I've written about the value of short naps before, or short breaks from the game. Memorial Day weekend was one such opportunity for a well-designed micro-break. Fuu and I traveled all the way to Ansted, West Virgina, meeting up with several friends in a cabin and having a time of it. Ever year around this time, we try to hole ourselves up with our besties somewhere and enjoy a bit of nature, board games, and drinking. Typically, due to our various locations in the world, the geographical center plops us somewhere in West Virgina. The mountain area is beautiful, so it works.
In any case, this is an unplugged (though even most cabins seem to have wi-fi nowadays) and refreshing weekend that we wouldn't give up for the world. If only they could figure out RL porting, as neither Fuu nor I care much for the 7 hour drive. Being cooped up in a vehicle is always just about as fun as you think.
I have to travel again this coming weekend (on Friday), but I'm going to try and pre-write some fiction so that I don't get into the habit of skipping. Summer is hard. Which brings me to point two (if there ever was a first point): take it easy on your guilds right now. We're officially in Summersville (ironically, we visited Summersville Lake in WV). That means that people aren't going to be around as much. It's natural. In fact, I daresay it's healthy.
Also, take it easy on your bloggers. We shall endeavor to continue to offer the fine (or not so fine) content that we're known for, but there will likely be somewhat less of it. Rejoice, for this means we are likely out there experiencing more and refilling out creative reserves to come back better, faster, and stronger word-wise than before. For instance, I now have about seventeen different ways to describe clusters of foliage on the side of a mountain (None better than my observation that, if it weren't for the colors, I wouldn't be able to tell where the forest ends and the clouds begin up there. I mean, isn't that pretty? D'awww. Fuu always looks at me like I'm special: "Yeah, it's pretty f-in cool. Watch the felling road. You're making me sick.") Also, I have a great mental image (and digital as soon as I get around to emptying my phone) of the largest single arch span in the Western Hemisphere. The fact that I kept wanting to yell "RELEASE THE RIVER" probably speaks a bit to my inventive state of mind as well. I mean, doesn't everyone look at such a structure and think "I wonder what happens if a bunch Ents were to destroy a giant dam upriver from this and a huge wall of water were rushing downward to my position?"
So, yeah, this is my service announcement that Summer is officially here and so be nice and all that junk. Not like, be nice in game. No, go on corrupting and cackling there. Just don't bludgeon the poor writers/guildmates who are coming out of their winter caves, squinting at the sun, and thinking: "Gee, I'll bet it would really suck to be a bear emerging from hibernation on Tatooine, what with having two suns and all." That, and they're probably hungover.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Annealed Raiding
Labels: Patch, Reflections 11 comments
On Tuesday, I post a quick response to the blue announcement about the 4.2 nerfage. At the time, I had just skimmed and was musing about how the details would shape up. Since then, it seems like a lot of e-words have been written about the subject, both for and against the change. I guess I didn't realize it was going to be a hot topic.
Since it apparently is, I wanted to go a little more in depth about my feelings.
First of all, I guess I wanted to point out that there are several changes coming that are effectively nerfing raid content. The blogosphere seems mostly focus on the 20% boss nerf, which is only one small part. This is a very important fact when one begins to debate development strategies. Blizzard is not simply pursuing one avenue de nerfage, they seem to be pulling out all the stops.
One could argue that a small effective nerf already happened with the release of the Zx instances and the change from daily to weekly Valor Point rewards. Together, these improve the average level of gear across the board. I was all for that routing. In fact, I am still for it as proposed in 4.2. Make no mistake, gear levels will rise as a result of the release of T12 gear, and the availability of T11 gear gets shifted down for us. Such a change was expected, I think, all along, and is most welcome.
So far, in Cataclysm, I like how they've done gearing. The stat changes seem well thought out. The speed with which you gear up from greens, to blues, to purples is actually distinct and meaningful. Sometimes it might seem a bit slow, but I'll trade speed for satisfaction any day of the week (to a certain reasonable extent).
I would even go so far as to argue that we've got a good, healthy spread of guilds progressing through content. The bleeding edge might find itself a bit bored, and those of us that have struggled with time concerns feel a bit rushed, but you can't please everyone. The approach so far seems pretty fair to me.
