ARCHIVED ENTRIES


Tuesday, March 8, 2022: New Expansion Announcement

Mark yer calendars - April 19. Rumors have it that it revolves around Dragons, or the Dragon Isle.

The "Hype" begins again haha. But we have to wait another Goddamn month. Goddammit.


Friday, March 4, 2022: Equalize Gear For PvP - Rated

I think that's the only viable solution - either through templates, equal level gear for all only when entering for an RBG or Arena (sort of like accessing gear on a Tournament Realm). Unfortunately, this is not going to happen because Blizzard has that perpetually bad habit of forcing players to PvE (raid, mythic pluses) if you want higher level gear.

I always believed skill > gear. However - there is always going to come to a point where Gear Disparity is too great to overcome.


Sunday, February 27, 2022

With the release of Patch 9.2, what does the survey say from the consensus? According to a forum thread - if three words were to describe it, I would guess: Boring, Boring, and - Boring. (if the same word was allowed hahaha). Well, that could be said for most of WoW's end game content of grinding, time-gating and awful RNG's of useless gear.

It's always a judgment reserved until well into the patch - or at least the new PvP season is well underway as well as the new raid. If this "Solo Shuffle" eventually evolves or develops into a Rated Solo Queue for both Arena and BG's, I'd be more motivated to stick with WoW.


Thursday, February 10, 2022

Praise the lord, Hallelujah! We have a release date - 9.2 goes live on 02/22/22. The longest content drought in WoW history, eclipsing even WoD. And possibly the longest expansion to date with mostly content drought.

It's been awhile since the last AWC , and that's going to happen sometime in March. 9.2 was going to release at the end of February or early March.

Solo Shuffle? How about one for Rated Battlegrounds. Goddamn they don't think.


Wednesday, January 05, 2022

It is most likely that I'll have to unsub soon since I'll be a new parent. I'm only logging in to queue up for Random BG here and there - nothing else. Kinda of a waste. And I won't have anytime if at all. And there are no updates on Patch 9.2, which reinforces the decision to unsub. But customers can always resub I guess if there is time. Decision forthcoming.


Thursday, November 11, 2021: Patch 9.2 Update / News

"Eternity's End" is more like "Shadowland's End" thank god haha. With the update / news, they managed to keep me subbed for a bit longer. When it'll release is another matter - hope we don't have to wait another half-a-year or some shit like that. It's never too early to theorize or talk about what the next expansion is (if at all).


Friday, October 22, 2021

So what happens after I gear up and polish off all my alts. For the first time, I've been heavily considering unsubbing by the end of the year. I mean c'mon - it's taking this long for a minor, no-content patch 9.1.5 to release on 11/02/21. There might not be any news on Patch 9.2 until well into next year. I guess with all that is happening (pandemic, lawsuit fallout, continued controversy of employee protests, etc.), this could be the beginning of the end or demise for WoW. There's always Final Fantasy XIV to jump to - I already have that installed. And other games.

Blizzard needs to at least attempt to communicate and provide updates more regardless of status. And please - not everyone is interested in Classic WoW and Classic Expansions, which they seem to only focus on nowadays.


Sunday, October 03, 2021

It's back to PvP'ing for me. Mythic +'s have been a learning experience, fleshing out optimal rotations and such. But I'm done with them for now. With Fire, you can do "a lotta damage" but also have poor, sustained DPS (since it is mainly burst reliant) - this is more optimal for PvP than PvE. I enjoy PvP more anyway - I'm always practicing my 1 vs. 1 (usually when a game is far gone won or lost, or completely lopsided), and usually never back down a challenge unless I have to focus on objectives.

So the future of WoW expansions seem to be up in the air, since there has been a serious slowdown in content updates or progress (due to the pandemic and the fallout from the lawsuit). One would hope that it'll all settle down and get back to regular-scheduled updates, but with no info or news on Patch 9.2 (most likely the final patch - and even next year is an uncertainty), it isn't looking good. At least pull out several more PvP seasons in the meantime haha. We need to be ready to unsub, or have other games in mind.


Tuesday, August 31, 2021

It's kind of a fine line or crapshoot to play a spec that is preferrable or recommended for a Mythic + dungeon, but a player happens to be rusty or under-geared / incorrectly geared for it. In that event, it might be better or more suitable to play the spec you are most experienced / comfortable with (unless it's completely not viable). I'll have to stick with Fire for now (which is viable for PvP at least - and I think it's fine for PvE as well). But at high keys perhaps I'll have to switch to Frost. Unless I can get my PvE rotation down pat - but PvP'ers know that is not really relevant at all in PvP.

