Fly Or Die Challenge?

I logged on last night and one of the first things I tend to do is see who’s on.  In doing so, I notice Killthryn’s Real ID message: “Ask me about the Fly or Die Challenge.”  Inquisitive sort that I am, I did just that.

Telling me that it’s a logical progression from the 2012 challenge (in which participants have a fair number of alts), he proceeded to explain a relatively straightforward gauntlet: either a toon gets to 60 and learns flying or you delete it on New Year’s Eve.  That’s…well, one can’t argue how direct the concept is.  It’s certainly a great way to cull the alts, as it were.  Taking the time to think about it for a day, I have to say I think it’s a great idea.  1-60 can be obtained pretty quickly in the modern era of Azeroth.  It’s also a bracket where you do have options in how you want to level (as opposed to hitting 68 and knowing the first dungeon you’ll see on any toon is Utgarde Keep).  For some, it will be a great way to evaluate their alts.  I know Mrs. Amateur has said she’s in.  But am I?

At this stage, I’m really not sure.  He’s made it clear that bank alts are allowed to remain lowbies (I believe the rate is one per server but he may correct me), but I think I have more characters in the 10-40 bracket than anywhere else.  I kind of like them that way.  I mean, I joke Vortmar is level 14 and has three years worth of Winter Veil Cookies.  Would I want to delete him if he didn’t reach 60?  I don’t think that I would.

As I say, I think it’s a great challenge.  But so was the 2012 challenge and I failed that miserably because I had no idea the turn Amateur Azerothian was destined to take.  I think I would love to take the challenge, but depending on this year I don’t want to lose toons to the fates of another year.  The best I could do is apply it to certain characters but then I feel as though that would defeat or cheat the challenge itself and refuse to do that either.  So instead, I will cheer folks on and watch and see.

To Do List (No Buckets)

That’s Liouxpold making his way to Lower City, following the completion of his Netherdrake Rep.  I hadn’t done it before and I have to say it was really enjoyable -the lore of it was well done and tells us more about the Dragonflight.  Plus the “Booterang” is just hilarious.  Now that I’ve finished that, I still have a list of things I need to get done.  Not in a “before Mists arrives” sort of way, just things that need to get done.

• Finish mailing out the Mogolympics prizes.
• Get more links working on the Mogolympics site.  Pretty Fly Draenei offered to help and I think I did the right thing in accepting.  Too much burnout doing it on my own, but I’m too damn stubborn to ask for help.  Taurus much?
• Post my guide to the Netherdrake Reputation grind
• Post more of the upcoming Laid Back Raids.  At least this weekend’s is up now (much to the delight of Arvash, no doubt).
• Add a few more header images to “flavour” up the site.
• Get my other blog off the ground.  At least it has a name now -I think.
• Execute my character purge in WoW.
• Find out how people are doing in the 2012 challenge.
• Start posting that other Mogging idea I touched on last week.
• Update my blog roll

Hopefully now that I’ve posted this list, it’ll be easier to start knocking them off.  There’s no timeline -well, save for a couple of the items, so it’s not like there’s pressure.  Sure, there’s self-imposed “get that done” in my head, but no outside influence weighing on me.  Now that I’ve said that, time to have at some of it.

Days Go By

It was a long weekend here, and I was enjoying the weather and the family yesterday and even some WoW.  So things here were quiet, though I did stay on top of the Transmogolympics.  The contest was only announced a couple days ago and we’re already up to twenty participants.  In case you missed it, there is no limit on how many people take part.  However, if we manage to have more participants than factions, then some factions will merely have more than one representative; much like the real Olympic Games. Also, I wanted to take a moment to once again thank Tome of the Ancient for the logo.  I told her what I wanted and she delivered beautifully.  I’m also happy to have her, Matty, and Khizzara as fellow judges for the event.

We had another successful Laid Back Raids on Saturday night.  The only place scheduled this week was Trial of the Crusader, but that didn’t stop us from also kicking down the doors to Ruby Sanctum and Obsidian Sanctum. We had a solid turnout including, for the first time, both Repgrind and Ratters (and his daughter as well)!  It was great timing as Rep knew TotC and was able to provide some guidance, though we did zerg the sucker down pretty fast.  For the Sanctums, I filled out the group with my friend Valanyr and a couple of his buds.  Oh, and Tum even got himself a new set of wings.

