It's your UI causing the problem

What annoys the heck out of me and I've been opening a ticket every day with support is the constant d/c in battlegrounds and the feeling that I'm in a beta test that shouldn't be a beta test.

I get d/c'd at least once a day and come back as a deserter - WTF???  I never leave a BG, ever.  Even the truly terrabad ones, I will stay.  I've left maybe three in three plus years as it was an emergency call, otherwise I will stick it out.  I might be swearing at the PC screen but I stay.

Then there is miscounting the number of people in WSG  - Blizzard's interface or whatever can't recognize 9-11?  That isn't 10-10 sorry!  It might be 20, but it's not the right way to count it!   Not recording stats in the leader board - half the time people are missing or there are surprise 11 in Warsong Gulch on one side or another!

This doesn't happen every WSG (never in EoTS, AB, etc.,) but apparently my UI is the issue. Some how randomly it is.  So, I wasn't surprised with getting the "It's your UI that is causing all the problems" response.

Get stuck in a wall, fall through the earth, d/c, whatever it's always your UI.

To be fair, I'd like to think maybe that is the problem. I do use a number of Add ons, (updated daily with Curse Client); BUT, my UI can't add extra people to either side or not let that 10th person in on either side nor can it boot me out as a deserter! If so, there are some players I'd gladly use that on!

I was going to try a couple of WSG with just the basic Blizzard provided UI and then if I get booted, see what they have to say.  I'm sure it will be "reload the game" or "it's your graphics card" or ?  ARGH!

As excited as I am for Cataclysm, knowing the continual borked game we'll have to play with for next two months with patches, updates and fixes, makes me almost wish it was January and all will be playable... for awhile at least!

BGs and PvP are back

All battlegrounds are fun imho, but thoroughly enjoying the newest to join the Wrath battlegrounds (Strand of the Ancients & Wintergrasp) - Isle of Conquest.

Isle of Conquest

I love Isle of Conquest. It's fun, fast paced and has a bit of everything and you get to pvp!

• Capture the flag
• Defend your keep/leader
• Take and defend resources
• Man siege machines
• Carry bombs to break down gates
• Flying machines that you jump/parachute into the opponents base

What more could you ask for?


Warsong Gulch

Warsong Gulch has the new 20 minute timer which I'm trying to view in a positive light. I definitely approved the time limit in Warhammer scenarios, so good to see Blizzard adopt this for what can often be a turtle-fest in Warsong Gulch. I like this bg, but having been in ones that have gone on literally for a couple of hours - it can be a huge time sink.

The downside, one quick flag cap and excellent defense/turtle will win. I'm hoping that won't be the case, but it could very well be.

I did one Warsong on a mid 20 hunter. The xp gain was between 500-600xp. I don't remember what quest xp goes for at that level, but for 20 minutes and gaining honor/marks it's full of win for me! It was a typical PUG, good/bad/whiners/complainers - but fun.


Arathi Basin and Eye of the Storm

The lower resource points needed to win from 2000 to 1600 - I'm not sure I get the need for that. Neither of those two bg's are very long, but I did notice in the couple I did yesterday, alot more running to cap and alot less defending. The map constantly changed in AB. It will be interesting to see how much of a difference that makes. I haven't tried EoTS yet. AB xp gain for around 16K on a lower lever 40's player.


Alteric Valley

The only change here - more people likely to queue for the huge xp gains. Playing this at different levels it's a completely different game. The 50's and 60's can be a slog/back and forth more destroy and defend along the way with a split offense/defense. While the 71-80 seems to be constant zerg to kill the leader. I haven't tried AV at level 80, but level 62 DK the xp gain was close to 57k.


Wintergrasp

I'm admittedly still lost in Wintergrasp, so do alot of random running, killing and dying. But then I've only been in a few so far! Supposedly the lag issue has been fixed. That would be great, but I'm not holding my breath - Dalaran, Wintergrasp and the Tournament Grounds are horrific at times.

It's good to have the change of being able to fly over WG as long as you stay up high as I've been unmounted a couple of times not paying attentin flying about.


