Friday Linkday: August 28, 2009

Exciting stuff in the WoW Blogosphere this week what with all the talk about Cataclysm. It's always hard, with all the awesome posts I read throughout the week to pick posts that I really want to include in this feature. Sometimes I wonder if I should pick posts on a theme, but that rarely works out. I may try that in the future as I'm continually adding more and more WoW blogs to my Google Reader.

[Side Note: Why isn't there a clever word for "WoW blog"? Something like blawg for "law blog". How about blwowg? Or we could shorten it to blowg.
Instead, we should just leave it as it is, since both of those options look completely awful.]

1. The Pink Pigtail Inn discusses one interesting upcoming change--being able to join PUGs with people from other realms. Personally, I'm looking forward to this. There will be a much larger pool of players for running random instances than before. The main downside I foresee is having to group with players from Normal realms more likely to use the annoying chat/l33tspeak phrases I abhor than on RP realms.

2. Cataclysm's Edge is the blog to read for news and information on Cataclysm. There's a great post regarding all the stat changes that are coming up in the expansion, and brief explanations of what that might mean for players.

3. Speaking of major changes in Cataclysm, Abi was on the dot (no pun intended) with one of his soul shard predictions!

4. When I was a new player I may have done many noobish things. But that sense of awe we all felt when we first started logged into the game, listened to the introduction for our race, and raced to that first quest giver is something we can't get back. Faulsey's beautiful post recaptured those feelings, complete with screenshots.

BONUS: Will Stranglethorn Vale be in the New Azeroth?

Cataclysm: Your Warlock and You - The New Races

In my guild, it's no secret: I'm pumped about Cataclysm. We're all excited, talking about what we're going to name our Goblins and how completely amazing the Worgen starting zone looks. We're speculating about what Archeology is going to do to the game and it's never long before I can't hold it in anymore and start spamming "Heroic Deadmines! Heroic DEADMINES!" in /o. A couple guildies can't wait to roll Dwarf Shaman and the Gnome Priests will be completely adorable. All classes will be changing in one way or another but one class that's going to experience a major makeover is my most beloved class, Warlocks.

While none of the current races are going to have the ability to become Warlocks, both the new classes, Goblins and Worgen, will be able to train in the dark arts. Let's take a look at their abilities and see how they will benefit, or hinder, Warlocks.

Worgen

Worgen, being Azeroth's equivalent to warewolves already have a bit of evil within them so it makes sense that Worgen can become Warlocks. I expect to see a lot of wolves running around with Felhounds, simply because that will look cool. I think people wanting to roll Worgen and haven't played a Warlock yet will be likely to give it a try. The original, pre-Arugal's curse Worgen were said to be powerful mages practicing dark magic. That sounds pretty Warlock-like to me. It makes sense that those infected later would still have the desire and skills to master the fel magic.

Two Forms - instant, 1.5 sec cooldown, Turn into your currently inactive form.

As Warlocks we already know what it's like to have evil lurking within ourselves. But mainly, this is just plain cool, particularly when you think about running around as a wolf with a demon at your side.

Darkflight - instant, 3 min cooldown, activates your true form increasing movement speed by 70% for 10 sec.

Warlocks can always use a new way to get away from things. Since I also occasionally play a rogue, I've often thought it would be great if I could sprint on my Warlock to get away from nasty mobs while my minion sacrifices itself for me. This makes the Warlock's already incredible survivability even better!

Viciousness - passive, increases all damage done by 1%.

People complain about the Goblin racials being OP, but seriously? THIS is OP, and of course, awesome. Warlocks are DPS, and this means more DPS plain and simple.

Flayer - passive, skinning skill increased by 15 and allows you to skin faster.

YES! Just what every Warlock always wanted! For all the leather items we wear!

Aberration - Reduced duration against curses and Diseases.

This will be an additional challange for Warlocks playing against Worgen in PvP, since curses are essential to our class.

Goblins

It was obvious to me that Goblins would be able to be Warlocks, primarily due to our friend Gorzeeki Wildeyes of the Dreadsteed quest chain. Also, why not? There's no lore stating that Goblins can't use magic (which, if true, would be extremely limiting on class choices). Since they can use magic, there's nothing stopping them from becoming Warlocks. They aren't a particularly religious race and are the sort of folk who would do whatever necessary to get what they need gold. Plus, the Goblin voice sounds quite similar to the imp's.

Best Deals Anywhere - always receive the best possible gold discount, regardless of faction.

Less gold for stuff? I'm officially jealous of every Goblin in the game. Every single one of them. Maybe I wouldn't still be scrimping for my epic flying mount if I had this racial.

Better Living Through Chemistry - Alchemy skill increased by 15.