In Azeroth over the weekend, there was a great deal of puttering about, or “faffing” as Godmother and Kamalia have come to tell me.  Fireflint is finally 75, and that means time to boost his Blacksmithing.  I’ll obviously have to gain a few levels before I can max him out on it, fortunately I’ll be able to hit the Darkmoon Faire before the week is out.  I also snagged a few levels for Carrera and Estheriot.  Plus, three new faces are showing up around here now.

I have no clue as to why internet demons have taken the Gnome’s face.  Fortunately she sent me a postcard of her hanging with faction leader of epic epicness,

Zero Zero One One One Zero One Zero!

She joined the ranks for a few reasons.  The first, is admittedly, I had a sudden fetish to have a character with the Very Light Sabre.  As I pointed out to Mrs. Amateur, it’s a coincidence I gave her the Leia hair buns.  Also, I rolled her on Fenris (US).  I’ve heard horror stories about the economy and thought I would check it out for myself.  I farmed up some quick Peacebloom and Silverleaf, and threw that on the Auction House.  Neither was a full stack and it resulted in about 10 gold in her pocket.  That allowed me to grab a couple of items off the Auction House to sell, as well as purchase some of the rabbits from Amberstill Ranch and see if I can get a few coin for those as well.  So, so far things don’t seem too strange.  Hopefully the Schematic: Mechanical Mithril Dragonling sold at the behest of my advice.  I managed to sell one with Tumunzahar yesterday on Runetotem for 85g.  I still think that’s absurd, but if folks aren’t going to go get it out in the Hinterlands I may as well.  It didn’t hurt I was getting a couple points in Archaeology at the time either.

In closing, let me just tell you how strange it is to see “Semblance” in Trade chat.  Even merely as a name, it seems to look out of place.  Funny that.

Azerothian X-Men (Or Where I Swear At Nav)

**note** This post is best viewed on its own.  Click on the topic heading for a less buggered view

Yes, I completely blame Navimie for this one.  All that superhero talk sparked my creative juices and my OCD kicked in to the point I had to build this.  For your pleasure, the X-Men (Alliance):

Jean Grey (Phoenix), Storm, Cyclops, Professor X, Wolverine, Iceman

I had puttered around with a couple of other characters, but they just weren’t working out to my liking.  So I stuck with these six…which took long enough as it was.  About two hours for the lot, I believe.  Then another twenty minutes to put the details together here.  These are 100% transmog outfits and I was trying to re-imagine them in Azeroth rather than recreate them.  All in all, not too shabby I suppose.

Jean Grey:

• Runecloth Headband
• Wound-Cauterizing Spaulders
• Cloak of Unforgivable Sin
• Cindercloth Vest
• Cuffs of Devastation
• Lava Burn Gloves
• Cincture of Polarity
• Leggings of Tirisfal
• Sorcerer Slippers

Storm:

• Cyclone Shoulderpads
• Redoubt Cloak
• Black Dragonscale Breastplate
• Gloves of Quickening
• Formidable Belt
• Bloodbinder Links
• Formidable Sabatons

Cyclops:

• Geistlord’s Punishment Sack
• Earthen Leather Shoulders
• Ikfirus’ Sack of Wonder
• Lightfinger Handwraps
• War Rider Belt
• Light Leather Pants
• Bogwalker Boots

Professor X:

• Batwing Mantle
• Runecloth Tunic
• Stylish Black Shirt
• Adept’s Gloves
• Deathmage Sash
• Aurora Pants
• Highlander Cloth Boots

Wolverine:

• Heroes’ Bonescythe Helmet
• Nightslayer Chestpiece
• Bandit Gloves
• Charred Drakehide Belt
• Opportunist’s Leather Legguards
• Frog Boots
• Nexus-Claw
• Void-Talon

Iceman:

• Cataclysmic Gladiator’s Dreadplate Helm
• Pauldrons of the Great Ettin
• Light Elementium Chestguard
• Diemetradon Plate Gloves
• Sky Strider Belt
• Cobalt Legplates
• Cobalt Boots

Bye Bye January

The first month of the year is gone in a few short hours (or possibly it’s already gone in your part of the world) and if there’s one way to summarize it, that would be WHERE DID MY IMMUNE SYSTEM GO?!?!  Seriously, I was sick every day this month.  Some were better than others (the strep throat phase suckethed horribly), but on the whole I’ve had some variation of a viral infection or flu since New Year’s Day.  Ugh.

