Improve Your Gear

On my guild forums, there is a link to a website that helps you to assess your gear (or look at other people's gear). I have a lot to improve on with more than just what pieces I have, but it is a work in progress, just as gathering gear is. Website added to sidebar.

One thing I really need to do is socket my belt. Once that is done, all I can really do is get a better cloak to make it worth enchanting with more than spell penetration, and slowly replace my blue pieces.

My Tailoring and Enchanting continue to be levelled very slowly. For both, it is a matter of obtaining mats. I hope to quest in Icecrown some more after my Christmas / New Year holiday. That will gain me more reputation with Argent Crusade and Knights of the Ebon Blade, cash from questing, and greens to DE for Enchanting mats. ;)

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

40 Exalted Factions

Pursuit of gaining Exalted reputation continues. My achievement goal is attainable; just a long way off.

Achievement: 40 Exalted Factions

Darnassus (Exalted)
Exodar (Exalted)
Gnomeregan Exiles (17088 / 21000)
Ironforge (Exalted)
Stormwind (Exalted)

Stormpike Guard (Exalted)

Explorers' League (4414 / 6000)
The Frostborn (None)
The Silver Covenant (0 / 3000)
Valiance Expedition (Exalted)

Argent Dawn (Exalted)
Brood of Nozdormu (7199 / 12000)
Cenarion Circle (Exalted)
Hydraxian Waterlords (12429 / 21000)
Thorium Brotherhood (5691 / 21000)
Timbermaw Hold (Exalted)
Zandalar Tribe (6529 / 21000)

Lower City (Exalted)
Sha'tari Skyguard (Exalted)
Shattered Sun Offensive (Exalted)
The Aldor (Exalted)
The Sha'tar (Exalted)

Ashtongue Deathsworn (1288 / 21000)
Cenarion Expedition (Exalted)
Honor Hold (Exalted)
Keepers of Time (Exalted)
Kurenai (Exalted)
Netherwing (Exalted)
Ogri'la (Exalted)
Sporeggar (Exalted)
The Consortium (Exalted)
The Violet Eye (Exalted)

The Oracles (None)

Argent Crusade (7566 / 12000)
Kirin Tor (755 / 21000)
Knights of the Ebon Blade (1433 / 6000)
The Kalu'ak (15641 / 21000)
The Sons of Hodir (None)
The Wyrmrest Accord (302 / 21000)

Wintersaber Trainers (Exalted)

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Heroism

I've been doing a few heroics. My gear is slowly improving. I still need a lot of cloth to level my Tailoring, but at least I am making progress. I crafted my Magnificent Flying Carpet last thing tonight. Can't wait to take that bad boy for a spin around Northrend.

My Enchanting has also improved. I just hope to be able to enchant more gear with orange recipes for guaranteed points. ;)

We did Black Temple again tonight but failed to get the Illidari Council down. I kept losing aggro on High Nethermancer Zerevor when he became immune to magic attacks. I guess I needed to pull him as far to the left as I could, but it just wasn't happening.

At least I hit Revered with Ashtongue Deathsworn. That much closer to another Exalted faction. :)

Here is my current pre-raid gear layout:
Head
Encircling Burnished Gold Chains
Dark Runic Mantle
Back
Egg Sac Robes
Wrists
Gloves of Distorted Time
Girdle of Bane
Breeches of the Caller
Stone-Worn Footwraps
Ring 1
Ring 2
Trinket 1
Trinket 2
Flameheart Spell Scalpel
Prison Manifest
Rod of the Fallen Monarch

I should get Naxxramas upgrades eventually, but will do my best to save Emblems of Heroism to get badge gear. Two more badges and I get the 50 Badge Achievement, too. ;)

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Naxxramas Raiding Begins

On Wednesday, we killed Archavon the Stone Watcher and then went to the Obsidian Sanctum and killed Sartharion. Both were 10-man raids. We will be doing 10-man raiding until we have the guild numbers to hit up 25-man content.

We paid Instructor Razuvious a quick visit in Naxxramas, having time to spare. It didn't go so well, but it was good to go back to the instance in its non-40-man form.

Last night, we had our official Naxxramas raid. This was our first guild raid in new content. My gear is currently very, very poor, as I have been unable to do any heroics and it has been a mission to get gear through crafting or reputation. I hope that over the next few weeks I will build my gear to an appropriate raiding level -- and will replace at least a few pieces with Naxxramas drops.

