First Impressions of the WotLK

So far I’m absolutely loving the expansion, I haven’t been this excited about WoW in a long time. I know this goes without saying, but the zones are simply beautiful. Not only are they aesthetically designed well, the overall layout and quest design is a level above anything I’ve seen before.

It’s difficult to make questing truly interesting in an MMO, but Blizzard has done an excellent job in mixing up the monotony with well placed “oddity” quests (for lack of a better word). The new vehicle system is a great addition and much needed fun factor to the questing grind.

Likewise I’ve been very pleased with the new dungeons. Unique encounters, graphically beautiful, and short enough that you don’t feel like you’ve got to schedule a time to do them, but long enough you feel like you’ve actually cleared a worthwhile instance it. My only major concern with the new dungeons is the ease of difficulty.

So far no dungeon has had any real degree of difficulty, even with PUG groups I don’t think I’ve had a wipe yet. That said, these are only on normal mode, so I won’t make any definite judgement yet, but it’s something I’ve had on my mind while completing the first few dungeons. I’m very interested to see how the difficult level ramps up for the level 80 heroic dungeons and 10 man instances.

Overall I’m incredibly happy with the expansion’s launch, it went better than I could have ever imagined.

How about you? What do you think about the WotLK?

Future WotLK Patch Updates and News

In a very uncharacteristic move Blizzard dropped the ball on several pretty big content patches, which are slated for release following the launch of WotLK. Here’s a quick break down of what’s coming up in the next several months of patches.

Patch 3.0.2

This patch is the bridge between the Burning Crusade and WotLK. There is no official scheduled release date yet, all we know is it won’t go live until S4 ends, which is this 10/14/08. In my opinion it will launch 10/21/08. This patch includes major talent changes, class balances, and other features in preperation for WotLK. Check out the compiled list of changes and updates here. Patch 3.0.2 Compiled.

Patch 3.0.3

This minor patch will go live 1-2 weeks after patch 3.0.2 releases, it’s only real purpose will be to retroactively complete the C’thun achievement quests. This patch will likely be the last patch prior to WotLK launch and should include any final bug fixes or other minor changes

Tigole Regarding Patch 3.0.3

We just added the C’Thun BP’s to the retro list. Previously, we were checking the quests but the quests were not recorded because they are repeatable.

This fix won’t go in the upcoming patch but one that will follow that patch by a week or two. So hang on to those C’Thun BP’s and you’ll get credit.

Patch 3.1

The first major content patch of the expansion, major highlights include

• Uldar Raid Instance 10 man
• Uldar Raid Instance 25 man

Patch 3.2

The second major content patch for expansion. Currently the features in this patch have not been announced. However, we do know that that this patch will…

…add a new and still unknown raid instance to the game (source)

Patch 3.3

The third major content patch for the expansion, major highlights include

• Ashbringer story resolved
• Icecrown Citadel released

Additional New WotLK Features

• New Guild Ratings based on PvE / PvP accomplishment
• New Guild Achievements

Not a whole lot is currently known regarding these new guild ratings, it’s something that’s been talked about for some time. Prior to the Burning Crusade blizzard had considered putting a system for rated Warsong Gulch in, but scrapped the idea. Personally I think this would be a great idea, particuarlly for PvP guilds, as it adds a whole new level of accomplishment for those groups of players.

Oct. 1 WotLK Updates Wrap Up!

Well, pretty big day today with loads of changes across the forums, beta, and here at Zug Gaming. To make sure you didn’t miss anything I thought this occassion calls for my first WotLK wrap up post.

Honor Points Will NOT Reset In Expansion

Title pretty much sums this one up. Blizzard reversed their earlier decesion to reset honor / honor marks prior to expansion. Honor points will not be reset prior to the expansion.

Updated WotLK Glyphs

New / revised glyphs for all classes.

WotLK Beta Build 9014 Class Changes

Nothing major here, most of the changes are pretty minor and focus more on balancing. Never the less, some interested and positive adjustments to every class.

Arena Season 4 End Date / Patch 3.0.2 Launch Date

Season 4 will end October 14th, 2008, additional information regarding details and patch 3.0.2 speculation.

Major Warrior Buffs – Berserker Rage Change

Berserker rage change may be used in any stance now, confirmed by blue.

WoW Gold Tip – Jewelcrafting and Prospecting

Gold tip #6 from yours truly, check out the tutorial video regarding jewelcrafting, prospecting, and the auction house.

Season 4 End Date and Patch 3.0.2 Launch Announced

After the initial broad scope season 4 end date we’ve finally got the official end date for season 4. Do remember, this is the end of the ladder season not the arena system shutdown, meaning your rankings at as of 10/14/08 will be used to determine your end of season rewards. Following this date you can still play arena and get points.

We’re currently planning to end the fourth Arena season on October 14, 2008, and as always — this date could easily change. This Arena Season is only ending in respect to the ladder, meaning we’ll be taking a snapshot of the season’s ladder and then go through our normal process to determine who is eligible for the end-of-season rewards. This process should take approximately one week. It’s very important for players who feel that they may be eligible for the arena-specific title and/or Armored Nether Drake to refrain from transferring their character to another realm between the date outlined above, and when the end-of-season rewards are physically awarded.

Upon the end of this Arena Season, teams and ratings will not be wiped, and will carry forward allowing players to earn points each week and purchase gear until the launch of the expansion (November 13, 2008)

So where does patch 3.0.2 fall into this whole equation? Well, Blizzard has already announced that the patch will not go live until the arena ladder season ends, citing the reason that the new 51 point talents are balanced for level 80, not 70…oh, and retribution paladins are insane.

