For the 100 plants encounter, you were supposed to click such an item in your inventory and a giant sword would equip and you'd start spinning like a crazy weed-whacker, and then buzz through the swarm of plants killing a dozen a second or whatever. Much faster and kind of fun.Keep your bags open on the side, and it's easier to see when a new quest item like the 'weed-whacker' appears, if you find reading all the quest dialogue a waste of time (even when I promise myself I'm going to pay attention, I so rarely do...).
I assumed the guys I saw sprouting blades and flying past me were just a different class. That'll teach me.
So far as quest text goes, I usually skim it. Made 10th level tonight but things ended up harder than they needed to be because I tried to do three quests (fry X goblin zombies with rocket boots, kill 3 named pygmy leaders, and one other I forget) in series instead of just knocking each off as I went through. Then a giant fire-breathing turtle god killed me. Looks like I was supposed to dodge.
I don't know what weird situation the developers grew up in that they thought people would run away from massive gouts of flame racing toward them, but that's no way to faceplant.
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I don't know what weird situation the developers grew up in that they thought people would run away from massive gouts of flame racing toward them, but that's no way to faceplant.
Ha! What were they thinking? :)
Yeah, those rocks on the side are to hide behind when the timer pops up and tells you that he's beginning his 'volcanic breath' or whatever. You generally have time for rocketboot blast between each breath, and it takes eight or so attempts.
Some of the low-level quests are 'training' for later levels, when you have to do similar things, like time attacks during vulnerable moments, or jump away from destructive area of effects, or whatever.
I don't know what weird situation the developers grew up in that they thought people would run away from massive gouts of flame racing toward them, but that's no way to faceplant.Ha! What were they thinking? :)
Yeah, those rocks on the side are to hide behind when the timer pops up and tells you that he's beginning his 'volcanic breath' or whatever. You generally have time for rocketboot blast between each breath, and it takes eight or so attempts.
Some of the low-level quests are 'training' for later levels, when you have to do similar things, like time attacks during vulnerable moments, or jump away from destructive area of effects, or whatever.
I figured. I got some experience doing that kind of thing during Incarnate Trials on CoH...though one time I hit the wrong key and my scrapper shot right into the middle of the green stuff during a Keyes. (The character was a soft-capped /SR so had +speed, plus a lot of +run speed set bonuses. I might have also had a speed boost on me. Man I miss that guy...)
I saw the pop-up warning and all, but I think I was looking more for a targeting patch to get out of than cover. Will remember next time...which is probably in about five minutes.
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one time I hit the wrong key and my scrapper shot right into the middle of the green stuff during a Keyes. (The character was a soft-capped /SR so had +speed, plus a lot of +run speed set bonuses. I might have also had a speed boost on me. Man I miss that guy...)
Oh, I hear ya. My Kinetic Defender was so popular for those speed boosts. :)
And my Illusion / Empathy Controller main was pretty much MVP during raids against the big amoeba-thing. We'd all hang out up in the sky, radiating +endurance auras and dropping illusions on it to keep it busy while the ground teams mopped all of its secondary mobs.
Strangest raid, ever. Just hanging out a half mile above the action, chatting. I'm sure it was brutal for the ground pounders, but up in the orbital command center, we had mint juleps. :)
one time I hit the wrong key and my scrapper shot right into the middle of the green stuff during a Keyes. (The character was a soft-capped /SR so had +speed, plus a lot of +run speed set bonuses. I might have also had a speed boost on me. Man I miss that guy...)Oh, I hear ya. My Kinetic Defender was so popular for those speed boosts. :)
And my Illusion / Empathy Controller main was pretty much MVP during raids against the big amoeba-thing. We'd all hang out up in the sky, radiating +endurance auras and dropping illusions on it to keep it busy while the ground teams mopped all of its secondary mobs.
Strangest raid, ever. Just hanging out a half mile above the action, chatting. I'm sure it was brutal for the ground pounders, but up in the orbital command center, we had mint juleps. :)
Never raided that Hamidon, but on the rare occasion that my tiny server (Triumph) could get a raid going I really enjoyed it. The last several a friend of mine ran and I was sort of second in command, but with a very uncomplicated strategy: Melee go in and kill yellows while the tank entertained the nucleus, then I led everyone else in targeting the other mitochondria one at a time in a great big pile on. Always wanted to learn the melee end, but raids didn't happen often enough for me to want to skip the fun of flying around telling everyone what to do. :)
Also: killed the giant turtle and was clearing landmines and killing paratroopers when a friend wanted to talk about stuff so I logged out for the night still 10th level. I think I'm going to run it to 20, at least. I gave up years ago around 12th.
