ZAM News (full)

ZAM News (full) http://www.zam.com/ ZAM gaming news rss feed Blue Post Suggests 3.3 is More Than 1 Month Away [World of Warcraft] http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=20639 A blue post in the official technical support forum seems to suggest that patch 3.3 isn't scheduled to launch for at least another month. In response to a player complaining about how long it takes to complete the 448MB background download, <a href="http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=21034438977&pageNo=1&sid=1#2" target="_blank">Datth said</a>, "We only provide mirror links for full client patches. Background downloads do not count. You have around 1+ month to download this file so we're not really worried about your speed." This comment certainly shouldn't be taken as any sort of official confirmation of the 3.3 launch window. After all, Datth could have just been talking about the timetable for background downloads in general. Regardless, it's just something to think about while we all wait for 3.3 to hit the live servers on one of these upcoming Tuesdays. Shadowmourne Stats Revealed [World of Warcraft] http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=20621 Blizzard posted its <a href="http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=20587" target="_blank">official preview</a> of the lore surrounding the legendary weapon Shadowmourne a couple days ago, but our friends over at Wowhead have <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?blog=131196" target="_blank">posted</a> something even better: <a href="http://ptr.wowhead.com/?item=49623" target="_blank">the stats</a>. The two-handed axe can be used by warriors, paladins and death knights and deals 344.1 damage per second at a speed of 3.70. It has +233 Strength, +198 Stamina and three red sockets for a bonus of +8 Strength. Players who are lucky enough to equip this weapon will also have their critical strike and armor penetration ratings increased by 114. Oh, and "your weapon swings have a chance to drain a Soul Fragment granting you 40 strength. When you have acquired 10 Soul Fragments you will unleash Chaos Bane, dealing 1900 to 2100 shadow damage split between all enemies within 8 yards." Do you want to get your hands on Shadowmourne? Wowhead has posted the details of the <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?guide=3.3&quests#shadowmourne" target="_blank">quest chain</a> in their <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?guide=3.3" target="_blank">Patch 3.3 guide</a>. You can also discuss the weapon in <a href="http://wow.allakhazam.com/forum.html?forum=21&mid=125859721436395691&num=7&page=1" target="_blank">this thread</a> in our WoW general forum. BFF Report Episode 6 - WoW Patch 3.3 Part 2 [World of Warcraft] http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=20616 <img style="float: right; border: 2px solid black; margin: 5px;" src="http://www.zam.com/Im/Image/width=200/145115.jpg" alt="" />Look out World of Warcraft PTR players - Fony is on the loose! The <a href="http://www.zam.com/bffreport.html?bffreport=06" target="_self">second episode</a> of The BFF Report's sneak peek of WoW's Patch 3.3 is now live, and the hilarity only continues as Fony chronicles his escapades through Icecrown Citadel. So what's in store for viewers in <a href="http://www.zam.com/bffreport.html?bffreport=06" target="_self">this episode</a>? Three words: Pit of Saron. Delving into the next five-player dungeon on his tour, Fony takes a crack at Forgemaster Garfrost, Krick and Ick, and Scourgelord Tyrannus. Last but not least, Fony takes a crack at a gunship battle... but things don't go quite as planned. <a href="http://www.zam.com/bffreport.html?bffreport=06" target="_self">Check out all of Episode Six - WoW Patch 3.3 Part Two by clicking here!</a> Give PUGs a Chance: WoW's New LFG System [World of Warcraft] http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=20612 Blizzard announced its plan to implement a brand-new "Looking For Group" (LFG) system for <a href="http://wow.allakhazam.com/" target="_blank">World of Warcraft</a> last summer, at <a href="http://www.zam.com/newstag.html?tags=BlizzCon_09" target="_blank">BlizzCon 2009</a>, built on a similar mechanic used in PvP Battlegrounds. Developers told the crowd they had finally worked out a way to bring cross-server instances to WoW, allowing players from different servers the ability to run the same dungeons together. Although Blizzard originally stated it would be limited to 5-player dungeons in the beginning, it has since announced that a "Looking for Raid" system will accompany the new system. The new LFG system is already being vetted on the public test realm, set to roll out to the public in the upcoming <a href="http://wow.allakhazam.com/wiki/Patch_3.3_-_PTR" target="_blank">patch 3.3</a>. Blizzard designed the system with incentives in mind, offering higher rewards to players that group with more randomly-chosen teammates. Many players already support the idea of the new system, especially casual players who don't get the opportunity to run through as many dungeons as regular, "connected" players. Others have their doubts, anticipating even more failed dungeon runs from the inherent pick-up group (<a href="http://wow.allakhazam.com/wiki/PUG" target="_blank">PUG</a>) design of the system.