WoW Insider http://wow.joystiq.com WoW Insider http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://wow.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif WoW Insider http://wow.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Encrypted Text: Mastering Tricks of the Trade macros]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/encrypted-text-mastering-tricks-of-the-trade-macros/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/encrypted-text-mastering-tricks-of-the-trade-macros/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/encrypted-text-mastering-tricks-of-the-trade-macros/#commentsFiled under: ,

tricks of the trade
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Encrypted Text for assassination, combat and subtlety rogues. Chase Christian will be your guide to the world of shadows every Wednesday. Feel free to email me with any questions or article suggestions you'd like to see covered here.

Tricks of the Trade is a strange ability for rogues. Why would we sacrifice our own damage (by spending energy) to boost the damage of someone else? Aldriana and Pathal have both spoken out against TotT's misguided benevolence and its boring mechanics. Rather than being a situationally-useful ability that we pull out when the time is right, TotT has become a set-and-forget chore that we just auto-cast on the second-highest DPS in raid.

Lore issues aside, Tricks of the Trade is a pretty good ability. Used properly, it can greatly accelerate the rate that tanks pick up aggro, which makes dungeons and raids just a bit easier. While it's a DPS loss for the rogue casting TotT, it's a net gain for the raid's DPS, and that's a sacrifice that we'll have to make. It's also incredibly potent in PvP; granting an ally a 15% damage boost is a pretty big deal.

Continue reading Encrypted Text: Mastering Tricks of the Trade macros

WoW InsiderEncrypted Text: Mastering Tricks of the Trade macros originally appeared on WoW Insider on Wed, 22 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassination-rogue-encrypted-textcombat-rogue-encrypted-textdavidfeaturedguide-to-roguesrogue-addonsrogue-assassination-encrypted-textrogue-combat-encrypted-textrogue-guiderogue-inforogue-macrosrogue-subtlety-encrypted-textrogue-talentssubtlety-rogue-encrypted-texttargetroletotttott-macrotricks-of-the-tradetricks-of-the-trade-macrowow-roguewow-rogue-infowow-roguesWed, 22 May 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Around Azeroth: Are you experienced?]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/around-azeroth-are-you-experienced/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/around-azeroth-are-you-experienced/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/around-azeroth-are-you-experienced/#commentsFiled under:

Around Azeroth Stay away from the brown acid
Another entry from the archives of mega-submitter Taedran of Guilty as Charged on Silvermoon (US-A). I'm not entirely sure what has caused the rivers of Uldum to run red with blood, nor why the sky suddenly resembles the favorite poster of college girls everywhere, Van Gogh's The Starry Night. But I'm pretty sure that hallucinogens are somehow involved. Which, unless you are a devotee of certain American Indian religions, is officially Not Cool with the government. Please turn yourself in at the nearest police station.

Gallery: Around Azeroth 3

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WoW InsiderAround Azeroth: Are you experienced? originally appeared on WoW Insider on Wed, 22 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>around azerotharound-azerothAroundAzerothfeaturedscreen-shotsscreenshotsworld-of-warcraft-picturesworld-of-warcraft-screenshotswow-screen-shotswow-screenshotwow-screenshotswow-ssWed, 22 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Patch 5.3 hotfixes for May 21]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/patch-5-3-hotfixes-for-may-21/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/patch-5-3-hotfixes-for-may-21/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/patch-5-3-hotfixes-for-may-21/#commentsFiled under:

Patch 53 hotfixes for May 21
Patch 5.3 is officially live on servers -- and of course, with a new patch, we've got a new round of hotfixes. While there are some class tweaks for druids, monks, paladins and shaman, most of the changes involve new content. Or in the case of one change, an adjustment to older content that ought to make pet collectors and Karazhan farmers very happy.
  • In the Chess Event over in Karazhan, the delay between moves for enemy chess pieces has been increased.
  • Out in the Battlefield: Barrens, map markers for caravans that have been destroyed ought to be properly removed from the world map. In addition, overturned caravans should now despawn properly.
  • In scenarios, the issue causing shape-shifted players to not shape-shift back into the correct race has been fixed.
Read on for the full list of hotfixes!

Continue reading Patch 5.3 hotfixes for May 21

WoW InsiderPatch 5.3 hotfixes for May 21 originally appeared on WoW Insider on Wed, 22 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredhotfixespatch-5.3patch-5.3-hotfixeswow-hotfixwow-hotfixesWed, 22 May 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Patch 5.3 PvP changes]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/patch-5-3-pvp-round-up/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/patch-5-3-pvp-round-up/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/patch-5-3-pvp-round-up/#commentsFiled under:

Patch 53 PvP change roundup
From a PvP perspective, patch 5.3 is one of the biggest patches in a really long time. A really, really long time! WoW Insider has been covering the changes from a PvP angle to a pretty reasonable extent, from the first moment the resilience changes were announced, through the new arena and the new battleground, right up to the more recent alterations to tank damage and the like. All our coverage is collected in one easy place, so do check it out if you're searching for more information.

So we've struck upon a few changes already, but let's dig into the patch notes and provide some additional clarity. I've pulled out the PvP-specific items from the patch notes, but if you want to see them in full, that's absolutely fine too.

Continue reading Patch 5.3 PvP changes

WoW InsiderPatch 5.3 PvP changes originally appeared on WoW Insider on Tue, 21 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenaarena-guidearena-stratsarena-tipsarenasfeaturedguidehow-to-play-battlegroundshow-to-pvppatch-5.3patch-5.3-pvppvp-guidewow-arenawow-arena-guidewow-guideTue, 21 May 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW Moviewatch: The Adventures of Tinkerbottom Part 9]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/wow-moviewatch-the-adventures-of-tinkerbottom-part-9/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/wow-moviewatch-the-adventures-of-tinkerbottom-part-9/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/wow-moviewatch-the-adventures-of-tinkerbottom-part-9/#commentsFiled under:

I space out how often I talk about The Adventures of Tinkerbottom because, while it's cool, there are too many videos to keep up here. But the interactive video just reached a major milestone: Tinkerbottom now must suffer a consequence.

If you've not been following along, the premise is fairly simple. The videos focus on Tinkerbottom and the choices he faces. Commenters basically vote or suggest what his action will be. It's like a crowdsourced Which Way book with a video component. All in all, it's a pretty interesting experiment and definitely worth your time to check out.
Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.

WoW InsiderWoW Moviewatch: The Adventures of Tinkerbottom Part 9 originally appeared on WoW Insider on Tue, 21 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredguide-to-machinimamachinimamoviesow-machinimatinkerbottomworld-of-warcraft-moviesworld-of-warcraft-videoswow-created-movieswow-fan-movieswow-guidewow-machinima-guidewow-movie-guidewow-movieswow-video-guidewow-videosTue, 21 May 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Know Your Lore: Gul'dan, Doomhammer, and the nature of the Horde]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/know-your-lore-guldan-doomhammer-and-the-nature-of-the-horde/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/know-your-lore-guldan-doomhammer-and-the-nature-of-the-horde/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/know-your-lore-guldan-doomhammer-and-the-nature-of-the-horde/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The World of Warcraft is an expansive universe. You're playing the game, you're fighting the bosses, you know the how -- but do you know the why? Each week, Matthew Rossi and Anne Stickney make sure you Know Your Lore by covering the history of the story behind World of Warcraft.