We cleared the Arachnid Quarter: Anub'Rekhan, Grand Widow Faerlina and Maexxna. We then went and killed Patchwerk. I respecced to a more raiding friendly Frost build than I was, in order to punch out more necessary DPS.

We had one try at Grobbulus, but it was getting late and I think that only one of us had done the fight before; that being in the 40-man oldschool version, two years ago. We will get him down pretty easily, though, whenever we have our next Naxxramas raid.

The Archavon and Sartharion thing will hopefully be weekly. The big dragon is necessary in getting our T7 shoulders, anyway, and Archavon drops some nice gear -- both PvE and PvP.

After our Naxxramas raid, some of us did a heroic Utgarde Keep. It was my first heroic since hitting level 80. I hope to do many more in order to build up a better pre-raiding gear set.

I really struggled with effectively DPSing last night and felt incredibly underpowered. I also like Frost too much to veer away from that for now, and plan to continue raiding as Frost. Although, when I have all the Frostweave Cloth necessary to get my Tailoring to 440, I will go full raid spec.

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Gaiwyn's Raiding Wishlist

Gaiwyn's Raiding Wishlist

Head
Gothik's Cowl
Valorous Frostfire Circlet

Neck
Cosmic Lights
Wyrmrest Necklace of Power

Shoulders
Mantle of the Corrupted
Valorous Frostfire Shoulderpads

Back
Shroud of Luminosity
Pennant Cloak

Chest
Gown of the Spell-Weaver
Heigan's Putrid Vestments
Valorous Frostfire Robe

Wrists
Bindings of the Expansive Mind

Hands
Gloves of Grandeur
Valorous Frostfire Gloves

Waist
Cincture of Polarity

Legs
Leggings of the Wanton Spellcaster
Leggings of Atrophy
Valorous Frostfire Leggings

Feet
Boots of Impetuous Ideals

Rings
Signet of Manifested Pain

Trinkets
Dying Curse
Extract of Necromantic Power
Illustration of the Dragon Soul

Weapon
The Turning Tide
Life and Death
Greatstaff of the Nexus

Off-hand
Surplus Limb

Wand
Gemmed Wand of the Nerubians

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Level 80 Pre-Raid Plate DPS Gear

Pre-Raid iLevel 200 Plate DPS Items

Bind on Equip
Cloak of Bloodied Waters
Cast Iron Shackles
Signet of Edward the Odd
Stained-Glass Shard Ring
Tears of Bitter Anguish

Blacksmithing
Spiked Titansteel Helm
Spiked Titansteel Treads
Titansteel Destroyer

