WoW - I need to know

[Nique]

Is it totally worth my time and money? I've never done any MMO, but it looks shiney and I have friends willing to help me work through the learning curve.

I'm somewhat concerned about having time for a guild though. Whats the leveling up like? Slow? Fast? Hard?

[Karrrrrrrrrrrresche]

I have the game and I have to say either it's really good or they have some kind of subliminal messages going.

[Melfice]

If you do get it, make sure you don't forget about your friends and loved ones.

That's all I'm going to say about it.

[Mirai Gen]

I've never done any MMO
You make it (rightly) sound like a drug.

WoW can be alot of fun. Partying with friends in instanced dungeons, PVP, and group raids and level teams can be a kick and a half. However, there are going to be some ass-end moments, in praticular getting that level, finding where to quest, and the ever-powerful "Wow, where do I go" sensation.

But, since you've never tried an MMO, I can't say. Better just take it for a test flight. There's a million free trial accounts for two weeks everywehre.

[gurusloth]

If you have friends who play and can work out a time for you all to get together at the same time, I'd say go for it. The game really shines when you can play with your friends.

Assuming you can afford it, of course.

[Kerensky287]

I played it for a month or so. I wasn't very good at it. But still, early on, leveling up is easy, it's very gratifying, and you feel like you've accomplished something. Unfortunately, you get more "feelings of accomplishment" in a session of WoW then most people do in a week of real life. Which is why it's so addictive.

I'd recommend, if you get it, limiting yourself. You need to have good willpower to avoid being addicted. Set yourself a limit, like only 4 hours a day (sounds like a lot? believe me, it isn't), or give yourself breaks, like a week without it for every 2 weeks with it. You have to do that, for the sake of your social, family, and physical life.

My dad's a psychiatrist, and he sees a lot of people with WoW addictions... you'd be surprised how many people want to kill themselves after getting banned from a guild...

(edited for readability)

[Raerlynn]

You make it (rightly) sound like a drug.

WoW can be alot of fun. Partying with friends in instanced dungeons, PVP, and group raids and level teams can be a kick and a half. However, there are going to be some ass-end moments, in praticular getting that level, finding where to quest, and the ever-powerful "Wow, where do I go" sensation.

But, since you've never tried an MMO, I can't say. Better just take it for a test flight. There's a million free trial accounts for two weeks everywehre.

Or the joys of getting your class set. (Ask Rairai about her adventures in retrieving Wildheart).

To be honest, its the easiest MMO short of the uber droprate RO servers. Leveling is possible in three major branches: questing, instancing, and grinding. However I will make you aware of the following things:

- PvP is not about skill. He with the most epic gear wins.
- Some classes will lose. Some will ose only to other classes. Paladins have a hard time winning against most enemies in solo play, but can crush enemies in groups. Rogues and hunters are independant damage dealers that absolutely dominate the one on one arenas.
- Raiding is the only viable way at this time to acquire gear that allows you to compete/survive in PVP. There are rewards for excelling at PVP, but the grind is nothing short of mentally unbalancing to achieve.
- On PVP servers, you WILL run into bullies known as gankers. They will more often than not outlevel you. Travel in groups for safety.
- You will run into idiots. There are more of them than spaces on your ignore list. You've been warned.
- Be very careful what class you choose, and do not rely on the site to provide up to date information about class roles.
- If you are a healing class, be choosy about your guild. Some of them have the notion that healers/hybrids should be damn grateful for whatever gear is tossed at them, and have no compunctions about shafting you.
- Servers lag. They tend to do so at times that are highly inconvinient.

[Major Blood]

The thing with me and WoW is, i like it. Alot. But the problem is that if i play it for more than 2-3 hours at a time i get bored to tears of whatever race/class i am. So, if you are like me than be wary of this game. If not, then go for it.

[The_Phat_G]

Levelling goes by really quickly until you hit about 30. Once you hit 40, it slows to a crawl unless you've got some friends or guildies to drag you through the major instances of your level group. Despite the level 60 cap, you actually reach mid-game at around 45 instead of 30.

Before Blizz put in the battlegrounds, it did get really boring grinding up to the next level. But with PvP, you can take as long a break as you want and play some awesome games that really test your ability to control your character well. Also, the prizes you can get from reputation ain't too shabby neither.

However, the most challenging task you'll encounter for the first month playing WoW is not forgetting about everything else you have to do (ie: life). If you can get past that, then you'll be in the clear and ready for a good time!