Anyway, this puts patch 3.0.2 out at the earliest date of October 14, 2008. If I were to place my bets I’d say this is a likely day. This still gives Blizzard nearly a full month to make any additional changes prior to the WotLK launch date to fix any unforeseen issues. In addition, the most recent beta build featured a variety of changes that were for lack of a better word “boring”…haha, but really the class changes were mainly minor balances and adjustments, meaning things are hopefully wrapping up on the PTRs.

Season 4 End Date Announced!

This afternoon Tigole calmed the fears of many players who thought they were going to lose their Brutal Gladiator titles to triple Retribution Paladin teams by announcing that the end of Season 4 would happen on the day that the 3.0 Patch hits live servers.

We’ve reevaluated certain aspects of how the arena system and current arena season will be affected during both the next content patch, and the launch of Wrath of the Lich King. For starters, the current arena season will end in respect to the ladder upon the release of our next major patch. What this means is, we’ll be taking a snapshot of the current season’s ladder just before the realms are taken down for patch maintenance, and our normal process will commence to determine who is eligible for the end-of-season rewards.

Teams and ratings will not be wiped at that time, and will carry forward allowing players to earn points each week (and buy gear) until the launch of the expansion on November 13th. Almost immediately before Wrath of the Lich King releases, all arena teams as well as ratings will be wiped and arena charter NPCs disabled.

So there you have it, no need to worry.

Season 5 Honor Gear

PvP fans rejoice, because the season 5 honor gear has been released! Keep in mind that all these new items will not be released until season 5 officially begins sometime after the launch of Wrath of the Lich King. Also, make sure you check out the just released…

1. Season 5 Arena Armor
2. Season 5 Arena Weapons (coming soon!)
   

Please note, the following list includes all items “currently” slated for season 5 release. Many items have not been yet been added. Additionally, many of these items will see stat changes before this goes live. I’ll do my best to update this list and quickly and frequently as possible to reflect the coming updates.

Season 5 PvP Amulets

• Hateful Gladiator’s Pendant of Ascendancy
• Hateful Gladiator’s Pendant of Deliverance
• Hateful Gladiator’s Pendant of Dominance
• Hateful Gladiator’s Pendant of Salvation
• Hateful Gladiator’s Pendant of Subjugation
• Hateful Gladiator’s Pendant of Triumph
• Hateful Gladiator’s Pendant of Victory

Season 5 PvP Rings

• Hateful Gladiator’s Band of Dominance
• Hateful Gladiator’s Band of Triumph

Season 5 PvP Cloaks

• Hateful Gladiator’s Cloak of Ascendancy
• Hateful Gladiator’s Cloak of Deliverance
• Hateful Gladiator’s Cloak of Dominance
• Hateful Gladiator’s Cloak of Salvation
• Hateful Gladiator’s Cloak of Subjugation
• Hateful Gladiator’s Cloak of Triumph
• Hateful Gladiator’s Cloak of Victory

Season 5 Cloth Armor

• Hateful Gladiator’s Cord of Dominance
• Hateful Gladiator’s Cord of Salvation
• Hateful Gladiator’s Cuffs of Dominance
• Hateful Gladiator’s Cuffs of Salvation
• Hateful Gladiator’s Slippers of Dominance
• Hateful Gladiator’s Slippers of Salvation

Season 5 Leather Armor

• Hateful Gladiator’s Armwraps of Triumph
• Hateful Gladiator’s Belt of Triumph
• Hateful Gladiator’s Boots of Triumph

Season 5 Mail Armor

• Hateful Gladiator’s Sabatons of Dominance
• Hateful Gladiator’s Sabatons of Salvation
• Hateful Gladiator’s Sabatons of Triumph
• Hateful Gladiator’s Waistguard of Dominance
• Hateful Gladiator’s Waistguard of Salvation
• Hateful Gladiator’s Waistguard of Triumph
• Hateful Gladiator’s Wristguards of Dominance
• Hateful Gladiator’s Wristguards of Triumph

Season 5 Plate Armor

• Hateful Gladiator’s Bracers of Salvation
• Hateful Gladiator’s Bracers of Triumph
• Hateful Gladiator’s Girdle of Salvation
• Hateful Gladiator’s Girdle of Triumph
• Hateful Gladiator’s Greaves of Salvation
• Hateful Gladiator’s Greaves of Triumph

Wrath of the Lich King Launch?

Well, today it appears that we are moving one step closer to the official Wrath of the Lich King launch. Today’s “hint” of the approaching expansion comes in the form of a mistake made on the part of a Blizzard web developer. Take a look at this page which was mistakenly posted (it was quickly removed, but not before we got some screen shots!).

Wrath of the Lich King Beta

Well, it’s official Wrath of the Lich King beta is officially started! Well, rather it’s officially time to sign up. Blizzard recently announced the launch of the closed beta as well as the sign up forms. It’s the most simplistic opt-in form I think I’ve ever seen an MMO do.

Simply head over to the front page of WorldofWarcraft.com or take this link directly to your account login screen, Beta Opt-in. Log into your account, accept the beta terms of service and you’re done! As for the criteria to get in…well, that will be a bit tricky.

Blizzard changes some of the requirements between betas and such, but without question Blizzard will require all potential beta applications…

1. be an active subscriber
2. you have been a subscribing player for at least 6 months
3. no known connections to media outlets or websites (like this one! hopefully blizzard doesn’t find me out!)
4. minimal suspensions / black marks against your account for violation of the terms of service

As far as all the real fine-tooth details go, I think anyone’s guess is as good as mine. Either way, there is sure to be tons upon tons of applications, and a very select number chosen for this first phase of closed beta.

However, if you don’t get in don’t worry! Blizzard will increase the number of beta participants as the game progresses into new phases. Up to the point they will hold the open beta and everyone can get a chance to try it out!