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[Deadly Cyclone]

I swear I have started like 5 new characters in the past year. Never get very far with either. Started a hunter and got to 30 when two of my friends jumped servers because ours was running out of people.

Have a level 10 warlock now, cool so far. I have never had an 85 though and I have played off and on for years. Have two 70-somethings.

 

[devildog820]

I swear I have started like 5 new characters in the past year. Never get very far with either. Started a hunter and got to 30 when two of my friends jumped servers because ours was running out of people.

Have a level 10 warlock now, cool so far. I have never had an 85 though and I have played off and on for years. Have two 70-somethings.

In 4.3, the leveling time from 70-85 is going to be sharply reduced. So...good luck!

 

[Bisnic]

In 4.3, the leveling time from 70-85 is going to be sharply reduced. So...good luck!

Only 71-80 actually. And they never said "sharply", here's the quote :

Q: Are you considering making any changes to the time it will take to level to cap for newbie players after the next expansion?
A: We'll be decreasing the experience needed for levels 71-80 in patch 4.3. That's all I have for now.

71-80 needed it, but 80-85 is just fine, you can hit 85 without doing Twilight Highlands.

 

[C.Dark.DN]

Only 71-80 actually. And they never said "sharply", here's the quote :



71-80 needed it, but 80-85 is just fine, you can hit 85 without doing Twilight Highlands.

80-85 needs it. I've done 5 85's.

 

[Angry Grimace]

80-85 needs it. I've done 5 85's.

It's never going to happen while 80-85 is the current expansion so it's a moot point

 

[Mairu]

Why would they need to reduce the exp required for 80-85? You can already skip a lot of the content to get from 80-85

 

[C.Dark.DN]

It's never going to happen while 80-85 is the current expansion so it's a moot point

Heh, they can do whatever they want if they think it can raise subs. They nerf heroics, threat, raids, and yet leveling experience is some sacred thing that can't be touched? Get real.

I don't care if they do or not this expansion, as I'm done leveling, but it needs to and will happen at some point.

Why would they need to reduce the exp required for 80-85? You can already skip a lot of the content to get from 80-85

Why would they need to reduce the exp required for 71-80? You can already skip a lot of the content to get from 71-80.

 

[RSLAEV]

For all of you that are "stuck" on playing WOW due to it being, in your view, the best mmo there is, do you or did you play other non MMO games? When I was playing WOW (about 8 months), I was playing my consoles and some PC games. I am playing WOW now, but only casually. And I don't think I will continue to sub next month and on. My point is, there are many other good games. Even multilayer games, outside of MMO's.

The only game that's been able to get me away from WoW has been Saints Row 2, which kind of had the same open world 'drop in and fool around as much as you want' feel to it. I've tried other games but I have a hard time mustering the patience for traditional single player games now.

 

[Kunohara]

After years of going to Sholazar just to buy the stupid egg every three days, I have finally gotten the fucking mount I have always wanted. Green Protodrake.

I have always liked the protodrakes, could never get any of them (people wanting to do achievements in heroics? Surely you jest). I can't raid anymore due to no time and no decent guilds on my server. Blue one never dropped ever, and green is my favourite colour.

I am fucking happy as a pig in shit. I've just been flying around with it, and it is fucking awesome.

I now want to murder all those little shits in Sholazar.

 

[Angry Grimace]

Heh, they can do whatever they want if they think it can raise subs. They nerf heroics, threat, raids, and yet leveling experience is some sacred thing that can't be touched? Get real.

I don't care if they do or not this expansion, as I'm done leveling, but it needs to and will happen at some point.

Why would they need to reduce the exp required for 71-80? You can already skip a lot of the content to get from 71-80.

They aren't going to do that, though, and I think you and I both know it.

 

[Deadly Cyclone]

Alright, to help out my buddies I am starting a warrior undead. I assume on items I want strength correct?

Also, I want to be DPS, so what talent tree is best?

Finally, I am fighting mobs 2 levels higher than me in the starting zone and have died a few times, is this normal? Thanks for the tips gaf.

Also, should I be using a shield/sword or a dual hand sword for DPS?

 

[ch0mp]

Alright, to help out my buddies I am starting a warrior undead. I assume on items I want strength correct?

Also, I want to be DPS, so what talent tree is best?

Finally, I am fighting mobs 2 levels higher than me in the starting zone and have died a few times, is this normal? Thanks for the tips gaf.

Also, should I be using a shield/sword or a dual hand sword for DPS?

It really depends how you want to level. Prot is awesome for levelling via quests but obviously you will be tanking in dungeons.

