Cataclysm

[WindupAtheist]

Just don't end up running around with half the HP of a DPS because you were too cool to put on greens with nothing but mere stam on them.

[kildorn]

I did BRC as a melee dps, my problems with incoming damage were either unavoidable (those two elementals), or idiots not using interrupts (the trash packs drop fields that throw tons of random AE around, but it's a slow fucking cast and interruptible), or my bear tank not being able to hold threat from a naxx10 geared unholy DK putting out 3.5k dps :P

Dpsing in Bloodpresence?

unholy, he just didn't seem to get bear tanking.

[Ingmar]

As a warrior tank in basically all 251s I only found one thing going 80-82 in Vashj'ir that was a clear upgrade. There were some other sidegradey things where I'd lose a little armor and a little stamina and a 3rd rate stat to get big increases in the other 2 rate stats and some extra strength. Usually the tiebreaker is the stuff I had from before is enchanted. I expect the stuff I get in Deepholme and beyond will be clear upgrades.

[Merusk]

Took a while to replace my gear as it was T10 25-man, plus a few heroic bits.  However, towards the end of Deepholm it was finally worth it to break my 4-piece bonus.   No DPS should have 80k health.. it's insanity.

Also, Ring of Blood, as soon as you hit 84, run to Twilight Highlands and do it. As usual the weapons are fantastic.  My 2h sword is now This.

[Polysorbate80]

Got a blue belt, made a couple pieces of the starter blacksmith tank set & threw in cheap gems, it's starting to feel like actual upgrades now.

[jakonovski]

I've only dabbled in the 80+ content with my human Warrior, done like maybe 20 quests in the underwater zone. Most of my time has been spent with the new exploits of my lowbie belf Mage, who's gone from 28 to 50 in a few days. Old Azeroth is so incredibly good now, and full of events and clues to what will happen on higher levels. I even got to stick it to Cho'gall in Dire Maul Arena. Totally worth it.

[K9]

All I'll say is that Vashj'ir starts slow, but just gets better and better. It sucks a bit until you get the seahorse mount, then it really starts to get good.

[Hawkbit]

I finished the Worgen line and I'm very disappointed.  They created amazing art and assets that I used for about eight hours.  The way the zone played really felt more like watching a movie than playing a game and I never felt any real attachment to the zone.  Not to mention it ends with the Worgen being dumped off in Darnassus of all places... I really liked the art and atmosphere in Gilneas.  But there's nothing there and the way it just dumps off is extremely jarring.  

I planned to make this Worgen Warlock an alt I played frequently, but I don't see it happening.  I can't even really put my finger on what went wrong.  It's just a multitude of things.


EDIT: The other thing I can't freaking stand is that I can't even take a look around me without being gangraped by respawns.  Both my lowbie Worgen and my 80 pally have been caught in respawn hell where I can't move out of the area fast enough, but I can't even take in the sights.  Frustrating.  I think I should drop my sub for a month and come back when the rush is dropped off. 

[Rendakor]

The rapid-respawn issue is necessary because otherwise you spend 2m waiting for a mob to spawn only to have it tagged by one of the 10 other people standing in the exact same spot spamming their AOEs.

[Hawkbit]

Okay, but there were lots of times where I didn't have people around me, yet the stuff would still spawn as I killed the one that was at that spot before.  A new player shouldn't have a situation where 4-5 even-con mobs are on him.  As a warlock, that's tough in the low levels. 

[Pennilenko]

Okay, but there were lots of times where I didn't have people around me, yet the stuff would still spawn as I killed the one that was at that spot before.  A new player shouldn't have a situation where 4-5 even-con mobs are on him.  As a warlock, that's tough in the low levels. 

I have been messing around with a low level worgen, your playing tactics are shitty.

[Ironwood]

I finished the Worgen line and I'm very disappointed.  They created amazing art and assets that I used for about eight hours.  The way the zone played really felt more like watching a movie than playing a game and I never felt any real attachment to the zone.  Not to mention it ends with the Worgen being dumped off in Darnassus of all places... I really liked the art and atmosphere in Gilneas.  But there's nothing there and the way it just dumps off is extremely jarring.  

