Hey friends and fellow adventurers! I’m Tanner AKA Salem, Guild Leader of <CORE>—the official guild of the CORE and The Instance Podcasts—and a longtime World of Warcraft enthusiast, going on two decades of Azerothian escapades. If you’re curious about raid-leading, leveling up your Mythic+ skills, or getting your feet wet in the wondrous realms of Dungeons & Dragons (random, I know but hey - those are my interests!), then you’ve landed in the right place.
Who Am I?
Guild Leader & Raid Leader: I manage a large and active guild, <CORE>, and lead a casual heroic progression team, CORE Within, aiming for Ahead of the Curve each season. In the past, I took part in some hardcore raid leading (and even nabbed a few Realm Firsts back in Cataclysm—often with just a handful of people alive!).
Former Podcaster: You may have heard me on the Arcanum of Azeroth podcast many moons ago, where I chatted about WoW’s lore, raids, collecting, and community events. Now I’m back in the spotlight, ready to share even more stories through this Substack.
Endgame Focus: These days, I love tackling heroic and mythic raids, pushing those Mythic+ keys, and helping others reach their goals in group content. But don’t worry—I still approach raiding and Mythic+ with a casual-hardcore mindset. We take on big challenges, but we do it with a spirit of fun and camaraderie.
What Can You Expect Here?
1. Raid Recaps & Guild News
Detailed Raid Recaps: I’ll break down our boss kills (and, yes, our wipes too). Look forward to stories like our 100+ attempts on Queen Ansurek and the sweet, sweet feeling of victory when we finally got her down.
Guild Events & Spotlights: Keep up with what’s happening in <CORE>—our upcoming events, guild achievements, and glimpses into our supportive (and sometimes hilariously chaotic) community.
Leadership & Team-Building: As a raid leader, and guild master, I’ve learned a lot about how to motivate people, coordinate strats, and celebrate even the smallest wins. I’ll share tips on creating a thriving in-game community, leading a raid team, and fostering genuine teamwork.
2. Class Deep-Dives & Game Guides
Focus on Mages (for Now!): I’ll kick off with Mage guides covering specs, talent builds, and rotational tips. Discover how to keep those DPS meters sizzling, whether you prefer Arcane explosions or Frosty blasts.
Mythic+ & Raiding Strategies: From route planning in Mythic+ to bridging that final gap in heroic progression, I’ll offer both tried-and-true strategies and fresh perspectives on the game’s biggest challenges and how to overcome and accommodate players of all skill levels.
Opinion Pieces on Upcoming Changes: When Blizzard shakes things up (and they always do!), I’ll be right here analyzing how new patches and expansions might affect your team’s composition or your personal approach to raiding.
3. Other Video Game Musings
MMO Reviews & Beyond: I’m an MMO junkie at heart, but that doesn’t mean I won’t dip into other genres now and then. Expect the occasional deep-dive into new releases, hidden indie gems, or major AAA titles.
General Commentary: From the state of the gaming industry to the best ways to avoid ‘burnout,’ I’ll share my insights and experiences—plus a story or two about epic triumphs and comedic fails.
4. Dungeons & Dragons Adventures
Campaign Diaries: Join me as I recount the twists and turns of my upcoming homebrew campaign—like the time a “friendly” goblin turned out to be a doppelganger spy, leaving my players in stunned silence.
DM World-Building & One-Shots: Learn about my creative process, map-making adventures, and brainstorming sessions for lore, NPCs, and encounters.
Character Moments: I’ll also share favorite memories from my own D&D career, like that emotional goodbye when my Goliath Barbarian Pavu realized the cost of his rage. You may need tissues for some of these tales!
How Often Will I Post?
For now, expect one main post every other week, with updates in-between as new patch notes or big gaming news drop. I want to keep things fun and informative without spamming your inbox.
Free vs. Paid Content
I’m still figuring out how to best offer premium content here, but here are a few ideas bouncing around in my head:
In-Depth Guides & Coaching: Deeper class guides (beyond just the basics), advanced raid leading strategies, or personalized Mythic+ coaching.
Custom D&D Content: Homebrew campaign modules, original maps, and bonus behind-the-scenes notes. If you want a sneak peek at my world-building process, this will be the place to look.
Q&A Sessions & Feedback: For those who want direct feedback on raid comps, or help building a backstory for your D&D character, I might host exclusive Q&A or one-on-one sessions.
Right now, everything will remain free! There is an option to subscribe for paid content, but I really don’t want people to buy into something that I haven’t fleshed out yet. But, if you’ve got a hole burning in your wallet, I’m not gonna stop ya!
Why Subscribe?
Stay Connected to CORE: If you’re part of my guild (or just a fan of The Instance or CORE podcasts), subscribing is a great way to stay updated on everything we’re doing.
Level Up Your Gameplay: Get practical, hands-on advice for heroic raiding, Mythic+ pushing, and even leading your own guild or raid team.
Explore New Worlds: Whether it’s through WoW expansions, new MMOs, or my homebrew D&D setting, we’ll discover fresh stories and strategies together.
A Note on My Favorite Moments
Realm First Memories: Nothing beats the thrill of scoring a Realm First kill with just a few hardy souls still standing—though I think half of us forgot to breathe in those final seconds!
Overcoming Struggles: Recently leading my team through heroic Nerub’ar and finally dropping Queen Ansurek after 100+ attempts is a testament to what’s possible when a raid team refuses to give up. Those nerd screams were glorious! Check out our kill below. <CORE> runs an inter-guild contest called Race to CORE First to see which raid team will earn Ahead of the Curve first! <CORE> currently has 4 raid teams, and mine came out on top this Season.
Emotional D&D Highs: I’ve shed real tears at the table—like when my Barbarian’s tragic choice led to a heartfelt funeral session. These emotional beats are what make tabletop gaming magical.
Ready to Adventure with Me?
If all this sounds like your kind of content—fun first, with a dash of challenge and plenty of community spirit—then I invite you to hit that Subscribe button and join me on this grand adventure. From future Azeroth raids to the darkest corners of my D&D world, I can’t wait to share what’s next with you.
Thanks for reading, and welcome!—let’s conquer both dungeons, and dragons, together! Ready Check, Roll!