Anyway - dual weapons for fury, two handers for arms, shield + one hander prot.

 

[Deadly Cyclone]

It really depends how you want to level. Prot is awesome for levelling via quests but obviously you will be tanking in dungeons.

Anyway - dual weapons for fury, two handers for arms, shield + one hander prot.

Hmm, alright. I guess I am not against tanking, I just don't like the pressure on me.


Honestly, I can never decide what class to play. I literally have one character of every class, and none at 85 because I can't settle into one.

 

[Deadly Cyclone]

Alright, sorry for DP.

Last class question. As a DPS mage tell me your tree and what attributes I look for in items.

Sorry for all the questions Gaf, just feeling out every class!

 

[ch0mp]

Alright, sorry for DP.

Last class question. As a DPS mage tell me your tree and what attributes I look for in items.

Sorry for all the questions Gaf, just feeling out every class!

You want cloth with Int on it. Other stats don't really matter till 85. Try to leave the spirit gear for the heals if you can, it's of no use to mages. As for spec, all of them are viable pick whichever you like.

 

[mileS]

Making pretty good gold lately soloing old raids with my Hunter. Did MC monday and today after reset, made about 1500g from bosses and selling an ingot. Did BWL as well today but that was a pain in the ass! had to obviously get help with Razorgore (tried doing the trick to solo it but that was a waste of time lol) After him I was back to blasting through without much of a problem until Ebonroc... even with trying to use distracting shot at the right time that was just a big hassle for what it was worth. Chromaggus was okay, straight up tank and spank but I died looking at the loot lol. Got to Nefarian and for some reason the adds at the start of that fight broke my bow.. so here I am smacking him with my polearm for a long ass time. Wiped around the 25% mark when more adds come because I hit trap launcher instead of normally placing a trap.. and of course you can't launch a trap without a ranged weapon. I was pissed that I didn't have a backup weapon. Tried again after repairing.. adds at the start completely break my bow again! I'm guessing thats part of the fight with the adds at the start? Anyways, cool story bro! I just thought it was pretty funny at the time. Some great gold to be had in BWL thats for sure.

 

[Newfolder]

Only 71-80 actually. And they never said "sharply", here's the quote :



71-80 needed it, but 80-85 is just fine, you can hit 85 without doing Twilight Highlands.

That is great news for me actually! I have 4 characters who are stuck between 70-80.
Gonna roll new toon instead of leveling those, for now.

 

[ch0mp]

Making pretty good gold lately soloing old raids with my Hunter. Did MC monday and today after reset, made about 1500g from bosses and selling an ingot. Did BWL as well today but that was a pain in the ass! had to obviously get help with Razorgore (tried doing the trick to solo it but that was a waste of time lol) After him I was back to blasting through without much of a problem until Ebonroc... even with trying to use distracting shot at the right time that was just a big hassle for what it was worth. Chromaggus was okay, straight up tank and spank but I died looking at the loot lol. Got to Nefarian and for some reason the adds at the start of that fight broke my bow.. so here I am smacking him with my polearm for a long ass time. Wiped around the 25% mark when more adds come because I hit trap launcher instead of normally placing a trap.. and of course you can't launch a trap without a ranged weapon. I was pissed that I didn't have a backup weapon. Tried again after repairing.. adds at the start completely break my bow again! I'm guessing thats part of the fight with the adds at the start? Anyways, cool story bro! I just thought it was pretty funny at the time. Some great gold to be had in BWL thats for sure.

His ability called class call forces each class to do something - in your case it breaks your weapon. An heirloom weapon might get you around it though.

 

[CarbonatedFalcon]

His ability called class call forces each class to do something - in your case it breaks your weapon. An heirloom weapon might get you around it though.

Yup, hunters definitely get screwed the most on that fight. Bringing an heirloom may work (never tried it myself and it's not something likely to be experimented with much), otherwise bring an extra ranged weapon or two to swap in.

Also, just reading over the wowhead page, it says that hunters are supposed to unequip their weapons before each class call to prevent this from happening in the first place. (Such an interesting fight - wish they did something like him again with unique effects that alter different classes/raid comps.)

 

[mileS]

Is there a way to turn off the slow down things in the suppression room? (without a rogue that is) I know killing Broodlord Lashlayer stops the re-spawns but It makes the run back after death extremely annoying.

 

[djm]

Nope! It was nicknamed the depression room for a reason.

 

[TheYanger]

Never heard it called that. it's been broken forever, even rogues can't really do it now until after he's dead (The aura itself unstealths you, and you've got like, 1 yard larger disarm radius than the aura itself. gg)

 

[djm]

Maybe it was just a nickname my raiding guild in classic used. I thought it was pretty apt.

