Short and sweet tonight. I started playing with my old Warlock buddy again tonight (Lileth) and broke 2K (2007) from 1700 even in less than two hours. This was a switch-off from playing with my RL best friend, Víper, who is a Destruction Warlock. I don't know if it's the synergy Lileth and I have, or if Lileth is just that much better, but I was blown away from game one playing with Lileth again at how much better games were going.
Warlock/Hunter is working very well for us. He handles CC, I help him drain mana if need be, and we can usually focus one down with little problem. He's Affliction, so splitting his DPS with DoTs allows the healers to become distracted and open more opportunities for us to burst. He can completely lock down a healer after DoT'ing up a focus target, while I drop a Frosty and keep them both snared, allowing us to kite both players around with ease.
All in all, I think with Lileth on my side again, and with me actually having gear this time around, I can return to my Season 1 glory and get my old 2300's back. This season, I promised myself I would have my Gladiator title. Thanks to Lileth, this task is much more feasible.
Final record for the night: 17-2. Our two losses were to Combat-Mace Rogue and 2833 Priest (the same team). The series with them ended up as 2-2, as we figured out the solid counter to it in the third and fourth games (essentially, kite the Rogue and gradually work the Priest's mana down by multidotting, forcing him to heal, Viper Stinging, and Mana Draining. Throw down a Frost or Snake trap and watch their lives become a living Hell).
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
A Great Day, Once Again Driven
Yesterday was an amazing day for me. I got to talk, throughout yesterday, to two of the people in this game that I truly respect head-and-shoulders above most of my peers. One of them will be obvious, the other will take some explaining.
Hamchook.
Speaking to Hamchook yesterday did a few things for me. For starters, it gave me some extra insight into the workings of WSVG and how things work there. He was also a very good sport about the WSVG "drama," which ended up not being a big deal to YWL after all. I would've imagined he'd've been steamed about it, but once again the true maturity if eSportsmen shines through.
We talked on a few topics. One primary topic was debating whether or not I should learn the MM playstyle (whether it's in my best interest), or if I should stick with what I'm comfortable with. Going into the conversation, I was leaning towards putting the work into learning MM; Hamchook agreed, and I've decided that once NT2 is complete and Season 3 begins (which is where, I firmly believe, my WoW career will truly begin), I'll be switching to full MM solely for Arenas.
The new server (information I still can't release until it happens), new guild, new talent pool, and new season will allow for me to find some talented players, period, to form or join a team that shares my interest and plays on the same level that I do (meaning, steering clear of low 1700-1800s and settling for nothing less than what I feel capable of, 2K+). Right now, I have an abundance of drawbacks that I simply can not work around; every 1900+ team has a Bench Hunter or doesn't want one, so there is -literally- no place for me to go other than where I currently sit. It's for that reason that I've been leaving my MM learning in the hands of my PTR copy (non-premade, of course).
Dicking around with MM on the PTR hasn't done quite everything I hoped it would. But I'll get to that in a bit. Enough about me, let's get back on the topic of the two big names I had the pleasure of speaking with.
Speaking to Hamchook gave me a lot of insight, not only about WSVG and my spec but, on dealing with the Boar pet and how he plans on preparing to use it for LA if he needs to. They're also discussing how to counter Druids (a point that Ming and others have been discussing), and even if there was something to say on the topic, I couldn't say it.
A lot of the conversation between Hamchook and I, he asked me to keep under wraps. A lot of questions will be answered before or throughout WSVG: LA. He's not a hugely secretive guy, but there's also a point to be made that giving away your strats a month before an event probably, in and of itself, isn't a solid strat. Regardless, speaking to, whom I now consider, my good friend and getting his thoughts on the WSVG drama and how he handles certain things was a very good experience. I am currently discussing, with him, the possibility of having him write for the other half of my blog ( http://huntarena.blogspot.com ). With any luck, that will help, largely, to build that blog and get it back on track.
So enough about Hamchook, as though there's not enough to be discussed about Hamchook, especially now. Let's talk about the other person I met last night.
