Totally Warcraft

Cross realm grouping is probably one of the best ideas that Blizzard ever came up with for WoW. When Wrath first came out, and people were hitting level cap within the first month or so, getting a dungeon group together to run even 5 mans could be catastrophically annoying.  Even in guild there was always someone who couldn’t fill that last spot, a tank who didn’t feel up to it, or even a healer who wasn’t up to par.

The introduction of cross-realm grouping was an attempt by Blizzard to remedy these problems, and for the most part, I would agree that they were successful. But with any solution of this nature there is always a rather large margin for error.  Every single WoW player has dealt with some jerk who thinks he knows everything about the game, or perhaps a player who doesn’t work as hard as other members in the group. I have come up with a list of what I believe to be the top 5 most annoying things about the random dungeon system, and possible solutions to these problems.

5. Players who skip bosses.

This is more of a personal annoyance of mine, which is why I have put it as the least most annoying of the five.  As it stands right now, random dungeon running is one of the most effective ways to level your toons, and part of the reason for this is the gear you attain from killing bosses.  The only time where  I believe it’s acceptable to skip bosses is when you’re at level cap, and your only reason for running random heroics is for your daily 2 frost badges. I’ve been in that boat myself.

• Possible Solution: If you do not wish to skip any bosses during a run, make it known to the rest of the group as soon as you start the run.  Also, if there are specific pieces of gear you require, research where it drops and off of what boss. After that, politely let your party know which bosses you do not wish to skip.
• Possible Solution: Another solution to this problem is to run with people you know.  Try and get a group together who will help you kill the bosses you require.
  

4. The wait as DPS.

Let’s face it – DPS is a dime a dozen when it comes to random dungeons. If you play on a decently populated server, the wait for a random dungeon group as a DPS may take anywhere from 10-30 minutes.  The wait can be an annoyance, so much in fact that it may even discourage players from queing up altogether.  But never fear! There are ways to make the wait a little more tolerable.

• Possible Solution: If you’re lucky enough to play a class that can re-spec to a tank or a healer, you can bite the proverbial bullet and at least get into random’s much quicker. This may not be preferable for a player who loves to DPS, but at least said player can attain badges much quicker for their DPS set, or if they aren’t at level cap, gain XP at a faster rate.
• Possible Solution: If, for any reason you hate either tanking or healing, or perhaps you play a class that is unable to do anything else but DPS – here’s another idea.  If you have yet to reach level cap, you can quest while you wait, or perhaps work on your professions. If questing is out of the question, then there is always farming if you have a gathering profession. Low on gold? Do some dailies! The fact that a lot of WoW players tend to overlook is the vastness of the game they have grown to love. WoW is huge! There is always something to do while you wait.
  

3. Players who drop group during the run.

There are very few things more annoying than waiting to get into a random dungeon (especially as a DPS), and having someone drop group.  I can understand if it’s a valid reason, but most of the time players will leave without even saying a word. Not only is that rude, but it’s bloody annoying.

• Possible Solution: The only real way to ensure that this doesn’t happen is to group up with people that you know and trust.  Not only does this make for a smoother, less complicated run, but it avoids players randomly dropping group and leaving you hanging. Apart from that, there really isn’t much you can do other than que up for a random, and pray to God that it goes smoothly.
  

2. Players who don’t carry their weight.

This, unfortunately, is a very common annoyance when it comes to random dungeons.  A lot of players (especially DPS) are notorious for joining a random dungeon, and not pulling their weight.  I can’t count how many times I have run dungeons where the hunter is only right-clicking the mob and letting the auto fire do its job, or a tank who refuses to hold decent agro on multiple mobs.  I think the most annoying thing for me is a healer who refuses to heal anyone else except himself and the tank.

I can understand if a player is new to the game and doesn’t really know what he/she is doing. WoW, like anything else, has quite the learning curve and it takes a while to fall into your own no matter what the class you play. But there is no excuse for people who join a random heroic, and don’t pull their weight.  By then you should know how to play your class, and how to work as a team. Too many times have I seen people who are under-geared enter heroics and expect everyone else to carry them through.