Garrosh Hellscream is many things. He's brash, headstrong, arrogant, concerned for his people, determined to deliver the whole of Azeroth into their dominion no matter what anyone thinks about it, but one thing is clear. He's not Gul'dan. For all the grief I like to give Horde players (mainly because it's easy to rile Horde players up, I know, I raided as Horde for all of Cataclysm and a good chunk of Mists) It's true that on the surface, the Horde of today has changed greatly from the Horde Gul'dan created.

The Horde as it exists today is the spiritual successor of the Horde that Orgrim Doomhammer created when he seized power. Was Doomhammer a kindly, soft spoken orc who loved kittens and rainbows? No. No he was not. He was an orc who had come to power as the right hand of Blackhand the Destroyer, a hunter and a warrior who had spent his entire life in combat. He was strong, devoted to his people, and absolutely committed to an orc victory no matter the odds. In a way, minus Garrosh's bluster and bravado, the orc he most resembles from the history of the old Horde is Orgrim Doomhammer.

Continue reading Know Your Lore: Gul'dan, Doomhammer, and the nature of the Horde

WoW InsiderKnow Your Lore: Gul'dan, Doomhammer, and the nature of the Horde originally appeared on WoW Insider on Tue, 21 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DoomhammerfeaturedGaronaGarona-Halforcenguideguide-to-loreGuldanHordeKiljaedenlorelore-guideNerzhulOrgrim-Doomhammerrole-playrole-playing-guiderp-guideworld-of-warcraft-lorewow-guidewow-lorewow-role-playingwow-role-playing-guidewow-rpwow-rp-guidewow-rpingTue, 21 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Totem Talk: Restoration and the Throne of Thunder, Part 4]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/totem-talk-restoration-and-the-throne-of-thunder-part-4/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/totem-talk-restoration-and-the-throne-of-thunder-part-4/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/totem-talk-restoration-and-the-throne-of-thunder-part-4/#commentsFiled under: ,

Every week, WoW Insider brings you Totem Talk for elemental, enhancement and restoration shaman. Want to be a sultan of swing healing? A champion of Chain Heal? Totem Talk: Restoration, brought to you by Joe Perez (otherwise known as Lodur from World of Matticus and content creation at InternetDragons.TV), shows you how

Turtles and Hyrdas have a special place in the sewers of the Isle of Thunder. Their existence does sort of answer the question about what happens when turtles and snakes find their ways into the refuse of an empire full of magic and chemical experimentation. I mean, I know that was a burning question for me before this raid tier started. But now that you've stomped shells and knocked out a few one eyed monsters tentacle things, I'm sure you think you've done it all. Well, there's more to do still.

As you dive deeper into the sewers looking for a way back into the main castle, there is still a great number of horrors that await you. Well, rather, they're waiting for you so that they can try to eat you whole. The good news at least is that they mark the midpoint on the way to the final encounter with the Thunder King himself.

This will not be a comprehensive boss guide, instead this will be a quick run down on things that you, as a resto shaman, should be aware of or tips to help make your healing of the encounter easier.

Continue reading Totem Talk: Restoration and the Throne of Thunder, Part 4

WoW InsiderTotem Talk: Restoration and the Throne of Thunder, Part 4 originally appeared on WoW Insider on Tue, 21 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>durumuDurumu-the-Forgottenfeaturedguide-to-shamansji-kunrestoResto-Shamanrestorationrestoration-shamanrestoration-shaman-columnrestoration-shaman-totem-talkshaman-guideshaman-healingshaman-infoshaman-restoration-columnshaman-talentsthrone of thunderThroneOfThunderwow-shamanwow-shaman-infoTue, 21 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Queue: No sleep till Orgrimmar]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/the-queue-no-sleep-till-orgrimmar/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/the-queue-no-sleep-till-orgrimmar/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/the-queue-no-sleep-till-orgrimmar/#commentsFiled under:

Welcome back to The Queue, the daily Q&A column in which the WoW Insider team answers your questions about the World of Warcraft. Anne Stickney (@Shadesogrey) is impatiently waiting to upgrade her gear.

Oh hey, hello there patch 5.3. Nice to see you on live servers! I don't know about you guys, but first item on my priority list is upgrading all my gear. Or maybe scenarios. Or maybe just running to the Barrens and smacking things around. So many choices!

Richard_BB1 asked:

Patch 5.3 is tomorrow? I know it was rumoured,. but do we have any proof?

There will be as soon as the servers are online! I promise.

anastrace asked:

Silly question, but do you have to make Lightning Steel Ingots at the forge on the isle of thunder once you learn how to do it? In other words, is it like dark iron bars? Because that would suck.

Continue reading The Queue: No sleep till Orgrimmar

WoW InsiderThe Queue: No sleep till Orgrimmar originally appeared on WoW Insider on Tue, 21 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredguideqaquestion-and-answerwow-answerswow-daily-answerswow-daily-questionswow-guidewow-player-questionswow-q-and-awow-questionsTue, 21 May 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Around Azeroth: Close encounters of the blurry kind]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/around-azeroth-close-encounters-of-the-blurry-kind/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/around-azeroth-close-encounters-of-the-blurry-kind/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/around-azeroth-close-encounters-of-the-blurry-kind/#commentsFiled under:

Around Azeroth Close encounters of the blurry kind TUESDAY
"As I was leveling herbalism in Westfall, I noticed something unusual," writes submitter Jkal of Alexstrasza (US-A). "A white, glowing blur would zoom across the landscape about five feet up in the air. I couldn't target it and it was fast. It was like nothing I'd seen before in game. It would always head towards Longshore and disappear. I think I got a picture. But I still don't know what it is. Sure looks like a UFO to me. This one was stationary when I found it. It just slowly blinked out as I stood there watching."

Gallery: Around Azeroth 3

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WoW InsiderAround Azeroth: Close encounters of the blurry kind originally appeared on WoW Insider on Tue, 21 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>around azerotharound-azerothAroundAzerothfeaturedscreen-shotsscreenshotsworld-of-warcraft-picturesworld-of-warcraft-screenshotswow-screen-shotswow-screenshotwow-screenshotswow-ssTue, 21 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Breakfast Topic: Should Blizzard brake base XP while preserving boosts for experienced players?]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/breakfast-topic-should-blizzard-brake-base-xp-while-preserving/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/breakfast-topic-should-blizzard-brake-base-xp-while-preserving/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/21/breakfast-topic-should-blizzard-brake-base-xp-while-preserving/#commentsFiled under:

Breakfast Topic Should Blizzard brake base XP while preserving boosts for experienced players
We recently explored how you felt about alternate characters, whether you believe they should represent true alternatives to your first character or whether they should remain secondary to a more fully developed main. Either way, there's no stuffing rapid leveling back into the bag. WoW's current leveling design pushes players forward relentlessly, whether they're experienced gamers or not. The problem is that today's leveling pace already outstrips zone content, quest lines, gearing -- you name it. Should Blizzard apply the brakes to base XP while still permitting seasoned WoW players to choose to move more rapidly?

Consider this: What if the leveling experience weren't tuned to catapult players so quickly through and past leveling zones and dungeons? What if the pace were a little looser, giving new players more time to soak up the leveling game itself -- and then at the same time, the current XP boosts were spread across tools designed for experienced players who choose to hop, skip, and jump their way to 90?

