Revised March 9, 2010

Direction and Goals

 

Dragon Blades is a 25 man raiding guild. The only official raids are 25 man. 10 man raids are at the player’s discretion. The basis of being raider status in this guild is built around you attending the 25 man raids. We strive to be one of the best raiding guilds on Azjol-Nerub. Notable achievements are: The legendary sword, Thunderfury (more personal pride than guild pride). Server first ZA Warbear. Archimonde and Illidan killed. Brutallis in Sunwell killed. Sarth 3D accomplished.

 

1. Guild Structure

1a.  Ranks

1.   Guild Master – Has ultimate authority of the guild. Thespore

2.   2nd in Command – Has all the same authority of the GM without the glory.  Brutaryis.

3.   Officer – Officer core of the guild. This rank also includes any alts of the GM,  2nd in Command, and Officers. Handles the basic workings of the guild, its policies, raid leading, and other daily operations. Gizard, Aerdian, Soulrotz, Eatmycrit, and Punkstar.

4.   Recruitment Coordinators – Please contact these people in regards to applications, guild membership, and related matters. Daeir and Skaergaard.

5.   Raider – Main Raiding core of the guild.

6.   Casual – also known as MCI. This rank consists of friends and family of Raiders and/or Officers who may or may not be interested in raiding. New members may also be placed in this rank in preparation for entry into the main raiding core.

7.   Initiate – Entry-level rank. Applicants are invited into the guild at this level for evaluation.

8.   Redshirt – Probationary rank before guild expulsion. Don’t find yourself here.

 

2.  Applications – Applications must be submitted to the Dragon Blades Applications Forum for consideration for both Raider and MCI.

http://www.thedragonblades.com/SMF2-0/index.php/board,8.0.html

 

3. Acceptance to the Guild

3a.  Applicants – Applications will be posted in a feedback forum for a peer review. All comments of the review will be confidential. If an applicant is viewed as desirable then a guild invite will be issued upon our next scheduled raid. The applicant will enter the guild as an Initiate. With the acceptance of the invite to the guild, you agree to and will follow all Dragon Blades policies and conduct yourself in an appropriate manner.

 

3b.  Initiate (Raider) – The applicant will be evaluated in a trial period for the next 3 weeks for those apply for Raider status. Initiates should expect to have a raid spot a minimum of 1 or 2 times during their initiate period for evaluation purposes, but are not guaranteed anything more than that. During this time you will have limited biding privileges in accordance to the Bidding policy (lower in this document). Once the applicant’s trial period has passed, a vote will be put to the guild Raider members for a short period with the options of “Yes, No, or Extend”. An option of “Casual” can be added to a Raider applicants vote if a sufficient number of members like the applicant but doesn’t think they are quite ready for a raid spot.

 

3c.  Initiate (Extended) – At the end of the 3-week trial period as a raider initiate, the applicant may have received a majority of votes for extending their trial period. Following this vote the applicant will be extended as an Initiate for 1 more week. After the extended initiate period another vote will be put forth with the options of “Yes, No, or Casual”.

 

3d.  Initiate (Casual) – The applicant will be evaluated in a trial period for 1 week following their guild invite. At the end of the trial period a vote will be put forth to all guild members of “Yes or No”.  Casual initiates cannot be extended.

 

3ei.  Casual – If the vote consensus is “Yes” for a Casual applicant or a Raider applicant has been voted in as “Casual”, they will be notified soon after and a promotion to the rank of Casual will be issued at the beginning of the next scheduled raid. With acceptance of this rank the applicant accepts all the policies inclusive of the Casual rank. Casuals can be permitted to raid, but are allowed in only after Raiders and have limited bidding privileges per the Bidding policy.

 

3eii.  Casuals may apply for a promotion to the Raider rank. They will have to resubmit an application for raider and another Initiate period will begin in accordance to the Initiate (Raider) policy. The officers may decide to wave the waiting period under certain circumstances, and a vote will be offered without the 3-week waiting period.