Evertras. Hunters may not recognize the name, but a lot of Mages will. Evertras is one of my primary inspirations as far as video-making. You may recognize his "I Suck At Dueling" and "I Suck At PvP" series from WCM, even if you don't recognize him on AIM. Once more, my conversation with Evertras was, unfortunately, mostly confidential, but I'm not going to drop his name then not tell any stories about it.
We talked a lot about video editing, about content, about current and future projects, and about transitions. We critiqued each other a bit, an activity of which I felt unworthy to be participating (I don't believe I have the right to critique the work of a potential WCM Hall-Of-Famer when I've accomplished so little in the video world). He gave me some good advice and positive feedback about my video (after showing him the progress I'd made thus far), and something a lot more important.
After discussing the explosion of my computer and how it demoralized me from even working on the project, Evertras was a very good friend-figure, giving me some great advice, analyzing my situation, and just helping me turn it around. When I spoke about all I had in front of me and how anxious I was for it to all happen, he advised me to not look at the bigger picture, but look at the here and now. That was probably the best piece of advice he gave me. I'm more focused now, after talking to him, than I have been in the last month.
We also discussed the opportunities, what's in front of me, and how I can work with it. We discussed my accomplishments and how I can work on returning to my "glory," if you can call it that. And all along the way, he was incredibly friendly and had a golden heart and an amazing sense of humor. I don't think I've had many opportunities to laugh since my computer baboomed itself, but he's definitely been one of the best voices in my ear thus far.
We didn't just talk about me and my situation, we spoke about his. Recently (as in, two days ago), literally almost everyone Evertras knew transfered off of Chromaggus to different servers. I don't believe I'm at liberty to talk about what server they went to, but I will say that I expect to see the next "I Suck At Dueling" video to be from "Evertras @ (someotherserver) US".
It was almost awkward, speaking to Hamchook and Evertras yesterday, in that a lot of what we discussed concerned me more than them. While I felt self-serving, I can't help but think they appreciated the spotlight moving away from them for a change. Speaking with both of them in great length (probably three hours apiece) has me back on track, and I'm now completely focused and driven once again. The October 31st deadline will not only stick, but probably be beaten. This video will not become a last-minute work in progress. I'm focused completely, over the next few weeks, to get all the footage I possibly can.
Thank you to every last person that has supported my computer situation and given me advice. Hamchook and Evertras were not the only ones to speak with me and help me. There were others, but these two were the longest and stood out to me the most. Absolutely everyone is appreciated for the advice and conversations they give me. I always, largely, look forward to talking to any fans and potential friends, whether it be from the forums or from WSVG or the server. Anything. You are always welcome to speak with me in-game or on AIM.
AIM: xTreisk
In-Game: Treisk@Illidan US
Also, on another note, I will probably be gone from Illidan by 9/15. I will inform everyone here and via the forums when I've moved and where I've moved to.
Hamchook.
Speaking to Hamchook yesterday did a few things for me. For starters, it gave me some extra insight into the workings of WSVG and how things work there. He was also a very good sport about the WSVG "drama," which ended up not being a big deal to YWL after all. I would've imagined he'd've been steamed about it, but once again the true maturity if eSportsmen shines through.
We talked on a few topics. One primary topic was debating whether or not I should learn the MM playstyle (whether it's in my best interest), or if I should stick with what I'm comfortable with. Going into the conversation, I was leaning towards putting the work into learning MM; Hamchook agreed, and I've decided that once NT2 is complete and Season 3 begins (which is where, I firmly believe, my WoW career will truly begin), I'll be switching to full MM solely for Arenas.
The new server (information I still can't release until it happens), new guild, new talent pool, and new season will allow for me to find some talented players, period, to form or join a team that shares my interest and plays on the same level that I do (meaning, steering clear of low 1700-1800s and settling for nothing less than what I feel capable of, 2K+). Right now, I have an abundance of drawbacks that I simply can not work around; every 1900+ team has a Bench Hunter or doesn't want one, so there is -literally- no place for me to go other than where I currently sit. It's for that reason that I've been leaving my MM learning in the hands of my PTR copy (non-premade, of course).
Dicking around with MM on the PTR hasn't done quite everything I hoped it would. But I'll get to that in a bit. Enough about me, let's get back on the topic of the two big names I had the pleasure of speaking with.