Jewelcrafting
Titanium Impact Choker
Titanium Impact Band

Leatherworking
Ice Striker's Cloak


Heroic Drops
Ahn'kahet: The Old Kingdom
Jedoga Shadowseeker
Edge of Oblivion

Prince Taldaram
Bonegrinder Breastplate


Azjol-Nerub
Anub'arak
Chitin Shell Greathelm

Krik'thir the Gatewatcher
Golden Limb Bands


Drak'Tharon Keep
King Dred
Incisor Fragment

Novos the Summoner
Breastplate of Undeath

The Prophet Tharon'ja
Mojo Masked Crusher


Gundrak
Eck the Ferocious
Engraved Chestplate of Eck

Gal'darah
Hemorrhaging Circle

Slad'ran
Snake Den Spaulders


Halls of Lightning
General Bjarngrim
The General's Steel Girdle

Loken
Planetary Helm
Colossal Skull-Clad Cleaver

Volkhan
Shroud of Reverberation



Halls of Stone
Krystallus
The Prospector's Prize

Maiden of Grief
Hammer of Grief

Sjonnir the Ironshaper
Bands of the Stoneforge

Tribunal Chest
Sword of Justice


The Culling of Stratholme
Chrono-Lord Epoch
Mobius Band

Meathook
Legplates of Steel Implants


The Nexus
Anomalus
Rift Striders

Keristrasza
Flame-Bathed Steel Girdle
Sphere of Red Dragon's Blood

Ormorok the Tree-Shaper
Band of Frosted Thorns


The Oculus
Cache of Eregos
Gauntlets of Dragon Wrath

Varos Cloudstrider
Legplates of the Oculus Guardian


The Violet Hold
Cyanigosa
Gauntlets of Capture

Erekem
Cloak of the Gushing Wound

Xevozz
Necklace of Arcane Spheres

Zuramat the Obliterator
The Obliterator Greaves


Utgarde Keep
Ingvar the Plunderer
Staggering Legplates

Prince Keleseth
Strategist's Belt


Utgarde Pinnacle
King Ymiron
Gold Amulet of Kings
Meteorite Whetstone

Svala Sorrowgrave
Echoing Stompers


Emblems of Heroism
Pendant of the Outcast Hero (25 )
Verdungo's Barbarian Cord (40 )
Mirror of Truth (40 )
Sigil of Haunted Dreams (15 )


Reputation
Argent Crusade
Fang-Deflecting Faceguard (Revered)
Argent Skeleton Crusher (Revered)

Knights of the Ebon Blade
Death-Inured Sabatons (Exalted)
Runeblade of Demonstrable Power (Revered)

The Sons of Hodir
Spaulders of the Giant Lords (Revered)

The Wyrmrest Accord
Legplates of Bloody Reprisal (Exalted)


Other
Band of the Kirin Tor (8,500g)

Mordreth
Head
Neck
Shoulders
Back
Chest
Wrists
Hands
Waist
Legs
Ring 1
Ring 2
Trinket 1
Trinket 2
2H Weapon
Sigil

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

The Tailoring Nightmare

I had more time on my hands, so worked out how much Frostweave Cloth I will need to get my tailoring from 406 to 440, so that I can craft my Ebonweave Robe. Long story short, including the cloth for the robe, I will need a total of 1,945 Frostweave Cloth.

Even if I was able to farm 2,000 cloth, the extra items and reagents are going to cost me a hefty sum. There's no way I can have my robe for our Naxxramas run this Thursday. Maybe next week, eh. :p

Here is my shopping list:

5 Frostweave Cloth per Bolt of Frostweave
15 Frostweave Cloth per Bolt of Imbued Frostweave

4x Duskweave Wristwraps > 410
32x Bolt of Frostweave = 160 Frostweave Cloth

5x Duskweave Gloves > 415
45x Bolt of Frostweave = 225 Frostweave Cloth

1x Ebonweave > 416
1x Moonshroud > 417
1x Spellweave > 418
3x Bolt of Imbued Frostweave = 45 Frostweave Cloth
2x Eternal Shadow
2x Eternal Life
2x Eternal Fire

Frostsavage Belt > 419
Frostsavage Bracers > 420
6x Bolt of Imbued Frostweave = 90 Frostweave Cloth
6x Crystallized Fire
6x Crystallized Earth

Black Duskweave Leggings > 421
2x Black Duskweave Wristwraps > 423
2x Black Duskweave Robe > 425
23x Bolt of Imbued Frostweave = 345 Frostweave Cloth

Deep Frozen Cord > 426
1x Spellweave
4x Bolt of Imbued Frostweave = 60 Frostweave Cloth
4x Iceweb Spider Silk

Frostsavage Boots > 427
Frostsavage Cowl > 428
Frostsavage Gloves > 429
Frostsavage Leggings > 430
Frostsavage Robe > 431
Frostsavage Shoulders > 432
21x Bolt of Imbued Frostweave = 315 Frostweave Cloth
27x Crystallized Fire
27x Crystallized Earth

Aurora Slippers > 433
Light Blessed Mittens > 434
Silky Iceshard Boots > 435
13x Bolt of Imbued Frostweave = 195 Frostweave Cloth
1x Spellweave
2x Moonshroud
12x Iceweb Spider Silk
4x Heavy Borean Leather

Frostmoon Pants > 436
2x Hat of Wintry Doom > 438
Glacial Robe > 439
24x Bolt of Imbued Frostweave = 360 Frostweave Cloth
1x Moonshroud
1x Ebonweave
8x Iceweb Spider Silk
3x Eternal Fire
3x Eternal Water
1x Frozen Orb

Ebonweave Gloves > 440
4x Bolt of Imbued Frostweave = 60 Frostweave Cloth
4x Ebonweave
1x Frozen Orb

Ebonweave Robe!
8x Ebonweave
6x Bolt of Imbued Frostweave = 90 Frostweave Cloth
1x Frozen Orb

The good thing is, I can use some of this crafted gear. Some is PvP gear, some I will send to my Priest, and some is Frost Resist gear. This time around I won't be disenchanting quite so much of my levelling crafts.

