World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Beta Coverage

On the trek to level 70, our valiant and sarcastic hero decides to hit the dungeons to get him some of that sweet, sweet rested elite XP. Mmm... XP a la mode. Tastes great with sprinkles.

...sorry, where was I? Oh, right.

I was doing my quest thang in Netherstorm when a guildie asked "Hey, we need one more for Steam Vaults, right at the first boss... anyone interested?" I think about it... sure, why the hell not. Good XP, good experience. Maybe some good lewts, too! So I say I'm in, and fly to Zangarmarsh. But then I remember that meeting stones can summon, and so they summon me. Huh, that was pretty efficient. Time to get my Steam Vault on!

It's really not clear what Lady Vashj and the Naga are up to, to tell the truth. In Hellfire Citadel, you see that Kargath Bladefist and the Fel Horde are making more Fel Orcs via the blood of Magtheridon. Each wing of Auchindoun has its own separate story, with the renegade Ethereals to the Sethekk civil war to the evil Draenei Death Priests (and the Shadow Labs, but that's later!) ... even Tempest Keep... well, we know that Kael'thas is siphoning the mana from the Twisting Nether for something-presumably to turn into Magic Crack.

But, unless I've severely missed something, it seems like Lady Vashj and Company are just draining the marshes in Zangarmarsh... uh, just because they can.

Check out the Steam Vaults and more by clicking the button below and reading:

"The Mage They Call Jayne(z), Part 14: Brought to You By the Letter "S""

"Do your dreams change? Mine do not. I have one dream..."

Welcome to adventure two, or "How I stopped worrying and learned to love the bomb." My dream today? Finish a few quests.

Yes, it's true! After an... extended vacation into a magical land that shan't be named (but rhymes with "Byrule") The Mage They Call Jayne(z) is back with some more face-rocking, gnome-burning action! Inside, thrill as he breaks the level cap of 67 and starts... leveling up! Marvel at his haxoring feats and exploiting of Blink! Gasp at some really, REALLY bad (but awesome) Blizzard pop-culture references!

We came back online to see an empty experience bar waiting to be filled, and two new areas to be discovered-hooray for content patches! The level cap was raised to 70, and flying mounts (and flying mount content) were implemented! Awesome socks!

...only, the flying mount vendors were in Shadowmoon Valley, which, not being Blade's Edge Mountains or Netherstorm, was not opened. So, we could see all that pretty pretty content, but no way to get to it. Curse you Blizzard, curse you!

Well time to go see what's in store, eh? Get some experience, feel the ding... and ascend... TO THE NEXT LEVEL! Today, on Dragon Ball (jayne)Z!

Click the shiny, candy-like button below to read "The Mage They Call Jayne(z), Part 13: Mad Jayne(z): Beyond Eco-Dome"!

Join us on the continuing adventures of yet another member of the beta expedition team!

Something Happened on the Way to Silvermoon...
Ah yes, traveler, allow me to introduce myself as Alyxandria, part time rogue, lore aficionado, and full time explorer. While you've no doubt learned a little bit about the early life as a blood elf from Sephirothlol, let me tell you that the adventures in the greater area known as Eversong Woods will keep you busy for a while as you are shuttled back and forth around this zone. While I typically find myself on the Alliance side playing some form of a casting class, sometimes I just like to "get stabby with it" and therefore for our guided tour through the Burning Crusade I will be donning the crafty guise of the rogue and the haughty demeanor of the Blood Elves. Ready? Do try to keep up!

Kylista over at the World of Raids forums has generously given WoW WarCry permission to repost and rehost some truly nifty screenshots and movies of Karazhan: the tower of Medivh. Much thanks to Kylista and World of Raids, and you can check out the screenies in a higher resolution at the link above.

Chapter 3 in the Path of the Adept series. Click "Read More" below to read the third chapter.

The Path of the Adept: Chapter 1

The Path of the Adept: Chapter 2

Draenei start in Ammen Vale, a small area encircled by mountains on the Azuremyst Isle. Azuremyst is an island off the northwest coast of Kalimdor, just south of the Night Elves' home.

So, you're level 67, waiting for the level cap to be raised. You could run dungeons--but you've written about that already! Huh. What's a pyromaniacal gangly humanoid in a dress to do? Clean out that quest log, that's what!

I decided, in the end, that I had a responsibility to you as a journalist, dear readers-brand spankin' new content! So, finishing things up it was!

Ol' Hemet Nesingwary's thirst for blood was even stronger in the Outlands than down in Stranglethorn, but the quests did follow the same pattern: kill a bunch (in this case, 30-Hemet's more demanding this time around!) of a certain kind of animal (Clefthooves, Windrocs, and the antelope-like Talbuks). Then, kill 30 more of a stronger type. Then, kill an elite leader of that species. Finally, kill the big super ultra King Kamehameha-mambojambo-ElPresidente-Kahuna beast in the land. Nothing we ain't seen before.

