Thoughts on RealID
I've spent the last few days very excited about the new features of the Blizzard and Battle.net network. It is something that I think has been missing. Period.
Even though the Battle.net world includes World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Starcraft (and also an unknown in-the-works franchise), WoW is the one that is being impacted today. So that is where I will begin.
When it all falls to the floor, World of Warcraft is a social game. Those who solo their way through the game tend to be the first ones to complain about the game or, even, quit.
Any long-time WoW player will tell you that this game is many times the fun when played with friends and people that soon become friends.
That being said...
One of the biggest complaints I've heard over the last few days concerned privacy. I think this is bogus. There are no more privacy issues now than before.
On any day in the last 5 years, you could freely give out your name or email address to a fellow player and they could easily find you on Facebook, send you spam, or whatever they would like. You could give your phone number out as well and txt back and forth to your heart's content. Nothing could stop you.
And nothing could stop you from keeping that information secret and to yourself either. And now, NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
WoW Armory Auction House
I can't believe it. They finally added the Auction House and Mail abilities to other WoW Armory (www.wowarmory.com).
You can now browse the in-game auction house (your faction and the neutral auction houses), place bids, post items for sale, collect the money from sold auctions, re-list items that did not sell, and more.
Here's what Blizzard has on the Armory page:
The Remote Auction House lets you browse your realm's auction house through a web browser or the iPhone's Armory app. With a subscription to World of Warcraft Remote, you can also both bid on (or buy out) existing auctions as well as list your own items for sale from your bags, bank, and mailbox.
From what I can tell, everyone can check out all the features of the new Auction House via Armory, but soon it will cost extra subscription fees on top of your WoW subscription.
I've only placed one bid on the Auction House this way. We'll see how that goes... But I have already sold an item that I posted from my iPhone.
WoW Machinima
World of Warcraft Tier 10 Armor Sets
A sneak peek has been released of the new Tier 10 Armor Sets for World of Warcraft. Hopefully soon I'll be able to see the priest set. But Warriors, Druids, and Death Knights have a step up on the rest of us.
I sometimes feel that the armor sets from vanilla WoW look better than they do now. As if they are running out of ideas. But as I look through, there are some neat aspects to the sets. The new druid set looks cool to me.
Let see some clothy's soon please.
BlizzCon WoW News – Cataclysm
I was on my way out of town this afternoon when I decided to catch up on the latest news and Twitter updates on my iPhone. I read a few articles and updates when I started noticing some short Twits like "Defense gone!" and "MP5 gone!"
These updates were referring to changes being made in the upcoming World of Warcraft Expansion "Cataclysm".
Even though there may be many sites out there that will fill you in on all the changes to expect, I'm going to consolidate all the info I find onto this post for your convenience.
This list will expand over the next week. Changes may or may not be dated.
Comment on changes and additions to my list.
Respecced Holy
Holy Priest
Today is the day that I want Dual-spec more than ever.
I've been feeling the need to start running as a Holy Priest for several weeks now. I've been considering waiting until the Dual-spec feature comes out, but I decided to go for it now.
I've been running Heroics and Raids over the last few weeks as Shadow. Finding a Healer has always been a battle. As a class who can heal, getting into Heroics and Raids should be no problem at all.
(But I'm going to miss Shadow badly. Dual-spec, please bring us back together.)
Now I have to relearn Holy. So some lower level players are going to like me while I heal their low level instances to get the hang of Holy again.
Here's what I'm running for talents and glyphs glyphs [edit: 02-17-09 - changed Renew to PoH]
Anyone have some better suggestions?
Priest Talent Specs
My lovely Azeroth Adivsor posted some re-spec information for me to use with my Shadow Priest.
I don't think I'm going to respec yet. I love my Shadow. And I'm doing quite a bit of grinding still.
But the thought has crossed my mind to do an experiment. Save my talent information and screenshot my bar button locations (anyone know a better way) and then grind with Damage Meter on for a while. Note the DPS and mana/health efficiency and then respec. Then do it all with my new spec. Then compare.
I wonder if one of these specs can out-DPS my Shadow. I am doubtful.
On the other hand though... I've heard rumors of the "dual-spec" coming to WoW for several months. Even without losing my Shadow, I may be able to give one of these a try.
What do you think?
With your final talent points arriving, you finally have the points to complete the ultimate group healing spec. This spec is tailored toward offering great regen, healing power, and versatility in a group or raid environment. It is generally accepted that with a deep Holy build you should focus on gathering gear that has a lot of Spirit. Talents like Spiritual Guidance make this a must-have stat. This spec also has Improved Holy Concentration and Empowered Healing to make you a very strong tank healer while talents like Circle of Healing and Divine Providence bolster your group healing capabilities. With this spec you are the ultimate group healer and will be welcomed in any heroic or raid group.
If you plan to solo but still want a viable group healing spec, know that this spec maximizes your DPS and regen but maintains strong group healing abilities. This spec picks up Divine Fury and Searing Light to maximize DPS from your Smite and Holy Fire. It also includes Spirit Tap for regen and even Divine Spirit to increase your regen and DPS. This spec is good when you are grinding small groups of mobs by shielding yourself then casting Mind Sear and Holy Nova to bring the mobs down. You will even be able to cast free Smites from Surge of Light procs.
The Discipline tree holds many of the best PvP talents, but do not overlook the Holy tree. By picking up a few of the PvP talents offered there, you can be a viable PvP Healer and instance group healer. This spec takes you all the way to Guardian Spirit at the bottom of the Holy tree. This can be invaluable in PvP by giving you time to land heals on a target close to death. If your target receives a killing blow while Guardian Spirit is active, they will be instantly healed to 50% health. This spec also includes the basic PvP talents of Spell Warding and Blessed Resilience to keep you alive long enough to get heals off. Overall, this talent build offers a nice compromise between group healing viability and PvP survivability.
Campfire Need No Wood
Campfire Profession
One feature in World of Warcraft that I feel was included but is never used past level 5 is the Campfire. As soon as you realize that you need to carry Flint and Tender and Simple Wood, they stow it away and just claim that it isn't worth it.
And I agree. Bag realestate is valuable.
Well a simple change in the new patch now allows you to create a campfire without the need for Simple Wood.
Now combine this with the Gnomish Army Knife (which everyone who does any professions should carry) and you have a super good deal.
WoW 4th Anniversary
Well, at some point this morning I decided to get on WoW and check my character that handles my Auctions. For those of you that aren't familiar with what I'm referring to, many players have an extra character that stays at level 1 and stays near the bank, mailbox, and auction house in one of the major cities. In my case, this is usually Undercity because of the convienience of travel between Orgrimmar and Silvermoon. It's also less crowded than Orgrimmar; so there is less lag on my computer.
Back to my point. I logged in today and there was a message and gift in the mailbox. I also noticed that I had earned an achievement when I logged in.
The achievement was for logging in during WoW's 4th Anniversary. This is also what the message spoke of. And as a gift, I received a companion pet called Blizzard's Baby Bear.
You will also notice that the pet is Account Bound.
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- Sitting out on the back porch. It feels nice. Almost cold. About to head back to El Dorado.
- Been a long day. Lunch made it better. Will prob be working late.
- Mowed the yard this morning. Now driving to work (at red light).
- Rachael slept through the night tonight I did not have to wake up for her at all. First full night's sleep since last week.
- If you want to practice patience, then I'll see you here in my office first thing in the morning. Come prepared! (and bring a snack)
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