Back for more advice. I have unlocked the chance to select a specialization or something like that. I think my options are affliction, destruction, and demonology. My playstyle to date is to let the voidwalker tank while I hit the foe with a DoT and then a shadow bolt or two. If I get hit or things drag on a bit longer, I put on the health drain. Which would be best?
Back for more advice. I have unlocked the chance to select a specialization or something like that. I think my options are affliction, destruction, and demonology. My playstyle to date is to let the voidwalker tank while I hit the foe with a DoT and then a shadow bolt or two. If I get hit or things drag on a bit longer, I put on the health drain. Which would be best?
If you like DoTs, go with Affliction. If you'd rather blast it with huge spells, destro. If you want powerful demons and the ability to turn into one, demo.
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I've gone Demonology, generally, but also toyed around with Affliction. Both suit my preferred hands off tactics, and are solid for soloing. Affliction is slightly better in grouping in dungeons, as you often find yourself throwing single dots on every mob in a group, to start getting them whittled down. Demonology, IMO, is best for soloing, because the stronger your pet is, the more survivable you are.
I've never been a fan of Destruction. It always felt like a wannabe Mage spec, to me, and I've already got a Mage to scratch that particular itch.
I joined the guild tonight, and we tore through a bunch of dungeons as a guild group. I had a lot of fun, and thanks to everyone!
Hm, I have to admit I've been looking for a pretext to get back to WoW after a year and a half away from the game.
Got room for a Gnome Warrior and a Gnome mage?
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... if you're like me and can spend an hour in the City of Heroes...
Well, as they say, there is no harder boss than the "Input Name" box (the gong in Zul'Aman back before they fixed it got pretty close, though).
Back for more advice. I have unlocked the chance to select a specialization or something like that. I think my options are affliction, destruction, and demonology. My playstyle to date is to let the voidwalker tank while I hit the foe with a DoT and then a shadow bolt or two. If I get hit or things drag on a bit longer, I put on the health drain. Which would be best?If you like DoTs, go with Affliction. If you'd rather blast it with huge spells, destro. If you want powerful demons and the ability to turn into one, demo.
Now that I'm not on my phone, I'll give you a little more info here...
first off, I was Affliction for most of Burning Crusade, Demonology for most of Lich King, and Destruction for most of Cataclysm, and have stayed Destruction for Pandaria.
Affliction utilizes soul shards and drops multiple Dots on targets and does Shadowbolt/Drain Life filler. It's very sustainable.
Demonology has had a lot of changes since I last played it, but now you cast spells to build up demonic power, have access to the Felguard pet, and can turn into a powerful demon form. When I played demonology it was an amazing spec for taking down huge groups of monsters, but tended to have some downtime as you were waiting on cooldowns or regaining health often. I'm not sure how it plays now, though.
Destruction has become my preferred spec, primarily because I'm lazy and like the ability to burst on demand. The rotation is very simple... you throw out your basic fire spells (Immolate, Incinerate, Conflagrate) and build up burning embers. When you need to do tons of damage, you throw out 3 chaos bolts. You've got a simple group rotation (Rain of fire then a Fire-and-Brimstone powered Immolate, followed up with Conflag and Incinerate).
This site has a fairly basic explanation of the specs and how you can use glyphs/talents: http://wowraids.org/warlocks/
Honestly though, whichever one looks most interesting tkae now, and then at 30 take the second most interesting one.
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... if you're like me and can spend an hour in the City of Heroes...Well, as they say, there is no harder boss than the "Input Name" box (the gong in Zul'Aman back before they fixed it got pretty close, though).
So true. I am perpetually surrounded by people with some cool name, that has been mispelled or has an extra letter or two because they couldn't get the name they wanted.
I lucked out getting Licktoad!
Destruction, thematically, sounds more interesting than I'd initially thought with all the fire and fire and yet more fire. Paizo, goblns and fire sound like a tasty combination.
So true. I am perpetually surrounded by people with some cool name, that has been mispelled or has an extra letter or two because they couldn't get the name they wanted.
I turned the 'extra character' into a theme:
Warlocks: Hexx, Tormentt, Pactt
Druids: Barkk, Shiftt
Priest: Chantt
Hunter: Shaftt
Paladins: Wardd, Perishh
Rogue: Sneakk
Death Knights: Berserkk, Angstt
Shamans: Windd, Tempestt
Warrior: Hackk
Monk: Krushh
Mage/Banker: Citibankk
I started with 'Hexx' back in BC, and then just kept going with the concept.
So yeah. I'm in for a month at least.
So my advice to consider the Blood Elf because of the new-ish newbie zone was stone cold terrible. It's a terrible newbie zone, IMO!