More jealousy! Alchemy is an excellent profession for Warlocks, something I know to be true given how much happier I was when I switched to it from tailoring. It's always great to have potions around and it's just so much easier when you can make them yourself.

Pack Hobgoblin - Instant, 30 minute cooldown, Calls in your personal servant, allowing you bank access for 1 min.

Question: Can you actually see the servant? Because that would be really cool. I think Warlocks should be able to do this with our imps! That aside, it's still an amazing talent for any class. No more having to run to the bank before going into a raid! And if you're an alchemist, you can pick up all the awesome potions you've made with your +15 alchemy skill. Sweet!

Rocket Barrage - 30 yd range, Instant, 2 min cooldown, Launches your belt rockets at an enemy, dealing 30 fire damage.

Awesome! This just sounds really cool, and it's fire damage so it's not like this goes against something Warlocks are doing already. I wonder, though, if you can see the belt on your Goblin at all times.

Rocket Jump - instant, 2 min cooldown, activates your rocket belt to jump forward.

Escape mechanisms always come in handy for Warlocks, and sorry Worgen, this is so much cooler than just plain running. Can you imagine having a Goblin Rogue? You could be jumping and sprinting all all over the place!

Time is Money - cash in on a 1% increase to attack and casting speed.

Okay, so perhaps Goblins are a bit OP, with their 1% haste increase! Cast your DoTs faster!

Many classes are now available for previously existing races. No previously existing races that have not been Warlocks in the past are going to be available for Warlocks now. I could see Trolls as Warlocks, or perhaps Draenei. After Cataclysm, Warlock will be a rather exclusive class in the game, after Druids, Paladins, and Shaman. [See the chart.] Why is this? I think Blizzard realizes that not every race has the stomach to allow Warlocks. Mages might be happy that their class is available nearly accross the board, but we Warlocks know the truth, that just about anyone can be a Mage, but it takes someone special to play a Warlock.

Post Weekend Update: Big Tongues over Puppy Men

-I finished the Frenzyheart/Oracle quest chain. My choice of Oracles was pretty obvious. Pets! I don't have enough rep to buy the egg yet. Also, the Frenzyheart folks are pretty much jerks, with the exception of the wasp hunter that follows you around for a while. He seemed alright. He didn't get all excited that I was his slave like the others. I was a little sad to let him go. But...pets!

-Frijona is now one level away from 80! As soon as she hits 80, you wont have to suffer through another "ding" post, at least until the new expansion hits.

-Speaking of Cataclysm, if you haven't watched the trailer yet, go do it now. I'm so excited. I'm completely pumped. I can't wait a year and a half for this! Heroic Deadmines, folks. Heroic Deadmines!

Coming Soon: Something awesome. But it's a secret!

[Image Credit: It's all over the internet. If it's yours, let me know and I'll credit you appropriately.]

Friday Linkday: August 21, 2009

I know everyone's pumped about Blizzcon and Cataclysm today, so I doubt anyone's going to come and read my little blog with all the other excitement going on. By the way, I just have to say how completely thrilled I am with the Cataclysm announcements! Archiologyst profession! Goblins as a playable race! Revamped Azeroth! Heroic Deadmines!

1. Today's first link is Why I Hope the Iceberg Will Hold a Bit Longer from The Pink Pigtail Inn. Larisa explains her desires for Blizzard and World of Warcraft to hold out a bit longer as the top MMO. It's an incredible piece. Personally, from what I've heard about Cataclysm I think Blizzard is going in the right direction. I'm so much more excited about what's going to happen now than I've ever been.

2. Many people gave quite a thought of what might be in the next expansion, but Seri listed a few things that for sure wouldn't show up. It's hilarious! My favorite was "New Dungeon: CoT Gnomeregan" where you would fight against the incoming Troggs.

3. Have you ranked the classes in the game? Rantings of the Afflicted, of course, put warlocks as number one. Check the comments for my rankings in the comments.

Finally, here's link number four, from Postcards from Azeroth:

My Wishlist to Blizzard: Things I Want in the Next Expansion

1. Some graphic updates. I'd like to see trees that don't look like paper cutouts snapped together.

2. More customizable characters. And by this I don't mean a small selection of additional hairstyles nabbed from other races, but I want to change my character's weight and maybe eye color.

3. Quests with plot. I don't want to run around grabbing animal parts, but I that doesn't mean riding around in a vehicle and chopping off tree limbs is any more enjoyable. I love really long quest chains with fascinating plots.

4. More cut scenes.

5. New races that start at level 55. The Death Knight class to me wasn't as exciting as the races in Burning Crusade. Perhaps if we'd had two epic classes that would have seemed more even. But since Blizzard doesn't want people spending all their time leveling so they can experience more of the endgame content, starting the new races at level 55 would be the way to go.