Battleground XP

I've not read anywhere online how the xp is being calculated, but I'm glad they've added it! The complaints in the lower brackets of the OP twinks dominating will be gone as the majority of twinks will turn the xp off (10g cost) and will only be facing other xp off opponents. I'm hoping this won't kill the twink brackets (I've only made casual twinks, but it's still fun). I'm assuming many twinks will migrate to a few of the more active battlegroups. Hint, hint - it would be great to offer free transfers for them Bliz!

I'm curious to see though if some will 'twink' a toon for world pvp. As they can turn off xp, gear up and have lots of fun! I can see the level 19 twinks ganking the 20-30 level people - I'm sure the GM's will hear lots of complaints. But it may bring back more world pvp on the pvp servers - yeah!

I can definitely see more people that like pvp leveling in battlegrounds. Maybe not at all times, but a nice way to level in addition to dungeon crawls and questing. As an avid lover of pvp, I'm sure I'll spend time in the different level bgs.

PvP pug style

**This is written mostly for Warsong Gulch as I've been in quite a few of those as of late, but it's just as true for any of the BG's. **

Yesterday in one battleground, I was on my 'lock and asked if the three hunters in our group could please call out positions. The response "Open your mini map. It's the guy with the flag." Hmmm. WoW. The guy with the flag - /smackhead Why didn't I think of that?

I responded, "I play with it open, but YOU can see everyone on the field with tracking including which direction the EFC is going BEFORE he/she leaves our base." Not to mention how many players are with him/her.

"So?"

"Can you please call out their direction."

"Just look at your map."

This is going no where obviously. "Fine forget it, just thought you could be useful." Thinking huntard, huntard huntard to myself, but I didn't type it!

The next response was priceless from one of the hunters - "All you have to do is dot, dot, dot. How hard is that?" I had to stop myself from saying as hard as standing 35 yrds from someone while my pet kills them or sitting midfield farming honor. My other response was - you're wrong we dot, dot, drain! Had to stop myself from typing that. Argh.

Which led me to writing how to be helpful in a Warsong Gulch (or any BG).

++++

The majority of us are in battleground PUGs (pick up groups), as premades are generally guild or twink type events.

Many people (yours truly included), enjoy battlegrounds and accept the fact you'll have people in there for a variety of reasons:

• those that like battlegrounds
• those that just want their mark and will do as little as possible
  
• those that want to top the kills or else
• those that are just after another achievement

Whatever reason(s) a person is there, it's great if they're a contributing member of the team. I know, no-brainer right? But how many BG's have you been in where the healer doesn't heal, the dps (generally hunters) sit midfield and just rack in the kills, the lowest level person on the team is screaming 'help me, help me' as they tried to get the flag by themselves, or the really treat - the guy that yells at everyone for being useless noobs, crap team, L2P, blah blah blah.

The disintegration of the team is pending as they implode in a typing match of insults!

Some ways to be a better team-mate. COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY!

1. Flag carriers - don't outrun your support/healers just cause the 'boots' are there, then complain no one helped. Let the team no what you're planning to do. Especially if no one is with you when you pick up the flag. A quick 'going tun/gy/ramp' can help your team get to you to escort you or stop the other team.
   
2. Healers - heal!
3. If you're part of the offense then work together (rogues and druids) can state positions/member with the EFC. It's easier if you know there are three healers in their base on the roof then going in blind!
4. If you're part of the defense - call out incoming. This is especially easy for hunters as they do get to see the 'dots' on the map with their tracking ability.
5. IF you're on defense and the flag is picked up - call out a direction. It saves time for those going to stop the flag carrier - 'EFC Tun, EFC ramp, EFC gy'
6. Warlocks tab dot everything
7. Warriors hamsting everyone
8. If healers are helping the FC or healing you - protect them!

I'm looking forward with trepidation to the upcoming changes to BG's as I think it will be helpful in some respects being able to level in battleground, but I'm not sure yet how this is going to affect the twink community.

It may be interesting or a whole 'nother round of furious forum fighting until Blizzard changes things again!

Battlegrounds and twinks

I've finally leveled Keggard to 19 running thru Dead Mines one last time trying to get a drop. No joy, so he's likely done as he's 43% to level 20 and I'm keeping a healthy margin - just in case!

