[Elmyrdius]

so, after FAR too many failed attempts at Maly10, I'm starting to think I'm doing something wrong. I've read all the strats online, watched Cider's videos, still to no avail.

I know that the positioning relies on me, and me alone, but downing sparks is the DPS' job.

Last night (the 5 epic fail attempts we did) I would call and ping the sparks on the map, and dps wouldn't pay attention, or a couple of dps would go after the spark, while everyone else would continue to attack Maly. so, of course, Maly would eat the #@*&^$ spark, and I'd pray to a higher power that my healers wern't asleep.

I know that Maly isn't an 'easy' fight to master, and it's not lolaoenaxx, but with 20 (yes, 20) failed attempts, I'm starting to think it's more me then anything else. I'm geared well, naxx10/25 drops, 2pc T7, T7.5 legs, shoulders and shield from heroics and Last Laugh. I sit a shade over 30k HP unbuffed, >25k armor, 20 dodge/18 parry/25 block, 543ish def. fully raid buffed (with either BP or CS up) I'm >39k HP, so why am I so fail at this?

I've 1-shotted Naxx 10/25, OS10/25 (no drakes) but Maly just seems to be my downfall. I haven't stepped into Ulduar, and probably won't for a long while. I know my class, my priority rotation, how to gear, where my gear needs improvement, but Maly just escapes me...

[Genome852]

Bad DPS.

If you're dying due to Malygos eating sparks, it's not your fault.

[Thedom]

Genome is right, Mal is just one of the fights where the DPS have to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time and some DPS just aren't up for it because they are too lazy, got used to Naxx being a cake walk, or they just don't know how. (Hopefully not the last option...)

[Theotherone]

Sounds like my experience with Emalon - just can't beat him; funny how the dps will say "we were dps'd the wrong add, but it's the tanks fault for not generating enough threat on Emalon" I kid you not. (Omen was showing all threat on me, by the way tucked in the back corner)

Anyway, are you doing EoE with a PuG? If so, find a guild that's either learning to raid together or is established and bringing on new talent (I happened to just hook up with one that needed a tank for OS, had one of my better runs, joined and what a difference it makes to run with a constant group). PuG's are okay for OS or even H OS(no drakes up) or the Spiders in Nax, but anything that requires coordination usually leads to a fail. At least with your guildies you should all want to learn and do it right, so you can discuss the reasons for the fail and try to do better.

[Elmyrdius]

Source: Theotherone At least with your guildies you should all want to learn and do it right, so you can discuss the reasons for the fail and try to do better.

yeah, I'd much prefer that over being called a bad tank (bad wasn't the adjective used, but I'll keep my posts PG since I don't want a ban). I repeatedly called out the sparks making sure everyone knew there was a spark on the opposite side, but noone seemed to know how to root/dps them >_<!

the second attempt we got maly down to just under a million HP, so we all felt confident, and after that it all went down the toilet.

the last attempt we did, the warlock auto attacked right as he landed, he did 13 damage to maly (yes, only 13) and pulled aggro and proceeded to become the first floor humper of that pull.

After being berated so badly on vent during/after those runs, I've been contemplating hanging up my shield. This is my first toon ever and my first to 80. I've spent countless hours learning the class mechanics, how to hold aggro, listening to Cider's podcasts at work, doing tons of homework on threat, rotations, etc. I love being a warrior tank, but it's starting to lose it's fun.

My friend that brought me into the group couldn't believe how badly I was treated in the raid. He told them flat out that I hadn't ever downed Maly, and they were fine with the fact that I was 'new' to the fight.

It's times like this, that make me question what I'm doing wrong. I'm the first to admit when I've done something wrong, and the LAST to try to pass off failure to someone else. I reciently rejoined the guild my sister founded, so I'm hoping that ends up being a home for some other casual players like myself.

I came here to discuss this matter, because unlike the official forums, I'll get better input/insight/direction. on the official forums, apparently you're a bad if you can't do something.

sorry about the long-windeness (and mild QQ) of my posts, but it's easier for the readers to understand where I'm coming from if I'm descriptive.

[Theotherone]

I kind of figure a tank has to be like a goalie in hockey or soccer, or a relief pitcher - have a thick skin and an short memory. I've had nights with great runs and been told I was the best DK tank they ever ran with, and others where a barely 1k dpser told me that the dps "decided" the wipes were my fault - heroics ain't easy when the tank is a close #2 in dps at 1.5k.

Take it with grain of salt, it's a game, go run something easy like H Uk and get some confidence back. Anyone can dps, you tank because it's a challange.

[Kalbitang]

The sparks and vortex phases cause Maly to be one of the more threat-sensitive fights in the game. Some DPSers will continue to DPS hard in the vortex phase. I've been in raids where threat was called out, but the DPS won't hold back. You can't stop stupid.

