Ask a Beta Tester: The Borean Tundra, Paladin spells, and more

Are there any other world PvP objectives, beyond Wintergrasp?
There aren't any objectives as far as things you can capture, no, not really. However, there are little PvP areas in certain zones. For example, there are PvP quests in Grizzly Hills. You take the quest, you are PvP flagged as long as you have the quest, and you have to complete it in a nearby area. In the Grizzly Hills example here, the Horde and the Alliance are duking it out in a massive logging camp that they've chased the Venture Co. away from. Have you ever wanted to ride down a river on the back of a huge log? Wrath'll do it for ya.
Chalios asked...
I'm a prot pally and I was wondering that since Blessings of Kings is going to be 2% stat increase base with an extra 8% on the improved version, will Greater Blessings of Kings start off with 2% as well at base and scale with the improved version or will it still be 10% and provide me with an extra 4 talent points?
The Greater Blessing will work the same way regular ol' Blessing of Kings works in Wrath. 2% per talent point. You don't get to skip out on spending 4 talent points.
Rylia asked...
Regarding professions: what's the minimum character level required to get grand master profession level? i.e. if I want alts with every profession, how high do I have to get them?
It looks like level 60 is required for gathering skills, 65 for crafting skills. Although there are some oddities there, too. Play it safe and aim for level 65.
saldat asked...
Is there any news on allowing engineers to change specializations in WotLK?
Nothing that I'm aware of, no.
Sherp asked...
How much gold do Daily Quests earn in WotLK? Do they average 10g like the SSO dailies do, or is it more? Are there any other easy moneymaking venues?
More, depending on the quest. The super easy dailies that require no combat will give you around 15g at the level cap. The ones that require some work and fighting will give around 25-30g. Dailies remain the easiest way to make money unless you enjoy farming things, then gathering skills will always be worth absurd amounts of gold. Always.
BlindSeerWolf asked...
I read that Arugal and his werewolfs(worgen) are coming back in WotLK. Have you seen him/them?
I hate giving away story spoilers here, but considering this one was put forth by Blizzard themselves multiple times, I suppose it doesn't hurt to confirm it. Yes, I've seen Arugal in Northrend. I won't tell you where or when, however. I'll leave that bit a surprise. You, too, shall serve!
Fobok asked...
Maybe a simpler question than you're used to, but... I've heard some people complain about Borean Tundra, but no specifics. What's wrong with it? Is it the zone design, the look, the quests?
Borean Tundra is, overall, better than most of the zones we've seen so far in World of Warcraft. Compared to the rest of Northrend, however, it's severely lacking. It just sort of has a lot of random different things going on that do not necessarily flow together very well. You move from area to area in the zone and there's very little that meshes it together. You just sort of wander around doing random stuff. This is the zone with DEHTA, for example. Just a lot of weird things.
Borean Tundra is also home to The Nexus. The Nexus is cool, but doesn't look anything like the rest of the zone and is completely cut off from the rest. That's fine, it's awesome and looks how it's supposed to look. The issue is that's not the only example of it here. It seems like the Borean Tundra should be three or four smaller zones, rather than one big one. I almost wonder if this is the first zone they worked on for the expansion, because it lacks a lot of polish and finesse you see elsewhere.
It's not a bad zone, though. It's just the least good in Northrend. There are definitely a lot of really cool, epic quests, but they're mixed in with a lot more fluff and 'meh' content. I recommend doing the quests here eventually, even if it's only after you've run out of things to do everywhere else. There is some cool stuff.
Just because it's not my favorite zone doesn't mean everyone dislikes it, though. I have friends that adore it and will be leveling there first. Me, though? Eh. Borean Tundra, more like boring tundra. /laugh track.
Ally_pally asked...
I have a rather technical question. wowhead.com reports Seal of the Martyr's Judgement as receiving 25% bonus from weapon damage as opposed to the Horde's Seal of Blood which renders a 45% bonus from weapon damage. What are we really looking at? Is this a "balance testing" to figure out which Blizzard will use for both, or is alliance getting a toned-down version?
A quick glance at wotlk.wowhead.com shows that they use 28% of weapon damage for the seal. Both Martyr and Blood are identical. Were you looking at the Live version of Seal of Blood, perhaps? The spell's base numbers have been toned down a bit in Wrath to reflect the fact that Ret Paladins pwn face.
Filed under: Paladin, Analysis / Opinion, Expansions, Wrath of the Lich King






Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Gritiron Oct 7th 2008 11:13AM
So AFAIK, you can already switch engineering specialties, it's just a pain since you to relevel engineering and then read some book in Steamwheedle Port. I've never tried it, but I've read this a few places.