It's been fun. For me - just continue to gain experience (at relatively low to mid keys) with different affixes, dungeons and whatnot. Continue to gear up.


Wednesday, August 18, 2021

I decided to quit RBG yolo'ing for now. S2 has been just terrible - it seems all the good horde PvP'ers all left. At this point, randoms are more competitive than RBG's on the horde side, so I'll just stick with randoms. Otherwise, I would have no choice but to join a premade voice group. I certainly cannot carry a yolo group - 1 vs. 10 is not viable at all haha.

With that said, my adventures or beginnings in Mythic + or PvE has started. I haven't done Mythic Pluses since WoD. I remember getting up to +16 in Neltharion's Lair. A separate PvE gear to equip created.


Friday, August 06, 2021

S2 Rated BG Yolo-ing has been terrible so far. Yolo-ing is not the way to go if a PvP'er wants to climb ladder or play for ratings. It is still possible to win (if you are not matched with higher rated, geared out groups, then there is a fair chance). Meh - I'm just signing up for whatever is available. Unfortunately, it's just slim pickin's unless I decide to use voice or download discord. Then I can see myself climbing ladder faster than you can say climb.


Saturday, July 31, 2021

S2 AWC has begun. It's been awhile - almost forgot. That's what happens when the break in-between seasons is too long. Patch 9.1 just took too long to release.

The show must go on. I have no opinions or thoughts on the lawsuit, except that it might take awhile before Blizz recovers. Their reputation certainly has taken a hit. However, so many other issues, corruption and discrimination happens everywhere in many businesses and industries. Why the hell would I want to give a hoot when there are more serious problems everywhere. For me, it's the on-going Anti-Asian Hate / Discrimination. These mofos on strike are probably guilty of apathy for that (and for other issues) - I'd gladly challenge them 1 vs. 1 just for them to shut up.


Wednesday, June 30, 2021

I'm reserving judgment on Patch 9.1 until the new PvP season (and the new raid) is well underway. The new campaign for "Chains of Domination" is keeping us busy at least. I never had any issues with questing or storylines (although some might be a bit silly), it can be quite interesting. With the new graphics card installed, the gaming experience has been smooth with no glitching.


Thursday, June 17, 2021 - Patch 9.1 Release Date

In an unexpected turn of events, the release was announced (06/29/21). I prefer Blizzard to fix or add things during the patch (as long as most of it is completed / tested), rather than have us wait another few months. Anyway, I won't unsub just yet.


Tuesday, June 15, 2021

I've been seriously contemplating unsubbing for now. It appears Blizzard has thrown Patch 9.1 away to focus more on Classic expansions, thinking that players are not going to mind or can keep busy playing Classic. Hella wrong. With the lack of updates and no release date in sight (could be up to a year or more), "Shadowlands" is about to surpass WoD as an epic failure of monumental proportions. Gearing up has been so awful and alt-unfriendly, can't do much with alts. Gear just does not drop for shit in raids or LFR. And the endless, time-gated boring crap just for minimal / useless gear. Oh yeah - fire Ion, and the new guy.


Tuesday, May 11, 2021

"Glory of the Wartorn Hero" is more likely feasible by being fully geared in Patch 9.1. If I had full 220+ Mythic gear, possibly. But since I do not raid nor do Mythic pluses, it is not possible. I'm maxed out as it is as a casual or a soloist.

Equalize gear and / or bring back PvP templates for rated PvP. Having to queue into geared-out players at higher ratings is not very equitable. Players should face against each other or compete against each other without being disadvantaged by gear. Comps and synergy is a whole different situation. But forcing PvPer's to PvE to get high end gear sucks. That shouldn't be required. Hopefully, things will be a bit better in 9.1.

My challenge against Ion for a 1 vs.1 still stands (perhaps I'll give him a slight gear advantage haha).


Sunday, May 02, 2021

I might consider solo-ing "Glory of the Wartorn Hero" - probably feasible by Patch 9.1 (or even now). I'm not just a PvP'er, but also a soloist as well.

How shameless is Blizzard - now they're advertising Fel Oats (new cereal brought to you by Gul'Dan haha). It looks like Fruit Loops - just differently colored.


Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Apparently, no solo queue anytime soon for rated play. We get how it might not work due to class balance / compositional issues. But I'm sure there are work arounds or other solutions / ideas, if you actually make an effort to think about it some more. Do us a favor, Ion. Don't do the thinking, let us PvP'ers do the thinking for you haha. The most pressing matter to us, is that finding groups at this point has become a chore - it can take forever or hours. Even finding Yolo groups have been few and far between nowadays. Perhaps I should just wait til the new PvP season before participation increases again.