If you aren't already, hug the left side on both levels and you will have to walk through one or two less of the slowing traps, I believe.

 

[Oni Link 666]

I resubscribed for a month after I got a free week and I've been doing the Molten Front dailies. I got the second 150 token turn quest in done and got some vendors who want 125 tokens now and some druid standing in front of the fire. I didn't get new dailies though. Will I get more tomorrow? What do I do to clear the fire and get to the other side?

 

[TheYanger]

I resubscribed for a month after I got a free week and I've been doing the Molten Front dailies. I got the second 150 token turn quest in done and got some vendors who want 125 tokens now and some druid standing in front of the fire. I didn't get new dailies though. Will I get more tomorrow? What do I do to clear the fire and get to the other side?

You have to choose each day between the warden dailies and the talon dailies, so tomorrow once you do the first set, instead of just 'escort the wardens' it will be 'escort the wardens OR into the fire' (names made up of course). You can't get any MORE tokens per day yet, but the 125 mark ones do give you more daily. ancients 3 a day, armaments 2 a day, and moonwell 10 once. (So rewards aside, optimal is ancients, moonwell, armaments)

 

[vilmer_]

I'm currently farming old raids for tier sets on my mage with a few friends who recently came back and we're having a blast. I had never done Black Temple before, and my goodness that place is so amazing.

 

[CarbonatedFalcon]

I'm currently farming old raids for tier sets on my mage with a few friends who recently came back and we're having a blast. I had never done Black Temple before, and my goodness that place is so amazing.

One of the best designs for creating a great atmosphere. It really feels like a "raid" to me more than most other raids - entering through a crack in the wall, climbing up through the sewers and making your way to the temple summit. Certainly in the top 3 for me (if not the best) for instance/zone architecture, probably up there for encounter design as well.

 

[Dunlop]

wow I think my burnout was more the responsibilities of being an officer and commiting to always be at the raids as we had rotating door constantly with our healers.

Having cancelled my account for the end of the month, I pugged a raid with a guild that was missing a healer. Joked the whole night, rolls on all non tier loot and took down 6 bosses in 3 hours.

quite liberating and enjoyable ; )

 

[CarbonatedFalcon]

New devblog up about tanking with a focus on DKs.

I like the direction the team is thinking in. Having played all the tanking classes to some extent (85 Warrior, 70ish Paladin, 40ish Drood), but still having a DK main (who usually tanks), I'd been somewhat upset since the end of Wrath when they forced us into Blood after enjoying Frost tanking for most of the expansion. It always felt like more work as a DK to get similar results as the other tanking classes, so a shift towards bringing the effort/effectiveness gap closer is welcome from my perspective. I'm sure there will be issues when they do get it sorted out for everyone else though as people who coasted by a bit more on the advantages of the class (probably paladins and druids to a lesser extent more so than warriors) will experience a bit of a drop in power compared to what they're used to before having time to adjust and compensate.

One of the things mentioned in the blog was making tank DPS matter more, and I do think that one interesting possibility to promote active play would be to have DPS scale a bit more for tanks, with increasing DPS also having the benefit of increasing mitigation as well (though something of the sort would have to be balanced carefully for PvP reasons, unfortunately.)

Speaking of which...4th tree solely for PvP (provides significant advantages over other trees)? Yay or Nay? Good arguments on both sides.

 

[Alucrid]

New devblog up about tanking with a focus on DKs.

I like the direction the team is thinking in. Having played all the tanking classes to some extent (85 Warrior, 70ish Paladin, 40ish Drood), but still having a DK main (who usually tanks), I'd been somewhat upset since the end of Wrath when they forced us into Blood after enjoying Frost tanking for most of the expansion. It always felt like more work as a DK to get similar results as the other tanking classes, so a shift towards bringing the effort/effectiveness gap closer is welcome from my perspective. I'm sure there will be issues when they do get it sorted out for everyone else though as people who coasted by a bit more on the advantages of the class (probably paladins and druids to a lesser extent more so than warriors) will experience a bit of a drop in power compared to what they're used to before having time to adjust and compensate.

One of the things mentioned in the blog was making tank DPS matter more, and I do think that one interesting possibility to promote active play would be to have DPS scale a bit more for tanks, with increasing DPS also having the benefit of increasing mitigation as well (though something of the sort would have to be balanced carefully for PvP reasons, unfortunately.)

Speaking of which...4th tree solely for PvP (provides significant advantages over other trees)? Yay or Nay? Good arguments on both sides.