Speaking to Hamchook gave me a lot of insight, not only about WSVG and my spec but, on dealing with the Boar pet and how he plans on preparing to use it for LA if he needs to. They're also discussing how to counter Druids (a point that Ming and others have been discussing), and even if there was something to say on the topic, I couldn't say it.
A lot of the conversation between Hamchook and I, he asked me to keep under wraps. A lot of questions will be answered before or throughout WSVG: LA. He's not a hugely secretive guy, but there's also a point to be made that giving away your strats a month before an event probably, in and of itself, isn't a solid strat. Regardless, speaking to, whom I now consider, my good friend and getting his thoughts on the WSVG drama and how he handles certain things was a very good experience. I am currently discussing, with him, the possibility of having him write for the other half of my blog ( http://huntarena.blogspot.com ). With any luck, that will help, largely, to build that blog and get it back on track.
So enough about Hamchook, as though there's not enough to be discussed about Hamchook, especially now. Let's talk about the other person I met last night.
Evertras. Hunters may not recognize the name, but a lot of Mages will. Evertras is one of my primary inspirations as far as video-making. You may recognize his "I Suck At Dueling" and "I Suck At PvP" series from WCM, even if you don't recognize him on AIM. Once more, my conversation with Evertras was, unfortunately, mostly confidential, but I'm not going to drop his name then not tell any stories about it.
We talked a lot about video editing, about content, about current and future projects, and about transitions. We critiqued each other a bit, an activity of which I felt unworthy to be participating (I don't believe I have the right to critique the work of a potential WCM Hall-Of-Famer when I've accomplished so little in the video world). He gave me some good advice and positive feedback about my video (after showing him the progress I'd made thus far), and something a lot more important.
After discussing the explosion of my computer and how it demoralized me from even working on the project, Evertras was a very good friend-figure, giving me some great advice, analyzing my situation, and just helping me turn it around. When I spoke about all I had in front of me and how anxious I was for it to all happen, he advised me to not look at the bigger picture, but look at the here and now. That was probably the best piece of advice he gave me. I'm more focused now, after talking to him, than I have been in the last month.
We also discussed the opportunities, what's in front of me, and how I can work with it. We discussed my accomplishments and how I can work on returning to my "glory," if you can call it that. And all along the way, he was incredibly friendly and had a golden heart and an amazing sense of humor. I don't think I've had many opportunities to laugh since my computer baboomed itself, but he's definitely been one of the best voices in my ear thus far.
We didn't just talk about me and my situation, we spoke about his. Recently (as in, two days ago), literally almost everyone Evertras knew transfered off of Chromaggus to different servers. I don't believe I'm at liberty to talk about what server they went to, but I will say that I expect to see the next "I Suck At Dueling" video to be from "Evertras @ (someotherserver) US".
It was almost awkward, speaking to Hamchook and Evertras yesterday, in that a lot of what we discussed concerned me more than them. While I felt self-serving, I can't help but think they appreciated the spotlight moving away from them for a change. Speaking with both of them in great length (probably three hours apiece) has me back on track, and I'm now completely focused and driven once again. The October 31st deadline will not only stick, but probably be beaten. This video will not become a last-minute work in progress. I'm focused completely, over the next few weeks, to get all the footage I possibly can.
Thank you to every last person that has supported my computer situation and given me advice. Hamchook and Evertras were not the only ones to speak with me and help me. There were others, but these two were the longest and stood out to me the most. Absolutely everyone is appreciated for the advice and conversations they give me. I always, largely, look forward to talking to any fans and potential friends, whether it be from the forums or from WSVG or the server. Anything. You are always welcome to speak with me in-game or on AIM.
AIM: xTreisk
In-Game: Treisk@Illidan US
Also, on another note, I will probably be gone from Illidan by 9/15. I will inform everyone here and via the forums when I've moved and where I've moved to.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
NT2 Deadline Update, @Hamchook...
Source Link:
http://www.radikalnoise.com/2007/08/huge-wsvg-drama-inc.html
A couple things really quick. First off, this is a joke. As bad of shape as Hunters are in, and people are complaining that we're using the main thing going for us? Would they rather our class just lie down and submit? Screw that. I agree with the Scorpid poison nerf (for the DPS), but the debuff is fine and should be a nonissue.
