Cataclysm Guild Forums

Guest Post: Is your computer ready for Cataclysm?

NewsBot — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:20:14 GMT

Guest Post: Is your computer ready for Cataclysm?

This article has been brought to you by Seed, the Aol guest writer program that brings your words to WoW.com.

The Lich King is dead, your GearScore is 6,000+, and you have enough alts to run your own 25-man ICC. You cannot wait for the upcoming Cataclysm expansion, but along with the new instances, gear and level cap, there are also significantly increased graphics to consider. You may be ready for Cataclysm -- but is your computer?

While we have yet to hear official system requirements from Blizzard, we do know from the Cataclysm FAQ that "there will be incremental tweaks and updates to the graphics engine in this expansion. For example, we've made improvements to the way that water is rendered. We'll announce the exact system requirements closer to the expansion's release."

This is the first part of a three-part series on getting your computer up to speed for Cataclysm. Today, we will cover how to cheaply upgrade your current system. Part 2 will look at how to build a cost-effective, brand new system that will still run WoW at full settings. Finally, part 3 will focus on building a future-proof monster computer capable of soloing the Blood Queen herself!Continue reading Guest Post: Is your computer ready for Cataclysm?
Filed under: Guest Posts
Guest Post: Is your computer ready for Cataclysm? originally appeared on WoW.com on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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15 Minutes of Fame: Behind the scenes at WoW.com

NewsBot — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:03:07 GMT

15 Minutes of Fame: Behind the scenes at WoW.com

From Hollywood celebrities to the guy next door, millions of people have made World of Warcraft a part of their lives. How do you play WoW? We're giving each approach its own 15 Minutes of Fame.

Who are the people who write all this stuff, and how did they come to start writing about World of Warcraft every day? Being a WoW.com writer is admittedly a pretty cool gig. Readers ask us what it's like on a regular basis. Giving a single, accurate answer, however, would be a mighty difficult proposition. Some of us are full-timers, while others pen a single column each week; some of us spend most of our time behind the scenes, and some remain constantly before readers' eyes. Despite being scattered all across the world, we come together every day (well, it's more like a waxing and waning, 24-hour cycle) in the WoW.com chat room (war room? newsroom? Pandora's box of geekery and chaos?) when we're working. Being on the WoW.com team is a little like being part of an incredibly tight guild, whose members manage to share not only World of Warcraft and many other interests in common but also their workdays, as well.

Although we do have an old, outdated series knocking around somewhere that looks at members of the blogging team, we thought it was about time to give you a fresh look behind the scenes at WoW.com. Without further ado, let's meet a tiny sampling of the people who work at WoW.com:
Zach Yonzon pens The Art of War(craft) every week and creates many of the graphic images you see on our home page, guides and posts. Matthew Rossi, one of the most seasoned hands on the WoW.com crew, is our resident warrior expert who also writes about game lore and general news. Michael Sacco, a senior editor, started writing at WoW.com after working at Blizzard itself. Alex Ziebart started out as a weekend blogger and is now a senior editor. Fox Van Allen joined WoW.com early this year and writes the shadow priest portion of our priest column. Lisa Poisso (that's me) started out writing the professions column three years ago and now works behind the scenes as an editor and turning out several weekly columns. Continue reading 15 Minutes of Fame: Behind the scenes at WoW.com
Filed under: Interviews, 15 Minutes of Fame
15 Minutes of Fame: Behind the scenes at WoW.com originally appeared on WoW.com on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The Queue: /facepalm

NewsBot — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:03:00 GMT

The Queue: /facepalm

Welcome back to The Queue, WoW.com's daily Q&A column in which the WoW.com team answers your questions about the World of Warcraft. Adam Holisky, senior editor at WoW.com and webmaster of a new quick-and-dirty MMO news site, will be your host today.

In the last edition of The Queue, you gave me just under four pages of /facepalm-like emotes. So I thought I'd just /facepalm the entire WoW.com community.

Moving on!

WoWie asked:

Do existing dungeons still have the same gear? Do I need to grab a Whitemane's Chapeau before Cataclysm so it isn't gone forever?Continue reading The Queue: /facepalm
Filed under: The Queue
The Queue: /facepalm originally appeared on WoW.com on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Operation Gnomeregan and Zalazane's Fall events now available

NewsBot — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:03:00 GMT

Operation Gnomeregan and Zalazane's Fall events now available

Players who're able to log on after maintenance is over today will discover that the Operation Gnomeregan and Zalazane's Fall world events are now available! These are two of the introductory Cataclysm world events. Head to Kharanos in Dun Morogh or the Echo Isles in Durotar to take advantage of these limited-time experiences.

