September 25th

The announced release date for WoW: Mists of Pandaria. Hmm. Well, it's later than I would have guessed a year ago, but it seems fairly in-line with the things that have come up in the last six months. A month after GW2 releases and as some have pointed out, it slips in before the first wave of annual pass purchasers expires. Seems reasonable and predictable from a business perspective. If I'm surprised by anything, it's that we're hearing the date only two months out - and I'm only very minorly surprised at that.

So... two months to "finish" anything in Cataclysm before driving ahead. Without a Ragnaros kill and some heroic Firelands raiding, that's probably not enough time to finish out Dragonwrath, though I'm not sure where we are on that precisely. I'd like to get a new shield (from Warmaster Blackhorn) and the 4-piece Protection bonus (probably a chest from Ultraxion), but neither of those things reaches "goal" level for me - I'm equipped enough to comfortably tank anything at this point and I don't think any Dragon Soul drops will last me much longer into MoP than what I have now. So I think I'm satisfied raiding whatever in the meantime. If I were really motivated, I'd probably start working on stockpiling materials and gold, but I'm probably not. ;)

Having stood in line before, and given that it's an online game anyway, I imagine I'm going to purchase a digital version this time around. Hmm. An additional $20 for a couple frills I won't use in other games (Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2), a pet, and a mount? Nah, I think I'm going to stick with the standard edition as per usual.

Comments

  1. kyn_elwynnJuly 25, 2012 at 8:42 AM

    112/250 embers + Rags kill for heart. Not getting it before MoP I fear. Ah well. Maybe once we're all 90 I can solo FL? <.<

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  2. marinredwolfJuly 25, 2012 at 9:08 AM

    9 Saturdays... mathematically possible. Even at very low-end RNG on normal, that's 3 essences per boss, 6 farmable bosses, 18 per run, 8 runs. Potentially less. Especially with a Ragnaros kill and possible heroic versions of anything. Though having you on that stage does complicate any Ragnaros attempt and it would be focusing on Firelands for the next several weeks. Giving gearing and all, we probably have the DPS to 3-heal Rags if that gives breathing room, though it's still a fight heavy on the execution. I don't know, I can't speak for everyone. I am torn on it because trash (and a couple of the bosses) makes Firelands kind of a slog, but completing Dragonwrath is a more "worthy" goal in my mind than any other at the moment (we beat Madness and runs for upgrades/valor points feel less meaningful/important with an expansion out in a couple months). I would be willing to do this. Elly would be game for going after Staghelm's staff and Tiik would be on board just to get Rags down (not sure of their motivation after those goals). I'm not sure about others. I asked on the forum, but I haven't seen an update from you on what Saturday looks like for you and those local there...

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  3. marinredwolfJuly 25, 2012 at 12:02 PM

    Though... it occurs to me that even if we don't manage it by MoP release, it's something we could potentially do as a group on Saturday nights even while leveling toward 90. The only down side I can think of is the way in which ratings will get somewhat wonky. As for soloing FL, I would guess not. That would be like soloing Ulduar now. Actually, for a while it'd be more like soloing Ulduar in ilevel 359 or lower gear. Plus there are a ton of mechanics that are not friendly to solo play. Face Rage, Beth'tilac's two-platform fight, Baleroc's crystals and heal mechanics, Staghelm's swipe damage sharing... I'm not sure if Rhyolith is manageable and whether you could effectively ignore Alysrazor's hatchlings... Heck, now that I think about it, Firelands seems particularly unfriendly to solo play.

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