<a name="pause" title="pause"></a><img src="http://www.zam.com/Im/Image/148387.jpg" alt="" /> As Blizzard recently <a href="http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/underdev/3p3/newdungeonsystem.xml">announced</a> on its official website, the new LFG system offers a slew of new features and upgrades, aside from the ability to play with people from different servers. You'll still be able to join as a group or as a solo player, and define your role as a tank, healer or DPS. Blizzard promises the system will "balance" groups better than ever, and you'll be able to choose any dungeon you like, instead of being limited to just three at once. No more wasting time while deciding who gets to trek it to the dungeon to summon everyone else, either. Players will instantly be teleported directly inside the dungeon once a match is made, just like the Battlegrounds system. You'll also get the chance to earn better tokens via the new system, as Blizzard explains in the announcement: <blockquote> Players or groups can choose specific dungeons or they can instead take their chances with a random Heroic or random normal dungeon. Picking randomly conveys some additional benefits. If you defeat the final boss in a dungeon, you receive 2 Emblems of Frost for Heroic dungeons and 2 Emblems of Triumph for normal dungeons. In addition, after players have received 2 Emblems of Frost for the first Heroic dungeon they do in a day, they will earn 2 Emblems of Triumph for each additional random Heroic dungeons in that day. These random rewards replace the current daily dungeon and daily Heroic dungeon quests. The current NPCs who offer those quests will offer weekly repeatable raid quests instead. You can also earn level-appropriate rewards for running random pre-Wrath of the Lich King dungeons while you are leveling up. </blockquote> There's even a new, non-combat pet called <a href="http://ptr.wowhead.com/?spell=70613" target="_blank">"Perky Pug"</a>—a little pug dog—that players can earn; the more dungeons you run with random players, the better your chances are of getting it. Incentives like these will no doubt pave the way for future rewards, giving Blizzard more ways to encourage players to group with people outside their usual "comfort zone." <img src="http://www.zam.com/Im/Image/148388.jpg" alt="" /> But as you can see from the split opinions voiced in forum threads like <a href="http://www.zam.com/forum.html?forum=21;mid=125098100023709218">this one</a>—posted just after Blizzard announced the new system—not everyone expects it to be a shining success. Players tend to get jaded after they've been burned by unsuccessful PUGs, whether it's because someone dropped out right before the final boss, or a stranger "ninjas" the party's loot. Up until now, the primary deterrent for unacceptable PUG behavior is the threat of being "blacklisted" on a server; players or guilds put the word out—in-game or in the realm forums—that so-and-so isn't trustworthy, or has a tendency to leave other players hanging. But blacklisting has never really been that effective, and many players think that PUGs will only get worse when the anonymity of cross-server instancing launches. To help alleviate some of these concerns, the loot rolling system will be slightly modified, to detect each player's class, and won't allow someone to roll "Need" on an item that they can't (or shouldn't) use. "The class must be able to equip the item, pure melee will be unable to roll on spellpower items, and classes are limited to their dominant armor type (for example, plate for paladins)," Blizzard explains, in the announcement. There's even a new feature that automatically disenchants unusable loot for the party to roll on if there's an Enchanter in the group, saving time and adding more convenience to the traditional method. From the casual player's perspective, there's not much about the upcoming LFG system to complain about. If you’re the type of player who