Thursday, January 29, 2009

How to Level on a PVP Server

This is a very serious topic, or so says the Man In Black telling me to write this at gunpoint.

Leveling on a PVP server can be a pain, if you aren't a Paladin, Rogue, or Druid, it can be even more painful. So to help you out I figured I would share the secret of how to level alts on PVP servers.

Step 1:
Pick a Class.

Step 2:
Pick a Race.

Step 3 (Optional):
Find the datacenter nearest to you, or with the best connectivity.

Step 4:
Pick a PVE server and make a character of your chosen Class and Race.

Step 5 (Optional):
Use a free leveling guide, such as WoW-Pro, Carbonite Quest, and/or Tourguide (Which works fine with the other two).

Step 6:
When you reach your desired level, pay $25 to transfer your character to the PvP server you want to play on. If you don't have $25 then go mow lawns or shovel driveways until you have it, I'm sure you will need some sunshine after your 6-10 days locked in the basement leveling.

Step 6 (Optional):
Laugh as you gank all the lowbies who didn't follow this advice.

Really, that's the easiest way to do it.

IA IA Yog Thulu*

*If you think you can actually pronounce this, you are doing it wrong.

It's Discordian, Not Random I Assure You

New Project:

The Secret Master's have determined that I have to write a Death Knight instancing guide for new DKs who want to run friends through instances. Kind of a niche thing, but the Secret Master's are not to be trifled with, so I'm working on it, but I have to actually test it. That means it will probably show up next week. I have about 10 DKs on various servers, so it shouldn't take too long.


The Blood Money project:

I made two levels last night, getting to 14, but ran out of money for training before I was able to find the gnome or goblin responsible. I was able to make it up in short order, and actually have a surplus now by just doing more quests, but it surprised me a little that I actually ran out since I am not buying anything except the occasional arrow or a little thread for leatherworking. That said, you REALLY want to use the Auction House when leveling a character to sell stuff (just don't buy stuff unless it's both really cheap and really good). I decided to do it on Borean Tundra because the economy there would be brand new and thus completely broken (and give me an idea of exactly how a new economy ramps up)

I'll be keeping track of how well my Auction House mule does as well. So far nothing has sold, but thanks to signing a guild charter he has a little gold. When I go to a new server, answering guild charter signing ads is one way to get a quick start, but it's like writing: Do it in private, and wash your hands afterward. (Thank you Mr. Heinlein)


IA IA Yog Thulu

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Blood Money

Is it the Goblins or the Gnomes who really control the economy in Azeroth? And can an intrepid Blood Elf break this conspiracy of spending that so plagues the poor levelers to poverty and ruin?

To investigate, I made a new Blood Elf Hunter on Borean Tundra. I apologize to the rest of the Horde, but it's a girl, so at least you can treat your eyes.

I'm not going to buy ANYTHING from the Auction House for this toon until she hits the level cap. This is so I can get an idea of how much money can be saved through the leveling process, I'd be fun to do it naked (and even easier on the eyes), like that troll, but that's a different test, and it's been done.

She will only be outfitted with what can be self-gathered, self-crafted, and/or self-quested. I am taking Skinning and Leatherworking, so it will help, but NO purchases from the Auction House, only items sold by a vendor. I am going to PvP some, but that shouldn't directly impact the test since I don't intend to PvP enough to gather full sets of gear.

I am pairing her with a bank mule co-conspirator and I will be selling stuff on the Auction House that drops, but I'm only going to send the vendor amount back to her from the bank alt. Sorry, not going to gimp myself should some crazy blue drop make her rich, but I will delay the gratification until level cap.

So far she is level 12 and wearing a mix of grey and white items with one green, the Farstrider's Bow, which is a reward from the pet taming quests.

And to those who complain that a hunter is ez-mode for this test? I'm trying to determine how much can be made or saved, not how long I can take to do it. Each class should do approximately the same number of quests over the trip to level cap and/or kill an approximately similar number of mobs. Any deviations from this will be noted.

IA IA Yog Thulu

Welcome

W.O.W.I.A.C.


Which stands for:

WFNORDorld OFNORDf WFNORDarcraft IFNORDs AFNORD CFNORDonspiracy (to keep me under the control of Blizzard). That's right, Blizzard are the Secret Masters. You read it here.


Which means:

I am a slave to WoW and so are you, even if you think you are free, especially if you think you are free.


Why you read this blog:

Statistically speaking, you aren't and you won't, unless by some freakish miracle that infra (or was it ultra)-dimensional beast I sent to corrupt you finally managed to stop leaking ichor on the rug and do something useful. That said, there is the very minuscule possibility it will be updated and contain something amusing and/or informative. But really, is that ever going to happen.


What is the focus of this blog:

This blog is focused on the fact that it has no focus and will/won't succeed despite/because (of) that fact. I assure you the whole secret conspiracy thing is a myth and that there is no conspiracy, secret or otherwise. IA IA Yog Thulu


Who am I?

I go by lots of names, for I am an Altaholic. I'm not a raider and I'm not a PvPer, but I play one occasionally. I will tend avoid the world you call "real" here and focus on the one true world, Azeroth and Outland. Yes, that includes Northrend. I have also spent much time in other worlds as an RPGer and Wargamer. I'm an EASK. I am married. I am nearly procreated. I am really really really old to most gamers, which means I am at least 21 years of age. Despite all the annoying/stupid/illuminating/funny typing here I am probably not pretentious and you can mock me at your leisure. Speaking of mocking me, I am also in Dagorhir, which means I dress up like someone from a bad fantasy movie and beat up people with padded sticks while not talking in a funny accent. And I assure you this is a very good thing.


I play (in reverse alphabetical order):

Undead Rogues and Mages
Orc Hunters and Death Knights
Night Elf Druids
Human Paladins
Gnome Warriors, Mages and Death Knights
Dwarf Hunters
Blood Elf Paladins and Hunters
I will add and subtract from this list as time goes on.


Toons I have deleted but will endlessly remake and delete in some sick and twisted parody of reincarnation (in Discordian order):

Trolls
Shamans
Gnome Rogues
Warlocks
Priests


And my Word of the Day(Week?/Month?/Year?):

";ostemomg"
-with thanks to the guy who sent me this who shall go unnamed but it was really funny and cool.


Disclaimer:
All contradictions here are mine and honestly held to be true of fault.