I have a favorite video on Youtube that was put into a contest a year ago, I think, and won first place. I'm sure that most people who watch WoW videos have seen it but it really was one of the few videos that stuck out in my mind because of the lesson involved in it, and it seems even more appropriate to me now than ever.
Nobody sets out to lose themselves in the game. No one I know actively says that they will be choosing loot over friends, raids over groups, or anything like that. But it seems very easy to me to be able to lose sight of the real reason to play ANY game, WoW of course included, amidst trying to do what you set out to do in the first place.
Casual guilds like mine are forever in danger of the pitfalls of becoming a raiding guild, or vice versa, a raiding guild becoming too casual. Good players, like my wife (amongst others) are constantly at risk of becoming so dependent on addons and wow blogs that they can no longer see the game that they're playing, or are spending more time reading about the game than actually playing it. (No, I'm not actually saying this is true with K, I'm using her as a frame of reference for the caliber of player I think is most at risk.)
Every now and again it would serve anyone well to be reminded of exactly WHY they do what they do, so they can re-evaluate if WHAT they do is actually still moving them in the same direction they first started out intending to go.
And this video serves as a reminder to me, and maybe now to you, of exactly that. There are things far more important than raiding or efficiency or rules or ranks. No amount of epic loots, achievements accomplished, raid bosses downed, or Armory/WoW-Heroes rankings will ever replace or compare to downing VanCleef your first time, with your best friends.
Not ever.
Frame of Mind
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
A Hidden Secret Rating!
On my way to Stormwind I uncovered something I wish to share. Something so hidden, so secret (by Blizzard) that many of the up and coming level 80 DPS'ers have no idea it even exists. Yes, friends, I'm talking about the Secret Hit rating.
Here's how it works. As DPS we all know that we have to stack our respective skill sets in order to do massive number attacks on the things before us that must die. Whatever your class is, there's a balancing act to address when it comes to what you should stack and how.
One of these things to stack, though it should be at the bottom of your list really since it provides no large numbers that I can think of, is Hit Rating. This little number is Blizzard's way of making sure our numbers don't go too high so the tanks can do their jobs and such.
But what no one knows is that it's linked to a stat that isn't shown on equipment at all! The Secret Hit rating, which for sake of ease, I'll refer to as S-hit rating from now on.
And here's how it works out. For every point in hit rating you get, up to your hit cap, your S-hit rating goes DOWN as a DPS. The less hit rating you have, the higher your S-hit rating. So essentially, it's in all DPS' best interest to stop stacking hit rating completely. It's a win-win situation that Blizz really doesn't want us to know about. We'll have larger numbers when we hit, and a massive S-hit rating that isn't even showing up. And all DPS knows it's about the big numbers.
In the end it comes down to this question, fellow DPS'ers. Do you want to DPS with Hit or do you want to do S-hit damage instead? It's not really a question when you get down to it, eh?
So that's it in a nutshell. I may or may not be around to make more blogs as I've unveiled probably one of the biggest secrets in Blizzard history. Aside from their shameless copying of Boon jokes that they put the name of Chuck Norris in instead. Stealing from me to give to Chuck Norris, really? Like he isn't made of money after all of his Bowflex commercials.
Here's how it works. As DPS we all know that we have to stack our respective skill sets in order to do massive number attacks on the things before us that must die. Whatever your class is, there's a balancing act to address when it comes to what you should stack and how.
One of these things to stack, though it should be at the bottom of your list really since it provides no large numbers that I can think of, is Hit Rating. This little number is Blizzard's way of making sure our numbers don't go too high so the tanks can do their jobs and such.
But what no one knows is that it's linked to a stat that isn't shown on equipment at all! The Secret Hit rating, which for sake of ease, I'll refer to as S-hit rating from now on.
And here's how it works out. For every point in hit rating you get, up to your hit cap, your S-hit rating goes DOWN as a DPS. The less hit rating you have, the higher your S-hit rating. So essentially, it's in all DPS' best interest to stop stacking hit rating completely. It's a win-win situation that Blizz really doesn't want us to know about. We'll have larger numbers when we hit, and a massive S-hit rating that isn't even showing up. And all DPS knows it's about the big numbers.
