Big Crits - Everything

The Geek Switch Podcast Episode 39

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 03:07:31 GMT

Hey Internet, we're back with another fully packed episode of The Geek Switch Podcast! On Episode 39, Dante, Furi, Robin, and Tony discuss Arrested Development, Assassionista.com, Tora Con, League of Legends, the demo for Sniper 2, Final Fantasy XIV, fighting games, the most recent Nintendo Direct announcements, Project M for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and so much more! We also read some emails this week. Remember, if you want to get in touch with us and have your emails answered on the show, check the links below. Until next week, keep it switched on!

I would like to applogize for the lack of post from the Geek switch staff here on Big Crits. Some other project have taken Dante's attention and he has been VERY bad about the post. We will make sure to get you your guys copies as quick as possible. We have some wonderful new things coming up and some awesome changes. Maybe even another podcast with some familer people!

Direct download
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iTunes Link (Please review!)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-geekswitch-podcast/id442494709

RSS Feed
http://geekswitch.libsyn.com/rss

Follow the podcast on Twitter
@Geekswitch
@TonyLivingston
@Kirwen
@PrayForGoku
@NotFurioso
@ytrahne

Like Geek Switch on Facebook @
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Email the podcast at
switchcast@geekswitch.net">switchcast@geekswitch.net

Find Big Crits @
www.BigCrits.com
And on Twitter -
@BigCrits

Read Joe's Work @
www.onepercase.net

The Geek Switch Podcast Episode 33

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:24:09 GMT

Hey Internet, it's time for episode 33 of The Geek Switch Podcast! This week, Joe, Robin, Dante and Tony discuss Justice League Doom, the Son of Guns Season Premiere, Syndicate, SSX, Sherlock Season 2, The Oscars, Assassin's Creed 3's American setting, the Windows 8 preview, and even a real life Rail Gun developed by the Navy! Dante even has a shorter Big Crits Report after the main show. Until next week, keep it switched on!

Direct download
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iTunes Link (Please review!)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-geekswitch-podcast/id442494709

RSS Feed
http://geekswitch.libsyn.com/rss

Follow the podcast on Twitter
@Geekswitch
@TonyLivingston
@Kirwen
@PrayForGoku
@NotFurioso
@ytrahne

Like Geek Switch on Facebook @
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Email the podcast at
switchcast@geekswitch.net">switchcast@geekswitch.net

Find Big Crits @
www.BigCrits.com
And on Twitter -
@BigCrits

Read Joe's Work @
www.onepercase.net

The Geek Switch Podcast Episode 32 - Return of the Big Crits' Report

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Hey Internet, we're back with another thrilling episode of the Geek Switch Podcast! On episode 32, Dante, Robin, Furi, and Tony discuss Furi getting reported to the World of Warcraft Police, if the 3DS is worth it's already reduced $170 pricetag, the PSVita US launch, the return of the Mech genre, how Music games could come back, and a LOT more. Seriously, I don't feel like listing the rest of them. You'll just have to listen to find out!

Episode 32 also sees the return of The Big Crits Report but under new management. Big Crits also has a HUGE announcement and you can hear it first on this weeks episode! Until next week, keep it switched on!

Direct download
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iTunes Link (Please review!)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-geekswitch-podcast/id442494709

RSS Feed
http://geekswitch.libsyn.com/rss

Follow the podcast on Twitter
@Geekswitch
@TonyLivingston
@Kirwen
@PrayForGoku
@NotFurioso
@ytrahne

Like Geek Switch on Facebook @
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Email the podcast at
switchcast@geekswitch.net">switchcast@geekswitch.net

Find Big Crits @
www.BigCrits.com
And on Twitter -
@BigCrits

Read Joe's Work @
www.onepercase.net

The Geek Switch Podcast Episode 31

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Hey Internet, we're back and better than ever in Episode 31 of The Geek Switch Podcast! Robin returns from her steampunk convention, Furi tells us about crashing his car into Optimus Prime, and Tony finally got some hands on time with a PSVita. Dante and Joe also join us to talk some new movie trailers and much more! Until next week, keep it switched on!

