Bloodwinter Clan

As BWC starts back up on merlin, and with the recruitment of many new people (Thanks CoE ) we - as a guild - need to start becoming more active together PvE, and especially RvR as we gain levels. We've had many nice guild groups lately in the Battlegrounds, and are learning each other in terms of play-style, which is great. I believe we should set up specific days/times for Power-Leveling/Zerging (with ALL levels) and set up specific times during the week for RvR activities. We are part of the most active RvR alliance in mid/merlin for a purpose so we need to participate for the realm more. We need to set up a fairly constant gank squad that can get together AT LEAST once a week, composed of: 1 healer (perferably pac/mend), 1 shaman (preferably aug/cave), 2+ PBAE spiritmasters, 1-2 Runemasters, 1 skald, and the rest tanks/hybrids (thanes, warriors, zerkers etc.)
In a good ganking crew composed of the above classes, the battlefield can really belong to us. I don't want us to consider this work, or get stressed out - because this is a game - but i think we should strive for RvR excellence, and enjoy doing it.

Generally in small group warfare, you want to move constantly, have some sort of scout (usually in /as chat) and keep everyone informed and close. Always know where the enemy forces are located, and preferably come behind them, or flank them, or ambush with some bait. Healer can stun them, as the SM's rush in and Spam PBAE in the midst of them. Runies, Shammies, and Thanes also spam AE - while 1-2 tanks protect the sm's, and 1-2 tanks protect the healer (with shield slam). Groups that do this correctly can defeat up to 3 times their own number while taking minimum casualties. I know often the circumstances aren't perfect, and it's not always possible to do this, but hopefully with a little practice and the right class combination, BWC can become feared on the battlefield. A group composed correctly, with people that know how to work together that know the mechanics of the game can do well in almost every circumstance they find themselves in.

So, let's start grouping together more and setting up specific times to help each other out, both PvE and RvR - it can only be for the better.

Also, let's get everyone in the guild on these boards - very few actually know of them and frequent them.


Cheers.

Hopefully I will be able to join back in January... I don't have the time right now

change the guild website from the herald back to http://board.barbos.net

I'm gonna be starting a char on merlin... probably a skald or a hunter...hope I can be of help

Great to hear Akuma we could use your help. Any idea what you will be playing?

Cry- good post, and I agree with you, but...

While your gank squad is ideal, we don't have the classes. Pbaoe casters just don't exist in our guild (I can't explain the phenomenon, but thats how it is). Shammy's and healers are few and far between (we now have Rat and Gundorf... Tobi and a couple alt shamen.) Skald's above 45 don't exist yet.

note: this is only from my observations since I have been back.

What we do have is RP cows.. oops I mean tanks. We should build Tank RvR groups instead of pbaoe groups. A good tank group needs: Healer, Skald. It's a simple set up, but it can be effective. The trick is the CC, and assisting on the same target (this is PvE folks, with ppl playing the monsters). When you have 4-6 tanks all hitting the same elf at once... well, you get the picture.

The biggest problem I see tanks do in RvR is the following: F9 (or target closest enemy), /stick, /spam anytime attack. Take a look around you and see what the hell is going on. If there are healers or casters that are unmezzed, they are your first target. You arent going to kill a level 50 tank while he has his support classes backing him up.

Second biggest problem is group hierarchy. It needs a tank leader that navigates the group, and is the main assist. All other members follow him, and do not stray from the pack. Once engaging an enemy, one tank stays with the healers (slam), and the rest assist the leader, attacking only who he does.

While this all looks good on paper, the only way it's going to work is if we practice it. RvR is too unpredictable to make the Pure Gank Squad, and an experienced group will overcome an inexperienced even if it is the underdog.

Doh!! sorry Snot, I called you cry... didn't mean to do that

Well, like I said above. I'll probably play a Skald. But if I can get a hell of alot of plvling I'll be a hunter or a restoration healer (not a big Mid player ). It all depends.

Oh... and about the high tank populated shock squad thingy... If your're going to do that, prepare for some REALLY tough battles... while you have so many close combat chars in your battalion, The enemy has missile and other ranged attacks, you will need counter missile. the tanks will most likely fail to reach the higher casters/archers... while the casters/archers can easily reach your healer. ( this is to say we are raiding) even then, the tanks will have trouble getting through the enemy tanks to reach the casters, and then the healers...( if the enemy is smart and organizes their troops in rows or even strategises)

hmm.... I hope that made sense, I'm too tired to recheck it.

Luckily we have three level 50 and 1 level 48 thanes. All but me are the 42 shield template so ballistic rouge classes are generally dealt with swiftly. After we absorb a shot (using chain) we can locate, interrupt with instant boltz and shield engage the target. And when in hand to hand you can generally survive with less then half your health. The bane of melee groups is the mezz unless things have changed.

Aye, I agree Guyute - Glurp is pretty high now (46 0r so) and we have a ton of low Sm's who are leveling quickly - shamans will be fairly easy to pick up, it will be hard to find a healer/skald/runie that will tag along, but i was just talking about ideal group setup, and saying that we should at least group together to practice RvR, and become more experienced. Hopefully we'll get to a point where we can do well with any class combo, but that will take some practice.