Hey Guildies!  Let me take a moment to introduce you to the Jaded Philosophy. We will be updating this information as needed to keep you, our valued Jaded Guild mates well informed and up to date with essential information on Jaded’s immediate, short term, and long term goals. Being one of the oldest and most stable guilds on Tanaris, we take pride in a philosophy that is condusive to a drama free, enjoyable, and stable environment.

Orgothorzad

 In this issue:

·       How do I get into a raid?

·       Jaded Raiding.

·       What does “Adult Oriented” mean in Jaded?

·       Talking In Raids and Keeping it Fun!

·       World PVP and why the Allies Hate Jaded!

Guild Policies

One of the best ways to know what is expected of you as a member of Jaded is to go onto the guild website at www.jaded-tanaris.com and read the guild policies.   Everything that you need to know about being a member of Jaded is right there.

This newsletter is going to delve into a few of the longstanding issues that each guild deals with on a continuing basis.  Some things have to do with personal conduct and some with raiding policies. We also will take a look at where we are in Jaded today, where we would like to be in Jaded tomorrow, and how we propose to get there. 

We hope that everyone takes a few moments to read this newsletter, then hop onto the website and reread the guild policies.  Please keep in mind, that no individual member is being singled out, and that this information is applicable for everyone.

As officers, it is our belief that our greatest guild asset has always been our members.  That’s why we feel Jaded is Number One!

He took MY spot!

The very first thing that we wanted to address in this forum is the idea that there are fixed “spots” in any particular raid.  For the record, there are not.

Everyone that has received a G/invite to Jaded has had the same thing said to him or her in one form or another.  “ If you join Jaded, we CANNOT guarantee you a spot in 25 man groups, the progression team, or any other raid.”  

The most difficult part of being an officer in Jaded is the forming of raid groups that will facilitate the best progression of the guild as a whole.  Please remember this if and when you are NOT invited into a run.

There will always be people that are not in a raid.  We are a large guild.  We have MANY raids.  We also have many members of each class and some have waited very patiently in order to be considered for raids.  Others have progressed more quickly into the raiding schedule.  This is as much to do with group make up and the need for certain classes in a run, as it is their time in Guild.  All things considered, here are a few tips to consider when you want to get into a raid:

·        The VERY BEST way to get into raids is to consistently be in game during raid times.  It is hard to be invited to a run if you’re not online!

·        Check the website for the scheduled raid times and be ready and available. We will try whenever possible to let you know a few days in advance if you’re scheduled for a run, but most if not all runs are on the raiding schedule on the jaded website.

·        Have enough time allotted to be able to run without leaving the group stranded at an inopportune time.

·        Have a good reliable connection.  D/Cing constantly during a run will count against you when raid invites go out since your problem affects 5, 9, or 24 other people.

·        Have the required add-ons and Vent.  Even if you don’t have a Mic., it is more important for you to be able to hear the raid leader than it is to be heard.  Having to type out a Boss fight in an instance for one person is a foolproof way not to be asked back to another run.

·        Be available to help your Guild mates on runs even when you don’t need a drop from that Boss or Instance. We have had many members not roll on an item during an instance in order to better facilitate the group as a whole. Not rolling is not a requirement, but thinking “Guild First” and enhancing your reputation within the guild will definitely help when those raid invites are being sent out.

·        Remember that when you run Heroics with guild mates, they get a chance to know you better.  In addition, everyone on that run gets to not only roll on more epics, but also sharpen their skills and get to know how each other reacts in raid like situations. You will again be more likely to be asked to raid if you’re recognized as someone with a “Guild First” attitude.

·        The next thing to consider is when you’re NOT in a raid, to work on bettering your gear yourself so that you are more of an asset to the raid group when asked.

·        Make your main character as good as it can be. Running on your alts is all well and good, but the better an asset your main is to a raid, the more likely you will be asked to a run.

·         Heroics, Battlegrounds, Arenas and Crafted Epics are some of the best ways to fill your non-raiding time and help better yourself so that once again, you will be seen as an asset to the run.

·        Stay positive! Patience and commitment to your guild mates will not go unnoticed.  Just because you weren’t invited at the beginning of the run does not mean that you won’t be asked to join the group when needed.

·        Patience also means giving the officers the time to collect their thoughts and get the nights raiding going.  We know you want to run or you wouldn’t be in a raiding guild, so relax, J  We’re working on getting everyone in!

·         Seeing the end game content is a group endeavor.  You can’t do it alone, and we can’t do it without you!

The very best way to ensure that you will NOT be invited into raids is to cause drama.

Relax, Your Time Will Come

Don’t take not being in a raid personally!  Once again, on any given day there can be 40 to 50 level 70 Jaded members online during raid times.   A helpful and happy attitude makes the tough decisions that the officers sometimes have to make much less difficult. 

The officers spend many hours a week outside of the game in order to set these runs up to make the best use of Guild resources.

We request that you please do NOT try to get another Raid started on your own without first speaking with an officer.

 Your non guild sanctioned raid can pull needed members from an already planned raid and cause both runs to either run badly, or in some cases not run at all. 

However, if your run is approved, then by all means, Go For It!

