Tuesday with Tarinae 5/11

Good morning, good morning Azerthotian Blog-Goers! How are you today? I am trying to make the best of a day I have been very anxious about for a few weeks, my first field trip for the kids at work! I am not relieved by the relaxation of getting to come home and play WoW tonight either…

Player Strains

• I won’t get to play much at all this week in fact, this makes me very sad. My family (mom, dad, teh baby sis) are coming in to visit for a late Mother’s Day and spending a 3-Day weekend here. That rules out the weekend…until then…I have a non-mother-worthy house to clean after work. On top of this…!
• On Thursday, we are wiping my entire harddrive and re-installing the OS. I have Windows Vista 64-bit and have, yet again, been having “unexpected shutdowns” and booting problems. I had these about a month ago with some intermittent BSODs so hopefully instead of a bandaid this time, we will cast Redemption and all will be well!

Anea’s Game!

Being a D&D player on Monday nights, I missed this last night but my reader had some of them so I thought I would join in!

The Horde visit Stormwind!

Here we come a’caroling, among the leaves so green!

Here we come a wand’ring, So fair to be seen.

The Vocalists

Other bloggers that have jumped in on it:

• Vrykerion with the Alanis!
• Jaedia and her horse!
• Anea rocks the shades!
• Angelya gets back up!

Patch 3.3.5

Oh yeah, it is up and available on the PTR now. The patch notes are fairly small!

• The Ruby Sanctum, an all-new 10- and 25-player raid featuring normal and Heroic difficulties, is now available for testing! Players will find the dungeon entrance below Wyrmrest Temple in Dragonblight.
• Chat Frame
  • Players can now right-click on any chat type (Whisper, Trade, General, Party, Raid, etc.) and choose the Pop Out Chat option. This will move that chat type to a separate tab in the Chat frame which can be undocked and moved anywhere on the screen.
    • Using the Pop Out Chat option on a Whisper will place the conversation with that player in a separate tab.
    • Any time a conversation with another player is put into its own tab, the tab will glow when a new message is received.
  • Hovering over the Chat Frame and using the mouse wheel will allow players to scroll through chat text.
  • Players can select Classic Mode under Interface Options to keep the Chat Frame functionality closer to what it was prior to patch 3.3.5.
  • The Simple Chat User Interface option has been removed.
• Friends List
  • A new icon has been added to the top left of the Chat Frame which will open up the Friends list.
  • In addition to its current functionality, the Friends List will now allow players to add Battle.net accounts (Real ID). Players will have to confirm that they are friends in order for a Real ID to be added. Once Real ID friends, players can communicate cross-game, cross-faction and cross-realm.
  • A new Pending tab has been added where players can accept or decline a Real ID friend request, or select the Report Spam or Block Communications buttons.
  • Players can now select from three statuses which will be visible to their friends: Available, Away and Busy.
  • A Broadcast window has been added to the top of the frame. Players can use this to broadcast a message to all of their Real ID friends online. This message will also be displayed under the broadcaster’s Real ID information in each friend’s list.

I’m pretty sure I have already expressed how I feel about RealID. The ‘Mental Shaman expresses her thoughts as well.

My thought is the lack of privacy and security. I am going to share a quote from teh shaman:

If you have noth­ing to fear, have never been stalked or har­assed online, have never been hacked or had credit card details stolen, you’re very very lucky. The more inform­a­tion that you give out, the more pos­sib­il­ity there is for it. Don’t dis­miss people with pri­vacy con­cerns as being para­noid just because you’re not wor­ried. They might actu­ally have a point.

I have had my wow account hacked, there was nothing on my computer but I played on some friends/family computers to make it unsafe…but even more…I have had my PayPal account stolen and REAL money was charged and overdrafted to my debit card. I had not even been on paypal in over a year, I used it twice while in college to buy books. You wanna know what they bought? Aion. It was a horrible experience and I take my security very serious.

Even if it is a game, and much like facebook, I can choose to add them or whatever, I should be able to set things like a display name instead of first and last. I should be able to add characters to a visible list, etc. And I’m sorry, until the ability to hide particular characters from the list is available, I won’t use Real ID. The people who really want to find me in game have my number but that secret alt is secret for a reason.

Oops!

Now that that has turned into a mini post, I think I will wrap this up. I share this screenshot with you guys as a wallpaper, perfect for 1680×1050. It is no where near as epic as Angelya’s but all the same 🙂

Good luck this week in game, may you get your weeklies done with the slightest of ease and defeat that Tyrant of the Scourge!

