Today!
Cinematic!
Load Screen!
Oh man I hope servers are up when I get home from work :/
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Instant Pets
So I'm sitting on my back alt, checking my mailbox, running some junk around... and all of the sudden my entire chat window fills with yellow text. A new character has just gotten all of their collector's edition pets. And then some. Achievements left and right.
I always love that feeling. You go to your first mailbox and there is a whole mess of little NCPs waiting for you. Instant achievement!
Which makes me kind of sad that Blizz has declared there will be no 6th anniversary pet. I love Feats of Strength like nobody's business, but not getting a pet makes me sad. Their past pets were really awesome! Baby Blizzard Bear, Onyxian Whelpling (especially if you're like me and don't have a zillion CE dragon pets). Oh well. I hear there is an Armadillo in Cata, and I love me my Xenathrans.
I always love that feeling. You go to your first mailbox and there is a whole mess of little NCPs waiting for you. Instant achievement!
Which makes me kind of sad that Blizz has declared there will be no 6th anniversary pet. I love Feats of Strength like nobody's business, but not getting a pet makes me sad. Their past pets were really awesome! Baby Blizzard Bear, Onyxian Whelpling (especially if you're like me and don't have a zillion CE dragon pets). Oh well. I hear there is an Armadillo in Cata, and I love me my Xenathrans.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
3 Weeks To Go
Well... less than three at this point. Twenty days? Nineteen? Phase four of the invasion has already begun and I have not updated this in so long wow.
I apologize in advance for how scattered this post will most likely be. I have a whole mess of game-related thoughts swimming around in my brain.
Final stuff to finish
I've been scrambling to finish a mess of things before cata hits. Most notably... those damned Dalaran fountain coins. I know they aren't going anywhere, and that I can finish that anytime... but with Dalaran losing its portals, how often will I really think about going there? Two bronze and two gold to go...
Class Decisions
Choices! I've had three mains in the course of my time with the game, the most recent (since July 2010) being a holy Paladin. But before that I was a Warlock... for like four years. That lock has all the cool pets, the weird reps and achievements, and honestly, making thing go boom with a messed up rotation is way better than tank healing. Granted, pallys are getting AoE heals, but I'm so torn. I remember how lame it was during the last two x-packs waiting on tanks and healers to level forever. Dungeons and raids will be much more accessible as a paladin... Hmm. I'll probably end up levelling both quickly. Go winter break!
New Alts
With new races coming, I'm sure everyone and their cat will be rolling a new char. Me? Worgen druid and gnome priest. 4.0.3a needs to drop soon though, all the crappy I've saved for the priest is piling up way too fast.
And Worgen druid forms are awesome.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Finally!
The release date is here. December 7th.
Now to just decide if I want to do a midnight launch.
Or get the collector's edition.
Ugh choices!
And rumor is that 4.0.1 hits next week. At least that'll be a solid 7 weeks to figure out how to play the "new" holy paladin.
Now to just decide if I want to do a midnight launch.
Or get the collector's edition.
Ugh choices!
And rumor is that 4.0.1 hits next week. At least that'll be a solid 7 weeks to figure out how to play the "new" holy paladin.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
That's One Freaked Out Elf
I've been questing on the rogue as of late (when not busy with the 9,000 other things that keep me from updating this more regularily) and while doing An End and a Beginning I stumbled upon this...
This screenshot just made my week. She is so freaked out by that lich!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Currency Changes
Blizzard recently announced that changes would be made regarding the in-game currency. By currency, I don't mean gold or silver, but rather all the badges, emblems and marks that have been collected relating to both PvP and PvE. In short, Frost and Triumph emblems convert to Justice Points, all other PvE emblems (including BC ones) become gold, and PvP marks and honor are converting into solid Honor Points. MMO Champion has a nice guide and converter that you should really check out. The changes are also on the PTR now if you've transferred a character.
This has put me in a bit of a pickle because now I'm unsure what to do with the badges I have left. I spent all of my Conquest and lower emblems on Heirlooms for my new Cataclysm alts. I was planning to downrank a few Triumphs as well to finish off with some trinkets and offspec gear, but with Triumphs and Frost emblems being combined into snazzy new Justice Points, would I be better off saving and getting some more T10?
Hell, at this point is T10 really worth it? The 4.0.1 patch is already background downloading and the PTR has been running for a week. Cataclysm can't be that far off at this point. Is it worth it to spend these points on gear that will be replaced with much needed mastery in two months? Should I get more heirlooms to help my new little dudes out? Or should I just save the points, since it basically sounds like Justice Points will be the currency for 85 purchasable gear as well (though I'm sure the cost will be much much higher than the little pittance I still have left).
What are you doing? Choices?!
This has put me in a bit of a pickle because now I'm unsure what to do with the badges I have left. I spent all of my Conquest and lower emblems on Heirlooms for my new Cataclysm alts. I was planning to downrank a few Triumphs as well to finish off with some trinkets and offspec gear, but with Triumphs and Frost emblems being combined into snazzy new Justice Points, would I be better off saving and getting some more T10?