The precedents are there -- just look at the heirloom armor system. Today, you can buy Grand Commendations to boost various reputations for your characters once you've played through them once. And remember when everyone was buying the Tome of Cold Weather Flight for their alts? The tools are already in place. From leveling XP to reputation gains to player convenience, the helping hand of a level-capped main character is key.

Do you think WoW's leveling experience should remain something to be played through quickly and efficiently, even for brand new players, or do you think there's merit to allowing that part of the game to move at a more deliberate pace? Would you support more mechanics that give experienced players a way to speed up leveling for their alts, preserving a slower pace for new players and players who enjoy slower leveling? If you like a strong emphasis on mechanics like heirlooms and commendations, should those tools be simple, affordable purchases for any level 90 player, or should they take some time, effort, or money to earn?

WoW InsiderBreakfast Topic: Should Blizzard brake base XP while preserving boosts for experienced players? originally appeared on WoW Insider on Tue, 21 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altsfeaturedgame-discussiongamer-discussionlevelingmainmain-characterworld-of-warcraft-discussionworld-of-warcraft-topicswow-discussionwow-hot-topicswow-issueswow-topicsxpTue, 21 May 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[What new players need to know about WoW patches]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/what-new-players-need-to-know-about-wow-patches/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/what-new-players-need-to-know-about-wow-patches/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/what-new-players-need-to-know-about-wow-patches/#commentsFiled under:

What new players need to know about WoW patches
If World of Warcraft had but one holiday, it would be Patch Day: the glorious Tuesday (or Wednesday) in which the WoW servers go down for maintenance but come back online brimming with new, unexplored content. If you're new to World of Warcraft, or MMOs in general, you may not entirely understand all the fuss the community makes over patches. So just what is a patch? Why are they so important? And how can you get your hands on one? We'll do our best to explain.

What is a WoW patch?
Did you know we're playing version 5 of World of Warcraft right now? It's true: Version 1.1 was World of Warcraft's launch client and every expansion since has bumped the version number up a full number, while each patch release is a decimal place. The original game went up to patch 1.12 (the 1.1 launch client and 11 patches after), Burning Crusade (2.0) had a scant 4 patches, Wrath of the Lich King (3.0) had 3, Cataclysm (4.0) had 3, and Mists of Pandaria (5.0) is about to see the release of its 3rd patch, patch 5.3. These days, patches are coming more quickly than ever and we have no idea how many patches to expect before the next expansion arrives.

Continue reading What new players need to know about WoW patches

WoW InsiderWhat new players need to know about WoW patches originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 20 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredguidehow-to-play-wownew-to-world-of-warcraftnoob-guidepatchpatch-5.3patch-daypatchesptrrookie-guideworld-of-warcraft-guideworld-of-warcraft-helpworld-of-warcraft-noobsworld-of-warcraft-rookieswow-guidewow-helpwow-noob-guidewow-noobswow-patchwow-patch-5.3wow-patch-daywow-patcheswow-ptrwow-to-play-world-of-warcraftMon, 20 May 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW Moviewatch: Not All Roleplay is Serious - Episode 7: NOOB]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/wow-moviewatch-not-all-roleplay-is-serious-episode-7-noob/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/wow-moviewatch-not-all-roleplay-is-serious-episode-7-noob/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/wow-moviewatch-not-all-roleplay-is-serious-episode-7-noob/#commentsFiled under:

Work Warning: Minutely blue humor found herein.

It's been a while since we've seen a new video from Nixxiom (also known as SilverlinedPro). That makes this delicious bit of machinima even more tasty. With a somewhat painful look on those first seconds of a Tauren roleplayer's life, Not All Roleplay is Serious - Episode 7: NOOB demonstrates only the finest irony of a beginning roleplayer. Watch your flags!
Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.

WoW InsiderWoW Moviewatch: Not All Roleplay is Serious - Episode 7: NOOB originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 20 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredguide-to-machinimamachinimamoviesow-machinimaworld-of-warcraft-moviesworld-of-warcraft-videoswow-created-movieswow-fan-movieswow-guidewow-machinima-guidewow-movie-guidewow-movieswow-video-guidewow-videosMon, 20 May 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blood Pact: Catching up on Patch 5.3]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/blood-pact-catching-up-on-patch-5-3/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/blood-pact-catching-up-on-patch-5-3/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/blood-pact-catching-up-on-patch-5-3/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blood Pact Catchup on Patch 53 MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill is free to pet battle all day, e'ry day.

I tried to gauge when Patch 5.3 would hit so that I'd end the series on World of Logs just in time, but unfortunately I overestimated and the new patch has cut me off. With my original plan of posts, I'd be a week short, but now...uhhhh it might be a halftime break.

In case you've missed the World of Logs posts so far, here's a recap:
  • A brief overview of ranking and the combo of how to tell what warlock or pet you would or should be looking at,
  • Looking closer at some of the graphs on World of Logs, and
  • How to use the buffs and debuffs graph to gauge proper cooldown or proc usage, as well as a basic understanding of what stats (for trinket procs) do for each spec.
I intend to explore some warlock-specific examples using the expression editor to dive deep into the combat log, but I'm not sure I can fit it all into one post. I'll finish the series off with a deeper look at the damage done tables and how the spells spread for each spec in general raid encounter styles.

But this week? This week is a little shorter and lighter while we go over what Patch 5.3 means for warlocks.

Continue reading Blood Pact: Catching up on Patch 5.3

WoW InsiderBlood Pact: Catching up on Patch 5.3 originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 20 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chaos-boltdemonic-gatewayDoTDoT-damageember-tapfeaturedfire-and-brimstoneguide-to-locksguide-to-warlockshealth-funnelintellectlock-guidelock-infolock-talentsmasteryplayer-versus-playerpvpresiliencesiphon-lifetwilight-wardunending-resolvewarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentswow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMon, 20 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Drama Mamas: Conflicting personalities]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/drama-mamas-conflicting-personalities/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/drama-mamas-conflicting-personalities/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/drama-mamas-conflicting-personalities/#commentsFiled under: ,

Drama Mamas Lisa Poisso and Robin Torres are experienced gamers and real-life mamas -- and just as we don't want our precious babies to be the ones kicking and wailing on the floor of the checkout lane next to the candy, neither do we want you to become known as That Guy on your realm.

This week we have two letter writers having personality conflict problems with fellow guildies.
Hello Drama Mamas,

Long time reader, first time writer. I'll keep this as short and sweet as I can. My problem arises from two things 1. a misunderstanding between two guildmates and 2,) limited activity.

A guild mate and I, in an out of game chatroom, have had some misunderstandings. While I attempt to not bring said things up in game, believing that OoGD (Out of Game Drama) remains OoGD, I am worried that this person should we have to work together, or talk to one another would shun me and be very nasty to me. A point I brought up to one of the Officers and explained that I wasn't sure if I was good a fit in the guild do to the "limited activity." The Officer told the GM, and that was when that whole mess got started. He put most, if not all, of the blame on me even though I had screen shots to prove otherwise. I have tried to smooth things over, even apologizing, and tried to explain to the GM what was going on-with the screenshots-only to be rebuked and told off, presumably (though I don't know for certain as they are good friends) with the other person also told off.