Keggard and Widget his spider

Keg is a semi-twink, as I don't have a level 80 to collect badges for BoA gear, and he missed out on the grandfathered in twink things. I'm really glad we bought some of the things for him back in January before moving to Darrowmere, as some enchants/gear I still haven't seen for sale on this server! The downside his 100 HP chest enchant was nerfed with the last patch, so he's back to a 50 HP. I do need to get an enchant for his hit rating, but I'll confess I barely understand that, sooo we'll see!

So, he's fairly competitive, but still missing some of the key 'twink' gear. Here's his armory profile - Keggard. We're working on the Alliance trinket now.

I'd like to get the AGM (Arena Grand Master) trinket and the Fishing Tournament gear, but doubt this will happen! This was my first attempt at a twink, I'm happy - he's a hunter (I LOVE that class) and I'm having fun so its all good!

This is what he did the first two days playing at level 19 -

Ir's a bit embarrassing but I actually had to run the flag - not my favorite - but the healer didn't want to so I did. I'd rather defend the base or go on O to support the flag runner, than actually run a flag. Just not my thing!

I did get an invite to a twink guild, but don't see any reason to at this point. Although I do want to make more twinks - hunters definitely, but also thinking of a 'lock, or warrior or shaman for the 19's. I'm not sure I'd be good at any of those classes but it could prove to be fun!

As for the actual battlegrounds, it's been an experience. You get the gambit from the passing through 'I hate twinks', to the twinks that scream at everyone and how horrible they all are, to the rest of us that are trying to have fun!

I do feel bad for people leveling thru with the twinks, as some get really upset that twinks exist. But from all I've read/know they're not interested in those players, you want the competition of the other twinks, otherwise its a slaughterfest. Nothing is more enjoyable to me than trying to burn down the hard to kill rogue or other hunter or paladin. There are some awesomely geared players that really know their class - lol - half the time I want to stop and watch them!

I rememeber my first BGS on my mage and shadow priest - they were so painful - but I had that L2P learning curve, I'm still a horrid mage (why she's at 22 after two years!), but have learned some strategy in playing. The only bad side is playing both Horde/Alliance some times you forget which side your on - lol! Good times!

What is PvP?

As the title says it - What is PvP?  

Technically we could say any player to player action (including trading, grouping, buying/selling, duels, chatting, etc.) is PvP.  BUT we all tend to think of PvP as the act of combat with another player or players.

Now we get to the crux of the problem, defining PvP in the context of combat.  

The Old School, "we've been gaming since people threw stones at each other - ugh ugh - therefore 'our' knowledge is vast and  . . .  type", will often loudly and abusivly state that PvP only exists in games such as Ultima Online (UO) or Dark Ages of Camelot (DA0C) or and sandbox-type game that allows player driven/inspired/controlled PvP.  Anything else is weak and pathetic or unworthy of being classes as PvP.  

I often read on forums and other blogs that if it's not full on looting and/or with massive death penalties when you lose a fight it doesn't count.  Anything else is carebear or isn't 'real' pvp or just for nub/scrubs.

The opposite side is the whining in most games from those that just got ganked, about the unfairness of it all.  You did roll on a PvP server right?  Well then stfu!  I accept the risk of playing on a PvP, and do go from gleefully happy when I win, to angry time to log when I've played poorly or been killed numerous times (ala Hillsabrad on a bad day!).

The debate rages even within a specific game -

  WoW has the never-ending argument about PvP -  is it arena's (what's your rating hmmm?) or battlegrounds or only world engagements actual PvP? 

  Warhammer has the same problem in 'are scenarios ruining the RvR or are scenarios legitimatePvP'?

Personally, I enjoy battlegrounds/scenarios - they're defined areas, defined goals, everyone knows why they're there and it is a competition - albeit sometimes quite uneven in numbers, skills, etc.  But the fact that everyone there is there for the reason of fighting makes the rules simple and understandable - kill or be killed period!  No one can complain if 20 guys mow you down, duh why'd you stand in the road?  All classes abilities can be used, althoug some scenarios/bgs favor certain abilities (ranged vs melee).

Do I think the BGs/SC's could be dramatically improved -yes!  I didn't have the opportunity to try the pre-BC battlegrounds, and think adding questing, more goals, a bit of pve stuff in Alteric Valley would breathe life back into them.  The saving grace with Warhammer's scenarios - they're timed.  You know win/lose its all done in 15 minutes.  If you want longer protracted fights - there is the RvR lakes with the mix of pvp/pve.

