Memories of Vanilla #30 - You Done Attunement, Right?

Hey dudes. Silvite Soltis here back with another installment of Memories of Vanilla - my reflective series of my Warcraft adventures back in 2005-2007.

Last time, I told about how I came to the decision to try and acquire a full set of Dreadmist gear, as well as how some of my adventuring went in pursuit of that goal. Needless to say, I was still a huge noob back then - so today I'd like to tell another nooby story that happened around that time.

I hope you enjoy. If you do, remember to leave a comment below telling me if you had a similar experience back in the day. But anyway, let's get right into the story...


------------------------------------------

Molten Giants in the Core

Back in early 2006, I remember watching Leika as his mage took on huge giants made of rock and magma. There was something intoxicating about what he was doing - talking with a clamor of voices in Ventrilo, spamming his Frostbolt icon, and running with a massive group of Alliance soldiers through the pits of this fiery cave - I was enthralled.

Well, fast forward to the summer, and I was ready! I was finally going to enter the Molten Core for myself.

One evening, shortly after hitting level 60 and somewhere in the middle of my quest to obtain a full set of Dreadmist gear, Leika called me on the phone and asked if I wanted to go to MC with his guild that night.

Oh boy, did I ever!

Naturally, I agreed and proceeded to stock up on mana potions, the only consumable I really knew about, before logging out to do other things before it started. I don't remember how I spent the time until the raid to be honest - probably played Aoyamamotoko or something - but eventually, it was time...

8:00PM - the summer sun still shone through the basement windows as I logged into Silvite and messaged Leika for an invite. Within seconds, it came - and I found myself in a group with around 30 other people. Other than my random experiences in Alterac Valley, this was the biggest group I'd ever been in. I was pumped up!

Molten Core Entrance

And then it hit me - I had no idea where Molten Core was or how to get there...

Sheepishly, I messaged Leika to ask where I should go. He lol'd (typical) and just told me to wait for a summon. They'd take care of me so long as I followed my healing assignments. This helped me to relax a little, but I was still really anxious to get inside and start fighting those baddies I'd seen before.

How Noobs Get Places...

Eventually, a window popped up: "[Player] wants to summon you." This was it! I clicked 'yes' and was transported to Blackrock Mountain - a place I only recognized from the few UBRS runs I'd done previously. Stoked, I /waved at everyone before watching them gather by some elf in a room. This is where something odd started happening...

One by one, my teammates started disappearing from that small room. I wondered why, but figured it would be best not to say anything for now. Eventually, only a handful of us remained - all in various guilds and looking just as confused. Leika whispered me, asking why I hadn't zoned in...and this is when I noticed where everyone else was - Molten Core.

Confused, I asked him how they'd gotten in - as they'd all simply disappeared from the room. Apparently, all I had to do was talk to the elf guy and he'd teleport me. I sighed, and walked over to the NPC, but all I could do was accept a quest...

"Attunement to the Core"

Attunement to the Core

Leika's response was, as expected, 'ROFL!' In my noobishness, I had never found out that I actually needed to attune for the raid. At this point, the raid leader asked us why we were all still standing outside. Apologizing, I said that I apparently hadn't done the attunement yet, but would get it done as soon as I could, hoping to somehow save my spot.

I, along with the others standing around outside, were told to get attuned first, then kicked from the raid group. So much for my dreams of slaying lava giants...




------------------------------------------

I hope you enjoyed the misadventure that was my first attempt at raiding in vanilla. It's one of those experiences that really helped me to grow as a player and one that, while negative at the time, I always look back on fondly now. After being kicked from the group, a few of us unattuned players did make a group and run the attunement quest in BRD, but by the time we actually finished it, the raid was long finished (yeah, we sucked). So I never actually got into MC that night, or ever again, in vanilla.

Luckily, I'll have another chance to do it right from August 27th. And I'm going to cherish every bit of it this time!

Anyway, that's it for today. If you enjoyed this story and would like to see more in the future, follow my blog by adding yourself to my email list below. Also, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel, as I eventually make videos of all of these stories over there as well. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter for updates when new content is released, and consider supporting me on Patreon as well! Every dollar helps a lot in building up my content collection, and I truly appreciate it.

