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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBreakfast Topic: How has reading WoW Insider changed your game experience?
by Aiden James Kosciesza 
Mar 1st 2011 at 8:00AM
Long, long ago, there was a time when I didn't read WoW Insider. When I started playing the game in vanilla WoW, I didn't read anything -- I didn't even know there were WoW sites on the Internet. I got all of my information by word of mouth, and when someone finally told me about Thottbot, it was a game-changer for me. It wasn't until late BC, however, that I even heard about this blog, and I don't think I read it regularly until Wrath.
Keeping track of World of Warcraft news and changes has completely changed how I play the game. Rather than wandering through the world until I come across something interesting, I get a heads-up about new reputation factions, daily quests, mount drops, and craftable items that I can then go searching for. I've learned more about my class, become a better player on my alts, and been assured that it's not just me who hates heroic Grim Batol. I even have an auction addon now, and though I don't play the auctioneer game, I am impressed by those who do.
When did you first start reading WoW Insider? Has the game changed for you as a result? What have you learned about here that you never knew before?
Filed under: Breakfast Topics, Guest Posts
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 5)
Koleckai Mar 1st 2011 10:13AM
Can't edit.. Should be "...seems mostly orientated towards beginners."
Comito Mar 2nd 2011 7:34AM
I've been reading this for a while now too, keeps me informed with things that intrigue me at times! Though some of the information do feel beginner oriented, which just makes me search the internet if I want to know more about that subject. Which say for class specs etc leads me to Elitist Jerks etc :)
jdryner Mar 1st 2011 10:19AM
Well, for one, I NEVER would have gotten my violet protodrake without WOWinsider. Now add to that the fact that you always keep us in the loop in regards to what's coming next in WoW.
Thanks!
-Rathwyn/Coldmeiser/Finneous (Drenden, US-A)
razion Mar 1st 2011 10:19AM
I believe I came to WoW Insider intending to actually read up about the classes and their later abilities in the game, trying to still figure out what I wanted to be. I typed in wow.com into the address bar, figuring that's where I would find the official website, and got thrown into WoW Insider. I remember seeing the blue alliance and red horde banners draped on the top, and seeing the picture of Shattrath with A'dal there on a recent post. But in front of it was an undead mage. The title of the article: "Why We Mage".
To this day, I recall it as being probably the single best thing I have ever read, ever. I guess the reason I continue to read the site is that I'm still holding out for that day when I will one day see other articles for other classes like it. And I guess the reason I hope for that is the fact that even after five years of playing this game, I still have no idea what class is best for me...
pfl.guy Mar 1st 2011 10:35AM
scattered shots and frostheim have permanently hooked me on wow.
-loyal WHU member
Randy* Mar 1st 2011 10:40AM
If it weren't for WowInsider, I'd not have Spirit of Atha as a hunter pet. I get all kinds of questions about that pet, some wanting to know how I tamed it and others claiming that I had hacked the game. I just wonder how many may have quietly reported me to GM's only to hear that it was legit. His Thunderstomp ability has been invaluable for soloing, especially when we still had volley. Round'em up and fire arrows into the tops of their heads (Python-like).
Now, from reading WowInsider, it appears that the next content patch will bring hunters the ability to tame hydras. The tooltip for mine says it's a Crocolisk. Maybe the new hydra pets will be in the same family. But none will be ghostly like mine, I'm sure. If they're as noisy as mine (which can fluctuate from patch to patch), a lot of hunters may just release them back into the wild.
Ahoni Mar 1st 2011 10:56AM
Great topic today! What has reading WoWInsider done for my game ... let me explain. No, there is too much, let me sum up! I didn't know how to play until I started reading WoWInsider. It is not all WoWInsider, but it stated me on learning the game.
After almost a year of playing a very, very little bit of raiding MC, ZG and AQ20, I really had no idea what I was doing. I had to be away from the game for a few months for work, so I started reading up on the game. I found WoWInsider and it started my education. When I came back to the game, I was a much better player. I'm still learning many years later, and still reading.
Thanks.
Koryz Mar 1st 2011 11:19AM
I'm not entirely sure I know I how discovered WoW Insider but it's definitely a site I check everyday. Only today I discovered that the block that used to be on the site seems to have disappeared and damn I can't even begin to say how much that pleased me.
I think I first discovered it when ShadowPriest.com was going through a change in owners last year and I turned to searching for a site that could fill the void.
It's made my WoW knowledge so much better and especially now with creating my first non-priest alts and taking an active part in higher content.
