tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875180622066815172024-02-06T21:24:41.766-08:00Cenarion LabsFeral and sometimes Resto Druid playing....casually.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-52005278888321275592015-11-15T13:37:00.001-08:002015-12-15T22:01:24.977-08:00Heroic Hall of Explorers Decks and Strategies<b>Heroic Zinaar Deck</b><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br /></span>
This is the deck that I used to defeat Heroic Zinaar after 2 tries:<br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 239px;">
<!--StartFragment-->
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 4650; mso-width-source: userset; width: 109pt;" width="109"></col>
<col span="2" style="width: 65pt;" width="65"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 109pt;" width="109">Name</td>
<td class="xl64" style="width: 65pt;" width="65">Number</td>
<td class="xl64" style="width: 65pt;" width="65">Mana</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Arcane Missiles</td>
<td class="xl64">2</td>
<td class="xl64">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Mirror Image</td>
<td class="xl64">2</td>
<td class="xl64">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Clockwork Gnome</td>
<td class="xl64">2</td>
<td class="xl64">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Mana Wyrm</td>
<td class="xl64">2</td>
<td class="xl64">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Flamcannon</td>
<td class="xl64">2</td>
<td class="xl64">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Frostbolt</td>
<td class="xl64">2</td>
<td class="xl64">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Annoy-o-Tron</td>
<td class="xl64">2</td>
<td class="xl64">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Snowchugger</td>
<td class="xl64">2</td>
<td class="xl64">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Forgotten Torch</td>
<td class="xl64">1</td>
<td class="xl64">3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Frost Nova</td>
<td class="xl64">2</td>
<td class="xl64">3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Ice Block</td>
<td class="xl64">1</td>
<td class="xl64">3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Mirror Entity</td>
<td class="xl64">2</td>
<td class="xl64">3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Flamewalkker</td>
<td class="xl64">2</td>
<td class="xl64">3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Enhance-o-Mechano</td>
<td class="xl64">2</td>
<td class="xl64">4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Goblin Blastmage</td>
<td class="xl64">2</td>
<td class="xl64">4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Blizzard</td>
<td class="xl64">1</td>
<td class="xl64">6</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Archmage Antonidas</td>
<td class="xl64">1</td>
<td class="xl64">7</td>
</tr>
<!--EndFragment-->
</tbody></table>
<br />
The basic idea was to get huge value from a hand filled with "Wishes." I waited until I had two <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/14445-flamewaker">Flamewalkers </a>on the board and the unloaded with 6 Wishes. This cleared the board of his minions and set up a situation where any spell I cast would do 4 additional damage. I finished with 24 health and a board full of minions. It is also important to keep some minions with Taunt on the board, as this protects your other valuable assets.<br />
<br />
<b>Heroic Sun Raider Phaerix:</b><br />
<br />
I used a contemporary <a href="https://tempostorm.com/hearthstone/decks/hybrid-secret-paladin-oct-flamingobums">Secret Paladin</a> and won on my second try.<br />
<br />
<b>Heroic Temple Escape:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
After ~3 attempts this deck worked well:<br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 244px;">
<!--StartFragment-->
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 4864; mso-width-source: userset; width: 114pt;" width="114"></col>
<col span="2" style="width: 65pt;" width="65"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 114pt;" width="114">Name</td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 65pt;" width="65">Mana</td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 65pt;" width="65">Number</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Innervate</td>
<td class="xl63">0</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Target Dummy</td>
<td class="xl63">0</td>
<td class="xl63">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Naturalize</td>
<td class="xl63">1</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Goldshire Footman</td>
<td class="xl63">1</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Shieldbearer</td>
<td class="xl63">1</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Annoy-o-Tron</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Anodized Robocub</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Mulch</td>
<td class="xl63">3</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Poison Seeds</td>
<td class="xl63">4</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Enchance-o-Mechano</td>
<td class="xl63">4</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Sen'jin Shieldmasta</td>
<td class="xl63">4</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Druid of the Claw</td>
<td class="xl63">5</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Sludge Belcher</td>
<td class="xl63">5</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Recycle</td>
<td class="xl63">6</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Sunwalker</td>
<td class="xl63">6</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Ancient of War</td>
<td class="xl63">7</td>
<td class="xl63">1</td>
</tr>
<!--EndFragment-->
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
The key is to mulligan until having a taunt creature, removal spell and <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/7726-poison-seeds">Poison Seeds</a>. After that it was fairly easy to stall and get the win.<br />
<br />
<b>Heroic Scarvash:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
This is a very tough fight. The <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/12233-burly-rockjaw-trogg">Burly Rockjaw Trogg</a> and <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/12266-stonesplinter-trogg">Stonesplinter Trogg</a> are very difficult to deal with. I tried almost every class except Shaman for about 25-odd games without having even remote success. I finally used this Paladin deck from <a href="http://www.hearthstonetopdecks.com/decks/chieftan-scarvash-heroic-deck-paladin-league-of-explorers/">Tempostorm</a>. I was whittled to 2 health early in the game and then managed to stabilize the board and win. <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/467-doomsayer">Doomsayer</a> was not obligatory, but I think most times that I felt I had any progress prior to this deck, Doomsayer had been involved. I won with this deck on my first try, largely due to <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/23-aldor-peacekeeper">Aldor Peacekeeper</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Heroic Mine Cart Rush:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Use the pre-made deck and win. This is a fun test.<br />
<br />
<b>Heroic Arhaedas:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 236px;">
<!--StartFragment-->
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 4522; mso-width-source: userset; width: 106pt;" width="106"></col>
<col span="2" style="width: 65pt;" width="65"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 106pt;" width="106">Name</td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 65pt;" width="65">Mana</td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 65pt;" width="65">Number</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Innervate</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Living Roots</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Mark of the Wild</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Power of the Wild</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Dire Wolf Alpha</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Doomsayer</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Echoing Ooze</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Haunted Creeper</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Ironbeak Owl</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Jeweled Scarab</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Recombobulator</td>
<td class="xl63">1</td>
<td class="xl63">3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Mark of Nature</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Savage Roar</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Poison Seeds</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Soul of the Forest</td>
<td class="xl63">1</td>
<td class="xl63">4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Keeper of the Grove</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">4</td>
</tr>
<!--EndFragment-->
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
