Patch 3.2 Increases Leveling Speed
Flying Mount
Good news from the 3.2 Patch – mount requirements are being relaxed, which means that you’ll be able to train for your first mount at level 20 for 4 gold, and your elite mount at level 40 for 50 gold. It’ll also only take 1.5 seconds to summon these mounts, down from 3 seconds. This isn’t exactly a huge change to leveling speeds, but I imagine applied across all 60 levels of mounted play time, it might become quite a few hours.
This is a huge change not just because you’re now getting your mounts 10 levels and 20 levels earlier respectively, but you’re also getting them FAR cheaper, which means less gold farming. This will likely leave a bad taste in a lot of player’s mouths that have just shelled out 600 gold for an epic mount at level 60, but I guess there’s no way for Blizzard to really recoup their costs.
Flying mounts have been tweaked too, expert riding now costs 600 gold, down from 800 gold, and artisan riding will now apply faction discounts on the 5000 gold required. More reasons to farm rep!
I have a couple of alts around level 20 and 40, and given how long it’ll probably take to get 3.2 live, I think I’ll be using my 40’s normal ground mounts for a long time yet. The 20’s will just have to hack it and pony up the gold, I think.
In other mount news from the new patch, Blizz is trying to equalize the number of purchasable mounts available to each race, and to achieve this are adding a new 60% speed ground mount for night elves, and a 100% ground mount for undead.
You can also now fly over Dalaran and Wintergrasp as long as you stay high above the ground. How high? Only Blizzard knows at this point… and as to what happens if you get too low over these areas? Who knows…
So if you’re thinking of getting into World of Warcraft for the first time, if you used to play, or if you’re thinking of starting a new alt, I’d hold off until patch 3.2 arrives…!
Rogue Leveling Guide
Deadly BE Rogue
Deep in the wilderness throughout WoW you will find the stealthy and lethal Rogue society.
A group that is heralded as the most devious in battle, but crippling at the same time. I enjoy a few of the many abilities a Rogue can offer, especially the ability to handicap others in battle with various poisons.
The Uniqueness of a Rogue
Well, beyond on the battle benefits, the Rogue will always be called upon to pick locks. They are the only class that can do it, and if you’re smart you’ll take advantage of the money that can be made by this supply and demand opportunity. Anytime someone gets a Lockbox from a drop, you’ll see a nice request for you in the chat area. It’ll be worth a few gold a piece at least. (more…)
Druid Leveling Guide: Races, Forms and Balance
Various Druid Forms
Anyone, and I mean anyone who hasn’t had the chance to play with a Druid should stop reading this and go start a new character.
Druids in my opinion are the most entertaining and complex class of them all. I must admit, it was the Blizzard movie that shows the girl running through the forest and changing into a panther that got me interested.
Even the first few levels of play you will notice the difference in this class and get a feeling for what’s to come. Even though the opportunity to change into several different animals is intriguing, it’s the mass array of having nature at your disposal that makes your Druid one to be reckoned with in the World of Warcraft.
However, you might need a little help along the way so I’m going to throw out some suggestions for you today.
Druid Races and Animal Forms
You will only find 2 races that offer the Druid class. The Night Elf is the only race on the Alliance side and the Tauren for the Horde. Even though you are limited to these two options, the animal transforming definitely makes up for it. You will be able to transform into either a bear or cat, but throughout the game you will gain other transformations as well.
Once you reach level 40, the bear will be replaced by dire bear form. Even though this will be a bummer for some, I think you’ll be happy with the dire bear, not to mention the quest chain that gives you an awesome epic flying form. You can change into your flight form once you reach level 68, and then the epic flight form at level 71 (coming down to 60 and 70 in patch 3.2). (more…)
Shaman Leveling Guide: Tips To Live By
Shaman with Totems
The day you want to roll a Shaman is the day you’ll start gaining hundreds of friends on World of Warcraft. Well, I guess that depends on how much you like questing with others.
Probably my favorite part about using this is class is the various ways to build the character. Since there are so many options, you won’t ever go wrong.
However, I’m going to show you a way to utilize them all.
Starting with Elemental
If you start the build process with the Elemental tree, you’ll end up enjoying the ride. The golden rule is to place 51 points in any one talent tree and leave yourself with 20 others to play with in the others. The same goes for the Elemental tree, and your goal here is to reduce mana as well as increase damage. Plus you’ll increase the use of your totems as well. Just skip over the short list below.
Concussion (0/5)
Elemental Warding (0/3)
Eye of the Storm (0/3)
Elemental Reach (0/2)
Storm, Earth, and Fire (0/3)
Enhancement Tree
In the example I’m showing you here, you will only need to place 13 points in the Enhancement talents. However, if you decide that this is the area you want to focus on, then make sure you have enough puts to utilize the Feral Spirit ability. Having two under your command will definitely help in tight situations. Just keep in mind they will only last for 45 seconds. Going back to the Elemental focus, use your points wisely in the abilities below.
Enhancing Totems (3/3)
Earth’s Grasp (2/2)
Guardian Totems (2/2)
improved Ghost Wolf (2/2)
Improved Shields (3/3)
Shamanistic Focus (1/1)
The Restoration Talent
Unfortunately at this point you are only left with 7 talents. The best places to put these are the Totemic Focus and Improved Reincarnation. The TF reduces your overall mana on totems by 25% once you fill this ability to the rim. The IR on the otherhand will reduce your Reincarnation cooldown time by a massive amount (20 minutes). Plus, you can regenerate health and mana at a 20% rate.
