GoodBye

This is my final post here on this blog. It has been fun but the real reason why I started this blog was to talk about everything over powered. Playing a Shaman now I truly see just how over powered the class has become and how much more powerful they will be in Cataclysm. If you see a Shaman crushing content, ganking you, or giving out leet heals. Stop and ask yourself.

Was that Skonged?!?

Rolling a new toon

Blizzard is removing perm tree form from Druids and turning tree of life into a trinket buff. YUUUK! Why oh why!?! forms are the core mechanic of the druid class provifing a all important perma buff to a druid and raid you never have to think about. Bad Blizzard! So in lieu of playing my druid and being forced to heal in cow form. I have decided to cash in my token emblems for heirloom gear for a Orc Enhancement Shaman duel spec resto. Playing a Shaman is fun fun fun and dare I say over powered. Even levelling a Paladin was not this easy. I get mana back 5 different ways! Utterly destroy groups of mobs and heal to my fullest potential in the same form! I choose orc because of the radials for pve/pvp. Extra damage from axes, extra pet damage, 15% stun reduction, and 2 min bonus damage/spell power. Orcs make the best Shamans!

I que as dps and healer for random low level dungeons and get insta enter dungeon messages. Healing as a Shaman is easy easy easy and very powerful. Way better and funer than my Pally/Priest every was. I wish I could convert my priest to an orc Shaman but that is not available right now. My Shaman is level 51 right now and should be heading to outland in 4 days and then northrend in another 4 days. I would guess another 18 days of casual play until I reach level 80 and here is where the real fun begins. My plan is to...

Ding 80 > learn new abilities > buy new glyphs > buy all healing gear I can on the AH > run heroics until I get about 3 pieces of gear and some decent upgrades > Join ICC 10 group and soak up all the healing/DPS mail.

This should take about 3 days from fresh 80 to ICC geared. The ICC buff coupled with overly geared DPS/Healers/Tanks will carry me into gear drop heaven. I will jump straight from Heroic gear to ICC gear same day. Also this will allow me to jump over every piece of content from naxx to TOC.

Patch 3.3.2 download mirrors - Don't do it

Patch 3.3.2 is launching

We have talked about patch security here at ETOP. So we won't be beating a undead horse here; only touching on the finer points of account security.

• Only download patches from Blizzard
• Never ever ever give out your password
• Spend $6 on an authenticator
• Don't use IE

Security is only as strong as you make it.

3.3.2 patch notes

3.3.2 patch notes

Dungeon and Raid
Icecrown Citadel

• The Scourge and the Lich King's last hold, Frostwing Hall will be added to the game. However, in order to enter the wing, the Ashen Verdict must shatter the barrier first.

Halls of Stone

• Since Brann Bronzebeard exercised constantly, he will walk faster during the escort.

Forge of Souls

• Devourer of Souls will cast Mirrored Soul less frequently.
• Trash mobs Spell Reflect abilities have been changed. It now has a cast time, 2 charges, and chance to reflect reduced to 75% from 100%

Nexus

• Anomalus casts Create Rift only once now. (Down from 3)

Ahn’Kahet: Old Kingdom

• Elder Nadox’s now spawns only one Ahn’kahar Guardian.
• Jedoga Shadowseeker air phase now only happens once.
• Some monsters between Jedoga Shadowseeker and Herad Volazj have been removed.

Pit of Saron

• Dead players are now able to enter the dungeon during Krick and Ick or Forgemaster Garfrost encounter.

Utgarde Pinnacle

• Players only need 3 harpoons to bring down Skadi’s drake during the encounter. (Down from 5)
• Svala Sorrowgrave now casts Rituals of Sword only once. (Down from 3)

Vault of Archavon

• Toravon the Icewatcher has been added to the Vault of Archavon. He awaits your challenge in both 10 and 25 man difficulty

Violet Hold

• New portals will open faster after players defeat bosses

Arena

• With brand new rewards, Season 8 is officially starting!

Druid (Forums / Talent Calculator)
Balance

• Earth and Moon: This talent now increases your spell damage by 2/4/6% (Up from 1/2/3%)

Shaman (Forums / Talent Calculator)
Elemental

• Shamanism: This talent now increases your Lightning Bolt or Chain Lightning spell damage by 4/8/12/16/20% (Up from 3/6/9/12/15%) and Lava Burst spell damage by 5/10/15/20/25% (Up from 4/8/12/16/20%)

Warlock (Forums / Talent Calculator)
Affliction

• Shadow Embrace: Now stacks 3 times (Up from 2) Healing reduction effect reduced to 2/4/8/10% (Down from 3/6/9/12/15%)

Demonology

• Demonic Pact: This talent now increases your spell damage by 2/4/6/8/10% (Up from 1/2/3/4/5%). The buff effect to the party or raid members is unchanged.

