Ask a Beta Tester: The past meets the future

With that in mind, I'd like to ask all of you a question: Would you like to see something similar to this continue past Wrath's launch? Obviously it wouldn't be about just Wrath's beta, it would be more about the game in general. Leveling, patches, content. Short questions that can be answered in a paragraph or two. I don't know what we'd call it. Ask a Guy Some Stuff has a ring to it, though.
jared.daniels asked...
I won't be getting the WOTLK expansion for a few days after the launch. What do you suggest I do until I can get the DVD?
Some of our readers had some pretty good suggestions. If you're looking for something specific to WoW, farming things for a potential future Death Knight might be good. Bigger bags, some twink gear for the 55-70 grind. You could complete a full 25 quests if you don't mind running around and turning them in after installing the expansion but before hitting Northrend for a quick XP rush. I imagine you'll have a ton of excitement building up over those few days though, so that may not be a great option.
Another thing you could do is farm up the items Death Knights will want for turn-in quests during leveling. At Light's Hope Chapel there are a whole ton of turn-in quests that were implemented in the original Naxxramas patch. You could round up things like Unidentified Plant Parts, Fertile Spores, and whatever else for when you hit Zangarmarsh. Or you could simply stalk the auction house and keep an eye on trends. The market in the early days of an expansion is pretty wild. The most unusual things spike very quickly in price. If you don't mind a gamble, watch the AH and see if you can make a good guess on what's on the rise to make some cash.
popeguilty asked...
If I want to get in there and start wading through some undead, which zone should I head to?
If you want specifically the undead, Borean Tundra may be up your alley. The Howling Fjord has a lot of Scourge activity, but it's focused on the Vrykul and how they tie into the whole thing. The Tundra thrusts you directly into conflict with the actual undead, the Scourge we know and love. On both factions some of your first quests in the Tundra have you fighting off nerubians and it just escalates from there.
Batium asked...
Can a warrior with Titans Grip dual-weld this fishing pole with another one for extra +fishing?
Nope. Titan's Grip doesn't actually let you dual wield any two-handed weapon. It specifies two-handed axes, maces and swords. It excludes things like staves, and I don't believe Fishing Poles have any classification at all. You can't use melee abilities with one equipped.
And I nearly typo'd maces as mages. Take that as you will.
Graham asked...
When I go to Northrend, will I feel like I am the only one who hasn't done everything already? How many people really get into the beta?
There are a ton of people that didn't get into the beta, though sometimes it might not feel that way. People who manage to get in tend to be really outspoken about it, but most of the people who don't get in sulk in the corner quietly. You'll run into some people that were in the beta that might make you feel silly for not knowing things, sure, but that won't be the norm. I'd say most of your groups will be filled with people that are stepping into Northrend for the first time, just like you are.
MikeH asked...
I was wondering... which starting area is better for skinning leather and such? I have played Beta and was trying to figure out where I want to take my Skinner for best effect.
That's a tough question, I'm trying to remember exactly what types of mobs I killed in which zone. My gut says the Borean Tundra will serve you better as a starting zone because I remember being in awe of the roaming herds of rhinos and mammoths, but thinking harder I'm not so sure. The Howling Fjord has roaming herds of shoveltusks and the wolves that hunt them. Further north the Fjord has a ton of rams, too. So I'm not entirely sure which one is better, but they both have a ton of animals you can slaughter and skin. The Howling Fjord does have one distinct advantage, though. It doesn't have DEHTA who will kill you on sight if you've killed an animal recently. That's a plus.






Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
milk Nov 11th 2008 11:07AM
My vote is for "Ask an achievement whore"
Aaronomus Nov 11th 2008 11:11AM
Great idea.
joerendous Nov 11th 2008 11:14AM
^^ fantabulous idea
Kakistocracy Nov 11th 2008 11:48AM
Personally, I think they should go with the idea listed in the poll, literally, "Ask a Something Something in the future". In this feature, you would be given the opportunity to express the intent to ask some thing a question about something, so that you can do so at a later date, Id est, ask something something... in the future.
Tristina Nov 11th 2008 11:51AM
/applaud
Alizar Nov 11th 2008 12:00PM
ROFLOL I have someone in my guild I can recommend!
mckaysalisbury Nov 11th 2008 1:12PM
Wow, Can I be the achievement whore they ask? I love them achievements!
Vivimord Nov 12th 2008 1:57AM
291 Achievements pre-Wrath. Can I do it, please? :p
I'd LOVE to work at WoWInsider.
Druin Nov 11th 2008 11:08AM
I have a beta quetion:
Do profession specializations still function on outland professions. For example, is it worth becoming a potion master now, or do those bonuses only aply to outlands potions? I guess alchemy is the one area that I'm interested in, since it can proc any time to make things.
Fedya Nov 11th 2008 11:29AM
Yes, spec works (I'm not in beta but that's said many times already).
Redcoat Nov 11th 2008 11:08AM
I think Milk hit it on the head.
Jenny Nov 11th 2008 11:11AM
Isn't the fishing pole type "fishing pole"?
Lawl @ the image of dual wielding mages by the way.
Mireille Nov 11th 2008 11:11AM
Dangit, and I was hoping the Nerubians were a faction I could gain rep with. Bah, I refuse to kill them!
Rhozul Nov 11th 2008 1:35PM
I think the original idea was to make Azjol-Nerub an uninstanced zone with an Alliance Camp, a Horde Camp, and a Neutral Nerubian Camp. You were to spend your time fighting off Scourge and Faceless Ones, but in the end there were probably some issues with an underground zone, so they made it into an instance.
Gohdan Nov 11th 2008 11:12AM
I would love for something like Ask a Beta Tester to continue. In fact, I wish you would have had a similar article sooner. There has been numerous times where I've encountered something in the game and wanted to know more about it, but can't find any information about it.
Xaro Nov 11th 2008 11:13AM
Keep something of the sort. I think its a great read and a great resource for anybody that has questions. We all know trade chat usually isn't helpful.
Kar On E Nov 11th 2008 11:13AM
What professions do you recommend for Death Knights?
Candina@WH Nov 11th 2008 11:49AM
Mining / Skinning
Herb /Skinning
Money is good
Aerei Nov 11th 2008 5:25PM
Well, the crafting professions they get something meaningful from would be:
Blacksmithing (crafting own weapons and armour as well as adding sockets)
Engineering (as always with anyone)
Alchemy (Mixology is very nice + regular income + lowered personal costs for raid supplies)
Jewelcrafting (BoP gems + regular income + lowered personal costs for regemming)
Inscription(unless the bonus glyph slot does get put in), Enchanting, Leatherworking and Tailoring aren't so hot, though I suppose there's a small few neat things they could take advantage of.
More than ever, though, Blizzard's pushing for balance between and not punishing you for your profession choices. The real right choice now is the one that seems the most fun for you. :)
Danca Nov 11th 2008 11:13AM
Ask a Guy Some Stuff FTW!