5.2 Thoughts

While you wait for the second round results of the Transmog contest (sorry, work slipped in the way…I should’ve looked at the calendar when I set the round two dates), which will be up later today, I figured now is as good a time as any to share some thoughts on the next big patch.

Isle of the Thunder King
This interests me, though I have a long way to go before I get to it.  In the same context of the Isle of Quel’Danas, it’s the new Daily Quest Hub.  Alas, I think it’s still going to have a Molten Front feel to it and I know that’s not going to go over well with many players.  That one can choose whether to do PvE or PvP quests is a nice touch.  Also, parts of the island become available based on a Realm level rather than an individual one.  That has mixed potential, but we’ll have to wait and see. 

Blacksmiths
We still don’t have dailies for every profession, which I think is absurd.  However, the Smiths are getting some love.  Proceed far enough on the Isle of the Thunder King and you’ll come upon the Lightning Forge.  Apparently this will allow for the creation of some very unique items, including old weapons that I’m guessing have been removed from the game over time.  Oh, Moggers are giddy with anticipation…or just me.

New World Bosses
I’ve always liked World Bosses and I’m sure the folks farming the Sha would love something different. Two bosses will be coming in 5.2.  One is part of the phased island, but it seems Oondasta the giant armoured dino will be found north of Kun-Lai Summit right from the get go.  Also with this comes a slight change to the World Bosses themselves.  Blizzard refers to it as “Tap to Faction.”  If your faction tags the mob, so long as you take part you have a chance for loot -whether you were in the initial raid or not.  However, you can only earn said loot once a week (and the bosses will spawn more frequently).

Pet Battles
-Pet bandages are now bind to account…thank goodness.  This will most assuredly save me some bag space (they also stack to 25) instead of having several on several toons. 
-The Nether Roach will no longer die during an Apocalypse.  I mean, it was unique and fun that it was the one that could, but roaches be roaches.
-Players earn xp for pet battles as well, so long as the battle is within five levels of your highest level pet (so for most of us that would be any pet battle in the 20-30 level).
-PvP Pet Battles can also drop Battlestones now.  Interesting.  It would be more ruthless if you had a chance to win one if it was in your opponent’s inventory.  Stealing it outright would cause pandemonium, but being able to receive an equivalent to the one in their bags would be fun. 
-If you flee a battle, the pet you were fighting no longer disappears, but the fleeing squad will suffer some damage.  I like that.  Penalty for a tactical retreat and it makes sense if you’re running from the critter that it doesn’t disappear.
-Elite Battle Pets.  Oh my.  I know people where these will become the bane of their existence.  They spawn by themselves, too, so I suspect Pet Battlers are going to be in for one hell of a fight.  But, if you can beat them all you’ll receive a Red Panda pet (yep, the one up top there)

Buy The Farm
Even now that Tumunzahar has started questing out there, the whole farming thing does nothing for me.  Not even for potential gold profit.  Seriously, get it away from me.  Having said that, I know exactly how popular it is and the chance to own the deed for the land you’ve been cultivating is no doubt exciting to those indulging.

Notable Class Stuff
Pretty much every class (at least the ones I am familiar enough with) has some sort of notable changes going on.  I would suggest checking out the notes for what’s coming to your favourite role.  Warriors losing a 10% damage reduction for defensive stance is certainly one of the ones that jumped out at me. 

Green Fire!
Speaking of class stuff, Warlocks are dancing in the streets…if they’re into dancing.  The opportunity for Fel fire spells is finally coming to pass with the quest line now in-game.

Mog My Toon: Wife Edition

Ok, now do Naeda or Claragh. 😀

That was the comment from Mrs. Amateur after I spiced up Cheetahdave’s Hunter the other day.  So, this morning while she was downstairs with the wee one, I’ve taken the time to do just that. Of course, me being me I couldn’t really do one or the other.  So let’s see what we were starting off with this time.

So we have a Gnome Warlock and a Night Elf Hunter.  Truth be told, I’ve been teasing the Mrs. for a little while now regarding her Hunter, but was happy that she asked me to do Claragh (the Warlock) as well.  I decided to start with the Gnome and the only suggestion I was given was she needed to look all innocent.  The kind that would walk right up to you and then melt your face off.  I believe that was a near spot on quote of what I was told.

So I set out for something very non-Warlock.  I snagged a few ideas beginning with the chestpiece, but wanted a helm that matched as well.  It actually didn’t take long before I had put together Robes of the Exalted from Stratholme and the Augural Shroud.

I was really pleased when Frozen Shadoweave Shoulders were a good fit, but the hand slot irked me.  Unless there is a set that’s restricted to Mage or Priest, there are no Cloth gloves that are white.  Some are nearly white with coloured tips, but that’s as close as you get.  After a bit of toying around I put together Belly Rubbers and Wristguards of Tranquil Thought.  I capped things off with Gnomish Rocket Boots (she is an Engineer).

But then I realized she had no belt on.  Gnome’s in a dress do not have a great belt location, let me tell you.  Getting this far, I was frustrated I might have to scrap the works, because of the belt and how out of place it was.  Then I came across the Ruthless Gladiator’s Cord of Accuracy, which made it look like something hemmed right into the dress and life was good again.

To complete the outfit, I realized in this case a staff wouldn’t look right.  So it was going to be dagger and off-hand.  Right away I decided on the Star-Heart Lamp, and then thought Fang of Oblivion offset it incredibly well and the look was complete.  What do you think?  Innocent?  Success?

Now when it came to Naeda, I didn’t even ask her what she wanted done.  For starters, my wife has had the bow from Prince Malchezaar for…well, a very very very long time.  So I was damn sure putting that to use.  I wanted something that also made the bow stand out (as it should).  When I came across Mail of Crimson Coins, I knew just how the whole outfit needed to look.

I added in the Pauldrons of the Deafening Gale but wasn’t completely happy with how they looked with the chest, but the Amber Filigreed Shirt fills in those concerns perfectly (and is better than the Ironforge Shirt because this one leaves the chest open).  Khan’s Gloves were also made for this build.

I had a number of options for the legs, actually.  But I went with Leggings of the Bloodless Knight, and added the very simplistic Talhide Lined-Boots for the feet, and then Fiery Chain Girdle for the waist.

Now the last couple outfits haven’t called for a cape, but for this I most assuredly wanted one.  I began to scroll through and see what would fit, and again I found the cape that belongs.  I couldn’t remember if Naeda had done the Thrall quest chain (and her armory cloak suggests that’s not the case), so Mantle of Fury is available for her to get and completes the look perfectly.

Here’s a shot of her from the back, showing off the Mantle of Fury properly.

So there you have it.  Two more toons “pimped out” as my generation might say.   I say might, because I’ve lost track of whether it came before, during, or after my generation.  It’s not too terribly important.  What is, is that hopefully Mrs. Amateur is pleased with at least one of the two outfits (and truth be told I’m incredibly happy with the Hunter).