The new Troll starting area, on the other hand, is verra nice!
I really enjoyed the goblin start. Then I got thoroughly lost in Ogrimmar. Probably lost an hour trying to find my way out to the contacts.
I really enjoyed the goblin start. Then I got thoroughly lost in Ogrimmar. Probably lost an hour trying to find my way out to the contacts.So my advice to consider the Blood Elf because of the new-ish newbie zone was stone cold terrible. It's a terrible newbie zone, IMO!
The new Troll starting area, on the other hand, is verra nice!
Learning capital cities is a pain. I've got Stormwind down to where I could navigate it blindfolded. Ironforge is a giant circle and makes sense. Darnassus is big, confusing, and everything looks the same. I hate Darnassus with a passion, but it at least is not the Exodar. The Exodar is extremely confusing.
Horde side, the city that makes the most sense to me is Undercity. Orgrimmar is big and sprawling, and it's on multiple levels that confuse the snot out of me. Thunder Bluff isn't bad, though. Silvermoon is beautiful but I don't spend any time there.
I'm certain that my deep understanding of Stormwind comes from years of it being 'home' and I'll eventually learn Orgrimmar, but in my mind it's far too confusing of a city for it to be the capital.
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Oh Exodar, how many times ye claimed the lives of unsuspecting walkers.
Oh Shattrath, how we dreaded thy elevators (seriously, it's a wonder the Draenei didn't go exinct from falling over due to lack of handrails).
Oh Silvermoon, how we cringed at thy vampire-blood-elf-mind-slave RP.
Oh Stormwind, how we stared in wonder at thy mysterious portal. And got killed by un-serendipitous crocodiles. Or misplaced Defias. Or that time people thought it was funny to kite ogres from The Vice.
Oh Ironforge, how we suffered in thy lag yet enjoyed thy conveniently-located Auction House and Bank.
Oh Undercity, how we threaded to find thy horribly misplaced merchants and how thy multi-leveled surface made the mini-map a mess. And bumped heads on thy doors making tauren unable to mount their kodos. F- those doors, verily.
Oh Darnassus, how we... purple. Aye. Basically purple. And mailbox dancers.
Oh Thunder Bluff, how unsiegeable thy were, cramming Alliancees in thy tiny elevators. Which only sucked slightly less than Shattrath's.
Oh Orgrimmar, how thou jested us with thy zeppelins, making us race to the top of thy tower only to depart just in the right moment to make us fall to death.
Oh Dalaran, thou were pretty cool. Except if you were an Engineer and your teleporter malfunctioned. Then thou werent' so cool.
WoW cities built character.
Hey Samnell let me know if you need help. I have a lowbie Pandaren monk who is specialized as a healer. If you want to run some dungeons he's your panda. Groups with a healer can find the rest pretty easily.
If you need to find him, just add him to your friends list. his name is Doyon.
Oh Shattrath, how we dreaded thy elevators (seriously, it's a wonder the Draenei didn't go exinct from falling over due to lack of handrails).
See you at the bottom! Oh, wait, where's my flight form?!
He usually played Druid... Regretfully, he was on his draenei Warrior that day.
Oh Thunder Bluff, how unsiegeable thy were, cramming Alliancees in thy tiny elevators. Which only sucked slightly less than Shattrath's.
I recall a youtube video of a great alliance raid group intending to invade Thunder Bluff... And one horde elemental shaman. One thunderstorm later all the Allies were flying around (and mostly down). I don't think that any managed to get to the TB main level.
I assume that Cataclysm introduction of flying mounts in Kalimdor/Eastern Kingdoms made invasion on Thunder Bluff finally managable?
See you at the bottom! Oh, wait, where's my flight form?!
He usually played Druid... Regretfully, he was on his draenei Warrior that day.
Aldor Rise was horrible. For me it was usually:
Hohoho, speedly goes my mount to... oh hell, I missed the elevator by just a second! MY FEET ARE SO CLOSE, YET SO FAR! IF I JUST STRECH ONE TOE I'LL <dies from extreme allergy to splatter>
I recall a youtube video of a great alliance raid group intending to invade Thunder Bluff... And one horde elemental shaman. One thunderstorm later all the Allies were flying around (and mostly down). I don't think that any managed to get to the TB main level.I assume that Cataclysm introduction of flying mounts in Kalimdor/Eastern Kingdoms made invasion on Thunder Bluff finally managable?
