Lovecraftian Nightmares, chapter 1
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Ulduar, from our perspective, is a very well done raid instance. Challenging encounters, great atmosphere, and a real sense of accomplishment as bosses were killed. With the Keepers down, only General Vezax and Yogg-Saron remain on the menu for a full clear.
For lovers of Clark Ashton Smith and H.P. Lovecraft, the last two bosses of Ulduar awaken memories best left in nightmares. The General is the first real connection to the Old Gods TDC encountered, and boy did he live up to those old memories!
The Vezax fight requires not only everyone doing their job, but a level of situational awareness that surpasses most previous fights. There is effectively only one phase in the fight, but there's a lot going on during that phase.
This is a one tank fight that requires excellent healing. What makes it challenging for healers is the small fact that mana regeneration is completely impossible, with one exception. The only way to regenerate mana is for the dps groups to destroy random saronite vapors, which, while they will regenerate mana, also cause significant damage to the individual who stands in it. While tanking and healing is challenging in this fight, it's the dps that makes or breaks the encounter. DPS must divide into tow groups in order to focus the Shadow Crash ability Vezax uses into two areas; Shadow Crash must be avoided, then DPS in the affected area must get back in the Shadow Crash area to DPS, which both conserves mana and increase damage done. If DPS can do this without getting killed, while healers manage mana effectively and the tank acts as the meat shield they love to be, it's only a matter of time before Vezax is truly back in the realm of nightmares.
Vezax was a great fight, and we're only one boss away from clearing Ulduar. Yogg, here we come!