Uh…

So, uh… didn’t see this coming.

25-man Lich King down. And though I use the pieces in different sets, that’s me in 5/5 Sanctified Lightsworn Garb.

Yeah, I have NO idea how we pulled that one off…

(Edited after just being in shock for 20 minutes.)

It’s kind of terrifying how many bosses I’ve personally downed at the appropriate level. Talk of this and such below.

I am both appalled and moderately impressed that not only have I done all of these encounters, but that I’ve done all of them on 25-man, 20-man or 40-man. I’ve done many of them on 10-man as well, but I love the 25-man raid dynamic and prefer it to the 10s.

Venoxis, Jek’lik, Mar’li, Arlokk, Mandokir, Thek’al, Hakkar, Jindo, Kurinaxx, Rajaxx, Buru, Ossirrian, Lucifron, Magmadar, Gehennas, Garr, Geddon, Shazzrah, Sulfuron, Golemagg, Domo (well, beat him), Ragnaros, Onyxia (60 and 80), Attumen, Moroes, Maiden of Virtue, Opera (x3), Curator, Shade of Aran, Illhoof, Chess, Prince, Netherspite, Nightbane, Maulgar, Gruul, Magtheridon, Hydross, Lurker, Tidewalker, Leotheras, Karathress, Lady Vashj, A’lar, Void Reaver, Solarian, Prince Kael’thas Sunstrider, Rage Winterchill, Anetheron, Kaz’rogal, Azgalor, Archimonde, Naj’entus, Supremus, Shade of Akama, Teron Gorefiend, Bloodboil, Reliquary of Souls, Mother Shazrah, Illidari Council, Illidan Stormrage, Anub’Rekhan, Grand Widow Faerlina, Maexxna, Noth, Heigan, Loatheb, Patchwerk, Grobbulus, Gluth, Thaddius, Razuvious, Gothik, The Four Horsemen, Sapphiron, Kel’Thuzad, Sartharion (3 drakes on 25m), Flame Leviathan, Razorscale, Ignis, XT-002, Iron Council, Kologarn, Auriaya, Hodir, Thorim, Freya, Mimiron, Vezaxx, Yogg-Saron, Algalon, Northrend Beasts (normal/heroic), Lord Jaraxxus (normal/heroic), Faction Champions (normal/heroic), Twin Val’kyrs (normal/heroic), Anub’arak (normal), Archavon, Emalon, Koralon, Toravon, Lord Marrowgar, Lady Deathwhisper, Airship Battle, Deathbringer Saurfang, Festergut, Rotface, Putricide, Blood Prince Council, Blood Queen Lana’thel, Dreamwalker (healed her!), Sindragosa and The Lich King.

I’m pretty sure that’s 114 encounters, counting TOC and Sarth stuff once, but Opera three times.

What’s terrifying is I could probably lead ANY of those encounters today, except the AQ20 ones and much anything beyond Plagueworks in ICC. Well, maybe Kurinaxx and Buru. But not the others.

I could, however, do a bang-up job of healing assignments for all that crap. ;)

In looking over all those boss names, I realize how important it is to play with people you like. Getting Kingslayer does not mean as much to me as Hand of A’dal. It doesn’t mean as much to me as it did when we killed Illidan.

Okay, it means more to me than killing bosses in Naxx, but it doesn’t mean more to me than getting Sarth +1 with Apotheosis would have. (5% away, man! Drives me nuts!)

I’ve collected a fair amount of titles this expansion, most of them without my old guildies. It makes me sad. It’s made me a better player and hopefully a better kind of leader, but it hasn’t been as much fun. Even the nights where I’d sit in front of my computer, tearing my hair out about tanks not hitting shield block or healers not following assignments… those days were awesome. That was MY crew, MY friends… my family, even, going through those instances.

I’m really looking forward to that sense of community in Cataclysm. Even my Kingslayer title (while super-spiffy, don’t get me wrong!) doesn’t make up for the fact that I miss my crew. A whole heck of a lot.

Back to Eldre’Thalas soon enough, I think. Still no plans as to when, but I can’t imagine it’s terribly far off.