I used to participate in a lot of city raids back in the day (I started playing back in early 2005, before battlegrounds were introduced, so all PvP was done in the worldmap. Attacking cities was a pretty important matter, though they also tended to cause server collapses when they got too big. In fact, I remember Blizzard asking people to tone it down a bit due to the stress they could cause), and yes, it usually involved cramming everyone in those tiny elevators. When we managed to catch the Horde off guard (as the city always was kind of a ghost town) it could go smooth, but as soon as any kind of defense formed upstairs, you were in for some pain.
Things got nasty when they introduced knockback effects with BC. All it took was a kamikaze Mage with Blastwave and your raid turned into a rain of pretty colors and broken legs.
As for raids in Cataclysm, since I stopped playing a few months after release, I didn't get to see much city raiding (which wasn't too common anymore. The golden age of city attacks was in the pre-Wrath period when Achievements were first introduced and cities were being raided 24/7), so I'm not sure if it got any easier. I'd think yes, though, since even with flying guards, you can still parachute/nosedive into the city.
Hey Samnell let me know if you need help. I have a lowbie Pandaren monk who is specialized as a healer. If you want to run some dungeons he's your panda. Groups with a healer can find the rest pretty easily.
If you need to find him, just add him to your friends list. his name is Doyon.
I don't think I'm ambitious enough for dungeons yet. So far my playstyle is to grab all the quests in easy reach and try to work them together so minimize running back and forth to the NPCs, usually killing anything that gets in range as I go.
But I'll keep Doyon in mind for when I feel like I finally know up from down on my warlock. Just yesterday I realized I had like four powers sitting in my spellbook that I never used.
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I don't think I'm ambitious enough for dungeons yet.
Definitely dive in. You level fast in dungeons, although you might want to grab some tabards from the Ogrimmar, Darkspears and Bilgewater Cartel reputation vendors right to the left of the Flight Master up top in Ogrimmar. (Easy to spot if at the Flight Master, the Troll is riding a raptor, the Orc a worg and the Goblin is leaning against his hot rod.) Wear a tabard in about five dungeons of your level, and you'll get to Revered reputation with that faction, and be able to pick up a 16 slot bag from that same vendor.
I've just gone through Bilgewater, Ogrimmar, Darkspear and Thunder Bluff (had to fly to Thunder Bluff to get that one, and to Undercity to get theirs) and now have all 16 slot bags for a couple of gold each. Totally worth it if you are doing Dungeon Finder and doing five or so dungeons a day anyway!
As a DPS, your role is the least crucial in a group. Every group pretty much needs a solid healer and a solid tank, and, as DPS, your cardinal sin will be to target other groups and to accidentally pull them to the fight when your party is already engaged.
Just turn off taunt on your pet while in a dungeon (the imp and the alien Pan's Labyrinth-looking dog thing seem popular in dungeons). The tanks always get grumpy with me for forgetting to do that. :)
Just yesterday I realized I had like four powers sitting in my spellbook that I never used.
I spent hours hunting for animals to raise my Skinning skill only to belatedly realize that, as a Hunter, I'd gained some 'Tracking' ability five or six levels earlier that would have totally made my day easier! Doh!
I don't think I'm ambitious enough for dungeons yet. So far my playstyle is to grab all the quests in easy reach and try to work them together so minimize running back and forth to the NPCs, usually killing anything that gets in range as I go.But I'll keep Doyon in mind for when I feel like I finally know up from down on my warlock. Just yesterday I realized I had like four powers sitting in my spellbook that I never used.
I've got a level 90 Warlock (Alliance side) and would be happy to answer questions, or point you in the right direction at least. Also if you see me on the Horde side (Ursamon/Troll Druid), I'll be happy to 'boost' you through a dungeon so you can see them. What this means is we'd go in, you'd pick up the dungeon quests, and stay behind me as I kill things. I'd explain the dungeon mechanics as we went, you loot the bodies and get some free XP and treasure, and possibly some really nice items, and get to see what a dungeon is like without worrying about being a drain on the other 4 people.
Most dungeons are relatively straightforward in the fights at low level, but some of them are easy to get lost in.
As a DPS, your role is the least crucial in a group. Every group pretty much needs a solid healer and a solid tank, and, as DPS, your cardinal sin will be to target other groups and to accidentally pull them to the fight when your party is already engaged.
For a total newbie to dungeons, here's what you can expect. At level 15+ you click on the 'green eyeball' in your info bar and open up the Dungeon Finder. Select 'random dungeon' and set your role to 'DPS' (the dagger). Do not click the green flag, that says you're willing to be party leader.
Once inside, there will be 5 people. One has a Shield. that's the tank, and you want to follow their lead. One is a Plus sign, that's the healer. The other two are like you, and are DPS. You're ranged DPS which means in the vast majority of cases you want to stand about 20 yards back from the fight.
