Parry! Dodge! Spin! » Outside Bad, Inside Good made me chuckle. After a review like this I certainly won’t be picking this one up anytime soon.
Archive for January, 2008
Outside Bad, Inside Good
Jan 31
Tobold on WoW Grouping
Jan 30
Tobold is discussing different ways to make grouping in WoW more attractive and prominent pre-endgame (or at least pre-60).
I really like this idea: Tobold’s MMORPG Blog: The flexible solution
We already have a faction of time travelers, why not add a new faction of level travelers? Whenever a higher level player would join a lower-level dungeon group, he would gain reputation points for every kill and badges from every boss to make up for the lack of interest in the low-level loot that drops. The players in the group that are actually of the level of the dungeon don’t get the points and badges, but the loot should be more interesting for them. The reputation and badges could then be used in the usual way to buy recipes and gear for the high-level characters which is actually useful at their high level.
Removing the group XP penalty and replacing it with a slight XP buff when grouping would be a good thing too. 99% of the time a group is not as efficient as a single person. When I sit down to play alone, I can begin playing immediately. When I play with my wife we have to meet up, then there are sometimes delays when one or the other of us gets sidetracked by gathering/a quest the other doesn’t have/life in general. When I play with my static group there is by definition always one person who is the last to be ready to go and that delays the other four. In a raid…well I won’t even touch on the exponential number of delays there, especially since most raids are at the level cap anyway. The leveling guides that I’ve seen all boast/recommend that solo is the way to go. Why not make it that playing with a good group levels you faster? It’s a lot more fun to play with others but trying to level that way, especially with any drop quests, sucks.
PvP’ing as a Tank
Jan 29
PvP’ing as a Tank « Critical QQ is an article I’ve been looking for. My warrior does maybe two battlegrounds a week, so I’m not about to respec. However I do have my eye on the Gladiator’s shield and shoulders so I’d like to do a decent amount of battlegrounds. More or less it boils down to treat battlegrounds much as you would a PvE encounter. Your role is not do deal damage, but to take hits and distract from the damage dealers.
Over on Blog Azeroth, someone proposed that there be a weekly topic for bloggers, something to spark a little comparison and to allow readers to see different points of view. Here’s the first one: Blog Azeroth ::Shared Topic #1!
Q: What do you enjoy about the class you play the most?
At the moment the class I play the most is paladin, namely Andromache on Quel’dorei.
I enjoy being able to buff people. Right from the word go, my presence helps the others in the group. When I tried out a rogue, I found the lack of buffs strangely disconcerting. The constant maneuvering for position annoyed me too.
My previous main was a holy priest. Andromache is specced for paladin AOE grinding. On the occasions when I soloed on my priest, trying to kill one mob a few levels lower was heartbreakingly slow. Now I buff myself, round up as many mobs as I can, and chortle as they die futilely beating against my armor.
I play a protection warrior when I tank for our guild’s static group. My warrior has amazing flexibility when he’s working with a group, but on his own he’s pitiful (see holy priest above). When things go wrong, Andromache can self-heal, bubble and bandage, and lay on hands. One on one with my warrior versus my paladin, there is no question that Andromache would be the last one standing. Paladin have more panic buttons for keeping themselves alive.
Blood Elf paladins are twisting the light for their own purposes, but I see my paladin as closer to the Uther-type of paladin than a power seeker. With a warlock it’s hard to deny that you’re at the very least flirting with evil, with my paladin I can be one of the good guys. (This is why the WotLK Strat instance has me worried.)
My hunter is a powerful DPS machine but she’s basically a solo character. This is a Massively Multiplayer game and playing with others is more fun. A paladin makes a great grouping character.
I still haven’t gotten the hang of shaman or mages. Druid is the only class that might appeal to me as much as a paladin for general play, but my horde druid is only level 11. My level 70 paladin has piles of shiny new stuff to play with.
Thus the reason I play a paladin.
What do YOU enjoy about the class YOU play the most?
Tankadin Gear List
Jan 26
Here’s a more detailed list than the one below MT gear progression.
WoW-Europe.com Forums -> Paladin Gear List
Protection Paladin Advised Gear:
This set is combined with the idea to reach 100% Miss/Dodge/Parry/Block chance against lvl73 mobs while Holy Shield is up. The weapon is the major source of spelldamage, accented a little with enchants. All other itemization went into getting as much stamina as possible.
