Ask WoW Insider: Best way to power level alts?
by Barb Dybwad 
May 4th 2007 at 6:00PM
It's time once again for our weekly dose of Ask WoW Insider, wherein we publish one reader's question for everyone to answer. This week's question comes to us from Richard, who has a slew of alts he's interested in leveling quickly: I've been playing for about a year now and have leveled a bunch of alts. My main and an alt are 70 and 64, respectively. But I have a bunch of alts all in the 10-35 range that I would like to get up in level. Some of my friends are in the same boat and we're trying to figure out the best way to maximize our leveling time. I've heard everything from solo'ing is faster, to run same level groups, to a high level 5-man instance with a couple high levels and have the lowbie hang back as you clear the place. I'd love to hear people's ideas on power leveling alts.So, what's your strategy for the quickest power leveling? How do you maximize your time with your alts?
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Filed under: Ask WoW Insider, Leveling, Alts
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Hamarin Jun 30th 2008 4:19PM
If you have some $$ in real life, but you don't believe in breaking the rules by paying a power level service, which is something I detest, I have a strategy that might work for you. In developing this strategy, I tested every common strategy at all levels (solo play, twinking, dungeon crawling, etc.) and this is what I found to be the fastest.
This power leveling strategy depends upon you having a level 70 well geared toon and a second (or even up to 4 additional as I do) account(s). Your alts that you are power leveling are on the second account and you have the capability to be logged into both accounts at once. The general idea is that you use instances because elites are 2 times the experience and elites in an instance at 1.5 times over that. This is also effective because you have a predictable flow of mobs to fight and you are not competing with others for an area since the instance is unique to you.
In this process, there are effectively 3 roles to fill. First, is your main well geared level 70. Their job is to kill everything. The second role is your alt. Your alt is going to be specced to take a maximum beating possible. You don't care how good of a fighter they are. You won't be doing anything with them very much. Get keyclone so that you can send keystrokes to your alt to do things (like jump to clear the afk flag or to follow a designated character). The third position is optional, but it will speed the process considerably. This position is filled by another person and I call it the Lootmaster. Their job is to be the one that your alt follows and to loot all the bodies. They focus on keeping your alt out of danger and enjoying the free xp and their share of the gold. When you go into a dungeon, set loot to free for all and establish the loot rules. Personally, I take all non-bop green items and any blue items the lootmaster won't personally use and the lootmaster can have everything else.
To begin the process, you must get your alt toon to a minimum level. If you are horde, you quest until level 8. If you are alliance, you quest until level 10. The process is simple. Run dungeons and here's the order to do them in:
Horde:
Ragefire Chasm: Levels 8-10
Wailing Caverns or Deadmines: Levels 10-20
Alliance:
Deadmines: Levels 10-15
Stockade: Levels 15-20
Everyone:
Scarlet Monastery: Library (only once to get the key)
Scarlet Monastery: Cathedral: Levels 20-35 (This is what I'd do, Alternative on next line)
Alternative: Scarlet Monastery: Library: 20-29
Alternative: Scarlet Monastery: Armory: 29-31
Alternative: Scarlet Monastery: Cathedral: 31-35
Note: The Graveyard is a waste of time.
Zul'Furrak: Levels 35-45 (At level 40, get your mount, pickup quest to get carrot and ZF based quests in Gadgetzan)
Dire Maul: East - Levels 45-55
Blood Furnace - Levels 55-60
(Up to but not including the second boss. Your main has to be rather good and the right class to do this)
Quest from 60-70 using the guide of your choice. I like Brian Knopp for Alliance. I have tried several for Horde, but have not found one I like. Use Questhelper or Carographer.
