Something I’ve been thinking about lately is repgrind. No, not that Repgrind. Grinding out reputation, specifically as it pertains to professions. For those of us who have several alts on a server, with different professions, that means we likely have to grind a certain reputation several times over -just to get the recipes on each toon. We need to improve our standing with them before they hand out the goods. Well, makes sense to me. But if my Hunter is Exalted with Honor Hold, why should it matter what he wants to buy from the Quartermaster?
My Hunter has a fine standing with a faction and while I can’t be absolute, there’s a good chance he gets along well with my Priest, my Shaman, my Rogue…you get the idea. At the very least, he gets along with the ones of the same faction or the same guild. You can probably see where I’m going with this already. What if patterns were BoA, but in the same style as Heirlooms originally were? In the beginning, Heirloom gear could only be sent to characters on the same account, on the same server, and of the same faction. To me, this system could just as easily work for Quartermaster items (though today I’m focusing just on the Profession benefits).
With achievements account-wide in less than 10 days, there’s zero reason to get Exalted with “that one toon” any longer -save for sentimental reasons. You can obtain it with any particular one for the achievement. Once you’ve done so, there’s less reason to do it again…especially with Head Enchants disappearing in Mists. Devil’s Advocate suggests well, if you really want the Quartermaster items, you should be willing to do the work to get them. That’s true. But we’re entering an expansion with more emphasis on casual playing and situations where people don’t have large periods of time. This is one of those things that could be done quite easily, without impacting the rest of the game.
Sure, my reasons are partly selfish. I won’t deny that. But I also can’t really argue against what makes it a good idea. Mounts are now accoun twide, and pets are as well (let’s not notpick which ones right now, as it impacts this discussion very little). Some Quartermasters have an item or two that’s BoA as it is. This is a complete change that simply makes sense.
Great Minds, JD!
I’d actually been thinking about writing a post that hits this exact topic; though with a slightly different angle. Rather than making items BoA, how about making an item purchasable from the quartermaster (or other likely suspect) that is a Writ of Commendation; so your hunter, who is in fine standing, can purchase an item for your rogue, which the rogue can then pass on to the quartermaster to bring up their regard for him.
Doing it this way would be a little bit easier on the back end, as it’s adding a new item with a specific purpose (a purpose which has been used in other places, so the coding is in place), rather than changing the specifics on existing items. At least, I think* that’s how it is.
This could also be a conveniently little gold-sink, or a place to use commendations awarded by factions like the Baradin Wardens.
Actually, that’s an equally solid idea!
That is a great idea!
Shoryl’s idea would work too. A little more work, but still a lot less than grinding out the rep. It worked quite well for the Wrath reps, which can mostly be purchased with JP now.
Also true…and I forgot about the Wrath reps…I think I need to see how much JPs my main crafters have right now.
I was just thinking about faction rep the other day, myself, after reading the Godmother’s tip about alchemy elemental transmute recipes and discovering that my alchemist, being a DK, doesn’t have any of the vanilla and BC elemental transmutes yet…. nor does she have anywhere close to the faction rep needed to buy them.
Both you and Shoryl have made great suggestions to address the problem, and it definitely make the chronic altoholic’s live a lot easier if either one were implemented!
Yeah, it’s like my profession toons that still need rep with things like Cenarion Circle or Illidan forbid the Timbermaw…
Timbermaw post Cata is actually really easy and can be done within a couple hours.
Really? I am intrigued…
Look up Timbermaw on wowhead. The comments section will help guide you. Have completed Timbermaw rep several times in Cata because it is so easy now.
Hrm, maybe my Rogue can get back to Neutral. Back when we had class specific quests, I didn’t realize hers was a pickpocket quest and thus she was killing them left and right. Oddly enough, they weren’t too fond of that.
I agree with you JD. As someone who has mutliple alts with at least one of each profession covered and maxed, I would hate to have to grind repuatation on each of those toons, just to learn a receipe/pattern/plan that may no longer be viable for current PvP/PvE content. And some of those factions are just a pain to grind for.
There’s a couple I just cringe thinking about doing. Admittedly I wish they were all as easy as the Thorium Brotherhood!
I wish they’d do most other faction rep what they did with some of the Wrath rep, make commendations purchasable with JP or VP or whatnot. Most of my JP just sits on my toons now doing nothing other then picking up the occasional transmog piece for a new outfit. Account bound professional recipes would work for me too, though!
Actually, yeah. Even being able to buy the old rep with Justice Points or what have you would be good.
I am so with you all on this – more than I can even describe. I have been so frustrated as i watch my DK level faster than the Alliance Vanguard rep can keep up, and all the while watching my exalted status, so I can buy the chopper specs, slip further and further away. “Matty” is LOVE by those guys, and often wished she could just buy whatever the alts need. This really frustrates me. Maybe…this will change…
As I said, they should do it with an expansion’s factions once a new one comes out. I really don’t feel like levelling 4-5 toons with each just to learn the recipes. Though, I suppose one could argue that’s the price I pay for having alts.
Well, if “time is money, friend,” leveling alts is part of the time process, anyway, and there is way too much new stuff, that if Blizzard keeps discounting the enjoyment factor, they will lose players, simple as that. No one wants to keep on a treadmill forever. I personally don’t want to pay more for my love of alts!
Valid point. Plus, with all the Heirlooms, they clearly recognize the popularity of the alt(s).