Destruction

• Conflagrate: Periodic Spell damage increased to 40% (Up from 20%)
• Empowered Imp: Damage done by imp increased to 10/20/30% (Up from 5/10/15%)
• Improved Shadow Bolt: Now increases Shadow Bolt damage 2/4/6/8/10% (Up from 1/2/3/4/5%)

Warrior (Forums / Talent Calculator)
Protection

• Concussion Blow : Damage is decreased by 50%, but threat generated by this ability remains still.
• Devastate: Damage is increased to 120% (Up from 100%)
• Shield Slam: Damage increment from block value decreased, and starts to decrease from lower block value. If your gear is almost High-end, players won’t really recognize the change. In addition, threat generated by Shield Slam is increased by 30%
• Warbringer: This talent no longer allows Charge and Intercept to break roots or snares. Intervene remains unaffected.

Player Interface

• Party leader created by Dungeon finder is now called “Guide”
• Promoted players in raid now able to do Ready Check

Item

• Ashen Verdict Faction Ring now offers new ring to Strength dominant classes.
• Tier 10 Elemental Shaman set 4-pieces effect (redesigned): Whenever Lava burst successfully casted on the target, it increases Flame Shock duration by 6 sec

Looks to be an interesting patch.

Source: mmo-champion.com

A 1000 words.

Checked in on wow.com to see the drama, or lack there of, goings on. Looks like a certain someone is being voted down on their own site. I do love a good drama. Now that I no longer comment at about world of warcraft at wow.com; I get to watch it all unfold from the back of the room.

/gets popcorn

Tanks have the power

Every now and then I dust off the ol Paladin tank and take him for a spin around some heroics. My main goal is to get the instance over with asap. So I que up and instantly I am greeted with an enter instance button. Not like the 1 minute wait of the healer class or the 15 minute wait of the DPS que. Soon as I enter the instance and buff everyone I start chain pulling as long as the healer has mana. Sometimes I do get the "Hay let's go kill the extra bosses down there" comment. I usually reply with "Do that with your guild" or "I don't have time for that" or my favorite "We will after the last boss". Knowing full well I am jetting after the last boss. As the tank your job is to lead you group to victory. So slowing down to take out un-needed bosses is wasted time.

Hay if you don't like it have fun in the 15 minute que. :)

What are words for?

I read an interesting article on wow.com about in game chat in world of warcraft. So I thought I would comment on it over here. You know that way it can't be voted down or have my comment deleted for rocking the boat of the pro PC crowds. I guess some people can't take the blunt truth. The posting goes on to support niceness in game making sure not to ever bruise someone else sensitive feelings with such harsh abrasive words. Next the writers give tips on how to keep from grouping with and reporting/telling on someone for not being nice. Are you serious? Please do everyone a favor and get over yourself.

If you don't like someone in the group then put them on ignore and drop group. Simple as that. No need to get yer pants in a bunch over what was said. In fact if you engage in a conversation or stay in group you are relinquishing your right to be offended. In other words you don't have a leg to stand on.

Just move on and don't waste brain power on someone that is not worth your time.

So many alts...It's Warlock time!

Like many players of world of warcraft I have many many alts. My tank is a Paladin, Melee DPS is a Rogue, my Healer is a Druid, and my ranged DPS is going to be my Warlock. Even with the increase of XP and decrease of mob health leveling is just a grind to 80 and soon 85. This week I will be dusting off the old warlock, of all classes, to be my ranged DPS bringer of pain. Affliction was my spec of choice back when I raided Naxx 25 this time I want to go demonology for a few reasons...

1. Way more survivability
2. Access to stuns
3. Raid buffs
4. High damage and a lot of fun

The biggest complaint I had with affliction is lack of survivability. With demonology you get a pet to share damage with and oh yeah he can stun too. Demonology has to do with spell procs so your going to need a a mod like eventviwer to monitor procs.

Talent points and glyphs
Build with glyphs: 0/56/15 is the demonology warlock build right now. If you like you can switch points from improved demonic tactics to demonic empowerment for a little more pow.

Stats
Gem spell power and more spell power and then some more spell power.

