Archy: Recommended Addon

I'll often recommend certain addons I have had a chance to use in game. I'm not the kind of player that goes overboard with addons but they do serve a purpose in my opinion.

With the release of Cataclysm came Archaology as yet another secondary profession. There are lots and lots of people that are finding this one tedious and difficult to level and some don't even see the point.

I honestly can see their point. So, for those of you who would like it to be a little less painful, I recommend getting Archy (at Curse and WoWInterface)! This is a GREAT addon for Archaeology and if you have TomTom installed already it's even better.

I would venture to say that this addon has cut my artifact finding time in half as well as immediately directing me to the next dig site nearest the area I'm currently in. Big time savers!

Dig Deeper: For more information on Archaeology, I like "So You Think You Can Dig?".

Starter Tips: Choosing a Server

So, you've decided to play WoW and suddenly you get in game and realize this is far more involved than you anticipated. You have purchased the game or downloaded it for the free trial and now you have many decisions to make.

Your first decision is: What server do I choose?

Choosing a Server

This seems like it should be a simple process but when you get right down to it there are a lot of reasons to choose (or not choose) certain types of servers. If you have a real life or gaming friend that already plays WoW you will definitely want to join their server so that you can interact with them.

PVP: If you want to run around killing players from the other faction all the time you would be looking for a pvp server (though this may not be as fun as you think).

Normal Servers: Most players choose a "normal" server (not strictly PvP or RP). There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy both PvE (player vs. environment) AND PvP (player vs. player) on these servers giving you the opportunity to have a balanced gameplay.

RP: I actually have not tried an RP server, and for most of us who like to just act/talk normally this isn't an option we consider. But if you are into role playing and would like to "become" your character everytime you play (taking on all the nuances of race and class and acting accordingly - likened to simply leaving the real world behind completely).

Conclusion:

Usually the newer and lower population servers are listed first on the realm options screen. Choosing one of those is typically a fine place to start. If you find you hate the server a few hours into the game just try a different server.

You can have a total of 10 characters per server on a total of 5 servers.

Why WoW?

There are so many games out there in the mmorpg-isphere. Many are free, most have to be downloaded onto your computer (a small handful are browser based games) and some are pay-to-play.

So why on earth would someone choose a pay-to-play game. In a nutshell, content and experience. All games have glitches, even the pay-to-play ones but overall your experience is a lot more involved with a game like World of Warcraft.

If you just want to see what it's all about then hey, try out the 10 day trial... if however you know that you do not have the time or money to invest in a game like this there are alternatives out there (one in particular comes to mind: Allods).

If you're a serious gamer looking for a game that has a little bit of everything, this is a game you are likely to love. Be prepared however to be inundated and potentially overwhelmed at first.

WoW has been around a very long time and there are people there who have been playing for 7 years and know the game inside and out. Not everyone is in that position, I for one am not.

I am an LK baby. Interpretation: I started playing World of Warcraft after the Lich King expansion was released. In fact I haven't been playing all that long at all, but being the educator type that I am, I simply had to share the tips and tricks I have learned.

Whether you're new to the game or just like to keep up with strategies others share this should be a great place for you.