I planned to make this Worgen Warlock an alt I played frequently, but I don't see it happening.  I can't even really put my finger on what went wrong.  It's just a multitude of things.

This is worrying. This is exactly what I said when I was in Beta and I'm a little worried it hasn't changed at all.

I've been hearing that most of my complaints about the Goblin starter zone actually got addressed and it's awfully good.  That shocks me.

[DraconianOne]

All I'll say is that Vashj'ir starts slow, but just gets better and better. It sucks a bit until you get the seahorse mount, then it really starts to get good.

I'm on a shark! I'm on a shark!
Everybody look at me, cause I'm riding on a shark!
I'm on a shark! I'm on a shark!
Take a good, hard look at the motherfucking shark!

[Fordel]

I think the Worgen Area itself is great, but yea, Blizzard should have done a better job integrating the Worgens into the rest of the world. Once you leave Gilneas it's Worgen Tree in Darnasuss, Worgen Tree in Felwood and world's most depressing and unpopulated town in Blasted Lands.


Draenei 2.0 

[Merusk]

Some of the cinematics are pretty damn cool.  I wish there were a way to watch them again. Like.. this one.

[Dren]

I'm on a shark! I'm on a shark!
Everybody look at me, cause I'm riding on a shark!
I'm on a shark! I'm on a shark!
Take a good, hard look at the motherfucking shark!

That is so funny to me.  I was singing the exact song in my head last night as I did that quest.  I almost started typing it into guild chat, but there are a lot of kids that play and without the last line, it loses its punch!

[kildorn]

I think the Worgen Area itself is great, but yea, Blizzard should have done a better job integrating the Worgens into the rest of the world. Once you leave Gilneas it's Worgen Tree in Darnasuss, Worgen Tree in Felwood and world's most depressing and unpopulated town in Blasted Lands.


Draenei 2.0 

Kids these days. Back in the day all we needed was two mushrooms and it was a town!

[01101010]

I finished the Worgen line and I'm very disappointed.  They created amazing art and assets that I used for about eight hours.  The way the zone played really felt more like watching a movie than playing a game and I never felt any real attachment to the zone.  Not to mention it ends with the Worgen being dumped off in Darnassus of all places... I really liked the art and atmosphere in Gilneas.  But there's nothing there and the way it just dumps off is extremely jarring.  

I planned to make this Worgen Warlock an alt I played frequently, but I don't see it happening.  I can't even really put my finger on what went wrong.  It's just a multitude of things.


EDIT: The other thing I can't freaking stand is that I can't even take a look around me without being gangraped by respawns.  Both my lowbie Worgen and my 80 pally have been caught in respawn hell where I can't move out of the area fast enough, but I can't even take in the sights.  Frustrating.  I think I should drop my sub for a month and come back when the rush is dropped off. 

I got to admit, I feel the same way. Way too much phase shifting in the Worgen area. Granted, I love dark landscapes like that and duskwood, but it was hard to feel the immersion when you are being pushed through it at light speed. We had a pretty good /1 general chat going last night which kept getting interrupted by some new phase removing you to a new location. Not to mention once you click on that quest to complete and ding, you automatically are put on a horse/transportation to the next task without the ability to grab spells or craft or anything. Then there is the get on the boat and we're dumping you off in Nelfland. Seems weird though I got the reason from the intro quests. Still, I agree...very jarring.

[Hutch]

I'm on a shark! I'm on a shark!
Everybody look at me, cause I'm riding on a shark!
I'm on a shark! I'm on a shark!
Take a good, hard look at the motherfucking shark!

I forgive Blizzard for the Joust quests :)

[dd0029]

Some of the cinematics are pretty damn cool.  I wish there were a way to watch them again. Like.. this one.

What actually happened in that one?  When I got it last night it made no sense.  Thrall talked about saving me.  Deathwing spent most of his time side on or with his ass to me.  Then Thrall was all "No, someone's name, no".  Then he told me to handle Deathwing in a "Many whelps, handle it" sort of way.  Then it was over.

I did notice someone else was there, so I wonder if the cutscene is less movie and more cycling event and I came in late in the cycle.