Tuesday with Tarinae 4/27

Another Tuesday, another downtime, and it is still raining; today is pleading with me to get back into bed! I once again thank you for joining me this not-so-lovely Tuesday, it is always a pleasure to be blessed with your reading eyes! I do have some unfortunate new though, this Tuesday just will not be that epic. I haven’t got a lot of play or blogging time logged this week due to massive storms, being sick, and being dreadfully busy. But for those interested in the blog update, I do have several things I am looking at!

Blogging News

• Due to a hectic weekend, I wasn’t able to finish my Shared Topic post of Leveling 1-10. I am using Tiny Tar and to re-do levels 1-5 I made a Lilleveler just so I can take notes on the training, the experience, the quests etc. Essentially, I got Levels 1-7 finished before leaving for work that fateful day and have since not been able to log in but I promise to finish it! You will even find a handy link on the left sidebar *points* for it when it is complete!
• For more reasons than one this time, I am the last to know about the raiding/badge/everything else update. I can’t even provide appropriate link love as my reader cup has fillithed overeth. With that being said, I will provide some of the posts I know are out there on it but I do apologize because I know there are a lot more!
• Also, to any bloggers, do you know if TNWiki blog list is still being updated? I have sent in a please add me email twice to no avail.
• There were also A LOT of bloggers that recycled posts on April 22 for Earth Day! Zelmaru has a rounded them all up!

And now…The Cataclysm News!

• Morynne provides full blue post text and thoughts on the progression info and badge/PVP changes.
• The ‘Mental Shaman has more than 10 friends!
• Angelya recounts the raiding changes!
• Khraden always has the best animations for new Cataclysm changes. Especially the casual player raiding love!

I hope to throw in my own thoughts on all of this when I have had a moment to sort and digest it all. But for someone who may not have heard, those links should help!

A tale of 2 Alts

Blogging consists of a lot of experience sharing. This past week I got my raiding done quick. 3 VOA 10, 25 and weeklies. But my soul died a long the way; let me share what happened:

VOA 10 worked out for both Tarinae and Cassela (the mage). Cassela got T10 gloves which gave her the 2 piece bonus and Tarinae got T10 pants which could give her the bonus. It worked out great even though Chakae (the hunter) got the short end of the stick. But then it was time to do 25-man. Cassela ventured in and walked out with nothing more than a lock out. But then it was Chakae’s turn! Dropping Torovon resulted in the Wratful PVP pants she already had heaven-forbid HEALADIN T10.5! Oh the pain of watching that go to an off-spec paladin, I need a band-aid. But then, as if to add insult to injury, Tarinae heads in. Know what Torovon dropped? TWO (Yes a DUPLICATE DROP) of MAGE T10.5 PANTS! There was 1 mage.

I will never be seeing those drops again! -.-

On the upside, in the past two weeks, Cassela has gained Bloodmage shoulders and gloves (T10), T9 pants, pair Lady Deathwhisper glove drop and the Shriveled Heart. These changes also allowed her to save emblems buying new shoulders (for hit) as well as using a blue offhand when wielding the Frost Needle!

Screenshot or it didn’t happen!

Yes, it says 9990.9 for DPS!

You will have to click the image to get the large version enough to see the recount numbers! And yes, I know my UI sucks lol.

Other Games

I don’t play many different games aside from WoW, but I do play Dungeons & Dragons 3.0. In our current campaign, Dark Deities, I play a custom race called Phoenix-touched.  I was specifically chosen by Pelor to be the symbol of hope for our world. It is a high-powered game and most of us don’t play regular characters. It really is just awesome. My boyfriend is the GM and this is currently version 2.4. All the same, I am pretty excited! We drew from the Deck of Many Things last night and here is what I got:

• Gain 50,000 Experience and a medium wondrous item!
• Defeat your next opponent and gain a level!
• 1D4 Wishes (I rolled a 4!)

When this is all said an done, I could go from Level 1 to ~class Level 7! This is just AWESOME!

But with all that said, it is time for me to part ways. I wish you all the best of luck in game this week, encourage you to come back, and hope your server downtime doesn’t wipe you!

The Bank Alt

As promised, here is the shot images of my beloved bank alt. The bank alt style is very important when you are trying to make it in the world. Not pictured are her Brewfest Stein & flowers or her winter clothes. She loves holiday fare and pirates!

Her everyday wear consists of:

• Tattered Cloth Pants from Undercity
• Black Swashbucklers Shirt
• Acolyte Shoes (starting Blood Elf Warlock gear)

She also sports the occasional Blue Lumberjack Shirt!