But yeah, that's enough shameless self-promotion for today. Thanks for reading. And as always, take it easy! :)

Memories of Vanilla #29 - 60 Goals

Dreadmist Raiment

Hey dudes. Silvite Soltis back today with another Memories of Vanilla post for you!

Last time, I told the story of how I FINALLY hit level 60 in World of Warcraft - grinding zombies and cultists over in the Eastern Plaguelands. And while that was a big milestone for me, it really left me with one burning question:

Now what?

So join me, as I recount the story of how I decided on a goal for my freshly capped shadow priest, as well as some of the adventures that happened as I tried to achieve it! If you like this story, remember to follow my blog for more by adding yourself to my email list below. And, of course, check out my videos over on YouTube, as I put all of this content in a more engaging style over there as well.

But without further ado, let's get right into the story!

---------------------

I hit level 60 in the early summer of 2006, basically a full year after I'd started playing the game. However, I quickly noticed that I had no idea what to do. Leika had told me of the dungeons and raids - of Stratholme and Molten Core in particular - so I figured that it would probably be a good idea to run those.

Stratholme

And so, shortly after hitting level 60, I began running the only max-level dungeons I really knew about - Stratholme, Scholomance, and UBRS. Finding groups was pretty easy since everyone always wanted a priest - especially in the dungeons with lots of undead (shackle is OP), but other than "get blues" I didn't really have a goal.

One day, however, this all changed. I don't remember exactly where it was or what I was doing, but I came across a warlock fully decked out in the full tier 0 set - the Dreadmist Raiment. Instantly, I was hooked and convinced myself that I HAD to have it as well. After all, it just looked so...shadow-priesty!

Jandice Barov

So, I chatted with Leika, did some Thottbot searches, and began my long scavenger hunt-like adventure. Along the way, I picked up some great items, like the Starfire Tiara from UBRS and some pieces of the Devout set - you know, the set I SHOULD have been aiming for - but progress was slow.

Eventually, I managed to get a few pieces of the set - gloves, belt, boots, and helm. But I distinctly remember one item constantly eluding me - the shoulders. I must have run Scholomance to farm Jandice Barov at least a dozen times, but each time the shoulders remained out of reach. I was about to give up - after all, the summer was quickly coming to an end and I would be leaving for my year abroad soon, but one day I got a call from Leika saying he was setting up a Scholo group and they needed a healer. I sighed, but agreed to come heal as soon as I got home (I was out at the store with my mom at the time). About 20 minutes later, I was seated at my computer with Silvite in flight up to the Western Plaguelands.

The dungeon was pretty easy to be honest. Since the game had already been out for a while, most of us were pretty well geared (especially Leika), so it didn't take long for us to make it down to Jandice. Our onslaught began, and quickly she fell to our combined might. And there, sparkling on her corpse, I found them - the Dreadmist Mantle.

Needless to say, I got my shoulders...

Dreadmist Mantle

---------------------

I hope you enjoyed this short story of my initial goals as a level 60 shadow priest back in the day. Really, I think it's because I had no idea what I was doing that I ended up trying for a completely random set, but it gave my experience that much more meaning. Sure, I wouldn't be able to upgrade them, but to me, it was all about looking badass. And though I never completed the set back in the day (missed out on the robes), it was still a great adventure trying to.

Anyway, that's it for today. If you enjoyed this story and would like to see more in the future, remember to follow my blog by adding yourself to my mailing list below. Also, consider checking out my video content over on YouTube. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter for updates when more content is released, and consider supporting me on Patreon if you'd like some additional perks! There's still quite a bit coming, but until next time...

Take it easy!

Gear Your Heavy Healer FAST - Shaman and Paladin Phase 1 Healing Gear Guide

Hey dudes. Silvite Soltis here and today I've got another simplified gearing guide for you all!

After discovering a few issues with my initial healy priest guide (some phase 2 items made their way into it) and having several people point out that other healers can wear many other powerful healing items, I decided that it's now time to start exploring the other loot that can be obtained by more...heavy healers. So today, let's head into the realms of the spiritual and the holy with both shaman and paladin healing gear!