Direct download
http://traffic.libsyn.com/geekswitch/Episode_31.mp3
iTunes Link (Please review us cause you love us!)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-geekswitch-podcast/id442494709

RSS Feed
http://geekswitch.libsyn.com/rss

Follow the podcast on Twitter
@Geekswitch
@TonyLivingston
@Kirwen
@PrayForGoku
@NotFurioso
@ytrahne

Like Geek Switch on Facebook @
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Email the podcast at
switchcast@geekswitch.net">switchcast@geekswitch.net

Find Big Crits @
www.BigCrits.com

On Twitter -
@BigCrits
@StoneyBaby

Read Joe's Work @
www.onepercase.net

The Geek Switch Podcast Episode 30

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Hey Internet, it's already time for Episode 30 of the Geek Switch Podcast! On this episode, Dante, Furi, Robin, Joe, And ITonydiscuss Super Bowl movie trailers (pre-viewing), the Syndicate Demo, how game demos could help fight PC piracy, Warner Bros. vs Netflix, Before Watchmen, and more! Until next week, keep it switched on! Sorry for the late post Dante has been on vaction!

Direct download
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iTunes Link (Please review us cause you love us!)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-geekswitch-podcast/id442494709

RSS Feed
http://geekswitch.libsyn.com/rss

Follow the podcast on Twitter
@Geekswitch
@TonyLivingston
@Kirwen
@PrayForGoku
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@ytrahne

Like Geek Switch on Facebook @
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Email the podcast at
switchcast@geekswitch.net">switchcast@geekswitch.net

Find Big Crits @
www.BigCrits.com

On Twitter -
@BigCrits
@StoneyBaby

Read Joe's Work @
www.onepercase.net

The Geek Switch Podcast Episode 29

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:07:58 GMT

Hey Internet, it's time for Episode 29 of The Geek Switch Podcast! On this episode, Dante, Furi, Robin, and Tony are joined by Joe from OnePerCase.Net and StoneyBaby himself to discuss Blizzcon being cancelled and what is happend with Big Crits the show as well as the future. We also discuss buying multiple copies of games, Make Magazine and Maker culture, and, of course, Until next week, keep it switched on! Currently the Big Crits' Report is on a break and will be back soon.

Direct download
http://traffic.libsyn.com/geekswitch/Episode_29.mp3

iTunes Link (Please review us cause you love us!)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-geekswitch-podcast/id442494709

RSS Feed
http://geekswitch.libsyn.com/rss

Follow the podcast on Twitter
@Geekswitch
@TonyLivingston
@Kirwen
@PrayForGoku
@NotFurioso
@ytrahne

Like Geek Switch on Facebook @
http://www.facebook.com/geekswitch.net

Email the podcast at
switchcast@geekswitch.net">switchcast@geekswitch.net

Find Big Crits @
www.BigCrits.com

On YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/bigcritsguild

On Twitter -
@BigCrits
@StoneyBaby

Learn to Lead: Communication

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:53:15 GMT

Learn to Lead returns as Stoneybaby dives deeper into the '3 core principles'. This week I'm covering Communication... and the lack thereof. As one of the most important aspects of running any guild in any game, communication is key to providing your raid with a fulfillling experience. Check out the episdoe and let us know what you think and what you want to see on our forums. Also check out the links below for even more.

Subscribe on YouTube to BigCritsGuild and LearntoRaid
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on twitter: @stoneybaby, @bigcrits, and @learntoraid
Watch more videos from the L2R team at http://www.LearntoRaid.com

Host: Rich "Stoneybaby" Maloy
Editing: Brett Mcculloch
Music: Farhan Khan, Kinaesthesia

The Geek Switch Podcast Episode 28

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 03:09:50 GMT

Hey Internet, we're back extra early for a midweek Geek Switch Podcast! On Episode 28, Robin, Furi, Dante, Joe, and Tony talk SOPA/PIPA, Steampunk, PSMove Controllers in shooters, guilty pleasure movies/TV shows, and a lot more. Sadly, there is no Big Crits Report this episode, with StoneyBaby stepping down from Big Crits this week, but we will have StoneyBaby on the next episode to fill you in on what's happening in his own words. Until next week, keep it switched on!