And the list continues - Kosak, Kaleicki, and now Kaplan gone. The game has gone to ruins.


Saturday, April 17, 2021

Patch 9.1 finally on the PTR. That would make it sometime summer time before 9.1 release.

Patch notes for PvP I hear has Frost Mage making a comeback. Not an issue for me - I can switch to it and re-learn the spec with new and buffed abilities. Gear is usually always an issue - having to get the right stats and shit. I just make do with what I have - fuck the grindfest for gear.

It appears that Cloud9 is regaining their dominance. MLD fo' sho'.


Tuesday, March 16, 2021

My first experience with turning on in-game voice comms haha. All this time, never used it. I don't even have a mic headset (which I'll need to get if I become serious about competing or advancing further). My social anxiety has been an issue - which is a major reason why. I don't really give a rat's ass about using voice anyway. But voice is absolutely necessary at high ratings - since the opposing team is going to be using it anyway and are going to be more organized and competent. For now, I'll continue to Yolo until otherwise. Forming my own group is an option as well - but need more experience to find out what comp / strats work.


Saturday, March 13, 2021

It is very possible that I'll be able to get the PvP S1 rewards mount - if and only if S1 ends when Patch 9.1 nears or begins (which is not anytime soon - no ETA on it). It is going to be long-ass (or content drought players are going to have to suffer through). At this rate, I can get several hundred games in if I queue up consistently. But I also need to be very picky about yolo groups - find ones that are serious about comps, ilevel, and strats. I might not fit or might fit into most of them.


Tuesday, March 09, 2021

I was able to get into groups that went 9-1 altogether (what a winning streak) - all yolos. The right comp, strat calling, knowing what to do - it can work without voice (below 2000 ratings that is at least). I probably won't be as fortunate week to week.

Wake me up when there is any progress for Patch 9.1. It appears it has stalled - with no new updates. When Blizz "tries" to have players PvE more (with all rewards from Mythics and Raids), you know things are going downhill. No thanks. I prefer to work on my alts, and just PvP at the appropriate levels.


Sunday, February 21, 2021

Put it this way - if they presented this Virtual Blizzcon live or at the real convention, it would have been lackluster or underwhelming for sure. Despite information on Patch 9.1 and other stuff, Blizzard has given no timetable or any kind of ETA on anything. Everything appeared to be conceptual with no indication that things are beyond the conceptual stage. At this rate, Patch 9.1 won't release until Summer. Four+ months of waiting? At least release PvP Season 2 before then.

I'm thinking the Virtual Red Shirt Guy's video or audio question was part of many which were not used. Blizzard not only pre-recorded a lot of things, but they used only "fluff forum questions only". As RSG's tweet indicates, why even bother asking to submit Video / Audio questions? Now that's the Question of All Questions, and I've saved for Posterity below (as the Virtual Red Shirt Guy 2021 question haha).


Friday, February 19, 2021

Virtual Blizzcon '21 has begun. "Chains of Domination"? More like, "Return of the Lich King". Does this even make sense (with Blizz, not anymore) with WOTLK Classic inevitable (get ready for WoD Classic folks haha). This has gotta be another "Out-Of-Season April Fool's Joke" hahaha. Well, it's new content. Let's see how long the delay for Patch 9.1 is.

At this point, I'm going to look out for the Virtual Red Shirt Guy (or any new ones).


Thursday, February 04, 2021

So any word on the next raid or any information on what it might be? So far, nothing.

Apparently, Holy Pally / Fire Mage / WW is the new meta haha. Three PvP abilities players have been making a fuss or big deal about - Boomy's Convoke, Fire Mage's Combust / ROP, and Pally's WOG. Where is the Git Gud mage when we need him haha.


Wednesday, January 20, 2021

So how do I find "Shadowlands"? Say what you want, but I'm enjoying it. End game content is always an issue. I'm still reserving judgment on Torghast - I find that I cannot participate in it too much, as it can get dull and boring quick. Once you realize that you need Soul Ash to craft Legendaries, I have no choice. The same old crap of mission tables - hell no haha. The first raid - Castle Nathria - has been fun. Aesthically nice, and stories intriguing overall.

I still have yet to practice using "Alter Time", which can be useful or effective. It isn't exactly a replacement for Temporal Shield, but it can work as such. But be careful not to be displaced into a bunch of mobs haha. It is sort of like a Displacement + Temporal Shield combo when used correctly, but it can be used in other ways as well. I figure it might be more effective in a 1 vs. 1 situation, or up to a 3 vs.3.


Thursday, January 07, 2021

The AWC begins on the 15th - it'll be interesting to see what the new meta is (given covenants, new abilities / talents, gear, etc.).