Tuesday with Tarinae 4/20

Hello dear readers! I hope you are having a fine day on this day of maintainence downtime and am thrilled you stopped by to spend it with me! I have been considering a “weekly column” type thing for a while now; in a recent post I put out an outcry for reader input and together we agreed this would rock. Be prepared to see a hodge-podge of wow goodness from musings to link love to screenshots to achievements/goals and gear! I have given a lot of thought to the “deisgn” these posts will follow but in the dark recesses of my brain, it is still under construction! So…moving onto to my first Tuesday with Tarinae…!

Paladining is Srs Bsns

Last week (April 14) the paladins finally got their class review. There was a lot of bustle around the blog world to get those posts out that include our thoughts and analysis of the changes. Some people received the information well, others didn’t. For all of you who have yet to have your paladin fill, I share with you the thoughts of other bloggers:

• Rhidach has a lot of questions on the changes
• Khraden thinks it is about damn time
• Codi believes the changes are gimmicky overall
• Ferarro offers a full reaction recount with ratings
• Zal believes that Blizzard has finally listened
• Rudy seems a little disappointed & iffy

I know there are a lot more than that, of course you can’t find anything you want when you need it. But I have a lot of other paladin links to share (still preview related)! Still being new to the community, I am teh suck at blue posts. I am always the last to know. So instead of trying to find these on my own, I am going to spread the love and work of these guys!

• Rhidach shares Ghostcrawler’s protection clarifications
• Khraden does a holy clarification
• Khraden also shares thoughts of Bacon & healing models

That is all of my paladin sharing! I am all shared out!

Shout-Outs

I would like to send a few announcements across the blogging world. First a very belated “Happy Bolgiversary” to Ophelie! Congratulations on making the year marker! I would also like to say welcome back our favorite cranky…Zelmaru! It is good to see you back up and writing!

Musings of the WoW Player

• The Starpony: I cannot believe the sheer reaction this little thing created. To some you might have well torn their hearts out and fed it to a hungry tiger or something! The uproar this beautiful mount (I am not screenshotting it because there are enough floating around I am sure you have seen it) created is just amazing. Some people loved it, the last numbers I heard was that Blizzard had made around 10 MILLION dollars within the first 12 hours or something like that. Then there are the other people who feel this is not a rip off but a worthless attempt to replace gearscore/epeen. The mount costs $25 and is BOA to all your toons. I believe it even scales with your flying speed (i.e if you have a 310 it is 310). This type of thing is real money for in-game stuff, but mounts/pets are of no real detriment and it comes from the most credible source in the game. However, if I wanted to spend more money than I already do, I would probably have a Baby XT or a race change with Cataclysm. I support those who love their sparkle-ponies. By the way, Zal covers the whole of the mount changes from the blizzchat, too!
• As much as I am a cheap skate in life, so too am I in game. This is a brief moment to QQ about the price of primordial saronite. I broke down and spent 69 Frost Emblems and 3K gold for them, but it took my soul with it!
• The Burn-Out: At the current point in time, I see a lot of people fighting this. A lot of bloggers are taking breaks, a lot of my friends are taking breaks, a lot of people are struggling. My pro-tip: Remember what it is about the game that you love. If raiding has you weighed down and is sucking the life out of you when you really love leveling, find another server, make that alt, and do what makes the game fun again. My second pro-tip: Don’t struggle against the burn out. If you need a break, take it before you end up hating the game.
• SAVE THE TREES!

• As a wow player with a lot of stuff, I love bank alts. There are a lot of posts in the world dedicated to making your bank alt look as fashionable as possible. Jaedia even provides a fashion guide to bank alt style. I am pretty fond of my bank alt. She has a unique style and an outfit for almost every holiday. I am sure had I had the patience she could have been “the Noble” at Level 2! I am fond of getting her achievements and playing dress up with the in-game events. I have been crazy boggled down over the weekend and didn’t get all my imaging finished but this is a promise to throw up the images as soon as I can finish SSing them (yeah, I know, Epic Fail!). Besides, that just gives you a reason to come back, right?
• Blogging muse? I am sick of the spammers telling me their girlfriend of 2 years has broken up with them. “Well my girl friend just broke up with me…so thought this would be a great place to start spreding her pics like she did her legs.” I suggest you find somewhere else to do it cause you’re not making it through my spam filter.

Screenshots

This if from the arsenal I call my screenshot folder. It isn’t new but it is neat!

Turns into…

Thanks for spending your Tuesday with me! Be on the look out for a Leveling 1-10 guide for the BAST this week & other hot topics!

