Dreamhack leveling contest
by Eliah Hecht 
Nov 29th 2007 at 4:01PM
As Massively reported a little while back, Dreamhack, which bills itself as "the world's largest computer festival," will be hosting some pretty awesome WoW contests this year. The party kicked off today in Sweden, and Blizzard Europe recently posted some details on the contest they'll be running. The task is to see how high you can level in 20 minutes, using a new character of any race and any class.Signups started at the Extreme Masters booth in Hall C at 4:00 PM CET, which was two hours ago (10 AM EST), and will go until 8 PM CET today and tomorrow at times to be announced. Qualifier times and rounds are also TBD, and the finals will be held Saturday from 7 PM to 9 PM CET at the Extreme Masters booth. Is anyone at Dreamhack or going to be attending? Will you compete? Also, if you are at Dreamhack, word on the forums is that both Vaneras and Thundgot are hanging out at the Blizzard/Intel booth in hall C (is this the same as the Extreme Masters booth?), and will be pleased to chat with you.
This is in addition to the 3v3 invite-only Arena matches, but I haven't heard any details about those beyond what's in the Massively article. Notably, the total prize money is $75,000, which is pretty impressive.
Now I can't go off to Sweden to check this out, but the leveling contest did get me to thinking: just how far could I level in 20 minutes? So here's what I propose: let's have our own leveling contest! This will have to be honor-principle, because I can't verify that you didn't have outside help and didn't photoshop your screenshots, but it ought to be good fun anyway. Play for no more than 20 minutes with no outside help, take a screenshot (make sure it includes your /played and level), upload it somewhere, and link it in the (new, improved) comments. Let's set the deadline at one week from today: December 6, at noon EST. Winner gets an official WoW Insider no-prize.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Naix Nov 29th 2007 4:07PM
I foresee all warlocks and maybe some hunters.
Eliah Hecht Nov 29th 2007 4:09PM
I dunno, it seems like warlocks and hunters would both be slow pre-level 10, when they get proper pets.
CunningB Nov 29th 2007 4:22PM
One word.... Rogue
Nails Nov 29th 2007 4:45PM
i agree, a rogue would be quick at killing AND be quick at completing quests that require you to get past many mobs and gather something, or kill someone.
rogues probably could level the fastest in 20 minutes... but now which race/class/starting area would provide the most streamlined quests and groupings of mobs to level the fastest?
my prediction: blood elf rogue would win
Corazu Nov 29th 2007 4:46PM
Agreed, rogue is the best class for this and the new starting zones are the best for it as well. Draenei can't be rogues, so I'd have to say Blood Elf as well.
Cisie Nov 29th 2007 5:06PM
How about rogue or shadow priest? The fastest I've ever leveled was on a shadow priest, all I did was dot everything and heal. With Warriors you have charge which can close the gaps between you and your enemies and take up much less time. Warlock maybe, but I think in 20 minutes they'll just start being able to get their pet, maybe.
:-/
RogueJedi86 Nov 29th 2007 6:49PM
But a Shadowpriest doesn't exist before level 10, since there are no talents before then. So it'd just be a regular priest. I don't think many people can get to level 10 or beyond in only 20 minutes.
Makros Nov 29th 2007 5:15PM
Rogue would definitely be my first bet, but I wouldn't rule out a pally or shammy. I know neither pallys nor shammys are very respected for melee damage, but at levels that low the difference is minimal. Self healing, being able to switch between spell and melee damage, and overall quick mana regen at low levels makes for almost zero downtime on these two hybrid classes.
Diela Nov 29th 2007 5:32PM
I didn't quite go to 20 minutes, but at a /played of 18m47s, my BE rogue was just a little over level 4.
Shady Nov 29th 2007 5:48PM
Once, a long time ago, I used to make quick gold selling Really Sticky Glue on the AH. It was a (then non-soulbound) reward from a level 7 quest in the troll starting zone and godly in PvP. So I tried pretty much every class in my goal to create a new toon, run him up to level 7, do the quest, mail off the reward and repeat as quickly as possible. At peak efficiency I could start up a troll rogue and level to 7 in about 25 minutes, completing a full run in about 40. Based on this, I am sure the winner will be a rogue and he might be a troll.
Jess Nov 30th 2007 8:43AM
If it's 20 minutes, then I don't know if quests are the best thing, maximize your time just farming things.
jlsonline Nov 29th 2007 8:51PM
For the Horde side, it would almost certainly be a blood elf ... The leveling progression is much better there and the quest givers are all in one small(ish) area near where you kill the mobs.
My guess? Blood elf rogue wins, having reached level 4 and mabye 5 bars.
Khass Nov 30th 2007 8:52AM
I just transfered to the European servers, so no BC yet - I used a Troll Rogue. Level 4 and 95% (see very top-center of the screen) in 20min and 4 seconds. Could've done it better, since I forgot to pick up Cactus Apple Surprise, but I'll only redo it if someone else beats me :)
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/Gravo/WoWScrnShot_113007_154045.jpg
Chris Nov 30th 2007 10:54AM
Tried with a Blood Elf Rogue as I know the starting area well. Thanks to a certain levelling guide... ;)
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/9726/wowscrnshot113007153815os8.jpg
Level 4... Almost 5. After that kill I had only 1 more to level to 5.
I reckon I could have been 5 if I didn't mess about selling stuff to the vendor and going back to my trainer for skills. Who needs Backstab anyway. Puh.
I actually FRAPS'd the whole thing, but I doubt I'll put it on the net as it's pretty boring.
Chris Nov 30th 2007 12:07PM
Ok, so I uploaded the video... It sucks. >.<
But it shows you where I went wrong and how I done my levelling. For some reason there's a small portion at the beginning missing. I blame my crappy processor. :P
http://www.refblock.com/?http://www.lordsuicidal.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/20minrogue.wmv
You can compare the screenshot that I posted to the video at the end for a clearer view as the video is compressed badly. :/
Khass Nov 30th 2007 1:17PM
Haha, Chris, you have the exact same exp as I (2014/2100). Well, guess I'll try again.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e75/Gravo/WoWScrnShot_113007_201311.jpg
Level 5 and 11%. :)
Chris Nov 30th 2007 4:43PM
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/5335/wowscrnshot113007213951tr8.jpg
20 minutes and 5 seconds, I was actually at the guy at 19 minutes and 59 seconds... But the damn reward slowed me down. :(
Including the 550XP from the quest I beat ya, excluding it... You still beat me. =.=
Only way I could beat it would be to grind out mobs for the last 30 seconds.
Khass Nov 30th 2007 4:55PM
Ah, then I believe you've beaten me. I completed all the quests that could be completed in 20 minutes in the Valley of Trials, so I very much doubt I'd be able to make more than you. Kudos!
Chris Nov 30th 2007 5:12PM
Just tried grinding for 20 mins... Questing is the way to go though.
I reckon I could do better if I got up to a certain level with questing then grinded out the rest. I reckon once I get the upgraded dagger at level 4 I'd be able to grind mobs a lot easier.
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/8040/wowscrnshot113007220727av2.jpg
Level 5 definately seems to be the peak level with only 20 mins. At least horde side (for a Rogue). Can't wait to see if anyone at Dreamhack done better.