they are not usually associated with random pugs.
If you really want to improve as mage though you have to remove yourself from such ideal encounters. This is where pugs come into place. If the pug tank has trouble building theat you as a mage learn how to build manage your threat. If the pugs breaks your cc you get good at resheeping. If communication is an issue you learn to read the group. If marking is an issue you become an expert at determining which mob the tank is focused on. If the pug is falling apart due to lack of leadership then you step up and lead. All these skills make for a more effective mage and when things do go wrong in your guild run you will be that much better prepared to handle it.
So I say, "Long live PUG's"!!
Less QQ More Pew Pew
Mages need to be advocates of their chosen class. The amount of negativity toward the mage class, often times most vociferous from the mage community itself, only hurts the mages' reputation as a whole. Nothing good can come from this negative talk. Yes, I understand there are some issues with the class mechanics blink coming readily to mind but every class has some issues we mages are not unique in that regards. By and large though we mages are pretty well off bringing all sorts of utility to raids and heroics. Even if you disagree with my positive assessment of this particualr class you should still be careful in complaining about mages.
Think about a typical conversation in regards to mages that might be occurring on your server either in general chat or guild chat. If you, as a mage, are whining about being out dpsed by rogues, locks, holy priest, nude warriors bearing wands or what have you, there should be no surprise that you are not chosen for guild raid spots or random pugs.
A quick analysis; your typical raid leader wants the raid to be successful. For the last 15 minutes he has listened to you and other mages whine about how pathetic the mage class is and now you are asking for a spot in his raid. What is his incentive to take you? Why not take one of those overpowered locks or rogues you were talking about after all overpowered equals good in any situation. On the hand, perhaps he believes mages are great. Then your complaining just indicates to him that you are the problem not the class. Either way, the impression you have left upon the minds of other gamers has not benefited you.
So I say to you, my fellow mages. Rejoice in your class. Embrace the positives that you bring to every encounter. So what, you were not number one in the damage meters. Get over it. Was the encounter successful? Did the raid benefit from your presence. If so then that is all that matters.
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