Continue reading Drama Mamas: Conflicting personalities

WoW InsiderDrama Mamas: Conflicting personalities originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zandalari Warbringer
Every Monday, Scott Andrews contributes Officers' Quarters, a column about the ins and outs of guild leadership. He is the author of The Guild Leader's Handbook.

Mists of Pandaria has given us some fantastic raiding experiences -- it's easy to forget just how many activities this expansion currently offers. Much of this new content is either group-oriented or can become group-oriented if you want to make it so. With Mists' third content patch set to go live tomorrow, now is a great time to look at some of the many guild activities that are possible in this expansion. Here are nine ideas that go beyond raiding.

1. Earn your Stormbreaker titles.

Some of the achievements for this meta can only be accomplished solo, but many of them are much easier with some help -- and some all but require it. The summoned elites for It Was Worth Every Ritual Stone, for example, mostly require a group to take down. Some classes can't solo Tak'u with all of his powers active if they can't dispel his robust HoT for Our Powers Combined.

Ready for RAAAAIIIIDDD?!?ing is rough to solo. It can be accomplished most easily right after a server reset, but with a raid group you skip that hassle. Every roach squished counts for everyone in the raid.

Continue reading Officers' Quarters: 9 new guild activities in Mists

WoW InsiderOfficers' Quarters: 9 new guild activities in Mists originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>building-guildsfeaturedguideguide-to-officersguild-activitiesguild-adviceguild-leadershipguild-managementguild-officersguilds-guideisle-of-giantsleadershipofficers-quartersrare-spawnsstormbreaker-titlewanderers-dreamers-and-youwanderers-festivalwow-guidewow-guild-managementwow-guildswow-leadershipzandalari-warbringersMon, 20 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Around Azeroth: I hate your stupid face]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/around-azeroth-i-hate-your-stupid-face/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/around-azeroth-i-hate-your-stupid-face/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/around-azeroth-i-hate-your-stupid-face/#commentsFiled under:

Around Azeroth I hate your stupid face MONDAY
Everyone might be focused on unseating Garrosh Hellscream right now, but there are still a few Alliance folks who aren't too happy with Varian Wrynn. But they can't exactly start a revolution, not with the Horde threatening and all those damned Stormwind guards hanging around. So what are they to do? Why, slap a humiliating mask on the king! Ha ha! Look at that big orange frown! Sure, you'll be dragged to the dungeons and executed the next day, but it's totally worth it. (Thanks to Dukii for the screenshot!)

Gallery: Around Azeroth 3

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WoW InsiderAround Azeroth: I hate your stupid face originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 20 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>around azerotharound-azerothAroundAzerothfeaturedscreen-shotsscreenshotsworld-of-warcraft-picturesworld-of-warcraft-screenshotswow-screen-shotswow-screenshotwow-screenshotswow-ssMon, 20 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Breakfast Topic: Should alts remain secondary to a more developed main?]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/breakfast-topic-should-alts-remain-secondary-to-a-more-develope/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/breakfast-topic-should-alts-remain-secondary-to-a-more-develope/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/breakfast-topic-should-alts-remain-secondary-to-a-more-develope/#commentsFiled under:

Breakfast Topic Should alts be secondary to a more developed main
Ready to move all those alts through Mists of Pandaria? The XP reduction for levels 85 to 90 in patch 5.3 isn't something I'm particularly excited about. Leveling goes more than quickly enough for my taste. It's the part of the game I'm enjoying most these days, so why would I want less of it?

At its most basic, pushing players through the levels is a matter of character focus. In Mists of Pandaria, WoW turned away from spreading its affections amongst the so-called stable of alts in favor of encouraging a single main character. That's a compelling approach for players like me who enjoy running down the side streets and back alleyways of gameplay in search of every last way to improve a character. Players who leveled up during Blizzard's later era of streamlined leveling, however, are used to cutting a direct line to the finish with an expectation that they'll be able to maintain multiple characters all the way through the endgame.

What do you think about swinging the focus back to a single main character? Do you think bringing alts up to the same level of development as a main character should be easy, making them true alternatives to your primary character? Or should alts remain easy to level but harder to fully round out at 90?

WoW InsiderBreakfast Topic: Should alts remain secondary to a more developed main? originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altsfeaturedgame-discussiongamer-discussionmainmain-characterworld-of-warcraft-discussionworld-of-warcraft-topicswow-discussionwow-hot-topicswow-issueswow-topicsMon, 20 May 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Know Your Lore, Tinfoil Hat Edition: Celestials, Ancients and Aspects]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/know-your-lore-tinfoil-hat-edition-celestials-ancients-and-as/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/know-your-lore-tinfoil-hat-edition-celestials-ancients-and-as/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/know-your-lore-tinfoil-hat-edition-celestials-ancients-and-as/#commentsFiled under: ,

Know Your Lore, Tinfoil Hat Edition Celestials, Ancients and Aspects
The World of Warcraft is an expansive universe. You're playing the game, you're fighting the bosses, you know the how -- but do you know the why? Each week, Matthew Rossi and Anne Stickney make sure you Know Your Lore by covering the history of the story behind World of Warcraft.

Last week, we took a tinfoil-hat look at the Curse of Flesh and why, exactly, that strange curse came to be. We also took a look at theories behind why the Titans didn't simply wipe the Old Gods out of existence -- and in what order Azeroth's creation took place. If you haven't read last week's offering, I'd suggest doing so now, because the theories I'm going to present today tie into that material. While the Old Gods have been pointed out time and again as being on Azeroth since the dawn of time, there are other creatures with just as lengthy a history.

The Ancients are, as their name suggests, ancient -- and the Celestials of Pandaria seem to be just as ancient and wise. These creatures are all there to supposedly help the mortals of Azeroth and protect the world from harm. In the War of the Ancients, many of these odd demigods helped the kaldorei fight off the Burning Legion, and with a great deal of success. In Pandaria, the Celestials have their own curious methods of helping out the world -- after all, it was the Jade Serpent who told Emperor Shaohao of the sha, albeit indirectly.

So who are the Celestials? Who are the Ancients? And how do they tie into that weird mystery that is Azeroth?

Today's Know Your Lore is a Tinfoil Hat edition, meaning the following is a look into what has gone before with pure speculation on what is to come as a result. These speculations are merely theories and shouldn't be taken as fact or official lore.

Continue reading Know Your Lore, Tinfoil Hat Edition: Celestials, Ancients and Aspects

WoW InsiderKnow Your Lore, Tinfoil Hat Edition: Celestials, Ancients and Aspects originally appeared on WoW Insider on Sun, 19 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aessinaalexstraszaancientsaspectsaugust-celestialsavianaazerothcataclysmcelestialscenariuschi-jifeaturedgoldrinnguideguide-to-lorelorelore-guidemalornemalygosneltharionniuzaonozdormuold-godsrole-playrole-playing-guiderp-guidetitansworld-of-warcraft-lorewow-guidewow-lorewow-role-playingwow-role-playing-guidewow-rpwow-rp-guidewow-rpingxuenyserayulonSun, 19 May 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW Moviewatch: Moves]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/wow-moviewatch-moves/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/wow-moviewatch-moves/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/wow-moviewatch-moves/#commentsFiled under:

It's not the Dance Studio but Moves by Oveoflod serves up the kinds of dance we've always wanted to see. When you start the video, make sure you give it a few second to get into the groove. This absolutely fantastic dance video serves up the rhythm, rattle, and ... well, just watch it. Moves will be the Dance Studio of your imagination.
Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.