The issue I take with the proposed changes for 4.2 is that it seems like they're trying to fix something that isn't broken. Yes, I'm talking specifically about the 20% nerf that feels like it was simply tossed in on top of the pre-existing flow strategies. And I have to ask: Why the rush?
The articles I've read that have been "for" this 20% nerf seem to revolve around the common theme of "raid tourism." That is, they seem to think it's a smart decision for Blizzard to encourage everyone to burn through "outdated" content as fast as possible. Why linger? The new hotness is here! (Get it? Firelands. New Hotness. HA.) Yet, to me, it seems like they're needlessly taking a strategy that is already working (namely: a successfully paced gear progression path) and throwing more on top of it. In addition, they're completely ignoring the lessons learned in Wrath (namely: the success of the ICC stacking buff).
I guess, at the end of the day, I simply don't agree with forcibly nerfing all of the previous raid content for everyone. Especially when there exists such a simple, proven alternative. Granted, maybe some bosses need a slight tweak to an ability or two, that'd be fine, but an across the board nerf? Why not turn that into an across the board, de-clickable buff. What's the difference? What am I missing here? Let each raid group choose. Furthermore, why start at 20%? Speaking from a casual raid group that generally brings up the rear in terms of staying in when we down bosses, the ICC buff added an extra element of fun and challenge to that raid.
It was great. It was like every two weeks there was another push to "get this guy down before the buff increases." It gave us natural, mini-meta goals to shoot for. It helped us parse out the long raid. And 5% always seemed like just enough to get us over that next hump. We'd down a few more bosses, hit the next progression wall, and struggle to try to Beat the Buff. It was awesome, made even moreso by our success at finishing the content prior to the expansion (just barely).
We also used to click off the buff on "farm" nights. I know that sounds crazy, but by the time you were near the end of ICC, you so overgeared the first wing that it was a joke. It provided another fun mini-goal to try bosses without the buff as you gained the grace of gear.
Why are we throwing this idea to the Gilneans? If they wanted to be at 20% now, why not start with 5% increments two months ago? Why not let the nerf be a choice in the form of a buff? Isn't that a lot closer to "pleasing everyone" than forcing an unneeded change down our throats?
In response to the raiding tourist crowd, there have to be better ways to accomplish the goal of seeing the content than this. The buff is one idea. Simple gearing should help. It's like we're killing a fly with a sledgehammer here. I like the old squishy nerf bats, not this new Fel on your Face version. And I see a good many people out there that agree with me.
At the end of the day, I just don't get it. Hopefully, this is just PTR shenanigans that won't make it live like this. Stranger things have been known to happen. It's also not the end of the world if it does go live, it will just sort of cheapen the experience we've fought tooth and nail to create. You'll still find us in Firelands, one way or the other, we just might be a little grouchier and untempered this way.
And trust me, you don't want to subject untempered metal to extreme pressure. (Then again, maybe that's why they went solely with the fire theme).
Since it apparently is, I wanted to go a little more in depth about my feelings.
First of all, I guess I wanted to point out that there are several changes coming that are effectively nerfing raid content. The blogosphere seems mostly focus on the 20% boss nerf, which is only one small part. This is a very important fact when one begins to debate development strategies. Blizzard is not simply pursuing one avenue de nerfage, they seem to be pulling out all the stops.
One could argue that a small effective nerf already happened with the release of the Zx instances and the change from daily to weekly Valor Point rewards. Together, these improve the average level of gear across the board. I was all for that routing. In fact, I am still for it as proposed in 4.2. Make no mistake, gear levels will rise as a result of the release of T12 gear, and the availability of T11 gear gets shifted down for us. Such a change was expected, I think, all along, and is most welcome.
So far, in Cataclysm, I like how they've done gearing. The stat changes seem well thought out. The speed with which you gear up from greens, to blues, to purples is actually distinct and meaningful. Sometimes it might seem a bit slow, but I'll trade speed for satisfaction any day of the week (to a certain reasonable extent).
I would even go so far as to argue that we've got a good, healthy spread of guilds progressing through content. The bleeding edge might find itself a bit bored, and those of us that have struggled with time concerns feel a bit rushed, but you can't please everyone. The approach so far seems pretty fair to me.