I was really annoyed with the Uldum cutscene when you implement Budd's "plan".  I spent the whole scene staring at a wall.  I think you were supposed to see something.  Had I not scrolled back in the chat log, there would have been nothing.  I was really bummed about not seeing Budd's Manotaur.

[Nebu]

I'm on a shark! I'm on a shark!
Everybody look at me, cause I'm riding on a shark!
I'm on a shark! I'm on a shark!
Take a good, hard look at the motherfucking shark!

That gave me a DAoC ToA flashback.

[Ingmar]

The TOA jokes have been thick on our guildline. On the other hand if TOA had been like Vashj'ir I think I might still be playing DAOC, I really enjoyed the zone a lot.

[Merusk]

Some of the cinematics are pretty damn cool.  I wish there were a way to watch them again. Like.. this one.

What actually happened in that one?  When I got it last night it made no sense.  Thrall talked about saving me.  Deathwing spent most of his time side on or with his ass to me.  Then Thrall was all "No, someone's name, no".  Then he told me to handle Deathwing in a "Many whelps, handle it" sort of way.  Then it was over.

I did notice someone else was there, so I wonder if the cutscene is less movie and more cycling event and I came in late in the cycle.

I was really annoyed with the Uldum cutscene when you implement Budd's "plan".  I spent the whole scene staring at a wall.  I think you were supposed to see something.  Had I not scrolled back in the chat log, there would have been nothing.  I was really bummed about not seeing Budd's Manotaur.

sounds like you're having issues with the cinematics.  I noticed my pet can screw 'em up if he's out when one starts, because they stick the camera right where the pet is. 

As for the screenshot:

[01101010]

Darkshore quests in teh Druid Grove are pretty sweet. Itemization of rewards is not though... at least not for clothies. 

[Lakov_Sanite]

Darkshore quests in teh Druid Grove are pretty sweet. Itemization of rewards is not though... at least not for clothies. 

Int = spellpower now you know.  I've found all the lowbie quest rewards pretty decent.

[01101010]

Darkshore quests in teh Druid Grove are pretty sweet. Itemization of rewards is not though... at least not for clothies. 

Int = spellpower now you know.  I've found all the lowbie quest rewards pretty decent.

Yes but as a priest, my choices of a blue shield or a blue leather piece of armor for the end quest was a bit lacking.

[Fordel]

There's plenty of cloth, it's not an issue.

[ghost]

Yeh, so I guess I'm going to buy this, even though I know better. 

[Ginaz]

Uldum is quickly becoming my favourite zone.  I love the Egyptian themed atmosphere.  The towns and delta areas were really well done.  Its much easier to quest in, too, than Vash'jir and Deepholm.  Also, colossus smash is fucking awesome.

[SurfD]

Some of the cinematics are pretty damn cool.  I wish there were a way to watch them again. Like.. this one.

What actually happened in that one?  When I got it last night it made no sense.  Thrall talked about saving me.  Deathwing spent most of his time side on or with his ass to me.  Then Thrall was all "No, someone's name, no".  Then he told me to handle Deathwing in a "Many whelps, handle it" sort of way.  Then it was over.

I did notice someone else was there, so I wonder if the cutscene is less movie and more cycling event and I came in late in the cycle.

I was really annoyed with the Uldum cutscene when you implement Budd's "plan".  I spent the whole scene staring at a wall.  I think you were supposed to see something.  Had I not scrolled back in the chat log, there would have been nothing.  I was really bummed about not seeing Budd's Manotaur.

sounds like you're having issues with the cinematics.  I noticed my pet can screw 'em up if he's out when one starts, because they stick the camera right where the pet is. 

As for the screenshot:

Yeah, some of the cut scenes seem to stick you with a "permanently fixed" camera angle, and no way to adjust it while the cut scene plays.  I got one in Hyjal where i think i was supposed to get a wolf ride on the back of a wolf god.  Instead, i spent the entire ride looking UP at the wolfs belly and front feet as it ran around, with my camera actually being stuck UNDER the world geometry, which made for some rather interesting scenery.

[kildorn]

Uldum is quickly becoming my favourite zone.  I love the Egyptian themed atmosphere.  The towns and delta areas were really well done.  Its much easier to quest in, too, than Vash'jir and Deepholm.  Also, colossus smash is fucking awesome.