To start the Echo Isles quests, you want to talk to Vanira, who is right next to Voljin in the Sen'jin village in Durotar.
To start the Operation Gnomeregan quests, you want to talk to High Tinker Mekkatorque, who is located in the Tinker Town district of Ironforge.

These quests are counting towards the Loremaster achievement.

More information on the event:
Official Gnomeregan and Echo Isles announcement and information Operation Echo Isles / Zalazane's Fall: Transcripts and details Operation Gnomeregan: Transcripts and details Echo Isles / Zalazane's Fall quest summary and gallery PrintWarcraft.com offers original WoW postersGallery: Patch 3.3.5 PTR: Zalazane's Fall
Filed under: Wrath of the Lich King, Cataclysm
Operation Gnomeregan and Zalazane's Fall events now available originally appeared on WoW.com on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Vectra -- Out week of Sept 6-10

Vectra — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:06:00 GMT

The work schedule is screwed up this week, I am on nightshifts. I might be able to make the 25 prt 2 raid on Sunday, but I may sign up late

Loode out 2010-09-07

Loode — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:51:56 GMT

Gonna swap my night for tomorrow, you guys seem fine healer wise for a first night. Gonna go to the movies with wify..:D

Have fun guys.

Reader UI of the Week: Aanye's UI

NewsBot — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:36:46 GMT

Reader UI of the Week: Aanye's UI

Each week, WoW.com brings you a fresh look at reader-submitted UIs. Have a screenshot of your UI you want to submit? Send your screenshots, along with info on what mods you're using, to readerui@wow.com.

Welcome, friends, to another Reader UI of the Week. It has been an exciting week for addons ... sort of. User interface customization has been enabled on the Cataclysm beta servers, and addon authors are working hard to create some awesome new mods. Hopefully, in the near future, we will be getting some cool new user interfaces coming out of beta, as well as addons and changes.

In the meantime, we've got some awesome user interfaces to cover. Today's reader submission comes from Aanye on the Cenarius realm. Using Fizzik's UI as inspiration and a set of UI-defining requirements, Aanye has gone and made a very capable and very slim laptop user interface for himself. Let's take a look.Continue reading Reader UI of the Week: Aanye's UI
Filed under: Add-Ons, Reader UI of the Week
Reader UI of the Week: Aanye's UI originally appeared on WoW.com on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Around Azeroth Beta Edition: Out of the darkness, into the light

NewsBot — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:32:21 GMT

Around Azeroth Beta Edition: Out of the darkness, into the light

Want to know what you're missing in the beta? Here's a front-line report from priest Vaelor on Mekkatorque (EU): "I've spent most of my testing time enjoying the ever-so-delightful experience of healing premade tanks with a third of my health, but whenever I can stop tunnel-visioning my party frames, I take a look around to appreciate the artwork. In my opinion, Vortex Pinnacle blows everything out of the water.

"Unfortunately, my little time there has been plagued by players' crashing just by mousing over random air elementals, killing said air elementals, and subsequently getting my ass handed to me, as the air elementals' pals knocked me off the floating complex in retaliation for killing their brethren.

"However, I did manage to snap a few screenshots, and something tells me that Beacon of Light is so last year. As you can see in the picture, Power Word: Barrier is going to be the new hotness in the upcoming fall/winter 2011 Holy Fashion Week. Also, rumor has it Anna Wintour is going to dedicate a spread in Vogue (Dalaran edition) to Divine Aegis and Power Infusion as the must-have accessories of the season."
Gallery: Around Azeroth
Want to see your own screenshot here? Send it to aroundazeroth@wow.com. We strongly prefer full-sized pictures with no UI or names showing. Please include "Azeroth" in the subject line so your email doesn't get marked as spam, and include your name, guild and server if you want to be credited. Filed under: Around Azeroth
Around Azeroth Beta Edition: Out of the darkness, into the light originally appeared on WoW.com on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Breakfast Topic: Are you dodging the Cataclysm beta?

