The conversation in Battlegrounds tend to get a little nasty when the plot unravels, particularly since it is usually the point where we start loosing big time. Frustration hits and it all goes downhill from here. The talkers tend to have very little sympathy. On the one hand, there's the frustrated experienced player who knows exactly how to win, but need the help of all the other players to do, but since they are unable to provide the help needed, the battle goes pear shaped. The comments here tend to be derogatory remarks to unskilled, unexperienced and weekend Noobs. The comeback tend to be somewhat less vicious, but only serve the fuel the flames. The person taking offence react defensively, generally taking the line that the game is a team effort and if the team is loosing, all members of the team are equally at fault for not making it work. Both are extreme points of few that only fuel a circular argument which then start to take priority over the actual game play.
New to the battlegrounds myself, I tend to feel as if the Noob comments hit home just a little. I am new. However, I have done my homework and know the strategy for each battleground. I have also done my homework on my class and what my various roles within a battleground may be. Each battleground also adds to that experience; playing with other, more experienced players teaches me how to play better and playing with less experienced players teaches me how it all comes apart. That said, I've won a few battlegrounds with a group of badly geared new players and I've lost spectacularly where more experienced players have not pulled their weight. Generalizations aren't always a good thing.
My frustration is rarely connected to the actual game play. It's a repetitive process and every play has an experience to offer. There is certain advantages to occasionally selecting a lesser role to play. At the end of a long day, I may feel like playing a little, but not up for a major intellectual assault. Picking a smaller BG and choosing to defend a base that doesn't see much action rather than playing offense suits me then. I'm not there for the honor kills or the win, I'm just there to have fun and get my badge at the end. If I do feel like putting everything into it, there's always to options - go for the win or go for the kill. It always starts off as going for the win, but once things fall apart entirely, I tend to give up any hope of actually winning and just try to join the battle and fight non-stop through to the end. It serves two purposes: (i) I get the highest level of honor kills I can get and (ii) pulling out all the stops may actually swing the battle back towards a win.
My frustration in the battlegrounds is triggered by the chatters. The ones who prefer throwing derogatory comments to clumsy players rather than giving them a few pointers. The ones who spend so much time shifting the blame that there can't possibly be time to actually be playing at the same time. The ones who give up once the odds swing against them and stop fighting the second they start to loose and begin spamming the chat channel with 'gz horde' and a string of sarcastic comments.
There seem to be a small minority (I hope), of experience players who feel that they are entitled to a well organised, well geared and well played battleground whenever they log on. There also seems to be a huddle of pessimists who are defensive and defeatest and doesn't seem to enjoy being there at all.
The biggest issue I am coming across in the BGs are one of thinking styles. My alliance buddies have a tendency to focus on the philosophy of the battleground and whilst listening to the chat, I can almost forget that I'm actually in a battleground. The conversation is more like a debate had over conjured manna biscuits whilst reclining on plush chair.
What comes around goes around. Slagging off the newbs tend to create timid and passive ranks, where nobody does anything and brave carebears go back to crafting. Conversely, if a few negative comments get your back up, the intensity of battlegrounds are probably not for you.
There is fun to be had in battlegrounds. If you can win, great. If you can play in a well-structured group, fantastic. If you can find a frontier where a handful of mates are throwing in everything and your play consists out of killed and be killed repetitively, I'm satisfied. And if nobody else plays, there's always the kamikaze moves that's great fun. As someone demonstrated fabulously yesterday in The Eye of the Storm, by diving from the starting point whilst screaming "Charge!" and "For Gnomeregan", as the Horde advanced en masse whilst all the Alliance players sat like a group of wet chickens on the hill. Pretty hilarious that. He also managed to take out two players in the process, the Horde just stood there and didn't know quite what to make of it, stood there long enough for two to be slaugtered by a gnome mage. Fantastic. Now that's the spirit of the battleground.
Saturday, 9 August 2008
Thursday, 7 August 2008
Gearing Lvl 70 Rogue for PvP
From carebear to battleground junkie in 24 hours. Needless to say, I'm loving the battlegrounds. After about a dozen goes, I'm finally starting to understand the objective a little too. The new and revised plan to gear for battlegrounds and from what I can tell, these are the best battleground gear for my rogue:
- Main Weapon: Merciless Gladiator's Shanker
- Off-hand dagger: Merciless Gladiator's Shiv
- Thrown: Merciless Gladiator's War Edge
- Head: Merciless Gladiator's Leather Helm
- Neck: Veteran's Pendant of Triumph
- Shoulder: Merciless Gladiator's Leather Spaulders
- Back: Sergeant's Heavy Cloak
- Chest: Merciless Gladiator's Leather Tunic
- Wrists: Veteran's Leather Bracers
- Hands: Merciless Gladiator's Leather Gloves
- Waist: Veteran's Leather Belt
- Legs: Merciless Gladiator's Leather Legguards
- Feet: Veteran's Leather Boots
- Ring 1: Veteran's Band of Triumph
- Ring 2: Vindicator's Band of Triumph
- Trinket 1: Battlemaster's Determination
- Trinket 2: Medallion of the Alliance
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
What to do with honor points?
