Monday, September 17, 2007

Shade of who?

Shade of Aran finally went down on us last night after we coaxed him to come out of the closet. Sadly, when it was his turn with me, he died tragically from a heart attack. Grats to FKT on another fun night!

Hrm... how can I top that awesome opener? Well anyways, this fight is one of the most fun in the instance. Most whine about how hard he is and how they get pwnd. Okay guys there are only a few things that need to be done. Don't move when there is fire, CS his Fireballs and frostbolts, get the ellies under control, and have fun! After my rank about all these things, we nuked him down on our first attempt of the night. THanks to everyone there, and enjoy the loot.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Karma!

Wow! I recently found out that Karma is not always a bitch. Sometimes she is sweet, and reminds me that I am a good person.

Okay, so check this out. A good friend of mine wanted to kill some dragons in Ogri'la. He needed those blue crystals off of the dragons. He asked over vent if we would help, and I agreed. I knew that by helping him, not only would I be of healing assitance, but I would get a chance at a super rare drop, The Badge of Tenacity. Needless to say, it did not drop. Oh and btw Hyjal the dragons are bugged. No blue crystals. Nonetheless, we decided that we would kill the dragons and craft the random cloak from their scales. I got a crappy caster one that magically turned into a blue crystal. That was it. No Badge yet again.

Later last evening I was browsing my guild forums and found that a rogue had gotten the drop. He posted on the forums that he was going to see if my class leader wanted it first. Luckily for me, my CL is really determined to get his mount. So, I get a tell from said rogue, offering that what should be epic trinket to me for 700G. Of course I am pretty poor, as I have been gearing out 3 sets. I had about 500 gold on me, and got a loan from Stan. I am now the happy owner of the badge. The endless farming is over. Now I just need Moroes Pocket watch to drop...

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Requirements for end-game raiding

Gruul's, SSC
Here are the stats druids should have for roles in Gruul's Lair and Serpentshrine Cavern. All figures are unbuffed. Since the raid team will soon be more formal, these should be considered "requirements."

Healing: 9,000 mana, 1,400 +healing, 100mp/5 (while casting) 8,000 health.
Tanking: 1,500 AP, 13,000 health, 27,000 armor, 30% dodge, 415 defense (or resilience)
Melee DPS: 2,400 AP, 30% crit, 8,000 health
Casting DPS: 800 +spell damage, 8,000 health, 6,000 armor (MK form)


Damn! And I thought I was set to go to Gruuls and SSC. These are really high standards. I was actually very disappointed yesterday when I saw that all three of my sets were not acceptable for end-game. Luckily for cat form, I just had to do some re-gemming. But for bear, my most valued form, I fall short of the needed 1500 attack power. This is where it gets tricky. I need 115 attack power. I HAVE to get the gloves from Curator, the belt out of Heroic Ramparts. The bracers out of Heroic Shattered Halls, and I am also concerned with my chest and legs. So in all, I have a lot of work ahead of me.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Good news!

"HERT raid schedule.
Friday: 6-8:30
Saturday: 5-9
(times are subject to change a little bit)

The O-corp has decided to resurrect HERT(High End Raiding Team)."

That totally just made my day. This post made by my guild means that I can still raid Kara and ZM (when released) with my team. We can even have the same nights. I just hope that this raiding schedule won't burn me out!


Finally!


I finally got my first piece of T4! Prince 2 shotted again! And we finally found a Warlock! This week could not get any better. More to come soon =P

Sunday, September 9, 2007

So I think this is the spec I am sticking with

Druid Talents
Minimum Required Level: 70
Required Talent Points: 61

Feral Combat Talents - 47 point(s)

  • Ferocity - rank 5/5
  • Feral Instinct - rank 3/3
  • Thick Hide - rank 3/3
  • Feral Swiftness - rank 2/2
  • Feral Charge - rank 1/1
  • Sharpened Claws - rank 3/3
  • Shredding Attacks - rank 2/2
  • Predatory Strikes - rank 3/3
  • Primal Fury - rank 2/2
  • Savage Fury - rank 2/2
  • Faerie Fire (Feral) - rank 1/1
  • Heart of the Wild - rank 5/5
  • Survival of the Fittest - rank 3/3
  • Primal Tenacity - rank 3/3
  • Leader of the Pack - rank 1/1
  • Improved Leader of the Pack - rank 2/2
  • Predatory Instincts - rank 5/5
  • Mangle - rank 1/1

  • Restoration Talents - 14 point(s)

  • Furor - rank 5/5
  • Naturalist - rank 5/5
  • Intensity - rank 3/3
  • Omen of Clarity - rank 1/1
  • Leveling again

    Leveling? What is that?

