Well after some more Gruul attempts we decided to try some SSC trash. With the help of some awesome members from Stand Alone, we got almost to The Lurker Below. The guild was also able to take a first look at Hydross the Unstable, one of the first bosses we'll be fighting after Gruul is on farm. As far as loot goes, we pocketed a few [Mark of the Illidari] for the guild bank, and Azmael got a nice new leatherworking pattern, [Pattern: Belt of the Black Eagle]. Great job everyone!

A special thanks goes out to Stand Alone. We'd like to continue running with all of you in the future.

We ventured into Zul'Aman tonight with 10 of the best geared and found out that ZA is extremely difficult. With at least 10 full raid wipes and 19 deaths for penguin, we quickly learned that those trolls aren't messing around!

The first boss (bear) is mainly a gear check. We downed him on the 2nd try after getting the taunts down. The bear requires two tanks, and each tank must taunt off the other at the start of every phase change. Pretty much a tank 'n spank withstanding you can survive a series of 6k hits within 5 sec.

The second boss (bird) is going to take a lot of coordination and attempts to down. I think our best attempt was around 82%. The thing thats hard about him is keeping the tank alive while trying to kill a flock of flying birds all the time running to and from a electrical storm that deals 6k+ chain lightning to everyone in the raid. I think the key here will be to dot the birds and move focus back to the boss while avoiding chain lightning.

The third boss (lynx) is one we'll probably kill next. Our best attempt was 50% tonight. You MUST have a druid tank the main boss as he furries a plate wearer for 6-12k normal attacks and has a special cleave which deals 18-20k damage spread across the two tanks in front of him (or all the damage to 1 tank if there isn't another tank in front). Every 25% he summons a spirit lynx and aoe totems which must be killed ASAP. The two main problems we had was keeping the MT alive from huge hits and gaining aggro on the summoned lynx before killing healers.

We only tried the first three bosses tonight, but can all say this is a very fun, but extremely challenging instance. Even the trash pulls have a high chance of wiping the raid if not managed properly. (We wiped at least 3 times on trash) Even with 17k health I got 1 shotted twice.

Overall, its very helpful to have a druid tank, paly aoe tank, mage, lock, hots, direct heals, stuns, and a hunter (especially for 3rd boss - tranq shot).

Next week should be our week! Every week for the past 4 weeks Gruul has consecutively been brought to lower and lower health. Yesterday was the record for an all guild run to 4%. All dps should heavily focus this week on running Kara to get any additional dps gear possible, as well as any other sources. (Arena or Heroics)

Grats to all those who got loot!

We're doing great and progressing quickly. Over the past couple weeks we have been able to regularly run (and fully clear) two Karazhan groups, gearing up some remaining people and missing items along the way. As a result, each week Gruul is becoming easier and easier. High King is now on farm status, easily downing him the first or second try. Yesterday Gruul was *almost* added to our progression list as we got him - in an ALL guild run - down to 19% health. I think we've got the gear necessary to regularly kill him each week, it's now just getting used to the shatter and having everyone survive each round.

Thanks for all your hard work and keep it up! Within the upcoming month we'll probably start attempting SSC.

Congratulations are in order for Karazhan Group #2. They fully cleared Karazhan Thursday night, meaning two guild groups now have Kara on farm. Definitely won't be long now for Gruul.