In the end it comes down to this question, fellow DPS'ers. Do you want to DPS with Hit or do you want to do S-hit damage instead? It's not really a question when you get down to it, eh?
So that's it in a nutshell. I may or may not be around to make more blogs as I've unveiled probably one of the biggest secrets in Blizzard history. Aside from their shameless copying of Boon jokes that they put the name of Chuck Norris in instead. Stealing from me to give to Chuck Norris, really? Like he isn't made of money after all of his Bowflex commercials.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The Dark Lady
So I'm Horde. I'm running around near Silvermoon and what should drop? A necklace with an interesting story behind it. I haven't completed the quest yet but I know what lies at the end of it. For anyone interested in the lore of World of Warcraft or just a well-done storyline, this one is certainly worth aspiring to view. With the new allowance of level 55 characters on any server as long as you have a 55 SOMEWHERE, you can even skip the Youtube videos and see it yourself if you like.
The item dropped at the tower on the western bluff of the Ghostlands. You really can't miss it, because if that were possible, I would have. ;)
P.S. Hopefully anyone wanting to play a Death Knight on a new server made theirs already. Reading over some notes from Blizzard it appears that they've suspended the creation on any server, and you can only create them (now) again back on servers that you are established on. I was attempting to test this and make a DK on the new server, Borean Tundra, and confirmed it. I could NOT make a Death Knight there. Fortunately my other new Death Knights still exist and are accessible!
The item dropped at the tower on the western bluff of the Ghostlands. You really can't miss it, because if that were possible, I would have. ;)
P.S. Hopefully anyone wanting to play a Death Knight on a new server made theirs already. Reading over some notes from Blizzard it appears that they've suspended the creation on any server, and you can only create them (now) again back on servers that you are established on. I was attempting to test this and make a DK on the new server, Borean Tundra, and confirmed it. I could NOT make a Death Knight there. Fortunately my other new Death Knights still exist and are accessible!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
You can't always get what you want...
...but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need.
I made this blog a long, long, long (did I mention long?) time ago with the idea that I would put here thoughts on WoW, being a guild leader, being in a successful guild, and from time to time, some insight into how I play my characters. It was called "Tales of a Guardian Knight" because MY guild is called Guardian Knights.
There's a running joke with me that some people know. I'm terrible at giving directions in-game. If you need to get somewhere, you really shouldn't put me on auto-follow. I'll kill you. You will perish in a most spectacular fashion. But most importantly, you will be dead nowhere near where you intended to be. I've, seriously, even placed people in wrong instances. If you put a gun to my computer and told me that the life of my little electrical friend was tied to my ability to lead a character into say, Steamvaults... I'd be buying a new computer.
So when someone asks me directions, I say "First, go to Stormwind". Each and every time. So I kind of figure it's as good a title as any and at least it has a bit more meaning than my first title.
Anyway, I'm a somewhat decent paladin. Spec? Any of them, though I figure I'm best at healing. I don't give answers to healing questions, but I'm happy to shoot the breeze and see what works best for you if you need it. I despise the opinion that there's a "right" way to spec a character or that there are "correct" ways of stacking gear. Player ability trumps gear trumps spec any day of the week. But really, I'm just a guy on the internet, why should you give a rip about what MY opinion of YOUR character is? See where I'm going?
That's me in a nutshell. I just started a new server with a Death Knight (thank you Blizzard for the implementation) so I'll probably be writing a few DK posts soon, and some spoofs on "serious" issues like gearing a character, what stats each class should stack, etc.
If you ever find yourself taking anything I say seriously, you should take a breath and re-read it with a more light-hearted tone. I'm just some guy, nobody special, average in every way, and the only real thing any of us share in common is that we play the same online video game. The only thing I ever really want someone to walk away from when partying with me, or dealing with me, is a good laugh, maybe a smile.
I'll see what I can do. But first...
go to Stormwind.