[Azisien]

I haven't played WoW extensively myself, but I played for a little while. I know a full spectrum of people as well regarding the game. Some that hate it, some that didn't like it, some that thought it was okay, some that thought it was okay but not worth the fee (me), some that like it, and some that equate it to a crack pipe, and in fact choose WoW over crack.

My suggestion is the system I use for playing an MMO: If you have friends to play with, get it. I find MMOs are worth the fee if you have a reliable group to hop on with and just play, 99% idiot-free.

If that isn't your circumstance, I suggest you buy a game that doesn't require a monthly fee. Plenty of 'em out there, as much or more fun than WoW.

[Krylo]

The only thing I have to say about WoW is this: My mom plays.

That pretty much sums 'er up.

[Nique]

Do... Do you play with her in your guild?

Seriously though, it does seem to have a broad appeal. It's shiney, it's interactive, malable enough...

[Melfice]

Once again I throw my warning in here, seeing as all I've seen is praise for the game, but no confirmation from you that you're listening to the warnings.

Do NOT forget who your friends and loved ones are. However great this game is, and how much "social interaction" you get, it should never replace your real friends.

I've seen it happen, and I'm still pissed off about it.

[power mongering]

all you need to know is.... roll on a pvp server

[Karrrrrrrrrrrresche]

Watch out for rp servers.
Those guys can get a little crazy.
And with Cross server Battlegroudns comedy comes out when a non Rper and an Rper get into an argument.

[Azisien]

This just in, one of my co-workers was fired last week because he played too much WoW. Poor guy should have stuck with crack. :)

[Astral Harmony]

Yeah, WoW can be pretty damn addictive. I myself have a 45 Undead Priest on the Dalvengyr server and I must agree that gaming drops to a crawl once that mark is reached. Then you just put off the game for a day or two to put your character in a "rested" state so that you get double EXP per kill as you slog through Uldaman for the tenth time.

Here's my pointers...

- Know when the other side has the least number of members on so that you can avoid gankers. For example, contested zones in Dalvengyr are relatively Alliance free in the early morning, so that's a great place to complete quests that you do there.
- In teams, there's a term that flies around called "ninja looting" or just "ninjaing". Basically, when an Uncommon or better item is up for grabs, everyone has a choice of rolling Need, Greed, or passing on the item entirely. Select Need only for equipment upgrades. Other stuff like Lockboxes and stones and weapons that aren't your primary interest, you select Greed for. If you select Need on something that you shouldn't have, then thou art a ninja looter and are thus looked down upon by friends and allies alike.
- The LFG Channel will be used for spam. You're not supposed to be spamming it, but other people will gladly take up that responsibility because...y'know, y'all just gotta hear the latest Chuck Norris joke.
- Duel every now and again if you have the time. It'll increase your personal skill at controlling your character during PvP situations.
- Try not to start class arguments. Those go nowhere rapidly.
- If you intend to solo an Elite class enemy, then be about two or three levels above that enemy's level before doing so.

And now the terminology for the uninitiated MMORPGer...

LFG and LFM: Looking For Group and Looking For Members. People who are LFG are not in a group and are looking for one. People who are LFM are part of a group and need additional teammates. Usually, these will be coupled with numbers and other acronyms. For example, LF2M means the person is looking for two additional teammates and something like LFG SM Cath is someone looking to join a group that plans to enter the instance Scarlet Monastery Cathedral.
SM, SFK, Ulda, RFD, etc.: Acronyms for the various instances (dungeons) that contain elite enemies, powerful bosses, and great treasures. You can usually tell what level you need to have to be considered for a group that wants to enter the instance by checking the level of the person making the LFG or LFM request (hold down the shift key and right click their name in the chat window). Quests with the marking "(dungeon)" are quests that take place inside or near the instance where the elites are.
WTB and WTS: Want To Buy and Want To Sell. The person either wants to buy or sell something. When selling, they usually leave a link to the item they want to sell.
PST: Please Send Tell. Basically, the person requesting this wants a whisper from any interested characters. You can set up a whisper by left clicking the person's name in the chat window and the R key allows you to whisper back to someone who has sent you a whisper.
Flag: When your character is "flagged", he or she can be killed by the other side. You can flag yourself by setting foot in a Contested Area, by healing or buffing an ally who is flagged, or by typing "/flag" in your chat window. You can tell if you're flagged by seeing a symbol next to your portrait or if the names of members of the other side are red, not yellow which they would be if you weren't flagged.
Gank: The act is killing someone who is either much lower in level than you or is weak from fighting something or someone else. Most people also use the term to indicate being killed by what they claim are cheap methods, such as a rogue's stealth and ambush powers.
BG: Battleground. A PvP zone for CTF (Capture The Flag) style combat. The huge majority of your HKs (Honorable Kills) will be earned in these.
BOE and BOP: Binds On Equip and Binds On Pickup. These are designations on equipment, quest items, and other rare stuff that you'll find throughout World of Warcraft. Weapons, Armor, and other rare stuff that you can wear on your character are the only things that can have the designation of BOE. Equipment like that can be sold or put up in the AH (Auction House) and will become an important source of income during the later half of your gaming experience. BOP changes as soon it enters your inventory. When it changes, it gets the designation of Soulbound. BOE also gets this when you equip it and then, nobody else can use it.