During a fight NEVER start attacking a monster unless it's already been hit by the tank. The tank will 'pull' the group and start hitting them. Pick one of them and look at it... when it starts to get status effects and lose some HP, you can kill it. If it's one target, just blast it with spells. If there are multiple targets, you want to use your AoE attacks.
When items drop, you will get a chance to roll on them. If items are Green, *always* roll greed (the coins) or disenchant. If the item is Blue or Purple and you want to wear it, roll Need (dice). If it is Blue or Purple and it 'Binds on Equip' (as opposed to Binds on Pickup) listen to the group and follow their lead on how they want to handle those. Most groups these days still roll need on those if they can, but it's better to lose the item on a greed roll than get labeled a Ninja.
If you ever get a monster on you your first thought is going to be 'run away!' Do not do this. If a monster gets on you, run to the tank, and sit there. don't attack, just wait until it stops hitting you. Your tank will appreciate this very much.
If you see your health going down rapidly for no reason, look on the ground. Are you standing in rocks, smoke, red stuff, green stuff, purple stuff, or fire? Move! Your healer will appreciate this very much.
At level 18 you can create a soulstone. This is a self-resurrection that lasts for 15 minutes. If you're afraid you'll die, you can cast this on yourself before then, but it's better used as a 'battle rez'. If you see the tank or the healer die in a fight, stop what you're doing immediately and cast soulstone on their corpse. They'll be able to resurrect themselves in battle and keep fighting.
Finally, sometimes you'll see monsters that have 'Skull' or 'X' or 'Moon' over their head. Skull means 'kill me first, seriously.' X means 'kill me second'. Moon means 'do not attack me for any reason because I am going to be turned into a sheep or sapped'. Sometimes other markers will be used, but if so those will be explained. Hopefully. As a Warlock, it's ok to cast your curses/dots on things other than skull, but all your fillers (shadowbolts) should go to skull.
Oh, and one last thing... Don't ever cast Fear, Howl of Terror, Death Coil, Mortal Coil, or anything else that makes monsters run away in a dungeon, ever, unless explicitly asked to do so by the tank. If you glyph your fear so the monster cowers instead of flees, you can let this slide a little. At certain times you may be asked to Crowd Control a monster via Fear, Banishment, Control Demon, or Seduction. If asked to do this, try your best.
Just turn off taunt on your pet while in a dungeon (the imp and the alien Pan's Labyrinth-looking dog thing seem popular in dungeons). The tanks always get grumpy with me for forgetting to do that. :)
You've got 5 pet options. For dungeons your best bet is always the Imp. It gives a nice stamina boost to the group, does good ranged damage. You can use the Felhound if there are magic spells that need to be removed and it's ok to use melee dps. The Succubus should only be used for crowd control (seduction). You should never use the Voidwalker in dungeons. If you're demonolgy, you have the Felguard... but it should generally be benched in favor of the Imp as well.
Ok, ok, I'll put on the big(ger) boy pants and try a dungeon tonight. :)
I know the basics of staying out of the tank's way, pulling, etc from my time in City of Heroes. My main worries are loot etiquette (thanks Marshall, the stuff I read online all assumed a bit too much knowledge of the system) and just being crappy DPS.
By the way, I'm Oodledoodles.
Ok, ok, I'll put on the big(ger) boy pants and try a dungeon tonight. :)
I know the basics of staying out of the tank's way, pulling, etc from my time in City of Heroes. My main worries are loot etiquette (thanks Marshall, the stuff I read online all assumed a bit too much knowledge of the system) and just being crappy DPS.
By the way, I'm Oodledoodles.
From level 15-70 no one should ever care about your DPS, unless the group is wiping. If the group is wiping, though, it's likely not a lack of DPS, but stupid DPS (bringing in adds, standing in the bad, etc).
On occasion you may see someone post damage meters. If bosses died, ignore these.
On other occasions someone may say 'hey post damage meters'. If they do this, they have their own damage meteres, know they are on top of them, and want someone else to link them so they can brag.
As a tank and a healer (I play both), I'm much happier when people move where they need to move, handle adds, click what they need to click, interrupt spell casts, cleanse debuffs, and otherwise do things that make the fight smoother rather than faster. This all causes your DPS to drop, but that's ok.
People who maximize DPS stand in the fire for that last second to not interrupt a nuke, they ignore debuffs, they don't counterspell, they don't crowd control, they alpha strike early, drawing aggro, and otherwise do things that are purely selfish.
Some tanks and healers are prima donnas and will make fun of you for doing less DPS than them, or yell at you for doing something like standing in the fire or drawing aggro. Try to ignore them. If someone is offensive, report them.