The key is to realize that you are receiving free creatures, but with zero attack. All that is needed is a buffing deck to make use of the free creatures. I won after 2 tries using the above deck. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Heroic Lord Slitherspear:</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I found this fight to be difficult as the high-powered minions seemed to come much too fast. I tried many standard ladder decks without positive results and ultimately net-decked this <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/decks/385052-loe3-easy-heroic-lord-slitherspear">Rogue Mill</a> deck, which was a lot of fun to play and worked on the second attempt.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Heroic Giantfin:</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Also a difficult fight as the small minions arrive very quickly and Giantfin can revive 5 deceased Murlocs with one <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/714-i-am-murloc">4-mana spell.</a> No standard ladder decks were effective. I won after net-decking <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/decks/385323-guaranteed-easy-win-heroic-giantfin-patron-warrior">this deck</a> on the second try.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Heroic Lady Naz'jar:</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 244px;">
<!--StartFragment-->
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 4864; mso-width-source: userset; width: 114pt;" width="114"></col>
<col span="2" style="width: 65pt;" width="65"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 114pt;" width="114">Name</td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 65pt;" width="65">Mana</td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 65pt;" width="65">Number</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Innervate</td>
<td class="xl63">0</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Target Dummy</td>
<td class="xl63">0</td>
<td class="xl63">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Naturalize</td>
<td class="xl63">1</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Goldshire Footman</td>
<td class="xl63">1</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Shieldbearer</td>
<td class="xl63">1</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Annoy-o-Tron</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Anodized Robocub</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Mulch</td>
<td class="xl63">3</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Poison Seeds</td>
<td class="xl63">4</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Enchance-o-Mechano</td>
<td class="xl63">4</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Sen'jin Shieldmasta</td>
<td class="xl63">4</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Druid of the Claw</td>
<td class="xl63">5</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Sludge Belcher</td>
<td class="xl63">5</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Recycle</td>
<td class="xl63">6</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Sunwalker</td>
<td class="xl63">6</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Ancient of War</td>
<td class="xl63">7</td>
<td class="xl63">1</td>
</tr>
<!--EndFragment-->
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
The key is to realize that you are getting a free "upgrade" at the end of each turn. Thus, the more creatures you can fill the board with, the more likely you are to win. If you feel that your RNG creatures aren't as good as the Lady's, use <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/7726-poison-seeds">Poison Seeds</a>. This deck worked on the first attempt.<br />
<br />
<b>Heroic Skelesaurus Hex:</b><br />
<br />
<b>Heroic Steel Sentinel:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
This was by far the hardest fight. I eventually worked a Paladin deck into form to take advantage of <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/642-repentance">Repentance</a>, <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/383-equality">Equality</a>, <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/260-consecration">Consecration</a>, <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/142-avenging-wrath">Avenging Wrath</a> and the neutral <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/303-alexstrasza">Alexstraza</a>. This took at least 20 iterations.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 248px;">
<!--StartFragment-->
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 5034; mso-width-source: userset; width: 118pt;" width="118"></col>
<col span="2" style="width: 65pt;" width="65"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="16" style="height: 16.0pt;">
<td class="xl64" height="16" style="height: 16.0pt; width: 118pt;" width="118">Name</td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 65pt;" width="65">Mana</td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 65pt;" width="65">Number</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Repentance</td>
<td class="xl63">1</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Argent Squire</td>
<td class="xl63">1</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Equality</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Acidic Swamp Ooze</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Annoy-o-Tron</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Haunted Creeper</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Knife Juggler</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Muster for Battle</td>
<td class="xl63">3</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Aldor Peacekeeper</td>
<td class="xl63">3</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Big Game Hunter</td>
<td class="xl63">3</td>
<td class="xl63">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Consecration</td>
<td class="xl63">4</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Mogu'shan Warden</td>
<td class="xl63">4</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Tournament Medic</td>
<td class="xl63">4</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Antique Healtbot</td>
<td class="xl63">5</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Avenging Wrath</td>
<td class="xl63">6</td>
<td class="xl63">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="15" style="height: 15.0pt;">Alexstraza</td>
<td class="xl63">9</td>
<td class="xl63">1</td>
</tr>
<!--EndFragment-->
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Heroic Arch-Thief Rafaam:</b><br />
<br />
I initially did not understand that the <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/27398-rare-spear">Rare Spear</a> was activated by cards or Rare rarity. I don't know what I was thinking. I think any deck that gives a lot of low-value, low-costed rares will win the game. I won the first try with all the cheap Rares (blues) that I could find using the Rogue class. I also included both <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/7738-nerubian-egg">Nerubian Egg</a>, <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/14442-dragon-egg">Dragon's Egg</a>, <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/153-ancient-watcher">Ancient Watcher</a> and <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/27233-eerie-statue">Eerie Statue</a> assuming there would be no way for Rafaam to buff these.<br />
<br />
<b>Heroic Rafaam Unleashed:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
This was the easiest of the Four final bosses. I completed this on the first try with a standard build of Secret Paladin. I played this deck hoping for the tempo advantage, <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/158-noble-sacrifice">Noble Sacrifice</a> and <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/642-repentance">Repentance</a> to help. I played one Noble Sacrifice out of hand and then was able to play 2 <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/22394-mysterious-challenger">Mysterious Challengers</a>. I used <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/33-sylvanas-windrunner">Sylvanas Windrunner</a> to exchange for on of the 10/10s that only take one damage at a time. Finally, I was able to fill my side of the board and played a non-traditional <a href="http://www.hearthpwn.com/cards/12176-enhance-o-mechano">Enchance-o Mechano</a> that I keep in my Secret Paladin deck for fun. This sealed the win with some much needed Taunt.<br />
<br />
And that is how to get:<br />
<br />
<img alt="" src="http://media-hearth.cursecdn.com/attachments/21/957/cb-loe-heroic.png" width="160" /><br />
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<div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-22699660710926344342015-10-04T22:03:00.002-07:002015-10-04T22:03:20.122-07:00Darnassus AspirantDarnassus Aspirant<br />