The issue I take with the proposed changes for 4.2 is that it seems like they're trying to fix something that isn't broken. Yes, I'm talking specifically about the 20% nerf that feels like it was simply tossed in on top of the pre-existing flow strategies. And I have to ask: Why the rush?
The articles I've read that have been "for" this 20% nerf seem to revolve around the common theme of "raid tourism." That is, they seem to think it's a smart decision for Blizzard to encourage everyone to burn through "outdated" content as fast as possible. Why linger? The new hotness is here! (Get it? Firelands. New Hotness. HA.) Yet, to me, it seems like they're needlessly taking a strategy that is already working (namely: a successfully paced gear progression path) and throwing more on top of it. In addition, they're completely ignoring the lessons learned in Wrath (namely: the success of the ICC stacking buff).
I guess, at the end of the day, I simply don't agree with forcibly nerfing all of the previous raid content for everyone. Especially when there exists such a simple, proven alternative. Granted, maybe some bosses need a slight tweak to an ability or two, that'd be fine, but an across the board nerf? Why not turn that into an across the board, de-clickable buff. What's the difference? What am I missing here? Let each raid group choose. Furthermore, why start at 20%? Speaking from a casual raid group that generally brings up the rear in terms of staying in when we down bosses, the ICC buff added an extra element of fun and challenge to that raid.
It was great. It was like every two weeks there was another push to "get this guy down before the buff increases." It gave us natural, mini-meta goals to shoot for. It helped us parse out the long raid. And 5% always seemed like just enough to get us over that next hump. We'd down a few more bosses, hit the next progression wall, and struggle to try to Beat the Buff. It was awesome, made even moreso by our success at finishing the content prior to the expansion (just barely).
We also used to click off the buff on "farm" nights. I know that sounds crazy, but by the time you were near the end of ICC, you so overgeared the first wing that it was a joke. It provided another fun mini-goal to try bosses without the buff as you gained the grace of gear.
Why are we throwing this idea to the Gilneans? If they wanted to be at 20% now, why not start with 5% increments two months ago? Why not let the nerf be a choice in the form of a buff? Isn't that a lot closer to "pleasing everyone" than forcing an unneeded change down our throats?
In response to the raiding tourist crowd, there have to be better ways to accomplish the goal of seeing the content than this. The buff is one idea. Simple gearing should help. It's like we're killing a fly with a sledgehammer here. I like the old squishy nerf bats, not this new Fel on your Face version. And I see a good many people out there that agree with me.
At the end of the day, I just don't get it. Hopefully, this is just PTR shenanigans that won't make it live like this. Stranger things have been known to happen. It's also not the end of the world if it does go live, it will just sort of cheapen the experience we've fought tooth and nail to create. You'll still find us in Firelands, one way or the other, we just might be a little grouchier and untempered this way.
And trust me, you don't want to subject untempered metal to extreme pressure. (Then again, maybe that's why they went solely with the fire theme).
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Retro-Tuning
Labels: Reflections 4 comments
I read this over at WoW Insider from Nethaera:
I wonder how they'll be tuned. Decreases in health? Removable of abilities? It is my hope that they do this how they did ICC: with an un-clickable buff. We would likely use the buff, but I think it's good to have the option.
Also, I believe that last paragraph means that we'll be able to purchase that other tier pieces that were, until 4.2, merely drops. It took me a couple times through to glean that message. That's good stuff, too.
Like I said, I'm ready for 4.2, and I like this idea of retro-tuning to keep groups like mine moving. It should also help a bit with the usual summer slowdown. Hopefully they don't take forever to release the patch.
"With the upcoming content patch, 10- and 25-person Normal mode raid encounters will be receiving a comprehensive set of tuning adjustments to decrease their difficulty.
These changes will allow players, groups, and guilds who have yet to experience the content in Blackwing Descent, Bastion of Twilight, and Throne of the the Four Winds an opportunity to do so.
With the addition of a new tier of armor and weapons, we want to make the previous tier more accessible in ways other than just a shift of currency type, so we are making item level 359 gear purchasable for Justice points in the upcoming content patch."
