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Tired of messing with addon reloads? Try Addon Control Panel.

Posted on 2010 under Wowgrrl | No Comment

11 Aug

Hey folks, it’s Valdesta!

I’m on my Shaman in this video, and I’m testing out Screenr.com and showing you another one of my favorite addons for World of Warcraft - the Addon Control Panel.

This is another one of those addons that I install right away as soon as I get set up on a new computer, or if I have to nuke my Interface and WTF folders due to loading or UI problems.

Addon Control Panel

This is an add-on you access by hitting “escape” while you’re in the game logged in to your character, and it’ll show up on the Options list.

If you DO NOT have the add-on installed, it won’t show up on this list, but if you DID have it installed, here’s where it would show up and what it would look like.

Normally your Options would have things like Video, Sound & Voice, Mac Options (if you’re on a Mac), Interface, Key Bindings, Macros, Logout, Exit Game and at the very bottom, Return to Game. If you have the Addon Control Panel installed, between Macros and Logout you’ll have the option “Addons”.

What this addons list does, is give me a list of all of my addons so that I can enable and disable right away, and actually be able to reload my UI and addons, so I don’t have to log out and back in with that character.

This is incredibly convenient for any player who uses a lot of addons - when I’m raiding, I use different addons than when I’m questing or running heroics, and this add-on makes it super easy to turn addons on and off between pulls in a raid if required, for example.

Also, when new patches come out and one of your addons is causing problems with your chat window or is generating errors, it’s REALLY convenient to not have to log in and out a million times to troubleshoot the problem.

And if you have multiple characters, add-on control panel saves your list of addons to load without any extra work from you unless you want to create templates.

I demonstrate Addon Control Panel’s ability to shut off an add-on that is loaded by showing Bagnon loaded, and then disabling it and reloading the UI through Addon Control Panel and showing how my bags and inventory were handled afterwards.

You can find Addon Control Panel at your favourite place to download WoW addons, it’s pretty popular so it shouldn’t be hard to find.

Here’s the video walk through. I’m also testing out Screenr.com so don’t mind the jumpiness of the video, but definitely check that free service out if you like to take vids.

If you like my videos,
why not Subscribe to my YouTube channel?

WoW Addon Review: Reagent Restocker
Ode To A Great WoW Addon: AlwaysLFG
Player reputation WoW addon, Karma

Thanks for reading Tired of messing with addon reloads? Try Addon Control Panel. at the world of warcraft blog

All I Do These Days Is PUG

Posted on 2010 under Wowgrrl | No Comment

31 Jul

I’ll admit it, I don’t play NEAR as much as I used to.

I still enjoy the game because I’ve made some good friends that I still hang around with on my Ventrilo server, and Dad and I still play together once a week, questing and advancing our characters into the 70s that started together in their 20s.

Upcoming Video Content

And I still enjoy the LFG tool because of its quick access to a packaged amount of playing that I can psychologically tell myself is an acceptable amount of play time, and a line in the sand as to when to log out and accomplish things in Real Life.

And I still have the drive to make videos and offer helpful tips and tricks every time I play.

So, as a result of a wee bit of playing recently, I’ve got a video coming out soon that I’m working on putting the finishing touches on right now in iMovie ‘09, and I’ll be posting it to my long-estranged YouTube channel which you can subscribe to through that link.

I hope to see a lot of comments on the videos when they’re posted! Feel free to link to the video from your guild website or blog or wherever, if you think the tips and tricks would be helpful for your friends.

Five Days of Burning Crusade
Prince Malchezzar in Karazhan Video, Priest Healer
Mount Hyjal, Rage Winterchill

Thanks for reading All I Do These Days Is PUG at the world of warcraft blog

20-60 aoe mage grinding spots

Posted on 2010 under Wowgrrl | No Comment

22 Jul

(Level: 14-15) Savannah Lions - SW of Sludge Fen (Barrens)

(Level: 16-18) Venture Co. - Boulderlode Mine (Barrens)

(Level: 17-19) Stonesplinter Troggs - Ironband Excavation Site (Loch Modan)

(Level: 17-23) Mosshide Gnolls - Near Loch Modan Entrance [Few Casters] (Wetlands)

(Level: 19-21) Ravenclaw Undead - Beren’s Peri (Silverpine Forest)
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I suggest to do quests until level 20 and then start to do aoe at the places belove ( since frankly, you wont do that good before u get some talent into frost tree imp blizzard and the fact that you don`t get blizzard before lvl 20 :> so you will do more xp pr hour by questing and stuff :> from lvl 1 -20

Level: 25-29) Skeletal Undead - Raven Hill Cemetary (Duskwood)
(this is a GREATE spot also the Gy is really close ( not that greate for horde tho, since there is quite alott of allys add`s around :>)