The Yolo experience has been interesting. I'm not participating for the ratings (otherwise, voice comms are absolutely necessary - and more attention to finding groups with the right comp and gear). You lose ratings much faster than you gain - depending on the MMR. Combine that with the observation that Yolo groups tend to lose more (due to the nature of it), do not expect to win. Just hope. Of course, I strive to win all the time (but no longer make a deal out of it - understanding the nature of Yolo's).

As for 1 vs 1's, that's another story. "I'm comin' after you,...'u' know who you are" haha. At this point, I think I can hold my own for sure against the competitors.


Tuesday, December 22, 2020

How far can you push ratings in a RBG match via Yolo? Not that far (perhaps up to 2K at most with the right group, mindset and comp / gear). Unfortunately, you cannot rely on Yolo groups for sure. But they can make for an interesting experience if you cannot do voice comms or wish not to. I was fortunate to be in 1 competent / competitive group last week.


Tuesday, December 15, 2020

PvP season 1 has begun with the new raid out. I'm still focusing on PvP since that's my niche. I began to give yolo'ing rated BG's a try again, not since WoD. There are a lot of things involved to be competitive - skill, gear, team comp, and most importantly - a clear, decisive group lead calling out strats. Most if not all yolos do not have that - hence, yolo. You just go in there, and give it your all. I need to get the weekly chest or vault as well.

My graphics or monitor have been glitching and freezing every now and then in game, which is problematic in a competitive setting. It could be an out-dated or incompatible graphics card driver, or something else. I'll need to update it eventually - but for the most part, it is not an everyday occurrence where I would need to replace it right away.


Sunday, December 06, 2020

Players are still gearing up, and the new PvP season hasn't begun yet. But holy hell - random BG's have been atrocious for the Horde (sprinkled with more newbs and noobs as well). I'll give it more time.

My thoughts on Torghast remains to be seen - I haven't done enough of it yet. But having to slog through trash mobs just to get to the end boss is not fun at all. Neither is grinding for materials. Add some worthwhile gear as reward instead, and perhaps.

Speaking of gear, they've gone the opposite direction in terms of gear acquisition. Now it's not as attainable - removing the cache of helpful goods, the weekly chest for non-rated PvP, etc. That's fine for me, but it'll eventually come back to bite Blizz in the ass again. When players begin to unsub or quit.


Sunday, November 29, 2020

It took me five days to reach level 60 (as of yesterday) - took my time, and enjoyed the storylines. Of course, played a ton during Thanksgiving day.

I joined the Necrolords - mainly because it looks kick ass or has that cool look. It's probably not the most optimal for competitive PvP or PvE, but I'm mainly soloist anyway. Night Fae? They're cute, but as that rhyming SOB Sybill might say - "No thank you to Night Fae, they seem too gay" haha. Phil Swift, you have competition.


Tuesday, November 24, 2020 - Welcome to the Shadowlands

It has begun. From the get-go when entering the Shadowlands, players are thrusted into the Maw and the story takes off from there. As usual, I'm taking my time with immersing myself with the storylines. That's the leveling process for me, and it makes it tolerable. It's not all about getting to max level quickly, unless you want to go for achievements or only looking forward to end game content.

Fortunately, no launch day issues for me.


Thursday, November 19, 2020 - It Begins in Five Days

Five more days folks. I have to admit that the leveling experience has been quick, when leveling up my alts.

Metzen, Kosak and now Kaleicki - god speed and good luck. Well, we still have the Red Shirt Guy and Hazzikostas (right, complainers? well, that includes myself as well I guess) haha.


Saturday, November 14, 2020 - "Let The Countdown Begin"

Prepare for the "Shadowlands" on 11/24/20. We're almost there.


Friday, October 30, 2020

And 'shtho' it actually begins on 11/24/20? haha. New release date was just revealed the other day. I'm wondering if Blizzard heard about the Cyberpunk controversy, with their continued delays and different release dates. Nevertheless, we have information at least.


Thursday, October 15, 2020

Fire mage - one of the god specs in BFA, has been moderately nerfed. No more spamming Gpies, no more temporal shield, and a shimmer charge removed? Well, it might still be viable as hell - not much as been changed fortunately. There is still decent burst, and a toolkit for survivability. It's the other changes to other classes that we'll have to focus on. Shadow Priest - some new talent choices, with some old ones returning. It'll take time adjusting or figuring out my rotation. As for my other alts, in due time.

The problem with a late release of "Shadowlands" is that Blizzard can take their damn time in releasing prepatch content. They should have figured out, prepared for and released beta testing much earlier in the year rather than focusing on mounts, toys and irrelevant crap.