I wonder how they'll be tuned. Decreases in health? Removable of abilities? It is my hope that they do this how they did ICC: with an un-clickable buff. We would likely use the buff, but I think it's good to have the option.
Also, I believe that last paragraph means that we'll be able to purchase that other tier pieces that were, until 4.2, merely drops. It took me a couple times through to glean that message. That's good stuff, too.
Like I said, I'm ready for 4.2, and I like this idea of retro-tuning to keep groups like mine moving. It should also help a bit with the usual summer slowdown. Hopefully they don't take forever to release the patch.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Done with Four One?
Labels: QotD, Reflections 3 comments
The honeymoon was sweet while it lasted, but I think I'm already back into a holding pattern waiting for new content. I've run Zx enough that they're "just another heroic." Don't get me wrong, I could still cash in on a ZA timed run or gather some more maelstrom crystals for the big enchants down the road, but, to me, that's sort of like "topping it off." Those are the random things I'll knock out in the meantime.
Overall, I liked 4.1. When we were on the TNB roundtable, I said that I wanted to reserve my judgement until later, so as to see when they drop 4.2. I'm going to go on record now and urge a 4.2 drop in the next month. If I'm sitting at my keyboard at the end of June and 4.2 hasn't dropped, I'm going to be a little peeved. With the information already flowing, I have high hopes. My point here is just that 4.1 didn't have a whole lot to do, but they assured us that they were going to follow a more aggressive release strategy. Let's see that put into practice, Blizz. 4.1 is pretty much cashed at this point for a lot of people I think.
One of the big things I'm waiting on is a PvP incrementation. Even before the 4.1 "speed up" of honor gains, I was pretty much PvP geared. Now, I have every piece "Bloodthirsty" and all that remains is to try in vain to save up Conquest Points for the occasional epic. That's another "topping off" activity in my eyes. I'd like to be able to epic out my PvP toon now with PvP gear.
That, and I'd like my TNB suggestion to come to fruition: Make the daily random PvP reward weekly just the same as the PvE stuff. That'd help ease my Conquest woes, and I don't see why it can't be done.
As for raid gear/content, I'm okay with waiting a bit for that. Our group is making slow but steady progress. I'm actually not one of the ones itching for the new raid content, but I wouldn't mind the gear boost. Still, I think 4.1 did a great job of helping some of the more casual among us of filling our gear out with epics. I've gotten a lot of upgrades in the past several weeks. I actually have a good number of Best In Slot items, which is something I could never say before. I've really enjoyed the gearing path in Cataclysm. It has felt well tuned for PvE.
Still, I'm done with Baradin's Hold. Exalted with everyone (including Gilneas), and pretty heroic'ed out. The guild challenges have helped push us to do some, but really they've also pushed us to do regulars on other toons. To check out some alts and stuff. So I'd say that's a positive and unexpected side effect. It makes "alt runs" feel a lot more rewarding. Still, I'm ready for a new set of dailies. (I actually don't mind dailies). I'd also like to see some of the BH token rewards get offered for gold. Or maybe you could just buy tokens. They can be hella expensive, that's fine, I just want another option besides doing those same quests for the billionth time. I mean grinding them to exalted and then getting your one or two pieces... that's fine. That's the purpose of dailies. But I what about some of the nice, fun items? They're so expensive and I'm sitting on a stock pile of gold simply from doing those dailies. I'm not a AH player. I'm not a gold hoarder. But it would be nice to be able to cash some of that in for tokens. You could even put a daily limit on that if you wanted, I don't care.
Anyway, those are just some of my ideas for the future. Looking back is only good insofar as you use it to learn. Mostly, 4.1 was fun and well done. I'm ready for more fun and well done, even if it's not raid content. Is it weird that I'd like to just have more "major" patching, quicker, but not necessarily with added raids? I feel like they've done a great job of making the "rest" of the game fun again, and I'd just like more of that. I'm okay with regurgitated five mans. Hell, it could be fun if they all had a heroic, top level option, released in pairs monthly or something. (It'd only be worth it if it were quick and didn't preclude the eventual release of true new stuff).
Until 4.2 drops, I'll be topping off my toons. Valentis, my Worgen Druid might get some love. Also, I'll dip back into the addictive timesink of Civ V. My goal is to "beat" the game by winning on all difficulty levels. I'm one away from that (only have Immortal left).