Totals
1,945 Frostweave Cloth
And a whole lot of other stuff that I cbf typing up and linking. :o

My progress (2008-12-10 - 9.40am): I am at 418 Tailoring now. I just need to get 6 Crystallized Fire and I can craft the Frostsavage Belt and Bracers. I need to farm more cloth to get past 420, but AoE farming can be fun. ;)

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Level 80 Pre-Raid Caster Gear

Pre-raid iLevel 200 Caster Items

Bind on Equip
Dragon Prow Amulet
Dark Runic Mantle
Runecaster's Mantle
Sash of Jordan
Prison Manifest

Jewelcrafting
Titanium Spellshock Necklace
Titanium Spellshock Ring

Tailoring
Deathchill Cloak
Ebonweave Robe
Moonshroud Robe
Spellweave Robe
Ebonweave Gloves
Moonshroud Gloves
Spellweave Gloves


Heroic Drops
Ahn'kahet: The Old Kingdom
Amanitar
Amulet of the Spellflinger
Silken Bridge Handwraps

Elder Nadox
Elder Headpiece

Herald Volazj
Staff of Sinister Claws
Wand of Ahnkahet

Jedoga Shadowseeker
Subterranean Waterfall Shroud

Prince Taldaram
Necklace of Taldaram


Azjol-Nerub
Anub'arak
Sash of the Servant
Ring of the Traitor King
Rod of the Fallen Monarch

Hadronox
Egg Sac Robes

Krik'thir the Gatewatcher
Stone-Worn Footwraps


Drak'Tharon Keep
King Dred
Savage Wound Wrap

Novos the Summoner
Cursed Lich Blade
Temple Crystal Fragment

Trollgore
Cowl of the Dire Troll

The Prophet Tharon'ja
Overlook Handguards
Spectral Seal of the Prophet


Gundrak
Drakkari Elemental
Living Mojo Belt

Gal'darah
Arcane Flame Altar-Garb

Moorabi
Shroud of Moorabi

Slad'ran
Slithering Slippers
Wand of Sseratus


Halls of Lightning
General Bjarngrim
Traditionally Dyed Handguards

Loken
Ornate Woolen Stola
Flowing Sash of Order
Woven Bracae Leggings

Volkhan
Giant-Hair Woven Gloves


Halls of Stone
Sjonnir the Ironshaper
Forge Ember

Tribunal Chest
Mantle of the Tribunal


The Culling of Stratholme
Chrono-Lord Epoch
Gloves of Distorted Time

Dark Runed Chest
Mantle of Deceit
Band of Guile

Meathook
Belt of Unified Souls

Salramm the Fleshcrafter
Forgotten Shadow Hood
Necromancer's Amulet


The Nexus
Commander Kolurg / Commander Stoutbeard
Opposed Stasis Leggings
Cleric's Linen Shoes

Grand Magus Telestra
Telestra's Journal

Ormorok the Tree-Shaper
Gloves of the Crystal Gardener


The Oculus
Cache of Eregos
Crown of Unbridled Magic
Ancient Dragon Spirit Cape
Cuffs of Winged Levitation
Staff of Draconic Combat

Drakos the Interrogator
Drakewing Raiments

Mage-Lord Urom
Sash of Phantasmal Images
Pendulum of Telluric Currents


The Violet Hold
Cyanigosa
Azure Cloth Bindings
Cyanigosa's Leggings
Mark of the War Prisoner

Ichoron
Globule Signet

Moragg
Solitaire of Reflecting Beams

Xevozz
Footwraps of Teleportation

Zuramat the Obliterator
Zuramat's Necklace


Utgarde Keep
Ingvar the Plunderer
Breeches of the Caller
Annhylde's Ring

Prince Keleseth
Wand of the San'layn


Utgarde Pinnacle
Gortok Palehoof
Ring of the Frenzied Wolvar

King Ymiron
Girdle of Bane

Skadi the Ruthless
Netherbreath Spellblade
Staff of Wayward Principles

Svala Sorrowgrave
Cuffs of the Trussed Hall
Sorrowgrave's Breeches


Emblems of Heroism
Encircling Burnished Gold Chains (25 )
Plush Sash of Guzbah (40 )
Sundial of the Exiled (40 )
Handbook of Obscure Remedies (25 )
Ward of the Violet Citadel (25 )