Remember, when not in a raid, think 5 mans, heroics, arenas and battlegrounds, or just take some time to do your dailies and get that epic flying mount!

Rolling with the Punches

We have been slugging it out in Tier after Tier of raiding for years now. This has allowed us to create opportunities for many Jaded members to maximize their gear and skills.  Although we have continued to gear people up, there have been a selfish few that have taken advantage of their guild mates and jumped ship once they received their drops.

 This has caused some of the veterans in Jaded to have to continually go out of their way to give of their time to help the rest of their newer guild mates gear up so that the 25 man raids would be more viable for Jaded as a whole.

 These long time Jaded members typicall get geared up very quickly, yet still patiently helpi out running in raids as needed despite the tedium of seeing the same instance week in and week out.

The tireless dedication of many of our long time Jaded members, veterans and officers is well noted and should be applauded. 

Newer Jaded members that have the gear and experience, are encouraged to help fill in on the runs to help their guild mates and so that some of the veterans can have a well deserved break from the gear farming grind! 

Our Vision

Our goal for the immediate future is to continue with our weekly 25 man progression tier raids, and ten man runs. Having these groups strong enough to down the bosses without being so geared that drops are sharded is a delicate balancing act, but the results are evident in our ability to continually progress into new content.

 We will try to gear up as many people as possible as quickly as possible in balanced runs set up by the officers of Jaded. As newer guild mates are able to run raids with less veteran leadership, we will be able to begin running multiple raids in progression content weekly. 

Not to Worry

There will still be plenty of spaces available in prior content raids for our newer and less geared members to run, while at the same time, giving our more geared and veteran Jaded members the opportunity to see some new content and hone their skills in progression and hard mode raids. 

Remember, just because you are able to set foot in the most current raid instances does not mean that you are geared up enough to be a true asset in downing the Boss at hand.

Although you feel that you are ready and have been in the instance before, also does not mean that you are assured a spot in an upcoming raid.

That being said, as the members of the guild become more geared up, we will have more flexibility with regard to 25 man raids and multiple 10 man runs.

In order for Jaded to progress through the end game content, we MUST gear up our active members to the point that they are ALL available to run 25 man instances.  This has been, and continues to be a priority for the officers of Jaded.

Progression

The very best of Jaded need to be ready for the pain and expense, as well as the gear and glory, of running in the Progression team.

 This is the group of the very best of Jaded (at that time, and based on the requirements of that particular instance as determined by the officers) that will be assembled to work on new 10 and 25 man content. Once we are comfortable with the intricacies of the particular instance, we will bring in other members as quickly as we can. 

In a very real sense, as the pool of fully geared and battle hardened Jaded members grows, we will ALL become ready and available members of the progression team.

Help in Setting up Raid Groups

This is a topic that needs to be addressed from time to time.  When there is a break in the action to set up a raid group, guild event, or to make adjustments during a raid, this is a time to exercise some patience and self-control.

Please realize when we are setting up runs, that we have spent many hours outside of the game trying to come up with optimal raid groups, particularly in the more advanced content, where we are attempting not only clear the instance each week, but to do so with two groups.  

We realize that there are many that want to be in there. Please take a moment to consider that, if we have  a 25 man raid, or 2 ten man runs going, we only have 20-25 spots available, when there might be 35 to 50 Guildies online at any given raid time.

 Your patience while we set up the runs will help not only on that day, but will also help 2, 3, even 5 days later when there are still sufficient Guildies available to help fill in either group as needed.   If the groups are not put together with multiple groups in mind, there will be difficulty for one and sometimes both groups to continue throughout the week.

We definitely appreciate your input, but don’t for a minute think that we are just “winging” it when it comes to these raid invites.

An Adult Oriented Guild

Jaded was founded and continues to operate as an adult oriented guild.  This DOES NOT mean that anything goes in guild chat!

 The adult nature and makeup of the guild should reflect self-control and consideration for others.  NOT an uncensored drug chat and genitalia review! 

Everyone in the guild has their own threshold for listening to sexual innuendo, drug rants, and other just plain silliness that comes with playing this game.  Please give your Jaded brethren the courtesy of keeping this type of chat at best to a minimum, and optimally, private and out of Guild chat.  YOU might not be offended, but others might very well be!  

Being in a guild like Jaded is a privilege not a right, and while speaking your mind might just be “you being you”, it does not mean that everyone wants to hear it.  That’s part of what being an adult is, knowing the difference of what you CAN do, as opposed to what you SHOULD do. 

We all take liberties from time to time.  Lets just keep in mind that the members of Jaded come from many varied backgrounds, ages and points of view.  You know who your friends are in guild. Be as rowdy with them as you like, but please do so in a separate channel in vent, or in whispers in game.  Less drama equals more in game enjoyment!

Talking in Raids

This is also something that has been brought up repeatedly in some instance runs. When we are in a raid, ESPECIALLY leading up to, and during a boss fight, there needs to be less chitchat and more listening. 