<span class="fullpost"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.hearthhead.com/card=2782/darnassus-aspirant">Darnaussus Aspirant</a> is a "key" card for druids introduced with The Grand Tournament set. This ramp card allows Druids to hopefully gain mana acceleration early in the game, when it matters most. However, the card is ideally used to get a few bodies on the board earlier (prior to turn 6) than your opponent. However, when Aspirant does not come out prior to turn six it can become a major hinderance, especially nearing turn 10 when it can actually cost a mana. Thus, what is the correct number of Aspirants to play?<br />
<br />
Previously, the only cards for acceleration were <a href="http://www.hearthhead.com/card=254/innervate">Innervate</a>, <a href="http://www.hearthhead.com/card=1124/wild-growth">Wild Growth</a> and <a href="http://www.hearthhead.com/card=325/nourish">Nourish</a>. Wild Growth can be useful throughout the game with some limitations toward the late game. Nourish often was playable only from the mid to late game and often creates a hard decision between the promise of more mana or the gamble of more cards. There are many other 5-mana cards that seem more playable at key points during the middle game, which is why it's only used in <a href="http://www.hearthstonetopdeck.com/card/current/nourish">3% of druid decks</a> in the current iteration of the meta and 7% of decks over time play the card. Innervate is always a good draw and is always useful.<br />
<br />
Based on the hypergeometric distribution, having one Aspirant in the deck suggests a 31% probability of drawing it by or on turn 6. Placing two Aspirants in the deck increases the probability of drawing at least one to 52% by turn 6. Having seen both by turn 6 occurs only 10% of the time and having both show up by turn 10 occurs 21% of the time. Therefore the best case scenario of seeing one is 20% improved by playing both and the worse case scenario of seeing the both by turn 10 occurs a rare 21% of the time and seeing both early in the game occurs a non-negligible 10% of the time. Note that these statistics would also apply to <a href="http://www.hearthhead.com/card=1784/shade-of-naxxramas">Shade of Naxxramus</a>, another card where the 1 of, 2 of debate is healthy.<br />
<br />
I'm continuing with two Aspirants as of now as part of this list, but may switch it up if there are too many dead draws at the end of the game.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-55428221727385870502015-10-04T07:34:00.001-07:002015-10-04T07:34:47.803-07:00Dusting a RogueThe Rogue class of characters has always interested me. Fast, sneaky and able to deal significant damage seem like a recipe for fun. However, Hearthstone Rogue has not lived up to anything I would consider fun or interesting. If rogue decks were absolute winners, I would keep my rogue cards, but Rogue is not hot. It makes the list at number six for class popularity, but completely fails to make the ranks of top tier decks or see much competitive play.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Rogue class likely suffers heavily from its hero power. Having to actually attack your enemies with your hero (with a weapon equipped) is a huge downside for rogues. Paying 2 mana for the priveledge of losing your hero's life total is not great. In addition, Rogue cards are currently geared toward relatively 'linear' strategies for deck building. When was the last time a midrange rogue was suggested?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Altogether, Rogue would greatly benefit from an upgrade to its class card base to allow Thrown Weapons or some other method of using a weapon without committing the hero. This would fit with the Rogue being a leather wearing glass cannon and less like a warrior charging into battle. Some Reveal Hand mechanic would also be interesting and keeping with the Roguish nature and create an interesting play style that may not require a complete reworking of the class. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As for me, I'll be dusting some of the Commons, Blues and Legendaries I have, while keeping the Epics. For a casual player, repopulating the sometimes many epic cards require to effectively use a class is a more costly endeavor than obtaining the 1 or 2 class legendaries.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-55925233028751771432015-08-29T23:39:00.003-07:002015-08-29T23:39:54.076-07:00A Casual Guide to NovaI have now played <a href="http://www.heroesnexus.com/heroes/14-nova">Nova</a> to level 10, giving me credentials as a casual Nova player. As many Nova players have suggested and data support, Nova is best played in Quick Match or lesser venues. A team dedicated to supporting Nova could leverage her abilities, but for most pick-up games, results with Nova will be feast or famine, denying her a favorable place in ranked play. For casual players, Nova is a great choice given her stealth and both basic and heroic abilities that are easy to use.<br />
<br />
This mini-guide will serve to address how best to play this character and how best to maximize Nova if she is a member of your team.<br />
<br />
<b>Assumed Talent Tree (option1/option2/option3):</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.heroesnexus.com/talents/404-ambush-snipe">Ambush Snipe</a> , Gathering Power, Anti-armor Shells, Precision Strike/Triple Tap, Lethal Decoy/Double Decoy, Crippling Shot, Bolt of the Storm/Precision Barrage/Fast Reload<br />
<br />
<b>How to play:</b><br />
<u>Early:</u> Until level 10, Nova should attack minions for XP and try not to get killed. If enemies are aggressive, consider positioning to catch retreating Heroes with less than 1/2 health. Don't try to ambush and burst down enemies at this phase unless they have overextended themselves in a lane. Holo Decoy can be used to deplete ammo from Towers throughout the game. If the early game environment is hostile to laning (5-man roving enemy team), distraction of Heroes and ammo depletion with Holo Decoy are reasonable activities.<br />
<br />
<u>Middle:</u> Once you obtain either Triple Tap or Precision Strike, you are ready to burst down light to moderately armored Heroes. Rotations: Holo Decoy>Pinning>Snipe>Heroic Ability. This rotation (ideally) depletes a few cooldown abilities (Holo Decoy), slows the target for easier Snipe and Autoattacks and gets kills with either Heroic ability. If you cannot accomplish Pinning Shot and Snipe in <1sec you lose the benefit of Ambush Snipe favoring the more conservative: Holo Decoy>Snipe>Pinning>Heroic Ability.<br />
<br />
<u>Late:</u> Nova can begin to burst kill all but the most resistant Heroes after taking Crippling Shot, though non-Warrior characters will remain the best targets. If you took Triple Tap, position yourself to catch retreating heroes and don't use unless a kill is assured and especially not near structures or groups of enemy minions or mercenaries. If you took Precision Strike wait for double/triple/quad/mega kill opportunities.<br />
<br />
<b>Tactical use of Abilities:</b><br />
<u>Snipe:</u> A skill shot with long range. Used mostly for burst damage. If you took Psi-op Rangefinder, can also be used in fights that persist to catch runners.<br />
<br />
<u>Pinning Shot:</u> Damages and slows enemies early and increases damage with Crippling Shot. Good for preventing escapes, rarely good for preventing pursuit.<br />
<br />
<u>Decoy:</u> A double of Nova that appears to attack enemies. Good for tricking enemies into using cooldown abilities, breaking stealth/concealment and for augmenting damage in late game. Occasionally can be used to kill a retreating Hero given its relative long range.<br />
<br />
<u>Stealth:</u> Nova's stealth ability is what makes her a good casual-players hero. Stealth allows you to engage at the time and place of your choosing. Don't squander stealth by bad positioning, entering fights you cannot possibly assist meaningfully or win. Don't think too highly of stealth. Some players are very good at spotting stealthed heroes. Stick to bushes/vents when possible, advance along borders instead of in the open and shadow other players if no other cover is available.<br />
<br />
<b>Ineffective Pursuits:</b><br />
Taking Mercenary Camps alone, laning alone, holding objectives or attacking structures.<br />
<br />
<b>How to play with Nova:</b><br />
Don't ask or expect Nova to engage in 'Ineffective Pursuits' as above. Do watch where Nova is positioned. Feeding Nova with grabbing abilities helps keep her out of harms way. Ideally, grab an already damaged character (3/4 health) as Nova can usually burst most non-Warrior characters at this level of health without use of a heroic cooldown.<br />
<br />
<b>Summary: </b><br />
Nova is a fun hero. Strive to lead your group in either kills or hero damage or both and don't get caught unstealthed and out of position.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-29346202306351944282015-08-29T23:37:00.002-07:002015-10-04T22:06:27.940-07:00Eydis Darkbane and Fjola Lightbane: Legends or Myths?The Grand Tournament cards <a href="http://www.hearthhead.com/card=2519/eydis-darkbane&premium">Eydis Darkbane</a> and <a href="http://www.hearthhead.com/card=2748/fjola-lightbane&premium">Fjola Lightbane</a> invoke decks strong with buffing mechanics. Whether these cards warrant entire decks or represent very strong candidates for the 3-mana position remain questions.
