Paying Dues

10-man raid night. Military Quarter.

Some first attempts at bosses for much of the group. We hit the Four Horsemen for the first time, wipe, and then hit them the second time and wipe. Things are looking up, and I’m thinking maybe we’re about to get it. The following conversation ensues:

Oh Snap!

Generally speaking, I go all out in raids. However, after several nights of 10-man raids in which we’d wipe upwards of 7 times on a boss (then calling the night) I’ve started… holding back a little.

Wipes are expensive.

Last I checked on Icecrown those damned Northern Spices were selling for like 10 gold a piece. So when we wipe I have to re-feed myself and re-feed my pet. That’s 20 gold, not counting the cost of repairs, which also pushes about 10 gold a wipe nowadays. I also hold back on the ammo, going with my “cheap” 1.9 gold per stack ammo instead of the more costly Mammoth Cutters. Mind you I still try my hardest and pew pew like crazy, but I save some of the costly stuff during the learning attempts.

Also despite “dialing it in” here is the same screenshot with the damage meter for the last wipe:

Nevertheless, I still feel bad about Hrist’s comment.

Sure it wouldn’t have made a difference if I did more dps (trouble with the ranged tank coordination on that attempt caused an early wipe) but that isn’t the point. That isn’t what paying dues is about.

It’s not enough to be on top of the damage meters. In fact it doesn’t matter at all where you are on the damage meters. What matters is doing everything you can to contribute as much as possible to the raid’s success. Squeezing every last ounce of skill and knowledge and preparation. Even on the learning attempts. Especially on the learning attempts.

So shame on me.