The RvR lakes are fun when actual PvP is happening (versus PvE taking undefending keeps).  Epic battles with 3 warbands on each side are all out mayhem and quite exhilirating!  

The reason I prefer structured PvP is, I have a hard time (as much as I love world PvP) killing someone that I can clearly see is out questing, etc., or basically minding their own business.   If you're near our towns, cities or areas you don't belong I'm going to kill you if I can, send out a request for help if I can't!

But, I've tried and have a hard time trying to embrace the 'red is dead' mentality!  I can't take it to heart.  I've been on world guild raids when we're killing everything in our path (those are fun!), but I like a fair fight and will defend myself even if a much higher level is killing me, I'm going to put up whatever fight I can!!!  

I just don't get a whole lot of joy to gank someone many levels lower than me!  I have done that, but rarely.  My shadow priest once dotted 3 guys 20 levels lower.  I'm not sure if they noticed but it was funny watching them fall over dead - lol!  I felt bad about it later, but it was funny.

A gnome one time hiding by our graveyard in Warsong Gulch dotted us as we're rezzed  . . . none of us noticed until we fell dead before we were midfield.  Finally someone did and we killed him.  I'm sure he had a huge laugh over that.  It is funny in hindsight!

Admittedly though, nothing is sweetier though then beating the guy who tried to kill you - especially if its two or more of them!!!  I had a pally/rogue duo attempt to take out my death knight one day in Un'Goro.  I was leaving them alone, but they felt the need to try and kill me.  Oh well.  It was really fun watching them run every time after that they saw my little gnome on the horizon - lol!!!

I was very happy the day my hunter developed a good strategy to deal with death knights.  I don't always win, but I'm not in the 'oh crap a DK headed my way' mode anymore!  Pallys - argh!!  I know I'm going down and running doesn't help!

My attitude is so different from many people I do play with friends, family, guildmates, as they will ride halfway across Azeroth to kill someone.  I've done that but generally as payback only!  You gank me, I'm going to try to grief you into logging out - lol!!   A mage attacked me on Hellfire one day, killed him 3x, then chased him and killed him again.

I did a brief stint through AoC (Age of Conan) when it came out on a full pvp server.  Basically you're flagged all the time.  It was fun in general as you didn't know if the guy next to you might all of sudden take a swing at you.   I even rolled on the racial based (forget the name know) where the three races were pitted against each other.  It was interesting, except for the fact we could be in the same guild, yet grouping I could kill their race, they couldn't heal me - weird.   The bad part (for me) was the roving bands of gankers looking for easy targets - usually a solo player or many levels lower.  That mentality I just don't get!  But then again I don't get human gang mentality picking on one person either.   Not very sporting to have 4-20 players whack one guy!

I've also tried PvP on EQ2.  Well I've not dinged 20 yet as I'm a basic chicken in that game.  I keep wanting to give it a really good try, but I have been playing EQ2 so infrequently as it is, I would just be dead - alot!   The people that play PvP with the way you can lock xp, just cause he's a 18 doesn't make him a 'real' 18!

LoTRO's PvMP (player vs monster player) is alot of fun.  It's a separate zone called the Ettenmoors. were you either play your own level 40 character called a freep (free person) when in the Ettenmoors zone. Or you play the evil side a monster or commonly called a creep.  Playing a creep is available at your level 10.  You start with a level 50 creep.   You can skill up by PvP, there are quests you can complete, objectives that can be taken, ganking going on, all in a rather pretty LoTRO backdrop.

It is different but entertaining.  Playing a worg or uruk'ai really brings out the urge to kill the good guys - lol!!!

