WoW Rookie: Leveling in instances, top tips for fresh 80s

Construction continues inside the WoW Rookie Guide, where we've put together a corner especially for those of you who are just hitting level 80 for the first time. We've already got a few of our favorite resources listed there. This week, we're adding something new and convenient for you right here. Every week (look for us on Thursdays), WoW Rookie will round up the week's best posts from other WoW.com columnists and features that touch on the basics of endgame play. From polishing your character to playing in PUGs to breaking into the raiding game, we'll help you spot the week's best advice for newer players (even if it snuck in under the radar within the class column of a class you don't play).
This week's selection is fairly bursting at the seams, so we've tucked the entire kit and caboodle after the break. (Oh, one more thing before we get to the fresh 80s stuff. Did you catch WoW, Casually's guide to leveling by grouping in instances?) Next week, we'll be back to tackling rookie topics one piece at a time -- followed up, of course, with the week's best links to other pieces fit for fresh 80s.
| When too much AoE is just too much Is your AoE technique a nightmare to group with? Here's how to keep your AoE from hamstringing what others (and especially your tank) are doing. |
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| How not to pull aggro It's far too easy for DPSers to blame the tank for losing aggro, when not pulling aggro is our job. A look at why pulling aggro is the fault of the DPS almost every single time. |
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| Abilities that mess things up Some abilities are notorious for wreaking havoc when used at the wrong time in a group situation. Don't be guilty of these faux pas. |
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| The juice that powers your character Arena columnist C. Christian Moore delves into energy/combo points, focus and rage, then goes on in Part 2 to examine runic power and mana. Even if you're not an Arena player, you might pick up a tip or two from his look at the go-juice that powers your character. |
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| A beginner's guide to the Arena We'd been waiting to spotlight this entire series for you once it was complete, but it's simply too good not to link now. How to get started in Arena PvP: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 ... and stay tuned for more! |
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| A guide to fighting druids Druids are dangerous because they do just about everything so well. Here's how to tackle a fight against druids of all specs: bear, moonkin, tree and cat. |
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| A guide to fighting death knights How do you fight a class that can snatch you out of thin air? Zack Yonzon shows you how. |
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| Restoration 101 The healing druid's cheat sheet on becoming a reasonably competent healer in a short amount of time. |
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| Gearing the new level 80 elemental shaman A crash course in what gear you'll want to aim for once you've reached level 80 as an elemental shaman. |
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| Mistakes warlocks make Warlock columnist Dominic Hobbs looks at ways for warlocks to up their game. |
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| Misunderstood hunter abilities Hunter columnist Brian Wood cuts through the confusion over several frequently misunderstood hunter abilities. |
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| What to do if your account has been hacked Step by step, here's what to do if your account is highjacked. |
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| Heroics for hunters A primer for hunters in heroic five-man instances: how your shot rotations change in heroics, mana conservation techniques and how to be a good group member. |
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| Mistakes mages make Mage columnist Christian Belt tips you off on what not to do with your mage (or any other class, for that matter). |
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| Enchanting and gemming your mage Tips for level 80 mages on negotiating the balancing act of enchanting your gear; visit our earlier guide on gemming for mages. |
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| Playing catchup with shadow priests Shadow priest specialist Fox Van Allen shows you how to kick-start your level 80 shadow priest. |
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| How not to be seen Sneaky, sneaky ... Sometimes getting in under the radar is the better part of valor. Here's how. |
Filed under: WoW Rookie






Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rédßèárd Jan 28th 2010 3:34PM
Can I get this in hard print? As a new 80 (took me 2 years of soloing to get here mind you) I am now entering randoms to obtain gear. Some players are polite and others aren't. I try my best to provide dps and not pull aggro, sometimes successfully sometimes not. A guide like this would be invaluable for me to have in my hands to peruse during my off-line time.
lisapoisso Jan 28th 2010 3:40PM
So glad it's helpful! I've used Print What You Like (http://www.printwhatyoulike.com/) to help create print-outs of other sites in the past. You might give that a try.
Thanks for reading!
L Jan 28th 2010 4:40PM
good luck gearing up...remember to ignore the rude people and don't be scared to ask questions. That is what heroics are for, gearing up and learning your class in a group situation.
James Jan 28th 2010 5:01PM
Top tip: for dps, learning your rotation and when to use AoE are more important than having purples when you first hit 80. If you are finding some heroics too hard stick to UK, DTK, VH and maybe Nexus until you get some emblem gear. For most heroics 850+ dps is fine ignore what anyone else says.
Mirantha Jan 28th 2010 5:26PM
I'm not new to 80 but only a couple of hours each night available to play, and our guild is a more social/casual one that is just starting to get into ICC after the holiday break. As a result, we are asking for a minimum level of dps in order to be on the raiding team. I've been struggling on my mage to get there (I prefer fire spec to arcane, but have arcane as a second spec more for running h's). The articles on gemming and enchanting for mages really did help lift the dps (my enchants were fine, but a regem of some slots gained a considerable amount). I can't also stress enough to be willing to look at your spec and try different ones. Set a standard damage done level, and use that for testing on the test dummies in the Old World cities. By using a consistant number on damage done, you will be able to see just what the changes do for your dps. I did yet another respec last night and "found" enough dps that I should be able to join my guildies next week. Woot for me!
Christopher Garry Jan 28th 2010 5:29PM
The "gemming for mages" like is messed up. Leads to wow.com, not the article of interest, since the ", too" is part of the URL.
lisapoisso Jan 28th 2010 6:20PM
Thanks -- should be working now.
Aureliusz Jan 28th 2010 9:36PM
Btw, I think you should probably fix the "Mistakes Warlocks Make" column.
It's actually "Mistakes other people make", a column for Warlocks to direct people who don't know how to deal with Warlocks in their group.
Because Warlocks don't make mistakes.
The Silent Dawn Jan 29th 2010 12:53AM
I heard Chuck Norris plays a warlock.
Hiwa Jan 29th 2010 1:25AM
When the new lfg tool hit I dusted off my lvl 50 resto druid and decided to get her to 80 by only doing instances. I just hit 80 tonite, at the first boss in HoL.
Granted I was already experienced at playing a resto druid, but this time around I wanted to take my experience and knowledge and see how much better I could do.
And right now...I can't, just can't, bear the thought of doing another instance with grumpy people who barely say hello and tanks who pull like they're decked out in t10. I'm probably burned out, but even the prospect of those sweet sweet badges isn't making me want to queue up.
What's saddest is that as levels and skills have risen, people skills have dropped to a shocking low. I even find myself barely managing a 'hiya' before thinking about getting to the last boss. I find myself with less tolerance for obvious newbies (as opposed to noobs). I even threw a 'fuck you' at a hunter who ganked my saronite node. This. Is. Not. Me. This is what a month of nothing but instances has done to me.
So yeah, tomorrow I'll queue up again. I'll start collecting my emblems of triumph and my frost badges. Chances are in a month I'll be geared enough (already skilled enough) for ice crown. And at least I didn't have to quest across Northrend for the umpteenth time. But it's definitely a mixed blessing.