The Daily Blues

A few blue posts blue posts after the break.
But if you're looking for goblin druids, the answer is no.
Off the coast of Dun Morogh, beneath the sunlit reaches of the Great Sea, swims the arbiter of the deep. Known to many as simply "the whale shark," this legendary leviathan patrols the sunken ruins of Vashj'ir, casually devouring any inattentive or overzealous adventurers who cross its path.
Tales pour in daily from those who have fallen victim to -- or somehow managed to survive -- the whale shark's wrath. But, how about you? Have you encountered this abyssal beast yet, and if so, how did you fare?
Paddle on over to our forum poll to submit your vote.
Cataclysm shattered the record for fastest-selling PC game when it was released earlier this month, and we were at the official launch events around the world to capture some of the incredible epic-ness on film. Have a look!
Cataclysm Global Launch Event Footage
Cataclysm California Launch Event Footage
If you or a friend are currently playing Wrath of the Lich King and haven't yet experienced the content Cataclysm has to offer, you can sign up now to play a 10-day free trial version of this latest expansion for World of Warcraft.
During your free trial, you'll undertake epic new quests, explore the reshaped and newly discovered lands of Azeroth, and see the world from a whole new perspective as one of the shape-changing worgen or crafty goblins.
To participate, you'll need full versions of World of Warcraft and the first two expansions, The Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King. Note that a character of at least level 78 is required to explore the new, high-level zones. More information on the 10-day free trial is available in our FAQ. We look forward to seeing you in the new Azeroth!
We don't want to make it too easy for players to skip over in-progress dungeons. What would happen is a Dungeon Finder group would virtually always be abandoned as soon as anyone leaves the group.
Also, I think right now you're seeing more in-progress dungeons pop because, in general, the dungeons are more challenging now than they were when the Looking For Dungeon feature was first introduced in Wrath of the Lich King. Some players may get frustrated and bail at the first sign of trouble, instead of realizing that everyone may have to work a little harder than they're used to in order to conquer a dungeon.
I've always seen druids as being intensely spiritual and closely attuned to nature; the ebb and flow of the seasons along with the wildness coursing in their blood. That's not the kind of thing that springs to mind when I think of goblins. Goblins seem a bit high strung and more than a little self centered. I don't think 'green' is in their vocabulary - unless they're talking about skin or cash.
In contrast, I think of shamans as being custodians over the elements. While a show of respect might be part of the bargain, they can also dominate the elements and exploit them to do their bidding. If you offer a goblin the chance to exploit something, then you've probably just made a new tiny green friend (just don't sign any contracts). Some of you might have run into Initiate Goldmine, and I think he exemplifies the goblin approach to shamanism pretty well.
Also, as others have mentioned, trolls have begun taking the path of the druid, with colorful results.
Filed under: The Daily Blues






Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Wodinn Dec 17th 2010 9:11AM
'Blizzard Trail Edition now available'?
You have died from dysentery.
Aaron Dec 17th 2010 9:12AM
I'm hoping it comes with a fresh bag of trail mix.
Matt P Dec 17th 2010 9:20AM
Your attempt to ford the river ended with one of your kodos dying!
Bryan Dare Dec 17th 2010 9:27AM
Oh, so I'm not just losing my mind from staying up all night writing a paper. That's good to know. =P
Thought that was a typo in my mind.
Semester.... almost over! End... in sight!
*dies*
Josin Dec 17th 2010 9:48AM
Always make sure to start off with enough wagon tongues.
drider Dec 17th 2010 9:53AM
Oh dear god, thankfully i wasnt the only one who started having oregon trail flashbacks.
Kar On E Dec 17th 2010 10:02AM
Your Hunter shot 115 lbs. of food. Unfortunately, you could only carry 18 lbs. back.
Randy* Dec 17th 2010 11:55AM
The "Trail Edition" can be played when you're out checking the back 40 and doesn't require WiFi or cellular signal to play. It saves all your moves until you get back in range of an internet connection and syncs with Blizzard's servers.
TheUsualSuspect Dec 17th 2010 1:42PM
http://www.virtualapple.org/oregontraildisk.html
Oh you know you want to....
Quill2006 Dec 17th 2010 9:23PM
Someone needs to make "Oregon Trail: Azeroth Edition"! It would be awesome!
Sarah Nichol Dec 17th 2010 9:14AM
I am not a fan of Goldmine :/
I am a fan of the no 'in progress dungeons' when you pick a specific dungon with the LFD tool though. Good decision.
Wildstaff Dec 17th 2010 9:42AM
I agree I dislike the goblin approach to shamanism. Also I just realized that the taunka guy I. Vashj'ir is brutal with the elements. Are all taunka like that or is it just that guy?
razion Dec 17th 2010 9:59AM
Signs of goblin respect:
*Being called "boss", "boss-man", "sir", "chum", "friend" etc
*Running in terror
Typical signs of shamanism respect:
*Humble approach, very honored and respectful
*A tranquil reverence to a power much greater than they.
While I don't think it's natural either for a goblin to be so HUMBLE, I do not find it absurd at all to see them striking contracts with elementals. In fact, I would expect no less--they're Goblins! If there's any opportunity for any sort of profit, they'll take it!
I think what we have to learn in the proceeds of Cataclysm is that the idea of Shamanism has somewhat changed--it no longer requires that tranquil reverence we've come to expect from most shaman.
perderedeus Dec 17th 2010 10:01AM
Wildstaff: The taunka in Wrath were shown to be a little more demanding of the elements than their tauren cousins.
Sarah Nichol Dec 17th 2010 10:08AM
Certainly not saying it's absurd, I'm just not particularly keen on it. 'tis Blizzard's conception, after all. The elements have a way on turning on people (but then, that's exactly what the goldmine quests show you, I suppose.)
themightysven Dec 17th 2010 10:19AM
I like Goldmine, especially picturing the expressions on the faces of the rest of the Earthen Ring. I also like the troll druid guy in western plaguelands (Zen'iki?) And wish they had done more here's a new race/class mix hilarity
themightysven Dec 17th 2010 10:24AM
That said my own goblin shaman is going to be much more on the scientific side than the marketing side
Daynthebold Dec 17th 2010 11:11AM
@Wildstaff
What reason is there to be humble and merciful with the elements now? They betrayed Azeroth and failed to warn of the Cataclysm. It's time for them to be reminded who's in charge.
Artificial Dec 17th 2010 1:34PM
@razion: Indeed. What we've seen in Cataclysm is a shift away from shamanism as it exists in the minds of new-agers and fantasy readers, and more towards shamanism as it is practiced in the real world. It's a fantasy game, nothing portrayed in it is particularly realistic, but we can thank goblins for at least making shamanism a bit more realistic in this expansion.
Rob Dec 17th 2010 10:52AM
Oh but Worgens...yes, they are clearly stewards of the Natural Order of things and in harmony with those around them...
Not.
Why do Goblins want to be Druids? Because there are only two, all 3 role, classes in WoW: Paladins and Druids.
Goblins got neither. So the only Goblin tank is a Warrior, period.