Direct download

http://traffic.libsyn.com/geekswitch/Episode_28.mp3

iTunes Link (Please review us cause you love us!)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-geekswitch-podcast/id442494709

RSS Feed
http://geekswitch.libsyn.com/rss

Follow the podcast on Twitter
@Geekswitch
@TonyLivingston
@Kirwen
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@ytrahne

Like Geek Switch on Facebook @
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Email the podcast at
switchcast@geekswitch.net">switchcast@geekswitch.net

Find Big Crits @
www.BigCrits.com

On YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/bigcritsguild

On Twitter -
@BigCrits
@StoneyBaby

Retirement

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:00:50 GMT

Friends & fans, the time has come to give up the ghost of Season 4. I'll still be making videos and covering the life and times of gamers, but it will be just this gamer.

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Download the intro song "Anti You" by Blue Stahli

The Geek Switch Podcast Episode 27 featuring The Big Crits Report "Da Crew" Edition

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Hey Internet, we're back a little early this week with Episode 27 of the Geek Switch Podcast! This week, Dante, Robin, Furi, Joe, and Tony discuss Science Fiction vs Fantasy, women in geekdom, geek parody porn, and much more. We also get an email from an old friend. If you'd like to be our friend and write us an email too, the address is below.

This week we also have a special Da Crew Edition of the Big Crits Report with Furioso. For those who don't know, Da Crew is a more casual raiding group in Big Crits. Also, there will be two episodes next week so make sure to keep your browser set to Geek Switch. Until next week, keep it switched on!

Direct download
http://traffic.libsyn.com/geekswitch/Episode_27.mp3

iTunes Link (Please review us cause you love us!)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-geekswitch-podcast/id442494709

RSS Feed
http://geekswitch.libsyn.com/rss

Follow the podcast on Twitter
@Geekswitch
@TonyLivingston
@Kirwen
@PrayForGoku
@NotFurioso
@ytrahne

Like Geek Switch on Facebook @
http://www.facebook.com/geekswitch.net

Email the podcast at
switchcast@geekswitch.net">switchcast@geekswitch.net

Find Big Crits @
www.BigCrits.com

On YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/bigcritsguild

On Twitter -
@BigCrits
@StoneyBaby

The Geek Switch Podcast Episode 26 featuring The Big Crits Report

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:53:01 GMT

Hey Internet, we're back with another exciting episode of the Geek Switch Podcast! This week, Robin, Furi, Dante, and Tony are joined by Joe from OnePerCase.Net to talk about the site, as well as the 3DS Resurgance, PSVita's slow sales, classic Sci-Fi movies, and much more. Stick around after the break, as usual, for the Big Crits Report with StoneyBaby. Until next week, keep it switched on!

To have your questions answered in the podcast please email us! Anything we aren't scared of your questions!

Direct download
http://traffic.libsyn.com/geekswitch/Episode_26.mp3

Big Crits Weekly Update - H Zon’ozz and H Yor’sahj Down

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:23:18 GMT

Since our last weekly update (three weeks ago), Big Crits’ progression team has continued knocking down the heroic bosses in Dragon Soul. On December 16th, we downed Heroic Zon’ozz, but it took another couple of weeks to get Heroic Yor’sahj down, on December 29th. The attendance boss reared his ugly head due to the holidays, which may have hampered the progression a bit, but the progression team pulled through late on Thursday moving to 4/8 hard mode.

This week the Raiders will be working on Heroic Ultraxion. According to Raid Leader Basek, “Ultraxion is going to be extremely tough, a lot of our raiders are worried we will not have the DPS to match the enrage because of its extremely hard requirements. But we’ll handle it like we did Ragnaros.”

The progression team stands at U.S. 56th and world 189 with 4/8 Heroic Dragon Soul as of Monday January 2, 2012.

Da Crew News

The holiday attendance boss was beating on Da Crew a bit as well. The fledgling 25 man run turned into a 10 man, and that 10 man did quite well. The week before Christmas, they killed Ultraxion after they had struggled with that fight for a while on 25 man, and then went on to down Warmaster Blackhorn and the Spine of Deathwing.

The following week the 25 man had enough people to split into two 10 mans, one of those groups two-healed all the way through Spine of Deathwing. Great job by healers Saltycracker and Oenomel (see video of that kill here). Now that the holiday attendance issues are over, it looks like the Da Crew might be shuffling some people around to either flesh out the 25 man or perhaps end up with four 10 mans.