 

3f.  Raider – If the vote consensus is “Yes” for a Raider applicant at the end of the trail period, they will be notified soon after and a promotion to the rank of Raider will be issued at the beginning of the next scheduled raid. With acceptance of this rank, the guild member agrees with and will adhere to all of the policies stated in the Raiding section. They will have all the privileges given by Dragon Blades policies for this rank.

 

3g.  All application feedback is considered private. No one shall disclose anything discussed in the feedback thread with the applicant.

 

See the feedback rules at:

http://www.thedragonblades.com/SMF2-0/index.php/topic,8170.0.html

 

4. General

4a.  ForumsThe Dragon Blades forums are a great place to get information. So great in fact, we ask that you log on regularly to have the most up to date information regarding our policy discussions, schedules, help, and much more stuff.

 

Check it out at:

http://www.thedragonblades.com/SMF2-0/index.php

 

4b.  Inactivity – If anyone fails to logon to the game for more than 2 months and/or fails to notify the Guild Leaders via a post/updates in the forums, may be removed from the guild.

 

4c.  Applying to Other Guilds – We know that it is your choice to raid with our guild. However, if you apply to another guild extend us the courtesy of leaving our guild first. If you apply to another guild without first leaving the Dragon Blades you will be removed from the guild, No Questions Asked.

 

4d.  Guild Bank - The guild bank is a depository for Raiding supplies. The first 4 tabs are materials that can be requested for crafted items, enchants, or gemming of gear. These items are restricted to player Mains, but can be requested for MS and OS. Tab 5 is for general purpose. All raiders have access and are encouraged to take the items on this tab for raiding.

 

4e.  Ventrilo – We have a Ventrilo server for the use and enjoyment of the guild. Dragon Blade members are encouraged to use Vent at anytime, like when questing, hanging out, or PvP’ing. Current login info is posted in-game under "Guild Information”.

 

5. Raiding

5a.  Raiding Times – Dragon Blades is a casual raiding guild. Casual is defined as there is no requirement for raid attendance and we only raid 3 days per week. Invites go out at 18:00 server time and stop at 18:15 server time. You are considered late if you are not in the raid by 18:15 ST.

Tuesday 18:00  – 22:00 ST

Thursday 18:00 – 22:00 ST

Saturday 18:00  – 22:00 ST

 

5b.  Attendance We realize that real life issues take precedence over a video game. However, your raider status and DKP tax are based upon your attendance. We do ask that you make 2 raids a week. Do not save your main to any current 25 man content during our raid week, Tues – Sat.

 

5c.  Main character – You are required to declare a Main Toon if one is not apparent. If you switch mains you are required to post in the forums. You are required to raid on your main. Alts will only be allowed in a raid if requested by an officer or raid leader.

 

The thread for Main Declaration and Main Switching can be found here:

http://www.thedragonblades.com/SMF2-0/index.php/topic,11425.0.html

 

5d.  Talent Specs – Specs are defined as Roles. The only roles in a raid are Tank, DPS, and Healer. Due to our loot policy we require that raiders declare a Main-Spec for your Main Toon. Your Main-Spec should be maximized for PvE raiding. You will be brought into the raid as your declared Main-Spec unless asked to switch to your Off-Spec role. Failure to declare a Main-Spec could result in suspended loot rights. To be eligible for Off-Spec loot you also have to declare an Off-Spec also. It also must be maximized for PvE raiding. You can only declare 1 Off-Spec and are eligible for loot for that Spec. We still have to consider at what point is it better to have a shard rather than just give away gear that will never be used for the Raid. It is also understood that if you declare an Off-Spec and receive gear, you will get it enchanted and gemmed for use of the Raid when asked. The table in the MS/OS declaration thread is the official record of your Main and Off-Specs. If you change your Specs please post in the thread. Please see Section 9, Bidding lower in the document for more details on Main-Spec and Off-Spec rules.