What did you find you desire in 4.1? Are you ready for 4.2? Do you "top off?" This inquiring mind wants to know.
Overall, I liked 4.1. When we were on the TNB roundtable, I said that I wanted to reserve my judgement until later, so as to see when they drop 4.2. I'm going to go on record now and urge a 4.2 drop in the next month. If I'm sitting at my keyboard at the end of June and 4.2 hasn't dropped, I'm going to be a little peeved. With the information already flowing, I have high hopes. My point here is just that 4.1 didn't have a whole lot to do, but they assured us that they were going to follow a more aggressive release strategy. Let's see that put into practice, Blizz. 4.1 is pretty much cashed at this point for a lot of people I think.
One of the big things I'm waiting on is a PvP incrementation. Even before the 4.1 "speed up" of honor gains, I was pretty much PvP geared. Now, I have every piece "Bloodthirsty" and all that remains is to try in vain to save up Conquest Points for the occasional epic. That's another "topping off" activity in my eyes. I'd like to be able to epic out my PvP toon now with PvP gear.
That, and I'd like my TNB suggestion to come to fruition: Make the daily random PvP reward weekly just the same as the PvE stuff. That'd help ease my Conquest woes, and I don't see why it can't be done.
As for raid gear/content, I'm okay with waiting a bit for that. Our group is making slow but steady progress. I'm actually not one of the ones itching for the new raid content, but I wouldn't mind the gear boost. Still, I think 4.1 did a great job of helping some of the more casual among us of filling our gear out with epics. I've gotten a lot of upgrades in the past several weeks. I actually have a good number of Best In Slot items, which is something I could never say before. I've really enjoyed the gearing path in Cataclysm. It has felt well tuned for PvE.
Still, I'm done with Baradin's Hold. Exalted with everyone (including Gilneas), and pretty heroic'ed out. The guild challenges have helped push us to do some, but really they've also pushed us to do regulars on other toons. To check out some alts and stuff. So I'd say that's a positive and unexpected side effect. It makes "alt runs" feel a lot more rewarding. Still, I'm ready for a new set of dailies. (I actually don't mind dailies). I'd also like to see some of the BH token rewards get offered for gold. Or maybe you could just buy tokens. They can be hella expensive, that's fine, I just want another option besides doing those same quests for the billionth time. I mean grinding them to exalted and then getting your one or two pieces... that's fine. That's the purpose of dailies. But I what about some of the nice, fun items? They're so expensive and I'm sitting on a stock pile of gold simply from doing those dailies. I'm not a AH player. I'm not a gold hoarder. But it would be nice to be able to cash some of that in for tokens. You could even put a daily limit on that if you wanted, I don't care.
Anyway, those are just some of my ideas for the future. Looking back is only good insofar as you use it to learn. Mostly, 4.1 was fun and well done. I'm ready for more fun and well done, even if it's not raid content. Is it weird that I'd like to just have more "major" patching, quicker, but not necessarily with added raids? I feel like they've done a great job of making the "rest" of the game fun again, and I'd just like more of that. I'm okay with regurgitated five mans. Hell, it could be fun if they all had a heroic, top level option, released in pairs monthly or something. (It'd only be worth it if it were quick and didn't preclude the eventual release of true new stuff).
Until 4.2 drops, I'll be topping off my toons. Valentis, my Worgen Druid might get some love. Also, I'll dip back into the addictive timesink of Civ V. My goal is to "beat" the game by winning on all difficulty levels. I'm one away from that (only have Immortal left).
What did you find you desire in 4.1? Are you ready for 4.2? Do you "top off?" This inquiring mind wants to know.
Friday, May 20, 2011
It's Always a Warlocky Prank
Labels: IC Fridays 1 comments
Fulguralis cracked open the metal top on the large cauldron and peeked inside. Rummaging around a bit, his hand came back clutched around a flask of green liquid. He turned and held it up, flashing a cheesy smile at a very upset Dwarf.
"It's for your own felling good," Jessabelle growled.