Although, the elites do seem a bit harder than the ones in STV (and not just because of the level difference). While on my Mage, my Warlock, and my Paladin I was able to solo all three of the lesser lords and Bangalash himself, I needed at least two buddies to kill these beasties in Outland. The final quest, to kill a giant Elekk (Elephants! Draenei Moutns!) named Tusker... was actually fairly easy, as she didn't have too much HP and was on a big slope that lent itself to kiting rather well.

Anyway, I kill lots and lots of animals and possibly do serious and lasting harm to the delicate balance in the Outland ecology all because a crusty old Dwarf offers me some gold and items. I suppose I should be ashamed, but-ooh, shinies!

Apparently, Trolls are susceptible to ferret-shock. Who knew?

Click "Read More" to check out "The Mage They Call Jayne(z), Part 12: Wrapping Things Up"!

Chapter 2

I entered Orgimmar and it was much... different ... than my home, Silvermoon. I began to look for one of my own kind. I saw orc Guards, and Tauran Merchants, and a Troll selling pet snakes. I found another Adept-To-Be by the name of Elvisha.

The Draenei were long ago blessed by the Naaru, the beings of Light. Many of their racial abilities reflect this affinity and protection. Though it does beg the question - how can a Draenei Priest spec shadow??

I set out to create Caolinn, who was to be a female Draenei, with a little concern. I'm not a fan of playing an "ugly" character. I have to look at this chick a lot, so it's nice to not be repulsed every time I look at her. So, after having heard that the Draenei were "ugly monster things," I naturally was not looking forward to it.

Introducing a new story addition to Warcry's Burning Crusade collection!

Chapter 1

As I headed into Farstriders Square in Silvermoon City for my regular training, a man approached me. I didn't realize who he was at first, but as he came closer I saw his face. It was "Knight-Lord Bloodvalor," Captain of the Blood Knights. After greeting him, he went straight to the point of why he came.

What to do at level 67? You're almost out of quests, you can't raid... time to tie up loose ends. Do what ya ain't done. In the case of the mage they call Jayne(z), this involves heading back to Terokkar and conquering the multiple wings of Auchindoun. Which he does, 'cause he's badass like that.

Er, well, it turns out there's actually quite a bit I've not done. Bunch of quests in Nagrand to finish off, and then there are the Auchindoun instances that I haven't actually got a chance to complete. So, why don't I start off with those?

Sigh. We need more people on Blade's Edge (PvP). Never a good tank on when you need one, I swear!

After getting a party, it's time to go to the Auchenai Crypts. Technically, the Crypts are a higher level than the Mana-Tombs, though it's a significantly easier instance and might as well be lower-level. The Crypts are filled with Draenei ghosts, as well as some living Draenei seeking to use the spirits of the dead for their own gain. I'm not entirely sure what use the spirits of the dead actually have... I mean, they're, y'know, dead. Deceased. Ex-Draenei. Unless you're planning on scaring the tenants off the land so you can buy it real cheap and get at the hidden diamond mines underneath...

And you'd have gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for those meddling kids!

Click the link below to read: "The Mage They Call Jayne(z), Part 11: Dungeon-Crawlin' Fool"!

Sit and I will share with you the tale of the Exiled Ones, the lost Eredar who escaped the clutches of the Evil One. This is the story of those who travel, running before the legions of Sargeras, running from those who would betray their own people into a lifetime of servitude in exchange for power. This tale is not one of nearly escaped danger, for I fear the danger will soon visit upon us here, in Azeroth.

The ever-present pyromania continues as our loveable and niftitastic hero... well, okay, he's the one being set on fire. Whether by stupid "Level Skull" warlocks helping to seal back a monstrous demonic Pit Lord, or Alliance dive-bombers flying overhead... the Mage They Call Jayne(z) makes good use of his Fire Ward button this time around.

Speaking of Hellfire Citadel, I've covered the first two wings and briefly mentioned the third. But nowhere have I given any coverage to the fourth and final wing: Magtheridon's Lair.

That'll change!

...kinda.

When the leader of the beta guild I'm in (shout out to Fen an' my BCT homies!) decided that we had enough level 67s wearing our tag, he got off his Dreadnaught-clad ass and said "Right, we're gonna go pwn Magtheridon." Got plenty competent raiders in the guild, all with good gear from live or from Beta... and hell, we're only 3 levels below the cap. That couldn't -possibly- make a difference, could it?

Heh.

Hit the button below to read "The Mage They Call Jayne(z), Part 10: Move Out of the Rain of Fire, Dammit!"