[Update] The Buzz in WoW #2

[Glynbeard]

Greeting fellow MMOwedians, I thought I'd put up a short update on some cool stuff going around in the WoW community today.

This will include information on:

• 1. The Security Awareness Webpage that Blizzard recently set up
• 2. Blizzard's plan to promote and sell gold/silver/copper (don't be mislead)
• 3. Patch 3.3.2

Let's begin than, shall we?

[BREAK=Security Awareness Webpage]



Partly due to the recent increase in account theft (not us anymore!), Blizzard has put up a new webpage with useful information about various aspects of account security. While most of the advice is fairly common sense, it's still worth a read as even the most obvious problems can be overlooked.

Want to take a quick peek at it? Security Awareness Webpage

"Protecting the citizens of Azeroth is extremely important to us. Our new Battle.net Account Security Awareness page provides helpful advice on what you can do to safeguard your computer, how to spot scams, info on the adverse effects of buying gold, and tried-and-true methods to help prevent account compromises."

I guess Blizzard finally got tired of all the phone calls they get about Account Theft and decided to do something about it. I also can't help but comment on the little gimmick with the corehound pet to draw in even more money.





[BREAK=Gold Sales By Blizzard!]

WHAT?!? Blizzard is selling gold now too?

Well in one word, yes. But not how you would think.

Blizzard is really selling limited edition sets of actual World of Warcraft coin, not online currency!



If you are interested in checking out some price details etc. please follow the link: WoW Gold. Heck, these things would really make for an interesting game of heads or tails (more like orcs or humans in this case though I'd guess haha). xD


[BREAK=Patch 3.3.2 Info]

So, as most of you guys know, patch 3.3.2 is right around the corner (expected to be released Feb. 2nd) and with it will be some interesting new content.

The patch notes are as follows:

Dungeon and Raid
Icecrown Citadel

    * The Scourge and the Lich King's last hold, Frostwing Hall will be added to the game. However, in order to enter the wing, the Ashen Verdict must shatter the barrier first.


Halls of Stone

    * Since Brann Bronzebeard exercised constantly, he will walk faster during the escort.


Forge of Souls

    * Devourer of Souls will cast Mirrored Soul less frequently.
    * Trash mobs Spell Reflect abilities have been changed. It now has a cast time, 2 charges, and chance to reflect reduced to 75% from 100%


Nexus

    * Anomalus casts Create Rift only once now. (Down from 3)


Ahn’Kahet: Old Kingdom

    * Elder Nadox’s now spawns only one Ahn’kahar Guardian.
    * Jedoga Shadowseeker air phase now only happens once.
    * Some monsters between Jedoga Shadowseeker and Herad Volazj have been removed.


Pit of Saron

    * Dead players are now able to enter the dungeon during Krick and Ick or Forgemaster Garfrost encounter.


Utgarde Pinnacle

    * Players only need 3 harpoons to bring down Skadi’s drake during the encounter. (Down from 5)
    * Svala Sorrowgrave now casts Rituals of Sword only once. (Down from 3)


Vault of Archavon

    * Toravon the Icewatcher has been added to the Vault of Archavon. He awaits your challenge in both 10 and 25 man difficulty


Violet Hold

    * New portals will open faster after players defeat bosses


Arena

    * With brand new rewards, Season 8 is officially starting!


Druid (Forums / Talent Calculator)
Balance

    * Earth and Moon: This talent now increases your spell damage by 2/4/6% (Up from 1/2/3%)


Shaman (Forums / Talent Calculator)
Elemental

    * Shamanism: This talent now increases your Lightning Bolt or Chain Lightning spell damage by 4/8/12/16/20% (Up from 3/6/9/12/15%) and Lava Burst spell damage by 5/10/15/20/25% (Up from 4/8/12/16/20%)


Warlock (Forums / Talent Calculator)
Affliction

    * Shadow Embrace: Now stacks 3 times (Up from 2) Healing reduction effect reduced to 2/4/8/10% (Down from 3/6/9/12/15%)

Demonology

    * Demonic Pact: This talent now increases your spell damage by 2/4/6/8/10% (Up from 1/2/3/4/5%). The buff effect to the party or raid members is unchanged.