can only log in during a certain time of day, or for a short amount of time, the new system offers you the ability to group from a much larger pool of potential teammates, selected from several realms, rather than just your own. It also allows "loners" to experience content they might otherwise never see if they don't belong to a guild, including lower-level dungeons that can often be missed during the leveling process. <img src="http://www.zam.com/Im/Image/148389.jpg" alt="" /> Similar to the existing Battlegrounds mechanic, a 15-minute debuff is placed on players who quit any LFG-made dungeon runs before they're completed, which should help cut down on "cherry picking" through randomly-selected PUGs. On paper, it seems like Blizzard has covered most of the concerns voiced by the community. Players have been trying out the new LFG system for some time now on the PTR, and we haven't heard the torrent of negative feedback many fans were expecting. Until patch 3.3 goes live within the next month or so, we won't know exactly what the full-scale impact of the new system is, or whether or not it proves to be the blessing that Blizzard claims it is. What's your take on the upcoming system? Can it only offer a better gameplay experience for people who already run with PUGs, or do you think it will further complicate the already-difficult notion of strategizing with strangers? If you've already tried out the new system on the PTR, let us know what you think of the new LFG system. Icecrown Raid Access Progression Outlined [World of Warcraft] http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=20604 Lead Encounter Designer Daelo has published a lengthy post on the official forums that outlines Blizzard's plans for <a href="http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=21038229051&sid=1" target="_blank">access progression</a> in the Icecrown Citadel raid. The citadel will be broken up into four sections, and all of them won't immediately be available when patch 3.3.0 goes live. "We believe a staggered release of the content will allow players to experience Icecrown Citadel at a sustainable, measured, and ultimately more enjoyable pace," Daelo said. For example, Plagueworks will become available several weeks after the Lower Spire opens. Other elements that will block access include various prerequisites, such as needing to defeat the Lich King in a regular raid before attempting the Heroic versions. More details on the Icecrown Citadel access progression can be found in the full post after the jump.<a name="pause" title="pause"></a><blockquote> <div id="rp_0" class="rplol">Icecrown Citadel testing has been progressing very well over the last few weeks, and this has been a huge help to the encounter design team. I want to thank everyone who has logged onto the PTR and tried the encounters there. As we're now getting closer to the release of 3.3.0, I wanted to talk about our plans for access progression within Icecrown Citadel. Icecrown Citadel is going to be broken up into four distinct sections: The Lower Spire, Plagueworks, Crimson Hall, and Frostwing Halls. We plan on releasing these four sections of Icecrown Citadel over time and not all immediately when patch 3.3.0 goes live. At this point I can't give precise dates for these release dates as they are determined by when patch 3.3.0 goes live. Once dates are known with more certainty, I'll update the community so they can plan appropriately. The first section that opens will include the Lord Marrowgar, Lady Deathwhisper, Icecrown Gunship Battle, and Deathbringer Saurfang encounters. Progress beyond that point will be prevented for several weeks. Then the Plagueworks will open with Rotface, Festergut, and Professor Putricide becoming available. After another period of time, the Crimson Hall will open and you can then fight the Blood Princes and Blood-Queen Lana'thel. The final Frostwing Halls unlock then occurs after that, making Valithria Dreamwalker, Sindragosa, and the Lich King available. We believe a staggered release of the content will allow players to experience Icecrown Citadel at a sustainable, measured, and ultimately more enjoyable pace. There are other elements that gate access along the way. Players may not attempt any Heroic versions of 10 player encounters until they have defeated the Lich King in a 10 player raid. Similarly, players must defeat the Lich King in a 25 player raid before they can attempt a Heroic 25 player encounter. So players must master every normal difficulty encounter in Icecrown Citadel before attempting Heroic difficulty. The Lich King may not be attempted until Professor Putricide, Blood-Queen Lana'thel, and