Hm. I'd say Nay just because it seems like it would homogenize all the classes in terms of PVP if everyone switched to the one spec that was solely for PVP. Maybe if they added a third spec that could only be used for pvp but gave you more talent points or something similar.

 

[wonderdung]

Gamasutra article about the 900k subscriber loss: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6473/world_of_warcraft_and_life_after_.php

 

[davepoobond]

i dont think making dps from a tank important is a viable solution. what would be the point of being a dps if you could have all the dps of a dps and all the survivability of a tank?

 

[Bisnic]

My warrior tank still manage to beat some DPS in aoe situations.

But i'm still stuck with 5-6k DPS against bosses.

 

[Azwethinkweiz]

I don't know about the rest of you tanks, but I love being top DPS during Alysrazor.

 

[Soroc]

Gamasutra article

The idea of increased player control may be incompatible with certain basic expectations of the combat system, where the tolerance for randomization and unpredictability is low. "The idea of high end content that has a random factor to it, that's really controversial," Thomas said. "There was one boss in Caravan that dropped these big lava balls throughout the battle and they were randomized. I can't even tell you about the amount of bitching and whining from some pretty high-level guilds when confronted with a configuration that was unsolvable."

"They're perfectly willing to accept randomization within certain parameters, like how hard a boss hits. That can be a roll of the dice. Or there can be one of five configurations and you don't know which one you're going to get. That's just five more problems you have to solve and you don't know which one you're going to get. But the idea that there could be some sort of random element -- like life makes things unsolvable or unwinnable -- that is just patently unfair."

Wow I'm surprised. I've been bitching about more randomization in Raiding in general and most hardcore would be opposed to it? I really dislike the fact that most guilds want you to know an encounter before doing it, to me that just loses the effect of feeling like you are experiencing something for the first time. All the wiki's and guides out there today make things to cut and dry, I would love to see more randomization where just the experience and skill of the group can reward beating a boss instead of everyone just following exact instructions on what to do.

 

[TheYanger]

Wow I'm surprised. I've been bitching about more randomization in Raiding in general and most hardcore would be opposed to it? I really dislike the fact that most guilds want you to know an encounter before doing it, to me that just loses the effect of feeling like you are experiencing something for the first time. All the wiki's and guides out there today make things to cut and dry, I would love to see more randomization where just the experience and skill of the group can reward beating a boss instead of everyone just following exact instructions on what to do.

There is a BIG difference between random elements to a fight, and a fight being actually RNG unwinnable, which is what that quote is talking about.

For instance, Faction Champions in toc was a HIGHLY random fight, but it was never a fight that you couldn't win. Most good raiding guilds liked that fight.

 

[Soroc]

There is a BIG difference between random elements to a fight, and a fight being actually RNG unwinnable, which is what that quote is talking about.

For instance, Faction Champions in toc was a HIGHLY random fight, but it was never a fight that you couldn't win. Most good raiding guilds liked that fight.

I must have misread the quote because the example he gave about the lava balls sounded to me like a random element. More randomization would keep raiding more fresh I think.

 

[Rokal]

Never heard it called that. it's been broken forever, even rogues can't really do it now until after he's dead (The aura itself unstealths you, and you've got like, 1 yard larger disarm radius than the aura itself. gg)

I've done a couple BWL runs on my rogue recently, and I can confirm the aura doesn't unstealth you. Enemies will still aggro you through stealth if you get up in their face though.

 

[TheYanger]

I must have misread the quote because the example he gave about the lava balls sounded to me like a random element. More randomization would keep raiding more fresh I think.

"I can't even tell you about the amount of bitching and whining from some pretty high-level guilds when confronted with a configuration that was unsolvable."

Unsolvable being the key. Randomization making things hard but still humanly possible happens in wow all the time. In fact, without it, fights are usually ridiculously stale and boring.

 

[strafer]

Behold, the new Worgen racial mount. No really.

http://www.mmo-champion.com/content/2432-Patch-4.3-Preview-Worgen-Racial-Mounts

Spoiler

Blizzard you lazy bastards.

 

[Bisnic]

Behold, the new Worgen racial mount. No really.

http://www.mmo-champion.com/content/2432-Patch-4.3-Preview-Worgen-Racial-Mounts

Spoiler

Blizzard you lazy bastards.

What mount got reskinned this time? I can't see it.

 

[Mr Nash]

What mount got reskinned this time? I can't see it.

'Tis a horsie.

 

[Bisnic]

'Tis a horsie.

The exact same model as the human horses, but with a different color?