Spell priority
Spells no longer have rotations but priorities.
1. Life tap and Metamorposis
2. Corruption
3. Immolate
4. Shadow bolt with incinerate when molten core procs
4a. Soul fire with target below 35% and esp when molten core procs

Demonology is no longer the pvp/utility only tree, but is now a raid viable option to warlocks. So have fun stormin the castle.

/facepalm

"Raids require a lot more work and can be substantially more complicated. Just because it's possible to farm Naxx or ToC in pugs right now doesn't mean the entire community can do it -- but the entire community can do random heroics (for the most part). There is also the problem of reforming the raids and finishing them at a later time."

*sigh*

Normally I would not even address such comments as this one. It's time to set some things straight to shed some light on this stone age way of thinking. Blizzard WANTS players to play together more. This is why leveling has only been raised to 85 in the next exp, tier 9/high end items are obtainable through heroics, and the biggest of all cross realm LFG tool. In fact the LFG tool is the first step to a LFR tool that auto ques raiders that met raid leaders specifications. Raids are no more complicated than heroics. Look, raid bosses usually have 4 mechanics to them.

1. Strong debuff that can wipe the raid
2. Fire/lava/acid that you should not stand in
3. Movement of raid group to avoid damage
4. Get on adds then back to boss

THAT IS IT! Nothing more complicated an average player could understand over vent in about 5 minutes.

Players have a hard time showing up on the same server for a raid. Cross realm would present no further problem than same realm raids. How about set the raid ID as a key and once the raid leader rejoins the raid que previous raiders can now use their raid key to join at a set time. I bet Blizzard developers are smart enough to put something like that in place.

*sigh /facepalm*

Cataclysm alpha

According to an ultra secret insider that has close connections Cataclysm alpha is launching today. But Skonged what does that mean for us? Sit right down and let me tell you the tale of Cataclysm...

Your gear your wearing now is going to be replaced with level 81 quest greens.
Level cap raised to 85
The old world will be remade
Alliance can play as wolf men and Horde can play as goblins
New second profession
Maybe some new dances this time Blizzard?

With the new LFG system and XP gained in BGs you can ding 85 without ever doing 1 quest. As of now I have 6, soon to be 7, level 80s. I do hate questing, as do 90% of the player base, so any way I can get around questing and still level fast is a welcome one. Questing does nothing but teach the player to kill mobs, find boxes, and deliver letters. If I designed quests I would make them story driven with fun objectives. The final stage of the quest line would grant you 20% of a level. As evident with the level cap only being raised 5 levels Blizzard reconizes the monotiny of questing. Reducing the amount of time to 85 is proof of that.

So when is Cataclysm coming out?
When it's ready is the lawyer answer from Blizzard, but here at ETOP we have top men on a release date. By our calculations of previous release dates, then dividing them by our 7th grade locker combination, Cataclysm should be released June 28th 2010. Honestly Blizzard's Alpha grade games are other companies beta grade and some even gold grade.

Can I get in on this Alpha?
No, not unless you work at Blizzard or are a friend/family member of someone at Blizzard.

If I can't play Alpha what about Beta?
You will get an official email from Blizzard if your so lucky.

Can't wait to make my OP Shaman Goblin.

At it again....

Over on wow.com there is an article written about account security entitled.

"How flaws in Blizzard's billing department are being exploited"

The post goes into detail about user exploitative manners. In trying to use Blizzard service reps to give a prize pack they never had instead of restoring a hacked account items. Basically Blizzard just wants to give you gold and tokens instead of going through the process of restoring your account.

There is a questionable statement used throughout many blog posts by the editor...

"we are told by multiple sources, is inadequate and leads to this exploit being practiced by a growing number of individuals."

Now claiming you have "sources" means nothing without evidence. If you are going to claim sources for content you must divulge your source. Or you risk losing all credibility as a "reporter" and I use that term lightly here. I guess if you want to just start spouting random information around without proof that's fine.

Health care is OP

Normally I could careless about politics because honestly no matter who is in office I don't benefit either way. I just want the best the best person in office. Health care is the hot topic on the minds of the American public because it is all about to change.

The break down
The health care in America is second to none. So health care is not the issue here at all. The way health care is paid for IS the issue.

Greed
Insurance companies main goal is to charge as much as possible and deny/limit as much coverage. In fact insurance companies have limited out of state competition making it possible to raise rates even higher. Hospitals main goal is to get you into the hospital, come back for the "cure", then come back again in 1-6 months for a check up. Now that a relationship with your doctor is there you want to come back to the same place. Reality is the hospital is much like an amusement park once your there they know you are going to pay a lot. You wont even care because your insurance is going to pay. Or so you think...

