Images from Rifting & Telara

There is some cool things to do in RIFT, but one the coolest things of all is being first to arrive upon a rift Planar Tear and using your Planar Lure ability to rip it open and create some chaos and more for everyone around, close by or zone wide.

Random Guardian invasion at Granite Falls in Stonefield often a hotbed of Guardian invasion activity in trying to assault the town/npc and wardstones there. Always fun to fight them.

Repelling rift invasion forces across the landscape and taking the fight all the way back to the rift itself in a public raid group assault.

When a massive raid gets going these things can get heart pumping exciting and fun like a herd of ants out for the kill even if a invasion boss is in the way. Just jump in and go enjoy the fun.

Sometimes your just there at the the NPC area chilling for a few minutes, vendoring stuff, picking up quests or just to get a break...... so you think! No place is safe in RIFT except maybe going afk half way up a mountain clearly not in direct path of any invasion action. But hanging out at a NPC hub you can sure see allot of Invasion action constantly along with the NPC's that all fight back with full vengeance protecting their precious Wardstone from Invaders. I would too those things give some nice buffs. For sure the action scene is far from boring!

A full public rift raid on way to meet the final objective of a rift event the rift boss. Which encountered a another Invasion force and the Guardian faction and somehow ended up turning into a full all out assault on the invasion and each other. That caused one hell of a massive pvp chaos that was just to much fun.

The dynamic action of RIFT really puts a whole new spin on the experience one gets from just the PVE world as it is. In that something is happening in that zone all the time or about to happen and you never quite know when it will be about to happen until you feel the earth tremble, shakes or by other means.

You can believe whatever you want about RIFT, but the damn game is exciting! And probably more fun if your also playing with some good friends as well.

Edited

lvl 84 and onto Uldum

Completed all the quests in Deepholm yesterday hitting lvl 84 at the very end. That also including finishing all the daily quests at the end for the Therazune daily quests. I think I hit Honored with the Therazune. Not sure where their quatermaster is at, must recheck to see what they have. They weren't much else left to do but a dungeon quest in zone. Had allot of fun in zone but it was fun to be going someplace else to maybe see some sunlight or change of scenery. So doubled back to finish a few quests I believed I still had to do in Vashj'ir.

Turned out had only the last quest in Vashj'ir to do which involved the Naga's and Tidehunter with all the cutscenes. That was quite allot of fun to see and be involved in. I could only imagine somewhere down the line this Naga story will become a endgame raid of some sort for Cataclysm. Completed it and got the achievement for 20,ooo leagues below the sea or something like that. Jumped through the rift at the end following behind the NPC that got abducted and ended up finding and unlocking the Throne of Tides dungeon. Wasn't quite sure where to go so jumped into the dungeon and guess picked up a few quests for the dungeon.

As much as would of liked to see the new dungeon, didn't feel much like dungeoning and didn't feel like jumping in to tank my first return to WoW dungeon as yet. I think I must be still getting over some syndrome of getting used to playing my character confidently enough to tank again and tank in PuGs which I used to be famous for running in groups with.

I'm excited to hear CC is back again in Cataclysm. It was one the things that I totally hated about WotLK and mentioned my feelings here on the blog how everything was just a AoE fest and often no real group thinking and sad state of instance Pugs as well classes that knew how to use they own abilities in a jam if they had to. That in the end was one the reason I started hating Puging group dynamics in the end and the sad state of Instance Pugs/Raids. I love to AoE like anyone else, but I also or used to enjoy the art of executing a surgical pull with group dynamics to execute fun tactical play while tanking. And though I can barely remember at this point the exact details of every class CC abilities for tanking for obvious reasons at this point, I'm glad its back to the Dungeon/Raid game. Anyway for now I'm having fun with quests, leveling and shaking some rusts off using skills.

Already had picked up a quest in Deepholm towards completing most the zone that ended up sending me to Uldum by way of Orgrimmar and already completing several quests already. So decided after finishing things mostly in Vashj'ir to head off to the sunny dessert once again to Uldum.

Things learned in Deepholm

Zone is full of node spawn for the valuable Eternium and the other Obsidion Ore but lots of Eternium. Most the mining I did was just mining heading while heading to a quest spot to kill something or complete a quest. Beating other players to nodes can sometime be a fun little mini game. Pays well on AH as well.

If you explore the underground caves in the Crumbling Depths they spawn lots of nodes inside it seems, at least while I kept going through there they did. Just got to fight the worms to get to some of them or get around them.

Most Dissapointing Thing So Far in Cataclysm

Well to me at least. No solution to storing a bank full of Tabards, Faction Tabards and unique Tabards earned that fills up everyone banks that been playing the game for years. Would of hoped Blizzard would of come up with a solution for that.