Hamchook. Oh my God, Hamchook, I love you, buddy. I can't wait to talk to you this week. I could not be more proud of you, my friend. If I've read everything correctly, Yea We Lift is now a top-three WSVG team. I knew you had it in you. Congratulations are definitely in order. Keep up the great work. You have the entire Hunter community's support.
My computer is now repaired. I have yet to give it an effective test drive, but so far it's performing better than it did before, and it's so quiet compared to the fan in the old Power Supply. Thanks to everyone who suggested that the Power Supply was the issue. You were a huge help.
(Somewhat of an update. Apparently as a result of the terribly idiotic Godfather drama, they're fourth, not third as I believed.)
Still, Hamchook is very quickly rising to become a celebrity in-game. I've been looking around to see all the great coverage Hamchook, not just YWL, is getting. Between Gameriot and other such sites making articles like "MoB Hunted by Hamchook," and discussing the second major Canadian screwjob in the last 20 years in "Low-profile sports" (Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels in the WWF, and now YWL and MoB in the WSVG).
One other quick update. The video deadline has been pushed back to October 31st. My secondary Hard Drive (with my raw/unproduced/unrendered footage) had to be wiped because of the PS burning it out (it has been replaced). Luckily, I still have my already-included footage, but losing about two weeks of footage hurt, then, on top of that, missing roughly two more weeks with my internet being down and my computer exploding. I'm giving myself a bit of extra time on top of that to more-diligently choose clips.
I want to close this post with an address to Hamchook. Even though MOB screwed YWL, I think it'd be in the best interests of your team to take Godfather up on the Sponsorship offer if nothing comes along in the next two weeks or so. If you don't get any other offers, my advice, 110%, is to take his.
http://www.radikalnoise.com/2007/08/huge-wsvg-drama-inc.html
A couple things really quick. First off, this is a joke. As bad of shape as Hunters are in, and people are complaining that we're using the main thing going for us? Would they rather our class just lie down and submit? Screw that. I agree with the Scorpid poison nerf (for the DPS), but the debuff is fine and should be a nonissue.
Hamchook. Oh my God, Hamchook, I love you, buddy. I can't wait to talk to you this week. I could not be more proud of you, my friend. If I've read everything correctly, Yea We Lift is now a top-three WSVG team. I knew you had it in you. Congratulations are definitely in order. Keep up the great work. You have the entire Hunter community's support.
My computer is now repaired. I have yet to give it an effective test drive, but so far it's performing better than it did before, and it's so quiet compared to the fan in the old Power Supply. Thanks to everyone who suggested that the Power Supply was the issue. You were a huge help.
(Somewhat of an update. Apparently as a result of the terribly idiotic Godfather drama, they're fourth, not third as I believed.)
Still, Hamchook is very quickly rising to become a celebrity in-game. I've been looking around to see all the great coverage Hamchook, not just YWL, is getting. Between Gameriot and other such sites making articles like "MoB Hunted by Hamchook," and discussing the second major Canadian screwjob in the last 20 years in "Low-profile sports" (Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels in the WWF, and now YWL and MoB in the WSVG).
One other quick update. The video deadline has been pushed back to October 31st. My secondary Hard Drive (with my raw/unproduced/unrendered footage) had to be wiped because of the PS burning it out (it has been replaced). Luckily, I still have my already-included footage, but losing about two weeks of footage hurt, then, on top of that, missing roughly two more weeks with my internet being down and my computer exploding. I'm giving myself a bit of extra time on top of that to more-diligently choose clips.
I want to close this post with an address to Hamchook. Even though MOB screwed YWL, I think it'd be in the best interests of your team to take Godfather up on the Sponsorship offer if nothing comes along in the next two weeks or so. If you don't get any other offers, my advice, 110%, is to take his.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
My computer fucking exploded
I'm not kidding. My computer exploded. I have no more WoW. I lost all progress on my video. I'm more than likely quitting WoW against my will. My video project is indefinitely aborted. I feel like ass. I'm miserable, bored, and actually quite amused by the whole thing.