That out of the way, I present a random post of random thoughts as it relates to our wonderful World (of Warcraft).  For starters, I hate the idea of Hoarders, but this Machinima always cracks me up.  It’s definitely the Troll.  Plus, if you know any players like this I can guarantee you Void Storage has done nothing to help this situation.

• I finally landed Horrux’s pants on the Auction House last night. I’ve needed Brutish Legguards for over a month.  I decided to check the Undermine Journal before I went to bed and then logged on like a madman.  This would be the fifth time I’ve seen them only to login and they’re gone.  Alas, I still need the gloves, but now that it’s the only piece of gear I’m missing for his outfit, I may look for other options.
• Mount Hyjal is absurdly slow without a flying mount.  That’s right, Liouxpold still doesn’t have one.  I haven’t bothered visiting the Cenarion Expedition in quite some time.  Part of me thinks this weekend might be a great opportunity to go farm crazy.  No, I won’t just buy him a bird.
• Still debating whether or not I want the Elder title for Tumunzahar.  I got it on Siori when it was introduced, mainly because I had this notion as guild leader she needed it first (and I succeeded in that area).  I like Starcaller on Tum but if Blizzard allows for mixed titles in the future, Elder Starcaller actually has a ring to it.
• Leveling with guild perks and even ONE BoA is ridiculously faster than doing it vanilla style.  That’s a no-brainer, but The 2012 is teaching me that rather quickly. 
• Love Warrior tanking and Druid tanking, and quickly coming around to Paladin tanking.  Yet, I look at both my Blood Death Knights and just cringe at the idea.
• On the flip side, I love Priest healing, find Shaman healing easy, and am just now starting to level a Resto Druid…Holy Paladin will probably come later.
• No, I don’t dual-spec much.  By much, I mean one toon has it. 
• I used to hate Cooking.  Now, the daily grants an absurd amount of xp that you’d be a fool not to learn it.
• Visiting the replica vendors in Netherstorm was a bad idea.  Some of the items for sale out there are amazing.  At the same time, I’m not sure how the level 60 gear works.  I’m guessing you have to get it with honor first, and that allows you to buy the replica version for ‘Mogging. 
• Yes, Blizzard, that’s still incredibly fail to do to the player base.
• I finally got Formula: Enchant Chest – Greater Stats, though it was off my Auction House and for a mint.  Yet, I still haven’t decided whether to learn it or try and sell it.  Hard to say if I’d get my money back or more, though it’s the only time I’ve ever seen the formula in four years.
• Speaking of Formulas, I keep meaning to check whether Crusader drops anymore or not.  I have one in my bank, so it’s worth looking into.
• I really need to take Tumunzahar in to kill visit Malygos, as it’s the only Wrath raid (pre-Icecrown) he never did. 
• I also need to get rolling on getting Siori the legendary daggers.  I think I need to sweet talk a couple people about getting in on a raid for the sap fight.  
• I should finish up some of the other posts that are sitting in the pipeline.  So many ideas, so little time.  
• I hope that when I get home, patching WoW on a Linux system is easy.
   

Clarifying The 2012

Some e-mails were sent my way regarding yesterday’s post and my rules for “The 2012.”  I thought the easiest thing to do instead of replying individually was to post them here on the chance anyone else had questions as well.

If I have more than two of a certain class, only the first two count?
Not at all. The requirement is that you have at least of each class.  You could have 14 Paladins if you see fit, and that’s perfectly fine.  All of their levels will count towards the goal.

I don’t like “X” class, what happens if I don’t level it?
As long as you have all classes represented, it doesn’t matter what level they get to. You could have two Priests level 1 and two Warlocks level 1. As long as your total is 2012, the combination is not important.

So I don’t have to get as many as possible to 85?
Not at all. I merely used 85′s as an example in calculating progress right off the bat. You could get 40 toons to 50 (or vice-versa) and there’s 2000 levels right there. There’s no requirement to have one (or more) 85′s.

Hopefully that helps sort things out a bit better.  As for me, I tacked some levels onto several toons yesterday and I think I’m just over 840 levels so far!

2012: Year Of The Level

Happy New Year!  Doesn’t really feel any different than last year did, but we’re only a smidgen into things, so don’t give up  just yet.  I hope any holidays you celebrated over the past few weeks were safe, warm, and happy, wherever life may find you at this time.

