Hunter Sacrifices Himself For Guild Progression
Our guild managed a full clear of Naxxramas 10 man this past week, which ended in a fairly anti-climactic defeat (for me anyway) of Kel’Thuzad last night. After getting him to 15% following three other unsuccessful attempts last Saturday, we returned to Naxx last night with our game faces on, determined to finish our unfinished business.
The first attempt went awry quickly when our main tank went down because of an unseen Shadow Fissure. After that, Kel’Thuzad started dropping people like mad, so we just gave in to the inevitable wipe and hurried back for a second try.
The second attempt started off very well, then about 1 minute into the second phase we lost two DPS due to the Frost Blast. About half-way through the third phase our MT went down and we lost a healer, but our Fury Warrior picked him up and we kept pressure on Kel long enough to get him down to 200K before he wiped us. So close.
The third attempt went great, except or the fact that I died about 30 seconds into the second phase. 🙁 Our Death Knight assigned to kite the adds was skirting around the back of the room trying to maintain distance from everyone, and stay out of combat. Meanwhile, I was trying to get position, as well as escaping a Shadow Fissure. With a stroke of incredibly bad luck, he and I crossed paths at one point just as Kel Frost Blasted him. The healers didn’t see me blocked and within seconds I went down.
My role was reduced to watching from the sidelines and warning others of Shadow Fissures and alerting the healers as to who was ice blocked. I was very proud of our group, but I felt so left out at the same time. I had been so pumped for that raid, only for it to end in such unceremonious fashion for yours truly. Oh well… the main thing is, we got him!!!
Naxxramas is on farm for us from here on out.
The Kel’Thuzad Fight From a BM Hunter’s Perspective
For anyone out there that doesn’t already know this… the Kel’Thuzad fight absolutely sucks for BM Hunters. Our pets are not even involved during 90% of the first phase. Secondly, there is a huge chance that you will lose your pet multiple times throughout phases 2 and 3 if you’re not paying attention.
None of this is new information really, but I’m going to list some tips below for Hunters who haven’t attempted this fight yet.
- During Phase One, keep your pet on passive and make him stay within the circle. Feel free to sick your pet on the Abominations once they get within melee range, but don’t let him stray outside of the circle. If you send your pet out to attack any of the incoming skeletons or banshees, your pet may wipe the raid by pulling additional mobs. Once Kel gets loose, you can go nuts, but until then don’t let your pet leave your side.
- During Phases Two and Three, keep a watch out for Shadow Fissures. IF YOUR PET IS STANDING ON A SHADOW FISSURE, CALL IT BACK TO YOU OR IT WILL DIE. This is easier said than done, because all it takes is for you to glance momentarily over at your cooldowns, debuff timers, or take a bite off of your Hot Pocket, and your pet’s dead.
One thing I’d noticed which was really odd, and perhaps it was just pure coincidence, but I tried a few attempts last weekend with my Chimera and he didn’t die once during phases two or three. I tried the Chimera out because I thought the ranged slow would be helpful vs the skeletons during phase one, but it didn’t make much of a difference.
Last night I ran with my Devilsaur, then tried a run with Loque’nahak (I like to switch pets out sometimes for luck), and they always died. Not once did I have to revive my Chimera last weekend. I am wondering if maybe the Chimera is not susceptible to the Shadow Fissure because it is a flyer? I dunno, but it made me go, hmmm…
Thanks Blaq! I should have thought to ask you before. I sometimes forget to consult my fellow guildie and Pally extraordinaire Blaquespell, then end up seeking answers from lesser sources such as Wowhead or Wowwiki.
Watch for the emote, “The lava surrounding Sartharion churns!”, that should give you a good 3-4 seconds to get to the right spot before the Flame Wall hits.
Sarth is another tough one for sure. I haven’t run that one enough to get really comfortable with it yet. The flame walls often get my pet.
*I mean’t Sarth(OS), not Saph!
I’m finding there are certain fights that are just very hard to keep your pet alive…and as a BM that really hurts my DPS. I’m thinking of Saphhiron (OS), Heigen the unclean, etc…
Would really love some advice on that topic?
e.g. I can’t decide whether leaving passive doing no DPS but giving me BW capability > letting it into fight to do some DPS but spending lots of time dead. Also, when should you revive, and when just carry on petless?
I’m certainly going to try my Chimera out a few times after the pet changes in 3.1. Right now it’s too much of a DPS loss to use him, but once pet damage gets normalized and the Cunning Tree gets buffed, he could be pretty sexy in raids.
… that certainly would be interesting, and something very important for raiders. BM players might find themselves with Windserpents and Chimaeras as a result if the whole flying thing is true.
/ponder