Sindragosa are defeated. Furthermore, the Heroic difficulty of The Lich King encounter may not be attempted in any week unless the three aforementioned encounters have been defeated in Heroic difficulty that week. The Ashen Verdict provides reinforcements and material for players to assault Icecrown Citadel, but this support is not endless. Raids will have a limited number of attempts total each week to defeat the four most difficult encounters in Icecrown Citadel: Professor Putricide, Blood-Queen Lana'thel, Sindragosa, and the Lich King. As these boss encounters are unlocked, the number of attempts available per week will increase. The initial number of attempts provided for defeating Professor Putricide is only five. When Blood-Queen Lana'thel unlocks, the amount of total attempts remaining will increase to 10. Then when Sindragosa and the Lich King unlock, 15 total attempts will be available to defeat all four bosses. After a raid has exhausted their attempts for the week, the Ashen Verdict must withdraw their support and the four most difficult bosses all despawn and become unavailable for the week. The limited attempt system is a feature of both Normal and Heroic difficulty. There will be no explicit rewards for defeating the Lich King with a specific number of attempts remaining as there was with Trial of the Grand Crusader. There will also not be an achievement to complete Icecrown Citadel without being defeated by a boss encounter, or letting a raid member die. (i.e. A Tribute to Insanity). In the weeks and months after all twelve encounters are unlocked, additional attempts against the final four boss encounters become available. This represents the Ashen Verdict growing more powerful and gaining a stronger foothold in Icecrown Citadel. To further help raids, Varian Wrynn and Garrosh Hellscream will begin to provide assistance by inspiring the armies attacking Icecrown Citadel. This is represented as an additional zone wide spell effect applied to all players that will increase their hit points, damage dealt, and healing done. This effect will also increase in effectiveness over time. Players may opt out of the spell's effect if they so wish.</div> </blockquote> Official Preview Of The Legendary Axe Shadowmourne [World of Warcraft] http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=20587 <img style="float: right; border: 2px solid black; margin: 6px;" src="http://www.zam.com/Im/Image/148278.jpg" alt="" />While this might come as old news to World of Warcraft data miners around the world, Blizzard has posted an official preview of their newest Legendary weapon to enter the World of Warcraft: <a href="http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/underdev/3p3/shadowmourne.xml" target="_blank">Shadowmourne, a 2-handed axe found in Icecrown Citadel.</a> Within the preview, Blizzard gives some cryptic hints as to what lengths players will have to go to re-forge this giant shiny weapon. In particular, they note that Shadowmourne will need to be "hewn from piles of impure Saronite," and the weapon must be "drenched in the souls of the most potent servants of the Scourge as they are slain, one by one." Finally, the axe must be "adorned with fragments of the Frozen Throne." <ul> </ul> Drenching the weapon in souls? Adorning it with fragments? Sounds like players will have the old days of <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?item=22589" target="_blank">Atiesh grinding</a> to look forward to if they want to get their hands on this legendary 2-handed axe. You can read the full preview below!<a name="pause" title="pause"></a>Before beginning his reign as the Lich King, Prince Arthas Menethil was first a servant, ruled by a sword he believed was the key to saving his people - the runeblade Frostmourne. Finding and claiming the blade among the frozen wastes of Northrend was an odyssey unto itself, and the search cost the prince his mentor, his relationship with his subjects, and his humanity. It cost the living of Azeroth far more. With a tight grip on the blade that he traded his life for, Arthas ravaged the kingdom of Lordaeron and broke free from the control of the Burning Legion. By the time the former prince ascended as the leader of the Scourge, Frostmourne was already glutted with the souls of the numberless dead who dared to oppose him. Now, Arthas has become so inseparable from his weapon that the sword's likeness has even found its way into the architecture of his fortress, Icecrown Citadel. Its hilt is never far from his hands; its ghostly whispers constantly ring in his ears. Frostmourne, as much as the Lich King, is the ruler of Northrend. To challenge