WoW InsiderWoW Moviewatch: Moves originally appeared on WoW Insider on Sun, 19 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredguide-to-machinimamachinimamovesmoviesoveoflodow-machinimaworld-of-warcraft-moviesworld-of-warcraft-videoswow-created-movieswow-fan-movieswow-guidewow-machinima-guidewow-movie-guidewow-movieswow-video-guidewow-videosSun, 19 May 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Queue: Yeah]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/the-queue-yeah/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/the-queue-yeah/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/the-queue-yeah/#commentsFiled under:

Welcome back to The Queue, the daily Q&A column in which the WoW Insider team answers your questions about the World of Warcraft. Anne Stickney (@Shadesogrey) is actually feeling not quite so death-warmed-over today.

If there is ever a day where the last second of the above video is no longer funny to me, I don't think I want to live to see that day.

Yeah.

@thingwhatwows asked via Twitter:

how close to 90 is close enough for my alt(s) to ding when 5.3 hits?

It's being reduced by 33%. So ... 33% from level 90? I'm not sure. Look, math is not my strong suit and I've been under the weather all week, here...

Dobablo asked:

Do the the High Elves have any sort of rep at Alliance meetings? Alleria is missing. Veressa acts mostly as Jaina's majordomo, I thought maybe Archmage Evenshade but he is a Highborne not a High Elf. I guess that leaves either Talthressar or Cpt Auric Sunchaser although the former is likely to be busy looking for his parents while the later has left Outlands and was involved with the Quel'Delar chain at the Sunwell.

Continue reading The Queue: Yeah

WoW InsiderThe Queue: Yeah originally appeared on WoW Insider on Sun, 19 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredguideqaquestion-and-answerwow-answerswow-daily-answerswow-daily-questionswow-guidewow-player-questionswow-q-and-awow-questionsSun, 19 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sunday Morning Funnies: Gratz]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/sunday-morning-funnies-gratz/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/sunday-morning-funnies-gratz/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/sunday-morning-funnies-gratz/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sunday Morning Funnies Gratz
Sunday Morning Funnies is your weekly list of WoW-related web comics.

Each week, SMF is placing a regularly updating WoW-related web comic under a spotlight. This week's feature is Gratz:

Gratz is a humorous comic by Lackinganame (Jason Nebeker). It is a relatively new comic, and family-friendly. It's fun and a great one to check out each week if you enjoy watching an artist evolve.

It began as a few character sketches and evolved into a full story-based comic. It features five main characters: Vancore (a leader, hero), Starfire (gifted, insightful druid), Red and Green (brothers; jokers, trouble-makers), and Gorak (wise, grandfather-figure, trainer, aging leader).

Gratz Genesis was written from 2009-2011 but not published until 2012, when the artist was able to devote more time to the comic. This is also when Gratz Transition was born, which not only features the characters as older, but also an updated art style.

Gratz updates Mondays, usually with 3-4 pages (and sometimes more!).

Continue reading Sunday Morning Funnies: Gratz

WoW InsiderSunday Morning Funnies: Gratz originally appeared on WoW Insider on Sun, 19 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredgratzgratz-comicsmf-spotlightsunday-morning-funniessunday-morning-funnies-spotlightworld-of-warcraft-comicworld-of-warcraft-comicsworld-of-warcraft-funnieswow-comicwow-comicswow-funniesSun, 19 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Around Azeroth: The feline reaction to Patch 5.3]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/around-azeroth-the-feline-reaction-to-patch-5-3/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/around-azeroth-the-feline-reaction-to-patch-5-3/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/around-azeroth-the-feline-reaction-to-patch-5-3/#commentsFiled under:

Around Azeroth The feline reaction to Patch 53 SUNDAY
As long-time readers may remember, sometimes on Sundays we like to run pictures from that strange, high-definition world outside Azeroth. This photograph was taken by Ginei of Desert Rats on Blackhand (US-A) and it captures her cat Zoe attempting to drown herself in a World of Warcraft beer glass. Presumably she just heard the news that Patch 5.3 will be released on Tuesday, and thus she will not be receiving any petting for the next month since her owner will be too absorbed in the game. Or maybe there's Bailey's Irish Cream in the glass. Cats go crazy for that stuff.

Gallery: Around Azeroth 3

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WoW InsiderAround Azeroth: The feline reaction to Patch 5.3 originally appeared on WoW Insider on Sun, 19 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>around azerotharound-azerothAroundAzerothfeaturedscreen-shotsscreenshotsworld-of-warcraft-picturesworld-of-warcraft-screenshotswow-screen-shotswow-screenshotwow-screenshotswow-ssSun, 19 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Breakfast Topic: Do you WoW-craft?]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/breakfast-topic-do-you-wow-craft/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/breakfast-topic-do-you-wow-craft/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/19/breakfast-topic-do-you-wow-craft/#commentsFiled under: ,

Some people are just driven by the need to make things, whether it's art, writing, or any other kind of craft. World of Warcraft certainly seems to have a wealth of crafty types, who use their skills and expertise to do everything from making shoes to sewing adorable plushies to truly amazing cosplay. But while there are plenty of crafty players, not everyone has the talent or inclination. So tell us, do you World of Warcraft craft? If so, what's your craft of choice and why?

And, for those of us with neither crafting inclination or talent, well, we can always enjoy the work of others -- or just enjoy playing the game!

WoW InsiderBreakfast Topic: Do you WoW-craft? originally appeared on WoW Insider on Sun, 19 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>craftingcraftsfeaturedgame-discussiongamer-discussionwarcraft-craftsworld-of-warcraft-discussionworld-of-warcraft-topicswow-craftingwow-craftswow-discussionwow-hot-topicswow-issueswow-topicsSun, 19 May 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW Moviewatch: Arm of Hades: Thundercats]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/wow-moviewatch-arm-of-hades-thundercats/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/wow-moviewatch-arm-of-hades-thundercats/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/wow-moviewatch-arm-of-hades-thundercats/#commentsFiled under:

This is a shot-for-shot recreation of the opening to Thundercats. David Nguyen did an astounding job of the video. It makes me both want to play WoW and watch the cartoon. It's just awesome. But there's more.

This is the kind of machinima and community involvement you hope to see. David directly credited Fifth Element for inspiring the video. It's always incredibly astounding to see machinima creators respond to one another this way. Congratulations to both David and Fifth Element on creating a cartoon machinima legacy.
Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.

WoW InsiderWoW Moviewatch: Arm of Hades: Thundercats originally appeared on WoW Insider on Sat, 18 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredguide-to-machinimamachinimamoviesow-machinimaworld-of-warcraft-moviesworld-of-warcraft-videoswow-created-movieswow-fan-movieswow-guidewow-machinima-guidewow-movie-guidewow-movieswow-video-guidewow-videosSat, 18 May 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Queue: This is Bashiok's fault]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-queue-this-is-bashioks-fault/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-queue-this-is-bashioks-fault/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-queue-this-is-bashioks-fault/#commentsFiled under:

Welcome back to The Queue, the daily Q&A column in which the WoW Insider team answers your questions about the World of Warcraft. Anne Stickney (@Shadesogrey) is recovering from the plague. No, not the Plague of Undeath, although that might be kind of cool in retrospect.