Weapon: 0.00%
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=32450 – Gladiator’s Gavel
Arena points: 3150
1.60 Speed, 41.5 DPS, 28 Sta, 18 Int, 239 SpellD, 18 ResR.http://www.wowhead.com/?spell=27975 – Enchant Weapon – Major Spellpower
Profession: Enchanting (8 Large Prismatic Shard, 8 Greater Planar Essence)Shield: 0.00%
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28358 – Gladiator’s Shield Wall
Arena points: 1875
5197 Armor, 63 Sta, 29 ResR, 134 BlockV.http://www.wowhead.com/?spell=34009 – Enchant Shield – Major Stamina
Profession: Enchanting (15 Arcane Dust)Libram: 5.31%
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29388 – Libram of Repentance
Badges of Justice: 15
Increases your block rating by 42 while Holy Shield is active.Chest: 4.57%
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28262 – Jade-Skull Breastplate
The Mechanar: Nethermancer Sepethrea
1164 Armor, 50 Sta, 30 Str, 25 DefR, 23 BlockR, 150 Health.http://www.wowhead.com/?spell=27957 – Enchant Chest – Exceptional Health
Profession: Enchanting (8 Arcane Dust, 4 Major Healing Potion, 2 Large Brilliant Shard)Legs: 2.26%
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29184 – Timewarden’s Leggings
Reputation: Keepers of Time Revered
1019 Armor, 133 Sta, 12 Agi, 18 DefR, 11 DodgeR.http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24033 – Solid Star of Elune
Profession: Jewelcrafting (1 Star of Elune)http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24033 – Solid Star of Elune
Profession: Jewelcrafting (1 Star of Elune)http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24033 – Solid Star of Elune
Profession: Jewelcrafting (1 Star of Elune)http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29536 – Nethercleft Leg Armor
Profession: Leatherworking (4 Heavy Knothide Leather, 16 Thick Clefthoof Leather, 8 Primal Earth, 1 Primal Nether)Head: 8.40%
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=32083 – Faceguard of Determination
Badges of Justice: 50
1129 Armor, 72 Sta, 48 DefR, 41 DodgeR, 24 BlockR, 5% Stun Resist.http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24033 – Solid Star of Elune
Profession: Jewelcrafting (1 Star of Elune)http://www.wowhead.com/?item=25896 – Powerful Earthstorm Diamond
Profession: Jewelcrafting (1 Earthstorm Diamond)http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29186 – Glyph of the Defender
Reputation: Keepers of Time reveredShoulders: 3.46%
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27847 – Fanblade Pauldrons
Auchenai Crypts: Shirrak the Dead Watcher (Heroic)
873 Armor, 46 Sta, 16 Str, 30 DefR, 15 DodgeR, 15 ParryR.http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24033 – Solid Star of Elune
Profession: Jewelcrafting (1 Star of Elune)http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24033 – Solid Star of Elune
Profession: Jewelcrafting (1 Star of Elune)http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28889 – Greater Inscription of Warding
Reputation: The Aldor exaltedHands: 1.57%
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27475 – Gauntlets of the Bold
The Steamvault: Warlord Kalitresh
728 Armor, 55 Sta, 17 Str, 16 Agi, 14 DefR, 20 SpellD.http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24033 – Solid Star of Elune
Profession: Jewelcrafting (1 Star of Elune)http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24033 – Solid Star of Elune
Profession: Jewelcrafting (1 Star of Elune)http://www.wowhead.com/?spell=33997 – Enchant Gloves – Major Spellpower
Profession: Enchanting (6 Greater Planar Essence, 6 Large Prismatic Shard, 6 Primal Mana)Feet: 1.73%
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27813 – Boots of the Colossus
Mana-Tombs: Pandemonius (Heroic)
800 Armor, 57 Sta, 22 Str, 26 DefR.http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24033 – Solid Star of Elune
Profession: Jewelcrafting (1 Star of Elune)http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24062 – Enduring Talasite
Profession: Jewelcrafting (1 Talasite)http://www.wowhead.com/?spell=27950 – Enchant Boots – Fortitude
Profession: Enchanting (12 Arcane Dust)Waist: 2.71%
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27672 – Girdle of the Immovable
The Slave Pens: Quagmirran (Heroic)
655 Armor, 57 Sta, 17 Str, 18 DefR, 12 BlockR.http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24033 – Solid Star of Elune
Profession: Jewelcrafting (1 Star of Elune)http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24033 – Solid Star of Elune
Profession: Jewelcrafting (1 Star of Elune)Wrists: 1.66%
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23538 – Bracers of the Green Fortress