I made this blog a long, long, long (did I mention long?) time ago with the idea that I would put here thoughts on WoW, being a guild leader, being in a successful guild, and from time to time, some insight into how I play my characters. It was called "Tales of a Guardian Knight" because MY guild is called Guardian Knights.
There's a running joke with me that some people know. I'm terrible at giving directions in-game. If you need to get somewhere, you really shouldn't put me on auto-follow. I'll kill you. You will perish in a most spectacular fashion. But most importantly, you will be dead nowhere near where you intended to be. I've, seriously, even placed people in wrong instances. If you put a gun to my computer and told me that the life of my little electrical friend was tied to my ability to lead a character into say, Steamvaults... I'd be buying a new computer.
So when someone asks me directions, I say "First, go to Stormwind". Each and every time. So I kind of figure it's as good a title as any and at least it has a bit more meaning than my first title.
Anyway, I'm a somewhat decent paladin. Spec? Any of them, though I figure I'm best at healing. I don't give answers to healing questions, but I'm happy to shoot the breeze and see what works best for you if you need it. I despise the opinion that there's a "right" way to spec a character or that there are "correct" ways of stacking gear. Player ability trumps gear trumps spec any day of the week. But really, I'm just a guy on the internet, why should you give a rip about what MY opinion of YOUR character is? See where I'm going?
That's me in a nutshell. I just started a new server with a Death Knight (thank you Blizzard for the implementation) so I'll probably be writing a few DK posts soon, and some spoofs on "serious" issues like gearing a character, what stats each class should stack, etc.
If you ever find yourself taking anything I say seriously, you should take a breath and re-read it with a more light-hearted tone. I'm just some guy, nobody special, average in every way, and the only real thing any of us share in common is that we play the same online video game. The only thing I ever really want someone to walk away from when partying with me, or dealing with me, is a good laugh, maybe a smile.
I'll see what I can do. But first...
go to Stormwind.
Friday, October 3, 2008
The Wrath of Burning Crusade?
A lot of people are bored right now. I've noticed a certain listlessness in my compatriots, and even myself. It happens, I guess, this close to an expansion. We've had nearly two years to play through this content and being married to K and her altism, I've seen everything at least 7 times.
With that said, people who still play are doing what they can to stay energized. The patch may help (Oct. 14th for those that don't know) and it'll certainly give me something to do as I learn my new specs. Yeah, I said specs. I don't intend to level as holy, hopefully giving Blizzard enough time to fix what I view as some real holes in the Holy spec. I think Holy is a weak, weak tree. Still, I'm a holy paladin at heart so no matter, I hit 80, it's Holy for me.
Anyway! People are moving around. Some leave smaller guilds for 25-man content, or to try to PvP their asses off. It's understandable, at least from my perspective, but it's probably very trying to guild leaders and small guilds to understand since they will see the flux of people most.
Just keep your heads down, keep doing what you do, and when Lich King hits you'll have guild stability again. This time, even, I don't think you'll see that kind of flux at 80. Not with the 10-man content running parallel to 25-man stuff. Small guilds should rejoice over that decision by Blizzard.
Still in my guild, disagreeing when I do! *gasp*
With that said, people who still play are doing what they can to stay energized. The patch may help (Oct. 14th for those that don't know) and it'll certainly give me something to do as I learn my new specs. Yeah, I said specs. I don't intend to level as holy, hopefully giving Blizzard enough time to fix what I view as some real holes in the Holy spec. I think Holy is a weak, weak tree. Still, I'm a holy paladin at heart so no matter, I hit 80, it's Holy for me.
Anyway! People are moving around. Some leave smaller guilds for 25-man content, or to try to PvP their asses off. It's understandable, at least from my perspective, but it's probably very trying to guild leaders and small guilds to understand since they will see the flux of people most.
Just keep your heads down, keep doing what you do, and when Lich King hits you'll have guild stability again. This time, even, I don't think you'll see that kind of flux at 80. Not with the 10-man content running parallel to 25-man stuff. Small guilds should rejoice over that decision by Blizzard.
