Archive for January, 2008
January 31st, 2008 at 11:13pm
Under WoW Article
Every Thursday, V’Ming - who thinks that gnome warlocks are travesties of nature and need to be KOSed - shares thoughts and ideas on becoming deadlier at the Arenas. He also dabbles in the dark arts in Blood Pact.
A quick look at the chart above and one thing clearly leaps out. Clue: it has to do with mortal strikes, HoTs and cyclones.
Well, every third team you meet nowadays in 2v2 will probably be a Warrior-Druid team. This comp (short for composition) seems to be running away with the 2v2 bracket currently: 20 of the top 50 US teams are Warrior-Druid comps - that’s 40%. For teams with ratings greater than 2200, close to 30% are Warrior-Druid. They also make up almost a quarter of all 2v2 teams, regardless of rating. That’s a lot of Warrior-Druid teams.
What makes the comp tick?
In this comp, the Warrior is obviously the main, durable source of almost inexhaustible DPS. The Druid, usually specced resto (8/11/42), adds to the Warrior’s survivability and brings versatility to the team. The win condition of this comp is simple: outlast their opponents.
The Warrior-Druid team will generally open with the Druid stealthed in cat form. This effectively hides the higher priority (healer) target from the other team, until heals are called for. The Warrior can usually hold the fort for a few seconds, while dismantling softer targets of the other team: clothies or other healers. They generally want to establish control while surviving as long as possible before their teammates step in with some healing love.
Resto druids are extremely mobile healers, with fire-and-forget HoTs cast on the go, travel form to zip around maps and immunity to polymorph. Their mobility is augmented by various abilities to immobilize threats: roots, cyclone, maim, and even bash and charge in bear form. Their job in the Arena is largely defensive and evasive - staying out of trouble by using LOS and CC abilities. That said, a well-timed CC on the other team’s healer can be a devastating offensive move by this versatile class.
A match against a Warrior-Druid team often feels like the Warrior is unkillable, with the wily healer just prancing out of reach and LOS. This often forces their opponents to blow their cooldowns in an effort to burst down either, which is probably what the Warrior-Druid team wants. The premise of the team, after all, is to survive everything their opponents throw at them while maintaining a healthy mana for the Druid, so that the Warrior can continue to DPS the way to victory.
In a gaming environment, when one archetype is prevalent, we can expect a second archetype to emerge as an answer or counter to the dominant archetype. Looking at the three most popular team comps at the top of the 2v2 bracket, we have:
Warrior-Druid 29.5% (-4.5% from last week)
Rogue-Priest 15.2% (-0.8%)
Warlock-Druid 10.6% (not in top three last week)
Of the top 50 Rogue-Priest teams, about half field a shadow Priest (20/0/41). This is significant as only about 6% of priests in top Arena teams are specced shadow, with the vast majority being holy discipline (thanks Tyler) priests. In other words, most of the shadow priests in 2v2 are represented in Rogue-Priest teams. It comes as no surprise that this comp, while good against other archetypes, is probably also one of the tougher comps a Warrior-Druid team can find itself up against.
A Priest can dispel HoTs and silence the Druid - definitely cramping the latter’s healing potential. Abolish Poison can also be dispelled, allowing time for the Rogue’s wound poison to stack and further reducing the effectiveness of druidic healing. Most shadow priest and rogue teams will focus their fire on the Warrior to quickly force the Druid out of hiding. Thereafter, the Rogue will go after the healer while the shadow priest continues to wear the Warrior down. In this scenario of split DPS, Warrior-Druid teams will play very defensively to buy time for HoTs, exhaust the Rogue’s tricks, and hopefully deplete the Priest’s mana.
Interestingly, the Rogue and holy Priest comp is considered less dangerous by Warrior-Druid teams. While the Priest may try to dispel, silence or mana burn the Druid, the Warrior’s damage output on the Rogue will force the healer to focus on healing to keep his teammate alive. In this matchup, both the Warrior’s durability and the Druid’s mobility against Rogue DPS are definitely assets.
A Warlock-Druid matchup is almost an endurance match, with both teams very capable of keep their main DPSer alive. The Warlock will try to take down the opposing Druid; mobility is important here for the Druid, to duck out of LOS of the Warlock’s nukes and fear.