Starting PvP and noticing that the main reward from Battlegrounds are honor points and Marks of Honor, I'm sure the most important tidbit of information is where to spend it to get new gear. It seems to be the NPC's in the Champion's Hall (in Stormwind) who do all the selling.
Level 70 Items:
Level 70 Items:
- Captain O'Neil - Weapons Quartermaster
- Captain Dirgehammer - Armor Quartermaster
- Lieutenant Tristia - Armor Quartermaster
- Master Sergeant Biggins - Officer Accessories Quartermaster
- Lieutenant Karter - War Mount Vendor (Except for the War Talbuk, purchased from Trader Narasu with Exalted Kurenai Rep in Telaar, Nagrand)
- Lieutenant Jackspring - Weapons Quartermaster
- Sergeant Major Clate - Armor Quartermaster
Quasi-Carebear PvP
I have a fondness for non-combat mmorpg activities, particularly crafting and in the Wow Auction House. Hitting level 70 through soloing, duoing and forming the occasional PUG was a rewarding experience, but doing the same dailies at the Isle of Quel'Danas is slowly driving me mad. Or maybe it slowly drove me to explore other avenues of gearing up. Since I my other half is keen on pvp, I've finally racked up the nerve to enter a battle ground.
What complete chaos. I joined the Eye of the Storm with the logic that is generally seen as the least active and therefore I assume all sides would be in disarray, following a kamikaze each-for-himself-approach. Turns out it was a pretty accurate assumption. Apart from the few honor farmers who camped at the start zone throughout, everybody else seem to follow a sort of loose plan. One group peeled off to protect the first alliance side tower, another to protect the second and a third to try and get the flag. The third group didn't always exist, sometimes the game strategy was simply to protect the towers. I surmise.
I tried to pick the underdog, but soon excluded getting the flag altogether. My rogue does very badly in moving combat. At the towers, combat are stationary, confined and much more chaotic. And in the chaos nobody knows what anybody else is doing, so I have the opportunity to experiment with my brand new shadowstep pvp spec.
Twenty minutes and three battleground matches later, I have 17 honor kills and had struck a single killing blow. Definite room for improvement. On the positive side, every other player on my side had a minimum of 30 000 lifetime kills at the start and I had a wopping 0. At least now I have 17. Carebear turns to PvP for a little mental stimulation. I'm sure I'm not the first and I won't be the last. So far so good.
The first battleground pretty much felt the same as the first time I logged in my level 1 Druid. My hands were trembling and I was terrified of all these real people that I might have to interact with. Stage fright at its most frightening. Switching to PvP has a similar feel. I am fully aware that my gear is still made of plenty of blues and greens and all of it is PvE spec. and that my PvP stats are filled with lots and lots of zeros. But I am also aware that nobody really cares and if they did, I don't think I'd care that they cared. Everybody has to start somewhere. And starting on battlegrounds at level 70 is maybe not the conventional approach, but it's a damn well legitimate approach. I wonder how many matches it's going to take to make my hands stop trembling and how many tension headaches I'll be staving off over the coming weeks.
Regardless, PvP it is for now. I'm sure I'll tire of that too eventually, but it's a whole new world and a whole new play style that has me feeling both excited and utterly content. I haven't run out of game as I'd fear I had when my xp bar vanished.
What complete chaos. I joined the Eye of the Storm with the logic that is generally seen as the least active and therefore I assume all sides would be in disarray, following a kamikaze each-for-himself-approach. Turns out it was a pretty accurate assumption. Apart from the few honor farmers who camped at the start zone throughout, everybody else seem to follow a sort of loose plan. One group peeled off to protect the first alliance side tower, another to protect the second and a third to try and get the flag. The third group didn't always exist, sometimes the game strategy was simply to protect the towers. I surmise.
I tried to pick the underdog, but soon excluded getting the flag altogether. My rogue does very badly in moving combat. At the towers, combat are stationary, confined and much more chaotic. And in the chaos nobody knows what anybody else is doing, so I have the opportunity to experiment with my brand new shadowstep pvp spec.
Twenty minutes and three battleground matches later, I have 17 honor kills and had struck a single killing blow. Definite room for improvement. On the positive side, every other player on my side had a minimum of 30 000 lifetime kills at the start and I had a wopping 0. At least now I have 17. Carebear turns to PvP for a little mental stimulation. I'm sure I'm not the first and I won't be the last. So far so good.
