Update your action bar mods or miss out on the fun
by Alex Ziebart 
Nov 18th 2008 at 1:00PM
In Wrath, Blizzard implemented a new UI and system for their vehicles, and some bar mods haven't been updated to reflect these additions. Or they have, and players haven't updated on their end. As far as mod updates go, this is one of those things that counts as a big deal. If your bar mod is suppressing the vehicle UI or preventing your action bar from switching over to the vehicle's abilities, you're not going to be able to complete a lot of quests, and those ones tend to be the most fun and unique. Naturally, some quests are buggy, but a vast majority of them aren't. If you're consistently running into issues with vehicle combat, please, check your mods for your sake. A lot of the quests are way fun, so before writing them off, check things on your end first.
If you absolutely must have a bar mod and yours isn't Wrath compatible yet, you might want to check out Dominos. There are other updated bar mods, absolutely, but this one seems the most popular recently. If you'd rather stick with something else, just hit Curse or whatever and check for updates. You'll be glad you did.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Bugs, AddOns, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
actodd Nov 18th 2008 1:13PM
Great tip. Hopefully the mods will catch up quickly.
Dightkuz Nov 18th 2008 1:12PM
Np for those of us who are using the default interface :D
Nith Nov 18th 2008 1:20PM
I hope youre using at least SOME mods (DBM, Omen etc)?!
Bartebder 4 all the way, I swear by bartender and x-perl
Dightkuz Nov 18th 2008 1:35PM
@Nith: Nope, only mods I'm using are QH and Bagnon! :D
I have tried using mods that change the interface, but I simply didnt like it. I'm more into the simplicity of the default.
Rob Nov 18th 2008 2:05PM
Mods that give you functionality are one thing... mods that make your buttons round are retarded. The default UI works great for most things. Plenty of bars, all able to be keybound.
Cyanea Nov 18th 2008 4:01PM
For people who use Macaroon (like me), just go into the options and click "Enable Blizzard Main Bar" before you start what looks like a vehicle quest. Works everytime.
Gorgzy Nov 18th 2008 5:47PM
I'm pretty sure the article is about bar mods not being updated yet, I'd be very worried if the default UI wasn't updated.
To those that say skinning mods etc are 'retarded' i say to you this.
Yes while it's not necessary at all, some of us enjoy using them, and customizing the game UI outselves. Building my own UI, keeping it up to date and maintaining it's functionality is as much a part of the game (to me) as leveling my Shaman to 80.
If you don't want to use mods, then don't if other want to, then let them, Blizzard gave us the ability to use them for a reason.
Having said that, though i use maybe 100+ mods at a time, i there are probly about 3 or 4 i could not live without, i could easily removed bar mods, skinning mods etc, but things like Totem Timers, Omen, ArkInventory(i hate organising my own bags) i could not
SoL Nov 18th 2008 6:33PM
Funny thing is, a guildie of mine actually was using the default action bars and couldn't do any quest that required a use of a vehicle until he downloaded Domino's. So if anyone is having problems and have just the default action bars, go download Domino's at curse. ^^
Max Nov 18th 2008 1:14PM
lol @ default interface.
anyway, dominos (the new form of Bongos) works perfectly to switch your main bar to the seige bar. I would suggest getting it if bartender and such isn't working, it's a great addon.
Clasifyd Nov 18th 2008 1:59PM
+1 Dominoes
I tried both Dominoes and Bartender 4 when 3.0 was released, and I must say, I found Dominoes MUCH easier to configure.
Gnosh Nov 18th 2008 3:34PM
Bartender 4 does NOT work with "On Ruby Wings", as of 11/17/08. Had to turn the mod off to cast any abilities while mounted.
Genkitty Nov 18th 2008 1:15PM
Bartender 4 also plays nicely, if you tell it which of the bars you want to be the swappable bar. (It's in the bar options, I just can't remember which tab!)
Tinwhisker Nov 18th 2008 1:22PM
To make Bartender4 play nice, go into the options and select Bar 1 (or whatever you use for your main bar), go to the third tab over and select the option for possessing the bar.
Anytime Blizzard gives you a new bar for siege vehicles, mind control, etc, your main bar should swap to the new one.
tainted Nov 18th 2008 1:26PM
@Tinwhisker
Thanks! Been looking for that option.
Ex Nov 18th 2008 1:26PM
Thanks for the info on the Bartender fix - I was jumping out every time I found these quests to turn off mods only to have to repeat the process after. Time to go cut down some trees!
ShadowMagus Nov 18th 2008 1:34PM
I'm not going to be able to try this until tomorrow, but if what you say is true you're my new favorite person. I've been really distressed about Bartender's inability to deal with vehicles.
Beatphreek Nov 18th 2008 2:20PM
I don't remember enabling anything new on Bartender and I have had no trouble doing any of the quests with it enabled. I guess i got lucky. It's definitely the most updated version though.
skreed Nov 18th 2008 1:28PM
Mods or no mods, I've been finding the siege weapon/vehicle interface very clunky. Targetting is tricky enough while stationary... trying to hit a moving target (or hit anything while moving) is kindof frustrating.
Arivia Nov 18th 2008 1:57PM
I was having trouble with that myself, until I noticed that the action buttons (aka fire) are numbered like your usual action bar keys.
So, if you have a normal keyboard & mouse and a relatively normal set of keymappings, you can do this:
one hand on the mouse
one had on wasd on the keyboard.
wasd is actual movement. if you turn right, press d, don't move the mouse to the right.
use the mouse to move the targeting reticule only. if you have a bit of time, just get used to how it feels by shooting at nothing.
when it comes time to shoot, just hit 1 or 3 or whatever on the number keys, like you normally would.
Yes, this may seem totally common sense, but with the sudden abrupt ui change, the first instinct is to change your physical setup. Don't.
Thander Nov 18th 2008 1:31PM
I'm using a streamlined interface. Almost everything is the default UI with small modifications I added to do certain things like red/blue shading and cooldown counts on the buttons. No problems so far.