Azeroth exodus has been greatly exaggerated

The title of this post refers to the fact a big deal has been made in the blogosphere about wow’s subscription numbers being down, especially with the documented early success of newer mmorpgs like SWTOR.

I have not really had much time to venture into Azeroth, save the occasional weeknight and weekend dungeon runs with the PUGs. GRE and grad school preparations have really robbed me from my free time away from work, but I have managed to get Gannisper the fire mage to level 24, mostly through queuing into dungeons and doing the occasional quest.

My original plan was to join a guild in the Sisters of Elune server, primarily a role playing server and not my usual PvP, because it sounded like a fun endeavor, but alas, that has not come to pass.

Those who write that wow is dead, or dying have not visited Ogrimmar or any capital city lately, where I see most of the players. Yet, since I don’t have as much time to quest, running through dungeons has been most of my interaction with other folks in Azeroth, and I get a bit bored of it often, so I do it very sporadically.

Once in a while it is fun, because coordinating the groups takes communication, otherwise players risk getting kicked for capricious reasons.

Earlier today, I also logged back into EQ2. EQ2 was a very frustrating experience, given the fact it is hard to group in that game without a level capped toon, but I found some levity out of traveling to various parts of Norrath via the “world bell” network and staying within zones that are appropriate for my level. I made the mistake of venturing out to unknown territory and kept getting killed by mobs for my troubles.

I have DDO on reserve as my third mmo of choice, but that game is so entrenched in its own idiosyncrasies and unique elements, it is less of a grind than EQ2, but it means I have to be in the D&D mind frame and mood to play it.  What’s next?

Running through a random dungeon and taking down the big boss.

I plan to be playing Stark Trek Online come early March, by that time I should have sent off all my paperwork and made all my grad school preparation, so the summer may be one full of mmo goodness for me. What are the rest of you all up to???

Exploring pvp and pve in Norrath’s Nagafen server

My EQ2 main is a caster

It was with some regret that I pushed the cancel subscription button for my DAoC sub on the Mythic webpage last night. Don’t get me wrong. I had a ton of fun playing the last couple of weeks, but honestly I am not going to pay $15 a month for a game, when so many great games are now f2p. DAoC has an atmosphere and a retro feel that is really unique and worth the money, but I realize that unless I plan to engage in pvp and RvR as my exclusive in game activity, then that is not the way to go considering a whole open world goes untouched in the game, since the pvp is so engaging, nobody really quests as much or crafts, or whatever else goes into mmo playing when you’re not engaged in pvp or RvR.

I may yet reconsider my decision in the near future and go back to playing DAoC, but for the time being I will stick to other games. I logged on to EQ2 again last night for only the second time since the year began and had some fun playing it. This is maybe because my level 7 Barbarian Warlock is in a new starting zone than my old character and I have yet to get bored of it. Within minutes I had joined a guild, but the real test will come at the higher levels, your 30s and 40s, if I get that far, because that is when the pvp is most active. I am now a proud member of the “Don’t taze me bro” guild on the Nagafen server.

I fear that with an old game like Everquest 2, the dungeon finder tool may not be as helpful as the one in wow, given that opportunities to adventure with a PUG are rare, and raiding doesn’t even take place until end game at 90 in Eq2!

League Of Legends

LOL is the other game I bounce into and out of from time to time, as you know if you have read this blog in the past, given the fact that it is also f2p, and it’s less of a time sink that mmorpgs, it is perfect for a fellow like me who has to work and doesn’t always have the chance to game on a nightly basis. Riot Games announced this week that with the latest patch some changes are going to be implemented in respect mainly to dodge.

Dodge is being removed as a global stat for League of Legends.

-According to the devs, this will impact those who play Jax as a champion. Jax will be getting a unique, short duration 100 percent dodge ability.

-This also means Jax, Ninja Tabi, and Sword of the Divine are all up for review, as well as updates to Riven

I will keep you guys informed of any further nerfs, or you can just check out the LOL website for more info.