Totemic Focus (5/5)
Improved Reincarnation (2/2)
Good Shaman Tips to Live By
Even though the totems are a big part of Shaman play, I wouldn’t consider it the only reason to play this class. The ridiculous amount of versatility leaves you feeling like you can play with any other class. My favorite ability to use on opponents has to be the Earth Shock. Anytime a spellcaster comes your way, you can use the Earth Shock to keep them from casting spells. Then just break out the whoopin’ stick with your instant casts. Oh, and if you’re looking for professions, I recommend Enchanting.
Is Leveling Taking Forever and Your Toon is Poor?
If so, I strongly recommend you check out Dugi's popular "Ultimate Leveling Guide". This guide is not just leveling, you can customize a package to your tastes, including - 500 gold/hr gold guide, class guide, 1-80 level guide, PvP guide, and more.
Warrior Leveling Guide: DPS and Tanking Glory
Tauren Warrior
The Warrior is considered to be the tanking artist with large amounts of DPS ability.
If you want to be the player who reverts aggro back to yourself and deals unbelievable amounts of damage, then the Warrior class is right up your alley.
There are many ways to build a Warrior, but my favorite talent tree has to be the Protection area.
Here you will be able to use specific skills that will enhance any Warrior who joins a group or raiding event. Several of the abilities pertain to helping your team with Battle Shouts and Vigilance. Plus you will be able to acquire the Shockwave ability that stuns your opponents and deals over 400+ damage during a 4 second period.
Just keep in mind it will only affect the mobs in front of you that are within 10 yards. So what’s the best Protection build? (more…)
Mage Leveling Guide: The Avid Pyroblast User
Undead Mage
Alright, its time for your mage to take a break from making portals for everyone and focus on leveling.
I’m sure you’ve made all kinds of gold for about ten minutes of work, but I want to help you reach the higher levels so you can do more with your Mage. This means it’s time to put down the Arcane and start building your Fire Talents.
The Avid Pyroblast User
I gotta admit, every time I’ve thrown on the Mage cloths, I’m addicted to using the Pyroblast. It all starts around level 20, but when you train this ability throughout the game you’ll be able to deal up to 1510 fire damage and an additional 452 duration bonus damage. Since you can train this every six levels (plus 73 and 77) it will definitely be used until you reach level 80 and beyond. (more…)
Warlock Leveling Guide: Affliction Vs Demonology Vs Destruction
Sweet Looking 80 'Lock(taken from a wallpaper at worldofwarcraft.com)
Ever feel like your Warlock just don’t hold a candle to most of the other classes?
The first time I created a Warlock, it was obvious that being a “cloth-er” sucked for PvP play. Even if you had the Voidwalker or Felhunter out for the fight, everyone can just focus on you.
It’s completely and utterly annoying, but it did open my eyes to what was missing.
If you want to build a Warlock of supremacy, then you will have to do three or maybe even four things. The first two things that are a must is checking out your talents and getting the best gear possible.
Well, let’s just start with those and discuss the other two in a few minutes. For now, open up your Affliction, Demonology, and Destruction trees. (more…)
Death Knight Leveling Guide:The Difficulties of Leveling Your Death Knight
Okay, the first thing everyone needs to understand about a Death Knight leveling guide is it needs to revolve around more than going from level 55 to 58. People spend so much time talking about the main quests, they forget how difficult it is to level up afterward. The truth of the matter is your DK becomes like every other class on their way to level 80.
Just to give you a little overview of what to look for when leveling a Death Knight — I want you to stick with the rotating quests. For instance, once you’re in Stormwind and speak with the King, then to Mathias with the SI: group, you will head towards EPL and WPL (Eastern and Western Plaguelands). You can grab a bunch of quests here, but they won’t be available right from the get go.
You’ll figure that out as you go along, but in order to take care of these in a timely fashion I want you to focus on a few things during your adventure. Just using three approaches can take you from 58 to 80 in a matter of days. Keep in mind this is actually /played time and not three different days you login to your account! (more…)
Priest Leveling Guide: Get Holy With A Shadow Spec
Class Guide: Priest Leveling Guide
How to Level Up Your Priest Faster with the Proper Talent Tree!
How many times have you been running around a city and you see the chat filled with requests?
You know, things like, “LF 5 Priests for Violet Hold” or “Need Healers for the Underbog- Will Pay.”
It would be nice to hang with everyone else, but unfortunately you are still 15 levels away from getting the chance. For the “Average Joe” it could take days, if not weeks to go from level 60 to 75, but with a little direction I can help you solve this problem. (more…)
The 10 Commandments of Horde Leveling – Part 9 – Pro Guides
Thou Shall Use A Pro Leveling Guide
That’s right folks – I’m recommending you go ahead and get your hands on one of the professional leveling guides available on the Internet.
But not just any guide, you need a guide that is widely known & respected as being one of the best.
What makes a guide, “the best”?
In my mind, the most important things a leveling guide must have are:
- An in game guide so you don’t have to alt tab to check which quest to do next, and where,
- A detailed, “do this, do that” approach which leads you by the hand as though a professional is over your shoulder the whole way,
- An integrated map-mod which shows you where the quests are, and points the way with a waypoint arrow to show you where to go.
My two favorite guides are Joana’s Horde Leveling Guide, and Zygor’s Automated In-Game Leveling Guide (Horde & Alliance combined).
The thing these two authors do best are giving out a “do this, do that” set of instructions that leaves you in absolutely no doubt whatsoever where you’re going next, why, and in what order.
If you want to be able to just take all the quests you find at a town, then go out and do whatever quests you like, that’s great – its viable, its more flexible, and you can take which ever quests you want, rather than just following along a set path.
For people who like that extra flexibility, (and some amazingly useful leveling tools and advice) I’m a big fan of Dugi’s Ultimate World of Warcraft Guides – they’re also awesome value, especially if you get his package deals which include gold making guides & talent builds.