I really liked the design and art direction of Uldum and Deepholm (though deepholm >>> *)

Twilight Highlands seems phoned in to me though. The entire plotline of the zone doesn't mesh at all with the rest of the expansion. It would have made a great intro zone to Cata, but as the last zone: lolwut?


On a less zone related note: new instances are <3 and can be difficult, which is awesome. DPS is less about "what is my target dummy dps" and more about "can you avoid damage, move out of fires, and remember your interrupts, all while DPSing?", tanks have to care more about kill order, and the entire fight is backed by very VERY finite healer enrage timers (mana). It also means a lot of PVP talents and glyphs are back out in pve now. I love my free mind freeze and glyphed hungering cold for trash pack interrupting.

It makes LFD a crapshoot right now, but I find it a lot of fun. two more average ilvls to heroics, and then I need to sit down and slog my priest up to 85, because mob scaling and healing specs scare me. 18 smites to kill something? DO NOT WANT.

Oh, and the Tol Barad dailies are not your normal run around a bit dailies. They will happily kill a number of classes. My DK took a shadow priest through them due to him being unable to kill fast and efficiently enough to get to the targets. I imagine this will change as we get epic'd out to hell and back, but right now it's fun and actually makes you use all your buttons.

[ghost]

Even though I have 4 characters at level 80, I think I'm just going to start a couple of new ones and work through this slowly.  Maybe by the next xPac I can have everything done. 

[Xuri]

I finished the Worgen line and I'm very disappointed.  They created amazing art and assets that I used for about eight hours.  The way the zone played really felt more like watching a movie than playing a game and I never felt any real attachment to the zone.  Not to mention it ends with the Worgen being dumped off in Darnassus of all places... I really liked the art and atmosphere in Gilneas.  But there's nothing there and the way it just dumps off is extremely jarring.  

I planned to make this Worgen Warlock an alt I played frequently, but I don't see it happening.  I can't even really put my finger on what went wrong.  It's just a multitude of things.

I'm disappointed at the Worgen starting area as well. In the first five or so levels they might as well just have put my character on a rail and popped up "push button now to make stuff happen" on my screen whenever appropriate. Oh, wait. That's exactly what they did!

EDIT: The other thing I can't freaking stand is that I can't even take a look around me without being gangraped by respawns.  Both my lowbie Worgen and my 80 pally have been caught in respawn hell where I can't move out of the area fast enough, but I can't even take in the sights.  Frustrating.  I think I should drop my sub for a month and come back when the rush is dropped off.

This is not restricted to the new starting zones - I've had the same experience on my druid questing in Hyjal. At most I've had to kill something like 5 or 6 mobs in a row because they would repeatedly instant-spawn on the same location the moment the previous mob spawned there died.

[Minvaren]

EDIT: The other thing I can't freaking stand is that I can't even take a look around me without being gangraped by respawns.  Both my lowbie Worgen and my 80 pally have been caught in respawn hell where I can't move out of the area fast enough, but I can't even take in the sights.  Frustrating.  I think I should drop my sub for a month and come back when the rush is dropped off.

This is not restricted to the new starting zones - I've had the same experience on my druid questing in Hyjal. At most I've had to kill something like 5 or 6 mobs in a row because they would repeatedly instant-spawn on the same location the moment the previous mob spawned there died.

I've had this happen with Sharptalon in Ashenvale (killed 2-3 of him back-to-back before I ran), and in the new underwater zone with goblins/naga things.  The first was annoying, the second was a quick and easy way to finish some quests, at least...

[kildorn]

The dynamic spawn rate is a blessing and a curse. It also kicks in WAY too quickly to try and preemptively adjust to players showing up. You can murder the spawn rate system by just being a high dps class solo. My lock was great for it, murder 20 things in 2 GCDs each, and it starts chain spawning on you thinking there are a dozen people around needing quest mobs.

My priest hates it. My DK is sort of amused at how long I can keep murdering things because I refuse to leave without looting everything I killed. Then again, I have hungering cold for the "aaand, time to leave" button.