There I was in AB. We had just 5capped, and I was fighting an Elemental Shaman. I shit you not, folks, he cast a CL, NS/EM Lightning Bolt, and it crit for Computer. I heard a "crack" and a "bzzzt," and smelled smoke. I knew the Shaman had won our fight.
What a day. I probably won't be getting a new PC any time soon, so the video project is aborted entirely, and my future in WoW is now in question.
Uncertainty is scary.
There I was in AB. We had just 5capped, and I was fighting an Elemental Shaman. I shit you not, folks, he cast a CL, NS/EM Lightning Bolt, and it crit for Computer. I heard a "crack" and a "bzzzt," and smelled smoke. I knew the Shaman had won our fight.
What a day. I probably won't be getting a new PC any time soon, so the video project is aborted entirely, and my future in WoW is now in question.
Uncertainty is scary.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Setbacks....
So, my internet has been agonizingly difficult the last half-a-week for me (It crashed on Sunday, was completely out until yesterday for 15min, then went back out again until now, and will surely crash again here shortly. My ISP has been very courteous about fixing the issue, and I should be back in full swing by Saturday.
However, because of this, I'm now being forced to push my NT2 project deadline back a week. The new "due date" is September 17th. Whether it'll take every minute of that time to bring this project to its full potential, I'm not yet sure, but I will be taking every opportunity possible to work on this project. This video is my current #2 priority in this game, #1 being to complete my gear (I've been lazy and haven't gotten 12stam gems, or the Veteran's pieces). By the end of next week, I'm hoping to break 400 resilience and still have 12K+ HP, so we'll see how that plays out.
I've also been hindered from commenting on the 2.3 announcement. God, am I ever excited about the patch after next. The developers finally take a good look at us, and we get the fixes we need. Hopefully, it lives up to what we need it to. Whether or not they'll adopt some of my ideas, I don't know, but if they do, it could mean great things for the class. However, I'm afraid I can safely say I'm 99% sure (Boy, what a lead-in for a sentence) that the dead zone will remain.
The Aspect of the Viper change. I haven't been on the PTR as of yet to test this new change, but it seems like a farming buff more than a mana issue buff. I still believe AotV should take 5-15% (based on your mana%) of your Attack Power, since AP is a stat that all (ALL) Hunters pursue. Many will surely disagree, but most of those are people dual-wielding 30int enchants and PvEing as Marks. Also, the mana cost of Aspect of the Viper needs to be eliminated. If a Hunter is mana burned, Viper Stung, and Mana Drained completely out of his mana, and sustained bottomed-out, we can't even put the aspect up to save our blue bar.
I'm currently in the midst of downloading (God, I hope my net doesn't drop on me again) the 5v5 video of Rag Dolled, from the PoV of Kollektiv (their Elemental Shaman). I'm looking forward to this download completing, as I've heard good things about it, both from Shadow Gaming (shadow-gaming.com) and from a couple of other players that I've spoken to concerning Arenas. From what I hear, Kollektiv is very good at playing his role, spam-healing when necessary and still putting out the burst they need from him. It still remains to be seen how he is on Purges, Earth Shocks, and totem placement, but those are all things I look forward to checking out for myself.
However, because of this, I'm now being forced to push my NT2 project deadline back a week. The new "due date" is September 17th. Whether it'll take every minute of that time to bring this project to its full potential, I'm not yet sure, but I will be taking every opportunity possible to work on this project. This video is my current #2 priority in this game, #1 being to complete my gear (I've been lazy and haven't gotten 12stam gems, or the Veteran's pieces). By the end of next week, I'm hoping to break 400 resilience and still have 12K+ HP, so we'll see how that plays out.
I've also been hindered from commenting on the 2.3 announcement. God, am I ever excited about the patch after next. The developers finally take a good look at us, and we get the fixes we need. Hopefully, it lives up to what we need it to. Whether or not they'll adopt some of my ideas, I don't know, but if they do, it could mean great things for the class. However, I'm afraid I can safely say I'm 99% sure (Boy, what a lead-in for a sentence) that the dead zone will remain.
