Filed under: WoW.joystiq.com/category/mage/” rel=”tag”>Mage, WoW.joystiq.com/category/arcane-brilliance/” rel=”tag”>(Mage) Arcane Brilliance, WoW.joystiq.com/category/cataclysm/” rel=”tag”>Cataclysm

Every week, WoW Insider brings you WoW.joystiq.com/category/Arcane-Brilliance/”>Arcane Brilliance for WoW.joystiq.com/tag/arcane-mage-arcane-brilliance”>arcane, WoW.joystiq.com/tag/fire-mage-arcane-brilliance”>fire and WoW.joystiq.com/tag/frost-mage-arcane-brilliance”>frost mages. Except last week, when the holidays aggroed us. But rest easy, we managed to sheep the holidays, so now we can all go ahead and nuke down the rest of the year. As long as nobody breaks it early, our sheep shouldn’t expire on the holidays for about 12 more months, give or take.

So you’re a mage. You have a job, and that job is taking something that was previously intact and converting it into much smaller, bloodier, often frozen chunks of that same thing. You manufacture shattered mobs, and you take pride in your work. But you may also have a side project or two. Maybe you thought to yourself, “Self, perhaps when we aren’t making warlocks explode, maybe we should spend our time sewing trousers. Or baking cupcakes. Or making necklaces.”

Well, your self is right. You should be using your downtime in between vicious warlock kills to learn a side trade. They offer bonuses in the form of cool gear, extra money, and bonus stats, plus a bit of catharsis to help you decompress form all that murder. But which professions should you choose? That’s easy: anything but mining. What’s that? You’d like a bit more detail? Oh, fine.

WoW.joystiq.com/2011/01/08/arcane-brilliance-professions-for-cataclysm-mages/” rel=”bookmark”>Continue reading Arcane Brilliance: Professions for Cataclysm mages

WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider” style=”float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0″ />WoW.joystiq.com/2011/01/08/arcane-brilliance-professions-for-cataclysm-mages/”>Arcane Brilliance: Professions for Cataclysm mages originally appeared on WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

WoW.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/arcane-brilliance-professions-for-cataclysm-mages” />Read | WoW.joystiq.com/2011/01/08/arcane-brilliance-professions-for-cataclysm-mages/” rel=”bookmark” title=”Permanent link to this entry”>Permalink | WoW.joystiq.com/forward/19790931/” title=”Send this entry to a friend via email”>Email this | WoW.joystiq.com/2011/01/08/arcane-brilliance-professions-for-cataclysm-mages/#comments” title=”View reader comments on this entry”>Comments

Filed under: WoW.joystiq.com/category/pvp/” rel=”tag”>PvP

In an informative tell-all, Cory Stockton, WoW‘s lead content designer, has posted a blog entry discussing the past, present, and future of Tol Barad, its cousin Wintergrasp, and his hopes for the balance changes that will soon be coming to Tol Barad. One particular issue mentioned is that the attacking side in Tol Barad is less favored as part of the design, but taking Tol Barad is too hard, as opposed to being just challenging. Check out the post on the WoW community site WoW/en/blog/2034541″>here, and check back later here on WoW Insider for my writeup and reactions to the changes.

For the most part, I think Stockton’s aims, goals, and intentions are good for Tol Barad, and people need to remember that the changes listed are not the end all, be all for the zone. We’ve got a lot of balancing coming, so hang tight.

WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider” style=”float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0″ />WoW.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/cory-stockton-addresses-tol-barad-balance/”>Cory Stockton addresses Tol Barad balance originally appeared on WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

WoW/en/blog/2034541″>Read | WoW.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/cory-stockton-addresses-tol-barad-balance/” rel=”bookmark” title=”Permanent link to this entry”>Permalink | WoW.joystiq.com/forward/19795109/” title=”Send this entry to a friend via email”>Email this | WoW.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/cory-stockton-addresses-tol-barad-balance/#comments” title=”View reader comments on this entry”>Comments

Filed under: WoW.joystiq.com/category/warlock/” rel=”tag”>Warlock, WoW.joystiq.com/category/pvp/” rel=”tag”>PvP, WoW.joystiq.com/category/the-art-of-war-craft/” rel=”tag”>The Art of War(craft) (PvP)

Every week, WoW Insider brings you WoW.joystiq.com/category/the-art-of-war-craft/”>The Art of War(craft), covering battlegrounds and world PvP, and WoW.joystiq.com/category/blood-sport/”>Blood Sport, with the inside line for arena enthusiasts. Want to crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women? Battlemaster Zach Yonzon, old-world PvP grinder and casual battleground habitué, rambles on about anything and everything PvP.