NewsBot — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:06:42 GMT

Breakfast Topic: Are you dodging the Cataclysm beta?

This Breakfast Topic has been brought to you by Seed, the Aol guest writer program that brings your words to WoW.com.

I could have taken part in the Cataclysm beta, but I chose not too. Here are my Top 10 reasons why I decided to wait to play Cataclysm until it is released some time later this year:

I only have so much time -- might as well put it toward making my toons stronger. I'll let other people work the kinks out. I get bored enough repeating quests as it is. Why do the quests when they don't really count? I don't want to get accustomed to playing a level 85 mage, only to have to go back to my level 80 mage. Why level (or for that matter, play) with a character you can't bring into the "real" non-beta world? I'm not that ambitious. I've done the beta before: fallen in love (well, strong "like") with certain spells or abilities, only to have them taken away. (Mirror Image so rocked when it first appeared in the Wrath beta ...) I don't want to experience that pain again. Most of my guildmates won't be there. I like having my guild around. I actually don't think I'm a skilled enough raider to be any help with my feedback. I really need to do a boss encounter four or five times before I start to get it down well. If I am going to risk wife aggro, I want to risk it for something that counts. I'm not a fan of spoilers. I'd rather experience it all when it goes live.Are you playing in the Cataclysm beta? Why or why not? Would you, if you had the chance?Filed under: Breakfast Topics, Cataclysm, Guest Posts
Breakfast Topic: Are you dodging the Cataclysm beta? originally appeared on WoW.com on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Tuesday Morning Post: Mad science edition

NewsBot — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:04:35 GMT

Tuesday Morning Post: Mad science edition

Happy Tuesday morning, everyone! We got a new patch in the beta this past week, which has led to much rejoicing, as goblins are playable again. Of course, as one bug is squished, a few thousand more pop up -- but the bug in the screenshot above? I rather like it. My worgen is not only a ferocious werewolf, but also a twisted Victorian mad scientist, his visage forever corrupted by his own experiments, dooming him to stalk the night bereft of love and companionship forever.

Never fear, though, the latest patch blitz from the beta servers has bought also brought the good stuff. There's a veritable cornucopia of new goodies to pore over, including new racial character introductions, new guild achievements and updates to archaeology and inscription. There's much more, of course, and you can read all about it here on WoW.com. You'll have plenty of time do so, too, as realm maintenance is scheduled for the usual 5-11 a.m. Pacific time today. And thus, dear reader, read on, for the tragic cautionary tale of Dr. Worgenstein -- I mean, more WoW news.Continue reading Tuesday Morning Post: Mad science edition
Filed under: Realm Status, News items
Tuesday Morning Post: Mad science edition originally appeared on WoW.com on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Choose My Adventure: Patent and Foxlight

NewsBot — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:19:49 GMT

Choose My Adventure: Patent and Foxlight

Choose the adventures of the WoW.com staff as we level our characters in <It came from the Blog> on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H).

I'm so sorry I never had the stream last week as promised. I got sick, then The Spawn got sick and we had to go visit Great Grandpa who was sick. Boo! (The Spawn and I are fully recovered and Great Grandpa is well cared for.) You may have also noticed we didn't have our usual polls on Friday. That's because we are going to have them on Wednesdays from now on. Our adventures will be recapped on Mondays, which begins today with the return of Foxlight and Patent after the break. Ch-ch-ch-changes! But first, the schedule:

Schedule
Adam Holisky as Adammentat, the level 62 tauren druid, will play on Monday at 10 p.m. EDT. Robin Torres as Robinemia, the Forsaken huntress: Wednesday, 11 p.m. EDT. Note: This will be streamed. Amy Schley as Patent, the level 29 troll rogue: Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT Anne Stickney as Annephora, the level 42 troll warrior, will play on Saturday at 1 a.m. EDT (which is Friday at 11 p.m. Zangarmarsh time). Adventurers who play when they can
Fox Van Allen as Foxlight, the level 25 blood elf paladin Lisa Poisso as Prupher, the level 11 tauren druid Michael Sacco as Shockbroker, the goblin shaman Christian Belt, as Selfloathius, the level 16 blood elf warlock Robin Torres, as Robinemia, the level 29 Forsaken mage Matthew Rossi as Andrenorton, the level 17 troll mage Michael Gray as Grayfields, the level 17 tauren hunter Gregg Reece as Sandwichdoc, the level 16 troll shaman Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Patent and Foxlight
Filed under: It Came from the Blog, Choose My Adventure
Choose My Adventure: Patent and Foxlight originally appeared on WoW.com on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Blood Sport: Good momentum

NewsBot — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 22:02:53 GMT

Blood Sport: Good momentum

Want to crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women? Blood Sport investigates the entirety of all things arena for gladiators and challengers alike. C. Christian Moore, multiple rank 1 gladiator, examines the latest arena strategy, trends, compositions and more in WoW.com's arena column.