Destruction

    * Conflagrate: Periodic Spell damage increased to 40% (Up from 20%)
    * Empowered Imp: Damage done by imp increased to 10/20/30% (Up from 5/10/15%)
    * Improved Shadow Bolt: Now increases Shadow Bolt damage 2/4/6/8/10% (Up from 1/2/3/4/5%)


Warrior (Forums / Talent Calculator)
Protection

    * Concussion Blow : Damage is decreased by 50%, but threat generated by this ability remains still.
    * Devastate: Damage is increased to 120% (Up from 100%)
    * Shield Slam: Damage increment from block value decreased, and starts to decrease from lower block value. If your gear is almost High-end, players won’t really recognize the change. In addition, threat generated by Shield Slam is increased by 30%
    * Warbringer: This talent no longer allows Charge and Intercept to break roots or snares. Intervene remains unaffected. 


Player Interface

    * Party leader created by Dungeon finder is now called “Guide”
    * Promoted players in raid now able to do Ready Check


Item

    * Ashen Verdict Faction Ring now offers new ring to Strength dominant classes.
    * Tier 10 Elemental Shaman set 4-pieces effect (redesigned): Whenever Lava burst successfully casted on the target, it increases Flame Shock duration by 6 sec

The big news here is the opening of the final bosses before the dreaded Lich King is released onto Azeroth.




Valithria Dreamwalker:
"Valithria Dreamwalker is a green dragon captured by the Scourge, likely used in experiments to reproduce the Emerald Nightmare effect."



&

Sindragosa:
"Sindragosa was Malygos' last consort from the time before his madness and the devastation of the Blue Dragonflight. When Neltharion betrayed the other Dragonflights and decimated the Blues, Sindragosa was separated from Malygos, and sent far into the frozen north, where her last thoughts were ones of anger, hatred, and revenge. When she was recently raised by the Lich King, she became one of his most fearsome servants."



These look to me like they are going to be really cool encounters.



[BREAK=Conclusion]

Sooo, I like to end these things with a question...

I was thinking to myself today, who is going to end up with a World First kill on Arthas? My guess would have to be Ensidia (fanboy, I know). Anyways, I want you guys to leave a comment on who you think is going to get the #1 kill on the Lich King (legit of course).

Thanks for reading!

Glyn

[Drunne]

Nice article ! I also do think Ensidia gonna get it.

btw, do you have the "So let's start, shall we ?" from Inside Gaming ? :P

[Glynbeard]

Nice article ! I also do think Ensidia gonna get it.

btw, do you have the "So let's start, shall we ?" from Inside Gaming ? :P

Haha, no. I have a friend who talks like that to me over msn & WoW etc. and it sort of rubbed off over time.

[t1mPan]

Premodorial :devil:

[P1raten]

Wait. What? I have patch 3.3 O__o and your displaying content for 3.2 which you imply is going 2 be released tomorrow?

I think you ment 3.3.X? Or am i the one who is being a little woozy?

[Glynbeard]

Wait. What? I have patch 3.3 O__o and your displaying content for 3.2 which you imply is going 2 be released tomorrow?

I think you ment 3.3.X? Or am i the one who is being a little woozy?

My fault! Sorry for the typo! Edited.

[mihaitza]

Ensidia FTW.

[michael93]

Hmm judging by the fact that the lich king is supposed to be a VERY dificoult fight, im gonna say Ensidia..

Adept is not bad, but i havent seen them doing anything.. how do i put this.. ''Heroic'' yet..
All they have gotten is a couple of worlds first kills over ensidia, since they play on US and Ensidia on EU..

Worlds first is probably gonna be Ensidia, but its 50 - 50 i say.. could be both..
EU first: Ensidia defenetly
US first: Adept

[Xel]

Blizzard starts selling gold lmao.

[garrawr]

World first kill was 10man by Blood Legion on Illidan US on February 3rd, 2010.
World first 25 kill was by Ensidia shortly thereafter on Februrary 4th, unfortunately they used the saronite bomb exploit and had their achievements and loot taken from them, and a 72 hour ban for everyone who participated in the raid to salt-their-wounds.
In my honest opinion, I think Blizzard just wanted to make an example of someone.

[wac]

LOL @ People guessing for Ensidia.

Now that we know the answers, I can only say "What did I tell you..?"

Personally I think Ensidia is quite umm.. burn'd out? They're getting old. Not as hot as before :/.
But I still like them. But I hate their fanboys. Grr.

Btw.

The 25man kill did go to Paragon. (The bastards who moved to Lightning's Blade and now server get occasional incredible lag spikes.)

/Hate at all the fanboy's following Paragon. Follow Ensidia, that'll just make em' lag x).

[hellbringer44]

I like it that we can finaly kill him +