If you haven’t noticed already (due to the obscene amount of corpses), the Fyrakk Assaults are available and are a lot of fun (until you get to the Fyrakk Disciple). I took part in my first assault on my level 63 BM Hunter, looking for easy experience, but instead, hitting ilvl 354 with ilvl 379 Explorer gear at level 63!
Surprisingly there are some potential gearing options for your alts. Continue reading for more information!
Since the release of the Trading Post at the beginning of February, several things have drawn my attention, stuff that wasn’t available/noticeable during the testing phase on the PTR!
As I mentioned in my previous blog post: The Trading Post, the information I shared could change at any time due to testing, and this appears to be the case.
Please continue reading for some of the changes to The Trading Post.
Over the last few days, Blizzard has released information regarding their Dragonflight Roadmap for future patches in 2023; and I have to say (as does most of the World of Warcraft community) this is excellent news from Blizzard!
Blizzard today revealed their Dragonflight Launch Roadmap via Twitter. If you’ve not seen it, they’ve confirmed that, as anticipated, the Dragonflight Pre-Patch: Primal Storms will release on the 25th of October (for the U.S Region) and the 26th of October (for the E.U Region)!
For those who have been quietly continuing their chores within World of Warcraft, it may not be surprising to hear that Blizzard has revealed the Dragonflight Launch date. However, for those experiencing other games (Classic: Wrath) or just taking a break, Blizzard has announced that Dragonflight will release on 28.11.2022.
Continue reading to learn how to participate in Beta testing.
It seems only a week ago when the last sale ended, and we already have another. Blizzard has started their Summer Sale with savings on many items within the Blizzard Store, including, Pets, Mounts, Character Services for World of Warcraft, and discounts for other Blizzard titles.
Today, Microsoft (Microsoft Gaming) has announced that they intend to acquire Activision Blizzard. The amount, an astounding $68.7 Billion, which is equivalent to $95.00 per share!
The acquisition will include World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, Call of Duty, and much more.
Once the deal is complete, it will push Microsft to the third-largest gaming company; behind Tencent and SONY.
Why Blizzard Activision?
Given Activision Blizzard’s current issues, you’d imagine that the company wouldn’t be of interest to any potential buyers. However, it appears that Microsoft sees value in the company, most likely Call of Duty and the potential in Hearthstone, Diablo, and World of Warcraft (Classic).
Reports suggest that the gaming industry is the largest and fastest-growing form of entertainment, worth almost $200 Billion. With a potential increase from 3 billion gamers to 4.5 billion by 2030, it was probably an opportunity Microsoft couldn’t turn down!
According to the Activision Blizzard Third Quarter 2021 Financial Report, they reported strong results for the third quarter. I’d guess they expect continued success in the fourth quarter with the release of Call of Duty. There was also success for King and World of Warcraft Classic.
Activision Blizzard Shares:
I wonder if news circulated on Friday 14th January, as Blizzard’s shares rocketed from $69.39 to $86.55 a share. The share price hasn’t been this high since the end of August.
Is Bobby Kotick Leaving?
Sadly, if you were hoping this acquisition would result in Kotick leaving, I’m afraid it’s not, well, not just yet!
“Bobby Kotick will continue to serve as CEO of Activision Blizzard. Once the deal closes, Activision Blizzard business will report to Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming.” – Microsoft PR.
Activision Blizzard Gaming Catalog on Game Pass?
Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, has also clarified that they hope to have as many Activision Blizzard games as possible on the XBOX Game Pass once the company’s purchase is complete.
My concern would be the players with months, possibly years of game time on their World of Warcraft accounts, who already have an XBOX Game Pass.
I have an XBOX Game Pass, but due to the changes in purchasing game time for WoWToken, I don’t have anything longer than two months, but I know of players with many years on their accounts.