Comings and Goings

Big Crits has a few transplants from former Alliance guild on Sen’jin, Precedence. There has actually been quite a bit of unholy intermingling between the two guilds, ever since one incredibly fun and impromptu night in Tol Barad early in the expansion. So, when Precedence kind of closed up shop in 4.3, several of them ended up in Big Crits. Two of those transplants have risen from Initiate status to Raiders on the progression team, the awesome Mesmerize and Tskae, Mage and Rogue. Druid Fidlesticks was also promoted to Raider in December.

Mesmerize comes along just in time to fill a giant hole left by Heartshine, a Mage who has been with Big Crits for over a year. Unfortunately, her work schedule changed, rendering her unable to raid with Big Crits. She has returned to her home server, Tanaris, and joined the awesomely named guild, iPutOnMyRobeAndWizardHat. We will certainly miss her and her stellar deeps, and hope she can return to us someday.

The Geek Switch Podcast Episode 25 featuring The Big Crits Report

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:48:39 GMT

Hey Internet, we're back for one last Geek Switch Podcast of 2011. In Episode 25, Dante, Colin, Robin, and Tony discuss Comfort Media, our best Christmas gifts, the top five non-Dark Knight Rises Trailers, and our most anticipated games of 2012. Of course stick around for the end of year Big Crits Report with StoneyBaby. Until next week, keep it switched on and have a Happy New Years!

Direct download
http://traffic.libsyn.com/geekswitch/Episode_25.mp3

Happy New Year from Big Crits

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:12:44 GMT

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from Big Crits. Here's another little something we threw together for our fans. Season 4 is under way. We'll update the site and the channel here when we have a definitive release date for everyone.

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May all your hits be crits!

Stoney Baby

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:35:18 GMT

Santa Baby? Not this Winter Veil. Enjoy this special treat of "Stoney Baby" lyrics & performance by Erin "Oestrus" Campbell.

Download the MP3 for free

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Full Lyrics:

Stoney Baby slip a soulstone under the tree for me
been an awful good priest
Stoney Baby hurry through the portal tonight
Stoney Baby a fire hawk, corruptible too, dark blue
I'll wait up for you dear
Stoney Baby hurry through the portal tonight
Think of all the flasks I've pissed
Think of all the ready checks that I haven't missed
Next patch I could be just as good
If you'd check off my upgrades list
Ba-doop-be-doo
Stoney Baby I want a mount and really that's not a lot
I've been a raider all year
Stoney Baby hurry through the portal tonight
Stoney honey there's one thing I really do need, or Greed
Pass the loot roll to me
Stoney honey hurry through the portal tonight
Stoney cutie and fill my stocking with a kinect, correct
Sign your x on the line
stoney cutie honey hurry through the portal tonight
Come and raise my ilevel
With some drops and boes that you couldn't sell
I really do believe in you
Let's see if you believe in me
Stoney Baby, forgot to mention one little must, A 'lust
I don't mean from a mage
Stoney Baby hurry through the portal tonight
hurry through the portal tonight
hurry through the portal tonight
Stoney Baby

May all your hits be crits!

Learn to Lead: 3 Core Principles

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:33:22 GMT

Learn to Lead is a new series at LearntoRaid all about teaching players how to more successfully run their guild. Whether you're a casual leveling guild or competing for server 1st kills, we're dishing out tips that will show you how to lead your people like your name was Moses. In our first installment of Learn to Lead, Rich "Stoneybaby" Maloy guides us through his 3 core principles that will inevitably lead to becoming a better player, a better leader, and ultimately a better guild.

Support & Follow Us!

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Host: Rich "Stoneybaby" Maloy

Editing: Brett Mcculloch

Music: Farhan Khan, Kinaesthesia

S#!T My Raid Says - Rule #1

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:09:21 GMT

Rule #1 in Big Crits: Every rule is Rule #1.
Rule #1 in Big Crits: If you have to ask "WTF was that?" it was probably Suzu.

"Was that a deep sigh" was one of Stoney's classic nerd-rages that happened during Season 3. We told Grive to swap to his tank off-spec and was met with a deep sigh. Stoney unleashed the full force of his nerdrage, and thus it was cemented into Big Crits lore.