See last post on:
http://www.wowhead.com/?forums&topic=39956
Neil Oct 7th 2008 11:47AM
The full, painful details are here: http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/03/20/renunciation-the-trials-tribulations-and-terrors-of-respecial/
I don't recommend it :\
Ally_Pally Oct 7th 2008 11:28AM
My question wasn't about the Seal, but Judging the Seal.
The link: http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=53720 shows the actual math on the Martyr. If you'll notice on the Judgetment it shows that whereas Blood has "(0.45mw * ", Martyr has "(0.25mw * ". My assumption is that they are intented to be equal, but I was merely concerned about an 'oversight' this close to patch.
Sorano Oct 7th 2008 11:29AM
Can you apply Vigilance, the buff gained from the 31 point protection warrior talent tree, on the same warrior who cast it?
Also, is there a cost associated with using this ability? Right now it seems to cost neither rage nor reagents.
Zaltais Oct 7th 2008 1:09PM
No it is not possible to cast Vigilance on yourself.
There is no cost whatsoever.
Kaeb Oct 7th 2008 1:27PM
Re: Vigilance
http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?spell=50720
The following confirmed on my lvl 72 human protection warrior on Northrend server.
* At present, there is no cost for the spell. I can set Vigilance on another party member before combat and with no rage generated.
* I cannot set Vigilance on myself. (The skill description alludes to this. "On a raid or Party member" rather than "the target.")
* This is all likely because the skill is intended to be used on a healer or high-threat dps (rogue who can't feint, lawl).
* Other interesting uses include:
- vigilance on a rogue who is using Tricks of the Trade on himself to increase damage (but the additional threat is now shared with the tank)
- healers that like to pull aggro by dotting targets that are being off-tanked
- Off-tank using vigilance on Main Tank to reduce incoming damage and to keep his threat up... while the Main Tank has vigilance on the Off Tank, so that threat is shared both ways. :o
Rhozul Oct 7th 2008 11:28AM
Griton's right, the book is called 'Soothsaying for Dummies' and its already in the game. I know there's one in Ratchet and I think there's one in Steamweedle Port, Tanaris too.
Now the real question - do I want to push my Priest, who is in greens, to Northrend after my Paladin to level Alchemy 0.0.
Horizons Oct 7th 2008 11:30AM
Do the alchemy specializations in wrath still work the same way as they do now in BC? For example, will I still have a chance of getting 5 wrath potions even when I'm leveling starting at 375 such as Wrath Elixirs or Icy mana potions? And will transmute spec ever be fixed?
Craig R Oct 7th 2008 11:35AM
Will Burning Crusade Tailoring specializations have relevancy in Wrath, or can I blindly choose to go forth with whichever one I so desire?
Jodi Oct 7th 2008 11:39AM
Should I be saving all my TBC crafting mats (namely enchanting) for leveling in Wrath, or will I be able to go up easily with the patterns and materials Wrath offers? Im a few points from a Belf's max and I dont want to save the materials I can still make some money off of unless I really need to be.
Turtlehead Oct 8th 2008 12:31AM
The new profession items start around 350 skill so you're fine selling the mats.
Jaisin Oct 7th 2008 11:38AM
So, once I hit 80 I'm going to terrorize furbolg questers on my epic flyer for fun?
Also, I'd like to know more about Wintergrasp. How do flying mounts figure into siege warfare? How many kills / objectives do you have to complete to attain ranks?
Kaeb Oct 7th 2008 1:33PM
Wintergrasp was a no-fly zone last I checked, but it's been a couple weeks. Someone else will have to verify for me.
paigeislame Oct 8th 2008 5:11AM
Wintergrasp is still a no fly zone. I was there last night.
Earthmama Oct 7th 2008 11:40AM
I believe you can change your profession specialization in tanaris.. just north of steamwheedle port.. theres a soothsayer in the lil gnome house there...
At least thats what i recall.. just read the book on the table.
zappo Oct 7th 2008 11:45AM
Hope the D.E.H.T.A doesn't have any good rep rewards, or I'll almost regret checking the "at war" box.
Zerounit Oct 8th 2008 2:49AM
They give Cenarion Expedition rep as of the last build, and I see no reason that would change.
You CAN however get a debuff which makes DEHTA hostile...
Kakistocracy Oct 7th 2008 11:50AM
Worgens have the distinction of being one of the only humanoids that can be skinned, do they keep that distinction in Wrath, or can some of the other fury denizens of Northrend part with their hides?
Marbles Oct 7th 2008 1:01PM
Yetis are skinnable Humanoids, and are far more prevalent than Worgen.
jtrain Oct 7th 2008 12:02PM
So if Arugal is in Northrend, who's in SFK? Don't tell me they pull a Nessingwary and put "Arugal Jr." in there...