that rule, mighty heroes will need to follow more closely in Arthas's path than ever before. In a relentless quest to arm the forces of the living against the Scourge, Darion Mograine has formed the Ashen Verdict, a union between the most skilled craftsmen of the Argent Crusade and the Ebon Blade. Though the peerless paladins of the Crusade wield the power of the Light, and their leader clutches Ashbringer, a few of Mograine's dark warriors have begun to question their hopes for victory. These death knights insist that the Ashbringer and the skills of the Argent Crusaders, though potent, aren't enough to best Frostmourne alone. They swear that Darion Mograine has long been quietly aware of another legendary blade - one that could be the key to defeating the Lich King and cleansing Northrend... But it doesn't exist yet. For the moment, the weapon is a formless idea, with no more killing power than an angry thought. When it is spoken of, it is spoken of quietly, and the Highlord has a habit of silencing those who discuss it in public. But the hope of an artifact to rival Frostmourne is strong within the minds of the Ebon Blade. Just its name inspires the furnaces to burn late into the night, the bellows to pump air, and the darker half of the Verdict's smiths to swing their hammers until their fingers fail. While other craftsmen crafters lean over whetstones and gather pitted blades by the hundreds, these few dream of a single weapon to end the war for Northrend. Shadowmourne... A great two-handed axe fit for a giant, born of sacred and corrupt powers, host of a thousand dead souls and able to be wielded only by the most stalwart armsmasters of Azeroth. Its creation seems nearly impossible; and yet, the rumors do not cease. Some smiths claim that Shadowmourne must be nothing more than an ordinary axe, honed to unparalleled perfection, while others would shape it from a weapon of immense import in the world. Mograine, when he can be convinced to speak of it at all, is said to believe that only the hammer of Arthas himself will provide a worthy model - but such absurd ambition is just the beginning of Shadowmourne's creation.   <ul> <li>To contain the energies that dance across its cold edges, Shadowmourne must be hewn from piles of impure Saronite: the hardened blood of the Old God, Yogg-Saron, treated only by master metal-shapers. </li> <li>To fuel its power to kill, it is vital that Shadowmourne be drenched in the souls of the most potent servants of the Scourge as they are slain, one by one, with the unfinished blade.</li> <li>To help break through the Lich King's armor, Shadowmourne is to be adorned with fragments of the Frozen Throne, originally crafted by Kil'Jaeden out of ice from the Twisting Nether.</li> </ul> Only with these mighty components, it's said, can Shadowmourne be finished. And, yet, even if the axe could be completed, questions and fears remain. Is forging the souls of the deceased into a weapon treated withblood and the essence of the Twisting Nether truly any different from the crafting of the Scourge's runeblades? Who is to say that the Lich King wouldn't simply annihilate - or control - the maker for their impudence in mimicking his most treasured possession? If Arthas, one of the most dedicated knights of his age, lost his humanity to the whispers of Frostmourne, might Shadowmourne bring the same doom and misery tothe living as its sister blade? Without knowing the answers to these questions, who would be bold enough to try and wield it? PUG with Blues Round #3 Takes Place Nov. 18 [World of Warcraft] http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=20579 It looks like players are going to get a <a href="http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=20861005661&sid=1" target="_blank">third chance</a> to PUG with the blues on the PTR realms. Members of the Blizzard development, QA and community teams will be playing on the test realms on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 4 p.m. PST to test out the new dungeon system, and they want to group with players. To get the chance to group with a blue poster, all you need to do is queue up for a random heroic through the Dungeon tool. The Blizzard employees will be playing as both Horde and Alliance, so it doesn't matter which side you choose. Did any of you get the chance to group with a Blizzard employee during the first two events? Are you going to participate in the event tomorrow? Mr. T Brings Mohawk Grenades to WoW [World of Warcraft] http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=20571 What happens when Mr. T <a href="http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=21043888785&sid=1" target="_blank">hacks