Whoop! Two weeks into the expansion, and I just have to ask … are you guys having fun? Because I am. PvP is amazing, even being undergeared. Stamina is up at this point, so even lacking the right gear, combat will last more than a few global cooldowns. Today we’ll conclude our talent review series with a look at warlocks and some really cool talents they can pick up to help in PvP. We still have lots to talk about in WoW.joystiq.com/category/the-art-of-war-craft/”>The Art of War(craft), from Tol Barad to The Battle for Gilneas to Twin Peaks to rated battlegrounds … oh, Cataclysm is loaded with PvP goodness. Hit the jump to get started.

WoW.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-warlocks-in-cat/” rel=”bookmark”>Continue reading The Art of War(craft): Must-have PvP talents for warlocks in Cataclysm

WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider” style=”float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0″ />WoW.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-warlocks-in-cat/”>The Art of War(craft): Must-have PvP talents for warlocks in Cataclysm originally appeared on WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

WoW.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-warlocks-in-cat/” rel=”bookmark” title=”Permanent link to this entry”>Permalink | WoW.joystiq.com/forward/19768943/” title=”Send this entry to a friend via email”>Email this | WoW.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-warlocks-in-cat/#comments” title=”View reader comments on this entry”>Comments

Filed under: WoW.joystiq.com/category/warlock/” rel=”tag”>Warlock, WoW.joystiq.com/category/pvp/” rel=”tag”>PvP, WoW.joystiq.com/category/the-art-of-war-craft/” rel=”tag”>The Art of War(craft) (PvP)

Every week, WoW Insider brings you WoW.joystiq.com/category/the-art-of-war-craft/”>The Art of War(craft), covering battlegrounds and world PvP, and WoW.joystiq.com/category/blood-sport/”>Blood Sport, with the inside line for arena enthusiasts. Want to crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women? Battlemaster Zach Yonzon, old-world PvP grinder and casual battleground habitué, rambles on about anything and everything PvP.

Whoop! Two weeks into the expansion, and I just have to ask … are you guys having fun? Because I am. PvP is amazing, even being undergeared. Stamina is up at this point, so even lacking the right gear, combat will last more than a few global cooldowns. Today we’ll conclude our talent review series with a look at warlocks and some really cool talents they can pick up to help in PvP. We still have lots to talk about in WoW.joystiq.com/category/the-art-of-war-craft/”>The Art of War(craft), from Tol Barad to The Battle for Gilneas to Twin Peaks to rated battlegrounds … oh, Cataclysm is loaded with PvP goodness. Hit the jump to get started.

WoW.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-warlocks-in-cat/” rel=”bookmark”>Continue reading The Art of War(craft): Must-have PvP talents for warlocks in Cataclysm

WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider” style=”float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0″ />WoW.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-warlocks-in-cat/”>The Art of War(craft): Must-have PvP talents for warlocks in Cataclysm originally appeared on WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

WoW.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-warlocks-in-cat/” rel=”bookmark” title=”Permanent link to this entry”>Permalink | WoW.joystiq.com/forward/19768943/” title=”Send this entry to a friend via email”>Email this | WoW.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-warlocks-in-cat/#comments” title=”View reader comments on this entry”>Comments

Filed under: WoW.joystiq.com/category/shaman/” rel=”tag”>Shaman, WoW.joystiq.com/category/analysis-opinion/” rel=”tag”>Analysis / Opinion, WoW.joystiq.com/category/pvp/” rel=”tag”>PvP

Every week, WoW Insider brings you WoW.joystiq.com/category/the-art-of-war-craft/”>The Art of War(craft), covering battlegrounds and world PvP, and WoW.joystiq.com/category/blood-sport/”>Blood Sport, with the inside line for arena enthusiasts. Want to crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women? Battlemaster Zach Yonzon, old-world PvP grinder and casual battleground habitué, rambles on about anything and everything PvP.

Gah. A few more days left, and we’re only on shaman. This can’t be good. Let’s get right to it, then. Shaman are incredibly fun to play, especially with the changes that came with WoW.joystiq.com/tag/patch-4.0.1/”>4.0.1. The improvements on the totem interface in the past have made it much easier for shaman to manage their totems. The best shaman utilize their totems in the heat of battle, and one interesting skill to master is knowing not just which totem to put down for a situation but which sets of totems, now that shaman can drop it down all at once. It’s a convenience that changes a few things. There is also higher survivability, better mobility, and clearly defined playstyles for all three specs.