Screenshots

In five years of playing WoW i've taken literally hundreds and hundreds of screenshots and for the blog to pic and use. Eleven months away from WoW and i've almost completely forgotten how to take screenshots. Too good a hiatus I guess. Anyway I now play on a Mac Pro Laptop so taking screenshots is a bit different than using a Windows PC. Its probably different to when i played on my Mac G5 desktop before which no longer works for Cataclysm.

Though I do remember how to take a screenshot thanks much to it being the same way to hit the same keys as in playing EVE Online I can't remember in WoW how to clear the screen UI interface so as to take a clean screenshot. Which is a bit different keys to hit on a Mac Pro as compared to doing the same thing in EVE Online. If anyone knows how to clear actually the UI to take a screenshot in WoW on a Mac Pro laptop please let me know.

Too long a hiatus from any MMO and you can forget how to do allot of things sometime and get quite rusty at even basic stuff you once did without even having to think about it.

The Oculus

The number one Instance that most people always seem to drop once they see the loading screen on random heroics and drop group before they even get to the instance. Just amazing.

Anyway just a reminder after killing Eregos the last boss to make sure to actually loot the chest for your extra loot bag of goodies which contain the 2 extra Emblems, gems and a chance at a Azure Drake.

Some people drop and leave group so fast after the last boss is down they completely miss out on their extra bag of loot. Allot of people seem completely unaware that there is even a extra bag in the chest they have to loot for the goodies. I was in a group earlier that didn't even know that there was a extra loot bag to loot from the chest. Make sure to loot yours!

Quel'Delar's Epic Quest in ScreenShots

Quel'Delar's reward for a dps Priest since well you cant wield the actual blade and Priests don't use Swords.

Its a very long Epic Quests that once started takes you through all 3 of the new IceCrown Citadel 5 man Instances to either gather some items or reforge some part of the Quel'Delar's blade. As well fight the blade in Halls of Reflection. Lots of lore all around. Even get to meet quite a few heroes and villains of lore all well known as well. Its a really awesome and time consuming quest but really fun that takes you to lots of places to complete.

I took over two dozen screenshots on the quest just for fun of lots of cool moments. I'm not going to put them all up. I'm also too lazy to detail the quest as well so i'm just going to do it in screenshots and all are in order to the next. Few shots are missing in between and those are all that takes you to the new heroics to complete some aspect of it. But just a few screenies of the Epic quest.

If and when you run any the new three IceCrown Citadel heroics this Battered Hilt can drop from any thing in the dungeon and even from the boss also if your so lucky to see it drop. This Hilt dropped for me of the last boss or 2nd boss in heroic Forge of Souls. This quest can be done by any class and rewards any class at the end with a weapon. So if the Hilt ever drops for you everyone roll need on it and that includes you. Don't let some smart ass try to talk you out of not rolling on it. Yeah some smart ass tried to as well in my random heroic Pug, but i won the roll and all was well fair and square.

Anyway Enjoy. I need to get back to playing the game.

You take it here the Battered Hilt if it ever drops for you and you know where that is by now.

Lots of interesting lore and lore i never knew about. Cool stuff.

That queen is a hottie!

You get to meet a few Heroes. As as a Blood Elf its great to actually get to meet some and not some the crazy ones we know of. You even get to give then a helping hand and get their blessing.

A trip to now well guarded the Sunwell.

Present and dip Quel'Delar's blade into the Sunwell.

All the Elfs seem to be happy I returned Quel'Delar and mumbled all kind of stuff in awe of Quel'Delar's return.

The Sunreavers are quite happy I completed all that task to complete and reforge Quel'Delar on its Epic quest.

Bummer Priests can't use swords so I can't actually wield Quel'Delar. So the Argent Crusade decide to reward me in fair trade with one their great great Epic Weapons and take Quel'Delar into their protection.

Epic Quest! You even get a Achievement for it too. How nice. Well can only hope a Battered Hilt drops for you too and maybe you get to do the quest and all. Don't let some jerk try to talk you out of rolling Need if you haven't gotten it yet. Some guy in my Pug wanted to bribe me for the Hilt when it dropped.

Screenshoots: The Patient One

I got my little Puggy Pug. The texture on that pet is really nice and looks like one the best looking pets in the game. I'm still not much a game pet fanatic, but its minor enjoyment all the same. A though came to mind looking at the pet that had me wondering if Blizzard is experimenting with new game textures but doing it in not so obvious ways. I wonder?