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May all your hits be crits!

Heroic Zon'ozz

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:01:14 GMT

Last week we took down Heroic Zon'ozz to go 3/8 HM. We used a paladin tank, 6 healers, and solo soakers for the outside bounces. Our bonuce count was 9-7-7-5. then killed him during enrage.

Music by:
MrVoletron - "Lifebinder"
http://mrvoletron.bandcamp.com/
-and-
Autumn Descent - "Pandora, the Architect of Hope"
http://Autumn-Descent.tgn.tv

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May all your hits be crits!

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What did a heroic Ragnaros kill cost us?

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Every now and then a boss fight comes along that is known as "the guild breaker." 25-man Heroic Ragnaros justifiably earned this title. The last time this moniker was used as extensively was in Sunwell for M'uru. Sure there were tough fights in Wrath, but nothing like Sunwell, and certainly nothing like Heroic Ragnaros.

The difficult issue many guilds faced, and the very one that we did, was a choice between returning the commitment of dedication versus the very real prospect of stagnation. For us, it came down to clearly defining a starting roster, one which left many raiders on the sideline feeling marginalized by the guild.

Why should this be a problem for a progression guild? Big Crits has always been able to strike a balance between progression and fun. We raid on a very limited schedule, we keep a healthy roster that allows for depth without too much bench time, and it used to be that we did our best to rotate people around to maximize the fun for everyone.

Every raiding roster has top players and bottom players. Some guilds look to replace these bottom players immediately, while others will keep them around because they are good, reliable people who will be present 100% of the time, even if they underperform. This was the balance I sought to strike in Big Crits: to keep around good, reliable people, even if they underperform, and rotate them in when I could. This was an unwritten, but well-understood guild philosophy here as well.

And then came Ragnaros

Heroic Ragnaros changed this. Or rather, we knew we had to change in order to defeat this boss. After a few weeks of pulling the boss and seeing just how tightly tuned the fight was, we started keeping track of unnecessary deaths. It became immediately apparent who were our most raid-aware players, and who was lacking. By combining the deaths with the DPS output (I'll address tanks and healers below) the officers were able to create a priority list for raid spots.

Any hardcore progression guild does this, even a progression-minded guild such as Big Crits does this to an extent, and in other tiers it wasn't a problem to balance play time for everyone. For example, in ICC, a full clear took a good chunk of time, because you had 11 bosses to go through before getting to the Lich King. Tier 11 was similar, with three instances and 13 hard-mode bosses, so we could rotate people around, spread out the play time, and then pull a select group of raiders for the progression boss du jour.

Not so in Firelands. With a 6/7 HM clear taking three--maybe four--hours pre-nerf, and then taking less than two hours post-nerf, if a raider was on the bottom of the priority list for Heroic Ragnaros, their time in the raid became extremely limited. Thus, the opportunity to reward a raider's dedication by getting them in was limited to one of two scenarios: in for one boss where they needed loot, or in for heroic Rags only if we had no other replacements. In other words, it became crystal clear that they were backup players.

Raiders want to raid. You wouldn't be on a progression team if you didn't want to fight for your spot on every single pull. I respect this. In fact, I demand it to some extent from our raiders. Any raider worth their salt, who is sitting on the sidelines for the majority of raid time, will quickly become frustrated.

We chose to kill heroic Ragnaros and by doing so we chose to sideline people that we like--people that I care about—and as a direct result of these choices those people were left feeling marginalized.

Specifically

We started the tier with four tanks, and after many weeks of observation, discussions, and analysis, three of those tanks took a back seat and we moved a healer into a main tank role. Only two tanks are required for heroic Rags, and ideally you want them to be the same tanks for the sake of consistency. Our two new main tanks had the best combination of consistency, attendance, awareness, leadership initiative, and synergy. That was awesome for the guild as a whole to have these two at the front, but what about the others? Three people marginalized for the sake of progression.

These are three people who I like. Two of whom I partied with at Blizzcon (we had 29 Big Critters at the 'con), and all of whom have shown their dedication to the guild, in fact one of them was one in the very first round of invites that went out to start Big Crits in March 2010; a founding member marginalized for the sake of progress.

