The Progression Group
From xenowiki
What is the progression group?
The xeno progression group is a dedicated group of players who have been selected to work through new encounters. They were selected based on skill, gear level, participation level, raid availability, and class balance. While only 25 could be initially selected, there are many other dedicated players who we would like to get in when possible. We will do our very best to incorporate others to fill backup positions as often as we can. The Progression Group will raid every Wednesday, Thursday and Monday night.
What changes are being implemented with the Wrath of the Lich King?
Members of the progression group will have a short amount of time to choose which class and role they wish to play for raids at level 80. What does this mean for you? We understand that choosing a character and role in a raid is difficult to do without actually experiencing the game play at max level. If at 80 you are indecisive about which character to make your main, or which role to spec as, we will allow you to switch your raiding main or your raiding role one time before Patch 3.1. You may transfer RP to your new main (not including escrow). Of course, class and role balance will always be our first priority, so the Officers and Raid Leaders will use discretion in making confirmations. You must make your final choice of main character and main spec before Patch 3.1
We anticipate that dual specs will be introduced in Patch 3.1. After this point, no alt will be allowed to attend a progression group raid unless it is absolutely necessary in order for the run to happen. Alts may never bid or roll on gear unless no one else wants it for their main spec. Alternative specs may temporarily be used for a raid if necessary. But gear for off specs can never be bid or rolled on unless no one else wants it for their main spec. Bidding rules for alternative specs are outlined further on the Loot Rules page of the wiki.
What are the rules for the progression group?
We expect a lot from our progression group players. This is because the progression group will be working on our newest content, battling the most challenging bosses we have encountered, and collecting the phattest of loots. Our expectations include:
- Progression group players are expected to show up for ALL progression raids unless prior arrangements have been made with an Officer.
- If a progression group player must cancel (or not sign up) for a particular night, the player must let an Officer know. If missing raids becomes a common occurrence, the player will forfeit his or her place in the progression group and a backup will be moved into the “permanent” spot. Players who do not maintain an 85% or higher attendance rate for Progression Group runs forfeit their position. Players who do not inform an Officer that they will be unable to make a progression run forfeit their spot immediately, regardless of their attendance percentage. Note: The required percentage only applies to nights that the player is committed to (i.e., if a player is only committed to one night per reset, that player is only expected to maintain the 85% attendance for that single night).
- Players who are unable to make a run should use the raid signup comment as their method of informing Officers. This is the best way to ensure everyone that needs to know is aware of the expected absence.
- Players who have advance notice (i.e. a planned vacation) that they will be unable to attend a progression raid are asked to inform an Officer as early as possible (48 hours in advance at a minimum whenever possible).
- Progression group players are asked to keep Omen, oRA2 (or CT_RaidAssist), a boss mod (such as BigWigs or Deadly Boss Mods), and a damage/healing meter updated at all times.
- Role appropriate food buffs, elixirs (or flasks), and other role appropriate consumables should be carried and used for at least bosses.
- All classes that provide buffs or food/water/heathstones/soulstones/summons, are asked to bring enough reagents for the entire evening.
- Progression players must have appropriate enchants on all gear that can be enchanted and appropriate gems in all sockets. If you are unsure what is appropriate, speak with an Officer or one of your Lieutenants.
- It is essential for progression players to read strategies for bosses that we will be working on. Come prepared!
- Progression players need to have enough gold to cover repairs and should come to raids with full durability.
- Wiping will be a part of learning. Expect to die, but also learn from the deaths. As Tamlyn's forum signature says, "Progression isn't purple."
How do I get into the progression group?
Unfortunately, this is not an easy question to answer. With the limitation of 10 or 25 raid spots, an opening is not likely to emerge often. However, if you are interested, sign up. People often have to leave early and there are times when cancellations occur. When we are short player we look to the signups as well as our Waitlist mod to see who is interested and available. If a permanent spot does open up, we will select a player based on skill, gear level, participation level, raid availability, and class balance. So, if you are interested, sign up for as many raids as you can. If we see a player doing an amazing job in a 5-man dungeon, we will remember that when it's time to select a replacement. Also, keep the expectations, listed in the section above, in mind. If you already meet most of those expectations, you will have an advantage over players who do not.