The feel for dungeons gets slightly more serious as you get into later content... the fights are a little more complex, and DPS has more things to do than 'nuke'. At those levels, hopefully you'll run dungeons with nice people and not jerks, but really, if someone's a jerk, ignore and move on, don't let it stress you out.
Thanks again for the advice. It seems like more of my City of Heroes experience applies than I thought would. I'm sure the complexity ramps up later, but all of this sounds very familiar: let the tank tank, don't steal his aggro, focused fire, and the always-implied pay attention and follow directions.
I got the guild invite (thanks Set!) and learned of a I had not outleveled and also wasn't way beyond me which, thanks to a couple of add-ons I installed last night, I could actually find. Ashenvale, I think. Pretty nighttime forest I'm helping facilitate clear-cutting on. :)
So is the Horde side the place to be? Because I have been on the Alliance side most evenings and not seen many folks?
Fitz
Ignoring that I've only been on for about 5 mins in the past two days because of work and freelance:
* My mains are Alliance, and that's where I'm focusing much of my Mists faction rep progress.
* My main tauren druid, Oome, is going through the Horde side of the Landfall storyline in Mists, so I've been a lot there, too.
* I'm an altoholic, but I'm trying to just focus on three characters (A-paladin, A-mage, H-druid) and not be tempted to level other characters or their professions.
* Jodi's main is Alliance, but she's been sick for a week and hasn't been playing.
* My friend Jessica has been on a trip for 4 days and she usually checks both sides to find somewhere to play.
* Will was too sick to play two weeks ago, and this week is subscription week so the warehouse is extra-busy.
* I'd like to make some time this weekend to get guildies together, take screenshots, and post them on the Facebook page and my website.
That said, it does look like (based on what I've seen for the past week) that there are more Hordies leveling right now. We actually had a couple of nights where 7 Horde guildies were on. But Alliance side is making progress, too, Jeremy started from scratch on A-side and just hit level 65. So there's activity on both.
I'm really trying to split my time between both sides.
If you'd like an invite to our Facebook group, let me know, we've been discussing what nights are best for dungeons and such.
Back for more advice. I have unlocked the chance to select a specialization or something like that. I think my options are affliction, destruction, and demonology. My playstyle to date is to let the voidwalker tank while I hit the foe with a DoT and then a shadow bolt or two. If I get hit or things drag on a bit longer, I put on the health drain. Which would be best?
My old Horde warlock was affliction, and it's a very durable spec: send in the voidwalker to tank, throw DOTs on everything, and I'd usually end the battle with full health and full mana. My worgen druid is destruction and it has a different play mechanic with a lot of bonus blasts I can do based on how much energy I've built up (I agree with Set that it always felt like a wannabe mage spec, and I have a mage, but I wanted to try it anyway). I haven't really tried demonology spec. But it sounds like affliction is right up your alley.
I don't think I'm ambitious enough for dungeons yet. So far my playstyle is to grab all the quests in easy reach and try to work them together so minimize running back and forth to the NPCs, usually killing anything that gets in range as I go.
BTW dungeons are really, really easy for a DPS character (non-tank, non-healer, though playing those roles is much easier than it used to be before Cataclysm). Basically, look at who the tank is attacking (or the one they marked with a skull) and kill it. If the tank is fighting a group of mobs, go ahead and use a mana-efficient area spell. Pick up quest items. Loot some nice blues. Done!
My old Horde warlock was affliction, and it's a very durable spec: send in the voidwalker to tank, throw DOTs on everything, and I'd usually end the battle with full health and full mana. My worgen druid is destruction and it has a different play mechanic with a lot of bonus blasts I can do based on how much energy I've built up (I agree with Set that it always felt like a wannabe mage spec, and I have a mage, but I wanted to try it anyway). I haven't really tried demonology spec. But it sounds like affliction is right up your alley.
I started with demonology but realized fairly early on that I didn't know what to do with the demon form and switched to destruction. I know how to throw fire at things and don't have a mage to compete for my affections. I might see about doing dual with affliction at some point, though.
BTW dungeons are really, really easy for a DPS character (non-tank, non-healer, though playing those roles is much easier than it used to be before Cataclysm). Basically, look at who the tank is attacking (or the one they marked with a skull) and kill it. If the tank is fighting a group of mobs, go ahead and use a mana-efficient area spell. Pick up quest items. Loot some nice blues. Done!
Yeah, I've been on I think three since the post. I had no idea what was going on or what our goals were supposed to be, but killing stuff didn't require a lot of explanation. (Fortunate, since even when I asked the groups I didn't get any.) I've been loot-shy as I know it's a sensitive topic, essentially passing on everything. But last dungeon had a robe I could use so I finally rolled need and it promptly appeared in my inventory. Nice.