Note as always that this is not a best-in-slot list, as there are tons of those out around the Internet. Rather, this guide is meant to serve as a simplified method in which to get geared up well enough to hold your own once you get into Molten Core and Onyxia's Lair. Also, it's important to note that there are some differences in paladin and shaman gear, such as the relics and libram difference, and the fact that only paladins can wear the plate gear listed in this guide. But, so long as you know what you actually CAN equip, you should be fine.

So without further ado, let's get into the guide...

Step 1 - Get Your Attunements Done

As with every class and spec hoping to raid, your first priority at or close to 60 should be to knock out the attunements for Molten Core and Onyxia's Lair. This should be pretty easy to do as a healer, as there will no doubt be tons of players running the appropriate dungeons to complete these quests, and it just makes sense to knock these out ASAP, since you'll probably be able to get into raids so long as you're attuned (especially in the early days).

Since these quests involve running the various dungeons of Blackrock Mountain - and there is a ton of great gear to be had in those places for healers - it just makes sense to start here.

Step 2 - Do These Quests

When you're not running BRD, LBRS, or UBRS for your various attunement quests, go out into the world and complete the following quest chains, depending on what slots you need:

Neck
The Battle of Darrowshire in the Eastern Plaguelands awards a necklace with decent stats, but no +healing, the Archlight Talisman

Back
Rise of the Machines [H] in the Badlands/BRD awards a +22 healing cloak, Raincaster Drape

Finger
In Dreams in the Plaguelands awards the pre-raid best-in-slot healing ring, Fordring's Seal

Trinket
Heroes of Old in the Blasted Lands awards a mana-per-5 trinket, Shard of Afrasa

Offhands
It's Dangerous to Go Alone in Un'Goro Crater awards a +20 spell power offhand, Spirit of Aquementas
Order Must be Restored [A] / The Scarlet Oracle, Demetria [H] in the Eastern Plaguelands awards an intellect shield, Sacred Protector

There are some other quests with good items for healers as well, but in general these are the five big ones you should definitely make sure to complete - especially "In Dreams!"

Step 3 - Run Blackrock Depths

Ok, so once your paladin or shaman healer has completed all of the quests you feel need to be done, it's time to start the dungeon grind. After reviewing all of the drops obtainable in Phase 1, I've found that, like for most classes, BRD is the most lucrative dungeon by far - both in terms of the quantity and quality of the items that drop there. As a healer, there are roughly 33 possible items you could get from BRD, depending on which class you're playing of course. Naturally, some of these items are simply high-stat items, such as the Chief Architect's Monocle from Fineous Darkvire. However, some of them are pre-raid BiS and are worth a LOT to any healer (and some dps for that matter).

Here's a basic rundown of every item you could get in BRD. Notice that there are drops for every slot other than neck and relics, so it's really beneficial to run this dungeon. Also, the numbers to the right indicate how much +healing each item provides. Particularly powerful items' healing values have been bolded for additional attention:

Head

Chief Architect's Monocle from Fineous Darkvire, +0

Neck

X

Shoulders

Earthslag Shoulders from Lord Roccor. [PLATE], +9

Kentic Amice from High Interrogator Gerstahn, +14

Splinthide Shoulders from Eviscerator (Arena), +9

Dregmetal Spaulders from Grizzle (Arena), +0

Lead Surveyor's Mantle from Fineous Darkvire, +15

Back

Spritecaster Cape from Houndmaster Grebmar, +14
Raincaster Drape from the Horde quest "Rise of the Machines," +22