Conclusion:
As mentioned above, this news came out of the blue to me, and no doubt, to many others. With the constant issues revolving around Activision Blizzard and the small success surrounding the last quarterly financial reports, a vast potential in gaming meant Microsoft Gaming probably saw an opportunity they couldn’t resist.
Hopefully, Microsoft Gaming can make the necessary changes within Activision Blizzard and incorporate its values into the company. Hopefully, bring an end to the inequality, improving working conditions, which will positively result in improved development across all departments; If you look after the staff, the staff will look after you!
Maybe, just maybe, we’ll see a return of some of the talented developers that recently left boycotting the dire situation at Activision Blizzard.
It’ll be fascinating watching the development of World of Warcraft under the guidance of Microsoft Gaming.
Feedback:
Any feedback is greatly received; please use the comment section below. If you need to contact me, use the contact me method. If you found this post helpful and believe it could be of use to someone else, please consider liking and sharing.
If you’ve not noticed already, this week finally sees the return of the beloved PvP Brawl: Comp Stomp! If PvP isn’t quite your cup of tea, or maybe you have no gear, and you’re hesitant to join the fun, don’t; the battlegrounds are extremely easy!
What is a PvP Brawl?
Every week, you can participate in a PvP brawl. The brawls change on a rotation, so there will be different modes available. Check the in-game calendar to view the current or any future Brawls.
This content is strictly for max-level characters only!
What is the PvP Brawl: Comp Stomp?
Set in Arathi Basin, your aim of the game is to cap as many bases as possible and reach 1600 resources before your opponents; doing so will make you and your team the winner.
What’s different is the opponents are AI. If you quickly cap all the bases and successfully reach the Stables (as Horde) or the Farm (as Alliance) before losing any bases, you should be able to push the AI back and camp them in their base.
The AI
The AI is extremely easy, and similar to the AI used in Island Expeditions. Quickly eliminating and interrupting the healers, will make this battleground very efficient!
Arathi Basin Perfection:
As we’re fighting AI, fights can be straightforward. Cap the bases, and target healers pronto, and where necessary, use your interrupts! The Comp Stomp is an excellent opportunity to obtain the problematic achievement: Arathi Basin Perfection.
There’s no pressure or criticism from your teammates. I’m sure you’re aware of the normal PvP toxicity in random battlegrounds? So this is an excellent opportunity to get involved with some PvP with no stress!
What Are The Benefits Of The Comp Stomp?
By sweeping across the map and following the directions above, you can efficiently farm, Honor, Conquest, Mark of Honor, and Renown. Each Brawl should last between 3-5 minutes to complete.
The Comp Stomp is an excellent opportunity if you’re trying to farm Mark of Honor to purchase old PvP sets or old recipes from Battle for Azeroth (i.e. Uncanny recipes).
PvP Gear:
If you don’t have any PvP gear, don’t fear. Use your PvE gear, and try and add items when possible. You will quickly earn your pieces and be under no pressure to fulfill your stats straight away as the AI in Comp Stomp is easy.
If you’d prefer to concentrate on anything, ideally, you’ll be aiming to get a lot of Versatility; this will aid in your damage done and your survivability. Oh, and don’t forget those trinkets, especially the Medallion, which can remove movement impairing effects.
Renown:
If you’re like me and have taken a break from current content, you may find yourself behind on Renown. Thankfully completing PvP content is considered when leveling your Renown. Due to how efficient and quick these Brawls are, we can earn a lot of Renown.
The Comp Stomp is an excellent scenario for players who have fallen behind or changed covenants and need to catch up. In two days, I’ve gone from Renown 20 to Renown 45 and finally have my flying.
Useful Addons:
For those new to PvP, and would love those pesky healers highlighted more in your opposing team, I suggest installing the addon: HHTD alternatively called Healers Have To Die.
Using this addon will highlight a healer with a red cross, and will also play a sound when you’ve successfully targeted a healer.
Feedback:
Any feedback is greatly received; please use the comment section below. If you need to contact me, use the contact me method. If you found this post helpful and believe it could be of use to someone else, please consider liking and sharing.