That's what I found that works. I am expecting some people to read this to flame me as there are plenty of people out there that hate multi-boxers. If/when Blizzard declares it against the rules, I'll stop. Until then, I will ignore your flame. Thanks for your time.
flyver Feb 17th 2010 4:51AM
I do the same, though with a different order in the dungeons, and a bit different way with my alts. I dont have my alts to take any damage. XP range, reaches beyond the minimap, so yea like this uldaman has a level requirement of level 30, invite 3 more to the group for group XP which is x1.4 the normal XP - put your own alt on follow on one of these guys and let them handle the movement of your alt.
Put the booster's and your alt's "Pass on loot" to Yes and put on masterloot also on the booster, with this done you get to see all mobs that contains green/blue/epic items, and with you as master looter you can fast select your alt to get the items if you want that, the rest (trash loot) goes to the other members and you will still get an equal share of the money that's lootet.
Here is my boosting model as horde:
First i get full group "/who min level- max level" (/who 10-15) and i normaly try to get one of each cloth type (Cloth, Leather, Mail, Plate).
If im plate gear myself i wont find one with that ofc :)
I like the money and the BoE Epic and Blue gear so i normaly take that, and the rest of the drops are easy, cause if you have one from each cloth type, you can with master loot delegate the rest of the gear to the player that can use it.
Booster: Level 80 Retri spec paladin (4800 GearScore) Flyverpal (Spinebreaker)
Level 8-10: Ragefire Chasm (Orgrimmar)
Level 10-15: Wailing Caverns (Barrens)
Level 15-20: Razorfen Kraul (Southern Barrens)
Level 20-25: Scarlet Monestary (Tirisfal Glades) / Blackfathom Deeps (Ashenvale) / Gnomeregan (Dun Morogh) Do the Gnomer transponder Q at level 20 get it from Sovik hes in The Valley of honor, teleport you from Booty Bay to gnomeregan.
Level 25-30: Razorfen Downs (Souther Barrens)
Level 30-35: Uldaman (Badlands)
Level 35-40: Zul'Farrak (Tanaris) / Sunken Temple (Swamp of Sorrows)
Level 40-45: Blackrock Depths (Inside Blackrock Mountain between Searing Gorge and Burning Steppers)
Level 45-55: Scholomance (Western Plagueland) / Stratholme (Eastern Plagueland)
Level 55-65 Outlands:
Hellfire Citadel (Hellfire Peninsula): Ramparts - Blood Furnace
Coilfang Resevoir (Zangarmarch): Underbog - Slave Pens
Auchindoun (Terrokar Forest): Mana-Tombs - Auchenai Crypts - Sethekk Halls
Level 65-66: Shadow Labyrinth (Auchindoun - Terrokar Forest) Just because i like killing Murmur :) He didnt drop my polearm for my hunter (Sonic Spear) pre-wotlk.
Level 66-68: Old Hillsbrad / Black Morass (Caverns of Time - Tanaris)
By this point you can start in Northrend, or you can continue to go in Caverns of Time.
Moi Jul 10th 2008 6:32PM
I agree that multi-boxing is the most efficient way to level and really gets an unfair rap. One person controlling two characters - and paying out of their own pocket for two accounts - is legitimately no different from two people controlling two characters - and each paying out of their own pocket for two accounts. Also, using keyclone is really no different than using macros. You press a button to command multiple functions, such as a hunter casting hunter's mark and sending pet in to attack. A non-multi-boxing alt turns into a loot caboose when they pay a higher level to run them through an instance. This is absolutely no different, except the main is functioning as the dps'er and looter both. You move through the instance at the same speed as if you had two people doing it - or maybe even slower, since the main is doing all the work. And, if the alt takes aggro, it actually takes more skill and dexterity to keep the alt alive. If you can afford two computers, or have one computer with a video card/RAM (and preferably two monitors), and the $$ to pay for two accounts, this is clearly the best way to level quickly. The best part is, you aren't paying someone 10G to run you through an instance and you eliminate the need to stand in a major city begging for help for hours. :roll:
Adam Feb 17th 2009 11:56AM
I would seriously look into the Recruit-A-Friend benefits offered these days. Triple XP for linked accounts?