Chest

Spiderfang Carapace from Hedrum the Creeper (Arena) [PLATE], +13

Flamestrider Robes from Pyromancer Loregrain, +20

Robes of the Royal Crown from Emperor Dagran Thaurissan, +18

Wrists

Flameweave Cuffs from Lord Incendius (Random Enchant), +0

Cinderhide Armsplints from Lord Incendius (Random Enchant), +0

Pyremail Wristguards from Lord Incendius (Random Enchant), +0

Emberplate Armguards from Lord Incendius (Random Enchant) [PLATE], +0

Hands

Silkweb Gloves from Hedrum the Creeper (Arena), +0

Ogreseer Fists from Ok'thor the Breaker (Arena), +13

Hands of the Exalted Herald from Princess Moira Bronzebeard, +33

Waist

Ban'thok Sash from Ok'thor the Breaker (Arena), +12

Chillsteel Girdle from Warder Stilgiss (Rare/Event), +0

Legs

Searingscale Leggings from Pyromancer Loregrain, +0

Senior Designer's Pantaloons from Fineous Darkvire, +40

Luminary Kilt from Golem Lord Arglemach, +22

Haunting Specter Leggings from the Trial of Seven, +0

Feet

Omnicast Boots from Golem Lord Arglemach, +22

Fingers

Cyclopean Band from Ok'thor the Breaker (Arena), +9

Emperor's Seal from Emperor Dagran Thaurissan (Random Enchant), +?

Trinkets

Second Wind from Golem Lord Arglemach, +22

Burst of Knowledge from Ambassador Flamelash, +12

Main Hand

The Hammer of Grace from the Trial of Seven, +31

Guiding Stave of Wisdom from Emperor Dagran Thaurissan [STAFF], +53

Arbiter's Blade from Warder Stilgiss (Rare/Event) [SWORD], +8

Offhand

Enthralled Sphere from High Interrogator Gerstahn, +0

Thaurissan's Royal Scepter from Emperor Dagran Thaurissan, +22

Relic

X

Anyway, once you've run BRD into the ground, feel free to head on over to the next step - especially if you're missing a good chest, wrists, or shoulders...

Step 4 - Run Scholomance or Stratholme Undead

By this point, you should probably have a good set of items. However, you may find that your chest, wrists, or shoulders are still a bit lackluster. If so, the next, and hopefully final step, is to run Scholomance and/or Stratholme Undead.

Scholomance is home to about 30 decent drops for healers, though many of them are tier 0 helms and set pieces with low drop chances from the mini bosses near the end. This is irrelevant, however, as what you're REALLY after if you're coming here is the Loomguard Armbraces from Kirtonos the Herald, (+33 healing) and the Royal Cap Spaulders from Jandice Barov, (+26 healing). These two items are excellent for both paladin and shaman healers, though the latter may be difficult to convince a group to try for as Jandice is an optional boss. Still, they're probably your best bet for solid healing wrists and shoulders.

If you need a good chestpiece, head over to Strat UD to try and get the insanely good Robes of the Exalted from Baron Rivendare, (+68 healing). This is basically the best healing chest you can get prior to BWL, so it's a nice way to round out your set. Plus, if you didn't get lucky with +healing drops in BRD, this can help to compensate. Before running this dungeon, though, make sure to pick up the quest Houses of the Holy from Light's Hope Chapel so you can get the MP5 helm, Crown of the Penitent, in case you need more mana regeneration, or just don't have a solid helm yet. More loot can't hurt, right?

Final Thoughts

Congrats on getting your shaman or paladin to 60 and good luck getting geared up! It's not easy collecting all of the best items, but hopefully this list serves you in getting "good enough" to raid as fast as possible. As always, I've included a list of all item drops for these dungeons, as well as the other high level classic dungeons, below. Feel free to look through and find other useful items you might aim for along the way.

If you found this guide useful or interesting, remember to follow my blog by adding yourself to my mailing list below. That way, you'll get updates whenever new content is posted! Also, check out my videos over on YouTube, as I eventually turn all of these posts into videos over there (yay visuals)! Follow me on Facebook and Twitter for updates, and consider supporting me by becoming one of my patrons over on Patreon. I really appreciate your support!

Much love everyone. And, as always, take it easy!