Healers were another unique situation. We went into the tier with eight healers. Post-nerf we were running four healers except for Beth'tilac and Baleroc. The majority of our 289 heroic Ragnaros pulls were with only four healers, though we eventually killed it with just three. The three healer comp required a very specific setup, which meant that our Resto Shaman was sat for a majority of the time, as were a few others. In fact, the only way we got our Resto Shaman the Firelord title was by bringing him in as Elemental. Again, more raiders marginalized for the sake of progression.

As for DPS, we refined the fight so well that for the last few weeks, only two things mattered for DPS: survivability, and your output in Phase 3. If you couldn't avoid unnecessary deaths or if you couldn't pump out at least 29k (the bar was variable, based on class) for the first 100 seconds of phase three, then we didn't want you in the raid. (The 100 seconds was the amount of time you had to push phase four before a second meteor came down.) We took our analysis of DPS even deeper, looking at cooldown usage and DoT uptime in order to find out who merely knew their class, and who was really truly maximizing at an intensely hardcore progression level.

This process left a few dedicated raiders in a lurch. They became backups, and being of the right progression mindset, didn't like being a backup. Again, more people who I like as people, and who are dedicated to the guild to the utmost, got pushed aside.

Philosophical change

It's not like I haven't faced difficult conversations with underperforming players before. In fact, Big Crits has grown from being a brand new guild that took a month to get a normal-mode Lich King kill, to a US top 100 guild. Along the way, I've pulled dozens and dozens of people aside to discuss their underperformance, and replaced just as many people as we sought to continually better ourselves.

What made it difficult this time was because it was so many people, all at once. All of this came down to one, big philosophical change for Big Crits: from a raider-rotation to a strict starter-and-backup designation.

We set a goal, and in order to accomplish that goal we had to change as a guild. The result of this change left some people behind. For many guilds, and many GM's, this wouldn't even require a second thought. But for me, and for my officers, we struggled with this choice. We all look at Big Crits as an extended family. We have a huge guild filled with truly awesome people who respect one another, have fun together, and play hard. It's a guild to be proud of as a leader or a member.

To take that atmosphere and also accomplish something as awesome as a US #97 kill of Heroic Ragnaros is great. It's great, until you look at the cost: to deliberately leave multiple behind for the sake of your collective goal.

I imagine this is a growing pain that any organization goes through. At a certain point you stop being a family-run business and you start being a business. Someone you like, who's been with you, and to whom you promised to match their dedication with your own, suddenly finds themselves shut out because the organization out grew them.

This is no one's fault, and don't take this as a "blame the game designers" post. The fight was incredible and highly tuned and we loved it. It required Big Crits, as a guild, to adjust, just as every tier requires some adjustments. The decision to bench some players and cut some others was our choice as leaders, and ultimately, as the GM, the responsibility of these decisions lies with me.

I had a choice between my commitment to lead the guild to achieve a goal, and my commitment to half a dozen individual players. I chose the guild and the goal. I don't regret the decision because achieving a goal is such an absolutely fantastic thing. It would have been sweeter if we were able to do it with everyone, but between achieving it with some versus not achieving it at all: we made the right choice.

May all your hits be crits!

Recruiting for SWTOR

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:07:48 GMT

Playing SWTOR? What to join Big Crits? We're on Saber of Exar Kun and will be raiding 12+ hours per week. Head to http://bigcrits.com/apply to learn more and fill out an application.

Forum Free-for-All - The Stoney Meme Thread

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:00:00 GMT

We have a lot of fun on the Big Crits message board, and the recent Stoney Meme thread is a perfect example. Stoney recently changed his profile picture on his social media sites, and it was just too perfect to leave alone. Within hours, Raid Leader Basek had started this thread and pretty soon the whole guild was joining in the fun. There were even posts of pictures of other guildies. Here are some of the funniest pictures from the thread.

That last one is funny because it's true!

Internet Mimis by Clairdeloop

Some other funny Big Crits Memes -- Basek:

Saltycracker:

Beslley:

Sunkisttuna:

SMRS - Moon & Moose

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:24:23 GMT

S#!T My Raid Says. A recent joke at the expense of our Canadian friends reminded me of something that happened a few months ago. (p.s. main episodes are being worked on!)