Reality
So insurance companies want you not to use their coverage and hospitals are setup to turn 1 visit into at least 3 visits, and hopefully a life time. What is happens now? Insurance companies have gotten wise to hospitals over charging for everything so they limit what can be done and limit what can be used. For example my wife had a back operation. We had to make sure....

1. The Doctor was covered by our insurance
2. All surgeons were covered in our plan
3. All drugs did not fall into the "too new/experimental" category
4. All machinery was covered

Wait a minute! I thought I had insurance and could just show up and get fixed! No no NO! We even got a bill from the hospital for a doctor that came in the operating room while my wife was under anesthesia for $4000. Insurance right now is WORSE than socialized medicine ever could be.

Rogues to the ground!

"As many of you have suspected, we think rogue damage is too high. We will be making hotfixes to lower the maximum damage output of Assassination and Combat rogues."

WHY?!?!?!? A THOUSAND TIMES WHY?!?

Blizzard you want Rogues to be top DPS because they are a pure DPS class. So what is the deal? What Rogues bring to the raid is pure, hard, fast, top DPS. Now your taking that away now? I guess your happy with Hunters because as a raid Rogue, Hunters are barely .01% below Rogues on the DPS meters. With other classes getting buffs and able to bring more to a raid than top DPS why would you bring a Rogue?

How about this. Buff other classes DPS to be closer to that of a Rogue? Instead of lowering the top end damage of a class that can do nothing but help a tank hold agro better, do good DPS, and vanish to save on repair bills.

I will be leveling my hunter from 72 to 80 this weekend. The warlock is still just to "stay in 1 place and hope they die before they become immune to fear with no escapes and do sub par DPS" class.

/facepalm

2010 here we go again

I have a few, like six 80s, with gear ranges from heroics to ICC is the only instance I can run for upgrades. An level 30 Orc Shaman has been sitting quietly by for 3 months now. Watching how some of my other guild mates have been playing their Shamans. I have decided to quietly level my Shaman , then once Cataclysm goes live, switch over to a Goblin. Yes that is right I am going to level an Orc Shaman only to learn the class and then switch over to a Goblin and do it all over again.

Cataclysm - is everything

The early signs of Cataclysm are upon us. If you have not noticed there are strange earth quakes happening all over. Many mechanics have been places into 3.3 that Cataclysm will use. Hints of the next big expansion of world of warcraft are being revealed. I have a feeling more and more signs will emerge as more time passes.

The two major races, Worgen and Goblin, have been introduced. Their racials skills are pretty amazing. This leads me to believe Blizzard will revamp all races with similar stats. It looks as if stats will include damage/improved casting, escape, and a nice passive. Worgens look cool, but I like horde too much. So my next character is going to be a Goblin Shaman. I already have the leveling chest, shoulders, and working on ring. Figure it should take 1 month to hit 80 and historically Blizzard has configured the XP rate to take a months time to level to max level of current expansion.

Image credit: Paul Adam

2009 is gone 2010 is here!

So much has happened in 2009 and there is no way I have time to cover it all. The best thing that has happened in wow is of course patch 3.3. Hands down the best patch in the 5 year history of wow.

Best new content, greatest talent and ability revamp, new looking for group cross realm tool, and epics for everyone who can't get into raid.

World of warcraft cataclysm is going to hold so much new content, story, raids, battle grounds, new races, etc...

I think I am going to level my way to 85 in dungeons mostly.

6 months to a six pack

Getting a six pack does not mean you are healthy but it shows you are more healthy than unhealthy. Honestly having a six pack sets you apart from everyone else at the gym as someone who is dedicated. I have been a fitness and health enthusiast for close to 5 years now. I never really gave up high calorie/sugar/fat foods. I simply worked out harder. This year is going to be different though as I am going to go for the elusive six pack abs and I am over 30. I do have about 10 lbs of fat to lose and about 6% body fat to drop before I even start seeing abs. Abs start showing up at about 8% - 10% body fat.

Goals

• 6 pack abs

• Go to more beaches this summer

These goals seem self centered and they clearly are. When you stroll down the beach with no shirt on with abs you are envied. To be envied at the beach is truly the pinnacle of personal fitness.

Plan
A goal without a plan is just a wish. -- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

This is a two part plan. Exercise + diet = result.