While the Warrior generally has nothing to fear (heh) from the Warlock, interference from the opposing Druid will make the durable Warlock hard to dispatch. The Warrior may also go after the Warlock’s pet (twice if necessary, for Demonology warlocks) in an effort to disable Soul Link or other disruptive pet abilities. In this matchup, the toons will seem to be running in circles: Warrior hunts Warlock, Warlock hunts Druid A, Druid A trys to CC Druid B, Druid B tries to heal Warlock and CC Warrior. Thankfully, Druid B’s mana is not inexhaustible and again, the Warrior-Druid team may triumph by simply outlasting their opponents.
A strategy that has emerged to counter the MS Warrior’s ubiquity in all brackets is the ‘Warrior gib’. The premise of this strategy is to burst gib the Warrior with multiple sources of burst DPS before his or her healers have any chance of healing. In the 2v2 bracket, this means two sources of burst DPS - which I suspect aren’t fast enough to take down a well-geared Warrior who has stacked up on resilience. A dual-DPS team like the Rogue-Mage also means no healers. Against a field of other DPS-heal archetypes, dual-DPS teams probably do not do well enough to pose a viable threat. Rogue-Mage teams form only about 4% of the field in the US 2v2 bracket.
Are you in a Warrior-Druid team, and if you are, what are your experiences? Do you think that this comp is the “best” in 2v2? What other counter-strategies can you suggest against this team?
In other brackets, the most popular comps for top-level teams on the US servers are:
5v5
Warrior-Paladin-Priest-Shaman-Warlock 16.9% (-0.2% from last week)
Warrior-Paladin-Priest-Shaman-Mage 12.4% (+1%)
Warrior-Paladin-Priest-Hunter-Warlock 5.6% (-0.1%)
3v3
Rogue-Priest-Mage 18.9% (+1.3%)
Rogue-Druid-Warlock 8.7% (-1.1%)
Warrior-Priest-Druid 7.9% (-0.9%)
In the chart above, warlocks seemed to have relinquished their dueling superiority to the Warrior-Druid combo, although they are still the third most represented class in 2v2. Hunters have all but shrugged off their ‘red-headed stepchild of Arenas’ status by maintaining their fourth most represented class standing in 2v2. Pallies and shammies fill the 5v5 bracket, leaving their hybrid brethren - druids - to dominate the smaller brackets. Rogues are peculiarly prevalent in the middle-of-the-road 3v3 bracket.
By admin
January 31st, 2008 at 11:05pm
Under Engineering+ Paladin Guide
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an article suggesting that blacksmithing may be the best profession choice for paladins. 
However, a metric load of engineers wrote in to inform me that a) I am dumb and b) engineering offers some great options for paladins. I disagree with option a on principle, but after doing some research, I’ve come to agree more and more with b.Engineering is indeed a viable (if still largely unprofitable) profession. While I might have soured on engineering after a torturous pre-BC time on my warlock, the new, revamped engineering has some wonderful tricks, toys, and ways to fill in the gaps in the paladin playstyle.
The basics
Dynamite and Bombs: They come in many forms, from these ultra-cheap versions to sophisticated gadgets. But no matter what type you make, they fulfill two important functions: they’re wonderful ways to level engineering, and they provide a ranged attack/pull for a class that is otherwise lacking one. (Unless you grab Avenger’s Shield or Holy Shock, but those are only available at later levels.)
Seaforium Charges: Tired of those pesky rogues complaining about ret DPS and “losing their spots?” Make sure they really lose their spots by taking away one of their most vital roles. These formerly less-than-useful charges can now open chests as well as doors. Surprise your group by opening chests — or really emulate a rogue and just take things for yourself after the group disbands. (Note: Do not do this.)
Target Dummies: Yet another thing pallies lack at low levels is a viable form of crowd control, and unless you’re a protadin, you might find handling pulls of 3+ mobs difficult. Target dummies can keep some of your opponents occupied while you burn down their companions. You can also get Fused Wiring from their corpses.
Transporters: It’s like having an extra hearthstone — and we all know how paladins need those! These transporters can take you to Gadgetzan and Toshley’s Station (for Gnomish Engineers) or Everlook and Area 52 (Goblins). However, it can also transform you into another race, make you an “evil twin” or “good twin”, or strand you on an island in the sky. Use at your own risk.
Repair Bots: These raid-savers let everyone repair their weapons and armor and sell off trash so you can … undergo three more hours of wipes and re-blessings. On second thought, you might want to leave these at home.
Flying Machines: Okay, it’s not paladin-specific, but a lot of people have picked up engineering just to make these super cool mounts. If you’re going to go to 350 for your goggles, why not push it all the way for this … individualistic machine?