Reputation
Argent Crusade
Signet of Hopeful Light (Exalted)


Kirin Tor
Robes of Crackling Flame (Exalted)
Flameheart Spell Scalpel (Revered)


Knights of the Ebon Blade
Sterile Flesh-Handling Gloves (Revered)
Belt of Dark Mending (Exalted)


The Wyrmrest Accord
Ancestral Sinew Wristguards (Revered)
Sandals of Crimson Fury (Exalted)


Other
Signet of the Kirin Tor (8,500g)

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Black Borean Blight

I played my Death Knight a bit yesterday, with my brother on his warrior. He was already level 71, having done some of Borean Tundra.

I started on Borean Tundra myself on Thursday night, but only made it to the D.E.H.T.A encampment. Together, we started on Howling Fjord quests and finished up to the end of the first Explorers' League hub.

We grinded humanoids for about five mins so I could push out my last 1.5% and ding 71. No new spells for DKs at 71! At least I am getting gear upgrades. >.<

I continued my questing in Borean Tundra and completed Coldarra. Next is Fizzcrank Airstrip.

I started on Zul'Drak with my Mage, after a bit of Icecrown AoE cloth farming (and a few deaths). In Zul'Drak, I did this quest. Good fun, albeit a little buggy.

I want to finish each of these zones completely to try and build my reputation with the various factions up, which I will push to exalted through wearing their tabards in instances and doing daily quests.

See my Reputation Dailies guide.

We had a Black Temple raid again tonight. We had a few attempts at Illidan, but couldn't get past phases 3 and 4 (which alternate).

I started questing with my Priest, only to realise that levelling as Holy would be torturous. I respecced to Shadow and have been enjoying it immensely. I'm tempted once again to play as Shadow at level 80. ;)

I really have to push Gaiwyn to 80 and try to get as many gear replacements as I can in the next three days. We plan to start on 10-man Naxxramas raiding this Thursday, and I want in on the action. ;)

Watch for my Pre-Raiding Caster Gear guide.

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Reputation Dailies

Reputation Dailies

Argent Crusade (Tabard)
Congratulations! (Level 76) -- Zul'Drak
Troll Patrol (Level 76) -- Zul'Drak
Slaves to Saronite (Level 80) -- Icecrown

Explorers' League
Steel Gate Patrol (Level 71) -- Howling Fjord

Kirin Tor (Tabard)
Daily Cooking, Jewelcrafting, Dungeon and Heroic Dungeon quests.

Knights of the Ebon Blade (Tabard)
From Their Corpses, Rise (Level 80) -- Icecrown
Intelligence Gathering (Level 80) -- Icecrown
Leave Our Mark (Level 80) -- Icecrown
No Fly Zone (Level 80) -- Icecrown
Shoot 'Em Up (Level 80) -- Icecrown
Vile Like Fire! (Level 80) -- Icecrown

The Kalu'ak
The Way to His Heart... (Level 71) -- Howling Fjord
Planning for the Future (Level 72) -- Dragonblight
Preparing for the Worst (Level 72) -- Borean Tundra

The Silver Covenant
None, as yet.

The Sons of Hodir
Blowing Hodir's Horn (Level 80) -- The Storm Peaks
Feeding Arngrim (Level 80) -- The Storm Peaks
Hot and Cold (Level 80) -- The Storm Peaks
Polishing the Helm (Level 80) -- The Storm Peaks
Spy Hunter (Level 80) -- The Storm Peaks
Thrusting Hodir's Spear (Level 80) -- The Storm Peaks

The Wyrmrest Accord (Tabard)
Drake Hunt (Level 71) -- Coldarra
Defending Wyrmrest Temple (Level 74) -- Dragonblight
Aces High! (Level 80) -- Coldarra

Valiance Expedition
Break the Blockade (Level 71) -- Howling Fjord
Kick 'Em While They're Down (Level 74) -- Grizzly Hills
Life or Death (Level 74) -- Grizzly Hills
Assault by Air (Level 80) -- Icecrown
Assault by Ground (Level 80) -- Icecrown
Blood of the Chosen (Level 80) -- Icecrown

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Bear Essentials

Ding: 78.