The questions that remain for the casual gamer are whether these legendaries are worth the cost and for which classes and decks these cards make the most sense.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Cost:</u></b><br />
As for cost, on average, each pack of cards nets ~94 dust, so purchasing $20.00 of The Grand Tournament (TGT) packs should allow crafting of 1 of these legendaries assuming that you dust most of the cards opened. As such, this isn't a huge investment. Further stats on opening of packs can be found <a href="http://hearthsim.info/blog/the-grand-tournament-card-pack-opening/">here</a> and my own work <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/hearthstone/comments/3fpga7/grand_tournament_bundle_card_likelihood/">here.</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Strength:</u></b><br />
Both cards are notable for having good attack and health for 3-mana. The archetype of a 3-mana card is arguably the <a href="http://www.hearthhead.com/card=2012/spider-tank&premium">Spider Tank </a> with 3 attack and 4 health. Eydis and Fjola have those specs plus the added benefit of "3 damage to a random enemy" and "gain divine shield" when "you" target either with a spell. These are both good effects. 3-damage aimed randomly is rarely useless and usually helpful, but it will cost you some mana and usually another card to do so. Otherwise you will be required to target Eydis, perhaps creating some opportunity cost compared to another minion you'd rather target. As for Fjola's divine shield, this lends itself better to a deck archetype familiar to Magic the Gathering players called "Infect," where the goal is to relentlessly upgrade and attack with one or two specialized minions. The option for a "Hexproof" style of play is also available from the Divine Shield itself. Using either of these strategies would require a deck with at least some buff cards, such as Spare Parts. Prototype decks can be found that include both cards, but my sense is that this card will become a Priest standard and a one-of (probably Eydis) in aggressive decks with some buffing spells.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Staying power:</u></b><br />
If you can get either of these cards out early in the game and target them with a buff they have some chance of remaining in play and may offer reasonable board control from turn 2 (with the Coin) to 5. Cards costed 3 or less with Charge have 3 or less attack, except for <a href="http://www.hearthhead.com/card=466/arcane-golem&premium">Arcane Golem</a>- a card that I have not seen a lot of on the ranked ladder. The real concerns are Polymorph effects and Silence effects which still are threats available for 3-mana or less. After and during turn 5, things start to get more difficult for Eydis and Fjola, but they will certainly require some resources before quitting the board.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Summary: </u></b><br />
Eydis Darkbane and Fjola Lightbane have created a great deal of excitement. My sense is that for a casual player these may be good investments, especially if playing buff-heavy classes such as Druid, Paladin or Priest or a Spare Parts-heavy strategy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-73131529190773253412015-03-13T16:29:00.001-07:002015-03-13T16:32:02.438-07:000-6 Oil RogueI had just gone 0-6 playing Oil Rogue. The losses were to Mech-heavy decks, which can quickly populate and repopulate following AoE insults (Blade Fury). Having spent one Blade Fury, finding the second copy becomes critical to live long enough to assemble the win condition. In addition, another challenge was arising- eliminating a taunting minion from the board in order to hit the face and win the board/hit face again with Blade Fury. <div><br></div><div>I would be curious to hear how others manage this dance. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-73787753970709186552009-08-06T07:23:00.000-07:002009-08-06T07:24:08.571-07:00Return to WoW for leveling within PvP?The repetitive nature of PvE prompted my exodus from WoW. Now, there is the prospect of XP in PvP.... PvP is certainly much more interesting than PvE. Human opponents have the AI thingy down pretty well. I think Turing would be proud.<br /><br />Is XP in PvE engough to warrant a return to WoW? <br /><br />Only if:<br /><br />1) Leveling occurrs about every 3-4 weeks, given a casual player dedication of about 5-8 hours per week.<br /><br />2) Gear upgrades could be had on a slightly quicker time frame.<br /><br />With the current honor system, I think the gear upgrades are likely a pipe dream. Perhaps PvP quest objectives would help with that goal. XP would likely be rewarding on discrete BG objectives as well as overall victory. <br /><br />If this type of thing gets up and running, I think I'd likely return to WoW with a nice cat dps/healer dual spec and enjoy the challenge of leveling against human opponents, which I find vastly more exciting than killing 10 rats.<span class="fullpost"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-7070801420402341782009-06-02T18:01:00.000-07:002009-06-02T18:05:47.919-07:00New Druid SkinsSo Blizzard has decided to reskin druid forms and all they allow are some new, quasi-gnarly tattoos? Please show me what they look like from the rear view- the only druid view that matters.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />End Post<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-80445157929839773352009-02-28T16:03:00.000-08:002009-02-28T16:08:50.001-08:00Should I come back to WoW for dual specs?<br /><br />Nope, still have to kill 10 foozles all the way to 80.....<br /><br />Exodus of The Kaplan to another game means no third expansion....they are out of lore anyway.<br /><br />For those wondering if they should stop playing WoW- I would recommend canceling your account for 3 weeks cold turkey. No blogs, no WoWInsider or other web stuff, just get it out of sight. If you miss it so much after 3 weeks, go on back. Otherwise, enjoy a WoW-free life.<br /><br />I certainly am.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-88713650156782533512009-01-03T11:56:00.000-08:002009-01-03T12:11:41.424-08:00WoW breakWow just isn't new or interesting at this point. I don't think the flavor of the added druid abilities or the revamp of the old abilities makes me feel that I've gained anything incrementally fun on my main. While the game has opened-up considerably for casuals, I still find the reward horizon much to long for the benefits.<br /><br />Ida, go play a Death Knight?<br /><br />No thanks. It has taken me quite long enough to level to 71. I don't care to repeat any part of Outlands even though progressing into Northrend with a new class would probably keep me interested enough to continue in WoW. Organizing all the add-ons I've come to depend on just to play through zones I have already seen just isn't very compelling.<br /><br />I feel that the next release of WoW or next Blizz MMO will gather my $15/month. As for now, the only thing in-game I am enjoying is the AH, which probably isn't worth $15 RL dollars per month.<br /><br />Under what circumstance would I stay?<br /><br />1) If I could start another class (rogue) at my current level, I'd likely stick around for that.<br />2) Insta-level my 71 to 80 for $15 to get into raids and PvP.<br /><br />I really just hate leveling. It is so boring. The plots are so mundane and uninteresting and the process is just too slow. Professions have also become quite useless. I need a game with quicker rewards. <br /><br />The stick is just too long and the carrot seems to be the same carrot from TBC.<br /><br />All that being said, I may stick around or come back. But for now, dear readers, I will be investing some time in some other blogs.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-35098670857066545712008-12-22T16:43:00.000-08:002008-12-23T04:51:24.599-08:00Money Sinks of Wrath of the Litch KingThe new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Darkmooon</span> Cards would be a fabulous money sink if they were sold by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">NPCs</span>. Instead they are sold by Inscribers to players. I don't play enough to tell if the word is out about these cards among casual players, but I'm sure the raiding crowd has already snapped up these gems. Casual players are in luck though, as:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=42989"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Berserker</span>!</a><br /><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=42990">Death </a><br /><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=44253">Greatness</a> (comes in 4 flavors: <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=44253"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Agi</span></a>, <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=42987"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Str</span></a>, <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=44254"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Spr</span></a>, <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=44255">Int</a>)<br /><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=42988">Illusion</a><br /><br />are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">BoE</span> and are obtained by collecting the Ace, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 of the requisite decks from the AH or from a friendly scribe and handing them in to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Darkmoon</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Faire</span>. Did I mention the requisite cards that compose the decks are made by inscribers? Oh, and they are expensive- appropriately so. The Ace sells for 3-5k on my server with the others going between 300-700g and more.