 

[Mr Nash]

More or less, except it looks like the Worgens are riding them bareback.

 

[CarbonatedFalcon]

Woah, woah.

I want plainsrunning now if Worgen get an actual mount.




And I think it's supposed to be the RBG mount from the past patch without armor or other fancies.

Not complaining, but it wasn't something that I was expecting or really wanting (though I never really played alliance.)

 

[Xtyle]

Here's my experience after 2 weeks back

last night ICC 25 led by someone I know in game.
everyone rolled need on everything including tokens (that were not for their classes). Leader did say earlier to roll need on everything to make it easier (at the time it was a green drop). but still, i expected common courtesy on tokens and gear pieces (specially with 4.3 in mind).

Group failed at least 6 times on Sindy heroic. People didn't know how to do the ice block when they are targeted. didn't know to break out the ice blocked people. 24 85s failing on that...

The bear tank constantly throwing out, hey, this should be easy, because, you got 2 tanks, and you have me, the awesome tank, because, I am awesome!. Hey, look, *self buff*, I am over 350k HP! Uh, I am dead under her...I don't like this, mostly because I have killed her (Sindy) 30 times back in the days...

This same leader guy (ex guildie) has been making pug for tier 11 10 man raids (normal). Been inviting me to this new guild he's in...but if you are raiding T11 normal raids...and have to pug for more than half others in the group, why would I want to join? I have been also randomly guild invited at least 3 times a day on average (I look at that as being rude to do so).

my first week back, In this pug, I won a roll on a tanking piece, the other tank was like, hey, you have the rep piece (or boe 359), mine is blue, yours is best in slot...Immediately I just passed it to him...I didn't mind really but I was also thinking, hey, this is a pug...and this is only T11.

I just don't enjoy the game anymore. Mostly it is because the community doesn't feel the same. I feel like playing with a bunch of idiots. It feels like a lot of people left for similar reasons. That, and the long grind for the rep and world trees. So, I went ahead and cancelled my sub.

Seeing people ninja TBC raid drops also was depressing...it's like, wow community is really this sad

Oh and the dailies. They are horrible! While easy, there are not many of them so mostly you end up with the same quests everyday. Did I mention they are horrible? None of them is fun and you want me to repeat them how many more days, Blizzard? WHY?

 

[Thoraxes]

I just saw the Worgen horses.
Trolololololol is the only reaction I could come up with.

This is probably just a move to satisfy those who complain about having less mounts, right?

 

[Bisnic]

I just saw the Worgen horses.
Trolololololol is the only reaction I could come up with.

This is probably just a move to satisfy those who complain about having less mounts, right?

I still can't see them, but 4.3 is still far away, might be a placeholder model right?

Right?

 

[CarbonatedFalcon]

11:55 - Thomas Tippl (COO and CFO of ActiBlizz) confirms that there will be a D3 Expansion within 3 years after the release of D3 itself, two SC2 expansions (which we already knew), and two more WoW expansions.

From DiabloFans covering the investor event thing today. This snippet was interesting to me in that it confirms (at least?) 2 more WoW expansions. I don't know the exact context though, so I can't really speculate further on if that means that they simply don't have other expansions planned right now, or if they intend to change the model somehow after the next two expansions.

With 2 new expansions though (already knowing one is going to be announced at Blizzcon and has to be out sometime in 2012 with 4.3 on the horizon), there will be active support for WoW at least through 2014 or so, leaving room for the other expansion. After that it's been 10 years of WoW. Then what? Titan launch? It would be in line with the most recent Blizzard releases (except for WC3-->WoW, and if you want to count WC2 Battle.net edition to WC3. Otherwise we've had 4+ years between direct franchise sequels.)

Titan has always been referred to as a "next-gen MMO" since we started hearing about it in 2007-2008. 2014 or 2015 launch would certainly put it as next-gen (by console standards at least) in context.

I'd definitely like to see a good MMO with as much polish as WoW in a non-fantasy setting, whether that's space or something else. SWTOR may end up satisfying the space itch a bit, but I'd prefer a property that doesn't already have so much baggage and well defined canon attached to it.

I think strong lore is a critical component to the staying power of MMOs and brand new IPs (for any kind of media) can often feel cheesy or cliché, however, using a property so well-defined already like Star Wars for an MMORPG (or Star Trek, LotRO, Warhammer...seeing a pattern?) can be unappealing or uninviting for people who already have opinions on the IP, even if they enjoy it!

 

[Bisnic]

The 5 man ZA bear is already slowly turning into the new bronze drake. A pure pug group and everyone had one.