Still in my guild, disagreeing when I do! *gasp*
Thursday, September 25, 2008
What makes a paladin?
When asked why he climbed Mt. Everest, a paladin replied "because it was there."
It is this kind of spirit that makes a paladin a paladin.
We are the bold and the brave, the elite and the 1337. We are the line that cannot be crossed so long as we stand. We are the hammer and shield, the light and the way.
Essentially this all boils down into one word, which should be used from here on out to describe paladins (although sometimes not ret paladins) thoroughly. The word?
Awesome.
If a paladin were polymorphed into cake, which kind of cake would he be? Easy. He'd be strawberry cake with strawberry icing. Why? Because that kind of cake is awesome.
If a paladin were polymorphed into a hot female movie star, who would it be? Easy. Helen Hunt. Why? Because she's awesome.
In the coming weeks I'll hopefully be talking a lot about how to be a proper paladin, what kind of gear you'll need, what kind of attitude you'll need, and the appropriate and meek style and philosophy that makes us so awesome.
I will not ATTEMPT to flame anyone or any class here (again except probably ret paladins) but, since some of you reading this probably don't have a paladin, you'll feel flamed. This is simply because you don't have the degree of awesomeness that a paladin has, which would provide you with a bubble to keep the flames from hurting you.
Hmmm, that's something. I think I know what a paladin's bubble is now made of.
No guesses?
It's made of awesome. No wonder my bubble works better than other paladins (like ret paladins).
Off to ponder this, and mock ret paladins. (and maybe ret paladins)
It is this kind of spirit that makes a paladin a paladin.
We are the bold and the brave, the elite and the 1337. We are the line that cannot be crossed so long as we stand. We are the hammer and shield, the light and the way.
Essentially this all boils down into one word, which should be used from here on out to describe paladins (although sometimes not ret paladins) thoroughly. The word?
Awesome.
If a paladin were polymorphed into cake, which kind of cake would he be? Easy. He'd be strawberry cake with strawberry icing. Why? Because that kind of cake is awesome.
If a paladin were polymorphed into a hot female movie star, who would it be? Easy. Helen Hunt. Why? Because she's awesome.
In the coming weeks I'll hopefully be talking a lot about how to be a proper paladin, what kind of gear you'll need, what kind of attitude you'll need, and the appropriate and meek style and philosophy that makes us so awesome.
I will not ATTEMPT to flame anyone or any class here (again except probably ret paladins) but, since some of you reading this probably don't have a paladin, you'll feel flamed. This is simply because you don't have the degree of awesomeness that a paladin has, which would provide you with a bubble to keep the flames from hurting you.
Hmmm, that's something. I think I know what a paladin's bubble is now made of.
No guesses?
It's made of awesome. No wonder my bubble works better than other paladins (like ret paladins).
Off to ponder this, and mock ret paladins. (and maybe ret paladins)
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
On forces...
I'm a stubborn man. It comes with being someone who has convictions, and the need/desire to stand by them, come hell or high water, as long as I believe in them.
I don't fold at poker often. I don't back down in the face of adversity and I don't give an inch if I think you're wrong.
I'm an Immovable Force.
When two people who are Immovable Forces are together, there isn't really an issue. Both people will stick to their ideals and beliefs without interfering with each other and can usually get along very well.
There is another type of stubborn person, however. The type that is a leader, or is forced to be a leader, and thus has influence over others. You'll notice that I'm not painting this type of person with a negative connotation. I don't believe that all of these type of person are bad, or wrong, or evil.
They are Unstoppable Forces.
Most Unstoppables are good people with good intentions. Unfortunately the bad Unstoppables are the most extreme, rude, disgusting people you've ever met. You know the types. They're the ones that bully a group at group outings, insist that whatever is going to be done (in a group setting) is going to be what THEY want to do, or else. They're the type that will tell someone sharing a belief how incredibly wrong and stupid they are.
I knew a few Unstoppable Forces like that, and am lucky to have distanced myself from them. I can safely say that today there aren't any of these kind in my life.