------------------------------------------------------------

Dungeon Loot

Blackrock Depths

33 Possible Items Total

Head

Chief Architect's Monocle from Fineous Darkvire, +0

Neck

Shoulders

Earthslag Shoulders from Lord Roccor. [PLATE], +9

Kentic Amice from High Interrogator Gerstahn, +14

Splinthide Shoulders from Eviscerator (Arena), +9

Dregmetal Spaulders from Grizzle (Arena), +0

Lead Surveyor's Mantle from Fineous Darkvire, +15

Back

Spritecaster Cape from Houndmaster Grebmar, +14

Chest

Spiderfang Carapace from Hedrum the Creeper (Arena) [PLATE] +13

Flamestrider Robes from Pyromancer Loregrain +20

Robes of the Royal Crown from Emperor Dagran Thaurissan +18

Wrists

Flameweave Cuffs from Lord Incendius (Random Enchant), +0

Cinderhide Armsplints from Lord Incendius (Random Enchant), +0

Pyremail Wristguards from Lord Incendius (Random Enchant), +0

Emberplate Armguards from Lord Incendius (Random Enchant) [PLATE], +0

Hands

Silkweb Gloves from Hedrum the Creeper (Arena), +0

Ogreseer Fists from Ok'thor the Breaker (Arena), +13

Hands of the Exalted Herald from Princess Moira Bronzebeard, +33

Waist

Ban'thok Sash from Ok'thor the Breaker (Arena), +12

Chillsteel Girdle from Warder Stilgiss (Rare/Event), +0

Legs

Searingscale Leggings from Pyromancer Loregrain, +0

Senior Designer's Pantaloons from Fineous Darkvire, +40

Luminary Kilt from Golem Lord Arglemach, +22

Haunting Specter Leggings from the Trial of Seven, +0

Feet

Omnicast Boots from Golem Lord Arglemach, +22

Fingers

Cyclopean Band from Ok'thor the Breaker (Arena), +9

Emperor's Seal from Emperor Dagran Thaurissan (Random Enchant), +?

Trinkets

Second Wind from Golem Lord Arglemach, +22

Burst of Knowledge from Ambassador Flamelash, +12

Main Hand

The Hammer of Grace from the Trial of Seven, +31

Guiding Stave of Wisdom from Emperor Dagran Thaurissan [STAFF], +53

Arbiter's Blade from Warder Stilgiss (Rare/Event) [SWORD], +8

Offhand

Enthralled Sphere from High Interrogator Gerstahn, +0

Thaurissan's Royal Scepter from Emperor Dagran Thaurissan, +22

Relic

Stratholme Live

11 Possible Items Total

Head

Neck

Star of Mystaria from Balnazzar, +0

Shoulders

Back

Archivist Cape from Archivist Galford (Random Enchant), +?

Chest

Songbird Blouse from Hearthsinger Forresten, +0

Wrists

Hands

Devout Gloves from Archivist Galford, +0

Waist

Rainbow Girdle from Hearthsinger Forresten [PLATE], +0
Grimgore Noose from Timmy the Cruel, +0
Foresight Girdle from Archivist Galford (Random Enchant), +?

Legs

Woollies of the Prancing Minstrel from Hearthsinger Forresten, +0

Feet

Magister's Boots from Hearthsinger Forresten, +0

Fingers

Trinkets

Main Hand

Gift of the Elven Magi from Balnazzar [DAGGER], +0 

Offhand

Tome of Knowledge from Archivist Galford, +0

Relic

Stratholme Undead

14 Possible Items Total, including 6 legs and the pre-raid BiS chest

Head

Neck

Shoulders

Soulstealer Mantle from Ramstein the Gorger, +0

Back

Royal Tribunal Cloak from Magistrate Barthilas, +0

Chest

Robes of the Exalted from Baron Rivendare, +68

Wrists

Hands

Dracorian Gauntlets from Baron Rivendare, +16

Waist

Legs

Tier 0 Legs (Devout, Dreadmist, Magister's, Wildheart, Elements, Lightforge) from Baron Rivendare, +0

Feet

Verdant Footpads from Stonespine (RARE), +34
Dreadmist Sandals from Baroness Anastari, +0
Devout Sandals from Maleki the Pallid, +0

Fingers

Seal of Rivendare from Baron Rivendare, +0

Trinkets

Main Hand

Offhand

Relic

Scholomance

30 Possible Items Total (10 of which are shared loot from mini-bosses with low drop chance and 6 of which are tier 0 helms from Gandling), including amazing wrists and shoulders.