I suppose I'm hyper-conscious of my prior MMO experience being with a casual game that just distributed what it had for loot (not much) randomly.
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Samnell, it's generally considered perfectly acceptable to roll "greed" on anything you don't need and "need" if you actually need it. Passing might make friends, but with the "looking for dungeons" feature, that doesn't really help.
Agreed. Ha! A-greed, get it!
Pass only on stuff you already have, or really don't want for whatever reason (bags are too full, frex).
Greed everything you don't need.
Need anything that's a good upgrade for your class, but avoid cloth stuff with +Spirit, 'cause that's for Priests.
You *generally* won't run into 'I dunno who that's for...' issues until you start seeing Trinkets. I've had tanks flip out when I Needed a Trinket that was a great upgrade for me, but might have been more useful for them, 'cause I'm not hugely familiar with what's 'best' for a tank (since I don't play them). There's other squiffy stuff like blue drops that grant mounts or companion pets, which generally everybody Greeds on, since no one actually *needs* those things, but you'll get the occasional person who Needs one.
As a Warlock, IIRC, Intelligence and Stamina are good for you. I have no idea if that's still true, but your Stamina has something to do with your pet's hit points, and affects how much you can cannibalize yourself for mana. (Been a while, and stuff has changed ridiculously since I played a Warlock...)
As a Warlock, IIRC, Intelligence and Stamina are good for you. I have no idea if that's still true, but your Stamina has something to do with your pet's hit points, and affects how much you can cannibalize yourself for mana. (Been a while, and stuff has changed ridiculously since I played a Warlock...)
What I've read is that intellect is the big deal stat for me. So when I get a quest reward that boosts it, that's the one I pick. Then I'll take any other buffs that don't reduce my intellect which I can use. Then of course the thing with the best sale price. :)
Took some time out today to level up my herbalism, then realized I needed to train it right after the long flight away from Undercity. Whoops.
But Oodledoodles is 43 and working through the Eastern Plaguelands with the help of WoW Pro with TomTom to minimize repeated trips back to contacts. Turns out following the floating arrow is a lot easier than trying to keep one eye on the quest tracking map and one on where I'm going.
Really enjoying Destruction spec too. My main speedbump is getting better at juggling multiple targets. I know I have the tools for it (Some kind of debuff that makes a target take all the single-target stuff I throw at a second foe and the AoE rain go a long ways.) but unless I'm careless or try to I rarely have more than one thing to kill at a time.
Really enjoying Destruction spec too. My main speedbump is getting better at juggling multiple targets. I know I have the tools for it (Some kind of debuff that makes a target take all the single-target stuff I throw at a second foe and the AoE rain go a long ways.) but unless I'm careless or try to I rarely have more than one thing to kill at a time.
Juggling multiple targets is important skill for Affliction warlocks. You will need to train that a bit when you get affliction as your second specialization with all the DOTs that affliction have.
What I've read is that intellect is the big deal stat for me. So when I get a quest reward that boosts it, that's the one I pick. Then I'll take any other buffs that don't reduce my intellect which I can use. Then of course the thing with the best sale price. :)Took some time out today to level up my herbalism, then realized I needed to train it right after the long flight away from Undercity. Whoops.
Stats are weird. For Warlocks you want:
Intellect, always intellect. This is by far the most important, it deals with mana and damage.
After Intellect, you want 'Hit'... at least until you can hit everything. When you're hitcapped, more hit is useless. Hit is awkward until you're max level, but if you're missing a lot, look for more Hit.
As Destro, after you've maxxed intellect and then are hitting all the time, you want Critical Strike. Finally, you also use Mastery and Haste.
Stamina is always good for the extra health, but it isn't really a critical stat for you.
Anything with Spirit, Expertise, Attack Power, etc etc is for someone not you. Luckily, as a cloth wearer, most things you find are obviously either for you or a healer, but rings/weapons/trinkets/necklaces/cloaks are broader options... on those, anything that has Stamina and Int but *NOT* spirit, is normally itemized for ranged casters and fair game, but there will be times when leveling that an off-spec or even off-class piece of gear is an upgrade for you. In cases like that, roll greed on it and be happy to wear it until you find better. My warlock wore healing priest shoulders for months during cataclysm, ad I couldn't get my heroic shoulders OR the tier piece to drop for ages.
Madclaw: I know Jason is playing GW2, and got Erik to try it out.
More stats advice for Samnell: for the most part, until you hit level 90, your stats other than Int don't matter a whole lot--you won't be in a situation where having a 90% hit chance vs. 98% is going to make-or-break whether you or the group completes a quest or a dungeon. Focus on Int, Stam is nice for extra health, and everything else is gravy.