<br /><br />Why would I spend 5,000g on a <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=44234">multi-player, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">vendoring</span> mount</a>? <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=40586"> Band of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Kirin</span> Tor</a> for 8,500g? <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?items&filter=cr=63;crs=1;crv=1000000#0-10-3+1">Other frills abound</a>, but none of them really have that must-have glow of the the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Darkmoon</span> Trinkets. In fact, I don't really see a large money sink in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">WOTLK</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Perhaps</span> some of <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?items&filter=cr=131:63;crs=1:1;crv=0:1000000">these lesser frills</a> are the new money sinks? Many impulsive 200-500g purchases may very well be a more sustainable sink than large, single 5000-20,000g purchases?<br /><br />In addition to these large and medium-priced items, I would also note that the price of taxis have gone up, high-end buff food isn't cheap due to the <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=43007#comments">Northern Spices</a> effect and cloth for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">frostweave</span> bags isn't cheap right now. Except for taxis, the last two items represent player exchanges in currency and can't really be considered a money sink. In fact, with the majority of nice blue equipment being <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">BoE</span>, there is a much more robust between-player economy in Wrath.<br /><br />In conclusion, I believe that crafted armor and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Darkmoon</span> Cards may create a much more vibrant player-level economy and offer much interesting effect on game play than transportation upgrades. In addition, without compelling reasons to buy into new mounts, perhaps more affordable mounts, toys and taxis are the new gold sinks of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">WoW</span>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-55632296930077501302008-12-20T05:18:00.000-08:002008-12-20T05:23:33.387-08:00Back to a dual purpose spec.The latest patch notes state:<br />
<br />
<blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Protector of the Pack: No longer changes value based on party size. </span></blockquote>Cool! Now I can have my pre-Wrath dual-purpose, one tree spec back! This could either be a correction back to the mean of the last expansion and original game or perhaps a rethinking of switchable talent trees that Blizzard has hinted at in the past. Either way, I can now solo elites at a ridiculously slow pace, tank instances with minor modification to my talent tree (I'm not too impressed with Infected Wounds) and AOE to my heart's content old world rep or lowbie Northrend mobs.<br />
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I for one am glad for this.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-15037733006493401322008-12-16T16:11:00.000-08:002008-12-16T17:54:55.129-08:00Casual Weapons<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wowhead.com/images/screenshots/111037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 135px;" src="http://upload.wowhead.com/images/screenshots/111037.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Well, with the addition of polearms and the application of feral AP to all weapons, I thought we might have some more weapon options for casual cats and bears. And we do. See <a href="http://wowthinktank.blogspot.com/2008/12/druid-moar-stuf-aka-polearms.html" linkindex="5">Think Tank's great post</a> on the subject. However, to-date we aren't getting a <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?items=2.6&filter=cr=86;crs=11;crv=0" linkindex="6">craftable polearm</a> or <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?items=2.5&filter=cr=86;crs=11;crv=0#0-3+1" linkindex="7">2H mace</a>.<br /><br />As for now, no love from the crafting professions for droods.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-77344620511296096092008-12-13T19:03:00.000-08:002008-12-13T19:10:49.786-08:00Feral Attack Power ChangeThis change just gives me one more thing to look up. How annoying. I liked the idea that I could easily find the weapons good for ferals DPS and tanks without too much effort. I understand that the change will open up opportunities for many more tanking weapons. If I'm not mistaken, feral DPS staves and maces may be less abundant. I don't know of too many hammers that would fit the bill for feral DPS, though I'm sure there are some out there.<br />
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Once again, I'll say the the game is getting too complex. I would much prefer that Blizz do this work for me. Show me a percent improvement or loss for any weapon compared to my current weapon based on my spec. The UI will reportedly change, but there is nothing to tell me how, where and when to uprgrade.<br />
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Without all my fellow bloggers, I'd be totally lost in this game.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-54180996562556830892008-12-06T10:03:00.001-08:002008-12-30T15:34:59.657-08:00Death Knights- Casual ConsiderationsI'd like to take a moment to consider some issues surrounding Death Knights for casual players.<br /><br />Should a casual player start a Death Knight? The time commitments of casual players are limited. I play less than 10 hours per week and usually more on the order of 4-6 hours per week. I have my main toon at 71 now, and at this rate would expect to get to 80 in about 1 year.... That's the reality of casual. The possibility of creating a level 55 character of any faction, any server and any server type is an attractive method to gain access to a new flavor of WoW. On the other hand, leveling another character beyond ~60 is going to occur very slowly and at the expense of my main character. Therefore, the risk of starting a DK is missing the lowbie instance action, guild progression and other social aspects of your main character. In my opinion, for a casual player, this is a compelling reason not to start a DK with the intent of quickly leveling another level 80 toon.<br /><br />However, the benefits and gameplay options for low level DKs abound. Twinking a 59 DK for BGs could be fun and having another toon on the same server in the high 50s or 60s or even 70s with complimentary professions could be very efficient. Against this strategy is the low-level farming and gold that it would take to level a profession to the point where it would be useful to a main toon. Once to level 70 skill levels, getting level 70+ skill levels would mean leveling the alt DK to at least <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?spell=51313#comments">61</a>, which isn't too bad. However, the gold required for that feat is not trivial and probably on the order of about 2000-3000 depending on the profession- an uncasual amount.<br /><br />As for PvP versus PvE server, a trial of a few levles on PvP couldn't hurt, but by all accounts things can be brutal there. <br /><br />As for race and faction, pick a different race, but for most casuals a toon on the same server in the same faction has the potential to enhance game play, while a toon on a foreign server will not have this advantage. If you must choose a separate faction, keep the player on your main's server to get some cross faction swapping if needed.<br /><br />In summary, there are pros and cons to starting a DK for a casual player. I think that keeping a DK in low levels, same faction, same server and leveling one crafting profession that compliments a main character will be my strategy. Plus or minus 59 twinking.<br /><br />What are your thoughts?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-51127013626804224462008-11-28T18:45:00.001-08:002008-11-28T18:45:30.372-08:00Initial Wrath Impressions<p>I never thought I would write a post about a technical aspect of WoW.  However, I have been getting some terrible lag lately.</p> <p>I have barely been able to walk through Shatt.</p> <p>I rode the boat back and forth from SW to Valor Point 3 times before the lag reduced enough to allow me to get off of the boat.</p> <p>Well, so far that is as far as I have “progressed” in Wrath so far.  It’s not quite hard core raiding, but certainly presents its own challenges.</p> <p>I’m imagining what a progression guild beyond the docks of Valor Point would look like in a high lag environment.  I can imagine arguments over loot as certain members that get kicked from the servers and others have 15 minutes of keyboard commands resolve after the fight has been over for 30 minutes.</p> <p>Need. Greed. Lay-away.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-8022816942528621992008-11-19T19:29:00.000-08:002008-11-19T20:09:32.852-08:00Intro to Death Knight: PreludeThe Sea. <br /><br />The swells under the life raft didn't cease in the two months I spent adrift. Their incessant, silent pattern haunts my dreams. A rumor of the tireless water passes under my feet occasionally, and I fall to the earth without warning. The salt smell like a partial vomit lingers in the deepest holds of my memory.<br /><br />The Sun.