The Aspect of the Viper change. I haven't been on the PTR as of yet to test this new change, but it seems like a farming buff more than a mana issue buff. I still believe AotV should take 5-15% (based on your mana%) of your Attack Power, since AP is a stat that all (ALL) Hunters pursue. Many will surely disagree, but most of those are people dual-wielding 30int enchants and PvEing as Marks. Also, the mana cost of Aspect of the Viper needs to be eliminated. If a Hunter is mana burned, Viper Stung, and Mana Drained completely out of his mana, and sustained bottomed-out, we can't even put the aspect up to save our blue bar.
I'm currently in the midst of downloading (God, I hope my net doesn't drop on me again) the 5v5 video of Rag Dolled, from the PoV of Kollektiv (their Elemental Shaman). I'm looking forward to this download completing, as I've heard good things about it, both from Shadow Gaming (shadow-gaming.com) and from a couple of other players that I've spoken to concerning Arenas. From what I hear, Kollektiv is very good at playing his role, spam-healing when necessary and still putting out the burst they need from him. It still remains to be seen how he is on Purges, Earth Shocks, and totem placement, but those are all things I look forward to checking out for myself.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Nerf Treisk 2 In Production!
After finally getting enough footage to comfortably start my new video project, as of yesterday morning, I have officially begun (began?) production of Nerf Treisk 2. I expect the video to be released before the end of August, no later than September 10th. As 9/10 is the day I am Xfering, it seems an appropriate deadline/duedate.
I currently have just over 6.5 minutes done on the video, and have resumed collecting footage as of this morning. This video could, no doubt, be released by the end of the week, but it's nice to give myself some extra time to work on it. This project is not going to be rushed like NT1 -- The editing will be better, the content will be better, and the music... Oh my God, I love this soundtrack. I haven't decided the order yet, but I do know for sure about the order of appearance of the first two tracks (although anything past track #1 is subject to change).
"Vela, Together we Await the Storm" by The Human Abstract.
"Remenissions" by Avenged Sevenfold.
"Medicate" by Flaw
"Crossing the Rubicon" by The Human Abstract
"Heretics & Killers" by Protest the Hero
"This Calling" by All That Remains (Btw, if anyone has an mp3 of this song, my comp won't let me rip this track from the CD.)
"Nocturne" by The Human Abstract
"Never Coming Home" by Crossfade (for the Credits)
Hoping to get this project finished, but at the same time, I'm not rushing it. You're gonna see a lot of things you've never seen in a Hunter video before, and I hope it does as I hope it will -- Blow you the f*ck away.
I currently have just over 6.5 minutes done on the video, and have resumed collecting footage as of this morning. This video could, no doubt, be released by the end of the week, but it's nice to give myself some extra time to work on it. This project is not going to be rushed like NT1 -- The editing will be better, the content will be better, and the music... Oh my God, I love this soundtrack. I haven't decided the order yet, but I do know for sure about the order of appearance of the first two tracks (although anything past track #1 is subject to change).
"Vela, Together we Await the Storm" by The Human Abstract.
"Remenissions" by Avenged Sevenfold.
"Medicate" by Flaw
"Crossing the Rubicon" by The Human Abstract
"Heretics & Killers" by Protest the Hero
"This Calling" by All That Remains (Btw, if anyone has an mp3 of this song, my comp won't let me rip this track from the CD.)
"Nocturne" by The Human Abstract
"Never Coming Home" by Crossfade (for the Credits)
Hoping to get this project finished, but at the same time, I'm not rushing it. You're gonna see a lot of things you've never seen in a Hunter video before, and I hope it does as I hope it will -- Blow you the f*ck away.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Short and Sweet Update, BlizzCon Class Discussion Panel:
Source: http://www.radikalnoise.com/
Q u o t e:
Panels
I crashed the Professions and Items panel as well as the end of the Class Discussion take two. Most of the interesting parts of the panels are on the web, the only thing you probably can't get from the slides you see online is little things like when one of the devs is talkign about increasing stamina and says "What makes PvP not fun" rhetorically with the intent of talking about getting 2-shot, but instead the audience screams warlocks and continues to scream about warlocks for a good few seconds. You sort of had to be there for that I think. ^^ He also mentioned at one point that he rerolled hunter briefly and "wanted to kill himself." Inevitable WoW forum drama.I love the WoW devs right now.
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