Massive Multiplayer–Not so much

I am in a pickle right now. In a rut and perpetual state of confusion and/or loneliness. I have played World of Warcraft for two and a half years; in that time, I have made some great friends & have a great time with real friends in a virtual world. The problem? Everyone I enjoy playing with seems to have STOPPED playing all at once. There are varying reasons for this occurrence but all the same, there it is. Where does that leave me?

Trying to Hold a Guild Together

Would you like to know how hard this is right now? My SECOND SEAT/CO-GM (who also happens to be my boyfriend) is taking a break. 50% of my officers are taking full deactivated account breaks (see Bear Bomb’s new post), another 2 officers are struggling to log on. This leaves me with 1 officer, he is spectacular. He does everything he is supposed to but the structure here is falling apart. If it weren’t for Barreb, I would probably crumble. I have held this guild together through a lot and we have had our moments of rising from the ashes (did you see what I did there?), but my player base…my foundation is disappearing. We are over two years old, I created <Age of the Phoenix> when I was Level 40 and we have had it all. Our current motto, I hope, should carry us through this difficult time:

The wings of the Phoenix will always carry you to blue skies.

Playing Alone

When you play with people ALL the time, I suppose it is reasonable to want to get on and do your own thing. It isn’t something you want to do all the time necessarily. I enjoyed (legitmately) playing with my boyfriend, my best friend (who is only waiting on computer repairs), my nephews, etc. I get on these days to see an empty friends list and typically, an empty guild & it is disheartening. I know that with my job, even though it doesn’t take up a lot of time, sometimes puts me a in “ijustwannawatchtvgoaway” mood, but when I get on and end up alone, it doesn’t make me want to play either.

Pugging

We had a good raid team established. We were moving through Ulduar (we were a little slow starting) and we had plans to move into TOC shortly. This was a carefully made decision to be able to offer our players end-game content in the most relax environment. We were little achievement whores & screenshot takers. We were progressing. Then my main tank needed a break, my main raid healer, my other tank had surgery and couldn’t play, then my other tank and tank healer needed breaks for their real lives, then my other healer just disappeared. Even my best ranged DPS (Allexant) had his account devastated and has temporarily (I hope) quite playing. There is my raid team in a nut shell…gone.

My friends/guildmates after our first Kologarn kill.

I miss the old days. I had a great balance between school and wow, I am sure I would have developed one for work too. Sure, wow was typically the only thing my boyfriend and I did most nights, but it isn’t like we had that much money to party hardy but we still had fun. This post probably doesn’t illustrate much of my emotions, but it really is disheartening. I get taking a break, fighting the burnout, etc. The part that kills me here…it all happened at once. It wasn’t just my boyfriend but I could still play with my nephews and bestie and Luxul and Voshten, and my guild, etc…it was BAM…and everyone is gone.

This isn’t a rant post or a QQ. I graduated with a BA in Sociology and my sub-focus is social interactions; my senior thesis was even on the social benefits of MMOs. This is a recount simply of how social the game can be; how integral people are to this game. You could call it an educated reflection.

April Fools!

I promise dear readers to get a post out (hopefully today) really soon. But I thought I would share an April Fools joke that is WOW related. I am an avid Twilight fan. I have read all the books at least twice and own a small amount of paraphernalia. I squee knowing I will be there for the Eclipse release…but all the same…this is about WOW (and please don’t hold my Twilight fandom against this blog 🙂 ). So here it is..

WOW.com restructured...

Happy April Fools!

Rest, Relaxation, and Awe

I have been working to set my mage up on a set ICC10 schedule (sadly they don’t have a healer spot atm). I have been working diligently on Tarinae’s Frost Emblems to get her first piece of T10. Raids and heroics…Raids and heroics…it seems that sometimes that becomes the grind of Wow. Sometimes, you have to break away from it; sometimes, you need to relax. Blizzard has given some great things to help you relax; you can point out all the fun pop culture references or fly around and enjoy the scenery. Some of the sheer detail is enough to amaze you.

In light of this week’s Blog Azeroth Shared Topic, I want to share a few screenshots with you that awe me and help me remember why I have played for two years. I lost a lot when my hard drive crashed but some of the best ones remain!

A Loch Modan Sunset

Sunrise in Silverpine

Nagrand at nightfall

Garadar, Nagrand

I had previous shots of Hellfire, Sholazar, and others but these are some of my all time favorites. When you find that you are getting frustrated with the game, remember to breathe and take in the beauty around you.