When raids go well, they're a lot of fun (see 2 weeks ago). When raids don't go well, they can get testy (see last Saturday). Not to be deterred or discouraged, EP1 powers forward again this week.

About EP1: We're a casual weekend raid for alts, guild apps, family aggros, and anyone else who wants to raid Downfall but just can't make the mid-week slots. We tackle Naxx25 every Saturday from Noon-5. This means we start at Noon. Invites go out at 11:30 - be on then if at all possible (more details below).

Before I get any further, let me remind you - this is a game. It's supposed to be fun. This next part isn't fun, but it's part of the learning experience.

We're a new raid, and we're experiencing growing pains. That's ok - it happens. I'm learning how to lead a group through Naxx. Some people are still learning strats. We need to be patient with each other and remember to have fun. The following isn't fun for me - I'd like to assume everyone understands this stuff already - but since I'd rather just post it here for the lowest common denominator than call people out individually in chat, here it is.

<><><><> WELCOME TO MIDVALE SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED <><><><>

This Week's Homework: Learn the difference between LEFT and RIGHT. If you have trouble with this, Sid will be happy to give you a private lesson on the difference while I track down the clip from Full Metal Jacket where Gunny Hartman teaches Gomer Pyle which side is which. There's no reason we should ever have so much trouble on Thaddius again.

Vent: Have it. Be on it. Use it. No "I'm in a public place and can't use it", no "I don't have/need that". I have to herd 25 people at once, and Vent is the most effective way to do it. No Vent, no loot.

Guild Apps: Welcome, I'm glad you're here. I encourage you to sign up and join us, we'd love to have you. THAT SAID, you're here to impress us. Not the other way around. Don't sign up and not show. Don't bug us in chat all week about how excited you are and then bail an hour into the raid. Don't claim you do 3500 DPS and show up doing 2200. I don't care if you do 1800 DPS, be honest about it. I won't hold it against you - this is my attitude: It's easy to upgrade a good player with bad gear. It's not easy to upgrade a bad player with good gear.

Signing Up: Since this also seems to be a challenge, please follow this guide:

1. Click "Sign Up" and fill out your information.
2. Post in the comments the exact name of the toon you want to bring, what the class/spec is for that toon, and if you have any alts you might be able to bring as an alternate option. This will also help me find you online when invites go out at 11:30 if you're not on your main.
3. If you sign up, be online at 11:30 for an invite. If you know in advance this is not possible, let me know before Saturday morning so that I do not give your slot away. No QQ's because you showed up at 12:05 and I gave away your spot.
4. If you sign up for the raid, be available for the raid. I know this is the casual raid, but that doesn't mean we like pausing after every boss to replace another person who decided to leave early. It's ok if you can't make the full 5 hours, but let me know when you sign up -- and understand that your slot might go to someone who is available until 5 that week. I'm not keeping a blacklist yet, but if we continue to have chronic problems with people randomly peacing out 2 hours into the raid, that will probably change.

Loot: Main spec first, offspec second. If it's BOE, you'll be asked to equip it upon winning the roll. No loot caps, rotations, point systems, etc... But I will politely ask you to pass on some gear if you're winning a lot of rolls and other people who you're rolling against haven't won jack yet. A full Naxx25 clear drops something like 60 pieces of loot, not to mention world drops off trash... There's plenty to go around, so don't QQ.

Boss Strats: For the bosses that I'm aware of multiple strats on, we go by the following:

• Anub'Rekhan - kite him on the locust swarm (until we gear up a tank to tank him in place)
• Noth - Everyone stack up on him in the middle, tank him there
• Heigan - Tank him on the dance floor
• 4 Horsemen - Standard zerg
• Grobbulus - Standard kite around the outside of the room
• Thaddius - -------- (BOSS) +++++++, run around him in a circle (NOT through him).

All will be reviewed via VENT prior to the fight's beginning. Again, have it, use it, love it.