Hell, at this point is T10 really worth it? The 4.0.1 patch is already background downloading and the PTR has been running for a week. Cataclysm can't be that far off at this point. Is it worth it to spend these points on gear that will be replaced with much needed mastery in two months? Should I get more heirlooms to help my new little dudes out? Or should I just save the points, since it basically sounds like Justice Points will be the currency for 85 purchasable gear as well (though I'm sure the cost will be much much higher than the little pittance I still have left).
What are you doing? Choices?!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Authenticator
I finally caved and put the Authenticator service on my phone today. Not exactly sure why I waited so long to do it, since it's free. But now at least I can be a little less freaked about potential hackage, and have a cute little pet to boot.
As a side note: My Warlock is now at 70/75 for Lil' Game Hunter. Just need the Walrus people penguin, the pug, and a few more tournament pets and the deer will be mine!
Anyway, this was supposed to be about Authenticators, not pets. There have been many a scary tale lately of accounts being hacked, and the hackers immediately putting Authenticators on the account, which adds a whole new level of pain-in-the-ass for retrieving all of your stuff. I think that's what really finally motivated me. I hate customer service over the phone. I hate sitting on hold. If I can spend 10 extra seconds each time I log on to ensure I won't be trying to get my things back, damnit I will.
I'm probably going to order an actual physical Authenticator in the next few days, only because I'm wary of losing my phone, or having it break, and then once again having to deal with customer service. The physical devices cost $6.50, but the mobile apps are completely free and available for iPhone, Android, and a few other phone platforms as well.
In an additional effort to promote Authenticators, it was recently announced that a new guild rank option will be available in Cata that require Authenticator ownership. The reasoning behind this, of course, is to make sure that compromised accounts can't clear out the guild bank. So between the guild rank, the pet, and the piece of mind that you're things are safe, there really isn't a reason not to have one anymore.. so do it!
 |
| It makes some really cute emotes |
Anyway, this was supposed to be about Authenticators, not pets. There have been many a scary tale lately of accounts being hacked, and the hackers immediately putting Authenticators on the account, which adds a whole new level of pain-in-the-ass for retrieving all of your stuff. I think that's what really finally motivated me. I hate customer service over the phone. I hate sitting on hold. If I can spend 10 extra seconds each time I log on to ensure I won't be trying to get my things back, damnit I will.
I'm probably going to order an actual physical Authenticator in the next few days, only because I'm wary of losing my phone, or having it break, and then once again having to deal with customer service. The physical devices cost $6.50, but the mobile apps are completely free and available for iPhone, Android, and a few other phone platforms as well.
In an additional effort to promote Authenticators, it was recently announced that a new guild rank option will be available in Cata that require Authenticator ownership. The reasoning behind this, of course, is to make sure that compromised accounts can't clear out the guild bank. So between the guild rank, the pet, and the piece of mind that you're things are safe, there really isn't a reason not to have one anymore.. so do it!
Monday, September 13, 2010
PTR Initial Thoughts : Level 7 Warlock!
So I was able to play around for about an hour on the PTR this afternoon. Unfortunately, character transfers are still closed (as the queue is about 6 days long now) so I started afresh!
I made it to an impressive level 7, and have a few initial thoughts:
Newbie Help
The new tutorial information is awesome. Lots of people in general were complaining about it, but if I were an absolutely, brand new player, I would find the arrows, big pictures, and more thorough information to be fantastic. And if you're not new and cranky.. you can just turn it off.
You Feel Like A Lock
Previously, levelling seemed completely homogenous up to a point. Mage, Priest, Lock, Druid. Guess what you're gonna do for 10 whole levels? Shoot a spell. Warlocks (and hunters) now get their pets right off the bat. My imp was right there with me at level 1. I felt like a Warlock! Levels 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 all provide new spells, and all of the Warlock spells really help to establish the experience you will have with that character all the way to max. You get Immolate and Corruption at 3 and 4. You learn the value of DoTs right there, 20 minutes after creation. You get the ability to vendor all water at level 5, when Lifetap becomes learnable. Lastly, Siphon Life is introduced at six. You are now a mean, survival machine. Many of these spells were previously available by level six, but they were included with some extraneous abilities as well. How many little baby locks really used Curse of Weakness? Trimming it down and spacing it out gives new Warlocks the essentials for their class and time to play with them without causing confusion.
But What About Shards?
Soul Shards are finally gone, and good riddance. The new system, which provides three in-combat shard uses, doesn't kick in until a level 10 spell is learned. I'll have more to say on that when I get there.
But Where is My Pet Bar?
I can't find it. Am I just blind? I wasn't able to move pet skills to my action bars, does this come in later? A few other people mentioned it in general, so if I'm just ignorant, at least I'm not alone.
Professions = Awesome
Granted, my entire experience with professions right now is First Aid and Cooking, but the new profession tab is great. All your spells in one place, all your skill levels are right there. It's really clean, I love it.