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Download the intro song, "One Night at Murlocos" by MrVoletron

The Geek Switch Podcast Episode 24 featuring The Big Crits Report

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:36:15 GMT

Hey Internet, we're ready to unveil the new version of The Geek Switch Podcast! In Episode 24, Robin, Dante, and Tony change the format up and bring our own topics to a round table discussion. We hope you like the new show and be sure to email us your feedback. Don't worry though, the Big Crits Report you all know and love with StoneyBaby is still around right after the show. Until next week, keep it switched on!

Direct download
http://traffic.libsyn.com/geekswitch/Episode_24.mp3

iTunes Link (Please review us cause you love us!)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-geekswitch-podcast/id442494709

RSS Feed
http://geekswitch.libsyn.com/rss

Follow the podcast on Twitter
@Geekswitch
@TonyLivingston
@Kirwen
@PrayForGoku
@NotFurioso
@ytrahne

Like Geek Switch on Facebook @
http://www.facebook.com/geekswitch.net

Email the podcast at
switchcast@geekswitch.net">switchcast@geekswitch.net

Find Big Crits @
www.BigCrits.com

On YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/bigcritsguild

On Twitter -
@BigCrits
@StoneyBaby

Heroic Hagara with commentary

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:50:41 GMT

Last week Big Crits took down heroic Hagara on 25-man difficulty. This perspective is from priest, Suzushiiro. Music by Blue Stahli from FiXT! See the link in the description below for more.

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Music licensed to TGN by FiXT - Get the music at http://fixt.tgn.tv
Artist: Blue Stahli
Album: Antisleep
Tracks: Overclock, and Premeditated

May all your hits be crits!

Big Crits Weekly Update - H Hagara World 10th

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:55:00 GMT

It has been an amazing week for Big Crits. The progression team are 10th in the world to kill Heroic Hagara the Stormbinder. At one point over the weekend, Big Crits was showing up on the front page of Wowprogress, as 7th overall in the U.S. and 13th in the world.

As of today, Big Crits is 18th in the U.S. and 49th in the world. Look for us to jump back up in the rankings this week when we return to Dragon Soul to kick some more ass! Raid Leader Basek put together an inspiring video that should help keep the momentum going; you can see it here.

Other than the progression team, Big Crits has three other raiding groups that are part of Da Crew: two 10 man groups that have been raiding together since Tier 11, and a recently formed 25 man group.

All three groups have made it through the first four bosses on normal mode and achieved the “Siege of Wyrmrest Temple,” but are still working their way through the rest of Dragon Soul. The 25 man is working on Ultraxion, and had some truly soul-crushing less than 1% wipes last night. One of the 10 mans has downed Ultraxion and Blackhorn, and the other 10 man will be engaging Ultraxion for the first time later this week.

Be looking for some of Da Crew to be featured on the Big Crits show later this season, as we continue to "break the 4th wall" to show the world --not just what raiding is about -- but all the inner workings, great times, and drama of a large World of Warcraft guild.

Comings and Goings

Shadow Priest Vudude, first to earn Dragonwrath in the guild, has left Big Crits due to schedule changes in his real life. Vudude has been with Big Crits for over a year, and was a featured player during Season 3 of the show. He is joining Eternal Reign, a top-ranked Alliance guild on Lightbringer. As one of the top DPS, dedicated guild member, and good friend to us all, he will be sorely missed. He will always be part of our Big Crits family.

Langiy is back! Long-time fans of Big Crits will remember Langiy from Season 1. Someone had to be the first to leave the guild, and this was the guy. His departure from the guild was amicable and bittersweet (see Langiy’s farewell video). He has returned to Big Crits in the Friend and Family rank and we are very happy to have him back. Maybe he’ll be showing up in some Da Crew raids soon.

After a brief departure from Big Crits during Firelands, Saltycracker has returned to the guild. He and fan-favorite Furioso are now part of the Da Crew. Salty is leading the new Da Crew 25 man raid, and Furioso is raiding in one of the 10 mans, usually on his Druid, Warhowl, so that he can fill any role that needs filling. Oh, that Furi, he does love to fill things...