Don't do this

Don't play a dungeon run on a small screen, like my laptop. The screen was so crowded that I couldn't see around my Felguard minion. I couldn't tell where the bad guys were. Just too much going on ... and I decided to bail. Apologized to the party, but I was less than useless. They seemed to be doing OK by themselves, so, even though I broke WoW etiquette, I felt better bailing than weighing them down.

Did I do right?

WoW played SIM-like

I have just noticed that I am playing WoW a little differently these days. Now that my Pally has reached lvl 85, she started looking at achievements and ways to help my other toons. She mines and sends copper bars and linen to my blacksmith. She just started cooking and has lots of levelling to do there. And she is big on exploration right now, and is trying to get all the exploration accomplishments. In the process, when she runs across mob's, she's typically the baddest kid on the block so no worries.

So, where's the challenge, you say? Where's the killing and getting loot? Where's the FUN? I'll let you in on something ... I really, really like The Sims. Looks like I'm playing WoW kind of like a feudal version of The Sims, doesn't it? Weird, but fun. Anybody else out there do the same or something sim-ilar (pun intended!)

Otherwise, I have both a Human Warlock and a Night Elf Priest I need to level up. So there will still be plenty of killing and looting available when I am in the mood.

What do you think of this method of play? Anybody else play in a "non-traditional" fashion?

Finally ... a dungeon!

Well, I did it! I screwed up the courage to take my little lvl 16 warlock, Maraban, on a dungeon run last night. Used the dungeon finder and it took less than 15 minutes for a notice to pop up that a group was ready. Maraban is a DPS, so I didn't have lots to do besides aim and shoot. Her Felguard buddy was welcome in the fights as well. I learned about "need" and "greed" rolls. And I learned I need to move fast to keep up. But as long as all I had to concentrate on was dealing damage, it was pretty easy.

It didn't seem like my mates were familiar with each other either, so we pretty much followed the tank leader and plowed our way through.

It was a good first experience and now I won't be so shy about putting my lvl 85 Pally out there with my guild mates. I was chatting with one of the guild members last night and he asked how I made it to lvl 85 without ever doing a dungeon ... my answer ... "practice ... practice ... practice". I'm sure I would have made it sooner with dungeon runs. One of my guild really helped me through one dungeon, but I didn't consider it practice for me b/c he just went in and killed everything we saw. Good for looting and he had really good advice about the tank/healer/DPS roles. Now I feel like I've had the entire experience.

I now understand that I could have levelled lots faster via dungeons, looking at the money and experience I got last night.

Onward to better things!

Getting Back in the Saddle

I am home from the wonderful cruise. If you are interested in that, check out my other blog: http://www.thrutheporthole.blogspot.com/

I spent a little over an hour tonight with my lvl 85 Palladin, just getting used to the game again. Doing some mining and jewelcrafting then some auction house work. I feel like I'm ready to start playing again ... fingers nimbled up. So I'll pick up where I left off.

Going to try some random dungeon runs soon ... if I get up the nerve. I am so nervous about looking like an idiot that I think I'm missing some of the fun. I also am not as nimble with the keyboard as I would like. Sure, I can touch type with the best of them, but using all the correct keys for spells, etc ... I'm just not very fast. But practice, practice, practice!

Will let you know if my nervousness keeps me from trying or if I just jump into the pool!

Home again ... home again

Our ship docks tomorrow and I will spend most of the day flying home. But I think I should have time for a little WoW tomorrow night!

On vacation

Spending a wonderful 10 days in the Caribbean, but with pricey Internet access. No WoW until I return. See my travel blog "The Porthole"

Simulation Crafting

This was posted last night in error to my other blog. Boy, I bet my cruising fans are wondering what the heck is going on!

Thanks, Protonk, for the lead to Simulationcraft. I have browsed it briefly and bookmarked it so that I can peruse it very thoroughly.

My Palladin hit lvl 85 last night, so I am officially in the endgame. I have been dinking with my action bars to put more of my spells and abilities in easily available slots. That, in itself, takes a bit of strategizing. I can see how these would change depending on what you are about to take on.

My baby priestess has made it out of the sheltered area of Shadowglen and is heading into the real world.

My warlock is resting at the moment.

I am headed out on a plane tomorrow for Ft. Lauderdale and then a 10-day cruise! So none of my guys will be active until after Dec 12. I might use that time to read up on endgame strategies and other such educational topics.

Y'all have fun while I am gone!!