(Level: 21-24) Bael’dun Dwarves - Bael’Dun Dig Site (Barrens)
( very easy to get adds =( so pay attention to mobs around before pull, since its a loooong walk from gy)

(Level: 21-25) Foulweald Furbolgs [Bring a Healer] (Ashenvale)

(Level: 21-26) Shadowhide Gnolls (Redridge Mountains)

(Level: 22-26) Hillsbrad Farmers/Peasants - Hillsbrad Fields (Hillsbrad Foothills)
(you shod bring a mage friend or a healer for this, since you often get adds. ( you shod also pick up the quest for this spot in tarren mill(Horde), since the you do get somewhat decent xp from those)

(Level: 23-31) Highperch Wyverns (Thousand Needles)

(Level: 25-32) Dragonmaw Orcs - Angerfang Encampment [Few Casters/Bring Healer] (Wetlands)

(Level: 26-28) Plague Spreaders - Raven Hill Tomb (Duskwood)

(Level: 26-28) Hillsbrad Miners/Sentrys- Azureload Mine (Hillsbrad Foothills)
(I sugest to bring another mage or a priest here, since u dont get alott of space to move in therefore cant use blizzard to well, and mobs hit kinda hard)

(Level: 28-30) Nightbane Worgens - Near Rotting Orchard (Duskwood)

(Level: 29-33) Syndicate Humans - North of Tarren Mill (Alterac Mountains)

(Level: 29-35) Sparkleshell Turtles - Shimmering Flats (Thousand Needles)

(Level: 30-32) Cave Yeti’s (Hillsbrad Foothills)

(Level: 30-33) Mountain Yeti’s (Alterac Mountains)

(Level: 30-34) Salt Flats Vultures/Scavengers - Shimmering Flats (Thousand Needles)

(Level: 33-35) Dabyrie Humans - Dabryie’s Farmstead (Arathi highlands) (HORDE)
This spot is amazing, I would advise doing this area until 37-38

(Level: 33-35) Hammerfall Orcs - Go’shek Farm (Arathi Highlands) (ALLIANCE)

(Level: 33-36) Silithids - Shimmering Flats (Thousand Needles)
Shimmering flats is to spread out i never did it

(Level: 33-36) Crushridge Ogres (Alterac Mountains)
I’ve ran through here, I never personally grinded here but it is a viable spot, the mobs are kinda spread out though

(Level: 33-36) Scorpid Reavers/Terrors - Shimmering Flats (Thousand Needles)
same as before

(Level: 33-40) Saltstone Basilisks - Shimmering Flats (Thousand Needles)
The Basilisks are grouped nicely but personally there are not enough to make it worthwhile

(Level: 35-38) Mirefin Murlocs - NE of Zone (Dustwallow Marsh)
The next best spot, For a frost mage i’d advise doing this spot until 44, just a filler until you get your next blizzard

(Level: 35-38) Syndicate Humans - North of Zone [One Caster per Camp] (Alterac Mountains)
Never liked it, tried it a little bit

(Level: 35-39) Darkmist Spiders - North of Brackenwall Village (Dustwallow Marsh)

(Level: 36-39) Lesser Rock Elementals - NW Corner (Badlands)
Not enough mobs to make worthwhile

(Level: 36-40) Bloodfen Raptors - NE of Brackenwall Village (Duskwallow Marsh)
Seem to be spread out

(Level: 37-39) Elementals [Various Locations & Types] (Arathi Highlands)

(Level: 37-40) Shadowforge Dwarves - Agnar Fortress [Few Casters] (Badlands)
The casters make this a pain

(Level: 39-44) Woodpaw Gnolls (Feralas)
The gnolls have a few ranged mobs, so as a frost mage I did not find this spot to be suitable

(Level: 40-43) Grimtotem Tauren (Feralas)
Again some casters, not advisable, depending on your aoe spec

(Level: 40-45) Wastewater Bandits (Tanaris)
The bandits have casters mixed in, to me there was not enough of these mobs to make it worthwhile, I’d advise doing the murlocks

(Level: 40-45) Southsea Pirates (Tanaris)
Ahhh now LOST RIGGER COVE is where its at. On my server not many people grind this area. I catagorized the area into 5 pulls, will last me until 52. At level 51 im able to grind 40k/hr.