Profession: Blacksmithing (6 Hardened Adamantite Bar, 20 Primal Life, 1 Primal Nether)
581 Armor, 51 Sta, 17 DefR, 10 DodgeR.http://www.wowhead.com/?spell=27914 – Enchant Bracer – Fortitude
Profession: Enchanting (1 Large Prismatic Shard, 10 Greater Planar Essence, 20 Arcane Dust)Back: 2.16%
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24253 – Cloak of Eternity
Profession: Tailoring (108 Netherweave Cloth, 12 Arcane Dust, 6 Primal Earth)
76 Armor, 36 Sta, 23 DefR, 12 DodgeR.http://www.wowhead.com/?spell=25086 – Enchant Cloak – Dodge
Profession: Enchanting (3 Nexus Crystal, 8 Large Brilliant Shard, 8 Guardian Stone)Neck: 2.22%
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=29386 – Necklace of the Juggernaut
Badges of Justice: 25
33 Sta, 19 Agi, 22 DefR.Fingers: 4.18%
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=28407 – Elementium Band of the Sentry
The Arcatraz: Harbinger Skyriss
24 Sta, 20 DefR, 19 DodgeR.http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24088 – Delicate Eternium Ring
Profession: Jewelcrafting (1 Eternium Bar, 5 Mercurial Adamantite)
15 Sta, 25 Agi, 16 DodgeR.Trinkets: 4.05%
http://www.wowhead.com/?item=32864 – Commander’s Badge
Reputation: Netherwing revered
45 Sta, Use: Calls forth a Netherwing Ally to fight at your side.http://www.wowhead.com/?item=27529 – Figurine of the Colossus
The Shattered Halls: Warchief Kargath Bladefist
32 BlockR, Use: Each successful block heals you for 120. Effect lasts 20 seconds.
Loot Distribution Idea
Jan 26
Loot distribution is one of those issues that keeps popping up in World of Warcraft.
I think the ideal system is some kind of totally impartial loot council where gear is assigned on a case by case basis for the good of the guild. Frankly I don’t trust myself to be that completely impartial. I know that if something dropped that would be any kind of upgrade of Jaimie, I would be tempted to just give it to her.
One possibility might be a random loot council. Select one person in guild to be the loot council chair. When a run starts, the chair rolls 2 (4?) times and the people in that spot in the raid are now the loot council, with the chair having the tiebreaker vote. When an item drops, those who want it for their main raiding spec whisper the chair with 1 and a link to their current item for that slot. Those who want it for their off spec whisper the chair with 2 and a link to their current item for that slot and spec. The council then assigns it on an as-needed basis with 1 having priority over 2. This has the advantage over a standard loot council of avoiding a loot council clique. Downsides are that it may be slow and you may get someone who can’t/won’t participate as one of the loot council. Alternatives would be to have multiple “static” members in the council.
Epic Flying Mount!
Jan 25
I got my first epic flying mount today! Anndromache, my paladin, is now the proud owner of a Swift Red Windstrider (it matches her shield). Most of the money came from dailies, with the final 500g from my AH alt.
Simplified WoW Lore!
Jan 24
WoW Forums -> Simplified WoW Lore! gives a quick overview of who’s who and what’s what in WoW. Now if only this were someplace more stable than the forums such as WoWWiki.
Blog Azeroth :: 42 Ways to Annoy Your Healer
I liked this summary of the healer’s attitude.
“If the Tank dies, it’s my fault. If I die, its the Tank’s fault. If anyone else dies, it’s their own fault.” People who don’t understand that.
Gearing Your Fresh 70 Holy Priest: My Recommendations : World of Matticus is a good gear list for level 70 Holy priests. I think Flint has a fair chunk of this, which would more or less match up with his progression. I went into Kara a few times with him, but when I quit raiding, I basically quit playing him.
Blog Azeroth
Jan 23
Blog Azeroth looks like a good resource for people interested in blogging about WoW. I look forward to seeing how it develops but for now it looks like it has some quality stuff. I wish it had an RSS feed of some kind. Maybe they could do a “Best topics of the week” blog?
Joomla Admin Manual
Jan 23
I’m hoping at some point to set up a better website for Tone Ag Consulting as well as setting up a website for my guild. From what I’ve seen, I’m pretty sure I want to use Joomla to do it. Joomla Admin Manual looks like a good book to work through to help me with that.
Shifting Perspectives: A look at leveling Balance – WOW Insider gives a quick breakdown and some links on how to level a non-feral druid. I know that some of my current guildies have at least considered trying this.
Yet Another Warlock Nerf: Useful Druid Macros looks great for when I finally start leveling my baby druid again.