<br /><br />She was only deliverance from the hollow night for a few short moments. Taciturn, she tortured me until sundown, when the cold greedy air begged in breezes and my scorched hide cheaply released heat to its pleading. The detritus of the ship was only visible for a day, then the barren landscape of steel- that mental prison- was all that illumination ever did show.<br /><br />The Sickness.<br /><br />I knew of gods who the crew offered their blood. I called upon them to take mine more rapidly, but I was dismayed at having enough to continue in a feverish stupor inside the gunwales. Ignoring the skin, blood came seeping through as a sweat and always blackly. It had no temperature. It had no sound. Commonly, I only knew of the hemorrhage vaguely, a stickiness matted through my hair, a crust underneath porous nails upon waking or a ferric spice at my lips. It seems to have passed now, though chronic pain has infested the holes of the liver, the stones in the kidney and the scars on my brain.<br /><br />Northrend.<br /><br />Where water is frozen and the sun stays low. Where among drifts of snow I may sleep. The ice is firm there and the sun bounces from its surface into space. <br /><br />Who sent me to sea to find this disease? <br /><br />I will know.<span class="fullpost"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-32226499260458941652008-11-07T15:51:00.000-08:002008-11-08T07:34:09.302-08:00Is WoW too complex for fun?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:4wxfTa9T8wvhGM:http://images.funagain.com/cover/huge/00228.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 100px;" src="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:4wxfTa9T8wvhGM:http://images.funagain.com/cover/huge/00228.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Wow is a tough game to play. Everything was Candyland for the first 30-40 levels or so. Then, my bags filled up, stats became important and I started to sweat a little just thinking about playing. Along came level 60 and TBC. Stats became even more important, there were more of them and marginal benefit graphs started popping up. I didn't know which gem to buy (still don't). I didn't know which enchants were the best. I did't know that enchants don't proc with weapon strikes when shapeshifted?<br /><br />My /played vastly underestimates the time I spent gear-searching, theorycrafting and scheming over which rep to get, which dungeon loot to pursue and which attack rotation to use. All this time, I felt that my druid was a calico, clown-car of equipment, clothes, gems and profession junk.<br /><br />My conclusion.....WoW is hard. What makes WoW hard?<br />1) too many choices for gear<br />2) too many spells<br />3) too many ways to modify gear<br /><br />As the amount of choices increases, the potential for making errors in choosing gear inceases. Also the potential for making a character incredibly powerful also exists. What if you showed up in PvP without much stamina or resilence? What if you thought attack power was better than Agi for cat dps? The gap between those who can assimilate, crunch and optimize is growing. The result is that the damage output, tanking capacity and healing ability is very high for some and vastly unrealized for others. This is especially evident in PvP, where I am routinely getting 2-3 shotted by rogues after the introduction of glyphs- they must have been given some really good ones. And what is the story with warriors getting the spinning blender ability? Healers stand their ground while I dps and heal until someone arrives to help. I<br /><br />Impressive. Most impressive.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Hopefully this chasm will be reduced to allow players with less time more access to fun in PvP and more chances of contributing toward PvE goals. Reducing the amount of gear choices available, labeling gear for specific use and labeling enchants, glyphs, inscriptions, potions and other gear for specific use would be very helpful.<br /><br />To reduce the amount of time it takes to find these objects, it would be very nice to have a class/spec filter at the auction house that would allow one to see (when toggled) only those items that might be improvements for class and spec given existing gear.<br /><br />Additionally, if we consider instance runs a kind of shopping with a chance of getting the desired drop, a system where a dungeon drops only bracers and main hand weapons or feet and trinkets would be preferable to the current system where all drops for any slot could occur for any class. The result of the current system is that without great gear lists, which there are many, significant amounts of time are required for gear searching before you even get to the instance and have to deal with low probability of your heart's desire actually dropping.<br /><br />As for the casual approach to all of this, I am lucky to have a class that has great online forums and resources. There are gear lists that are reliably and accurately updated. If I didn't have these lists, I'd hope to find an addon that would compare what I have eqiupped to what I am considering for purchase or loot. The combination of Talented and Dr. Damage will accomplish this.<br /><br />There, I've said it. I don't enjoy spending hours reading about how to play this game. My attempts to play more efficiently have result in many dry-eyed Firefox sessions, which isn't much fun either. However, after 2 years of playing and reading I have finally found the instruction manuals for my class, professions and so forth in the form of various web pages. I must give credit to the forums, which occasionally have useful information, though I am likely to look there after Wowhead or wowwiki.<br /><br />However, a bit of direction from Blizz would go a long way toward reducing the amount of crap-wading that must take place in order to have fun in-game.<br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-69734266175566813252008-10-17T09:52:00.001-07:002008-10-18T04:21:59.774-07:00Expansion Notes: Orienting Self<p>So sad to see all my mods broken. I will rebuild! For now, I can’t even play due to Bongos being broken and apparently not even being updated anymore. Dominoes seems to be the replacement, I hope it is as easy to use as Bongos. With all the new abilities, Blizz really needs to build-in a more useful UI or offer a surgery to implant a wire straight from my head into the game. </p> <p>For Inscription, browse <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?items=16.11">these druid-specifics.</a> The Glyphs of the <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?spell=54910">Red Lynx</a> and <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?spell=54291">White Bear</a> don’t seem to be in the game yet? I really don’t think you are playing your class if you don’t go pick up some glyphs. These things are power incarnate. Take special attention to the effect of glyphs before planning your build. There are some glyphs that are going to stack/multiply with talents making your talent points go even further for specific abilities. </p> <p>All of your mods probably don’t work. When you do get them up and running, be sure to look for new spells for your race, class and profession. </p> <p>Respec before fighting. You will be totally untalented unless you re-assign your points. This may be a good time to add your planned leveling build. Also, get ready for an alternate build, as Blizz will probably be adding in the ability to change between at least two specs. I plan on a healing build for raids, 5-mans and PvP. The kitty will probably be for grinding only.</p> <p><a href="http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html;jsessionid=6196DA848A1E7838B6B08E98914ECE08.app05_07?topicId=11162627086&sid=1">Enchants now work in Druid forms?</a> This should be coming, I just haven’t seen anything definitive about this patch. When they do, check out the weapon enchants <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?spells=11.333#0-7+1">here</a> (enter ‘weapon’ in the limits area). </p> <p>I’m still waiting to understand what stats will be most useful in the expansion. Once players get up to 80 and run simulations, we will have better answers to that.</p> <p> </p> <p>A laundry list:</p> <p>- Your mounts, money, PvP marks are not missing. Look under the currency pane in your character panel. </p> <p>- You can’t level professions above 375 yet.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-80755333504698413012008-10-07T05:18:00.000-07:002008-10-18T04:22:24.313-07:00Feral Leveling Build<span style="font-style: italic;">Edit: With new from Blizz con looking very favorable for spec-switching, I altered the build below, to <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=0ZvMGsfrz0eR0IuAobA0z">this build </a>with pure cat dps and cat talents. </span><br /><br />Time to work on a <a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?talent=0ZerhsfrzMeRchuNobA0z">Feral</a> build for leveling in WotLK.<br /><br />As a casual player, I am disappointed that the new feral tree does not allow 100% DPS and 100% Tank spec in one build. We got away with that throughout TBC. Now, with a few talents that are bear or cat specific, we have to choose. Alas, Blizz has missed the point that many people don't like to tank and that providing a dual-spec of tank and DPS was actually creating more tanks. Well, we will have more death knight tanks, if people spec that way and perhaps a spec switching ability.