Achievement: Fo' Grizzle My Shizzle.

I also completed Explore Grizzly Hills, netting me the Explore Northrend achievement. I got Tabard of the Explorer in my mailbox, as a reward.

If I can finish off Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor, I will get both a World Explorer achievement and a title: the Explorer.

Next stop: Zul'Drak. Maybe. It depends on whether I am able to handle those undead mobs in Icecrown now that I am 78. >.<

Whatever happens, I will clear every zone before I am happy. I'm in no hurry to do it; but I will do it.

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Titanic Lightning Rods of Supreme Brilliance

I finished Dragonblight last night and started on Grizzly Hills tonight.

Dinged 77 and got my Cold Weather Flying. Ah, it's good to be able to fly again!

I flew around the rest of the Northrend zones. Words like 'epic' and 'amazing' fail to describe the splendour and incredible magnitude and magnificence of this continent. Such varied environments; such humongous structures; such an amazing array of creatures; and such extreme activity everywhere.

I really love the Titan lore and Storm Peaks captures so much of this across its mountainous terrain: giant structures built into the mountains; rune-inscribed golems roaming the mountain crags and paths; huge temple structures that bring a new definition to monolithic architecture.

I couldn't capture in my screenshots the scope of all there is to see, but I can say that I was in absolute awe of the superb job the design team have done in every gigantic zone. There is so much to see and it all takes your breath away.

Take the time to fly around Icecrown, Storm Peaks, Sholazar Basin and Crystalsong Forest -- and actually look at everything. You won't be disappointed.

Gundrak, Zul'drak

A Huge Crater in Zul'drak

Steps to the Zul'drak Plateau

Crystalsong is Breathtakingly Beautiful

Beware the Creatures of Icecrown

Before logging off, I decided to try and find a good spot to farm Frostweave Cloth. I am going to need hundreds of them to get my Tailoring up. I tried a spot in Icecrown, but the mobs there are level 80, so I would recommend waiting until level 79 and grinding out your last level there if you are after cloth, like me.

I also went to Zul'drak. Just outside of the Argent Crusade area, there is an ongoing undead event. You can kill a number of mobs at once, with a decent droprate on cloth. The downside of this is that the respawns are pretty haphazard and sometimes you can't get out of combat. I had a couple of close calls and had to run for my life a couple of times.

One bonus of killing the undead mobs, though, is that one of them dropped a Manual: Heavy Frostweave Bandage for me.

I intend to continue questing in Grizzly Hills and then probably Zul'drak until reaching 79, when I will do my Frostweave stint and hopefully be able to craft my Magnificent Flying Carpet at Level 80. ;)

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

More Blighting

Almost completed Dragonblight.

Level 76.

Alexstrasza, Queen of Dragons

If you haven't already, you have to see the cut scene at the Wrathgate. :o

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Factionblight Temple

My guild, <Exiles> ran Black Temple last night. It was my first time to go in there. We cleared up to the Illidari Council, of whom we had two quick attempts before finishing for the evening. The toughest fight was by far Gurtogg Bloodboil. Surprisingly, despite the lack of Shadow Resist gear across the raid of 23 players, Mother Shahraz was very easy.

We will probably be attempting the Illidari Council again tonight. Hopefully we can get all the way to Illidan! We are all over level 70, with even a couple of 80s, but it is still good to be raiding; even if T6 content is past its prime.

Gaiwyn is level 75. I am still questing through Dragonblight -- in fact, I am probably barely even halfway through quests there. Then again, I could be quite far into it and almost ready to hit up Azjol-Nerub.

I hope to continue working on Azeroth factions, Outland factions and Northrend factions. Check out this character comparison. Click Character and then Reputation -- or look at their wealth: 100,000g from auctions. :o

I wish I was that much of an auction king. Sheesh.　See their standalone Reputation page: 39 oldschool factions at exalted. ;)

More Dragonblight after work. ;)

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Ding: 74

Cleared Howling Fjord and ventured into Dragonblight. After anchoring myself to an inn and doing a few necessary quests, I was teleported to Dalaran, where I learned Portal: Dalaran. :)

Gaiwyn is now 75% into level 74.