• Possible Solution: There really isn’t much that can be done about this. My only advice is to do the level best you can and let the chips fall where they may. Either that or try to run with people you know can hold their own.  The sad reality is that one bad apple can spoil the whole bushel when it comes to this game. Ask any serious raider and I’m sure they will agree.

1. The know-it-all/rude players.

This, by far, is the most trying thing when it comes to random dungeons.  If you’re an experienced player you can almost sense when someone like this is in your group, even before they open their mouth. I can understand when the rest of the group is doing something foolish and screwing around, resulting in a wipe. I’m a patient man but even that would upset me.  But unfortunately most times, that’s not the case.  Too many times have I been in a group where for no reason someone is insulting other players, or ordering people around like everyone else is stupid. People need to realize that this is a game, not a job, and most certainly not the be all and end all of human existence.

• Possible Solution: Sorry, there’s no cure for being an asshole.

- Prince Achilles

What would you do for a pair of Blizzcon 2010 TIX??

So now we can get a World of Warcraft magazine??  This should be great for several reasons:  I can get access to some more of their cool artwork; I enjoy printed format of artwork vs. LCD; Now I can get strategy assembled into one doc instead of searching all over the web (jsut like TW!); Upcoming patch detail is outlines; interviews, special online events; more about Blizzard games… so many more reasons….

Here is how Blizzard describes it:

Here are some examples or previews of the wow mag:

PETS: http://cde.cerosmedia.com/1M4b2f964fedde4303.cde/page/9

COMMUNITY: http://cde.cerosmedia.com/1M4b2f964fedde4303.cde/page/33

5th ANNIVERSARY DETAIL: http://cde.cerosmedia.com/1M4b2f964fedde4303.cde/page/23

BATTLE OF SYLVANAS AND ARTHAS AND THE SIEGE OF ICECROWN CITADEL: http://cde.cerosmedia.com/1M4b2f964fedde4303.cde/page/15

The votes are in and a whopping 15 out of 24 contestants won prizing. Congrats to all who brought both excitting and sometimes heart wrentching stories to the Tales of Azeroth Contest!

1st Place - Lost but will never be forgotten (animeguru08)
“A beautiful story of friendship. A tale that shows that real honor is still left in the world…”

2nd Place - Priest killing Gruul (emancipator)
“Brilliant! Just goes to show how even squishies can dish it out in a time of crisis!”

3rd Place - How I got ganked IRL… (GankedIRL)
“This was a riot to read. Tip her well! For the alliance!”

4th Place - A Simple Paradise (Jdumoulin)
“Beautifully written! Really a moving story.”

5th Place - One morning on my way to work… (barf)
“Short but sweet! Where can I get one one of those stickers! *grin*”

Honorable Mention-The tale of Darkened Felstar (Darkened)
-diseased hunter (mross)
-Retaking the Undericty (Scythe8911)
-The amazing Leroy run! IRL (bigmanXX)
-The epic struggle (Zhek)
-Khasha (narsyn)
-Life,Love and World of Warcraft (Eclipsknight)
-Snow, Explosions, and Love (cursedseishi)
-Dedication to test the game (calis)
-Which would you choose? (webslider)

Read all the tales here. Continue to post your stories on TotallyWarcraft, we will be awarding random prizes ongoing….

~The TotallyWarcraft Guild~

Who cares about achievements right? I mean its like we all play the game adn get achievements for talking to someone or walking into an area… So what?? Well finally a real achievement…. This guy completed every achievement in World of Warcraft – a meta-achievement. Everything,! that’s ALL:

• Quests
• PVP
• Reputation
• Instances… Raids
• World Events
• Professions
• Exploration

All 986 achievements were completed and every area in the game was visited by this level 80 Tauren named 小灰 (”little ash”), as reported by MMO Champion. This total of achievements includes everything prior to the launch of Wrath of the Lich King… so Fets of Strength are not included and rightly so as they are impossible ! A slow adjustment by Blizzard on their Achievement Table I might add …