    Being capped out at 70 for quite a few months now has made me oblivious to the joys of leveling. With me and my friends needing something to bring back the fun in the game, and keep that spark alive; we decided to start out fresh and level some new toons. This by far was one of the best ideas we have ever come up with. It is nice again to feel the awkwardness of playing a new character that you know nothing about, and finding yourself immersed in the world as something different that what you started. It really opened my eyes to a much different play style.

    Did I think I was going to play a priest as my next new class? Honestly, no. What I did think is that I was going to get around to leveling a shaman. Fortunately my friend created Manahole (translation: Man Hole) on my account. While we both laughed at what he had done, I suddenly found myself logging on to this character. It occurred to me about 2 hours later and level six that this was something new and fun. I really think the new content helped as well as something new to look at from the backside. But anyways, I thought that I would just level enough to see the content, then I would delete him like a former priest Cyden. What I did not expect, is that I would soon be playing him as much as my main.

    Now level 30, Manahole has really developed into an exceptional priest. It is really a new experience playing a full time healer (and yes, I am going to spec him holy/disc all along the way). I feel very accomplished when we are able to finish a run with little or no casualties, and minimal downtime for drinking. It also feels great that I am needed. Healers can be pretty rare these days. Luckily there is no shortage of heals from this little guy.

    I really suggest that you find a small clique, and try this out. You will find yourself having loads of fun, and easy leveling. I must say, the experience you gained from grinding to 70 really does help, and make it a very smooth transition from a noob to leetness.

    I would actually like to thank all my friends that level with me. This includes: Stan, Dark, Sky, Shadow, and many others I meet along the way. I love you guys and really cherish the fun times we have together. I hope to reach level 70 with all of you at my side.

    Friday, September 7, 2007

    Karazhan. A terrible mistake?

    http://afkgamer.com/archives/2007/08/30/the-karazhan-mistake/

    This post was a topic of controversy in my guild forums. While some believe that Kara was a mistake, I oppose that. I believe that 10 man raid instances were the best idea that Blizz has come up with. Here is my post in regarding this on my forums:

    "If they plan on still having 25 man raids in the next expansion, then make the first one the entry level one."

    That is well said. If you are going to implement a new system, make one that works. Make end-game either all 10 man or all 25 man. I personally think the 10 man system works. I would say screw 25 mans, and just have focus on 10 man raids. This way guilds could still progress (With their most dedicated raiders) but this also means that everyone can raid at their own pace. Another thing we have to consider is that we have much more than 25 people willing to raid. The problem is that people cannot dedicate 4 raiding nights a week. That just promotes burnout. I know people want to stop doing Karazhan, but I am not finished. I enjoy the relationships I have built with my team. We have come to many hurdles and overcome them. I can only hope that we can continue in our progress and do ZM together when it gets released. I know some people may be shocked by that statement. It is not that I do not want to help the guild progress, it is just that I enjoy 10 man raids much more. Anyways that is my 2 cents.

    <3 Leg

    I already know this is going to spark a huge debate, and probably even result in me leaving. This is not supported by my guild. In fact, they want Kara to be put on the back burner for "bigger better things". That is their opinion, and I must say, I do respect it. That is the kind of raider they are. I am the kind of raider that likes to know everyone by name. You develop very personal relationships with these people, and it feels much more rewarding to me when we can achieve something. I think it is easier to reach raiding harmony with a 10 man, and personally I think that makes for a much more intimate setting. I can only hope they will follow through and make 10mans top priority in the expansion.

    Thursday, September 6, 2007

    So I play a feral Druid

    Druid. Was is a druid? Are we just the bastard stepchildren of the priest, mage , warrior , and rogue; or are we more?