 

The thread for MS/OS declaration can be found here:

http://www.thedragonblades.com/SMF2-0/index.php/topic,14623.0.html

 

5e.  Ventrilo - We require that all people participating in a raid to be logged onto Vent. You don’t have to speak, but you must be able to here instructions. If you are not able to hear what is being said on vent then you will be replaced per the Raid Leader.

 

5f-1.  Required Addons – There are several addons that we require for raiding.

 

DBM – Deadly Boss Mods (Big Wigs can be used as an alternative)

Decursive – (for any class that can de-buff) or any addon, like certain raid frames, that

                     help manage debuffs your class can dispel.

Pallypower – for Paladins only

Grid, Xperl, or Pitbull – For healers. Unit and Raid frames mod

 

5f-2. Un-allowed addons – There are several addons that we are not currently allowed during raids. We have found that several addons contribute to the disconnections and latency issues several people have had.

 

Recount - May be only used if you have set to not sync with others. At your console, type /recount sync to toggle it on and off.

LibHealComm-4.0
GuildPositions
Gearscore

AtlasLoot
QuestHelper

Carbonite

 

 

5g.  Other Useful Addons

Ora2 – Raid management tool.

Recount – Damage meter plus a little more

Grid, Xperl, or Pitbul – Unit and Raid frames

Omen – Threat meter

 

 

5h.  Enchanting, Gemming, and Talents - We require you to have all of your gear enchanted, gemmed, and talented to optimally fill your role in a raid. If you have some questionable gemming, enchants, or talents you may be asked to justify why you chose what you did. If a suitable answer is not given then you will be instructed or referred to someone who will help you optimizing your raiding potential. If you are not sure of how to gem and enchant your gear feel free to ask an officer or another senior raider.

 

5g.  Preparation – All raiders are expected to be at the door to the instance by 18:15 ST with proper food, flasks/elixirs, and reagents. It is your choice to either use 2 elixirs or a flask, but they must be proper for your role. It is expected that all raiders use their flasks / elixirs / food for all bosses that are not considered to be on farm status. 

 

See the prep discussion at:

http://www.thedragonblades.com/SMF2-0/index.php/topic,14376.0.html

 

For a listing of suggested foods for your class see: http://www.thedragonblades.com/SMF2-0/index.php/topic,14416.0.html

 

5h.  Strategies – We ask that you read the strategies and discussion posted on our forums regarding our current tier of content. Knowing the encounter can mean the difference between endless wipes and a successful raid. It is the responsibility of every raider to be familiar with bosses in our current progression.

 

Read up on strats and the discussions for our current raid progression in ICC at:

http://www.thedragonblades.com/SMF2-0/index.php/board,63.0.html

 

5i.  Bench – Many times we will have more than 25 raiders available. When that happens a bench will be formed. All requirements to be in the raid are also applied to people on the bench. There are many reasons being on the bench, for example class/role balance for an encounter. A bench is staple of a successful raiding guild. If on the bench you must be prepared to enter the raid at any time, this means having all your consumables ready and able to enter the zone within a few minutes of being called on. Benched Raiders are allowed to drop the raid to do quests, but you must remain in vent to understand what is going on in the fight as to be ready to fill your role immediately upon entering the zone. Those sitting on the bench and in compliance with the bench policy earn points at the same level as those attending the run.

 

5j.  Top 25 vs. the Bench – Members with the rank of raider will be given a raid spot (the top 25) before a casual rank. Attendance, play consistency, and ability will all be taken into consideration when assigning raiders to the top 25. On bosses that we consider “on farm” we will do our best to rotate in those on the bench and those who are less geared, casual, or have not had the opportunity to get into many of the raids. It is a benefit to the guild to have as many people as geared and experienced as possible.  Initiates should expect to have a raid spot a minimum of 1 or 2 times during their initiate period for evaluation purposes, but are not guaranteed anything more than that.

 

5k. Leaving the raid early – If you have to leave the raid early, inform an Officer or Raid Leader at the beginning of the raid, when invites are issued or while the raid is forming. Failure to do so will result in punishment per Section 9.