<br /><br />In compiling this build my goals were diffuse, like a Sarah Palin debate. I wanted to have:<br /><ul><li>High DPS for leveling and PvP use (though I think healing is more fun in PvP)<br /></li><li>core tanking functions for 5-mans *not raids* (uncrittable, high armor)<br /></li><li>some soloing capability<br /></li></ul>I haven't been following Beta news too closely, but it seems that things are changing for bear tanks. More threat from damage dealt? Cats seem to have myriad of new talents to increase DPS. Nelfs may have a better <a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=58984">Shadowmeld</a> for soloing without having to spend talent points.<br /><br />There are plenty of builds out there and no hybrid build is going to be perfect. I've included points of my build below, especially where they may deviate from a pure DPS or Tank build.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=16860">Feral Aggression</a> - usually a crappy ability, but with <a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=51268">Rend and Tear</a>, may stack up some nice crits.<br /><br /><a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=17002">Feral Swiftness</a>- a puzzler. 15% increase is great for PvP in cat form. The dodge is only good for tanking, but very nice for tanking. However, <a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=57878">Natural Reaction</a> gives more bang for the buck, if you are willing to sacrifice the cat ability.<br /><br /><a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=16940#comments">Brutal Impact</a>- may be quite nice for kitties. High potential for getting in another Shred from behind can be very effective in PvE and PvP.<br /><br /><a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=57878">Natural Reaction</a>- a clear bear ability and not a necessity for tanking 5-mans. As above, this does give some dodge, which isn't an easy stat to get.<br /><br /><a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=33851">Primal Tenacity</a>- clear PvP ability.<br /><a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=57877"><br />Protector of the Pack</a>- Bears only here and a core ability for tanking in any PvE setting. Nice for PvP too.<br /><br /><a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=33859">Predatory Instincts</a>- wow. Lots of crit damage increase here. With white crits and special crits, this seems like a core cat ability.<br /><a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=48483"><br />Infected Wounds</a> - very cool PvP ability. I probably won't take it for the Feral build, focusing more on the PvE side. This seems like a talent worth putting all three points into or none at all.<br /><br /><a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=48492">King of the Jungle</a> - seems almost like a core threat generating and DPSing talent.<br /><br /><a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=51269">Rend and Tear</a> - Well, taken with <a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=16858">Feral Aggression</a> this makes for a very nasty <a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=48577">Ferocious Bite</a>.<br /><a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=17056"><br />Furor</a> - Power-shifting isn't going to work anymore for cats. That's OK, it always seemed a little devious to me. I'd rather self-buff with improved<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=17051">MotW</a>. The <a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=48469#comments">MotW buff</a> is quite nice in Wrath.<br /><br />Well, Toskk will have the mathematical answer to the best build over on Druid Wiki soon and we will probably all go with those numbers for PvE. As for me, I'll stick with this until I feel that I'm sand-bagging myself in some way.<br /><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-51367438665367272642008-10-04T08:47:00.001-07:002008-10-06T04:28:49.617-07:00The Currencies of Wrath: Good ole Gold<p>Gold. Easy to obtain in small quantities, harder to obtain in large quantities and likely to be used in the purchase of a gold sink item to minimize inflation.</p> <p>The Burning Crusade saw the introduction of Badges of Justice, which markedly diminished the value of gold. Gold no longer had the ability to buy high-end items. One had to brave the heroics and halls of Kara to gear-advance. However, at the end of Burning Crusade, Primal Nether became salable on the open market, restoring some of the value gold had initially lost. Still, the high-quality items made with P. Nether often required an armor or weapon crafting profession, which again put some restraint upon the ability of people to buy gold for gold sellers or grind gold to arrive at a nice purple set of gear. </p> <p>Still, it is my impression that gold was very useful for picking up gems and enchant materials. Toward the end of TBC, I power leveled engineering, which cost a small fortune in gold. Gold still certainly is the currency for gaining access to the raw mats made by other professions. </p> <span class="fullpost"> <p>In addition to gear for combat, gold also found its way into a big sink….Artisan Riding Skill- 5, 000g for those of you who may have forgotten. That 5kg got you into a flying mount that was 3.6x as fast as walking and allowed one to bypass “ground” content and for those with gathering skills, to gather up more mats to sell quicker. </p> <p>In Wrath, is gold going to be as valuable? I can tell you that I may not pick up any additional riding skill unless it allows for a really cool mount. I’m thinking a quartz dragon with fire-breathing capability and a stewardess that does damage to other players (give it a long cooldown for balance). I really don’t see the need to carry other players around in a side-car or, for a druid, on my back. Why I would need to fly faster than I already do is also debatable. I already barely catch some of the nodes spawning on my herb radar due to the speed of Swift Flight Form. Perhaps Blizz will implement something in PvP or PvE that will require the fastest form of flight, and passengers, but until I see the need for that, I don’t plan on sinking my gold into a new riding skill. </p> <p>That being said, if I have no sink, what will I do with all that extra gold? I am confident that I’ll be able to buy the things I need with gold made from questing, fishing, herbing and cooking. Now that inscription will require herbs and less pots will be required from alchemists due to potion sickness, I think herbs will remain a viable gathering profession. For a casual Druid- herbing remains the best profession due to the ability to gather while remaining in Flight Form.</p> <p>As for inscriptions, enchants and gems, these items will likely still be in high demand and available on the AH for Good Ole Gold as will the new Frozen Orbs.</p> <p>In conclusion, I don’t see gold leaving the game as a viable currency. Even without a riding skill gold sink, which I have faith Blizz will create somehow, gold will continue to have some value. Compared to TBC and Old World, I would expect that value to be slightly less.<br /><br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-76661668549268016312008-09-29T15:41:00.000-07:002008-10-01T04:56:24.769-07:00The Currencies of Wrath: Frozen Orbs and Emblems of HeroismIt's all Beta. It's all speculation, but....<br /><br />The new equivalent to Primal Nether, which were like trying to acquire water from a stone for casual players, is the the <a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?item=43102">Frozen Orb</a>. Currently, these tickets to purple gear (read: heroics, nice PvP stuff and high-level 10-man raids) are not BoP. If they remain non-BoP, this will create a nice market for upper level players, new opportunities for casual players to gear-up for raid content and more fun for everyone. Currently, these are also purchasable for the BoJ Wrath equivalent- <a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?item=40752">Emblem of Heroism</a>, available from heroics and such. Emblems can also be used to buy the new bind to account items.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />The significance of a non-BoP Primal Nether equivalent is enormous for casual players. This will open up access to excellent craftable gear. Some of this gear may only be available to those that have the profession. So, if heroics are easier to enter for the casual player, Frozen Orbs are easier to obtain excellent gear is profession-only, it may well be worth leveling a profession to get in on these goodies for end-game use. Previously, the cost of Primal Nethers was largely prohibitive to casual players and most of the Primal Nether seemed to remain within guilds- as it probably should. If you do decide to change professions, remember that one should keep at least one gathering profession with which to make money (gold)- that is if gold remains important in Wrath.<br /><br />For a druid, leatherworking + herbalism may be a potent combination now that Nether-like crafting substances are growing on trees (an overstatement). I have recently picked up Engineering and plan to keep it. Herbalism- my other profession- is going to be under the microscope as I enter Wrath. If gold seems less necessary in WotLK, which could be the case if the price of mounts and advanced riding is minimized), I may be switching my primary professions to Leatherworking and Engineering, while keeping fishing and cooking as gold-generating skills.<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-67214799745059870852008-09-21T12:45:00.000-07:002008-11-08T12:08:59.187-08:00Update on Power Leveling Engineering<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The easy part of power leveling a profession are the skill-ups. Well, they aren't that easy on the old gold pile, but basically plunk down your gold, find a forge and start hacking away at schematics easily obtained from trainers. For engineering, all of the schematics needed to get to 300 come from Ironforge. Conveniently in proximity to the AH, bank and mailbox. Well, after repeating that for 300+ skill levels, I am now left with the task of obtaining all of the recipes that I actually want- the schematics that make engineering fun.