I’m not going to get all long-winded. I’m not going to get all sappy. I’m not going to turn this into a eulogy because I don’t think there’s a reason for it to be one.
I’m not going to say BRK was the first hunter blog I found, because it wasn’t. That credit goes to Lassirra at The Hunter’s Mark and I will give credit where credit is due. I’m not going to sit here and talk about how I found BRK at level 24ish and grew up on BRK Brand Baby Food, cause I’m sure I’ve mentioned that before.
I am going to tell you a quick story.
Today I got into an already half cleared Naxx25 PuG. Normally I bring Wash to my raids, but today I brought Locke, my kitty. Because it seemed appropriate.
Four Horsemen was the first boss we did, which made me happy cause it’s basically my favorite fight in the entire raid, and then we headed over to Noth. The raid leader said he would give away a free flask to the top DPS on the fight.
I looked around. I was one of four hunters. Every one of the others was cookie cutter Survival. Every one of the others outgeared me.
I looked down at my kitty. Us against the world. As it should be.
The raid leader asked to see the overall damage done thus far in the entire raid, as well. Someone posted it.
I got a free Flask of Endless Rage.
I’m not trying to say that I did the best DPS in the world. But I am trying to say that this wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t stumbled across BRK and the rest of the blogosphere as a young level 20something throwing random talent points around and dying all the time. It goes beyond just DPS and performance, too– it’s about “Look at this amazingly fun class! *skips around with glee*” That‘s what hunter is.
Of course, as I think many of us sort of feel, you eventually “graduate” from the Alma Mater that is BRK-U, (though you never truly leave, of course), and that’s where the person comes in. I remember him IM’ing me when he added me to his blogroll, complimenting me on my writing. I remember shyly whispering him in game on his server and being chucked a guild invite. I remember meeting up with him in WotLK Beta and him dropping everything he was doing so he could come see if we could two-man Molten Core in the name of a Core Hound. He wasn’t shy about whispering me the second I logged into Beta every time after that, informing me that it was about time I showed up!, and the two of would begin us cracking jokes like old friends.
“Of my friend, I can only say this: of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most… human.” – Captain James Tiberius Kirk
In closing, I ask that you read my favorite BRK post of all time, ever, and then head over to the newest post and wish a friend good luck, if you would. We may not be able to read of his adventures and misadventures anymore… at least not for a while… but he is happy.
—
“Hey, Brain, what are we going to do tonight?”
“The same thing we do every night, BRK. Try to take over the world.”
Kohaku went to the corner to sob after reading his post.
Somehow, I don’t know whether to be happy for him for breaking free from WoW, or sad for him because of what he had to go through to break free.
Still, I wished him all the best.
Despite it being the proper decision, I will still miss his blog. However, you are right, at least he is happy =)
That is BRK at its finest. I remember reading that post last year. Thanks for linking it. 🙂
<>
The best part of this post.
As a final thought, the king is “dead’ (BRK), long live the queen (Pike)!
creizi
If it weren’t for BRK I wouldn’t be the BM Hunter I am today! Narf!
I would be less of a player if it wasn’t for bloggers like you and BRK, Pike. He will be missed for however long he is away. I pray that his family situation gets better. As a father and husband, I can vouch for how much more important that is than wow.
Z
Naxx pugs, quotes from JTK and Pinky & the Brain, good words and fond memories from everyone’s favorite NASA employee, wonderful post Pike. Thank you!
TBH im kind of glad, now maybe some of the other hunter blogs in the community will get some attention. BRK helped alot of lowbie hunters (myself included) but since towards the end of BC he just lost his flair, it turned into a festival of random ill informed advice and attempts to sell things.
REIGN OF PIKE KGO !
I will always value BRK’s contributions, but yours is the best hunter blog in the world! Please don’t leave, pike! ;_;
I haven’t had a hunter as my main for many years, so for some reason I didn’t have BRK on my blogroll (I only really got into reading blogs sometime last year), though I have been meaning to add him. This post was the first I heard about it, and for most of it I was frantically thinking to myself “did BRK die?!?” but then I went and read the post. Ooohhhh. Okay.