Listening Music: Stevie Wonder. I listen to this stuff when I play arena -- teammates think I'm ridiculous. I think they're ridiculous for not appreciating Stevie. Although, I guess it is a bit weird to hear kill targets shouted while You Are the Sunshine of my Life ... is blaring in the background.

Understanding the big picture

Gladiators look at arena battles very differently than most. This isn't because they're naturally gifted at solving complex riddles or puzzles -- they just have enough arena experience to understand things that others might not. Well, get ready, because this is the start of your crash course in seeing what we see, how we see it.

So sit back, relax and crack open a cold one.Continue reading Blood Sport: Good momentum
Filed under: PvP, Add-Ons, Blood Sport (Arena PvP)
Blood Sport: Good momentum originally appeared on WoW.com on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Weekly Podcast Roundup: Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2010

NewsBot — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 22:02:53 GMT

Weekly Podcast Roundup: Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2010

Every Monday evening, WoW.com brings you a long list of WoW podcasts that were published the week (and weekend) before. If you don't see your favorite podcast listed, just let us know in the comments. Be sure to leave a link to it, and we'll pick it up next week.

All podcasts and content belong to their owners. WoW.com is not responsible for what you hear, and some of the content may not be safe for work.
All Things Azeroth Shade (By Calvin Klein)
Blue Plz! Season 4 -- Episode 28 The Instance Mixed Marital Sippy Cup Parasailin' Rawrcast Double Up! Twisted Nether Blogcast Party Like It's 99Continue reading Weekly Podcast Roundup: Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2010
Filed under: Weekly Podcast Roundup
Weekly Podcast Roundup: Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2010 originally appeared on WoW.com on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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World of WarCrafts: Hey, it's-a me, WoWio!

NewsBot — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:50:28 GMT

World of WarCrafts: Hey, it's-a me, WoWio!

World of WarCrafts spotlights art and creativity by WoW players, including fan art, cooking, comics, cosplay, music, fan fiction and more. Sample the whole spectrum on WoW.com's Arts and Crafts in WoW page.

Mario, we know and love you best as our favorite plumber -- but don't think we haven't figured out that you're sneaking around out there as a druid, too. So what would happen if you tucked the beloved characters of Mario into the World of Warcraft? The result is David Stonecipher's "WoW Meets the Mushroom Kingdom" art series. Stonecipher's drawn up his own vision of how the Mario universe's most famous characters would look inside Azeroth.

Mario as a druid? Bowser as a warrior? Try all 10 classes on for size. "I did something a little different with these pieces this time," Stonecipher wrote us. "I've created a video that shows each artwork be created from blank canvas to finished completion. This allows people to get a look at how the art is created in various stages."

See more of Stonecipher's video game character mashups at GameArtOnline.com, or click past the break to see the other five WoW classes in Part 2 of the WoW/Mushroom Kingdom series.Continue reading World of WarCrafts: Hey, it's-a me, WoWio!
Filed under: World of WarCrafts, Arts and Crafts
World of WarCrafts: Hey, it's-a me, WoWio! originally appeared on WoW.com on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Cataclysm Beta: Warrior glyphs

NewsBot — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:46:18 GMT

Cataclysm Beta: Warrior glyphs

Unlike rogue and shaman glyphs, warrior glyphs do not appear to be finalized as of this beta push, but there have definitely been some changes and alterations that are worth discussing. We discussed the change to the philosophy of glyph design already this week but neglected to point out the specific new glyph options. Several glyphs are either entirely new or changed to reflect the "unambiguous increase" design goal.Continue reading Cataclysm Beta: Warrior glyphs
Filed under: Warrior, Cataclysm
Cataclysm Beta: Warrior glyphs originally appeared on WoW.com on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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