The Classifieds: News briefs on guilds and players

Welcome to our first installment of The Classifieds, an evolution of our former Guildwatch feature. As more and more players move into endgame raiding, we thought it fitting that our guild news should evolve, too. The Classifieds gives you more of the news you can use: who's progressing, who's marking milestones, who's recruiting. But it's not only about guilds. Because we're all down there in the trenches of Dungeon Finder groups at every opportunity, The Classifieds lets you send a shout-out to that player who made your last PUG a thing of real beauty (whether through pure technical finesse or a winning attitude). And if you're curious about how WoW intersects with the world at large, we'll be passing along links to academic research studies seeking participants, as well.
Editor's Note: One thing you might notice missing in Guildwatch's new incarnation is the "Drama" section. In the interest of fostering community growth and positive interaction, we're checking the drama and negativity at the door.
Let's open the Classifieds!
RECRUITING
- <After Dark> on US Ghostlands-A is peering through the night to find more raiders during the wee hours. The group is aiming for enough to run ICC-25 between 2-6 a.m. server time. Let the coffee flow!
- In more late-night news, <Graveshift> of US Icecrown-H is looking for ICC-10 and -25 raiders for raids starting at 11:45 p.m. server time (10:45 p.m. PST). The group's path to Arthas is already well under way, and officers anticipate full (or imminent) ICC clears by press time.
- Wyrmfoe of US Icecrown-A, a casual progression 25-man raid team led by WoW.com hunter columnist Brian "Frostheim" Wood is looking for healers and DPS. Warlocks are especially needed; hunter slots are full. Wyrmfoe raids Friday and Saturday evenings, focusing on normal mode content (with hard modes and achievements as time permits).
- The relatively new casual guild <Elite Prophecy> of US Grizzly Hills-A is forming a second 10-man raiding team, with a goal of eventually joining the two teams to tackle 25-man content. Members should be 18 years or older; no prot pallies, please.
- Core raiders from <Next Level> and <Government Muscle> of US Norgannon-H have banded together to form <Presence of Mind>, a hardcore raiding guild aiming for nothing short of becoming the number one 25-man raiding guild on Norgannon. Raiders interested in hardcore raiding including Heroic and hard modes should send a tell to Joewalsh, Killakitty, XSlayers, Héctor (alt+130 for é), Thraknar or Tun for more details.
DOWNINGS
- Who you gonna call? If you need TOC-10 cleared, you can now call on <Ghostbusters> of US Nazjatar-A. The casual guild is now moving on to ICC-10. Hey guys, don't forget your Wooly Mittens!
- <Zodiac Braves> of US Khadgar-H has checked off 10-man Firefighter and is now tackling Algalon. Good luck, guys!
- <Shadows of Torment>, a new casual guild on the US Altar of Storms-H, has cleared ICC-10. The guild formed about a month ago, after a year-long partnership between <Torment> and <Order of Shadows> evolved into a full guild merger. Congratulations on a great partnership!
MILESTONES
- Happy anniversary to <Cataclysm> of US Earthen Ring-H, celebrating five years under a single GM. Congratulations to Jurdendorf and the some 400 members of Cataclysm on their long-standing teamwork.
GUILD RANKINGS
This week's top 5 Guildox.com ratings show three U.S., one Chinese and one European guild in the top five positions for 25-man progression raiding. The Euros definitely have the edge for 25-man achievements, taking four of the top five spots. (Follow the links for more extensive rankings.)