Maybe you can take over! Go Pike go! It’d be great having the next big hunter blogger on my own server 😀 Maybe I can start whispering you with questions about my new alt >_>
–Kassari
Resto Druid of Silver Hand (A)
Even I have to say, BRK did help me when I was starting out as a BM hunter. Even though I had been Marks from 1 – 70 and only switched to BM for raiding purposes, and then never looked back.
His blog and his advice will be missed. As will his unique brand of humor. As for the rest of us? We will carry on.
I’m off to try and finish up the quests leading to Ebonblade rep.
sadly, i didn’t discover BRK till recently (last couple months) he will be missed, but will never truly leave us. his advice will live on in the hearts, minds, and digital souls of the hunters of those who have read his posts.
My own hunter alt, if I ever manage to snare Loq, or the new spirit beast, will name it brain in honor of BRK.
BRK will be missed. It’s a hit to the hunter community. We must remain strong, though!
Question, I took some time away from BM (blasphemy!) and just went back. What kind of rotation do you use to put up those numbers?
I told my fiance about this news, and he seems convinced that it’s an April Fools joke. I gently reminded him that it’s still March, but he seems to think that doesn’t matter. I’d like to believe that BRK has more integrity than that.
Of course, he also believes that the Filefront shutdown is just a publicity stunt to get a lot of people to visit their site, and they’ll say “haha just kidding” tomorrow. I hate this time of year. You apparently can’t trust anything anybody says in March in fear it might be setup for an April Fools joke.
–Kassari
Resto druid of Silver Hand (A)
@ Kiryn – I have been in e-mail contact with TJ who is running the “BRK Secret Project”, I’m about 99% sure it’s not a joke. If it is one, it’s done in poor taste… “Just kidding guys, WoW really is more important that my family!”… ya know?
I think he is serious. *nods*
I haven’t been in contact with TJ, but I’m betting the secret project is some sort of send-off for Dan. A collage, a montage, a scrapbook – something he can have to commemorate his oodles of huntering and his legions of readers.
I miss him, and I’m not even a hunter nor have I ever spoken with him. The closest I’ve come is commenting on his posts when he disparaged ret paladins or got his paladin facts wrong. I’m a pest like that.
(PS – whenever you want, Pike: http://e4ae.blogspot.com/2009/03/scraptacular.html Tag you’re it)
I love that BRK post you linked… I only discovered him recently, but he will continue to be an inspiration, even in his leaving us.
/salute BRK and Elune bless.
Well said Pike.
As with all of your posts, I love coming here and reading what you’ve got to say.
BRK will be dearly missed, I too was raised on BRK tips and suggestions.
Grats on clearing Naxx!
/Salute BRK
/Salute Pike
I like BRK and all, but you’ve always been my favorite WoW blogger. Somehow you’re able to keep the game fun.
Best tribute I’ve read.
I stumbled across BRK from your blog, myself. And though I really didn’t get to know him, I will miss reading his posts – be it brain, airman, hunter guides, or just in general.
A most excellent tribute. And I love the Pinky and the Brain moment at the end. Thank you for the post.
Gunsnbutter/Cerdwyn on Uther
I was just recently finally inspired to push my hunter to 74 after a lot of lurking on BRK’s site. It is definitly a sad day to see him go, but I am glad that he is working on his priorities in this way. And yes, his advice and humor will always be a part of my hunter experience.
Unfortunate… like many here I was inspired and un-noobified by BRK’s wisdom. My spec, playstyle, and every aspect of my hunter was atrocious before I discovered BRK, Pike, Brigwyn, etc.
He will be missed
Hey Pike. I wouldn’t say you or BRK were my first blogs I caught online. Mine actually was The Mystic Hunter. I found it while looking up information on pets then I discovered Petopia. I would say that you and BRK are a part of my daily reads. I always look forward to your role playing stories. My favorite one was about Wash.
Very well said. BRK is a special player, he loves teaching as much as he loves learning…I always liked that about him.
I wish him all of the best.