Can one lead the Temple of the Deathwyrm raid without voice?

[Timap]

I've done quite a few deathwyrm raids now, and am thinking of leading a PUGed shadow dragon raid on my own, on EN of course. I play in a quiet location where it's not possible for me to be speaking into a microphone. Is this possible?

Every shadow raid I've done thus far had a leader on voice. At the same time, I think that if I use the strategy of taking out only one portal/phylactery at a time (and I've seen this strategy work several times already), there really is no need to use voice to coordinate. The only other semi-tricky part is to pull the 2 levers together. I think that assigning 2 people per lever, then giving everyone a heads up when dragon is below 10% to watch for yellow DM text, should do it.

I'm prepared to prepare typed notes about the raid that I can copy and paste into chat. This will at least give people new to the raid something to read while they pike the mirrors.

Has anyone led a shadow raid without voice successfully with a PUGed group? Guild runs where everyone has done it 10-20 times don't count. I figure maybe only about 3-5 people out of 12 would have done it previously.

[Hilltrot]

Some people can't read . . . lol.

The fact that you're giving it some thought ahead of time and not just getting ready to blame it on noobs shows that you're more likely to succeed than most.

[Tscheuss]

I've done quite a few deathwyrm raids now, and am thinking of leading a PUGed shadow dragon raid on my own, on EN of course. I play in a quiet location where it's not possible for me to be speaking into a microphone. Is this possible?

Every shadow raid I've done thus far had a leader on voice. At the same time, I think that if I use the strategy of taking out only one portal/phylactery at a time (and I've seen this strategy work several times already), there really is no need to use voice to coordinate. The only other semi-tricky part is to pull the 2 levers together. I think that assigning 2 people per lever, then giving everyone a heads up when dragon is below 10% to watch for yellow DM text, should do it.

I'm prepared to prepare typed notes about the raid that I can copy and paste into chat. This will at least give people new to the raid something to read while they pike the mirrors.

Has anyone led a shadow raid without voice successfully with a PUGed group? Guild runs where everyone has done it 10-20 times don't count. I figure maybe only about 3-5 people out of 12 would have done it previously.

You could use the /alias command to save a set of standard Deathwyrm raid directions/instructions so you can print them with just a few keystrokes. :)

[FlaviusMaximus]

The most successful raids that I've seen run rely on text and text alone. There is no guarantee that everyone will be on voice, but nearly everyone that I have run with has been able to read/comprehend text. Far more often there are problems because people can't hear, and those problems are usually easily rectified by simply typing directions. Being sure that all party members are aware that instructions will be given in the text box at or before the start of the raid is essential. Having instructions typed out also eliminates the need for players to hear something the first time it is said. They will have a plan to follow and reference throughout the raid.

Formatting and pre-planning the instructions step by step so that they come out in different colors from the rest of the text (especially in bold, attention getting colors such as red or purple) is especially effective, as it allows players to easily distinguish the useful information in party chat from the idle chit chat. Be precise and type out instructions for each individual, when necessary, and there should be no excuse for a fail or long completion time.

[Buffyanne]

I've run it several times PuG'd w/o voice. Not a problem at all. The main thing is you need someone to coordinate who goes thru the portals which is easier in text because you can just type - Conan, go thru. Voice does help in red light/green light room because for some reason (color blind maybe) people die far less if someone is calling out red light.....green light. But maybe you won't get that puzzle and maybe you will get a group that doesn't move on red. In any event anyone posting general raids is good for the game, give it a go!

[Lehmuska]

It's entirely possible to lead a deathwyrm without voice.

It's also entirely possible to lead any raid and/or quest without voice. Just boot anyone who can't or won't read written instructions, then proceed to tear the raid apart.

[zwiebelring]

Advantage text: nobody has to doublecheck, you are taken on what you wrote and therefor no confusion exists. Opportunity cost: time spent typing, pacing of the group in total.

Advantage voice: fast incombat communication. Better spontaneous reaction and rearranging strategies. Opportunity cost: quality of microfons and confusuion when more than one person talks.

In general you can lead anything without voice. That assumes ideal preconditions of tasks inside the quest and people willing to await instructions by chatwindow.

[Ausdoerrt]

I've seen people lead raids like ToD or Abbot successfully without voice, no reason why it can't be done with any other raid. If the pug can't pay attention, doesn't really matter whether you type or speak. And vice versa.

[axel15810]

If you're in a group that knows what they're doing, text is fine.

If you're pugging, I would highly advise against it. Personally I can't stand a raid leader who doesn't use voice...it's just so much easier to keep people organized and informed. And you can communicate much faster with voice and without stopping your character cold.

[Timap]

If you're pugging, I would highly advise against it. Personally I can't stand a raid leader who doesn't use voice...it's just so much easier to keep people organized and informed. And you can communicate much faster with voice and without stopping your character cold.

This is what worries me, that some people will think "no voice=incompetent leader".
I am trying to take the temperature to see if many forum readers feel the same way as you. If I see >50% of posts saying that no voice is a bad idea for this raid, I'll just drop the idea of ever leading the raid.
Just to clarify, if I ever do this, I'll definitely put a "leader not on voice" note in the LFM.

[Cardtrick]

This is what worries me, that some people will think "no voice=incompetent leader".
I am trying to take the temperature to see if many forum readers feel the same way as you. If I see >50% of posts saying that no voice is a bad idea for this raid, I'll just drop the idea of ever leading the raid.
Just to clarify, if I ever do this, I'll definitely put a "leader not on voice" note in the LFM.

Well, for whatever it's worth, I'd be more likely to join a "leader not on voice" LFM than one that didn't mention it. For one thing, it indicates that the leader has some intention to lead and cares about communication. For another, this game's voice chat is incredibly flaky for me and I often have trouble hearing people. I've messed with all the settings I can find and it's usually okay, but sometimes part of the communication gets dropped and there are certain players who I just cannot hear or understand at all. I prefer no voice.

[axel15810]

This is what worries me, that some people will think "no voice=incompetent leader".
I am trying to take the temperature to see if many forum readers feel the same way as you. If I see >50% of posts saying that no voice is a bad idea for this raid, I'll just drop the idea of ever leading the raid.
Just to clarify, if I ever do this, I'll definitely put a "leader not on voice" note in the LFM.

I never said I think those without voice are incompetent, it just makes it more difficult to lead the raid and keep everything organized.

Put "leading raid through text" on LFM. Would definitely be better than not mentioning it.

[FlaviusMaximus]

Well, for whatever it's worth, I'd be more likely to join a "leader not on voice" LFM than one that didn't mention it.

Same, although my reasons are slightly different. I prefer to listen to podcasts or music while playing or just enjoy silence. I actually get a little miffed when it becomes clear that people want to talk to me while grouping, because it makes the playing experience less enjoyable for me.

/troll on

Members of the DDO community often find themselves more interesting than they actually are. The absolute worst is joining a PUG with a bunch of people who know each other in game and believe that all should enjoy their "witty banter." When that "entertainment" becomes unavoidable because specific directions are being given via voice, it makes me dread the next few minutes I'll be spending playing.

/troll off

[rosedarkthorn]

Personally, while I don't completely understand every single mechanic of Deathwyrm, I have done it fully eight times and understand the jist of how it works and I would join an lfm whether the leader used voice or text. It makes no difference to me as long as I get a completion out of it. I myself am a typer and while I don't feel like I have enough experience to lead the raid, I would if I was confident that a pug could complete it without voice chat. Probably the easiest thing to do though is explain the strategy whilst someone is doing the puzzle or before going in.