So my Shadow Priest barely been at lvl 80 a week. The pixel character may be different whether on my Paladin or any other class, I'm still the same player that have always loved to Pug since ancient times. That has never changed. So I got the Title for The Patient one on the first day I ran him through Heroic on a marathon which was Wednesday. The thing was I didn't even notice I had and was wearing the title till when I logged in on Friday! Duhh. After getting off work Friday night I went on marathon random heroics run and ended up with the new Achievement for Multitudes on early Saturday morning running heroic UK. Almost fully Epic'd as well after that many runs.

Ever the Patient pugger at Ardent Defender. One of the little many things that gives me game enjoyment.

Screenshots: Shaman Weapon Skilling

I really enjoy playing my Enhancement Shaman. Its also amazing how fast a Shaman can level up weapon skills on not frequently used weapons. Windfury Totems down and Windfury on all weapons rock to speed up the rate of every attempt at hitting something. Nice to have a self healing tree druid in the Crystal Forest around to practice on. In no time at all your low level weapon skills are up there. So I got the Achievement for 4 Weapons at max skilled.

Screenshots: Meeting the Man...again!

Haven't done one for screenshots for a while. Nothing that interesting to screenshot these days, its all been seen before at this point. Anyway my other half meeting the man himself no doubt.

But anyway as your well aware you know I'm a bit busy leveling my Enhancement Shaman and working hard it as my work schedule allows. Anyway just dropped in to say I just hit lvl 72 and questing in Dragonblight. And that playing with Totems while dual wielding Windfury/Flametongue weapon while Earth Shocking and procing Maelstrom and throwing Lightning Blots/Chain Lightning which crits while Windfury procs at the same time is indeed fun. Makes you spirit grin with awesomeness. Shamans really are fun as the old saying goes, they really are. I'm enjoying the versatility of a hybrid playing as a Shaman or learning the ways of one I should also say.

He'll eventually end up a dual spec as a Enhancement/Elemental Shaman.

Screenshots: Reincarnation

So a new alt for a change despite my hate of alts and some Shammy love weaving some voodoo for a change with Voodooweaver my Orc Shaman. I've being thinking about playing around with the idea of a Shammy or a Druid as the only two options of class to play. I guess i'm really a hybrid at hearth it seems embracing my hybrid nature.

For the last few days I been thinking of things and keep reminding myself. Remember just why you are playing WoW. Not to Tank, Not to Raid, Not to Socialize, Not for Epics, Not for Progression. Im simply play the game for Fun because RL is frustrating enough and you need a break from time to time to relax and just have fun doing something FUN. 

So in my spare time I'll be on with the voodoo on that really long road to leveling him up. I gave him a pair of Heirloom shoulders for the journey and a new UI (Spartan UI) to play around with. Uhh did I ever tell you leveling sucks though! He has no profession as yet. But maybe a Enchanter and something else non complicated for a profession but economically sustaining. 

Screenshots: New Drake

Upgraded my Epic Netherwing Drake to a Epic Bronze Drake after beating the timer in Heroic Cot Stratholme. That Pursuit of Justice helps allot for 15% movement speed and chain pulling all the way to the extra boss with 4 mins to spare. Of course I won the roll evidently. And help I didn't have to spend a dime to upgrade my mount. Though I still love my Netherwing Mount because I really had to work allot to get that one at Netherwing Exalted back in BC.

Tip: Never let Arthas stand still longer than he has to once the event has started. Keep pulling and keep running to the next boss. Good dps helps greatly as well. 

Screenshot of the Day: Heroic Utgarde Pinnacle

I miss doing my blog screenshots feature which has always being a long feature here, its been a while since I had one up.

A day at the office running Heroic UP in a snapshot. I just happen to remember to take a picture shot while I was there with my crew to try and convince the big boss King Ymiron that he really should give me that Red Sword of Courage he's hiding in there. So far he doesn't think that's a real good idea to let that blade go. So.... we will have to negotiate another day some more in a beatdown session.

Screenshot Files: 77-80 Grinding...

Just stuff from my Beta Files. During Beta found this spot at Malykriss: The Vile area in Icecrown to be the best grind spot of any the last two zones for lvl 77-80 grind if you like to grind stuff. I remember a quest sends you there to check something in the area. Area not named on the zone map but its just north of Icecrown Citadel where the huge chunk of metal suspends in the air with chains overhead and gargoyle's guard the area along with Aboms at the entrance. But its all undead mobs that respawn very fast. From Beta remember the mobs spawn there in less than 30 sec and real nice to grind for fun or XP. They are other areas in Icecrown but this I remember was the absolute best for easy XP.

