The Left Claw's first Kara entry

Last night was our first entry into Kara. It was a little nerve wracking for me before we even started because we had planned on going with 3 healers, but ended up only having 2, one of whom is Suzzy... a prior shadow priest who has recently respecced holy. Our group included 3 people who have been to Kara before, with one on a character who was also new to Kara. Of the final group of 10, I would say that 4 of us were geared really well, 3 were geared pretty darn close, with the last 3 geared probably less than needed.

Our first passes up to Attumen and Midnight, I think we were trying to just get used to running in a group of ten and there were probably some nerves as well. But we spent way too long clearing the trash and ended up in a painful cycle of respawn. It then took us a couple of tries at the boss. Try one, I was healing Jess too much when Midnight went to 95% and Attumen spawned and I got aggro and died. Try two, I tried to be more aware of that, but then healed Jess too little right when Attumen spawned, and Jess died. /cry.

Finally we got the balance just right on try three and once we figured that out, it was super easy. We took them down with everyone at full health (full green bars makes for a happy healer). Jess got [Vambraces of Courage] and Nio picked up [Worgen Claw Necklace]. I also think we got them down at try three because I brought out Sebastian, my magical crawdad pet. Behold the power of the crustacean!

Two of the members who'd been to Kara before said we did pretty well considering it was our first time... though we weren't able to take down Moroes, which I really wanted to do. We went at Moroes with 9 (we lost one to sleep... it was late) and would have completely had him if one of the shackles hadn't broken. Because then Jess got blinded or whatever, and while Wut our off tank then should have gotten aggro, he got MCed or something by the unshackled mean girl. This meant I went from a happy tree to a pile of kindling. I think one more try we would have totally had it, but it was really really late and everyone was tired.

I think as a group we worked pretty well, part of it I'm sure has to do with the fact that 7 of us who went last night know each other pretty darn well. We'd been running numerous 5 mans lately so we really understand each other's playing styles and what each other can/may/will/like to do. Jess did really well as the nervous but capable raid leader. I had joked that I fully expected a full clear up to Prince on our first try, or else I would blame our raid leader. That didn't happen last night... but I'll try not to be too mad as Jess. ;)

On a personal note, I think I did ok. OMG I was so psyched to see my MP5 while casting at one point at 243 and +healing at near 1600 with buffs. Yeah, mana and healing was never ever a problem for me last night. So while its good to be at well over the healing and MP5 requirements for what we're doing, it does cause the problem that I can grab aggro because of my uber powerful heals (heh heh).

It was also different for me to work with another healer. Suzzy did really well as a new holy priest. But I definitely have more healing power and mp5 right now and there were times when she was on others and I wasn't sure if I should heal them as well. I didn't want to step on her toes. But then a couple of people died once or twice. So next try when I had my tank Jess up at full health and had spare lifeblooms, I just decided to send them to whoever else needed it. It's hard for me to ignore declining health bars... I want to heal everyone! It was funny at one point because we arranged the groups so that Jess, the shadow priest, mage, and us two healers were in group 2. I joked to group 1, "Sorry group 1, you getz no healz".

It's interesting because some people take deaths and wipes better than others. I would part of the others. I don't take it so well. And while voice is critical to us communicating during encounters, I do think there's a drawback to it. When I die or if we wipe, the others last night probably heard me sigh or groan, which isn't very good for team morale. I need to be a little quieter I thinks.