(Level: 41-47) Green Sludges (Hinterlands)

(Level: 41-48) Dark Iron Dwarves [Various Locations] (Searing Gorge)

(Level: 42-48) Dunemaul Ogres (Tanaris) http://wow.allakhazam.com/db/map.htm…zoneid=1015

(Level: 45-50) Thistleshrub Elementals (Tanaris)

(Level: 46-47) Rage Scar Yeti’s (Feralas) http://wow.allakhazam.com/db/map.htm…zoneid=1009

(Level: 46-51) Nethergarde Humans (Blasted Lands)
Good spot to level besides the fact of not being able to mount in the mine, a few ranged mobs, not advised unless you have no other option

(Level: 47-50) Northspring Harpies (Feralas) http://wow.allakhazam.com/db/map.htm…zoneid=1009
Have alot of casters mixed in with them

(Level: 47-50) Ravasaur Raptors (Un’goro Crater)

(Level: 47-50) Deadwood Furbolgs (Felwood) http://wow.allakhazam.com/db/map.htm…zoneid=1008
Have ranged

(Level: 48-54) Jadefire Saytrs [Various Locations] (Felwood)

(Level: 49-50) Saltwater Snapjaw- East Coast (Hinterlands)

(Level: 49-54) Thunderhead Hippogryphs - Northern Peninsula (Azshara)

(Level: 49-55) Jaedenar Forces (Felwood)
Just a bad spot

(Level: 50-52) Felstone Fields [Few Casters] (Western Plaguelands)
The casters don’t make it worthwhile in my opinion

(Level: 50-53) Flamekin Imps [Various Locations] (Burning Steppes)

(Level: 50-54) Warpwood Elementals (Felwood)

(Level: 52-56) Sorrow Hill [SE of Anderhol] (Western Plaguelands)

(Level: 52-58) Ice Thistle

Practicing the Frost Mage AOE Grinding Strategy
Back With The Pirates Again – Frost AOE Grinding
Mage Sleeps, Rogue Awakens, Warrior Bashes On Thru

Thanks for reading 20-60 aoe mage grinding spots at the world of warcraft blog

frost mage spec guide for levelling

Posted on 2010 under Wowgrrl | No Comment

22 Jul

Frost Mage has been largely seen as a PvP spec, but don’t let them fool you - a player who plays their Mage skillfully can be a giant in terms of fast levelling and high damage in dungeons and raids in addition to being a formidable foe on the battlegrounds or in the arena.

There are subtle differences in the talent configurations in order to be successful as a Frost Mage in different areas of the game.

Note, although this is a Frost Mage guide, often many Frosties have points in the Arcane tree as well, making us a Frost/Arcane mix if truth be told.

Gear Choices, 1-56

Go for Stamina and Intellect as a priority in your gear for this range of play.

What about those extra gear bonuses? Spell Damage and Spell Hit and things that restore Mana every 5 seconds?

Spell Damage is a higher priority than Spell Hit while levelling, although Spell Hit can help you lower resists when fighting against mobs higher level than you are. MP5 gear comes around more frequently in the Outland, too.

When in a group with a healer, be sure to check that Spell Damage gear to ensure its Healing bonus is equal or less than the Spell Damage. If Healing bonus is higher, let the Healer get first crack at the gear.

Massive gear upgrades, 57-59

In this level range, Outland gear becomes available from those doing low-level Outland quests and selling the green BOE drops in the Auction House.

Outland gear is often a significant stat and +damage upgrade to the things you’ll be wearing as you approach this level range.

As you approach level 57, visit the Auction House on occasion to pick up a new wardrobe of gear that you can quickly switch over when you hit 57, 58 and 59.

Again, go for Stamina and Intellect as a priority in your gear for this range of play, but you’ll find that there’s a fair amount of gear with both stats plus +spell damage and healing on them that you can pick up as well. Spell Hit and MP5 gear is still lower priority during levelling through the Outland.

Gear Choices, 60-69

Outland gear is much more clear in terms of who gear is generally best for.

That being said, Mages have a lot of gear competition, especially in groups: Prime competitors for gear will be Warlocks, Shadow Priests and even Moonkin Druids on occasion. Remember to share with your teammates

Priorities on Stats on Mage levelling gear remains the same: Intellect, Stamina, Spell Damage, MP5 and Spell Hit - in that order.

Sockets are introduced in this level range for all players, and this guide recommends the addition of +spell damage gems in all of the slots, no matter what color the slot itself asks for in order to get the socketing bonus. Most socket bonuses aren’t worth sacrificing the +spell damage.

“Mage AOE spec”

Name commonly given to the talent configuration aimed towards gathering up multiple mobs at once, keeping them slowed or iced in place, and downing them all together.

The “Blizzard” skill is required for this strategy, and since it isn’t obtained until level 20, a Mage must make their way through quests and mob grinding to get to 20 in order to being the faster progression that AOE grinding can offer. At around level 28 things get easier thanks to more talent points that strongly affect this strategy of play.

The final spec you’ll end up at as a level 70 is a Frost/Arcane mix.