If I could be queen and have the perfect PvP game -

1. Everyone is flagged at all times except for the start zone
   
2. There are zoned level differences as far as killing goes - 4 level up to level 20,  10 up to 40, free for all after that
   
3. You can not be killed while taking/turning in a quest - 30 second immunity
4. City guards have high aggro range and are epic+3-4 people to kill them not killable by a solo person
   
5. Townspeople if they see/detect the opposition will react and guards will come
   
6. Looting partial with 60-80% of goods/money only or random stuff drops into a chest/gravestone
   
7. Mercenaries (npcs or pcs) could be hired to guard you on the main roads
   
8. Killing your own kin/race, etc., would class you as a rogue available for higher xp/rewards for killing the rogue
   
9. Wanted posters could be offered for gankers
   

Anyway, now that Darkfall is out and full PvP loot is back in action, the early reports have been pretty positive.   I'm giving it a month to smooth out some of the wrinkles.  The aches and pains of AoC and Warhammer have made me a bit cautious.  I'm not sure I get Darkfall, the game as a concept so we'll see if it stays in the game rotation or not!  I understand the skill versus level base, but I guess I'm more objective based.  The objective to just run around and kill others will eventually become boring - I would think.  More research is needed apparently!!!

Done rambling . . .  GAWD that was disjointed!!!

Warsong Gulch 10-19

Keggard dipped his toe in the 10-19 bracket as a semi-twink! Didn't do to bad at level 18.  I'm not sure I have the desire for complete twinkage as I don't want to 2v2, or feel the need to one-shot level 10's.  It is nice though to not die quite so easily  - lol!!  

The big BUT - I need to learn to NOT argue with the @#$#^ twinks that hate everyone but themselves. Most seem to be okay but there always has to be one in almost every BG - the guy that constantly types negative things about eveyone else, and how unfortunate the are to be in this BG, etc.  The one the other day, OMG!!!  Irritating beyond.  No one but him knew how to play, no one but him could play, no one but him was worthy of being in that BG.  We were all (all 9 of us) eight year old nubs that couldn't follow direction.  So, I had to point out to him that as I was an eight year old nub (he couldn't spell well either), I most definitely could NOT follow direction as I was too in awe of his 1337 abilities!  It degraded from there - lol!  I finally apologized to the rest of my team for the wall of text argument and /ignored that jerk for the rest of the game.

I'm practicing a new mantra - of ignore them, ignore them, ignore them - so I won't feel the need to get down to their level of stupid. They always win. /sigh

Here he is with new pet spider - Widget.  Both Widget and Jack (hyena) are making appearances in Warsong Gulch.

89% to Level 70

Yes I'm at 89% to level 70 - use to be an achievement dinging 70, but now its just another level on the road to endgame . . . or so I'm told! I've been slowly leveling as there have been other things to do.

• Farming low level leather for alts gear (SFK for leather and greens works well)
• Running instances for the enchanter to have stuff to d/e (Why am I leveling an Enchanter I keep asking myself!!!)
• Exploration - Eastern Kingdom almost done (STV left)
• Farming mats for a few leather upgrades for Sithi (knothide/clefthide . . . argh)
• Battlegrounds - they're definitely more fun when you're in the '9th level of a bracket! Even with the overabundance of Death Knights - which have really imbalanced BGs - I'm grinding AB/WG! Yes I said grinding (I normally enjoy BG's, but lately . . . argh), as I want the last two mounts for yet another achievement! I need 45 more AB marks and 24 more WG ones for those two. I repeat albino drake, albino drake while I play/die/play/die! Sitting at 35 mounts right now, with the flying ones to come!

I also had a lucrative pet selling business, until last week, with Kreliss, my horde shopper/bank as he went to toon heaven.  Having Krel buy and put on the neutral AH, buy and resell on the Alliance side started not to make money but to get the darn pets for the Pet Achievement (43 companions and counting!), but when I found out how much I could make and how easy . . . well its turned into a nice money-maker this past month on a second account! 

It also has been nice to access both sides AH - Darrowmere the low pop server I transferred to - is NOT Wildhammer by any means! But that's another long QQ post!  Between WoW's laggy performance and my fitful DSL line, there have been many #$%#$% moments!!!

Krel's other parting gift to my Alliance hunters - I ran all three over to tame Echaykee as I do think it's a pretty kitty and as it's a Horde only quest line to summon him, I tamed him on ALL three just in case!!!!

So here I sit at 89% to level 70.  I've been collecting gear and enchants for the day I ding.  Money's in the bank for flying skills and mounts.  But I want to finish the Explorer portion of Azeroth before dinging - flying will make Outlands easy to finish.

Then the decision - do all the Outlands quests or off to Northrend and save Outlands for later . . . decisions, decisions.