 

5L.  AFK Policy

If you disconnect or go AFK for more than 15 minutes, you may be removed from the raid and replaced. You keep any points earned up till then.

 

DO NOT go AFK between a start of a Boss and the last trash pack prior.

 

Ninja AFK’s will not be tolerated. If you must go AFK tell an officer or the raid leader and tag yourself as afk. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the raid.

 

 

6. DKP

DKP, Raid points, or DBRP as mentioned in this document all refer to the points earned that serve as our currency to bid for gear/items.

 

6a.  Accrual

 

Raid Points earned are added to your total at the end of the night, not during the raid.

 

Those sitting on the bench and in compliance with the bench policy earn points at the same level as those attending the run.

 

Raid Points are per person, not per alt. If you have multiple alts and use them in a raid, you have one pool of Raid Points.

 

You ARE allowed to go into the negative on raid points. So if you have 10 points now, and you win a min point item, you are going to have -10 points, and have to work your way out of the hole.

 

You are allowed to go negative to any amount, but only on through minimum bidding.

 

Current Raid Point Totals:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=rxSsWOdi82RaSaijYi7yG8g.

 

6b.  Taxation – In an attempt to encourage attendance and help curtail extreme high dkp a tax system is in place. Everyone is subject to the tax. Any points over your protected point total will be taxed by 20% on a weekly basis. Exceptions can be made by the Officers to suspend the tax for up to 1 month if an extreme situation dictates the action, ex. A family member is sick and you have to take a break in raiding to concentrate on family for a period.

 

The number of points you can protect is 3 times your 30-day total.  So if you have a 300 30-day total, you can have up to 900 points banked and no taxes be taken at all. Any points you have that are over the 'protected' total will be taxed at a rate of 20% a week.  So if your protected point total is 300, and you currently have 400 points, your tax at the end of the week would be 20 points (100 unprotected points, times 20%).

 

See the tax discussion thread at:

http://www.thedragonblades.com/SMF2-0/index.php/topic,14330.0.html

 

6c.  Donations – DKP can also be earned by any guild rank from turning in materials, such as Northern Spices, Flasks, Elixirs, etc. The materials must be mailed to the toon Fortknox and received by 17:30 ST on every Tuesday of the week.

 

DKP prices for materials can be viewed at:

http://www.thedragonblades.com/SMF2-0/index.php/topic,14040.0.html

 

 

Points earned can be viewed in the donation thread http://www.thedragonblades.com/SMF2-0/index.php/board,30.0.html

 

7. Loot

7.a  All BoP drops in a raid will be up for bid during the raid.

 

BoE Blue items are sent to the guild bank for sale or otherwise distributed to the membership as needed (priority to those on the run who can use).  The expectation is gear will likely be sold or sharded, and spells/recipes given to those that can use.

 

Recipes/patterns/etc are bid out, starting at 0.  The guild may hold BoE patterns, if no one on the run is interested, to distribute to another guild member. If you win a pattern dropped in a raid, you must have the required profession level to use it, and it is understood that you will be available to craft that item for guild members as needed.

 

Items won must be used, not sold or DE’ed. You may not roll on an item for your alt that is not in the raid.

 

7b.  Crafted Items – Items required for Crafted pieces (aka runed orbs, etc) which drop in raids will be retained by the loot master and deposited in the Guild Bank after the raid. Guild Members can request the materials in accordance to the below policies:

 

Runed-orb request thread:

http://www.thedragonblades.com/SMF2-0/index.php/topic,14671.0.html

 

 

Crusader-orb request thread:

http://www.thedragonblades.com/SMF2-0/index.php/topic,15123.0.html

 

Primal Saronite request thread:

http://www.thedragonblades.com/SMF2-0/index.php/topic,15588.0.html

 

8. Bidding

8a.  Bidding Priority – Raider refers to anyone of Raider Rank, while Others refers to any Casual, Alt, or Initiate. MS stands for Main-Spec, OS for Off-Spec. Roles are defined as Tank, DPS, or Healer. If your class does not have different roles OS cannot apply to you. You cannot bid over someone whose bid rank has priority over your bid rank.

