Trying something different
by Mike Schramm 
Apr 2nd 2009 at 8:00PM
Mania's got an excellent, if longer-than-usual post up about an issue I'm dealing with as well: the need to play, but confusion about just what to do in the game. I've pretty much done everything I want to do on my Hunter -- after a very lucky night the other week, I'm decked out in all the gear I want, I've topped off my professions, and while I do have some reps to grind out yet (I still want a few rep mounts), most everything I want just depends on dailies, and those I can finish in just a few minutes a day. But just like Mania I've still got that itch to play, to explore and advance and progress, with nowhere to go.For Mania, the answer turned out to be going to a Death Knight -- she may discover that she's opened up a whole new world in choosing to level with a completely different class. An alt was also the answer for me, but I have a few different reasons, the first of which is Engineering -- I thought for a while, after hitting 450 Leatherworking on my (also Skinning) Hunter that I would switch to Engie and just buy all the mats, but I think it'll be more fun (and profitable) leveling up a Mining/Engineering alt. And he can always make the BoE chopper for any of my characters as well.
But while an alt is sometimes the answer, there are lots of things you can dive into to find a completely new area in the game -- try Arenas for the first time, do a Wintergrasp grind, seek out an old world reputation or title that you've always wanted. We're very lucky, in a game like this, to have lots and lots of new things to try even when it seems like we've done everything we want.
Filed under: Engineering, Leatherworking, Analysis / Opinion, Virtual selves, News items, Economy, Classes
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
heath Apr 2nd 2009 8:07PM
twink a banker. it takes much more work than you'd think if you want to focus on style. my lvl 1:
225 mining
75 herbalism
1 epic
all gear slots filled
gear color coordinated with non-com pet.
...it actually took a few months.
BooDizz Apr 2nd 2009 8:53PM
I'm just letting you know, there are many better things outside of WoW.
I know, this may come as a shock, and that all the "zomg don't reveal my obsession" people will vote me down - but this must be said.
Amaxe Apr 2nd 2009 10:04PM
I thought you had to be level 10 to get a gathering trade skill to level 225.
slartibart Apr 2nd 2009 10:24PM
Furthermore, I level all bank alt toons to at least level 10 now.
After having my account hacked once, I'm pretty sure that Blizz can only restore toons over level 10. Doesn't hurt to be extra careful.
AyaJulia Apr 3rd 2009 1:00AM
"I thought you had to be level 10 to get a gathering trade skill to level 225. "
Gathering professions no longer have any level requirements. As of... 3.0.2 or 3.0.3.
heath Apr 3rd 2009 1:23PM
yeah, you can actually get a lvl 1 to 290 mining (all from the AH), but they're about to nerf gathering profs for low-bies I believe so that, at lvl1, you'll only get the first-level gathering buffs, nothing higher.
getting herbalism past 75 as a lvl 1 is pretty much impossible. earthroot is green well before 75 and that's about the highest level node you'll find without getting a bunch of discovery xp (you can use the nodes in the area you found running to the closest capital after you first created your toon to get to 75 without getting any additional discovery xp)
Alex Apr 2nd 2009 8:07PM
I've found I just about have enough time to get all my "raiding" done for the week with all other time usually dedicated to schoolwork. Though during breaks I do find myself looking for things to do since I can raid earlier in the lockout period.
Thander Apr 2nd 2009 8:09PM
In these situations you just take a break from WoW. If you must play a game, I'm sure you can find something else for a little while. When I get bored, I only show up for guild events like dungeons and raids and play other games on the other days.
johnnytorrance Apr 2nd 2009 8:30PM
Play another game, I went back to an oldie, a 1st person shooter i was addicted to before i got addicted to WoW, Joint Operations, by the Delta Force company, Novalogic. its fun. get into tanks helicopters and shoot people!
AyaJulia Apr 2nd 2009 8:43PM
Definitely been having this problem lately.
I've been playing the Sims in the lull. There are achievements I'd like to work on, but they're all so BIG that I don't feel like doing them once I get past the login screen, or get bored halfway through.