Love it - keep up the great work :)
Koryz, Quel'Thalas (EU)
Andy B. Mar 1st 2011 11:18AM
Probably started reading about 4-6 months ago, and it's helped so much. The Addon spotlights have pointed out several useful addons that I never would have known existed - a friend of mine looked at my interface and immediately asked about several different things and where I heard about them. I was happy to point him to this blog. :)
The class/spec-specific guides are incredibly useful for an altaholic like me, and I'm a junkie for the lore articles. PTR and hotfix info is great as well, since I tend to stay away from the Blizz forums.
All in all, you guys are great. Keep it up!
Joakim Mar 1st 2011 11:40AM
Things I've learned:
* Why not to PuG
* Better rotation as a mage and/or warlock
* Why not to PuG
* Why you never tell any mage your alt is a warlock
* Why not to PuG
* Why you never tell any warrior your alt is a retadin
* Why not to PuG
Oh, and:
* Why not to PuG
(The combined insight of puggers alone is what keeps me reading WoW Insider. As long as I read WoW Insider, I don't PuG. And not to PuG is the new golden rule of WoW.
Now, if only someone would like to whisp Blizzard ...)
Namus Mar 1st 2011 11:46AM
Well, thanks to the Burning Crusade ret pally guide I managed to pull an amazing 500 dps back in kara! ty wowinsider!
Kaphik Mar 1st 2011 12:14PM
Whew, I first heard about this site years ago I think when it was new and originally called WoW Insider. Been reading it so long now I forget how much time has passed.
StClair Mar 1st 2011 12:48PM
Given me solid information (when available) about changes to classes and the game in a convenient, understandable form;
Taught me more about the lore and suggested some interesting (if wild) theories;
Shown me a lot of funny and/or touching machinima (much of which was old hat to long-time viewers);
Provided a generally higher-quality and lower-volume alternative to the official forums;
Kept me updated during the RealID Fail incident; and
Taught me to loathe the commenting system.
Oldguy Mar 1st 2011 1:09PM
I started reading here a little bit over the past year, and a lot the past few months. I've found tips that helped me play my classes better. I think I originally came here to get a clue about playing a DK alt. The mage writer helped my mage alt progress farther than my priest main character in Cataclysm (not that the priest writer isn't helpful).
But how has WoW Insider changed the game for me overall? It actually has got me mostly out of the game. I clicked on a couple links here to Rift previews, and now find myself playing more Rift than WoW. Where's Rift Insider already? :)
Nospoon Mar 1st 2011 2:09PM
WoW Insider has helped me come back from leaving the game permanently a couple of times. Officer's Quarters and Know Your Lore have been helpful for my real life job of managing people and casting vision.
I wouldn't be playing WoW anymore if it weren't for WoW Insider.
SerenityNow Mar 1st 2011 1:55PM
WoW Insider is largely the reason why I've gone from a fairly clueless noob in the game, to a senior officer in my guild who frequently dishes out useful and often obscure answers to many guild chat questions. I've picked up a TON of info and understanding of the game (and a fair bit of useful real world stuff too) from both this site's fantastic articles and its insightful and entertaining commenters. :-D
Ominous Mar 1st 2011 1:59PM
I've been reading this site's articles for what feels like years. Though one of half a dozen or so sites I check, this is always the first.
BB Crisp Mar 1st 2011 2:29PM
I think I started coming to this site about a year and a half ago. Like the author, the very first resource I used out of the game was Thottbot and that opened up a whole new world to me. I started using it to help me with quests, but then I began using it for itemization and help with crafting. Next was learning about addons (I'll admit it, I didn't even know these existed for the first six months that I played the game). Questhelper was probably the sole reason I made it to level 70 in BC.
One day, while doing a simple search for "wow", I noticed this site as the third link on Google (it upset me when this changed). I decided to check it out and I've been a big fan ever since. From priest guides to "The Lawbringer" to "Gold Capped" to "Know Your Lore" (probably my favorite segment), there are a number of things that I take away from WoW Insider. I love the work they do here.
Junglebabe Mar 1st 2011 3:02PM
I started reading early in the days of Wrath, and have been a daily reader ever since! Besides the obvious scoops on class changes which I have nom'ed gloriously and regurgitated to guild mates, one of the features of WoW Insider I appreciate the most is the Know Your Lore column. For me personally, my game experience has been greatly enhanced by seeing content related to the lore covered in the columns. When guildies started asking questions upon seeing King Wrynn return the the throne, I was able to proudly explain his absence. It is little tidbits like that, that I thank all you writers at WoW Insider for providing! Keep up the good work!
Heather Mar 1st 2011 10:53PM
I've learned so much from WoW Insider, about my class, about Wrath and Cata, about machinima, about everything!