Imagine the strategy Hamarin describes in post 27 with the "Master Looter" and your "Max damage" alt on linked accounts getting three times the XP. While you Blaze a trail on your 70.
I haven't tested this strategy, but i feel its worth looking into.
For a small fee Blizz can transfer toons to accounts with the same last name, maybe you can quest two similar leveled alts at the same time. Triple the XP, Friend to Friend Summons, and "Grant a Level"
I've heard stories of lvls 1-60 in 20 hours played using some of the RaF features.
As its a feature offered by Blizz and there are no rules regarding Dual-Boxing, and nobody else is playing your account, no third party this-or-that, and Blizz makes extra cash off of you, It would be difficult for them to have a problem with it.
batuan_robeck128 Sep 11th 2010 10:47PM
내 안에 숨쉬던 기억들이 ホームページ製作
ホームページ制作 흔적도 없이 사라지는 소리
ホームページ作成 차갑게 얼어붙은 나의 멍든 가슴이
ホームページ作成ソフト swallow
ホームページセミナー그 소리를 듣고 있지
CMS
ビジネスブログ
조각 조각 부서지는 소리
Aaron Nov 28th 2010 6:02PM
so i know this thread is way out of date but i was wondering if these tips still are the best way to lvl or if there are new better ways?
Peard Dec 2nd 2010 11:48PM
Hey, yes the tips listed here are pretty good for sure. In my advice dual boxing in a bit Tedious but I applaud those who can. RaF is the best exp from 1-60
Blackhorn May 4th 2007 6:12PM
Twink them out and keep them that way while you solo to 70. There's nothing more fun that just being a geared-out brat from start to finish, and I mean that sincerely. Doing level 36 quests solo at 30 is very rewarding. Flurry Axe? Wall of the Dead? Absolutely.
It may seem like a waste of money, but it will definately lighten your mood as well as your wallet.
Blackhorn May 4th 2007 6:15PM
Also, the money spending isn't that bad. We all know Azeroth money is toy money compared to what you earn once you reach outland. Even if you get to Outland with 33 copper in your pocket, you'll still be rocking an epic mount within a few levels, and have enough money after questing at 70 to pick up Airy McFlyalot.
LanceG33 May 5th 2007 12:34PM
Have to disagree on blowing the coin on the best gear while leveling. Leveling is easy enough that I feel that it is money down the drain. Yet this is a judgement call, so whatever works for you.
Pick a pair of alts and flip flop playing them while working rested experience. Running in groups certainly makes the time seem to go faster so group up when you can and work through the harder quests. Also, to max out exp while leveling, turn quests in at the end of your current level - not at the beginning of the next one.
Rob Drimmie May 4th 2007 6:34PM
Obligatory link to Jame's Levelling Guide:
http://www.wow-pro.com/node/599
Detailed description of best xp/hour levelling from 30-60. The link is to the Alliance version, I understand there is a Horde version out there as well.
Vellon May 4th 2007 6:44PM
I have to second Jame's Levelling guide. It takes you all the way from 21 - 60 now and if you start following it to the letter at 21 you will fly through the levels.
Yippster May 4th 2007 6:46PM
Cartographer. It has worked wonders for me. I get a quest, see if i can deduce where to go by the log, if i can't, i hit up the thottbot and get the coords. I try to do that for every quest I get and fill up my map with waypoints. Then its a matter of mapping out a route to take which hits every waypoint.
Then when you are taking that route, its important to KOS everything that is near to you in level, quest mob or no. Don't run past a mob that cons yellow to you just because you don't need it for a quest, kill it, get that xp, and perhaps learn a little more about your class :)
I know it takes longer to finish this quests this way but the way I see it, I don't really care how long it takes me to finish a quest, i'm more intersted in how long it takes me to level.
