Patch 2.4: The funky news

- Monstrous Kaliri have learned how to chase players going straight up.
>> Skettis visitors, watch out!
- Female Draenei can no longer become stuck under a root in the tunnels leading to Blackfathom Deeps, Ashenvale.
>> Is that a horn problem?
- Saber/Tiger Mounts will now make footprints when walking backwards in snow.
>> I never noticed that, I'm probably quite blind or never walk backwards in AV.
- The Ratchet bank now has access to the Guild Vault.
>> Goblin-ran bank, they are just as reliable as their invention. Let's check Booty Bay.
- A mailbox has been added to the inn in Darnassus.
>> I hope this will increase the visitor count of the inn in Darnassus, though I doubt.
- There is no longer an area in Serpentine Cavern where using Field Repair Bot 74A will cause it to fall through the ground.
>> Is that like the little hole to reach the "smiley foundation" of Karazhan?

Lunar New Years 2008

Happy Lunar New Year!
Lunar Festival is good time to collect reputation as well as the fancy items.
I have missed to get the crafting recipes last year, but this year I got all BoE recipes.

Now my engineer alt can learn to make Firework Launcher and Cluster Launcher and my tailoring friend (who didn't bother about those coins) can make the festival dress and festival suits. One can probably make a fortune with these BoE recipes a few months after the festival.

Also my shaman got a Festive Pink Dress, my paladin a Festive Black Pant Suit and my engineer warlock a Festive Blue Pant Suit. ^o^

Wowwiki has a walkthrough for how to visit all 50 Elders for horde and alliance. I didn't need so many coins, so I shortened it 20 and respective 10 coins.

My 20-Elder path:
Stormwind - The Park [21, 54]
Elwynn Forest - In Goldshire, behind blacksmith: [39, 63]
Westfall - Atop the Sentinel Hill tower: [56, 47]
> Fly gryphon to Nethergarde Keep (via Sentinel Hill)
Blasted Lands - Just North of the Dark Portal: [57, 54]
> Fly (via Nethergarde) or ride to Rebel Camp
Stranglethorn Vale - Outside Zul'Gurub zone-in: [53, 18]
Stranglethorn Vale - Above the bank in Booty Bay: [26, 76]
> Take the boat to Ratchet
The Barrens - In Ratchet, behind the bank: [62, 36]
The Barrens - Crossroads: [51, 30]
The Barrens - Camp Taurajo: [45, 57]
Mulgore - North end of Bloodhoof Village by bridge: [48, 53]
Thousand Needles - In Freewind Post: [45, 50]
Thousand Needles - In Shimmering Flats by Mirage Raceway: [79, 77]
Tanaris - In Gadgetzan: [51, 27]
Tanaris - Outside Uldum, far south Tanaris: [36, 80]
Un'goro Crater - By Slithering Scar, above ground: [50, 76]
Silithus - In Cenarion Hold: [50, 36]
> Hearth back to Shattrath and take the portal to Darnassuss.
Darnassus - in Cenarion Enclave: [33, 14]
Darkshore, Auberdine - East of the Hippogryph Master: [35, 48]
Ashenvale, Astranaar - in the gazebo near the hippogryph: [35, 49]
Felwood - North of Jaedenar: [37, 53]
> Teleport to Moonglade (Druid)

My 10-coin path:
Ironforge - Mystic Ward
Dun Morogh - In Kharanos by the inn: [46, 51]
Loch Modan - In Thelsamar: [33, 46]
> Fly to Stormwind
Stormwind - The Park [21, 54]
Elwynn Forest - In Goldshire, behind blacksmith: [39, 63]
Westfall - Atop the Sentinel Hill tower: [56, 47]
> Hearth back to Shattrath and take the portal to Darnassuss.
Darnassus - in Cenarion Enclave: [33, 14]
Darkshore, Auberdine - East of the Hippogryph Master: [35, 48]
Ashenvale, Astranaar - in the gazebo near the hippogryph: [35, 49]
Winterspring - In Everlook: [61, 37]
> Fly to Moonglade

WTB Dual Wield for The Maelstrom's Fury

The Maelstrom's Fury Binds when picked up One-Hand Dagger 37 - 111 Damage Speed 1.80 (41.3 damage per second) +33 Stamina +21 Intellect Durability 75 / 75 Requires Level 70 Equip: Improves spell critical strike rating by 22 (1% @ L70). Equip: Increases damage and healing done by magical spells and effects by up to 236.

It's one-hand and it's not unique. A shadow priest in my guild said he wanted to learn dual-wield in order to have it in both main hand and off-hand. ^o^
Dual-wielding with this might not give the best melee dps. But if I have a enchancement shaman raiding Black Temple, I will want it just for the look and because I can have it. Main hand Hammer of Judgement and off-hand this sword would work too.
Probably Blizzard will change that to main hand soon, since it's probably a mistake or a typo or to spoil the fun.

Ghost wolf pet, no more.

After patch 2.3 went live, ghost wolf was a hot hunter rare pet and it would be more rare now. Many hunters have tamed this almost-mission-impossible Grimtotem Spirit Guide (aka ghostwolf). Until recently CM Drysc announced that Blizzard has finally put a stop on it almost two months after the patch. Luckily, for those who has tamed one, they will not disappear.
The taming process was challenging since the ghost wolf will despawn in exactly 8 seconds. With taming beast spell lasts 20 sec. to cast, a hunter would need to increase spell haste through Mystic Skyfire Diamond proc and Drum of Battle or Shaman's Bloodlust.
I don't understand why Blizzard took away this challenging and fun taming possibility.
Luckily one of my guildmate has tamed one so I had a chance to adore its beauty.

