Author: Ethic

The World of Warcraft beta test is winding down in preparation for the (predicted) launch on November 15th of 2004. They have announced open beta signups will start soon, and then open beta will run for maybe 2 weeks if that (assuming the launch date is correct).

I’m starting to feel the impending doom of my beta character and it gets harder and harder to push into the game when I realize that I’ll be doing this again in a month or so.

I really tried to save a lot of the game content for after launch. I did not do any instanced dungeons. I did not go over level 18 (cap is 60) on the Alliance and over 14 on the Horde. I did try most classes to get a good feel of what they are basically about (this is the part that I normally do in the beginning of an MMORPG that takes up all my time and I end up with eight level 10 guys while all my friends are sitting on one level 45 guy).

Therefore, I’m kind of not playing WoW any more. Well, I do keep logging in to wander about, but I’m not going to try to level any more I think. Yeah, that’s the ticket.

I have been sucked in. Big time. I started a Rogue in World of Warcraft again. My first attempt didn’t last long as I didn’t gell with the class right away for some reason.

I created an Undead Rogue since I’ve had enough of the Alliance quests for now. I gotta say, this is the most fun I have had in an MMORPG, and I’ve played them all.

Some of the cool things:

Stealth – You turn invisible to anyone near or below your level. You appear ghostly on your screen. You can sneak past most mobs near your level and sometimes even higher. It gives you another option if you don’t feel like fighting your way into a quest goal. Sneak in and sneak out. Success!

Dual Wielding – It works! WoW has implemented dual wielding in a way that doesn’t suck so bad that you give up on the coolness. It is very fun, and the Rogue is not the only class that can do it. There are at least 2 other classes that can dual wield, maybe more. I started out dual wielding daggers and later trained swords so now I can dual wield two of either, or one of each. Gives you a lot of options so if you loot something cool you can use it. Also, many weapons have stat mods on them so if you have two weapons with stat mods you get both of the mods.

Ranged Weapons – Many classes have a ranged attack option and the Rogue is no exception. The Rogue starts out with throwing knives as a weapon. They work fine for pulling, but don’t do much in the damage department at this stage of the game. Therefore, as soon as I found a bow trainer I picked up the bow and arrow. You could also choose guns if you so wished. There is a crossbow trainer as well, but I don’t recall seeing any crossbows in the game (I’m sure they are, I just have not come across one).

Killing Machine – The Rogue is a great solo class for my playstyle. I’m not levelling like mad due to time available to play, but this is the first game I’ve played where I don’t even care. There is so much to keep you interested in that you are often suprised when you level. If I come up against a mob of equal level, I can kill it by myself. Either sneak up in stealth and start with a back stab, or just pull out the bow and let loose with a few arrows. In the middle of battle, I can stun the mob. Doing so gives me a few options depending on the direction the battle is going. Losing? Now is a good time to run. Doing ok? Run around behind the mob and back stab him. Need a little healing? Apply a bandage and go back to fighting.

The Rogue’s fighting skills are interesting. There are some skills that build up for a finishing blow. You will see a little counter next to the mob’s icon, represented by 5 dots. Each time you use one of your skills that boost the finishing blow, it will light up a dot. Each dot is an increase of damage for the finishing blow. You can finish whenever you want, but it’s fun to get it up to 5 and see the big hurt.

Talents are another thing I love about WoW. It allows for you take take your class and then focus it in the ways you want to. For instance, on my Rogue I have reduced the cool down on a few skills I like to use. I have also added a talent that gives me a % bonus to the first attack after I make a kill. This helps for those adds that we all love to hate. You can add talents that increase your critical hit chances, increase your defense, etc.

Talents allow you to make a Warrior and focus him on offense or defense if you choose. It really is the extra flexibility that games like this need. Tailor your character to your own desires. No more will I make a Warrior only to find out that I HAVE to be the tank.

We are happy to announce that we will soon be accepting applicants for the World of Warcraft Open Beta Test for North America. The open phase of beta will give people a chance to enter Azeroth and play World of Warcraft before the game is released. More details will become available in the days ahead, so stay tuned.

Looks like release in November is quite likely now.

Being a Rogue, I have often found it easy to pick up a job or two in small towns. I had been doing some small tasks for the town of Brill lately. I must have made a good impression as I was summoned to see one of the city leaders. After a small wait, he took me aside. He had been commanded to find an agent with proven worth against the Scourge. He found me. He could not tell me the details regarding the command which had fallen to him, but he could tell me it dealt with recruiting a wayward lich. That and a stern warning; it may be dangerous.