25-man Progress
- <Paragon> EU Lightning's Blade
- <V A N Q U I S H> US Blood Furnace
- <Rush> US Dark Iron
- <vodka> US Alterac Mountains
- <第七天堂> TW Silverwing Hold
- <神樣> TW Wrathbringer
- <UndisputeD> EU Azshara
- <Энрейдж> EU Гром
- <Nero> EU Antonidas
- <EF BIE EI> EU Dalvengyr
- <Casually Addicted> US Gilneas
- <Uprising> US Aerie Peak
- <Unholy Trinity> US Burning Blade
- <Adept> US Dreadmaul
- <Harmonium> US Bloodscalp
- <神樣> TW Wrathbringer
- <EF BIE EI> EU Dalvengyr
- <Progenies Infernalis> EU Aegwynn
- <Энрейдж> EU Гром
- <High Council> EU Boulderfist
- <Elysium> EU Hellscream
- <Requiem of the Ebon Rose> US Silver Hand
- <From Chaos> US Suramar
- <Vox Immortalis> US Hyjal
- <Mors Deorum> US Stonemaul
- <Vox Immortalis> US Hyjal
- <From Chaos> US Suramar
- <Saoirse> EU Kilrogg
- <Three> EU Executus
- <Elysium> EU Hellscream
WoW.com does not authenticate, recommend or verify specific research listings.
- Researchers from Saint Louis University are looking at how gamers approach fantasy races in online role-playing game. Visit the web survey online.
- Dr. Jon-Paul Cacioli at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, is conducting a study on body image in virtual worlds. He seeks males age 18 and up to complete a survey on real-world and virtual body images and psychological states. Visit the survey at Deakin University.

Anybody can slap an /ignore on those Dungeon Finder duds we'd rather forget ... What we want to know are the names on your most wanted list! Jot down their names and send them along, plus their server (or your battlegroup) and 50 words or less on why they rocked your PUG world. (Your character name is optional.)
- Cheyenne, Whirlwind battlegroup "I grouped with an awesome druid/warlock pair in Azjol-Nerub. The druid was something like ... Cheyenne? We had a pretty awful tank, and the druid (as the healer) took it in stride, and the three of us managed to make it work. It was good times." (Arnesca, US Cenarion Circle-A)
- Kielik, US Argent Dawn-A "He told us right up front that he was a new 80 with weak gear and a new spec, but he totally worked with the rest of the group, flipped roles when we needed it and ended up being the glue that made the group work." (Anonymous)
Have guild news or a Random Act of Uberness to share? E-mail The Classifieds and let us know what's going on in your corner of the World of Warcraft.
Filed under: Fan stuff, Virtual selves, Guilds, Features, Raiding, Bosses, Achievements
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Reader Comments (Page 10 of 10)
Poppy Jan 13th 2010 7:56PM
I have to agree wit the majority of posters. I love the new additions to the column, but please bring back the drama - we a need a bit of spice with our sugar
Al Jan 13th 2010 7:58PM
The Trading Post died? That sucks, plus I feel bad that I didn't even notice.
Al Jan 13th 2010 7:58PM
Fail response to Sorrow
alpha5099 Jan 13th 2010 8:06PM
Holy crap, I had no idea one of the best guild in the US was playing Horde-side on Dark Iron. Never even heard of Rush.
Fnord Jan 13th 2010 8:35PM
Ms. Poisso:
I'm kind of sorry about this--it can't be nice to be handed a column, publish its maiden installment, and immediately reap this kind of uproar. In addition, I think there's an excellent chance that the decision to lose the much-beloved Guildwatch drama came from above you, and you might not be at liberty to address these comments honestly.
If this is so, then not only do I hope the highers-up fix their regrettable editorial decision, I hope they at least address the reader firestorm ASAP, so that you aren't left taking the heat for it and unable to answer it adequately.
i2construct Jan 13th 2010 8:38PM
Thank you for the lovely Random Acts of Uberness feature. I enjoyed that positive twist.
rivendael Jan 13th 2010 8:54PM
Adding my vote to all those above, please bring back the drama section. There is no other reason to read this column now.
th0093 Jan 13th 2010 9:01PM
I have to also agree with most of the posts about the Drama section of Guildwatch. Bring back the Drama. Guildwatch was one of my favorite blogs on WoW.com.
Ed Jan 13th 2010 10:08PM
Another vote for the return of the drama section or a new drama column.