 

Bidding priority for gear is as follows:

  1. Raider Main-Spec
  2. Others Main-Spec
  3. Any paid Off-Spec
  4. Raider Free Off-Spec
  5. Others Free Off-Spec

 

MS gear – the minimum bid for an MS piece of gear is 20

OS gear – the minimum bid for an OS piece of gear is 0

 

8b.  Bidding Procedures – All bidding is done in Guild chat. Any bids typed in raid will be null. Please refrain from typing in guild when bidding is going on. Both MS and OS bidding will be conducted at the same time. Multiple minimum bids resulting in a tie will be decided by a /random 100.

 

The Bid Supervisor will initiate bidding by linking the item in /guild and request bidders. The process is free-form. There is no set order to the bidders. Bids do revolve around the highest bid placed; a new bid must be at least 10 Raid Points higher than the current highest bid, or the maximum points possessed by the bidder (see example below). The bid supervisor during this time should help ensure tracking clarity (via Vent, /raid, or /guild) to let it be known who is the highest bidder and what that bid is at currently.

 

Example: Bob bids 300 for his T20 shoulders.  Fred wants the shoulders too, and has 304 points.  As long as Fred bids all 304 points, he may place a bid that is less than 10 points higher than Bob’s bid (an acceptable bid is 10 points higher or your maximum points).  If Fred bids 304, then Bob would need to bid at least 314 or his maximum points (if they are less than 314 but more than 304).

 

After a brief period with no new bids, the Bid Supervisor should state the highest bid and who has it, and asks for any final bids (“[linked item] to [player] for [amount] – last call”).  Upon conclusion of the bidding process, the item is awarded to the winner, and the winner’s points are deducted by the amount of their winning bid. Once the item is awarded or another item is linked for bid, no more bids are accepted.

 

If a player is caught bidding more than the points they possess, a point penalty may be assessed, up to 100 points, at the discretion of the officers regarding the severity of the error.  The player may immediately lose the right to bid on the item, and may lose the right to bid on any additional items for the raid or possibly future raids (again, depending on the decision of the officers).  Depending on the impact of the false bid, the next-highest bid may be used or the entire bidding process may start over.

 

BoE gear can be held by the ML (Master Looter) and rolled on after the next raid boss kill, or at the Raid Leader’s discretion.

 

To bid on any item, you must have been actively involved in the encounter (begin combat to end combat) that resulted in the drop.

 

8c.  Proxy Bidding – Proxy Bidding is not allowed and is viewed as cheating the system. Proxy bidding is defined as a person bidding on an item, with their DKP, for the purposes of giving the item to someone else or alt.  If anyone asks you to bid on an item for them, tell an officer immediately. Otherwise, you will be held as accountable as the person who proposed the proxy. Punishment will be dealt per the policy, section 9, to the participating parties. 

 

8d.  Bidding with PuGs in the raid - If the raid is not fully comprised of DB members then Pug Bidding will be in effect. Pug bidding is similar to how we start normal DKP bidding. The ML will link the item and ask for rolls. Anyone who needs the item for Main-Spec will /roll 100. If one of the PuGs wins the roll he will receive the item. If a DB member wins the roll then normal bidding per DB bidding rules will commence. If no one rolls for Main-Spec then the item will go to an Off-Spec round and will be handled in the same manner. If no one chooses to bid on the item after the roll, then the person with the winning role will receive the item and be charged for it accordingly.

  

9. Punishment

The Guild Officers may decide to assign punishment to anyone for infraction of Raiding Policy. Punishments may include but may not be exclusive of…

Riding the bench for a given period

DKP subtraction

Loot rights withheld for one or more bosses

Raiding privileges suspended for a given time.

Demotion of rank

Guild expulsion