I was told to head into the Undercity to meet with Bethor Iceshard, a high-ranking and powerful mage, in the Magic Quarter. Off I went, soon passing under the Zeppelins. I’ll have to remember to write soon about those wonderous machines the goblins have put together to help move us long distances. One left the dock, passing it’s large shadow over me, as I walked by the base of the Zeppelin tower.

Entering the Ruins of Lordaeron, I was warmed by our past victories here. The trip to the Undercity is always pleasant for me. The odors are fantastic. Eventually I worked my way down far below the ruins into the Undercity. I walked through the bustle of the big city towards the Magic Quarter and finally to my goal.

Bethor greeted me, “There is a lich who dwells on an island in Brightwater Lake to the north of the Undercity. Although this lich is a free-willed Forsaken, he believes all other Undead are Scourge slaves and will order his minions to attack anyone who approaches him. But, because he is Forsaken, the Queen will want him. And if he is skilled in Necromancy, then his knowledge would be … quite useful to us. To discover his identity and his talents, I must see his spellbook. Steal into his camp and acquire it, then return to me.”

I accepted the quest, as I had grown weary of the simple tasks that the people of Brill were too lazy to do for themselves. I packed up some supplies and sheathed my two new daggers I had purchased from the auction house in Orgrimmar a few days before. They were nice and sharp, ready to do my stealthy bidding.

I hiked north from the Undercity, past Brill, until I found Brightwater Lake. My trip had been uneventful and thus I made good time. I slid into the lake, sinking to the bottom. Being Undead, not needing to breathe has it’s advantages. I could just walk across the bottom of the lake towards the island and nobody would have a chance to see me.

I surfaced under a dock on the shore of the island and surveyed my surroundings. A few minions were walking about so I slipped into the shadows to look for this lich. A couple of times a minion got too close for comfort so I was forced to silence them. Eventually I spotted the lich, and more importantly his spellbook. Staying mostly to the shadows and next to trees, I was able to sneak up to his camp and slide the book into my pack unnoticed. Back into the lake and on to the Undercity.

I handed the spellbook to Bethor and his eyes grew wide. The lich was well-known to Bethor, one by the name of Gunther Arcanus. After paying me a healthy reward, Bethor spoke. “Long ago Gunther and I, along with the now Scourge Necromancer Thule Ravenclaw, were friends and students within the Kirin Tor – a society of mages in Dalaran. Gunther and I both fell to the Plague, but I thought he either remained dead, or was raised into the ranks of the Lich King. It is good to know he is free. We must have him. I have placed a spell on his book that, when he sees it, will show him that I too am free of the Lich King. After knowing this, it is my hope that he will join us.”

I was asked if I would go back to the island and give the spellbook directly to Gunther. Considering that my financial status could use still more improvement, I greedily accepted.

My good buddy Inhibit is going on a trip, just when he almost talks me into trying Anarchy Online again. Well, maybe I’ll still do it or maybe I’ll wait until he gets back. Or maybe I’ll just ignore it altogether. Too bad he is not in the World of Warcraft beta, I think he’d really enjoy it.

Been playing my Undead Rogue in WoW lately. Hit level 10 last night so I could start dual wielding. I have this unhealthy urge to dual wield in every game I play, usually with unhappy results. So far so good in WoW.

WoW is the solo paradise I’ve been looking for in an MMORPG. It is a real treat to accomplish most everything in the game just on your own wits. I can count the number of times I’ve grouped on one hand, and even then it was usually just because someone else was in the same spot doing the same quest. 5 minutes later I am on my own again.

The thing I really enjoy about the Rogue class in WoW is how hard it is to get in trouble. If things turn ugly, you have several methods of escape. Stun and run, a boosted run, or both if needed. I also enjoy going stealth and sneaking up on things. Backstab! I’ve been able to do many things with my Rogue that I would have had to fight my way into and out of with other classes. Several quests I’ve done have asked me to go into a camp and kill a named mob. Not having to fight through all the guards makes quick work of things, as well as an increased heart rate. Sneak in, kill the named mob, sneak out. The guards are left wondering what the heck happened.

And I have yet to even dabble in the poisons…