(Picture courtesy via Mania's Arcania)

Happy Holidays!

Feast of Winter Viel was great fun as usual. I kept some Hot Apple Cider on a mule since it has a duration timer. However the mats for making them does not.
I had no luck in getting the Schematic: Snowmaster 9000 for my engineer alt, so I decided to buy one from AH for 30g.

Greatfather winter gave usa lot of non-combat pet: Red helper and Green helper, Snowman Kit, Jingling Bell Reindeer and the new Clockwork Rocket Bot.

One winter veil mystery, why poor Metzen is kidnapped every single year? There is some serious security issue. ^^

Moon king/queen crowned (by Blessing of Protection)

Mechanical Chicken

Ise proudly succeeded in rescuing three OOX homing robots. The gnomish engineer awarded him one of his own mechanical chicken.
Rescue OOX-09/HL!
Rescue OOX-17/TN!
Rescue OOX-22/FE!

Both Hinterlands and Tanaris has only two waves of attackers while three waves in Feralas. They are not hard to handle as long as there're no extra random mobs being aggroed. Most of them can be kited and then they lose interest in you. But it is part of the challenge to defeat them.

This chicken is a symbol of huge XP. Completing all the Find OOX and Rescue OOX quest will give 28,450 and a bonus 7,100 from the reward quest An OOX of Your Own, which makes a total of 35,550. ^o^

Lady Vashj is slained

Lord Illidarin should be feeling the threat. As Lady Vashj, Queen was defeated by my guild - Genesis - last night, Cenarion Expedition shall gain back to the control over Coilfang Reservior. We are getting stronger. Next target is Kael'thas, Prince of Quel'thalas. She did a lot of nasty damage on us but we were well-prepared. The elementals, nagas and striders she summoned were not hard to handle. The poison which sporebats made were not that dangerous if one just pay attention into the situation.

From her dead body, I recovered Runetotem's Mantle. It has flowers growing on it. How sweet!

Flying Machine and boots face change

Lightning effect on the new flying machine, it's just so cool.


Did I gain some weight on PTR? Or is it just because my Forestlord Striders looks different on PTR (left) than on live(right)?

Obituaries: Archbishop Benedictus and King Magni Bronzebeard

Last night, the hordes sneaked into Stormwind City and killed Archbishop Benedictus after a few attempts. There were rumors I heard afterwards, but most of the alliance were not prepared. The guards formed a shield to fight against the evil but finally they failed.
After that, these disgusting hordes hijacked the Deeprun Tram, slaughtering every single person who entered the tram. Clearly they were aiming for Lord of Ironforge.
I took an alternative road to Ironforge but I was too late. The throne was empty, the King was gone. It left behind a pile of skeleton.
May Archbishop Benedictus and King Magni Bronzebeard rest in peace and be resurrected soon.

Ornaments of Azerothian's Crusade

From my experience in raiding, I found out that:

Gear is uncommon
Skill is rare
Tactics are epic
Focus is legendary
Patience is artifact

Therefore I made a set of jewelry which the raider would certainly love.

Next time, when someone did something really stupid, take a deep breath and let your negativity be defeated by you. Team spirit is the key in raiding. Think positive.

To create your wow items, visit http://www.wowitemcreator.com/create/item.html

Time for fun! Muhaha

Raiding sometimes can be quite stressful. But I try to keep my spirit up observing the least expected part and enjoy them.
What is more fun than being losing control and do a bunch of stuff that you have never thought of? There's a time I couldn't kill my inner demon summoned by Leotheras The Blind, I was mind-controlled and attacked my mates with hurriance, moonfire, bear form and even healed Leotheras. lol
It reminds me of "Time for fun!", Shadow Lab second boss. The key of that encounter is "hope not to kill each other", while the situation is completely out of our hands.

The Super Arakkoa

Using the Shabby Arakkoa Disguise and carrying the Terokk's Shadowstaff, I became a super arakkoa flying in the air. ^_^
Before Patch 2.2, druids can shapeshift with this effect on, therefore I always flew as a "Super Arakkoa" in Terokkar Forest. It's a shame that this picture has become history. Still I'm keeping this disguise for the cool dance and other animations.

Panzerkin in action

Druids can tank in bear, but how about as moonkin? Few months ago I get in touch of this Guide to Moonkin Tanking. Lithanial has tanked heroics and Karazhan as moonkin, and his gear is top-of-the-line and his skills is imba.
Last Sunday, there was a short of tank for the Kara run, so I took the opportunity to try out panzerkin tanking. I have been collecting gear since I read the guide, so luckily I have some defense rating and bonus armor gear. My main focus was to to increase mitigation. I took on some +armor and +resilience gear without losing too much +spell hit and +spell damage. My gear is not as good as Lithanial's, but it worked. The healers were awesome.
I think any class can off-tank too (though armor would be a plus), they just need to work even harder on the gear and skills.

My Choice of Panzerkin gear:
Head: Antlers of Malorne
Neck: Brooch of Unquenchable Fury (for the hit raiting)
Back: Glided Thorium Cloak
Shoulder: Shoulderpads of Assassination (should be improved)
Chest: Windhawk Hauberk (should be improved)
Wrist: Manimal's Cinch (should be improved)
Gloves: Gloves of Malorne
Waist: Umberhowl's Collar (should be improved)
Legs: Moonchild Leggings (should be improved)
Feet: Veterans Wyrmhide Boots
Rings: Shermanar Great-Ring and Veteran's Band of Dominance
Trinket: Icon of the Silver Crescent and Timelapse Shard
Relic: Idol of the Avenger
Weapon: Merciless Gladiator's War Staff

Treez

Cenarion Expedition's Hippogryph on PTR