Before I level my druid, I want to make back the 800g I spent on blacksmithing patterns so that I can buy my epic flying mount for my paladin. Then I want to get my warrior into a few more Eye of the Storm Battlegrounds to get the Gladiator’s Shield. The Train, a guild I’ve grouped with a lot, is short on tanks so I’ll almost certainly be tanking stuff with them. Hopefully our static group can get a few runs in too. Add it all up and I need roughly 24 hours per day available to play WoW, plus another 24 for the other stuff I want to get done, plus another 24 for the stuff I need to get done. I wonder if my landlord would take gold for paying the rent (grin).
Seriously though, here are my priorities for the time I do spend playing WoW:
- Tank for my static group – friends I’ve known for years take precedence over all else
- Tank for The Train – it’s a multiplayer game, playing with others is more fun
- Help Jaimie finish leveling her mage – she’s almost to 70. This isn’t a higher priority because Jaimie can solo most things, it’s just those darn elite mobs she needs a hand with from time to time
- Daily Quests – easy gold and rep is a fine thing, especially now that I have 10 I can get done in about 2 hours
- Battlegrounds on Tristam – I want that shield and I think I’m starting to get the hang of battlegrounds on a prot warrior
- Questing for gold – I hit 70 on Andromache before leaving Nagrand, so I have at least 3 zones worth of quests to do for cash
- Leveling my druid – I want to have one of each tanking class. This isn’t high priority as I already have a 70 tank and an almost 70 tank
I guess the trick is to keep looking at this as a smorgasbord of fun options rather than a list of chores that must be done.
The New Level 70 Tanking Gear Guide – Warriors – TankingTips.com has a good list of gear and where to get it. My warrior is almost 67 so it’s time to start amassing this gear. I have the greaves already and I’m about halfway to getting the shield.
Step 1: Quest Time
X Feet: Flesh Beast’s Metal Greaves
# Head: Myrmidon’s Headdress
# Neck: Mark of the Ravenguard
# Trinket: Dabiri’s Enigma
# Waist: Sha’tari Vindicator’s Waistguard
# Wrist: Sha’tari Wrought Armguards
# Weapon: Grom’tor’s Charge
# Ring: Protector’s Mark of the RedemptionStep 2: Battlegrounds
# Shoulders: Gladiator’s Plate Shoulders
# Shield: Gladiator’s Shield WallStep 3: Instances
# Back: Devilshark Cape Warlord Kalithresh, Steam Vaults
# Hands: Gauntlets of the Bold Warlord Kalithresh, Steam Vaults
# Chest: Breastplate of the Bold Harbinger Skyriss, The Arcatraz
# Trinket: Adamantine Figurine Blackheart the Inciter, Shadow Labyrinth
# Ring: Iron Band of the Unbreakable Lieutenant Drake, Old Hillsbrad FoothillsStep 4: Grind that Rep
# Legs: Timewarden’s LeggingsStep 5: Gyro-balanced Khorium Destroyer
If I can get my hunter in on a heroic run I can make the gun – I’m not counting on it though. Mind you, we do have a guild engineer who I can probably browbeat into making me the gun. We made sure when picking the professions for our static group that we covered all the bases.
-= The Khorium Toolbox=-: Surveying Your Natural Resources gives an overview of Cartographer Routes. I really should do more gathering on my toons, and this looks like it would simplify gathering a lot.
(found via WoW Insider)
After reading Rochelle’s entry at Tankhard about the pain of off-specs, I think I’m going to head down this path for my warrior: Warrior (11/3/47) – World of Warcraft. Rochelle was right about not needing the improved shield bash, so I’m going to at least dip my toes into Cruelty. 
This is basically my current one with my last three talent points going into Cruelty, so I don’t need to respec just yet. If Cruelty works for me, I’m not sure what I should drop to get the full 5 points – maybe drop down to 3/5 anticipation?
The Highwayman
Jan 20
Callie loves the poem “The Highwayman.” I was delighted to hear Big Bear Butt Blogger: Raid Song of the Week #11 – The Highwayman. Now I need to buy The Highwayman by Loreena McKennitt from the album The Book of Secrets so that she can listen to it at night.
Need More Rage: Ratshag Does Mathifications gives a nice priority order for a warrior for PvP. I’m still going for the shield first, but at least this way I know where to go from there. Now I need to figure out a list like this for my tanking paladin who already has the shield.
Item Hon/Sta Hon/Res
Gladiator’s Plate Gauntlets 250 273
Gladiator’s Plate Shoulders 250 308
Sergeant’s Heavy Cloak 280 397
Veteran’s Plate Belt 317 476
Veteran’s Plate Greaves 317 476
Gladiator’s Shield Wall 333 517
Top Movies For Game Masters
Jan 20
Roleplaying Tips – Top Movies For Game Masters gives a list of interesting movies I’d like to watch. Now if I could actually get access to these movies and the time to watch them…