I decided to finish off To All The Squirrels I've Loved Before. I had missed the Ram in Loch Modan -- very hard to find them -- and the Borean Frog. Not sure how I missed that one, as I was in Borean Tundra for so long.

At the same time, I decided to finish off Explore Borean Tundra. All I had to explore was Garrosh's Landing (not having been there while questing in Borean Tundra was an oversight on my part). With that done, I revisited Howling Fjord to get the last place there, Vengeance Landing, to get Explore Howling Fjord.

Three achievements in the space of half an hour. Not bad. ;)

Time to spend some money and level Tailoring!

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Utgarde Keep

I quested a little bit on Gaiwyn.

Dinged 73.

Did Utgarde Keep with a couple of guildies and two pugs.

Tomorrow: more questing!

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Death in Northrend

My Death Knight dinged 70 after 1 day, 20 hours of playtime (around six of which were spent running around Azeroth levelling Herbalism). I will be hitting Northrend on Sunday, when my brother can play.

I need to play Gaiwyn some more this weekend and see if I can get closer to 80. ;)

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Guilded

So I finally joined a new guild with my Mage. I still have a long way to go till I reach 80, but my new buddies are not intending to get into level 80 raiding for quite a while. This is good for my casual playstyle, as it gives me time to get to 80 and gear up in heroics.

My Death Knight is now level 69. I am going through quests in Netherstorm as fast as I can for the drive to 70. Once I hit 70 I will stop and wait for Sunday when my brother is going to begin playing again, and we are going to level through Northrend together.

I would like to get my Mage closer to 80 but my Death Knight has just proven to be too addicting. :p

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Herbalism: Levelling Without Levelling

Ok, so you rolled a Death Knight and want to level a gathering profession. Namely: Herbalism, because it complements Inscription nicely, right?

It essentially breaks down like this:

1. Pick up Herbalism from a trainer.


2. Get Herbalist's Gloves, enchanted with Advanced Herbalism.


3. I recommend installing the Cartographer and Outfitter addons.


4. Start in Elwynn Forest and run around, gathering lowbie herbs.


5. Elwynn Forest > Trainer: Journeyman > Westfall > Redridge Mountains > Stranglethorn Vale > Trainer: Expert > Stranglethorn Vale > Swamp of Sorrows > Hinterlands > Trainer: Artisan > Hinterlands > Felwood > Azshara > Outland + Trainer: Master

Equip the gloves whenever a herb is within ten levels but still out of reach -- here is where OutfitterFu comes in handy. Follow the herbs on Cartographer (filter in only the ones you are working on), making circuits around each zone, as thoroughly as you can. It takes a long time to raise your skill, but I got exploration achievements for every zone while herb grinding.

Stick with it and you will raise your skill from 1 to 300 in 5-10 hours. It takes longer to fully explore all the zones for achievements -- especially Azshara!

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Mordreth Awakens

I decided to finally roll my Death Knight last night. I went through all the starting quests and then quested for a while in Western Plaguelands and Eastern Plaguelands, just for the sake of it and to get a jump on levelling in Outland.

I guess it was also helpful to kill lower level monsters and get a good rotation going, as well as getting more used to the Death Knight dynamic again, too.

I will now level his Inscription and Herbalism for a bit before hitting Outland and getting him to 68 as fast as I can.

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Howling Fjord - Nifflevar to Level 80

Flying to Nifflevar I am about to take up some more questing on this side of the harbour. I have decided that all of this documenting my progress is detracting from the game and taking away gameplay time. In other words, I am levelling slower because of my blog entries.

So, the time has come to make a decision. I will no longer be taking screenshots or posting such detailed updates. Expect more along the lines of "ding, 73" and "in current WoW news" than "handed in such-n-such a quest and moved onto the next area".

Now, to continue questing in Howling Fjord and not worrying about this blog!

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Howling Fjord - Valgarde

I sailed into the harbour and started questing around Valgarde. This area is a lot smoother than it was in beta.

Sailing into the harbour

Not far into questing I entered the Utgarde Catacombs. A quest in there had me run through a heap of ghouls to recover an artifact while surrounded by a protective shield. The shield burned their faces. XD

Sizzling ghoul flesh

Next, it was underwater for some collecting. I was even given a diving helmet so I could breathe.