It gives me great pleasure to announce that on Wednesday 9th June 2021, at 10:01 am, Zack Ian Kenneth Randall was born via c-section, weighing in at a whopping 9lb 4oz. Sharna (Mum) is recovering very well, but the doctors believe Zack may be struggling with an infection, which they’ll treat and monitor for the next 2-3 days.
Otherwise, everything is going well. Zack’s been feeding okay, but the midwives would prefer it to be a lot better. He’s very content and sleeps a lot, just like his Dad!
Covid & the C-Section:
It’s been a crazy 24 hours, a new experience for us, as it was our first c-section. We cannot thank the nurses and doctors enough, especially throughout this crazy situation that is Covid and how they kept us comfortable throughout the procedure.
Due to my wife’s heart issues and Covid, we’ve been extremely anxious about how this pregnancy and delivery would go, and we’re grateful that it’s gone so smoothly; to be fair, better than we ever expected! Of course, it’s a shame that Zack was born during a Pandemic, but it also means there are better days ahead, better days ahead for all of us!
Visiting Restrictions:
Sadly visiting hours are restricted to partners only, at 4-hour time slots, so it feels strange not being there as much as I was with the three previous births. However, I respect the need for these restrictions to keep all those on the ward as safe as possible!
My three daughters can’t wait to meet him; so far, they’ve only seen pictures, and a facetime call, as they’re not allowed to visit. To say they’re eager to meet him and get that first cuddle is an understatement. But, I continuously remind them, “Good things come to those who wait.”
Our Decision to add Kenneth:
For those unaware, Zack’s middle name, Kenneth, was the name of my Grandad; he sadly passed away earlier this year. We decided that this was an excellent opportunity to honor him; this decision was shared and appreciated throughout the family, none more so than my Mum and her brothers. I posted a blog regarding this here.
Pictures of Zack Randall:
Here are a few pictures of Zack’s first day. I love the last image; the view from Mummy’s perspective, Zack has that look (glare) of, “Why did you wake me up?!” 😂
I finally got to access the Darkmoon Faire late tonight, after a lot of internet issues over the past couple of days and to my surprise, there’s been a further addition to the changes to level requirements. This time to Profession dailies.
Minimum Levels Required:
Character level 1* Profession Skill level 1 *Actual character level needed: Level 5 (Profession Trainer requirement)
What’s Changed?
As you’ll remember, the Darkmoon Faire profession dailies, required that you had a minimum skill level of 75, before you could access the Profession daily. Now the changes mean, that all you need is the Profession at level 1 to get started. This is great for level 5 characters and above.
Example: Below of the Tailoring Daily on my fresh level 10 Highmountain Tauren. With Tailoring skill at 1/300 and being offered the daily quest.
What Does this Mean?
Well, as I’ve just checked, you could learn 2 professions, (for example Mining and Herbalism) go to the Darkmoon Faire, complete the two profession dailies. Now head back to a city of your faction, simply unlearn them and learn two new professions. head back to the Darkmoon Faire and complete the dailies for those and rinse and repeat until you’ve completed them all!
Due to the actual level restriction of level 5 to learn a profession from your Profession trainer, this would work best with an Allied Race character, as they start at level 10.
Is this an exploit?
I’d imagine that this would be regarded as an exploit, as I don’t believe the developers wanted players swapping professions in and out, to complete every profession daily. So if you consider doing this, or have already done it, be prepared for a hotfix and if they deem it an exploit, they could possibly hand-out punishments too. I’d recommend not doing this!
Conclusion:
Be aware, that players doing this already will have earn’t a lot of extra Darkmoon Prize Tickets, which will have a negative affect on the quantity of Replica Transmog and Companion Pets on your realms Auction House. I’ve only been in-game for approximately 45 minutes, so it’s too soon to say.
What do you think? should Blizzard hotfix this? is it an exploit? add your comments below.