WoW.joystiq.com/2010/12/05/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-shaman-in-4-0-3/” rel=”bookmark”>Continue reading The Art of War(craft): Must-have PvP talents for shaman in 4.0.3

WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider” style=”float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0″ />WoW.joystiq.com/2010/12/05/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-shaman-in-4-0-3/”>The Art of War(craft): Must-have PvP talents for shaman in 4.0.3 originally appeared on WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider on Sun, 05 Dec 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

WoW.joystiq.com/2010/12/05/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-shaman-in-4-0-3/” rel=”bookmark” title=”Permanent link to this entry”>Permalink | WoW.joystiq.com/forward/19745807/” title=”Send this entry to a friend via email”>Email this | WoW.joystiq.com/2010/12/05/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-shaman-in-4-0-3/#comments” title=”View reader comments on this entry”>Comments

Filed under: WoW.joystiq.com/category/news-items/” rel=”tag”>News items, WoW.joystiq.com/category/pvp/” rel=”tag”>PvP, WoW.joystiq.com/category/cataclysm/” rel=”tag”>Cataclysm

WoWcom-tol-barad-000-1289939981.jpg” alt=”" />

• Tol Barad is not only an open PvP zone; it’s also a daily quest hub.
• Unlike Wintergrasp, Tol Barad won’t have a Tenacity mechanic. Instead, players will be matched up at a 1:1 ratio, with a maximum of 80 players allowed in the zone.
• Much like Eye of the Storm, players will have to claim three keeps around the zone. Unlike Eye, if a player dies while defending a tower, that will directly affect the slider bar, moving it in favor of the opposing faction. So stay alive!
• Winning Tol Barad opens a raid, just like Wintergrasp. The Tol Barad raid takes place in Baradin Hold.
• And of course there are reputation rewards, including two brand new mounts with a ghostly look.

WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider” style=”float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0″ />WoW.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/blizzard-releases-new-cataclysm-preview-tol-barad/”>Blizzard releases new Cataclysm preview: Tol Barad originally appeared on WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

WoW.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/blizzard-releases-new-cataclysm-preview-tol-barad/” rel=”bookmark” title=”Permanent link to this entry”>Permalink | WoW.joystiq.com/forward/19720999/” title=”Send this entry to a friend via email”>Email this | WoW.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/blizzard-releases-new-cataclysm-preview-tol-barad/#comments” title=”View reader comments on this entry”>Comments

Filed under: WoW.joystiq.com/category/news-items/” rel=”tag”>News items, WoW.joystiq.com/category/pvp/” rel=”tag”>PvP, WoW.joystiq.com/category/cataclysm/” rel=”tag”>Cataclysm

WoWcom-tol-barad-000-1289939981.jpg” alt=”" />

• Tol Barad is not only an open PvP zone; it’s also a daily quest hub.
• Unlike Wintergrasp, Tol Barad won’t have a Tenacity mechanic. Instead, players will be matched up at a 1:1 ratio, with a maximum of 80 players allowed in the zone.
• Much like Eye of the Storm, players will have to claim three keeps around the zone. Unlike Eye, if a player dies while defending a tower, that will directly affect the slider bar, moving it in favor of the opposing faction. So stay alive!
• Winning Tol Barad opens a raid, just like Wintergrasp. The Tol Barad raid takes place in Baradin Hold.
• And of course there are reputation rewards, including two brand new mounts with a ghostly look.

WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider” style=”float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0″ />WoW.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/blizzard-releases-new-cataclysm-preview-tol-barad/”>Blizzard releases new Cataclysm preview: Tol Barad originally appeared on WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

WoW.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/blizzard-releases-new-cataclysm-preview-tol-barad/” rel=”bookmark” title=”Permanent link to this entry”>Permalink | WoW.joystiq.com/forward/19720999/” title=”Send this entry to a friend via email”>Email this | WoW.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/blizzard-releases-new-cataclysm-preview-tol-barad/#comments” title=”View reader comments on this entry”>Comments

Filed under: WoW.joystiq.com/category/pvp/” rel=”tag”>PvP, WoW.joystiq.com/category/cataclysm/” rel=”tag”>Cataclysm

Many players were a bit confused about some of the rules and mechanics revolving around the new rated battlegrounds coming in Cataclysm. Blizzard has, thankfully, posted a new FAQ on the official forums detailing some common questions players had about the new system.

Some highlights include the three brackets (10v10, 15v15, 25v25); weekly conquest point caps based on your highest PvP rating in any bracket; and winning in a group comprised of 80 percent guild members awarding guild experience. Hit the jump for the full blue post.