I met up with the Lich King during my next quest circuit.

The main antagonist himself

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Borean Tundra - Kaskala to Death's Stand

I rode up to Kaskala and killed some of the raiders. It's freezing at home right now and all that ice scenery didn't exactly make me feel any warmer. >.<

Heading up to Death's Stand was no better, as it is all snow-covered ground as well -- the surrounding area is, after all, called the Frozen Reach.

After killing some of the defenders around the nearby ziggurat, I ventured inside to find Thassarian, a Death Knight. Now things are getting interesting! (And I need a coffee to warm myself up).

Inside The Wailing Ziggurat

Thassarian sent me back to Death's Stand to jump on his horse, Dusk. Sweet, I get to ride a Death Knight's mount!

Off to find a phylactery.

Giddyup Dusk

Next stop:

The Temple City of En'Kilah

Once inside, I simply had to inflict 20 undead casualties.

Inside En'Kilah

A return visit saw me kill three priests, one at each of the three spires.

The final quest was a group quest at the very top of Naxxanar. A small scenario played out and then we got to kill Prince Valanar. I leaped off the top of the necropolis to float down, for half a minute of high altitude perusing of the landscape, before hearthing back to Fizzcrank Airstrip.

After sorting my inventory out I will be logging out. Borean Tundra is officially complete!

Next stop: Howling Fjord.

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Borean Tundra - Fizzcrank Airstrip to the Dens of Dying

I spent about half an hour changing my UI a little. Also, I have a sore left index finger, which makes both playing and typing difficult.

Now that I made it to the Dens of Dying, I'm able to do some more plague-related quests. I finished up by heading into the nearby necropolis.

Talramas

Then it was Back to the Airstrip to finish up this portion of the Borean Tundra.

A quick stop at Amber Ledge to turn in Monitoring the Rift: Winterfin Cavern and I headed back to the start: Valiance Keep, to finally hand in the quest In Wine, Truth.

Next stop: Kaskala!

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Borean Tundra - Fizzcrank Airstrip to Winterfin Cavern

Time for some subterfuge. It looks like Plan B worked.

It Was The Orcs, Honest!

I headed off to deal with some murloc issues. King Mrgl Mrgl sure looks like a murloc... ;)

Diving deep underwater, I gathered some essence to help me learn the speech of the Winterfin murlocs. Now that I can speak their language, I have to gather clams as an introductory gift -- to break the ice, so to speak.

Exploring underwater reveals yet another cool environment

I continued questing for the Winterfin murlocs, also gathering clams as I went. I see that I need 100 to get a Siren's Tear, a reagent in the crafting of a Deathchill Cloak.

Handing in made me level up: Level 72!

After slaughtering some orcas in the frigid water, I was given a Murloc suit and asked to enter the cave, disguised. There, under the pretense of a peaceful murloc, I would slay Claximus for his claw, the climax kill of this culmination of questing.

Grlglmrrrrgllll

The crafty crab slain and his claw collected, a caged murloc escorted to safety and one other Amber Ledge quest completed in the process, I handed in to find that even this area ties into Malygos and his crazy ambitions to control magic.

Back at Fizzcrank, I did an escort quest out of the nearby cave and handed that in. Next stop: The Dens of Dying.

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore

Borean Tundra - Fizzcrank Airstrip Part II

Questing continues around the oil-soaked areas surrounding Fizzcrank Airstrip: the Scalding Pools and Geyser Fields. I also had to kill some Mammoths. Just don't tell D.E.H.T.A. ;)

I got distracted by some elementals I disovered. Some water and fire elementals were in areas next to each other and every so often two would engage each other and start battling it out, fire vs water.

How cool is that?

I farmed some of the new motes, called Crystallized Fire -- for the sake of it. Ten make an Eternal Fire. The respawn rate for the elementals is pretty good, too. Could be a nice farming spot in future -- as a frost mage, the fire ones are very easy to kill. ;)

Back to questing.

After blowing up a sinkhole and testing a shrink-ray device (results did vary), it was time to hand in the quests, pushing me to Honoured with Valiance Expedition!

The followup to the failed experiment has me heading back out to loot some orc corpses in the area next to the elementals I discovered just before. I'll crack into that after I eat. :)

Gaiwyn of Proudmoore