Ask a Beta Tester: Baron Rivendare, heirloom items, and more
by Alex Ziebart 
Sep 22nd 2008 at 7:00PM
And with that out of the way, let's get on with the questions. Shadgalaul asked...
What about the whole dual-spec situation? Was this implemented, or did it just fade out and get scrapped?
This hasn't been implemented yet, and nobody is sure whether it's on hold or been scrapped. It seems like instead of giving dual specs, they're trying to make one spec be able to hold its own. For example, tanks are getting higher DPS so they can go off and do their quests without wanting to hang themselves. It's not a perfect solution and there are still a few balance issues, but I bet that if they shelved the dual spec thing, this is what they tried instead.
We may still see dual specs in the future, but we haven't so far.
Mike asked...
How are the rewards for getting achievements received? Through the mail? Do you get them from certain NPC's? Does it become a quest you turn in?
Titles are automatically rewarded and added to your dropdown list, though you may sometimes need to relog to make it 'kick in.' Items are received via in-game mail.
Hinalover asked...
I thought I heard that they were taking out the Baron run of Stratholme. I was running that with a Pally Buddy a month ago and he heard of that and was trying to get the mount with no success.
The Baron run isn't going anywhere. The mount is still on its awful, awful droprate, but it's still there. Baron Rivendare is in both Stratholme and Naxxramas in Wrath. You don't need to worry about some replacement guy not dropping the mount.
doug asked...
Question about bind-to-account items: I understand you could probably mail them to characters on the same server, but how would you transfer a bind-to-account item from server to server?
Heirloom items are server-locked just like pretty much everything else in the game. I guess you could put it on a random alt, pay for a server transfer for that character, and take them all with you that way. I'm sure this is an issue for some people, but it's probably a pretty small number. Most people (most, not all) stick to one server for their playtime.
CallMeIrd asked...
Maybe this has already been asked, and if so I missed it. Sorry! I want to level my DK in Inscription and Blacksmithing. Do I need to start running around collecting Peacebloom and copper, or do the knights get a profession boost?
Get thee to a copper vein. Alternatively, a field of daisies. Your tradeskills start at 0 as a Death Knight except for things like First Aid, which start at the appropriate level for your... well, level.
Loudfiero asked...
Is VANISH fixed yet?
Do pigs fly yet?
Mr. Chibbles asked...
What is the state of Gorillas in Wrath? it seems like the new talent system for pets and their Thunderstomp ability would make them great tanks. I have been really curious to see how they work out!
You're in luck! BigRedKitty posted a video just for you this morning.
Robsato said...
Is there any news on the new dances that were announced in the teaser movie?
Nothing yet.
Beldoro asked, in reference to Wrath's Championing system...
Reading the tabard tooltip, I get the impression that rep gained will only go to the tabard faction - ie you don't get any rep for the faction the dungeon should give rep to. Is this correct?
This is, so far, correct. The original description of Championing said you would earn half and half, but that's not the case right now. I almost like this way better, because it means I can focus specifically on the rep that I want while helping people do other dungeons. I can go all the way on it, not get half the reward for my effort.
The Wrath of the Lich King beta is in full swing, and the WoW Insider crew is here to sate your curiosity with Ask a Beta Tester! Leave your beta questions in the comments and we'll do our best to answer 'em! And if you can't get enough Wrath, don't forget to check WoW Insider's Wrath Roundup page for anything we haven't answered here!Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Death Knight, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Tobie Sep 22nd 2008 7:09PM
Is that guy really dual wielding Quel'Serrar?
Matthew Rossi Sep 22nd 2008 7:16PM
The King of Stormwind dual wields whatever he wants. I'm surprised he's not DWing Thunderfury.
Avinoch Sep 22nd 2008 7:43PM
He WOULD be DWing Thunderfuries, but Ruul is hoarding them all.
http://www.wowhead.com/?npc=21315
Heilig Sep 23rd 2008 12:45AM
My heart skipped a beat when I saw they put him in the old Grand Marshal gear and Quel'Serrar. It's like they looked at the old-school people and said "Hey. We still like you."
I love Blizzard sometimes.
