Early KaraFollow

All right, did first Kara run on the weekend, at least two bosses. I didn't respec or gear/pet change. So I was no where near RAID efficient. MM hunter in PvP spec in PvP gear, PvP pet. <blech!> ^_^

It was fun, and challenging. We did Maiden and Opera (R&J). Cleared both. Our Raid leader mocked my Core of Arkelos and gave me Romulo's poison vial as a replacement. I'm assuming he knows what he's doing. So, I think I got an upgrade. I know how rare it is to be given something first time through so I feel "blessed". Maybe it was a reward for being #1 on the DPS chart. I was shocked at that because I had to pull back on DPS since I was tasked with keeping Julianne under silence (as the only MM hunter) there at the end, which meant I had to conserve mana.

So I was under Viper for R&J and doing standard 1:1 rotation with Silence woven in and the occasional multi provided I had the mana. Sadly, it was still impossible to keep her from healing from time to time as Silence doesn't last as long as it's CD! LOL! I was surprised that Silencing Shot seemed to work, I never got an "Immune" from her in any case, and it appeared to stop her casting for the duration. I used it on caster mobs as I normally do so it was useful there for pulling but probably not necessary.

Obviously, this is early Kara so I know I can get away with being this 'inefficient' but it was enjoyable anyway and I think I aquitted us hunters well (DPS: #1 me , #2 another hunter) for a first run... didn't wipe the Raid once! So for a first pass, it wasn't bad. Doing this a bazillion times might get monotonous, so I have that to look forward to as everyone farms Kara, but enjoyable for a first run. Once my focus is PVE, I'll respec and see if I can make BM work... ^_^

Thanks to Aethien and Kompera and all the others who have chimed in over time to educate me on Raiding. The advice has helped and made me realize the limitations I was under. I would've done far worse had I tried to do my usual stuff.

We had a warrior and he kept shield bashing her but it was his first time as well.

I wanted to just cast it when she was casting heal but my PC is so slow that I have the effects turned down to minimal just to keep a frame rate of 10-12 fps, and during big fights it drops down to 5-7 at times. So by the time I saw her cast any significant spell (couldn't tell the heal from normal casts) it was too late to fire off silence, so I had to guess when she was going to do it. By the end I had a decent read on her, but it took a bit of practice. I didn't even know what I was going in to beyond rough descriptions. I was amazed that Silencing Shot had any effect based on what everyone was telling me about it and Raid bosses. Sad part is, I can't use steady when holding out for silence...that really is a dps dropper. I was surprised I stayed at #1. I guess I had a really good lead going in to J&R.

Do you have "show target of target" on? I've found this is one useful way of knowing when Julienne is about to heal, because she'll target herself (or Romulo) as she's casting the heal. Another thing, use Arcane Shot on Julienne when she gains the devotion buff to dispel it. That way, if she heals it won't be as bad.

Grats on top DPS... now tell your guild to step it up if they don't want to be completely embarrassed when you switch to BM. You'll still be top DPS, but when you double someone else's DPS.... they'll be completely embarrassed. :)