How long will a raid instance be limited to progression runs?
Instances/Bosses limited to progression runs will remain limited until they are on farm. If a raid is divided up into two or more nights, it is possible for the first night to be open to all raiders and additional nights to be limited to the progression group. We will constantly be evaluating the feasability of opening up individual nights to the larger group.
What instance/bosses is the progression group currently working on?
We are looking forward to beginning 10-man Naxx in WotLK. Until the expansion, we are continuing to farm BT and are occasionally venturing into the Sunwell Plateau.
Who is in the current progression group?
Players
Wednesday
The Wednesday progression group is currently made up of the following players:
| Death Knight | |||||
| Druid | |||||
| Hunter | |||||
| Mage | |||||
| Paladin | |||||
| Priest | |||||
| Rogue | |||||
| Shaman | |||||
| Warlock | |||||
| Warrior |
Roles
X Protection Warrior:
X Feral Druid:
X Protection Paladin:
X additional tank:
X Shadow Priest:
X Warlocks:
X Mages:
X Hunter:
X Rogue:
X additional physical DPS:
X additional caster DPS:
X Restoration Druid:
X Restoration Shaman:
X Holy Priests:
X Holy Paladins:
X additional Healer:
X additional players of any role (provided class balance):
Thursday
The Thursday progression group is currently made up of the following players:
| Death Knight | |||||
| Druid | |||||
| Hunter | |||||
| Mage | |||||
| Paladin | |||||
| Priest | |||||
| Rogue | |||||
| Shaman | |||||
| Warlock | |||||
| Warrior |
Roles
X Protection Warrior:
X Feral Druid:
X Protection Paladin:
X additional tank:
X Shadow Priest:
X Warlocks:
X Mages:
X Hunter:
X Rogue:
X additional physical DPS:
X additional caster DPS:
X Restoration Druid:
X Restoration Shaman:
X Holy Priests:
X Holy Paladins:
X additional Healer:
X additional players of any role (provided class balance):
Monday
The Monday progression group is currently made up of the following players:
| Death Knight | |||||
| Druid | |||||
| Hunter | |||||
| Mage | |||||
| Paladin | |||||
| Priest | |||||
| Rogue | |||||
| Shaman | |||||
| Warlock | |||||
| Warrior |
Roles
X Protection Warrior:
X Feral Druid:
X Protection Paladin:
X additional tank:
X Shadow Priest:
X Warlocks:
X Mages:
X Hunter:
X Rogue:
X additional physical DPS:
X additional caster DPS:
X Restoration Druid:
X Restoration Shaman:
X Holy Priests:
X Holy Paladins:
X additional Healer:
X additional players of any role (provided class balance):
Why do some players have a slash "/" connecting them to another player?
Slashes indicate a shared spot:
These players share their raid spot within the night. The player to the left of the slash will attend the first half of the raid. The player to the right of the slash will come in at half-time and replace the first player. This is done to accommodate players with atypical work schedules.
How do Progression Night Confirmations Work?
When Progression Night Raids are scheduled on the Calendar, Progression Group Members and guild members wishing to sub into available spots are urged to sign up as usual. The Comment section of the Calendar system is used to note any information Officers should be aware of when confirming players, such as an expected late arrival, need to leave early, or unavailability for that night. Available Progression Group Members are confirmed by Officers throughout the week and unavailable Progression Group Members may be replaced at any time. About forty-eight hours before the raid, Officers will perform the remaining confirmations. Of course, there are always unexpected changes to this procedure, and last minute replacements may be needed or a Progression Group Member who had other plans may suddenly be able to attend. Officer discretion is used when making adjustments to this procedure.