There are other acronyms you'll come across more often than not that stand for powers. For instance, MC for Mind Control which is a Priest power. You'll come to understand it all as you immerse yourself in WoW. Good luck and if you decide to come, we welcome you to World of Warcraft and hope you enjoy forging your legacy in the lands of Azeroth, but not too much that you forget there's also a world on your side of the monitor as well.

[RaiRai]

It consumes your life. If you value your family, friends, hobbies, job, breathing...then I'd suggest not to buy it. I got bought it as an early birthday present and I play it daily. For like, 8-12 hours. You seriously do not want to get this unless you're good at being able to say no to your better judgement.

[Mirai Gen]

Woah, shit, Rai lives!

Another thing to think about; With World of Warcraft, at endgame, when you start building that badass character you've got with raid sets, it consumes the evening nights pretty hard. Say goodbye to DND, 'cause you got Molten Core thursday!

Sucks even harder when you're torn between WoW and your job.

[Astral Harmony]

Woah, shit, Rai lives!

Yeah, I believe she came on and posted during a server restart.

[RaiRai]

Yeah, I believe she came on and posted during a server restart.

I had nothing else to do. ;_; I needed something to prove I was still alive and not in some dreamlike state...where there is no WoW...

*Shudders at the thought*

[Nique]

So I'm thinking I might not try WoW after all... I dunno. Sounds like loads of fun... if you've got the freetime available in mass... Which I dont.

[Hatake Kakashi]

Me, I'll avoid World of Warcrap for the time being. Friend of mine's addicted to it, but I don't see anything too impressive. If you're looking to get a feel for MMOs, I would suggest trying out one of the F2D/P ones first, to see if you can actually stomach it. For the "n00bs," as most MMO addicts would refer to you, F2D/P is Free to Download and Play. You can often find various types of them here, (www.megagames.com) though you have to really work to sort the good from the bad.

I once used to play this game (www.conqueronline.com) quite a bit until the people at elitepvpers got hack-happy with it. Now, it's not they with the most uber gear that win, but they with the quickest speedhack, most elusive minebot, and the most 1337 aimbot. Worst thing to happen to a game, ever.

I've begun to play Hero Online a bit. Seems to be decently coded, lots of features and questing, and the GMs seem fairly active. It has a bit of promise. PK is done well there, as well.

[01d55]

If you do get the game, choose two of the following tradeskills for your first character:

Skinning
Mining
Enchanting
Herbalism

These are the professions that earn you money. Crafting professions are money and time sinks, especially when you're levelling up. If you really want to push your PvP ability to the limit, take mining/herbalism or mining/skinning and switch to mining/engineering only after you reach level cap. If you really want a crafting profession, remember that they're really only useful after you reach cap, so take money professions for levelling up and switch once you're level capped and have a nice financial cushion.

Never vendor boe greens. They're almost always more valuable on the AH or disenchanted.

PvP rewards are worth pursuing up to rank 9 (90g epic mount). Only crazy people go for rank 14.

Rep rewards for battlegrounds are surprisingly easy to get - Alterac Valley in particular gives strong rewards - you should reach honored soon after you get lvl 55, revered shortly after 60, and exalted soon after. This is doubly true for rogues and warriors.

Don't ignore UI mods!

[Chipper173]

So I'm thinking I might not try WoW after all... I dunno. Sounds like loads of fun... if you've got the freetime available in mass... Which I dont.
That's one of the things I like about WoW. It's pretty casual friendly until you hit the upper levels. Leveling is made easier by the fact that logging off in certain areas for a long time nets you double XP for a while after you log back on.