<br /><br />This list should be a relatively comprehensive list of patterns that a level 70+ power level would be interested in:<br /><br />Feralas-<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=19027">Snake Burst Firework</a></li></ul>Barrens-<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=4381">Minor Recombobulator</a><br /></li></ul>Winterspring-<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=16050">Delicate Arcanite Converter</a></li><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=18652">Gyrofreeze Ice Reflector</a></li><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=16046">Masterwork Target Dummy</a></li><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=18656">Powerful Seaforium Charge</a></li></ul>Azshara-<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=10607#comments">Deepdive Helmet</a></li></ul>Hinterlands-<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=7561" target="_blank">Mithril Mechanical Dragonling</a> <span class="fullpost"><br /></span></li></ul>Southshore-<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=7561">Goblin Jumper Cables</a></li></ul>STV-<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=7561">Green Firework</a></li></ul>Blackrock (Depths or Spire)-<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?search=schematic#items:50+2+1">World Enlarger</a></li><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=18654">Alarm-o-Bot</a></li><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?search=schematic#items:50+2+1">Goblin Jumper Cables XL</a></li><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?search=schematic#items:50+2+1">Dark Iron Bomb</a></li><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?search=schematic#items:50+2+1">Hyper-Radiant Flame Reflector</a></li></ul>Stratholme-<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?search=schematic#items:50+2+1">Ultra-Flash Shadow Reflector</a></li></ul>Dire Maul-<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=18637">Major Recombobulator</a></li></ul>Gnomergan/Thermaplug-<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?search=schematic#items:50+2+1">Flash Bomb</a></li><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?search=schematic#items:50+2+1">Discombobulator Ray</a></li><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?search=schematic#items:50+2+1">Seaforium Charge</a></li><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?search=schematic#items:50+2+1">Goblin Land Mine</a></li><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?search=schematic#items:50+2+1">Portable Bronze Mortar</a></li><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?search=schematic#items:50+2+1">Large Seaforium Charge</a></li></ul>Rare World Drops-<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?search=schematic#items:50+2+1">Parachute Cloak</a></li><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?search=schematic#items:50+2+1">Arcane Bomb</a></li><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?search=schematic#items:50+2+1">Arcanite Dragonling</a></li></ul>Quested-<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?search=schematic#items:50+2+1">Flash Bomb</a><br /></li></ul><br />More to come after I get past 300!<br /><br />Good luck leveling!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-41720625934311930522008-09-13T09:24:00.000-07:002008-09-13T16:00:58.886-07:00Aggro #1The past few weeks I have been super busy, but I'd like to highlight these posts as interesting to the casual player. In addition, I hope to use "Aggro's" to highlight the work of the blogging community.<br /><br /><a href="http://35yards.wordpress.com/2008/09/01/are-world-bosses-obsolete/">35 Yards Out</a> comments on World Bosses<br /><br /><a href="http://casualraidleader.com/?p=156">Casual Raid Leader</a> comments on the meaning of Casual, Hobbyist and Hardcore players.<br /><br />World bosses represent a great option for the casual player/guild for the reasons that 35 sets out. In addition:<br /><br />1) Less trash to kill<br />2) Less trash to kill<br />3) Less trash to kill<br /><br />The reduction of trash mobs can greatly increase the probability of getting to the fun part- the boss, which means more fun with teamwork and class abilities that aren't really necessary during solo play. Killing lots of trash gets boring. The longer the trash-mop, the more likely someone gets called to dinner or someone's baby needs changing. Once the AFKs begin, smart casuals know to get outta Dodge and find something more productive to do.<br /><br />Regarding Casual Raid Leader's post- I think he is on the right track. One thing that could help give casuals and hobbyists better access to raids would be a much longer reset time on instances. Why have a reset time at all? Perhaps groups should be able to enter a raid and have the raid spawn according to the least progressed player in the raid? This would certainly foster teamwork and an incentive to have an entire guild of players progress simultaneously. Simultaneous progression would likely keep guilds more intact, albeit smaller.<br /><br />Thanks to the blogs I'm highlighting this week for their thorough coverage of these topics!<br /><br />(end post)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3387518062206681517.post-49002534507839850822008-09-07T09:27:00.000-07:002008-09-15T14:45:34.220-07:00What is More Druid than Engineering?<span style="font-style: italic;">Note: This is a post in progress regarding powerleveling of Engineering. It is currently changing as I finish my leveling experience and may not be chronologically consistent.</span><br /><br />Well, I've given up on Alchemy. Thrown in the towel, the vials and flushed all of my reagents down the toilet. Actually, never seen a toilet in WoW. I suppose I will need to trek to <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=11018">Un'Goro</a> to relieve my toon some day.<br /><br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">While alchemy provides nice buffs, the potions are overall quite boring and there really isn't much advantage to the Masteries. The procs are just too rare to bank on and just aren't fun.<br /><br />So, I've powerleveled engineering, which went very well according to the <a href="http://www.blizzardguides.com/wow_1-300_engineering_guide.html">guide</a> (just remember to go back to the trainer after each step). The entire thing can be done in Ironforge, which is very nice. There is also a <a href="http://www.tentonhammer.com/node/26711#5">guide from Ten Ton Hammer</a>, that helped ease the post-300 skill level.<br /><br />Currently, I'm 300, which took about 6-7 hours and somewhere in the neighborhood of 800-900g. Overall, the experience was quite doable and I'm looking forward to obtaining some of the rare items with lowbies or as a soloing project. I've always wanted to have a soloing experience, but never could come up with a justification for soloing in BRD or Gnomer. Now, I do.<br /><br />As such, I think changing a profession is a great way to get out of the pre-Wrath doldrums for a casual player, especially if your class has some soloing potential or you like PvP. For a druid, we can't benefit much from the guns, but everything else is quite usuable indeed. Just remember to keep a gathering profession, this is the casual gamers path to money making.<br /><br />As for the answer to the post-title question: Gnomish Engineering. Yes, I've gone Gnomish, as I plan to play a healer in end-game and the crowd control options available with gnomish seem quite nice to me. PvP will also be a much bigger part of my play in Wrath, as it takes up much less time. Being an annoyance with the <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=11018">Mind Control Cap</a> against a Grand Master Greifer should be a lot of fun.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm off to gather up the cool engineering stuff, while taking my time and enjoying the scenery along the way. It appears that I will be taking a tour of the old world.<br /><br />I had the money making scheme well dialed-in with alchemy (make a transmute every day), so finding the niche and markets for Engi stuff should be fun too. For all you economics lovers, changing professions is a great fun.<br /><br />On the Gnome State Engineering Curriculum are:<br /><br /><a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?search=engineering+trainer">101 Trainer Gizzes</a><br /><a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spells=11.202#0+6+7+1">180 Quests</a><br /><a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spells=11.202#0+6+7+1">195 Transporters</a><br /><a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spells=11.202.20219">210 Gnomish Stuff</a><br /><a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spells=11.202#0+6+7+1">250 Drops</a><br /><a href="http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spells=11.202&filter=minrs=376;maxrs=450">376 The WotLK Stuff</a><br /><a href="http://www.google.com/ig/add?feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcenarionlabs.blogspot.com%2Ffeeds%2Fposts%2Fdefault">501 Rep Stuff </a><br /><br />I will keep a log here of my success in training and report on the utility of my new gadgets.<br /><br />Any Engineers out there with suggestions or items I've missed?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1