Bob Apr 2nd 2009 8:51PM
@ Mike Schramm
You feel the NEED to play?
When you reach a point where you feel the need to play, instead of simply playing for enjoyment, you've gone to far. It's quite simple, you're addicted.
That's bad, m'kay.
Graham Apr 2nd 2009 9:33PM
Hooray for jumping to conclusions!
Tim Apr 2nd 2009 9:11PM
I had the same problem after the first time that I starting raiding Naxx. It was the first actual raid that I ever did, and I loved it. Then I became exalted with the Sons of Hodir, then the Horde Expedition. After grinding dailys (which was boring) and running raids (which was fun) I lost interest in the little things. I even thought that tanking heroics was not worth the time.
Then I discovered fishing and I had no free time again, just the way I like it.
Dotixi Apr 2nd 2009 9:12PM
I think it's probably time to quit when you have done everything there is to do. Unfortunately, Wrath didn't last as long as BC.
Aaron A. Apr 3rd 2009 1:26PM
"Unfortunately, Wrath didn't last as long as BC."
That may be because it's not finished yet. I discussed this in greater detail in a previous post, but at this point in TBC's lifespan, the Black Temple and daily quests would have just been introduced two weeks ago. There'd be no Zul'Aman, no Quel'Danas for almost a year, and probably not that many raid-ready Alliance Shaman or Horde Paladins either.
One thing that I think they did better in TBC was requiring some level of gearing to run Heroics, and making Heroics a mandatory gearing step for those who want to raid. It slows players down, keeps them from reaching endgame right away, which in this case is a good thing.
On the other hand, once Ulduar launches, Naxx10 could become obsolete, leaving a gap in the progression chain for new raiders (alts, re-rolls, people who left WoW for whatever reason, I'm sure there are others). That will make Heroics mostly-mandatory; a well planned combination of Heroic drops, rep rewards, and BoE's is more or less equivalent to T7.10, so characters can gear up that way, then jump in at either Naxx25 or Ulduar10.
Bob Apr 2nd 2009 9:15PM
Hi dad.
Candina@WH Apr 2nd 2009 9:23PM
You know, I am getting REALLY tired of people playing the 'addiction' card.
You are addicted if:
You have lost your job, wife, girlfriend, friends or have alienated family.
You play to make yourself feel good, or NOT playing makes you emotionally or physically uncomfortable.
You 'sneak' playing time, lie about how much you play, or you find ways to play even if you have been 'cut off'.
WoW has become your sole source of validation (that which gives you self worth) and social interaction.
Playing the game 80 hours a week for three months doesn't mean your addicted. Obsessed, yes, and possibly addicted, but addiction is actually a pretty specific diagnosis.
Not a psychologist. But have plenty of experience with addictive personalities.
Kairu Apr 2nd 2009 9:53PM
Although I see what you are saying with that list of symptoms of what might be an addiction to WoW. Usually, however, addictions only show up in some of the symptoms of addiction. It is very rare for every symptom to be true. Here are some true examples of what might mean that you are addicted to WoW:
- Your family relations, school, and/or work suffer from your playing.
- You feel compulsive to come back to the game with such strength that it is very difficult to resist.
- Playing the game gives you sense of escape in which you feel some of your only sources of happiness.
- You struggle to play within limits you set for yourself.
- You've tried to conceal your playing time from others.
These can be applied to any addiction (change the verbage a bit). Although I don't think that WoW is the cause of the addiction, I think that it is an easy agent for those who are prone to addictions.
I don't understand why people get so scared of saying that people can be addicted to WoW. Why is that?
Guy Apr 3rd 2009 1:27PM
IT's not an issue of being addicted it's an issue of finding better ways to use your team, and more importantly more productive endeavors that enrich your life...like, oh, I don't know, anything else. Obviously this guy is an expert at WoW, maybe try being an expert in something else.
Candina@WH Apr 3rd 2009 1:32PM
Re: Guy
WTH????