The above video is what I get when I ask CM's for video suggestions on Twitter. Thank you Bashiok. I ... think.

yoojine asked:

I hate, hate, hate leveling and questing. As a result, I've got a bunch of alts sitting at 85 and only my main at 90. What is the absolute fastest way to level my poor, neglected alts in Pandaland? Are there any xp buffs I should be aware of? Do heirlooms work at this level?

Well the XP required to level from 85-90 will be dropped a bit on Tuesday, so there's that to look forward to. Heirlooms, unfortunately, don't work. The Darkmoon Faire offers an XP buff if you go ride the carousel, but that's once a month. I'd suggest just taking your time, making sure you've got rested XP when you're leveling, and when you run out of rested, park that alt in an inn for a bit, and switch to another. Questing is one of the easiest ways to level, but if that's not your thing, you can always just queue up for mass dungeon runs, or even do some pet battling, if that sounds like fun. Good luck!

drorraz asked:

Q4tQ: What happens to Sahn Tidehunter in 5.3? (his lake is gone because of the horde digging)

Continue reading The Queue: This is Bashiok's fault

WoW InsiderThe Queue: This is Bashiok's fault originally appeared on WoW Insider on Sat, 18 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredguideqaquestion-and-answerwow-answerswow-daily-answerswow-daily-questionswow-guidewow-player-questionswow-q-and-awow-questionsSat, 18 May 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Care and Feeding of Warriors: Warrior representation]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-care-and-feeding-of-warriors-warrior-representation/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-care-and-feeding-of-warriors-warrior-representation/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-care-and-feeding-of-warriors-warrior-representation/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Care and Feeding of Warriors Warrior representation SatSun
Every week, WoW Insider brings you The Care and Feeding of Warriors, the column dedicated to arms, fury and protection warriors. Despite repeated blows to the head from dragons, demons, Old Gods and whatever that thing over there was, Matthew Rossi will be your host.

I find myself wondering about protection warriors as tanks. Clearly, we're neither the most nor least popular tanks, holding steady in the middle of the pack - both blood DK's and protection paladins absolutely own tank representation. Blood is at 4.2% and prot pallies at 4.1% of total class/spec representation in Throne of Thunder, with prot warriors at 2.7% and guardian druids in about the same spot as brewmaster monks, 2% for guardians and 1.8% for brewmasters.

It's fairly clear that fury warriors, despite being a relatively smaller fraction of total class representation, are by far the most popular warriors in current raiding. Protection is not only second, but a distant second, and arms (despite being a solid 3% of the total player base overall) is vanishingly under-represented in raiding. We'll worry about arms in raids later. For now let's ask why protection warriors aren't being seen in raids. It's not based on class popularity by itself - based on looking over Realmpop for a couple of hours I'd argue that warriors are holding pretty steady at about 9.6% of the total population. (It's a slight drop from the 10.14% we saw last December) World of Wargraphs puts the number at about 9.5%, so either way, there are a lot of warriors. But looking at the Wargraphs data, two things come to mind.

Continue reading The Care and Feeding of Warriors: Warrior representation

WoW InsiderThe Care and Feeding of Warriors: Warrior representation originally appeared on WoW Insider on Sat, 18 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Around Azeroth The last island in the world SATURDAY
Submitter Taedran of Guilty as Charged on Silvermoon (US-A) recently sent me ... quite a few screenshots. As in literally several hundred. I think that's considered justification for homicide in Texas. Anyway, several of Taedran's pictures featured zoomed-out high-definition pictures of certain zones in the game. This one features the isolated (and unvisitable, except for newbie goblins) Lost Isles. It seems like a paradise. Why did we ever leave?

Gallery: Around Azeroth 3

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WoW InsiderAround Azeroth: The last island in the world originally appeared on WoW Insider on Sat, 18 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>around azerotharound-azerothAroundAzerothfeaturedscreen-shotsscreenshotsworld-of-warcraft-picturesworld-of-warcraft-screenshotswow-screen-shotswow-screenshotwow-screenshotswow-ssSat, 18 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Breakfast Topic: How do you show your WoW?]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/breakfast-topic-how-do-you-show-your-wow/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/breakfast-topic-how-do-you-show-your-wow/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/breakfast-topic-how-do-you-show-your-wow/#commentsFiled under: ,

Wandering around outside of Azeroth, in the so-called real world, you'll see a lot of World of Warcraft players. Some you'll spot with class t-shirts, others drive cars with alliance or horde window stickers (or even custom license plates), some may wear WoW-themed jewelry, and some even have WoW tattoos. But not everyone feels the need to show off their WoW fandom in an obvious way -- or even at all.

So what about you, readers? Do you have a WoW-themed t-shirt collection so you always have the right shirt for the occasion? Or is there some subtler way you like to show off your WoW love?

Gallery: WoW License plates

WoW InsiderBreakfast Topic: How do you show your WoW? originally appeared on WoW Insider on Sat, 18 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredgame-discussiongamer-discussiongoodiesswagt-shirttattootattoostshirtworld-of-warcraft-discussionworld-of-warcraft-topicswow-discussionwow-goodieswow-hot-topicswow-issueswow-swagwow-t-shirtwow-tattoowow-tattooswow-topicswow-tshirtSat, 18 May 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW Machinima: Hockers]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/wow-machinima-hockers/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/wow-machinima-hockers/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/wow-machinima-hockers/#commentsFiled under:

RomireVids is hitting the street with a brand new video: Hockers. A Pawn Stars parody, this video turns Azeroth into a bizarre, huge pawn shop. It's got some shout-outs to bizarre lore moments of the past, a few slightly purple jokes, and more than a few punchlines.

This video is a huge step up for Romire. The graphics are solid for the subject matter and the voice acting is excellent. Most importantly, the script flows convincingly and sticks to a single train of thought. It's a nice video from Romire. My hat's off to you, sir!
Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.

WoW InsiderWoW Machinima: Hockers originally appeared on WoW Insider on Fri, 17 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredguide-to-machinimamachinimamoviesow-machinimaworld-of-warcraft-moviesworld-of-warcraft-videoswow-created-movieswow-fan-movieswow-guidewow-machinima-guidewow-movie-guidewow-movieswow-video-guidewow-videosFri, 17 May 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Phat Loot Phriday: Unborn Val'kyr]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/phat-loot-phriday-unborn-valkyr/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/phat-loot-phriday-unborn-valkyr/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/phat-loot-phriday-unborn-valkyr/#commentsFiled under:

Phat Loot Phriday Unborn Val'kyr
The ghostly creature hovered in the air, quietly chewing on a chocolate chip cookie. Her iridescent wings flapped in slow, lazy arcs.

"And you don't know where you got her?" Lolegolas asked. "No clue at all?"

"None," Throgg confirmed. "I just opened up my pet bag and poof. There she was. She's pretty cute, though. In an adorable way, I mean."

Lolegolas nodded. "So, she's a mystery. Why is she unborn?"

"It turns out her people don't consider you really born until you kill a worthy target," Throgg said.

"That's kind of harsh," Lolegolas said. "Does she fight well?"