Also the more time you spend killing, the less downtime you have, and less downtime = less boredom = more enjoyable experience.
Also there are some good free online leveling guides out there, just look around, which use essentially the above method but in a streamlined fashioned, using only the most time efficient quests.
Jason May 4th 2007 6:47PM
Level in a group. If you have a bunch of friends on the same server, within a couple levels of your toons, then group up and level together. For me, doing stuff with friends has always been one of the big draws in WoW. Also, they seem to have buffed up the group XP bonus since the expansion launched; I was questing with some folks, killing non-elites, unrested for 20-30 less than solo. Kills go much faster, so I'll let the math speak for the efficiency there.
gunn May 4th 2007 6:48PM
wow the 2 commenters above me certainly did add some insight on how to level fast.
Personally I've found doing quests I know is alot more fun then just grinding it out against mobs. Because you know how to complete the quests already and it offers different things to do, plus you can earn money and sell junk that you don't need.
However technically the fastest way to level is just to find a place where the mobs are easily killed with little-to-no downtime and just own them for however long you have. Boring but effective. If you twink your character you can kill higher level mobs easier then non-twinked and higher level mobs offer more EXP. So twink away if you have the gold, down pots, and find that fun area to own.
Another way is to grab a high level friend, have them take you to an instance alil higher then you currently are and destroy mobs there, rinse and repeat. I do that in Dead mines from 15 on and they level about .5 per run. with one 60 (that was pre-BC)
Hope that helps
sollaires May 4th 2007 7:04PM
James' Guide + twink weapons/armor + high level friends.
My GF and I recently got my pally levelled up through all the old content through a variety of me solo questing, her taking her 70 with me into instances (XP is even better with the more level appropriate chars you have with you) and out-of-party tap levelling (works if the high level char is under 7 levels higher than you and you are killing mobs green to them).
Obake May 4th 2007 7:25PM
Solo questing and skipping all the instances except Uladaman and ST seem to be the best way to go. I'm not into wasting money on gear that becomes obsolete within a few levels so I generally where quest gear and keep myself buffed up with food etc.
After the newb zone you should be about 18+, head to westfall, do your prequests for VC or Barrens for Horde for WC. After that it's Duskwood to STV and then pick up the Jame's Alliance Leveling Guide or Joana/Mancow's Guide for Horde.
I've leveled up many toons with Jame's Alliance Leveling guide. It starts at level 30 but I suggest that you just put off until level 32 and then you have a pretty solid solo questing program with no rough spots and little down time until 60.
From 60 t0 70, use Brian Kopp's alliance levelling guide...it's fantastic. Don't buy it just find a link to dload it on the strategy section at mmowned.com.
Remember to kill everything you come across while questing and always log out in an inn or city.
Chris May 4th 2007 9:13PM
Joana's Horde quickleveling guide can be found here.
http://www.joanasworld.com/
diarx May 4th 2007 9:30PM
How to make leveling about 100x faster...
a)Download and install to your addon directory cartographer, cartographer_quests & cartographer_quest objectives here -> http://files.wowace.com/
b)navigate to this thread in the wowace forums -> http://www.wowace.com/forums/index.php?topic=5092.100 and in the second post download the attachment which suits you (combined if you play both horde and alliance).. you need to sign up to their forums to download the attachments.
c)unzip/unrar the attachment to:
C:\Program Files\World of Warcraft\WTF\Account\xxxxxx\SavedVariables
(where xxxxxx = your WoW account user name)
d)Start WoW, go into your map, click the cartographer button which is now up top, navigate down to the questobjectives menu and check "hide completed objectives" and "hide inactive quests"
e)All the swords/bags/gears icons on your map will now represent current quest spawns/lootable quest items and quest objectives..
f)Say goodbye to checking thott for quests every 3 minutes
note: increasing addon memory might be required
matthew May 5th 2007 4:44PM
I like Brian Kopps guide. I know i costs money but its worth it.