That isn't to say that I don't know a few Unstoppable Forces. I know plenty of them, and I'm lucky to know them.
You're probably seeing where I'm going with this.
What happens when an Unstoppable Force meets up with an Immovable Object?
Everything changes. Friends aren't friends, groups of people splinter into factions, guilds disband, and tempers run high. If left unchecked, people will choose sides, and unless something changes, war will begin.
A war like that is unwinnable for either force. It may seem like common sense when written here, in plain text, with unheated blood and calmness in mind. But when the blood is up, when tempers flare, that war seems not only winnable, but inevitable.
The only real way to succeed when an Immovable Force meets an Unstoppable Force is for one, or both, to move. An Unstoppable doesn't have to go in one line, it can change directions without being stopped. It can shift course, bend, and continue on without any damage done. An Immovable can do the same thing, in its own way, by moving aside. It can still be immovable, but in a slightly different place, and continue to be what it is.
So the answer to my question is easy.
When an Immovable Object meets an Unstoppable Force, the world ends.
Unless they both choose to compromise.
If that happens, the world wins.
So if you're an Unstoppable, or if you're like me an Immovable, please consider this and help the world you live in to win. You'll like those consequences much more than when the world ends.
I hope you're all having great adventures right now. ^^ I'll see you in the world.
P.S. As an aside, anyone who thinks that someone should leave a guild if they disagree with the Guild Leader would have really enjoyed Nazi Germany. And France. I choose to stay in a guild I care about, and try to make changes and compromises for the better. Cheers!
I don't fold at poker often. I don't back down in the face of adversity and I don't give an inch if I think you're wrong.
I'm an Immovable Force.
When two people who are Immovable Forces are together, there isn't really an issue. Both people will stick to their ideals and beliefs without interfering with each other and can usually get along very well.
There is another type of stubborn person, however. The type that is a leader, or is forced to be a leader, and thus has influence over others. You'll notice that I'm not painting this type of person with a negative connotation. I don't believe that all of these type of person are bad, or wrong, or evil.
They are Unstoppable Forces.
Most Unstoppables are good people with good intentions. Unfortunately the bad Unstoppables are the most extreme, rude, disgusting people you've ever met. You know the types. They're the ones that bully a group at group outings, insist that whatever is going to be done (in a group setting) is going to be what THEY want to do, or else. They're the type that will tell someone sharing a belief how incredibly wrong and stupid they are.
I knew a few Unstoppable Forces like that, and am lucky to have distanced myself from them. I can safely say that today there aren't any of these kind in my life.
That isn't to say that I don't know a few Unstoppable Forces. I know plenty of them, and I'm lucky to know them.
You're probably seeing where I'm going with this.
What happens when an Unstoppable Force meets up with an Immovable Object?
Everything changes. Friends aren't friends, groups of people splinter into factions, guilds disband, and tempers run high. If left unchecked, people will choose sides, and unless something changes, war will begin.
A war like that is unwinnable for either force. It may seem like common sense when written here, in plain text, with unheated blood and calmness in mind. But when the blood is up, when tempers flare, that war seems not only winnable, but inevitable.
The only real way to succeed when an Immovable Force meets an Unstoppable Force is for one, or both, to move. An Unstoppable doesn't have to go in one line, it can change directions without being stopped. It can shift course, bend, and continue on without any damage done. An Immovable can do the same thing, in its own way, by moving aside. It can still be immovable, but in a slightly different place, and continue to be what it is.
So the answer to my question is easy.
When an Immovable Object meets an Unstoppable Force, the world ends.
Unless they both choose to compromise.
If that happens, the world wins.
So if you're an Unstoppable, or if you're like me an Immovable, please consider this and help the world you live in to win. You'll like those consequences much more than when the world ends.
I hope you're all having great adventures right now. ^^ I'll see you in the world.
P.S. As an aside, anyone who thinks that someone should leave a guild if they disagree with the Guild Leader would have really enjoyed Nazi Germany. And France. I choose to stay in a guild I care about, and try to make changes and compromises for the better. Cheers!
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