The first battleground pretty much felt the same as the first time I logged in my level 1 Druid. My hands were trembling and I was terrified of all these real people that I might have to interact with. Stage fright at its most frightening. Switching to PvP has a similar feel. I am fully aware that my gear is still made of plenty of blues and greens and all of it is PvE spec. and that my PvP stats are filled with lots and lots of zeros. But I am also aware that nobody really cares and if they did, I don't think I'd care that they cared. Everybody has to start somewhere. And starting on battlegrounds at level 70 is maybe not the conventional approach, but it's a damn well legitimate approach. I wonder how many matches it's going to take to make my hands stop trembling and how many tension headaches I'll be staving off over the coming weeks.
Regardless, PvP it is for now. I'm sure I'll tire of that too eventually, but it's a whole new world and a whole new play style that has me feeling both excited and utterly content. I haven't run out of game as I'd fear I had when my xp bar vanished.
Sunday, 3 August 2008
The Bartle Test of gaming personality
The Bartle Test of gaming personality is one of the largest ongoing surveys within the gaming population. The test consists of 30 questions and unfortunately each has only two possible answers and you must choose one. The test rates your play style in relation to four categories:
I dislike the running and riding required throughout the game. To the effect that battlegrounds and arenas look appealing simply for ability to portal. I tend to stick as close to base as I can and play in areas where the killing grounds are in close proximity to the inn. Surely that makes me an anti-explorer?
I mostly solo'd to level 70 and after six months of playing, grouped up with an unknown player the first time - yesterday. I used the general chat for the first time today, to type 'gas cloud @... (fill in coords)' and have never used the trade channel. I've never bought enchants or a jewel cut, haven't been really involved in any guild and so I'd say it's fair to exclude this category too.
As for the Killers byline, I have a wopping 0 honor kills on all my characters. I detest ganking and can't see myself ever raiding. And where does that leave me?
According to the test: 67% Explorer, 60% Achiever, 47% Killer and 25% Socializer.
I guess I do know my way around Azeroth without making use of coords or maps (and that kind of knowledge comes with experience).
I do pride myself on progression and enjoy reaching sensible goals. I have exalted rep with Darnassus, The Scryers and Shattered Sun Offensive and have maxed out 4 professions to date.
I have killed my fair share of NPCs and are itching to get into PvP.
I am also starting to feel the lack of social contact. It may be nice to play a little more with others. I can definitely see the appeal of grouping up in a Battleground or for a pvp quest. I guess the questionnaire isn't completely far out... Besides, doesnt everybody enjoy a little bit of everything?
To take the questionnaire yourself, go to http://www.gamerdna.com/bartle.php
- Achievers: those with exalted rep with every faction immediately comes to mind
- Explorers: Obsessive 'map fillers' who must have their map fully filled in for each area comes to mind...
- Socializers: the guildies that live in the cities and are always in the general chat, trade channel and/or guild chat whilst also having a few whispered private chats going simultaneously...
- The Killers: 'For the Horde/Alliance!' comes to mind, as well as hardcore raiding and high personal arena ratings.
I dislike the running and riding required throughout the game. To the effect that battlegrounds and arenas look appealing simply for ability to portal. I tend to stick as close to base as I can and play in areas where the killing grounds are in close proximity to the inn. Surely that makes me an anti-explorer?
I mostly solo'd to level 70 and after six months of playing, grouped up with an unknown player the first time - yesterday. I used the general chat for the first time today, to type 'gas cloud @... (fill in coords)' and have never used the trade channel. I've never bought enchants or a jewel cut, haven't been really involved in any guild and so I'd say it's fair to exclude this category too.
As for the Killers byline, I have a wopping 0 honor kills on all my characters. I detest ganking and can't see myself ever raiding. And where does that leave me?
According to the test: 67% Explorer, 60% Achiever, 47% Killer and 25% Socializer.
I guess I do know my way around Azeroth without making use of coords or maps (and that kind of knowledge comes with experience).
I do pride myself on progression and enjoy reaching sensible goals. I have exalted rep with Darnassus, The Scryers and Shattered Sun Offensive and have maxed out 4 professions to date.
I have killed my fair share of NPCs and are itching to get into PvP.
I am also starting to feel the lack of social contact. It may be nice to play a little more with others. I can definitely see the appeal of grouping up in a Battleground or for a pvp quest. I guess the questionnaire isn't completely far out... Besides, doesnt everybody enjoy a little bit of everything?
To take the questionnaire yourself, go to http://www.gamerdna.com/bartle.php
Altoholic or Singleton?