You should feel free to intervene someone if their threat is getting too high. If other people have aggro-reducing abilities (either for themselves or other people), they should use them, too.

I've noticed that there are times I can attack Maly while he's in the air and times I can't. Doing extra damage during this phase will help with aggro.

Honestly, anyone who has raided has caused a wipe. Anyone who has done a 5-man has caused a wipe. It's just a matter of scale (more people dying). As long as you can learn from your mistakes, you'll be fine. Don't let someone whose ego needs a boost by yelling at someone on their computer get you down too much.

[Elmyrdius]

Source: Kalbitang Don't let someone whose ego needs a boost by yelling at someone on their computer get you down too much.

yeah, I'm workin on that... oh, and if anyone was wondering what my gear looked like, I logged out in my gear last night. Armory (yes, I know it's a lot of block gear, but I've gotta take what I can get, I don't get to run enough to have multiple sets )

[Mecer]

Elm, Im in a similar boat as you. Maly is one of those fights thats just miserable. Dont let it get you down, its one of those fights where if the DPS screw up its the tanks fault. The whole mechanics of the encounter is frustrating and completely unforgivable fo any errors. Ive done up to Freya in Uldar, and nothing so far has been nearly as frustrating as that blue dragon.

The only reason people do it is for the achievment, the loot table is 'meh' at best. Like some of the previous posters I would try to join a guild where you can establish yourself as a good tank (which is sounds like you are), and move on to Uldar.

If you really want Maly, being in a sucessfull raid as a DPS to watch the technique on phase 1. But personally I would I work on mastering my technique on more important bosses like Hodir, than stress out about one of the worst designed encounters Ive ever seen.

[Cookie]

8 replies later and no one questioned why the warlock was inside the vortex so he could whack the boss with his staff as he landed in the first place?

[Elmyrdius]

Source: Mecer The only reason people do it is for the achievment, the loot table is 'meh' at best. Like some of the previous posters I would try to join a guild where you can establish yourself as a good tank (which is sounds like you are), and move on to Uldar. If you really want Maly, being in a sucessfull raid as a DPS to watch the technique on phase 1. But personally I would I work on mastering my technique on more important bosses like Hodir, than stress out about one of the worst designed encounters Ive ever seen.

yeah, I'm not a huge fan of the loot table, I more-or-less wanted to replace my shield from CoS with the Barricade (gnome with barricade FTW!) and finish the quest from the key off sapph10.

thanks for the vote of confidence on my ability. I know I'm not a bad tank, but I also know I'm no cider/xav/satrina/kungen/etc. I do what I can with what I've got, most of the time it's more then enough and other times it just falls way short of the mark.

The guild I'm in now, is a new guild that my sister and I reformed so we could be casuals, and not have to set our lives to revolve around a strict 3+ night a week raiding schedule. It's tough starting fresh, but every other guild I've spoken with basically said "you'll be on the bench for back up, in case we may need you..." It's times like this, I really miss my old guild, I was with them for about 8 months, then just prior to xpac release our GM disappeared for 3 months, leaving us to lead ourselves, which resulted in the guild splitting into two, then everyone jumping ship to form a new guild which all but a few have bailed on. I still talk to everyone, but all the good raiders are on raid teams for top end guilds, so I can't ever get them to DPS/heal for me any more.

Hopefully I see the inside of Ulduar before the next two content patches come out.

[Theotherone]

Good for you, forming a guild with your sister; the idea of the game is to have fun, and no one wants to sit on the bench especially in a video game. Take your time and you'll find like minded gamers and you'll progess at your own pace and on your own terms.

If I was in your Realm, I'd run with you anytime.

[Elmyrdius]

well, after deciding to NOT hang up my shield, I scored some nice drops this past weekend. Helm from Sapph25, Boundless Ambition from KT25, and I FINALLY got new shoulders T7-10man.

I'll probably give Maly10 another shot later on this week... wish me luck!

and thanks for the kind words otherone. if you ever decide to roll a DK or a toon on stonemaul, hit me up anytime! I'm always looking for intelligent ppl to roll with

[levanto]

yesterday it was my first try, Im 4/5 t7.5, shield and belt from uldu 10 and naxx 25/os 25 epics. After some nice wipes, these are our lessons learned:

- Tank job in this fight is a joke compared to other bosses as long as you are pretty well geared (those Arcane breaths can sting a bit). Mainly watch out for sparks nearby and grab land adds on phase 2 asap. Other than that you can go to sleep.

- Healers check is vortexes. If no one dies there then healing is ok.

- DPS'ers are the most active part on this fight and as some have said above, one of the main issues are sparks. They need to go down FAST and dps need to group on them asap. Once they grab that, the rest of the fight is a matter of a little practice.