into the World of Warcraft</a>? Everyone gets Mohawk Grenades! Starting today in North America, Night Elf Mohawk NPCs are camped outside every starting zone handing out Mohawk Grenades that each contain five charges. Throw these grenades at other characters to give them a Night Elf Mohawk mask! Once you're out of charges, simply head back to an NPC to get another grenade. The fun starts in Europe and Korea on Nov. 24, and the event lasts until... "well, until the Night Elf Mohawk decides his work is done." Be sure to check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98uDkyzVvSc" target="_blank">Mr. T's new commercial</a> on the official World of Warcraft YouTube channel to hear what the man himself has to say about the event. If you have any other questions, check out the <a href="http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/faq/mohawkgrenade.xml" target="_blank">Mohawk Grenade FAQ</a> after the jump. Now quit your jibber-jabber and get in the game!<a name="pause" title="pause"></a><blockquote> Q. What is the Mohawk Grenade? A. The Mohawk Grenade is Mr. T's latest invention: an in-game item that, when hurled at another character, gives everyone within the blast radius an instant T-riffic haircut. Don't worry, you and your friends will look gooooood. Q. Where do I get it? A. Quit your jibber-jabber and claim your Mohawk Grenades from any of the Night Elf Mohawk NPCs camped outside every starting zone. Q. What regions are eligible to claim the Mohawk Grenade? A. North America, Europe and Korea. Q. Is this a permanent item? A. Each Mohawk Grenade has five charges before exhausting its power, and you're welcome to claim another once the charges are gone. Q. How long will the Mohawk Grenade be available in-game? A. Claim Mohawk Grenades starting November 16th in North America and November 24th in Europe and Korea. They'll be available until... well, until the Night Elf Mohawk decides his work is done. Q. Where can I see the Mr. T commercials? A. The commercials will be airing on major TV networks throughout North America beginning on November 16th and in Europe starting on November 27th. You can also view the ads on the official World of Warcraft YouTube channel <a href="http://www.youtube.com/worldofwarcraft">here</a>. </blockquote> Blizzard Hosts Inaugural Holiday Card Contest [World of Warcraft] http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=20565 Blizzard is currently hosting its <a href="http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/community/contests/holidaycard/index.html?rhtml=y" target="_blank">inaugural Holiday Card Contest</a>, which means creative players have the opportunity to win a Razer gaming package and this year's official holiday card signed by Samwise Didier for submitting their festive design. All you need to do is <a href="http://us.media.blizzard.com/blizzard/_downloads/holidaycard-template.zip" target="_blank">download the template</a> and submit a card based on the Diablo, StarCraft, or Warcraft universes by Dec. 7. In addition to receiving all those prizes, Blizzard will make the designs of the three winners available to players for use as their own cards this holiday season. Will you be entering the contest? Blizzard Releases Humorous Jace Hall Interview [World of Warcraft] http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=20564 Blizzard recently sent out a video from its archives to all of the World of Warcraft fansites, and our friends over at Wowhead have posted it in their blog. <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?blog=130459" target="_blank">The video</a> is an interview <a href="http://jacehall.tv/" target="_blank">Jace Hall</a> conducted with Blizzard staff members that originally aired on Dec. 15, 2008, which was about a month after the launch of Wrath of the Lich King. The interview was conducted completely for fun and shows that the Blizzard team has a good sense of humor about its work. <a href="http://www.wowhead.com/?blog=130459" target="_blank">Head over to Wowhead</a> to watch Jeff Kaplan, Tom Chilton, and J. Allen Brack explain why gnomes are the best race in the game and see the development of the epic pink unicorn mount. Jace even asks the team for some help in settling an old rivalry with Felicia Day. While we're on the topic of Wrath's one-year anniversary, ZAM user ArexLovesPie has started <a href="http://wow.allakhazam.com/forum.html?forum=21&mid=1258382870178512379&num=3&page=1" target="_blank">a thread </a>in our general forum asking for your honest opinion on the expansion. What are your thoughts on Wrath of the Lich King one year after its launch?