LEVEL 7
I've leveled more alts than I can count. And sometimes, I honestly don't even notice that I've leveled. The new interface has a gigantic, in your face message, not only telling you that you've dinged, but what spells are now available for training. The skill training message is also much appreciated because it means no more googling your spells to figure out if breaking your questing groove is worth it.
Other Interface Issues
I like that the map button has been moved up next to the zone name. I collect addons like a fiend and I run out of circle space constantly. The new character pane is nice, placing everything in one column rather that having to swap in and out what stats you want to see. (a minor inconvenience on my Paladin) I forgot that they had moved companion pets over to spells however, and it took me a moment to find the little penguin that Breanni now sends just about everyone's characters upon creation.
These are just my initial observations. I've only played on the Warlock so far, so I don't have much on any other class. I also haven't reached any talents or Soul Shard abilities, so I'll defiantly do a follow up when I reach that point.
In the mean time, play the PTR if you get a chance, it's a great little preshow to what is to come, AND you can help Blizz with bug reports, which is always fabulous.
I made it to an impressive level 7, and have a few initial thoughts:
Newbie Help
The new tutorial information is awesome. Lots of people in general were complaining about it, but if I were an absolutely, brand new player, I would find the arrows, big pictures, and more thorough information to be fantastic. And if you're not new and cranky.. you can just turn it off.
You Feel Like A Lock
Previously, levelling seemed completely homogenous up to a point. Mage, Priest, Lock, Druid. Guess what you're gonna do for 10 whole levels? Shoot a spell. Warlocks (and hunters) now get their pets right off the bat. My imp was right there with me at level 1. I felt like a Warlock! Levels 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 all provide new spells, and all of the Warlock spells really help to establish the experience you will have with that character all the way to max. You get Immolate and Corruption at 3 and 4. You learn the value of DoTs right there, 20 minutes after creation. You get the ability to vendor all water at level 5, when Lifetap becomes learnable. Lastly, Siphon Life is introduced at six. You are now a mean, survival machine. Many of these spells were previously available by level six, but they were included with some extraneous abilities as well. How many little baby locks really used Curse of Weakness? Trimming it down and spacing it out gives new Warlocks the essentials for their class and time to play with them without causing confusion.
But What About Shards?
Soul Shards are finally gone, and good riddance. The new system, which provides three in-combat shard uses, doesn't kick in until a level 10 spell is learned. I'll have more to say on that when I get there.
But Where is My Pet Bar?
I can't find it. Am I just blind? I wasn't able to move pet skills to my action bars, does this come in later? A few other people mentioned it in general, so if I'm just ignorant, at least I'm not alone.
Professions = Awesome
Granted, my entire experience with professions right now is First Aid and Cooking, but the new profession tab is great. All your spells in one place, all your skill levels are right there. It's really clean, I love it.
LEVEL 7
I've leveled more alts than I can count. And sometimes, I honestly don't even notice that I've leveled. The new interface has a gigantic, in your face message, not only telling you that you've dinged, but what spells are now available for training. The skill training message is also much appreciated because it means no more googling your spells to figure out if breaking your questing groove is worth it.
Other Interface Issues
I like that the map button has been moved up next to the zone name. I collect addons like a fiend and I run out of circle space constantly. The new character pane is nice, placing everything in one column rather that having to swap in and out what stats you want to see. (a minor inconvenience on my Paladin) I forgot that they had moved companion pets over to spells however, and it took me a moment to find the little penguin that Breanni now sends just about everyone's characters upon creation.
These are just my initial observations. I've only played on the Warlock so far, so I don't have much on any other class. I also haven't reached any talents or Soul Shard abilities, so I'll defiantly do a follow up when I reach that point.
In the mean time, play the PTR if you get a chance, it's a great little preshow to what is to come, AND you can help Blizz with bug reports, which is always fabulous.
PTR 4.0.1 Downloading....
The PTR version of Patch 4.0.1 was released just yesterday. Unfortunately... I'm still downloading it. It's 16 monstrous gigs and even with my obscenely fast internet connection I'm only 7 in so far. maybe by the time I get back from class tonight. Fingers crossed!
I have never actually done a PTR before. That's right. Almost six years and I have never tried a PTR. But I'm doing this one. Why? Because even though it doesn't have actual Cataclysm content, it does have the new skills and talent trees implemented, and I really want to play with them since I don't have beta access.
As of right now, characters cannot be copied over, so you can only play around with new characters, but I'm alright with that for now. It's better than just looking at screenshots!
I'll write up some more once it's actually downloaded and installed.
I have never actually done a PTR before. That's right. Almost six years and I have never tried a PTR. But I'm doing this one. Why? Because even though it doesn't have actual Cataclysm content, it does have the new skills and talent trees implemented, and I really want to play with them since I don't have beta access.
As of right now, characters cannot be copied over, so you can only play around with new characters, but I'm alright with that for now. It's better than just looking at screenshots!
I'll write up some more once it's actually downloaded and installed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)