What to wear
Early Goggles: Sure, they’re cloth, but their lack of a level requirement means they’re super-helpful at lower levels, when there are no headpieces around — much less headpieces with stats.
Force Reactive Disk: Let’s be honest — you’re not going to make this shield unless you can find someone with the (Molten Core drop) pattern. Nevertheless, it’s an excellent situational piece for a protadin who’s trying to hold aggro on a ton of rampaging mobs, as long as you can withstand the 50% chance for 1 point durability loss on a successful block. Plus, the light show is apparently fantastic.
Goblin Rocket Launcher/Gnomish Poultryizer: At first, it looks like just another fun-but-semi-useless engineering trinket — the goblin version does damage and stuns your target, but also knocks you down for two seconds, and the gnomish thing makes … chickens. . But a couple of things make this good for pallies. It’s a decent long-range puller for retadins and other pallies without pulls. And the 45 stamina is nothing to laugh at. The rocket launcher is far superior to the poultryizer, though.
Furious Gizmatic Goggles/Justicebringer 2000 Specs/Tankatronic Goggles: One of the best reasons for paladins to take engineering. With the right amount of mats (and three Primal Nether), you can make excellent epic helms for all three paladin specs. The Tankatronic Goggles’ raw stamina and mitigation will last you until Illidan, the Furious helms will make up for all the ret gear that your guild is giving to DPS warriors, and the Justicebringers are about equal to Tier 5 (although they might be the weakest of the goggle options, just because there’s lots of other great healing plate out there.)
PvPness
Gnomish Mind Control Cap/Goblin Rocket Helmet: These hats rock for low-level PvP fun, but fizzle against targets higher than 60. The Goblin helmet, like most goblin things, lets you rocket around and run into someone, stunning them for 30 seconds. The much more evil Gnome version can only be used out of combat, but allows you the chance to mind control your opponent. You can run them off a cliff, under the sea, into an instance, etc. The Goblin helmet is especially useful for low-level twinks because of its 15 stamina.
Reflectors: Hard to find and only intermittently useful, these things can be caster-killers if they’re not resisted. Particularly nice for making three-minute mages one-shot themselves.
Recombobulators: These trinkets will dispel Polymorph on another player, making them great for arena matches against mages — that is, if they can actually be used in arenas. No one seems to know for sure.
Rocket Boots Xtreme: Flag running. Arenas. Annoying the person chasing you. Is there anything these can’t be used for? Admittedly, they’ll probably still use a druid, but you can say you tried.
Nigh Invulnerability Belt: Okay, this one is probably going to get you reported for “ZOMG he’s bubbling twice in a row!” But it’ll be worth it, especially if they wind up blowing all their long-cooldown, mana-expensive moves against your invulnerable shield.
Making some cash
Of course, getting all the way to 375 isn’t going to be cheap. Engineering isn’t exactly renowned as a cash-producing profession, but there are a couple of items which sell well. The Khorium Toolbox has a great guide which we previously covered here. Gyrochronatoms, Mithril Casings and Adamantite Frames are quest items for both factions. Deadly Blunderbusses are a good money-earner for the Horde, while Advanced Target Dummies are required to complete the Magram Centaur quest line in Desolace. The Zapthrottle Mote Extractor can help you gather those necessary Primals, and there’s usually a market for Adamantite Shells and Stingers.
By admin
January 31st, 2008 at 11:01pm
Under Warlock Guide
15 Minutes of Fame is our look at World of Warcraft players of all shapes and sizes – both the renowned and the relatively anonymous. Know an interesting player you’d like to see profiled? E-mail us your tips.
The subject of this week’s 15 Minutes of Fame is not a rare drop – he doesn’t have a novelty schtick or an unusual lifestyle, nor is he a WoW culture mini-celeb. Seldorm, a level 70 warlock on Exodar, is that guy you PuGged with yesterday: the guy with solid if not stellar PvP gear who handled himself well and lent a witty, gracious and friendly note to the group. Based on the way he presented himself, you assumed he was 20something – but you’d have been wrong.
Here’s what a guildmate had to say about this 15-year-old Canadian: “On the young and incredibly funny and mature front is Seldorm. He’s in grade 10, although he became my guildie in grade 9 (and one of the only upper level officers, actually). People who don’t ask are completely floored when they eventually find out his age. I’ve never seen him display an even remotely immature bone in his body, even when goaded or insulted. He’s trustworthy, hilarious, loyal and very generous.”