The Warlock popped the stopper out of the flask and examined the contents. He'd forgotten again and the Flask Schnotzy had caught him. The angry little Dwarf spun away in a whorl of priestly robes and stalked away from him. No doubt she was going over to berate the Mage about forgetting to choke down some Sagefishhead or something.
"She's right, you know," his wife chimed in. "If you'd done your raid-prep like a good Warlock, it probably would have made that defense system a whole lot easier."
"Aha! There it was again." Fulguralis held up a finger. "Good. Warlock. See anything wrong there?"
Green flame shot from the Warlock's fingers. A nearby critter was reduced to a pile of ash. Fulgurlais cackled to the crackle.
Fuubaar rolled her eyes. "You're sooo evil, I forgot. Glad you could handle such a worthy foe. What would I ever do without you?"
Fulguralis glowered. "Shut up. It's not like we didn't manhandle those overgrown buckets of bolts in the other room."
"It was an automated defense system. And don't forget the giant, flaming worm."
"Yes, of course, big bloody worm. Dead."
"Fire, not blood."
"Right. Still, we put 'em both down easily," Fulguralis noted.
"But it would have been even easier had you taken the time to prep," Fuubaar countered.
Fulguralis shrugged.
Fuubaar shot him a sly smile. "I think you're just pissed 'cause you forgot. This isn't some sort of Warlocky prank. You're just getting oooold."
"Shut up," Fulguralis said.
Fuubaar stuck out her tongue.
"C'mon guys," Jessabelle yelled. "Let's focus and finish Maloriak off. He's about to throw another one of his colored vials into that cauldron of his."
"Man," Fulguralis said. "Everyone's an alchemist."
Fuubaar gave a dramatic yawn and then clanked off to hack at the overgrown Imp. Fulguralis tossed back his own flask, draining the green liquid in one, long gulp. He flipped the empty container over he shoulder. It shattered with a satisfying crash, and then the Warlock trotted off to join the rest of the team.
"It's for your own felling good," Jessabelle growled.
The Warlock popped the stopper out of the flask and examined the contents. He'd forgotten again and the Flask Schnotzy had caught him. The angry little Dwarf spun away in a whorl of priestly robes and stalked away from him. No doubt she was going over to berate the Mage about forgetting to choke down some Sagefishhead or something.
"She's right, you know," his wife chimed in. "If you'd done your raid-prep like a good Warlock, it probably would have made that defense system a whole lot easier."
"Aha! There it was again." Fulguralis held up a finger. "Good. Warlock. See anything wrong there?"
Green flame shot from the Warlock's fingers. A nearby critter was reduced to a pile of ash. Fulgurlais cackled to the crackle.
Fuubaar rolled her eyes. "You're sooo evil, I forgot. Glad you could handle such a worthy foe. What would I ever do without you?"
Fulguralis glowered. "Shut up. It's not like we didn't manhandle those overgrown buckets of bolts in the other room."
"It was an automated defense system. And don't forget the giant, flaming worm."
"Yes, of course, big bloody worm. Dead."
"Fire, not blood."
"Right. Still, we put 'em both down easily," Fulguralis noted.
"But it would have been even easier had you taken the time to prep," Fuubaar countered.
Fulguralis shrugged.
Fuubaar shot him a sly smile. "I think you're just pissed 'cause you forgot. This isn't some sort of Warlocky prank. You're just getting oooold."
"Shut up," Fulguralis said.
Fuubaar stuck out her tongue.
"C'mon guys," Jessabelle yelled. "Let's focus and finish Maloriak off. He's about to throw another one of his colored vials into that cauldron of his."
"Man," Fulguralis said. "Everyone's an alchemist."
Fuubaar gave a dramatic yawn and then clanked off to hack at the overgrown Imp. Fulguralis tossed back his own flask, draining the green liquid in one, long gulp. He flipped the empty container over he shoulder. It shattered with a satisfying crash, and then the Warlock trotted off to join the rest of the team.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
A Point of Style
Labels: warlocky 2 comments
This is what our tier gear should look like, IMHO:
Yeah, it's a little dark, but that's how I roll.
(In other news, I could do without the WWE Title Belt.)
Yeah, it's a little dark, but that's how I roll.
(In other news, I could do without the WWE Title Belt.)
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