Some people start with one character and stick with that character, whilst others preferred a variety of plain different classes and levelling up different professions. It could difficult choice to make. On the one hand, playing one character has the advantage of quick progression, plenty of gold and spending more time at end game, usually either in the arena or raiding. On the other hand, levelling up more than one character can provide a larger variety of play. Personally, I have more and Altoholic than a singleton. Here is why:
I am a sampler at heart. However, I do like to get my teeth stuck into it rather than just taking a small bite. To that effect, I will keep playing my level 70 at a level 70 until it's time to level her up to 80, and just as I will continue to regularly or occasionally play my eight or nine alts. As far as professions go, I will most definitely max out leatherworking, alchemy and jewelcrafting. Just because it's fun. T
- I enjoy levelling. Each zone has a different flavour and although the quests tend to centre around the same theme, it's nice to have the individual touches of each zone. You do have my favourite zones of that I frequent again and again and it's more enjoyable to have a character of an appropriate level rather than breezing through on my epic mount.
- I love crafting. It is my favourite part of the game. To that effect, I have five characters for the five crafting professions I practice. ( My husband does the tailoring and enchanting). I could have combined to crafting professions per character, but then mats soon become a problem. Besides, being a professional junkie, I must have an alt for each gathering profession.
- I want to play all the classes. I know that most people tend to find one class that they can identify with and stick with it, becoming specialists in effect. Unfortunately for me, I can't seem to find my niche. I love the simplicity of playing my rogue, the diversity of playing my hybrid druid, the companionship of my hunters' pet, or survivability of my paladin, the quirkiness of my gnome mage, the alienness of my draenei shaman, the speed of my warriors charge! and the healing power of my priest. I can't wait to play up a warlock to try shadowbolt for myself. Let's not even mention the anticipation of waiting to start up a Death Knight
- Surprisingly, it's not all about the gold. I have always seen myself as quite the material girl, but it turns out I am more of a hedonist. Besides, the best things in warcraft (from patterns to gear to the coolest mounts), gold cannot buy.
I am a sampler at heart. However, I do like to get my teeth stuck into it rather than just taking a small bite. To that effect, I will keep playing my level 70 at a level 70 until it's time to level her up to 80, and just as I will continue to regularly or occasionally play my eight or nine alts. As far as professions go, I will most definitely max out leatherworking, alchemy and jewelcrafting. Just because it's fun. T
Saturday, 2 August 2008
The Feathermoon Stonghold Trek
There's not that much in game that annoy me. I do find, like other players, plenty to complain about, but it's mostly complaints of personal preference. I complain about the cartoony graphics, when there's more realistic options available. I complain about BoP items which would've been nice to have as BoE instead. I complain about the prices of things I can't afford on the AH and then I complain about silly peeps who keep lowering the prices of items I try to sell for as much gold as possible. I complain about the commute, all that bloody running in the first few levels particularly, but all the things I complain about are there for a reason.
Having the quest base and inn on an island off Feralas is however, one of the complaints I feel is valid. I don't understand why I have to spend so much time on a ferry going back in forth when I only have 30 minutes to play. That tedious boatride makes Feralas, one of my favourite areas in appearance, somewhere I rarely visit. I do the questline for the blue gloves and that's about it. But I like Feralas and I would like to play there, but I'm not logging off outside an inn and I'm not traveling back and forth to Feathermoon stronghold. It's one of those ingame mechanisms which seems to be there for the purpose of annoying me. And maybe just to have variety. But it's stupid.
I'm level 44 now with my hunter and again, I will be skipping over Feralas. I'll be going back to Tanaris, probably grinding scorpids and turtles 'til I can go elsewhere. Not that I fancy going to the Swamp of Sorrows, with no flightpath at all, or back to STV with a long Booty Bay run too. At least there are alternatives. I can skip over all of these and level up in Searing Gorge and The Hinterlands until I hit 48-9 and I'm off to Felwood for some rep grinding.
But I wanted to quest in Feralas. And it's disappointing that it's just not practical because the commute from inn to hunting ground is just too long and tedious.
Having the quest base and inn on an island off Feralas is however, one of the complaints I feel is valid. I don't understand why I have to spend so much time on a ferry going back in forth when I only have 30 minutes to play. That tedious boatride makes Feralas, one of my favourite areas in appearance, somewhere I rarely visit. I do the questline for the blue gloves and that's about it. But I like Feralas and I would like to play there, but I'm not logging off outside an inn and I'm not traveling back and forth to Feathermoon stronghold. It's one of those ingame mechanisms which seems to be there for the purpose of annoying me. And maybe just to have variety. But it's stupid.
I'm level 44 now with my hunter and again, I will be skipping over Feralas. I'll be going back to Tanaris, probably grinding scorpids and turtles 'til I can go elsewhere. Not that I fancy going to the Swamp of Sorrows, with no flightpath at all, or back to STV with a long Booty Bay run too. At least there are alternatives. I can skip over all of these and level up in Searing Gorge and The Hinterlands until I hit 48-9 and I'm off to Felwood for some rep grinding.
But I wanted to quest in Feralas. And it's disappointing that it's just not practical because the commute from inn to hunting ground is just too long and tedious.