For dungeons, I roll need if it's an item my character can wear and is an upgrade for me. Otherwise, I roll greed (though sometimes I'll just pass if I don't care about loot at all for that run). If you roll need on a class-appropriate item and someone gives you flak about it, THEY are the jerk, not you. :)
Hey, folks, unrelated to WOW, but thought I might point all my guildies at this thread, there's the possibility of free stuff. :)
Submitted for your amusement and my edification:
One young goblin, still wet behind the ears and just level sixty. Dreams of aerial glory swimming in his head, he leaves the Blasted Lands behind and returns to Ogrimmar to claim his flying mount. Butterflies in his stomach, he pays the flight master and gets his license. After a thorough search of the city he learns from the internet that he buys his flying mount from an unmarked store about twenty feet behind the one where he bought the license. He decides on a green wind rider, summons it, and gallops around. But it does not ascend!
What could be wrong? The jump button does not cause him to ascend. The mount has wings and he bought it from the flying mount vendor. He has the license. Perhaps he needs to give it a running start? He aims himself at a cliff and rushes off at top speed, crashing with bone-breaking force into a shallow pond less than a second later.
He resurrects in the pond and looks around, declaring that he meant to do that. He's in training for the Goblin Olympics, which you've never heard of because you're racist against goblins, and saunters off as if nothing happened.
But secretly he knows something is wrong. He's seen flying mounts in Ogrimmar before. How is it that his does not fly? Did that orc sell him a lemon? If so, he's going to go tell the Alliance where the Horde keeps its frilly underthings.
Sales Imp
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(LOLstory)
Flying mounts were introduced in Burning Crusade. Azerothian flying was not introduced until Cataclysm, but I do not think that Cataclysm is required. I could be wrong, however. Open your spellbook and go to the general tab. Find the listing for your flying ability and mouseover it. If you are missing a requirement, the missing requirement will likely appear in red in the tooltip.
With regard to your previous question on stats and the confusing array thereof... I heartily suggest, to everyone, that you check out Icy Veins. This website is the continuously-updated game manual that doesn't come with the game. Go to the "Classes" dropdown menu and select your class and spec. This will take you to a well-organized rundown on your class, your rotation, your stat priorities, cooldowns, buffs, etc. It's a one-stop place to learn how to play. Granted, the write-ups are written for max-level characters, but it shouldn't be too difficult to extrapolate your leveling needs (stat priority doesn't really change, for example).
I'll probably be in-game this evening. I'll try to pop over to Borean Tundra, for at least a little bit.
Thanks,
cos
Flying mounts were introduced in Burning Crusade. Azerothian flying was not introduced until Cataclysm, but I do not think that Cataclysm is required. I could be wrong, however. Open your spellbook and go to the general tab. Find the listing for your flying ability and mouseover it. If you are missing a requirement, the missing requirement will likely appear in red in the tooltip.(LOLstory)
I managed to buy the training, which I thought was the license, and the mount but somehow didn't see the proper license! Fixed now.
Also thanks for the Icy Veins tip, Cosmo. I've been trying the read the tea leaves with a few other sites that largely assume much more familiarity with the system. This looks ideal for the level of advice I'm ready for. :)
I managed to buy the training, which I thought was the license, and the mount but somehow didn't see the proper license! Fixed now.Also thanks for the Icy Veins tip, Cosmo. I've been trying the read the tea leaves with a few other sites that largely assume much more familiarity with the system. This looks ideal for the level of advice I'm ready for. :)
Yeah, for new players it's a little confusing...
Buying basic flight training lets you fly in Outland only, at 150% flight speed.
You can buy two flight speed improvements, bringing your flight speed up to 280% and 310%.
To fly in Azeroth, you need the Flight License. This lets you fly pretty much everywhere. Notable exceptions are the Draenei and Blood Elf starter zones.
To fly in Northrend, you need Cold-weather flying.
I believe Cataclysm zones only require Azerothian flying, but I'm not certain about that.
Finally, to fly in Pandaria you'll need a Pandarian flying license, which is only available at level 90. They make you walk until then.
And of course, all of these things are relatively pricey, so your wallet feels it every time you upgrade.
You need Cataclysm to fly in Azeroth. Flying Mounts however still won't work in the Draenei or the Blood Elf starting areas, although that last may have changed as far as the Blood Elves are concerned.
Yeah, I got Cataclysm last night too. Suspected I needed it to fly everywhere and planned to get it eventually, but was holding off until I would immediately realize some of the benefits. Immediately just happened at 60 instead of 80.