Now at some point during the first week of December I got this brainwave.  An epiphany, if you will.  I could do something WoW related for the new year!  My first thought was “12 in 12.”  As in, one of every race to 85.  It had a nice ring to it and played off the “Make Ten” that I’ve seen a few folks do.  It was a great idea.  But the problem, for me, is that I tend to take ideas like that and turn them into the absurd.  So…where was I?  Oh, right.  “12 in 12.”  It was a reasonably attainable goal, but not long after that idea came to me there was another.  Bigger.  Better.  Insane.  So of course, it’s exactly what I’m going to do.

That’s right, my goal before 2012 is over is to have two thousand and twelve levels between all my characters -however many that may end up being when all is said and done (told you it was insane).  What’s more, is I’d love to have company on the way!  This is my invitation to you to join the 2012 in 2012 Challenge.  Before you think me crazy (or perhaps crazier), consider this…for every level 85 you already have, you’re 4% complete.  If you start today and don’t have a single character in the game, you need to average 5.5 levels a day for the year to succeed.  Now, either you further believe I’m insane, or you’re warming up to the idea.  So let’s roll with the latter part and presume you’re going to give it a try.  Here’s the guidelines:

• All toons must be on a single account.  Creating a second (possibly trial) account just to succeed at this seems a bit silly I know.  But just putting it out there. **edit** The spirit of this rule was to avoid someone rolling 100 level 20′s and going from there.  As such, it’s been errata’d to be “no more than 50 toons.”
• All EXISTING toons count towards the goal.  That basically means we will all start at different stages.  This isn’t a contest, so there’s no goal to get there first.  As such, there’s no penalty for however much leveling you’ve done to this point.
• Death Knights!!!  I know what you’re thinking…roll 37 Death Knights and you reach your goal.  That’s cheating though.  To curb that, you receive full level credit for your highest level Death Knight (if you have 4 at max level, one gets credit).  Any others you roll are reduced by 50.  I know they start out at 55, but the way I see it you could hit level 10 at least twice in the time it can take to finish the DK start zone, so there isn’t a full penalty if you want more Death Knights.
• Please do not include levels granted from the Recruit-A-Friend program in your total.
• All 10 classes must be represented at least twice.  It’s impossible to do this with less than 20 characters, so I don’t think the request is that absurd…no matter how much you hate Rogues.
• The 10 races as of Burning Crusade (now part of default WoW) must each be represented at least once (not everyone has Cataclysm, and the new start zones can take a long time).
• You need to register, by e-mailing me at jd.kenada@gmail.com with the subject 2012 in 2012.
• Inform me of one character, as kind of the captain of your team (for example, Tum’s mine).  Also, your characters.  I don’t need names/servers necessarily as I respect your privacy.  However a list of race/class combos and their levels is a reasonable request (i.e. “Goblin Rogue #2 is 44, Troll Druid now 71, Human Mage level 2…ugh, hate Mages”)
• Be willing to update me on your progress.  Even if it’s to say you’ve resigned from the challenge.  Even if it’s just monthly.  I’ll be posting my own progress and would like to be able to include everyone else taking part as well, with a relatively accurate update.
• If you have a blog, post the logo script somewhere on your site.  <a href=”http://arcanewordsmith.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/2012-year-of-the-level/&#8221; target=”_blank”><img src=”http://arcanewordsmith.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/20121.png&#8221; border=”0″ alt=”2012 in 2012″></a> If you’re not taking part and still wish to post it, we appreciate your support!

Again, this isn’t a contest.  There’s no prize for getting there first, or last.  It will be quite an accomplishment no matter what and the fun will be cheering each other on along the way.  Unless I’ve scared each one of you off.  In that case, please still cheer me.  I’ve placed the finish line, and now my journey begins…

(edit: turns out, OUR journey begins! )

Participants:
-Heal-Alt-Delete, with Towachi and company.  276/2012 (13.7 %)
-JD Kenada, with Tumunzahar and company. 897/2012 (44.6%) Waved the white flag, April 29th.
-Cheetah Dave, with Killthryn and company. 1100/2012  (54.7%)
-Jai, with Kuroma and company. 1436/2012 (71.3%)
-Kamalia et alia, with Kamalia and company. 1378/2012 (68.5%)
-Harpy’s Nest, with Sproutling and company. 1445/2012 (71.8%)
-Effraeti, with Effraeti and company. 1448/2012 (71.9%)
-Ysera’s Daughter COMPLETED (7/7/12)
-Nevernude, with Nevernude and company. 260/2012 (12.9%) Declared dead in the water, June 18th.
-Lord Of Assets, with Chuckem and company. 336/2012 (16.7%)