Exercise Plan
5 sets and 5-8 reps of heavy weight. Anymore reps than 8 and you are going to not gain muscle. You also want to force movement when exercising. Just going through the motions is not enough to stimulate muscle fibers. There needs to be force exerted.
Monday - Military press, Leg squat, Chin ups, Abs, Dips, Bent over row, 20 min cardio
Tuesday - 20 min cardio
Wednesday - Military press, Leg squat, Chin ups, Abs, Dips, Bent over row, 20 min cardio
Thursday - 20 min cardio
Friday - Military press, Leg squat, Chin ups, Abs, Dips, Bent over row, 20 min cardio
Saturday - 20 min cardio
Sunday - Rest/Lite walk

Now I can add shrugs, fore arms curls, etc... But these exercises focus on large muscle groups. Thus burning the most amount of calories. Technically you could just do Bench press, Squats, Bent over row and cover every large, and small muscle, but you would get bored.

Food
I don't like the word "diet" because it sounds too temporary. If your going to get serious eating healthy needs to be instinctual to the point when you see french fries you know your going to have to run for 45 minutes to burn them off. Here are some simple rules of eating better...

Don'ts
1. If it has the word fried in it. Don't eat it.
2. Don't eat high fructose corn syrup/white breads
3. Don't eat too much cheese
4. If it comes in a box it's not good for you

Dos
1. Do shop for foods on the outside edge of the grocery store
2. Consume .75 your weight in protein grams per day
3. Think about what you are eating
4. Eat every 3 hours if possible

Stronglifts 5x5 program

Battle over the hilt

The Battered Hilt is a rare epic drop that starts a quest ending in an epic sword/mace. For an assassination spec Rogue those are not very good choices.

Sword rewards
Non-sword rewards

What Rogues DO need is gold for items enchants like Berserking going for 800-1200 gold right now. The battered hilt is going for 10k - 20k gold on the AH. That would cover enchants, gems, and repairs for the next few gear upgrades. Clearly Blizzard wanted the quest item to be rare and sell-able on the AH by not making the item BOP. People lucky enough to get the hilt can use it for gold or an item. The spoils of war are your to do with what you want.

There are, of course, two schools of though on this...

Don't roll on the item unless you are going to use it.

and the..

I can use gold so I am going to roll on it.

Let's tackle the "unless you are going to use it" school first.
1. This school complains about a boomkin/shaman rolling on cloth.
2. This school will later stalk the AH seeing if BOE gear, that dropped in last nights raid, is being sold in the AH.
3. This school demands BOE gear is equipped right then and there.
4. This school complains when if other DPS are doing 10% less then them and wins a roll.

Now the "I can use gold crowd"
1. This school does not care if other classes need on gear they can use.
2. This class enjoys playing the AH and understands supply and demand.
3. This class does not equip BOE won gear until they are ready.
4. This school may not be doing top DPS but they is why we are here in the raid in the first place. To get better gear.

If you can use and item or gold. Roll need on this item.

Rogues 3.3 are all about the attack power

Back in the days of 3.2, like a week ago, Assassination Rogues focused on stacking as much agility as possible now you want to replace all your agility gems with AP gems. My how things have changed in a single patch. I will show you the old build and old rotation.

3.2 PVE Assassination build 51/13/7

-Stats to focus on were-
Agility
Crit

-Priority was-
HfB
Slice and Dice
+4cp Rupture
+4cp Envenom

3.3 PVE Assassination build 51/18/2

-Stats to focus on-
Attack Power
Haste
Crit

-Priority is-
HfB
Slice and dice
+4cp Envenom
+1-5 Rupture to keep HfB up

I know what your thinking. "But agility is what Rogues are all about". Yes Rogues will always be about agility. The change to how weapon poisons work is the cause for this huge change to Rogues. Once you have a 5 stack of deadly poison your off hand will now proc instant poison in your main hand.

IP: Each strike has a chance of poisoning the enemy which instantly inflicts [300 + 0.10 * AP]
DP: Each strike has a 30% chance of poisoning the enemy for [296 + 0.12 * AP]

Go respec and buy all the AP you can.

/stealth

source info
Elitistjerks.com pocket guide for Rogues
Elitistjerks.com Rogue FAQ

Frozen Orbs - Need or Greed

Loot rules on my server have always, always, always been.

Need
1. Green items
2. BOE items
3. Items you need as an upgrade
4. ***Frozen Orbs***

Greed
1. Blues are going to vendor (dis greed if an enchanter is in your group)
2. Purples you are going to sell

These rules help cut down on ninjas. Significantly. Some servers have different loot rules but with cross relm instances, and raid soon, there needs to be a standard loot system. This IS the new loot system. Read it, print it, put it to memory.
ALWAYS roll need on frozen orbs.