WoW.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/rated-battlegrounds-faq/” rel=”bookmark”>Continue reading Rated battlegrounds FAQ

WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider” style=”float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0″ />WoW.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/rated-battlegrounds-faq/”>Rated battlegrounds FAQ originally appeared on WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 23:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | WoW.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/rated-battlegrounds-faq/” rel=”bookmark” title=”Permanent link to this entry”>Permalink | WoW.joystiq.com/forward/19704069/” title=”Send this entry to a friend via email”>Email this | WoW.joystiq.com/2010/11/04/rated-battlegrounds-faq/#comments” title=”View reader comments on this entry”>Comments

Filed under: WoW.joystiq.com/category/mage/” rel=”tag”>Mage, WoW.joystiq.com/category/analysis-opinion/” rel=”tag”>Analysis / Opinion, WoW.joystiq.com/category/pvp/” rel=”tag”>PvP, WoW.joystiq.com/category/the-art-of-war-craft/” rel=”tag”>The Art of War(craft) (PvP)

Every week, WoW Insider brings you WoW.joystiq.com/category/the-art-of-war-craft/”>The Art of War(craft), covering battlegrounds and world PvP, and WoW.joystiq.com/category/blood-sport/”>Blood Sport, with the inside line for arena enthusiasts. Want to crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women? Battlemaster Zach Yonzon, old-world PvP grinder and casual battleground habitué, rambles on about anything and everything PvP.

The Cataclysm is getting close, so we’ve only got a few weeks of this transitional stage, but it’s important to pick out our PvP talents heading into the expansion. Today, we’re going to take a look at mages, who have the usual set of tools and a couple of new ones. Nothing drastic has changed, despite the overhaul in WoW.joystiq.com/tag/patch-4.0.1/”>4.0.1, so mages are still casters who do best at range. Nothing has made them capable of wading into melee and standing toe-to-toe with rogues or anything silly like that. Instead, what we’ve got are three interesting trees with slightly different ways to crush their opponents — all of them fun.

WoW.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-mages-in-4-0-1/” rel=”bookmark”>Continue reading The Art of War(craft): Must-have PvP talents for mages in 4.0.1

WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider” style=”float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0″ />WoW.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-mages-in-4-0-1/”>The Art of War(craft): Must-have PvP talents for mages in 4.0.1 originally appeared on WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

WoW.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-mages-in-4-0-1/” rel=”bookmark” title=”Permanent link to this entry”>Permalink | WoW.joystiq.com/forward/19701555/” title=”Send this entry to a friend via email”>Email this | WoW.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-mages-in-4-0-1/#comments” title=”View reader comments on this entry”>Comments

Filed under: WoW.joystiq.com/category/mage/” rel=”tag”>Mage, WoW.joystiq.com/category/analysis-opinion/” rel=”tag”>Analysis / Opinion, WoW.joystiq.com/category/pvp/” rel=”tag”>PvP, WoW.joystiq.com/category/the-art-of-war-craft/” rel=”tag”>The Art of War(craft) (PvP)

Every week, WoW Insider brings you WoW.joystiq.com/category/the-art-of-war-craft/”>The Art of War(craft), covering battlegrounds and world PvP, and WoW.joystiq.com/category/blood-sport/”>Blood Sport, with the inside line for arena enthusiasts. Want to crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women? Battlemaster Zach Yonzon, old-world PvP grinder and casual battleground habitué, rambles on about anything and everything PvP.

The Cataclysm is getting close, so we’ve only got a few weeks of this transitional stage, but it’s important to pick out our PvP talents heading into the expansion. Today, we’re going to take a look at mages, who have the usual set of tools and a couple of new ones. Nothing drastic has changed, despite the overhaul in WoW.joystiq.com/tag/patch-4.0.1/”>4.0.1, so mages are still casters who do best at range. Nothing has made them capable of wading into melee and standing toe-to-toe with rogues or anything silly like that. Instead, what we’ve got are three interesting trees with slightly different ways to crush their opponents — all of them fun.

WoW.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-mages-in-4-0-1/” rel=”bookmark”>Continue reading The Art of War(craft): Must-have PvP talents for mages in 4.0.1

WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider” style=”float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0″ />WoW.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-mages-in-4-0-1/”>The Art of War(craft): Must-have PvP talents for mages in 4.0.1 originally appeared on WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

WoW.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-mages-in-4-0-1/” rel=”bookmark” title=”Permanent link to this entry”>Permalink | WoW.joystiq.com/forward/19701555/” title=”Send this entry to a friend via email”>Email this | WoW.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/the-art-of-war-craft-must-have-pvp-talents-for-mages-in-4-0-1/#comments” title=”View reader comments on this entry”>Comments