Head

Tier 0 Helms (Devout, Magister's, Dreadmist, Wildheart, Elements, Lightforge) from Darkmaster Gandling, +0

Neck

Heart of the Fiend from Kirtonos the Herald, +0

Shoulders

Royal Cap Spaulders from Jandice Barov, +26
Magister's Mantle from Ras Frostwhisper, +0
Death's Clutch from Ras Frostwhisper, +0

Back

Dreadmist Mantle from Jandice Barov, +0

Chest

Alana's Embrace from Ras Frostwhisper (Low Drop Chance), +20

Wrists

Loomguard Armbraces from Kirtonos the Herald, +33
Detention Strap from Darkmaster Gandling, +0

Hands

Waist

Clutch of Andros from Kirtonos the Herald, +0

Legs

Ghostloom Leggings from Jandice Barov, +0
Skullsmoke Pants from Vectus, +0
Maelstrom Leggings from Ras Frostwhisper, +13

Feet

Boots of the Shrieker from Darkmaster Gandling, +12

Fingers

Trinkets

Main Hand

Offhand

Rattlecage Buckler from Rattlegore, +0

Relic

Other

Necropile and Bloodmail Sets (Chest, Hands, Belt, Legs, Feet) from the 6 mini bosses, all low drop chance.

LBRS

20 Possible Items Total

Head

Neck

Shoulders

Demonic Runed Spaulders from Shadow Hunter Vosh'gajin, +0
Sunderseer Mantle from Crystal Fang (RARE), +8
Wildheart Spaulders from Gizrul the Slavener, +0

Back

Chest

Plate of the Shaman King from Highlord Omokk [PLATE], +18

Wrists

Funeral Cuffs from Shadow Hunter Vosh'gajin, +0
Brazecore Armguards from War Master Voone, +0
Bleak Howler Armguards from Gizrul the Slavener, +15

Hands

Gilded Gauntlets from Mother Smolderweb, +0
Fallbrush Handgrips from Crystal Fang, +20
Slaghide Gauntlets from Urok Doomhowl (Event) (Random Enchant), +?
Hands of Power from Quartermaster Zigris, +26
Backusarian Gauntlets from Bannok Grimaxe (RARE) [PLATE], +0

Waist

Legs

Skyshroud Leggings from Highlord Omokk, +34
Tressermane Leggings from Highlord Omokk, +19
Wolfshear Leggings from Gizrul the Slavener, +26

Feet

Swiftdart Battleboots from Spirestone Battle Lord (RARE), +0
Wildheart Boots from Mother Smolderweb, +0

Fingers

Rosewine Circle from either War Master Voone or Urok Doomhowl (event) [Changed source in patch 1.10], +29

Trinkets

Main Hand

Trindlehaven Staff from Overlord Wyrmthalak [STAFF], +14

Offhand

Rhombeard Protector from Gizrul the Slavener, +0

Relic

UBRS

18  Possible Items Total (7 Tier 0 chests from Drakkisath)

Head

Starfire Tiara from Jed Runewatcher (RARE), +0
Tribal War Feathers from Gyth (Random Resistance Enchant), +33

Neck

Emberfury Talisman from Pyroguard Emberseer, +0
Tooth of Gnarr from General Drakkisath, +0

Shoulders

Devout Mantle from Solakar Flamewreath (Event), +0
Pauldrons of Elements from Gyth, +0
Lightforge Spaulders from The Beast [PLATE], +0

Back

Frostweaver Cape from The Beast, +0

Chest

Tier 0 Chests (Devout, Magister's, Dreadmist, Wildheart, Beaststalker's, Elements, Lightforge) from General Drakkisath, +0

Wrists

Hands

Gauntlets of Elements from Pyroguard Emberseer, +0

Waist

Dustfeather Sash from Solakar Flamewreath (Event), +9

Crystallized Girdle from Solakar Flamewreath (Event), +9

Legs

Spiritshroud Leggings from The Beast, +19

Feet

Fingers

Trinkets

Briarwood Reed from Jed Runewatcher (RARE), +29

Main Hand

Offhand

Relic

As always, a special thanks to Atlasloot, itemization.info, and vanillawowdb.com for their valuable information used to compile this guide! Also, thanks to Jordan over on YouTube for letting me know he was awaiting a holy paladin guide.