I would define the fight as a gear check mixed with some brain usage. If you got that, you will get him.

(good luck btw!)

[Biggensak]

Source: Elmyrdius The guild I'm in now, is a new guild that my sister and I reformed so we could be casuals, and not have to set our lives to revolve around a strict 3+ night a week raiding schedule. It's tough starting fresh, but every other guild I've spoken with basically said "you'll be on the bench for back up, in case we may need you..." It's times like this, I really miss my old guild, I was with them for about 8 months, then just prior to xpac release our GM disappeared for 3 months, leaving us to lead ourselves, which resulted in the guild splitting into two, then everyone jumping ship to form a new guild which all but a few have bailed on. I still talk to everyone, but all the good raiders are on raid teams for top end guilds, so I can't ever get them to DPS/heal for me any more. Hopefully I see the inside of Ulduar before the next two content patches come out.

I was in a similar postion with my old guild splitting up to allow hardcore raiders to progress while the casual elements were more or less on their own. I ended up grabbing the ball and formed a "one night a week" casual 10 man progression guild and it's been a satisfying experience.

Our first guild run consisted of myself, a DPS warrior and *8* PuG's... we managed to get through FL/Razor and XT (pre Ingis trash nerf which kicked our asses)... but while running I mentioned in vent that this was a scheduled/regular event and that we were recruiting and picked up some new players. In another 3 weeks we were typically running 8-9 guildies with a good mix of specs (dual spec is a godsend for casual raiding guilds) in our Uldar runs and had gotten as far as Freya + Hodir with some solid attempts on Thorim.

I think you're fine to start doing Uldar as you are, finding people who want to raid without the hardcore commitment isn't as hard as I expected so hopefully your experience will mirror our guild's.

[Tazlex]

Maly is definitely a DPS fight. If you can't down him fast enough in phase one, you may have problems in phase 2 and 3 on the enrage timer.

I'm not sure how much it will help, but having a Death Knight dedicated to Chains of Ice (I think thats what it's called) and Death Grip the Sparks to the group is pretty invaluable. They can keep the sparks generally stacked up on the raid and prevent them from getting to Malygos to much.

[Harbringerau]

I Agree with the whole post we wiped 6 times before we downed maly. Reading strats and watching cinderhelm helped me heaps. The most important part of this fight is the first phase and the sparks and the heals.

We have a pally and druid heal or a pally a pally tank, two dks(very important for first timer completion) mages, lock, retadins, preists or what you have available.

Druid heals in this fight are great to pass the first phase.

We sit a dk on either side to watch for the sparks. chains of ic and deathgrip. This is the important part you stack the sparks with the dk's and all dps in the spark on the ground bang done. two times and you go phase two going. This is prolly the best advice i can give.

first drop i was lucky to get barricade just hope you have the same results.

Mark your self with circle or star for the last two phases and get all to stack on you this is also one point that will make life easy. If dps don't stack that is their fault they die.

[EvilOromis]

Honestly, from what I read, I just assumed either you need a better Death Knight to grip sparks into the proper area or you need a better every other dps to dps sparks in the proper area. When I do EoE 10 I usually try to get one shammy, two resto druids (or one resto/one priest), one DK and then I just get people whose DPS I'd be sure I can depend on (I'd consider giving decent dps Druids priority since they can brez).

[Isha]

Maly, 10 and 25, can be a horrible boss to down. It requires a TON of DPS cordination...which is unfortunately usually quite lacking, as you probably already know.

The only thing I can tell you is that with your gear, I can gurantee that you're not the one who's doing something wrong.

If people are dying, then either your healers aren't good enough or you should try with 3 healers instead of 2.

And if the sparks aren't dying before they get to you, or you're hitting the enrage, well, that's the DPS's problem.

And if people are dying on the drakes at the end, tell them to go practice with the Daily Quest called Aces High! (conveniently located right outside the instance

Death knights aren't mandatory but if you have one or two that are really good at slowing/stacking sparks, it can make the fight a whole lot easier.

Also, if you stand right beneath Maly (in the center of the platform) as he lifts off during vortex, you will be able to attack him while you're swirling around and generate more threat.

I hope you can find a good group to do this with and get that barricade of awesomeness (well, I assume it's awesome, as I druid tank I automatically shun anything with shield block :P) soon!

[bluenjoy]

I skimmed through the 18 responses so forgive me if I repeat what some ppl have already said.
You need vent for Maly hands down. How are you positioning him? When I first did it with my old guild we tanked him where he was but later when I changed guilds I learned a new strat where I was to move him to the outer circle to give more time for the dps (preferably dks) to get the sparks.
But if you keeping him positioned right, saying where the spark is (THE ENTIRE RAID SHOULD BE DOING THAT FYI), keeping threat then your group was just crappy and you did nothing wrong.