"Incredibly well," Throgg said. "That's why I gave her a cookie. She totally decimated my opponent a few moments ago. She likes cookies."

Item Note: The Unborn Val'kyr is shrouded in mystery; we're not quite sure where you can get it yet. While Northrend is an obvious component, the details are still vague. Stay tuned for more details!
Phat Loot Phriday brings you the scoop on some of the most ... interesting ... loot in the World of Warcraft, often viewed through the eyes of the stalwart Throgg and indelible Lolegolas. Suggest items you think we should feature by emailing mikeg@wowinsider.com.

WoW InsiderPhat Loot Phriday: Unborn Val'kyr originally appeared on WoW Insider on Fri, 17 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Community Blog Topic Should wellbehaved players be rewarded
Last time we talked about getting rid of funsuckers, but what about the many players who enhance our gametime? Should they be rewarded? How would you go about it?

Perhaps we could have a dropdown box where you could report a player for being extra helpful or otherwise going above and beyond to make your day better. Perhaps someone answered your question politely in tradechat. Or a player asked if you were going for the mining node you were fighting on top of rather than just ninjaing it during your battle. Or maybe someone helped you fight a battle out in the wild that got out of control with adds.

Once someone gathered enough reports of being helpful, what would the rewards be? I would think it would have to be something that doesn't affect gameplay. If it did, guilds may insist on guildies reporting each other has helpful just to skew the system in their favor. Perhaps it would just reward a series of titles. Unfortunately, guilds may still require guildies to report each other in order to get those titles just to collect.

Continue reading Community Blog Topic: Should well-behaved players be rewarded?

WoW InsiderCommunity Blog Topic: Should well-behaved players be rewarded? originally appeared on WoW Insider on Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-blog-topicfeaturedgame-discussiongamer-discussiongood-behaviorgood-playerskarma-systemrewardsworld-of-warcraft-discussionworld-of-warcraft-topicswow-discussionwow-hot-topicswow-issueswow-topicsFri, 17 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Queue: Who do you call]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/the-queue-who-do-you-call/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/the-queue-who-do-you-call/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/the-queue-who-do-you-call/#commentsFiled under:

Welcome back to The Queue, the daily Q&A column in which the WoW Insider team answers your questions about the World of Warcraft. Anne Stickney (@Shadesogrey) is recovering from the plague. No, not the Plague of Undeath, although that might be kind of cool in retrospect.

I used to watch this cartoon religiously when I was a kid. Earlier this week, I took a good look at it for what it was: A group of miniature wild animals living in a city park with t-shirts that somehow changed color and gave them the power to fight crime. ... man I don't even know. But the kangaroo in the video up there? You might recognize her voice -- that's Nancy Cartwright, who also does the voice for Bart Simpson.

@_Vsmit asked via Twitter:

In Naxx, why does Thaddeus yell that we're too late, and he must obey? Did I miss something somewhere?

Ooo, this is a good question. Thaddius was supposedly built from the flesh of women and children -- their souls are fused together inside of him. If you listen to the ambient noise when you're in Naxxramas, you can randomly hear the screams of these people crying for help. Once you've killed Thaddius, the screams stop.

Basically, the screaming is the souls of the damned bound inside of Thaddius, hoping you'll come to rescue them. That intro quote is telling you that you're too late to save them all -- that's also why he thanks you when he dies.

Gross, huh?

Continue reading The Queue: Who do you call

WoW InsiderThe Queue: Who do you call originally appeared on WoW Insider on Fri, 17 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredguideqaquestion-and-answerwow-answerswow-daily-answerswow-daily-questionswow-guidewow-player-questionswow-q-and-awow-questionsFri, 17 May 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Around Azeroth: Death is but the next great adventure]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/around-azeroth-death-is-but-the-next-great-adventure/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/around-azeroth-death-is-but-the-next-great-adventure/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/around-azeroth-death-is-but-the-next-great-adventure/#commentsFiled under:

Around Azeroth Death is but the next great adventure FRIDAY
I am dead, but I live? What sorcery is this? Submitter Aryon of AnyThingButSerious on Ghostlands (EU-A) caught Fleshcrafter Hoku literally contemplating his own mortality on the Isle of Thunder. Respawn timers take a lot of the sting out of the old "what happens to us when we die" question, don't they? Oh, when we die we come back a few minutes later, only to be killed again. It's like the dollar store form of reincarnation.

Gallery: Around Azeroth 3

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WoW InsiderAround Azeroth: Death is but the next great adventure originally appeared on WoW Insider on Fri, 17 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>around azerotharound-azerothAroundAzerothfeaturedscreen-shotsscreenshotsworld-of-warcraft-picturesworld-of-warcraft-screenshotswow-screen-shotswow-screenshotwow-screenshotswow-ssFri, 17 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Breakfast Topic: Are you a happy healer or a reluctant healer?]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/breakfast-topic-are-you-a-happy-healer-or-a-reluctant-healer/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/breakfast-topic-are-you-a-happy-healer-or-a-reluctant-healer/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/breakfast-topic-are-you-a-happy-healer-or-a-reluctant-healer/#commentsFiled under:

Breakfast Topic Are you a happy healer or a reluctant healer
I was smirking my way past the Gordon Ramsay-esque commentary on Twitter recently (go to the tweet to view it in all its unblurred, NSFW glory) when it struck me: Blizzard has created so many incentives to play a healer. Obviously, they've worked -- but are the healers enjoying it?

As a long-time healer, I find myself broken-hearted at the idea that players are going through the motions of healing simply because for the sake of faster random queue times or to fill a hole in a roster lineup. Healing by people who aren't passionate about healing? Healing by people who aren't glued to the action? Healing by people who might be watching "other things" on another screen, or eating pizza, or, or ...? Dear readers, we're talking about saving lives here. I weep. Seriously, I weep.

Still, there seem to be quite a lot of healers going about their business in today's game. If you're a healer, do you enjoy the role? Did you choose to be a healer of your own volition, or were you influenced by queue times, role benefits, or the needs of your raid or guild? If you were nudged into healing by outside forces, has it been worth it? Are you a happy healer or a reluctant healer?

WoW InsiderBreakfast Topic: Are you a happy healer or a reluctant healer? originally appeared on WoW Insider on Fri, 17 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's a little-known secret that Batman Beyond remains one of the best Bat-reimaginations we've seen. Clinging to continuity with a tenuous but resilient grasp, Batman Beyond captures some of the best bat-themes and bat-ideas.

You can imagine my thrill when I saw Fifth Element's bat-video, Batman Beyond Twin Consorts. With the same sense of excitement and flair they bring to all their videos, the raiding team of machinima gives Terry a whole new spin.
Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.

WoW InsiderWoW Moviewatch: Batman Beyond Twin Consorts originally appeared on WoW Insider on Thu, 16 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batman-beyondfeaturedfifth-elementguide-to-machinimamachinimamoviesow-machinimaworld-of-warcraft-moviesworld-of-warcraft-videoswow-created-movieswow-fan-movieswow-guidewow-machinima-guidewow-movie-guidewow-movieswow-video-guidewow-videosThu, 16 May 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Does WoW still surprise you?]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/does-wow-still-surprise-you/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/does-wow-still-surprise-you/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/does-wow-still-surprise-you/#commentsFiled under:

I didn't start playing World of Warcraft right at launch, but it's safe to say that I've been playing for a long while. For me, WoW is the video game equivalent of an old, worn t-shirt: it's comfortable and familiar. It's a game I often launch when I'm not looking for something fun and distracting, but not anything that's going to challenge me too much. I still find WoW to be a lot of fun -- I wouldn't keep playing if I didn't! -- but it's still usually something I play with the television on in the background.