Sample Mage AOE spec/talent build development:

lvl 20
lvl 30
lvl 40
lvl 50
lvl 60
lvl 70

5-man dungeon spec, clear to heroic

Talent configuration built on high damage output and improved crowd control
Sample spec: lvl 20, lvl 40, lvl 60, lvl 70

Raiding spec, Karazhan and beyond

Talent configuration built on high damage output and improved mana efficiency
Sample spec: lvl 20, lvl 40, lvl 60, lvl 70

PvP Spec

Talent configuration built on slowing and stopping opponents while delivering damage with high levels of penetration
Sample spec: lvl 20, lvl 40, lvl 60, lvl 70

Leveling The Frost Mage To 80, AOE Farming
Practicing the Frost Mage AOE Grinding Strategy
Questing With Dad – Helping the Newbie Mage

Thanks for reading frost mage spec guide for levelling at the world of warcraft blog

Wailing Caverns via Dungeon Tool = Tests Galore!

Posted on 2010 under Wowgrrl | No Comment

13 Feb

My wee tanks on Alliance side are progressing through a few different instances, with Wailing Caverns being one of the ones that comes up regularly whenever I put myself into the Dungeon Tool.

Wow, what a series of tests that instance is!

Dungeon Tool Is No Way To Learn Wailing Caverns

Dancing Dranaei Tank

This is the first conclusion I’ve come to, after running 3-4 full WC’s on my Druid and my Warrior, and many failed attempts on my Shaman healer.

The logic behind the statement is that Wailing Caverns is a twisty, turny, confusing instance at the best of times, but if you’re trying to learn the route, the Dungeon Tool is likely NOT going to be your friend.

This isn’t to say that it will ALWAYS not be your friend, but by and large, when I get into a Wailing Caverns group, it’s a partially complete run, and your first job will be to find your dungeon mates.

Without dying to wandering slimes.

Wailing Caverns Test #1 and 2: Find Your Teammates (Without Dying)

I got into a fresh Wailing Caverns the other day and while it’s a long journey to the end, I personally think that’s the best way to get into this particular dungeon, unless you know the route through the instance by heart (which I do, which is why I’m comfortable tanking it).

The party itself was well-built, with a solid heal/tank team and DPS who did their job without causing extra mayhem.

Team Wailing Caverns

We progressed nicely until running into a bit of extra Druid aggro which resulted in our healer being put to sleep, which resulted in my death, and the scattering of the rest of the group as they panicked and tried to run for the instance door.

The instance door, of course, was too far away for those panicky people to get to, so everyone died and everyone had to run back. (Note to dungeoneers: Fight to the death. Defend someone who can resurrect, to the point of dying yourself. Don’t run, it’s unlikely you’ll make it anyway)

One damage dealer decided to take a Spirit Rez, and then eventually left the group, and the trials of finding a successful new party mate began, while our team continued through the instance, four-manning the content.

We then went through three DPS - and watched each of them die (to slimes, they confirmed) as they tried to get to us. Each of the three waited for a full minute for a resurrection that was never to come, and had to be told to release and run back.

“We’re too far in to run back to get you, so run back and be careful not to aggro the slimes again” was what I told each of them. (yay for alt + arrow up, repeating your history of chats)

So they’d release, and try to run back, but being Alliance folk who didn’t make a huge home of The Barrens in order to learn the route to Wailing Caverns, all three ended up leaving the party before they found the instance door.

Meanwhile, our team is continuing to progress further and further into the instance, making it more and more difficult for someone unfamiliar with the instance to find us.

Finally one of the DPS make their way to us successfully. We’re nearly at the end by the time they do.

Wailing Caverns Test #3: How’s My Jumping Skills?

Deep in Wailing Caverns, there are two different places where players need to jump over a gap in the floor in order to progress.

The first Jump Test is the biggest - jumping onto, and then off of, a boulder that connects two hallways.

We’ve all failed this Jump Test as newbies in Wailing Caverns. This gives us patience to wait for the others who are currently working to pass the Jump Test for the first time, but it also gives us special pleasure as we watch you jump.

And fail.

And Jump again.

And fail again.

It’s a little sadistic, but once you can reliably pass the Jump Test, you’ll probably get some kind of sick pleasure out of watching others learning the skill as well.

This recent run we had two members who were new to Wailing Caverns and hadn’t practiced nor passed the Jump Test yet. They both fell down five times each and had to run back around the loop to try again before they made it across.

Thankfully, the second Jump Test is a lot friendlier in that while the fall down is completely brutal for getting back up, the distance one has to cover in order to “pass” the test is a lot shorter than the first one. Nobody failed the second Jump Test, thankfully.

Wailing Caverns: Good Practice Keeping Focussed

Final Boss In Wailing Caverns

Ultimately, this dungeon (and Blackrock Depths would be similar I’d imagine) is a great one for giving players practice at “letting go”.

Letting go of the thought that we should run back to escort a new player.

Letting go of the expectation of having a clear run through to the dungeon group if you join part way through.

Letting go of the thought that it takes 5 to progress through an instance well.

Letting go of the thought that all lowbie instances are fast and easy, and above all, letting go of the thought that dungeons have a linear path from start to finish.

What a great place!