Back into the swing

ahzeel — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:02:35 GMT

Glad I randomly came by this article... it’s probably stopped me going back to WoW at least for the moment... The advice is exactly what I needed but for my Warhammer Account. I haven't been enjoying it lately and your post has made me see why and how I can change things! I can relate to every single item listed.

Thanks!

Back into the swing

Kody — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:50:58 GMT

It's great to hear you're back and having fun! I too started playing again recently, and have enjoyed what little time I've actually had to play. :)

Back into the swing

Liliana — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:50:57 GMT

Hey Kody! Great to hear from you :)
Yeah, it's always good when you can come back to a game with a new perspective and enjoy it.

Back into the swing

clokverkorange — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:50:56 GMT

I agree with almost all your "do's and don'ts". The only one I would offer a rebuttal on is "stop creating alts"...alts can be a good way NOT to burn out. I have a 65 shaman, a 60ish druid, a 70 hunter, priest, warlock, and paladin, and I love playing them all equally. If I can't find a group or a raid on one character, I swap out and do something else for a while. I think one of the things that causes major player burnout is that the "powergamers" basically run the game. Certain class/spec combos can sit in /lfg all day long and not find a group because they are an "off spec".

Also, making "rules" for your play is another thing that I notice burns a lot of people out. the more "rules" you add for yourself, the less it becomes a game and the more it becomes work. I log in every day with no set plan as to what I'm going to do or even what character I'm going to do it on. I'm not saying I "know it all", but I notice I get burned out a lot less than my other more "hardcore" friends.

Back into the swing

Liliana — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:50:55 GMT

I completely agree, like i said previously, Alts are a great to keep the game fresh if you're creating alts different to your main. What i was doing was creating similar alts, my main is a mage and I'd create a caster on a different realm just to keep up with friends who'd move around, so in the end i never stuck with them and i was making a TON of them!
I definitely agree about certain specs being left out in the cold when it comes to LFG, i know I'd get groups in a heartbeat if i was a restoration druid but that's not the game i want to play :)

Back into the swing

Dezztinee — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:50:54 GMT

Great post, I am a noob myself, so most of the talk in trade I dont understand. When I ask people for help, most of the time they are mean, so I have learned to just play alone and ask my boyfriend for help from time to time, if I really need it. Thanks for the advice it is useful.

Back into the swing

Liliana — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:50:53 GMT

It's a shame to hear people aren't being very nice towards you :(

I find it's a lot better to ask for general help outside of a major city. Ie Your current leveling area because people are more likely to respond to particular quest help there and if any higher levels happen to be around in the lower level areas you're almost guaranteed a better response from them.

I can remember the countless times I've iddled around Goldshire Inn on my 70 mage just making some bags for the newer characters or at Westfall for general help.

I find it ironic that people can be so downright stubborn in helping each other out in an MMO, why not hook up your xbox and play a single player game if that's their attitude?

Back into the swing

Stukka — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:50:52 GMT

This is a great blog and its true. I recently re activated my account and transferred a player of mine to a pve server with a friend. I have never played pve before and its definately a better experience for me so far. I have been so close to dying from a few mobs being on me and out of no where an ally (yes im horde) will come and stun it or aggro it off of me. And since we cant chat we exchange some /wave and whatnot. It really is nice to see some nice people in an mmo rather than stuck up people only in for something if they get gold or it benefits them in some way shape or form.

Your list is very good ive decided to add a few of ur ideas to some of my own and its really helping the game seem more "fresh" if u know what i mean.

Back into the swing

Kazard — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:50:51 GMT

Casual blog for the casual player, its nice.

Back into the swing

RAZIM — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:50:50 GMT

I find that playing the game as many of the classes helps to understand the in/outs of those classes and allows you to work better with groups when you have a concept of what the other classes are dealing with.

Also, maybe your first choice in class wasn't necessarily your best and you don't quite enjoy that hunter as much anymore.

I think as far as alts go, try to have 1 home server otherwise you lose yourself in so many communities. You can always toss your alt a bit of allowance to go have fun and get skills,etc.

I agree that you shouldn't make your change character to conform to a class standard spec. We're not all drones so we shouldn't act like in in game. Your spec is your personality. Don't just become a #(AP/Spell DMG,etc.) with a certain gear set.

Back into the swing

GalacticPT — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:50:49 GMT

Thanks for the advice. I actually also reactivated my account recently, started a new character and I think I'll follow your tips. :)

Back into the swing

bowlerdude — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:50:48 GMT

I am new to this game so I do need some help please......what addons should I download and how do I install them to the game
Thanks for your help

Back into the swing

Liliana — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:50:47 GMT

Hey Bowlerdude,

Since you are new to the game i would not be worried about addons just yet, get a feel for the game's mechanics first.
For example, i wouldn't recommend HealBot or healing addons until you've grouped a fair bit and healed without the assistance of addons so you begin to get your timing and mana conservation tactics down to where it becomes gospel.

I can't say what addons to download because i don't know your playstyle/class or needs in the game.
Are you heavily into PvP or questing? Do you simply want to change the overall appearance of the UI?
Without that sort of information i can't really advise you on anything particular however, I'll let you in on a few of my few 'essentials'.

* ArkInventory
This replaces all my bags and makes it one big bag on the screen, you can also sort the slots in the bag to be organised into quest items, reagents and equipment to show them separately from all your other junk. Very handy addon.
There are other similar addons out there that do the same thing, such as Bagnon and OneBag, it's just a matter of preference and compatibility with other addons.

* Auctioneer
Keep track of the market and how much your items are worth or how much you should sell something for.

* Carbonite Quest
This is a replacement for map and quest tracking, it shows you on the map all available quest NPC's and turn in's available to you, also tracks the distance to your quest objectives and offers "GPS" styled navigation help.
I would not recommend it for a first time player as it takes out some of the fun of exploring and discovery.

* Quartz
Playing as a caster on an Oceanic server this is a must for me, it is a cast bar replacement which calculates your latency so you can keep casting with efficiency and no more "THIS SPELL IS NOT READY" message that makes me want to stab my eyes out.

* Grid
Whether you are heavily into raiding or a casual who hits up BG's every weekend, this is a must for efficiency and saves your screen from becoming clutter.
I currently play on a 19" screen at max resolution so this is extremely important to have a clean and uncluttered UI.
This addon is also awesome when used with Clique if you are a healer as it allows you to simply click and heal.

If you want a complete aesthetic overhaul then i couldn't recommend SpartanUI more, it is currently still in Beta so it does have a few bugs to be ironed out but i love it!

Back into the swing

Liliana — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:50:46 GMT

Sorry forgot to mention, to install your addons you unzip the file you have downloaded and select the directory where WoW is installed.

So eg. C:\Program Files\World of Warcraft, in here you need to look for the interface folder and inside that there shoulld be one called addons.
C:\Program Files\World of Warcraft\Interface\Addons

This is where your downloaded addons go.

To enable them, log in to your game, at the character select screen there will be a button on your bottom left hand corner.

Make sure all the addons you want to use are selected!

Back into the swing

lonebull — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:50:45 GMT

This is very true. You have a good veiw on WOW. thanks thas was a great read I am glad I took the time to view it.
Brett