Related: WotLK Beta. Somewhere in Northrend

A wired grind spot in Storm Peaks just east of and outside of Brunnhildar Village where the lvl 80 Brunnhildar mobs path attacking the frost giants. If you just happen to be standing in the right area you will be in the middle of all their paths and end up you can just park and pile up mobs non stop for XP with barely time to loot. Don't think its really a grind spot, but the mobs runs that path back and forth and just happen to find it by accident in Beta as such just standing around mounted in the area.


Elemental Mobs/Spirits

lots of various Elemental mobs or Spirits on the Western edge of Sholazar Basin or "The Stormwright's" I think its called.
Sholazar Basin. The very Western edge of the zone is only accessible by flying mount and all the various mobs there are Elemental/Spirit mobs which yields various Crystallized elements of Crystallized Air, Water and can't remember what else mobs spawn there on the shelf. But the shelf runs the entire length edge of the zones with mobs.

Some Crystallized Fire you can find in Borean Tundra from the Fire elemental mobs there also in the northern part of the zone. Grizzly Hills zone have some Elemental Spirits in the eastern part of the zone where the rune mobs are that also drop Crystallized Air I remember also. There are several caves in The Storm Peaks zone that have various Spirit mobs that drop Crystallized elements of various sorts also if you like to explore. If you mine allot you can get the rest of many the other Crystallized Elements to make Eternal Air, Water or whatever else. Just stuff I remembered in Beta from all the many screenshots.

Edit: Western Edge not Eastern Sholzar Basin.

Screenshot - Northrend

Map of Northrend and its zones and various access points in zones.

This is the Flight Master map of almost all unlocked Flight Paths in Northrend with most of the Flight Paths to various zones all over Northrend. Thing to note is some Flight Paths are not unlocked in later zones until you do some area level specific quests to unlock a Flight Master or convert the zone to specific faction control.

I took this map screenshot on my Hunter since its missing all the other Flight Paths like the one above. However this is how much excessive Air Travel via Flight Paths can cost you in Northrend if you like to excessive Air Travel via Flight Paths before lvl 77. So heads up.

However their is a tip in this last map. The Flight Paths is from one starter zone to the next on both side of the continent. My Hunter is lvl 70 for all these specific Flight Paths across the bottom of the continent in the last map above. I specifically took this screenshot for a reason. So you can easily figure out what the tip is.

Screenshots WotLK Beta: The Oculus

The Oculus is a very cool instance apart of the Nexus Coldarra and very different as well. Probably the coolest and most unique Instance I've seen so far. You fight trash mobs and then Bosses on a series of individual levitating Ring Platforms or Bands. Clearing each set of Band Platform then a Boss going upward as you do so.

Whats unique is you get to command special Drake mounts each with different abilities to move from Platform Bands and fight other airborne trash mobs. This Instance is very cool.

Screenshots WotLK Beta: The Halls of....

Halls of Lightning above and Halls of Stone below both in The Storm Peaks both apart of the Ulduar Dungeon hub. These dungeons are a treasure trove of lore about the Titans. The Dungeons are just Beautiful and huge stone monuments on the inside and very well guarded. Stunningly pretty with amazing design! Both are very fun Dungeons to say the least.

Screenshots WotLK Beta: Epic Quests!

I won't say what Quest it is. But many quests are very different than tBC. Some chains have lots of Lore and event Interaction in Northrend much more than anything seen in tBC. Some can be quite Epic (Epic Quest Chains) in event as indicated in my last post about quests whether it has purple items or not in the end. Many are just fun to see and be able to participate in. This is just one of many that are very Epic Quest chain in event.

Screenshots WotLK Beta: Titan Freya

Avatar of Freya a 80 Elite Titan descendant. Blizzard does put a lot of work into designing NPC's that just look totally Awesome. She's nice to talk to for conversation as well after some unlocking to do so.

Screenshots WotLK Beta: Shrine

At Rest and at Peace in the Emerald Dragonshrine.

Screenshots WotLK Beta: Zul'Dark

Zul'Dark is like a ancient dead Troll City. Its a vast Huge city complex the entire zone, lvl 74-77. Picture is of the Ring of Blood Amphitheatre kinda like the small one in Nagrand.

Screenshots WotLK Beta: Sholazar Basin

Explored this fairly large zone a bit just seeing whats there killing some time. Lvl 75-77. Don't seem like the zone is finished as yet as allot seem to be missing in the zone. Seems a bit really green and tropical. A bit of a improved mix it seem of Feralas and Un'Goro best I could think. But Zone looks very nice though.

Screenshot WotLK Beta: Crystalsong Forest

Interesting and very pretty zone.