This is not directed at anyone in particular, however if you feel that it refers to you, it probably does! J

This does not mean that we want there to be complete silence throughout the raid. Far from it! It just becomes difficult for the raid leader at times to cut through the clutter and the raids can slow way down if 2 or 3 chatty people really get going. This is especially true in 10 man and 25 man instances where we are on the clock and a few extra moments of silliness can mean the difference between a successful downing of a boss, and having to go back and clear respawns!

Words of Wisdom

 “You have two ears to hear with and only one mouth to speak with.

So you need to listen twice as much and talk half as much!”

We have hours upon hours of time for idle chitchat when not in a raid.

Please refrain from automatically filling all of the “quiet” gaps while raiding with incessant and banal chattering.  You will be rewarded with fewer wipes and more people who want to run with you! 

The Benefit of the Doubt

Someone recently said to me that Jaded is like a family to them.  I am VERY glad to hear people say that.  It’s evident each day I log on that the members of Jaded do care about each other and want each other to have fun as well as excel in the game.

There are also times when we squabble and don’t get along.  This is normal.  Who hasn’t had a fight with a brother, sister, mom or dad?  What keeps this Guild family together is the knowledge that we care enough to make it work.

We all have different personal styles and are at different points in our lives.  Some of us are quiet as church mice, while others can’t wait to let everyone know exactly what they feel that day and why.   Misunderstandings and drama can be kept to a minimum if we all just realize that the things we say and do have consequences!

As adults, we in Jaded expect our members to exercise self-control and work toward the greater good of the Guild.

We would ask each and every member of Jaded to give your guild mates the benefit of the doubt when dealing with them.  If they somehow offend you or upset you, take the time to whisper to them rather than just shut them down, put them on ignore, mute them or refuse to run with them.

A little more understanding from all sides can keep a small smoldering annoyance from building to an all out flaming drama fest.  Life is too short to stay angry and unhappy! J

Every Guild has its ups and downs. It’s triumphs and tragedies.  We each have the power to make our time in game a positive experience for ourselves, and those around us.

To paraphrase one of our more “Zen” inspired Guild mates:

“The joy of the run IS the run.

Don’t worry about the gear. It will come in time.

 Enjoy the time spent with your good friends and guild mates.

 The Journey is a goal unto itself”!

Speaking of Gear

Don’t be concerned if you don’t get that drop that you’ve wanted for so long.  Everyone is in the same boat!  We all want to better ourselves, but with all of the many opportunities that we have as a guild to run these instances, the gear will come, eventually! 

All the bosses killed in this week's raids will be there again next week.  So will we! The “free roll” system that we have is the fairest way that we have found to distribute all of the high-end gear that we encounter.

 So be happy for your guild mate’s success on that roll of the item you wanted so badly, and he or she will be right there for you in return when you finally get yours!  After all, at the end of the day, we ALL need those drops in order to see the end game content.  As they say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, but you can get pretty well geared up in just a few weeks! 

We Dance on Their Bones!

One of the most underrated yet enjoyable times that we have in Jaded is our World PVP raids on Sunday afternoons.

Jaded has developed quite a reputation as THE BEST World PVP Raiders on Tanaris and with good reason.

 We have downed every Alliance Leader that we have put in our sights and laid waste to entire Alliance Cities, sometimes one at a time, and sometimes many cities at once! All the while, our Jaded Recon team has danced on the bones of those allies that have tried to stop us! 

If you haven’t had a chance to run in one of these well organized 40+ manned “stealth” missions, it is something that you really MUST experience! 

Whether you are an accomplished “defender of the Horde”, or someone who wouldn’t know real PVP action if a gnome pranced over and bit you on your kneecap, a Sunday run against the allies is a game experience that should not be missed.

We have a Website?

Our Guild website has a wealth of information that is pertinent to WOW in general as well as specific to our members in Jaded.  If you have not already done so, take the time to go onto www.jaded-tanaris.com and register to the site.  The information there is incredible.

 Don’t forget the Forums, where our members can interact with each other in a manner that gives you the time and opportunity to compose your thoughts in a more leisurely manner.

This is also a great way to get an officer’s attention if you have a request or would like to discuss any subject on your mind.  We DO read the forums!

When posting on the guild forums, Please try to keep the tone of your posts in a positive nature.  You can still state your case without being negative.  Negativity breeds drama!

In Conclusion

We will continue to work on at least two progression ten man groups weekly. We will run raid instances in multiple Tier levels whenever possible. 

As far as 25 mans go, we run entry level raids for very undergeared members, and sometimes our alts on off peak hours (usually weekends during the afternoons). For the current content that we have on farm status,  we will run those instances when group makeup does not permit running an advanced or progression raid.

Jaded will continue to grow by attracting and recruiting like minded gamers on Tanaris. We hope to continue our success in providing a fun and stimulating environment for our raiders, as well as a calm and stress free place for our casual players. With patched content, and an expansion around the corner, we look forward to having many friends to quest and level with.

This is an exciting time in Jaded.  We have highly skilled members, a good mix of classes, sound leadership, and most of all, a mutual desire to be the best Guild on Tanaris.  With all of that going for us, how can we go wrong!  Whether you are a seasoned Jaded veteran, or a brand new initiate, this is the place to be, and now is the time to be here! So let’s hear it:

“For Jaded….