Finding a VoN Raid?

[froggyk13]

Hello everyone, relatively new player (for the second time), but I'm having a total blast with the game. Mostly I've been duoing with a more knowledgeable friend, and doing the occasional group, but I've heard that the raids in DDo are pretty fantastic, and that there are some available as low as level 8-10 or so. How does one find a raid for VoN? Is there a particular night of the week on which people PuG it, or do I need to be in a raiding guild?

Many thanks,

-Ramida

[Shade]

It's a flaw of DDO.

Raiding is meant for endgame, the fact we have lvl10 raids is a problem.Brands new players on Lvl10s generally aren't well equiped or experienced enough to figure out raids.. As getting to vll10 these days doesnt take very long.

So the only chances you have of getting in one, is if a veterane player rolls up a new character, and wants to run it at low lvl for some reason.

But generally its not worth it for them either, because the XP while high, isnt worth it due to the very long length of the raid given low lvl/new players will take in there.

The reason for this is that at release - this raid was the end game. It was balanced for the maximum level players. That's just no longer the case given the numerous lvl cap increases.

Really the raid needs to be rebalanced for lvl20s. Then it will get run.

[FluffyCalico]

VoN 5-6 runs don't happen much because you need 12 flagged at the same time, you end up on a 3 day timer, and you level out of the useful level range to do it at in about 1-2 days.

Also as shade pointed out this raid came out about 1 month after people hit the then max cap of 10 and was ment to be a challenge for them. Todays new (un-alt) level 10s just don't have the gear for it. To do it you really need at least 2-3 well geared level 10s all keyed and off timer at the same time +7 random level 10s that will actually listen to the other 2-3.

[froggyk13]

What about items like the Sword of Shadow? A lot of the drops seem decent enough for the level range, but the SoS has a huge crit range and a x3 crit modifier. Seems like it would get a lot of play up through at least the mid teens if not higher.

If I came across one of those in a PnP game, I would slap the DM in the face.

-Ramida

[Hafeal]

The Von Raid is a a great way to get be in a full 12 character setting for possibly the first time if you did not do Tempest Spine; it ha stunning visual impact and a meeting with an iconic D&D creature - the red dragon.

People flag Von's 1 through 4 first in House K with 6 character groups. You can generally do this is in 1 night with a good group or split it up as your time permits. Once those are flagged, you are ready for the "Pre-Raid" Von 5 and the actual Raid - Von 6 (the parts run together, so they must be done the same night).

If you are in a guild, I would try arrange it with your guildmates. As Fluffy pointed out, it can be hard to find people flagged for the Dragon at the same time. But patience and some planning will get it done. I have seen a Von 5-6 run every day this week on Khyber, so plenty seem to be running them.

Good luck!

[Purrp]

Once those are flagged, you are ready for the "Pre-Raid" Von 5 and the actual Raid - Von 6 (the parts run together, so they must be done the same night).

How long would the pre-raid and raid take to "figure out" the first time for an all-newbie guild, with no veteran guidance?

Failure, of course, is an option

[FluffyCalico]

What about items like the Sword of Shadow? A lot of the drops seem decent enough for the level range, but the SoS has a huge crit range and a x3 crit modifier. Seems like it would get a lot of play up through at least the mid teens if not higher.

If I came across one of those in a PnP game, I would slap the DM in the face.

-Ramida

You do know retribution is
+1
holy
pure good
true law and level 6 from thernal south right?

Mineral 2 from shroud think ML 12 (haven't checked recently) is
+5
Holy
Acid Burst
Acid Blast
Aspect of Mineral: Stoneskin (2/rest)
Mineral: Keen/Impact, Transmuting, Slicing, +80 Durability, +8 Hardness

[InfidelofHaLL]

Mineral 2 from shroud think ML 13 (haven't checked recently) is
+5
Holy
Acid Burst
Acid Blast
Aspect of Mineral: Stoneskin (2/rest)
Mineral: Keen/Impact, Transmuting, Slicing, +80 Durability, +8 Hardness

/me wonders when weapons began being on odd lvls for min lvl.........

[Eurytos]

It's a flaw of DDO.
...

It's not a flaw of DDO. Every game in existence has raids that have become less popular because of their low level and lower end loot after countless game updates and expansions. It's still good to run for it's level range for both xp, loot, and fun factor for those who haven't run it yet. Not everyone playing the game is a multi-year veteran who has run VoN a million times.

That being said, I still see VoN pugs (with appropriate level ranges) run a few times a week. You just have to either get lucky on timing when someone is leading one, or start one up yourself. Even if you don't get an experienced leader, it would still be fun to run it and figure it out. Not to mention, there are quite a few walkthroughs around anyway.

[Torosar]

There isn't any particular night nor do you necessarily need to be in a 'raiding guild'. Just put a lfm up for VON 1 - 6 and make sure you get at least a Cleric (or a Favoured Soul who likes to heal) and a Rogue. After you finish VON 4, you can convert your party to a raid group and put another lfm up for VON 5 - 6 and pick up the remaining 6 players you need, hopefully which will include another Cleric.

It will be very tough for you all though if no one has any experience in VON 5 and 6.

[sirgog]

That raid is extremely hard to find a group for.

Post up on the forums that you want to run a level 9-12 VON5-6 raid at a set time and ask for people that want to be a part of it.

You absolutely require:

2 people with 25 Str each
2 people with Wisdom 20 each

and if these people are new, you should make sure that you aren't relying on one person with Str25 and Wis20 to fill two of these roles (this can be done but is extremely messy).


I might work on flagging my new bard if it's a time I can make - they are level 11 (may be 12 by the time this happens) and can meet the 25 Str requirement.

[Hafeal]

What time are you running tonight? Perhaps I can bring my level 12 fighter, Terag.