Jack Spicer Sep 22nd 2008 7:13PM
Two questions:
1) Does any gear have 3 gem sockets on it in Wrath? I know a question was asked about the lack of sockets, but as I'm seeing more an more of the 80 raid items the average number of sockets seems to be 0.5, and 2 the average on arena gear. A sad day for jewelcrafters indeed, and anyone hoping to properly socket for a meta gem :(
2) From level 70-80, ignoring talents, how many new spells is each class getting? I know in BC many classes got 5, but it looks like its going to be 2 on average. Or is it 3?
Randolyn Sep 22nd 2008 7:14PM
The death knight beta forums are filled to the brim with threads along the lines of, "Soooooo, Blizzard, hows about giving us one of them gathering professions at 275 skill?"
And the devs response has always been the same: *crickets*
So don't hold your breath on that happening anytime soon.
Since mining is the only gathering profession that can be raised without actually having to go out and gather (through smelting), I'm currently stockpiling all the ore I'll need to get my DK to 290 mining on launch day.
(Oops, hope nobody from my server reads this. Move along, nothing to see here.)
Jack Spicer Sep 22nd 2008 7:18PM
It would be nice to give them 275 cooking though.
Troz Sep 22nd 2008 7:31PM
Smelting only gets you to like 50 skill, then stops giving skill after that. You'll have to go out and mine by hand.
goldstine Sep 22nd 2008 7:32PM
I'm there with you. I have an 2 alts with an entire bank of silverleaf/peacebloom and copper/tin.
Seeing that people have been playing beta and reading about this problem I would expect the price of these items to be around 20 copper for a stack in WOTLK. When wrath releases everyone is going to throw this stuff up and hope it gets bought up.
Me, I'm going to start listing mine for 20 gold a stack now and hopefully the trend will catch on
;-)
Mike Sep 22nd 2008 7:43PM
You can only Smelt so high, then you get capped out, so you will have to mine to get that high.
Randolyn Sep 22nd 2008 7:46PM
Troz,
Starting with patch 2.4, you can smelt your mining skill all the way to 290 without ever leaving town, all you need is a forge and the auction house (and a whole lot of gold).
Breck Sep 22nd 2008 8:18PM
I really hope you are planning to supplement this by doing some actually mining. Otherwise, it's very cost prohibitive. The proc rate on green recipes for mining is insanely low, way lower than any other profession. Exactly because they DON'T want you to skill it up in this manner.
dawnseven Sep 23rd 2008 7:58AM
Rand is right, you can get higher with smelting only. You only get to a 50 skill by smelting copper, yes, but there are other ores to smelt that give you points as well :)
http://wow.thenoobschool.com/power-level-mining-guide-1-375
idkanything Sep 24th 2008 11:56AM
Will we get to keep the penguin pets (in live) we got for making a Blizzard account in beta?
Bhubba Sep 22nd 2008 7:40PM
I guess I only have two questions as of now:
1. Are there any items similar to "Everlasting Underspore Frond"? It was immensely helping while leveling in Outland, and I was hoping for another verison, or many one at lvl 80 (the Frond isn't as helpful at 70 as it was leveling).
2. With the change to mounts and pets, once you "train" them, do they tell you if you already have learned them, such as with other similar items? God forbid in my quest to get all the mounts I can, I waste gold buying ones I already have.
Rwings Sep 22nd 2008 9:36PM
When you mouse over the mounts it tells you if you have already learned the spell. Not sure if its a bug or not but after u learn the mount or pet the items remains in your bag so u have to manly destroy it if u want the bag space
Culhag Sep 22nd 2008 8:12PM
Yes, the mounts on the vendor panel say something like "already known" for the mounts you have.
(just seen that on the PTR)
Andrew Sep 22nd 2008 8:29PM
On the PTR mounts you already learned do indeed mention that you already know that specific mount.
Khanmora Sep 23rd 2008 8:30AM
Rwings, they only stay in your bag if you had them prior to patch 3.0. Anything you get after that you learn and it consumes the item so it's not sitting in your bag.
Zep Sep 22nd 2008 7:43PM
You could go half and half. Just take off your tabard half-way through.