Meet Seldorm and get a glimpse inside the views of a player from “that” age group, after the break.
15 Minutes of Fame: So tell us a little about yourself, Seldorm. What makes Seldorm tick?
Seldorm: I’m 15 years old and mostly play my 70 warlock on Exodar. Currently working on my gear for the step up to raid content. In a small, family type guild called <Iron Skin>. It’s not big, but it’s ours. Mostly just trying to get to raiding and havin’ fun doin’ it. Personal interests: literature (loves me a good book), other vidya games, and I dabble in my old Lego.
How long have you been gaming? What about World of Warcraft?
I started playing WoW about two years ago, and have been off and on for real life reasons.
About video games, I was always into games that were deep in story and sort of complex. Sadly, not a huge amount of those anymore. Then I just got into party games, fun games for me and my buds. Used to like games like those old Ogre Battle games, the Legend of Zelda series. But now I deal in the online shooters and party games like Halo 3, Rainbow 6: Vegas and Rock Band.
Tell us about your guild.
Ah, the guild. <Iron Skin> itself isn’t all that big, maybe 50 people total, but only two to five actually exist. Rest are alts or quitters. It’s what I like about <Iron Skin> though — it’s just me and another at one time: chatting, questing, dungeoning, whatever. No burdens, responsibilities, that stressful junk. Joined because my RL friend was in it, but he doesn’t play anymore. I’m not playing a job, I’m playing a game. And I will play it however much I like. Sometimes a lot, sometimes a little.
Being on the younger end of the “serious” play spectrum, have you run into any discrimination or caught any ‘tude based on how old you are? What about voice chat – are you ever afraid of sounding too youthful to other players?
Voice communication is something I haven’t been using frequently, just when I’ve been invited to some Kara runs and a few heroics. I suppose I’ll come to embrace it soon enough, but I can contort text into however I feel fit. Ironically enough, age still doesn’t factor in with voice. Turns out I’m rather baritone.
Age actually doesn’t come up all that much, and I find this interesting. Everyone is free to sort of imagine what everyone looks like in real life, but that just sort of takes me and them out of the game. I just craft imaginary accents based on grammar, profanity frequency and comprehension. I don’t actually listen to the stock voices, I drown them in music.
Speaking of music, the absence of music. My parents are deaf and as such, growing up, I had no music. When I got older — 10ish — I became paranoid that when I heard nothing, I became deaf myself. I dug rock at the time and as I grew, my tastes did. The second language is totally worth it though. My parents are pretty respectful of what I do and mostly just give me my space and trust me. Although, I think this has less to do with being deaf and more to do with being a good parent.
On that note, let’s talk about parents. What do your parents think about your gaming? Do they keep a tight rein on your game time?
My parents don’t talk to me about WoW. They rarely bother me in my sort of cave. They are, however, very supportive of anything I do and respect my decisions.
How often do you play?
I play WoW pretty much every day on weekdays after school, for a few to several hours. Weekend WoWing is rather sporadic though. Sometimes all day, some days not at all. What I do in the time I play also varies. Usually dailies, then look for a dungeon group. A few times, I go off on abstract missions such as attune myself to old world raids, level an alt, farm something I don’t need but someone else does … that sort of thing.
So what are you into when you’re not online in WoW?
In grade 10 now, just tryin’ to get by, have fun, that junk. Frankly, I don’t really have a passionate direction towards post-secondary and need to do a little more looking. I like to just figure stuff out. Off WoW, I just rifle through the internet and think. Figure stuff out, like human behaviour, how quantum physics work, how TVs are made. Anything, really. I like to know.
What about in game – where are you headed there?
Back to the WoWz, I’m currently working with some online buds to get into end-game content, hopin’ to make PuGs a little-used option (as opposed to the only option). If I gotta leave <Iron Skin>, I ain’t. I’m bringin’ it with me.
<Iron Skin> is small, but it’s characters are apparently very popular. We’ve got a few tells and whispers about a guild merge as we are small, but awesome. Just being an intelligent, friendly player gets you places.
Sounds like you’re going to be getting places, yourself. Best of luck and good gaming to you, Seldorm!
Who’s your daddy? 15 Minutes of Fame is looking for guild leaders and officers of the hardcore variety. Is your uberguild on the bleeding edge of raid content? Does your raid leader keep it together with skill and aplomb? Shoot us a tip and show us your leader’s kung fu.
By admin
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