Dragon = Sword: On Raids and Rewards

Vistrix is dead, and I have a new sword:

A chance to kill the dragon with a random pick-up group (PUG). I joined my brothers Siam and Abremylin in the cave along with 21 others. The fight was similar to my previous experience with Vistrix. A combination of distracting the dragon with the armoured soldiers and then everyone else jumps in and piles on the damage. Several waves of minions appear as the dragon weakens. The dragon also stuns everyone in front of her several times. This is countered with a special spell. Not everyone has it, and someone has to run in and free the soldiers before they are eaten.

Eventually, after a warm-up, and two hard fights, the dragon was killed. Total time, approx 1 hour of good fighting and teamwork considering it was a PUG.

The dragon dropped 3 valuable items when she died. The raid took approximately 1 hour (I joined late and all the setup work had been done) with 24 players. A really rough way of looking at it is 1/8 of a chance for someone to gain an item for 1 hours play. This was the third big raid I've been on, the 2nd attempt at Vistrix and I feel lucky to have finally grabbed a good piece of gear.

The sword is quite the chopper. The Sgt tells me it's one of the best in the game for me.

Now I have less of an excuse for letting others get away.

To kill a dragon

A Vistrix raid. My first time into the dragon's lair. It's huge. And dangerous. I grabbed a few images during the mission.


Here is the DPS team standing by. Hardened warriors all. We were to await word that the dragon was momentarily stunned for our moment to attack.



The tanks engaged. We waited. It was a terrible and awe inspiring scene. We watched in awe as the main combat team engaged in battle.



Not everything goes to plan. Here some survivors beat a hasty retreat up the tunnel to regroup.



The last moments of the final attack. Dead bodies litter the floor about me. I take one last swing. So does the dragon. His hurts more than mine.

A great time. Luckily death always brings rebirth. This time in the cold wasteland of Atzel's Approach. There will be a next time - and the dragon will die.

Xtra - Colours Ceremony!

Xtra - colours day!
Originally uploaded by XtraHox

A great day, I receive my full colours and am accepted into the brotherhood. Pictured are the Captain (Mocker) and the Infantry Division Commander (Dreadstone) making the presentation.

Now, to find that new recruit and clinch the deal.

To become a brother

(click image)

I look forward to the day I move from being an FNG to full brother. This entails proving your worth to the company by passing a a few common sense criteria - be a serious gamer, be in it for the fun, get along, stick around.

I have passed the initial initiation, which was to agree to the Company Charter, submit a rather serious yet fun questionnaire, run with the Old Crew for a couple of months and participated as a meaningful member of the team. I have joined the Supply Division (more on that later) and I'm starting to get to know the ropes.

The final stage of my initiation from recruit to full brother is to successfully recruit another member.

So now I am recruiting.

What are the differences between The Black Company and other guilds out there? I think there are several stand out areas: maturity, organisation, history, RP and sense of brotherhood, not to mention the great books by Glen Cook. I guess it boils down to an overall quality gaming experience.

Did I mention we are a mercenary outfit? Plus follow a structured Military organisation. It works very smoothly. It's role playing right? But lots of these guys have either been in, or are still in the military and have applied the common sense military structure to their gameplay. And the guild runs like a well oiled machine that's had a few beers on a Friday night. Combat for pay is the goal, and we get commissioned to help other guilds fight in such situations as sieges for Battle Keeps.

Are we that hardcore? Well, some are. But there's no pressure. It's about commitment and attitude. Some of these Old Crew are masterful MMO players, including PvP. And they are more than willing to share their experience. Me? I'm just a noob who tries to pay attention and keep up. I try to make up for quality of game skill with witty observations and comic relief.

The Old Crew (Glen Cook reference) have been together for several years across more than one MMO. One day, when AoC gets old, broken or boring the Company will redeploy to another battlefield. I'll go.

It's a membership that is earned, and life in the Black Company is good. If you're interested, head over to our HQ and read the forums, examine the charter and think about life in TBC.

Tell 'em Xtra sent you.