But sometimes, still, even after all these years, WoW does things that manage to surprise me. Of course WoW has new content -- lately, it's come more quickly than ever -- but even, sometimes, when I'm not looking for it, I'll run into something new. Now and then I bump into quest text I hadn't read carefully before, a Cataclysm change that I'd never noticed, or an Easter egg the developers snuck in.

And you, reader? Do you keep finding that WoW surprises you?

WoW InsiderDoes WoW still surprise you? originally appeared on WoW Insider on Thu, 16 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredgame-discussiongamer-discussionsurprisesurprisesworld-of-warcraft-discussionworld-of-warcraft-topicswow-discussionwow-hot-topicswow-issueswow-surpriseswow-topicsThu, 16 May 2013 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Community Blog Topic Results: How to get rid of funsuckers]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/community-blog-topic-results-how-to-get-rid-of-funsuckers/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/community-blog-topic-results-how-to-get-rid-of-funsuckers/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/community-blog-topic-results-how-to-get-rid-of-funsuckers/#commentsFiled under:

Community Blog Topic Results How to get rid of funsuckers
Last week we discussed how to get rid of the funsuckers making our WoW time less enjoyable. There was quite a bit of discussion in the comments and we had one blogger address the issue as well.

Account-wide ignore
I and others suggested one step in the right direction would be to make ignore account-wide. As long as the other characters on the ignored account were added to the ignore list invisibly, it couldn't be used for griefing.

Peer review
I had also mentioned the Tribunal system that League of Legends uses to police its player base. Commenter Yoojine linked to a video that described the science behind LoL's techniques. If you have the time to look at it, I highly recommend it for those who are interested in studying human behavior. It's fascinating and also heartening that a game company is going through so much effort to make the gameplay experience less toxic for everyone. Basically, they use peer review, direct feedback and the concept of priming to lower the toxicity of the in-game experience. I think that WoW could benefit from Blizzard conducting similar experiments on us.

Continue reading Community Blog Topic Results: How to get rid of funsuckers

WoW InsiderCommunity Blog Topic Results: How to get rid of funsuckers originally appeared on WoW Insider on Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Queue My World of Warcraft and 151 nations
Welcome back to The Queue, the daily Q&A column in which the WoW Insider team answers your questions about the World of Warcraft. Adam Holisky (@adamholisky) will be your host today.

There's no end to the number of people who will tell you how to play this game. None. Even here, despite having a large audience of varying playstyles, we can let things slip through about the only way to do things.

You must raid to experience WoW, you must PvP, you must level your pets from 1-25 to be any sort of serious pet battler.

But you know what?

We're all full of a bunch of hot air. At the end of the day all we're able to do is give you what we think is the most fun way to enjoy WoW based on our experiences. The same goes for Ghostcrawler, Zarhym, Neth, Bashiok, etc... All they can do is tell you how they enjoy it, how they experience it. At the end of the day WoW is a highly personal experience, one that humanity hasn't had before. It's an entire virtual world, whose population would be the 91st largest country in the world (down from 74). Let that put the subscriber drop in perspective for you.

There are 151 real life nations that are smaller than WoW. And none of that matters, because it's your World of Warcraft. As in the rest of your life, make of it what you will.

Paul asked:

The latest scuttlebutt reported on the idea of a WoW film was that the project is in danger of being scrapped (yellow/red lighted) in the wake of the latest game news. It'll probably depend on what the future news is, but even the devs indicated they expect the population to continue declining over the next year; we'll probably never see a WoW film come to light.

Continue reading The Queue: My World of Warcraft and 151 nations

WoW InsiderThe Queue: My World of Warcraft and 151 nations originally appeared on WoW Insider on Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredguideqaquestion-and-answerwow-answerswow-daily-answerswow-daily-questionswow-guidewow-player-questionswow-q-and-awow-questionsThu, 16 May 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Around Azeroth: Love and rockets]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/around-azeroth-love-and-rockets/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/around-azeroth-love-and-rockets/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/around-azeroth-love-and-rockets/#commentsFiled under:

Around Azeroth Love and rockets THURSDAY
Submitter Sporkwind of That Takes Effort on Terenas (US-A) was tired of his travel form not being able to keep up with his friends' mounts. So with the help of a local engineer, he retrofitted a rocket to fit his stag form's hooves. Sadly, his plan hit a snag when he tried to fuel up his rocket with grass and herbs, and discovered that a high-tech mount takes more effort to maintain than the organic kind. I can't tell who has the nastiest sneer on their face -- the rocket or the deer.

Gallery: Around Azeroth 3

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WoW InsiderAround Azeroth: Love and rockets originally appeared on WoW Insider on Thu, 16 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>around azerotharound-azerothAroundAzerothfeaturedscreen-shotsscreenshotsworld-of-warcraft-picturesworld-of-warcraft-screenshotswow-screen-shotswow-screenshotwow-screenshotswow-ssThu, 16 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wowcrendor: The nice guy behind the biting machinima]]>http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/wowcrendor-the-nice-guy-behind-the-biting-machinima/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/wowcrendor-the-nice-guy-behind-the-biting-machinima/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/wowcrendor-the-nice-guy-behind-the-biting-machinima/#commentsFiled under: ,

One might expect a machinimist to be come at you with a rather snarky, biting personality, especially a creator who's known for poking fun at WoW player stereotypes. Not so Wowcrendor. Wowcrednor's a nice guy in the true sense of the word. He also happens to be funny -- funny enough, in fact, that the list of posts of his WoW machinima here at WoW Insider goes on for pages and pages.

So how does a nice guy who has fun making video game machinima end up making a living at it? We wondered, too, so we asked -- and nice guy that he is, Wowcrendor spilled all the beans.

WoW Insider: So you're living the dream, making a living making WoW videos. Congrats! How has that changed the way you play the game? Things must be quite different now.

Wowcrendor: It is really a dream come true. One day you're sitting in a college math class writing scripts about Mankrik's wife, and the next you're making a living off it. I don't think I ever saw it growing to the point it's grown to, but I'm thankful for it nonetheless.

As for how it's changed the way I play the game, I think it's actually impacted me negatively, as odd as that sounds. Before I made videos about the game, my sole focus was just having fun or getting involved in the virtual world of Azeroth. Now that I do this as a living, it really shifts your mindset. If I'm playing the game, I'm constantly thinking if something could be made into a video instead of actually focusing on enjoying the game. For example, before I started making videos, I raided in every expansion. I enjoyed raiding and even got to raid with the guy who inspired me to start making WoW videos, a surreal experience at the time.

Continue reading Wowcrendor: The nice guy behind the biting machinima

WoW InsiderWowcrendor: The nice guy behind the biting machinima originally appeared on WoW Insider on Thu, 16 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crendorfacebookfeedfeaturedmachinimaworld-of-warcraft-interviewswow-communitywow-interviewswow-peoplewowcrendorThu, 16 May 2013 09:00:00 EST