It's official; Patch 3.0.2 is going live today. While the servers are down, now is the time to update your mods and plan what talent specs you will choose once the talent points reset. I've spent some time in the last couple weeks researching leveling specs in preparation for Wrath of the Lich King, and I realized that what research I was doing might benefit the blog.
Keep in mind as you go through this list that these are suggestions based on what I've read on the net and what I have tested myself in the beta. I play all classes, but not all of them at end game, so while these specs are suggested, they might not necessarily work for you. These suggestions are more of a general guideline for those needing a jumping off point. If you have some ideas that are better than these, please share. After all, that's what a blog is about: the exchange of ideas about a common subject.
Talent specs for leveling in Wrath after the jump.
Hot off the presses, we just got word from SOE that they have added guild housing to Everquest II. While this may not be the hugest of news for non-MMO players, the housing within EQ II has for a long time been one of its strong suits. Previously players spent time, effort and in-game currency to decorate their elaborate bachelor pads, but now guilds will be able to create a communal space for the entire group to enjoy.
Such a housing system has worked amazingly well in City of Heroes, and I am eager to see how Sony is translating the concept to the fantasy world. Maybe now Blizzard will step it up and implement something similar in WoW? Please?
Also of note, to coincide with the guild halls being added to the game, players will be able to excavate new areas during the D.I.R.T.Y. in-game event. The group of tinkerers and explorers will be digging deep to uncover unknown treasures at their dig site.
EverQuest II
I love MMOs. There is just something wonderful about getting to roam around in a world rich in lore and history, spending time within something you previously would only get to read about or play in tabletop form. There are few fantasy worlds more beloved than that of Warhammer, so anticipation has been high for their latest offering, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning.
I spent a few hours within the WAR world, have talked to friends and foes alike who have pretty much lived within the game since launch, and have my personal impressions here for you. Is this the WoW killer everyone has been waiting for, or will it go the way of Hellgate: London and Age of Conan?
Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning
Along with the rest of the content bridging the old expansion with the new, Patch 3.0.2 will bring an entirely new profession to the game we know as WoW. When I put together a Powerleveling guide to Inscription a few months back, I had no idea how much the profession would change. Since then, I have spent my time farming plants, watching websites, and doing some beta Inscribing on my own, all in hopes of transmitting that information to you the reader.
The profession has changed much over the course of the beta. The smallest element in the Inscription chemical chain used to be called a pomace, but now we know it as the pigment. There are nine levels of pigments, and each of them are created using the herbs gathered at a certain level of Herbalism. If you are eager to complete your collection, look no further. omgRPG has a shopping list for you to take to the Auction House, or if you are crazy like I am, to use as you gather all the necessary plants this week in anticipation of the patch. I'm focusing on those plants that can be gathered now, but keep in mind that the final levels of Inscription are only attainable using plants you will gather in Northrend. This means that you can reach a maximum level of around 350 before the expansion. The rest will have to wait until November 13th.
Last week I got the chance to sit down with the folks at OGPlanet, and they introduced me to their new MMO, La Tale. Never having been a side-scrolling MMO type of person, the Maple Story -esque description did little to raise my hopes that this game would be any more interesting than the Ragnarok Onlines and the Flyffs. Yeah, well, even Mandifesto can be wrong on occasion.
La Tale has been running on a single server (albeit divided by channels) for over a year now in Korea, and now OGPlanet is bringing its success to the English-speakers of the world. What I like about this F2P is the emphasis on story. This is the sort of MMO that takes you on a journey uncover the mysteries underneath the whimsicle artstyle and zaney sense of humor. While not the strongest MMO out there, La Tale is definitely fun. With four basic classes, dozens of snazzy abilities, not to mention an intriguing storyline, this game is a great first MMO for those looking to step into online gaming, but not ready yet for the monthly fee.
Sold to the highest bidder
/soapbox
A gamer saves up all year. They scrimp, sacrifice buying other games so that they get the chance to buy a ticket, pay for travel down to So. Cal., and finally they are all set; They're going to BlizzCon. Tickets were a bitch to get anyway, and so many completely lost out. But this gamer was lucky, is travelling from another country to attend this convention centered around their favorite game. And for what? Spending a possible thousand bucks to sit at the feet of the developers seems excessive, and it certainly is...now.
Now that Blizzard has sold out to Direct TV. I realize that some people are saying "yay I can watch all 16 hours of the convention from the comfy couch," but really, in my opinion it completely drains all the special out of the event, and here's why.
Diablo III
If there ever was a time to laugh, it's now. Richard "Lord British" Garriott has decided that it's time to remind us about Tabula Rasa, you know, that MMO he made a while back. While most of us have moved on from our experiences with TR with the help of a good therapist and a heaping dose of Too Human, Garriot wants us to know that Stephen Colbert loves the game. Well, to be honest, it would be more accurate to say that Stephen Colbert is in the game, so naturally he likes it. I would love Warhammer Online too if they named a realm after me.
Yes, it's a publicity stunt, but a clever one. TR is sending DNA into space...for what reason I am not at all sure. Maybe you can explain it to me after you watch the episode.
Tabula Rasa
You've felt it on the horizon. The banners have flown for weeks now, the smell of gun powder and blood is on the air. WAR is coming.
Warhammer Online, EA Mythic's latest MMO masterpiece, is rolling out onto the battlefield Thursday September 18th, and with battle this epic you can choose to join up or prepare to be crushed under the boots of your enemies.
"This is truly a historic day for both EA and Mythic as we prepare to send more copies of WAR to retailers than any other newly launched MMORPG in North America and Europe. Over the course of our beta, over a million gamers throughout the world sent a clear signal to us - they want WAR, and we are more than happy to oblige them," said Mark Jacobs, co-founder and general manager of Mythic Entertainment. "In three days the real battle begins we have declared September 18th the 'Day of Reckoning,' and WAR will soon be upon us!"
No doubt there will feasting and revelry at the Electronic Arts offices in Redwood City, CA, and more than likely a WAR-themed burger on the menu at the commissary. To pick up your piece of the battle, take your $49.99 to a local game seller near you in anticipation of a worldwide launch of fantastic proportions.
Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning
So, there's been this information that we've kept under our hats here at omgRPG. I haven't even wanted to bring up the topic of speculation, but luckily Blizzard opened the can of worms before the topic even came up. So you heard it here first: Blizzard's next expansion for World of Warcraft, Wrath of the Lich King will be coming to a store near you on November 13th. It makes sense really, as the background downloader on my non-beta WoW client has already begun downloading the pre-expansion content patch. Man, I really do have to get rolling on that Bear Mount run.
The official press release is hot off the virtual presses, and we're pleased as punch to be wrong. Before we heard the hard date I was speculating that we would see the release of the expansion during BlizzCon weekend, so that people would be able to walk home with their copies. Now I have some new speculation to begin: What will be the WoW announcement that makes BlizzCon worth traveling to? Personally, I am betting on at least an announcement of the next expansion *cough* Maelstrom *cough*, and more than likely a playable little nugget of demo gold. I think it's high time I get to play a naga, don't you?
Not exactly what Disney had in mind
This morning Eurogamer's Jim Rossignol posted a fascinating article about the politics running EvE Online, and the whole article got me thinking about how MMOs are evolving. There are a lot of discussions about the future of MMOs in the Mandifesto household, largely because we are all gamers, and gamers that love us a dialog about online gaming. Personally I've been wondering about how MMos will change in the coming years, and I have an idea that the next leap in online gaming innovation will come with intelligent AI not only in the monsters you fight, but also in the NPCs you come in contact with.
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