    I have been playing a feral druid for a good year and a half now, and I must say that we are invaluable. I know to all you purists out there, you are cringing right now. I'll admit, the "pure" class may be better, but how effective are they? Can they honestly tank, dps, and heal? The answer to that is no, no they can't. I've already anticipated your next question... but... but.. your feral! How can you say that you can heal? Le me put this as simply as I can: Feral Druids CAN heal. I have been tinkering around with healing gear for a while, and for the most part I have developed a good set. I push myself to the limits. I want to do everything, and I want to do it well. I will continue to build upon 3 sets of gear to become the best I can. This is your duty as a feral.

    To tank or not to tank?

    Well, that is the question. Feral tanks have a great deal of good to bring to a party or raid. We can easily build threat, and even mitigate direct damage better than warriors. We truly make an excellent addition to any team. But, with all good things comes a price. Magical mitigation is non existent for Druids. To have an adequate amount of magical damage mitigation, we have to suffer severely. We mitigate through armor and dodge. With that gear getting replaced by mediocre blues and epics, we really get the crappy end of the staff. Another thing that healers like about warriors is that their damage taken is more consistent. Consistent is good. That is while I share my MTing with my good warrior buddy. We know what encounters we are better suited for, and switch out for em.

    Hire a cat or Mr. Mcstabystab over there?

    Well, I hate to tell you, but cats are awesome. I think we contribute much more flexibility than a rogue can. A cat in good gear can easily pump out some comparable damage. Pounce>mangle>rake>mangle>rip >shred... dead. Simple as that. Also, with druid itemization it is now very easy to get your attack power over 2500. Not too shabby if I say so myself.
    PS>> We can pop out and heal ourselves. Durid ftw!


    So here is a synopsis of my gear:
    Bear

    13,004 HP
    26,972 AC
    31.07% dodge
    26.04% crit
    1335 attack power
    422 Defense
    21 resillence

    Cat

    2361 Attack Power
    37.76 % Crit
    73 hit rating
    8,064 HP

    Healing

    6544 HP
    9,950 Mana
    1323 Healing
    82/5 (while casting)
    8.4% chance to crit


    In all, yes we can do three things, and three things well. You just need to develop strategies for all three jobs. Being a very informed and focused player can greatly help in that.


    okay nuff ranting

    Warcraft and my thoughts

    Okay, I am an avid player of World of Warcraft. This means that instead of doing something constructive with my time, I choose to play with digital friends, play with digital money, get digital things to drop from digital dragons in a digital world. You get the point. Well I don't! While outsiders may be aprehensive about World of Warcraft saying it is a horrible, terrible addiction; I have opposing views.

    Lets admit, we are not all going out and telling our co-workers that we play World of Warcraft. It is not because we don't want them to play. It is merely because we don't want them intruding in on our special time in our pixelated world. We play World of Warcraft to escape our everyday lives, with all our everyday shit. Hell, who wants to come home and think about flipping burgers the next day. Hell I don't! I'll tell ya one thing though... if it involves pwning noobs, or doing leet instances I am all for it. Not everyday you get to waste a mana bar nuking a boss with 1.2mil health spitting fire on you while you are sitting in your comfy computer chair sippin your lemonade.

    But seriously, WOW is a MMORPG. You actually meet real people in this game. That priest next to you that is getting his ass whopped by Maiden because he generated too much heal aggro is an actual person. Yeah, thats right... other people play this game. Also, I have developed many personal relationships in the game. So if you say that playing WOW is secluding yourself, you are sadly mistaken. I raid at least twice a week with nine other friends. We group up and conquer Karazhan. It takes great communication and leadership to clear that place. While some hardcore players may disagree, we find it to be quite a fun challenge as a casual raiding team. Oh wait, did I just mention leadership skills. Like OMG such as... I lead Karazhan which means that I develop most of the strategies that take place. Gosh I actually have to think while playing this game. I am not just some mindless person behind a screen!? The answer is no, I am a living breathing person who is just trying to lead my team to success and glory.

    Reconsider your thoughts about WOW. Also acknowledge that there are different levels of "addicts". While one person may play a couple times a week, some will use it as a scapegoat to hide their problems. But in all, the best way to look at this game is as a hobby. I would much rather play with other friends than watch a bad re-run of Will and Grace.