Monk’ing It Up In Diablo III

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Niq

I signed up for the Annual Pass for WoW almost 100% because I wanted to get into the MoP beta and my luck with beta invites in the past has been… shit. The only reason I was able to get into the SW:TOR beta was because I had a fansite (2 at the time actually). I’m really happy that it ended up coming with a free -digital- copy of Diablo 3 because it…

is…

AMAZING…

When it’s not giving me errors, or the servers are going down for restarts, or my zone isn’t freezing up… When it’s doing none of those bad things, it’s amazing.

When I had first gotten the pass and started contemplating the idea of even bothering with D3 (I wasn’t a HUGE fan of D1 and D2/D2 LoD), I immediately knew I was going to go Wizard. I’ve always played the caster type in these games and figured it would be the safe/comfortable option for me.

As things grew near and I toyed around in the D3 beta, my options grew a little. I had gotten to play the Witch Doctor some and thought it was pretty cool. So my options as of the 14th were Wizard or Witch Doctor?

Once the 15th came along and I had gotten myself to the character selection screen, things changed. I had taken a look at the monk and just felt this odd compulsion to play it. I’ve never really been any good at melee combat in games unless I’m tanking and even then, it’s not as fun. Now I was torn between the Wizard and the Monk and had to choose fast so I could hurry up and start leveling.

Naturally, I consulted the most life-wise/game-ignorant person I know. A woman I’ve known all my life, Tonya aka: “Mom”. She’s always been a good tie-breaker for me when it comes to tough choices in video games (as well as life). I asked her point-blank “Wizard or Monk?” She replied “Monk” and it was decided. I am so glad she went with Monk.

I have been having illegal amounts of fun playing as the Monk. I’m only level 18 so far, but it’s been a blast. I get to do some jabby-jab, some swooshy-swoosh, and a little bit of healy-heal which is awesome!

This post didn’t have much of a point other than to let you know what I’ve been doing for the past 24 hours (other than work. I’m not a total nerd, I have RL stuff!)

Have you been playing Diablo III? What class did you choose? Why? Leave a comment and let me know.

I Think I’ve Got A Spec…

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Niq

Despite the fact that things could change vastly between now and launch AND the fact that my beta play time has been extremely minimal (Just got my main up to 86 >.>), I’ve decided, for the time being, on an allocation of my points.

These are all still technically “in the air” so don’t take my explanations as a set-in-stone kind of thing. I’ll definitely be dual-specializing as resto because some options are better than others for different situations. This build is just my generic selection.

Feline Swiftness: I decided to go with the base movement speed boost as opposed to a dynamic movement ability. It’s also passive and that’s great because it’s one less button to worry about. Wild Charge may have its uses and Displacer Beast looks more helpful to cats, so I’d rather go with a flat, constant buff.

Nature’s Swiftness: I picked this up mostly out of familiarity. I’ve been healing with the Nature’s Swiftness + Healing Touch macro for far too long to let it go. I haven’t given Cenarion Ward too much of a chance and Renewal looks more like a tank/PvP talent.

Typhoon: All three of the CC talents look good, but Typhoon is so much more annoying than Mass Entanglement or Faerie Swarm could ever be. Sorry in advance tanks!

Incarnation: Another familiarity choice, but circumstantially interchangeable. Force of Nature is cool but I feel it’s best for high-movement fights since the treants will (most likely) be immune to boss AoE and such. Soul of the Forest gives a haste buff to one spell after Swiftmend, but I feel like it’s more geared toward other specs.

Ursol’s Vortex: More CC fun! I might actually change this out for Disorienting Roar, but it’s very good with Typhoon (Vortex behind mobs and then Typhoon them into it :D). Mighty Bash only affects one target and is not as annoying/fun so /raspberry !

Dream of Cenarius: This one has actually been a topic of debate in my own mind as well as among the Druid twitterverse. Heart of the Wild is shit if you’re like me and hate doing anything but healing. It has utility and a 6% passive Int bonus but meh. Nature’s Vigil is a nifty little CD, +healing and some of your healing does damage win/win. With DoC, however, you still do damage (Wrath cast) and get a bonus to healing (+70% after a Wrath Cast) but it’s more controllable and you can actually “cook” it specifically. Like if you know an big AoE is going to hit, just /cast Wrath and the loose a big WG or Efflo or Bloom. Hell, get a huge HT on your tank after a grievous hit.

Anyway, this is all just a “for now” layout. We’re still a ways away from launch so this can (and probably will) change for live.

Do you have a rough idea for your spec? Undecided/waiting for more information? Leave a comment and let me know!

I’ve Discovered The Formula For Getting Loot In LFR

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Niq

Just blow complete ass and all the goodies that LFR has to offer will be yours. I don’t want to seem bitter, but it seems that the not-so-good players are the ones who get the loot in LFR.

The name blotted out in red is the same person. Literally on the bottom of heals and wins the tier piece. The fact that it went to another baddie isn’t what upset me since that happens all the time and it’s LOLFR. No, what burned my ass was the fact that they then decided to use it as a bargaining chip for a DPS trinket.

This may be totally naive since I’ve not been doing LFR very often and I’m only just experiencing the bullshit that everyone else has been enduring for months. I’m pretty sure this jerk normally plays as balance and queued as heals for the fast queue, needed on something he/she didn’t actually need with the intent of utilizing it to trade for another piece.

Just let it go Niq! LFR loot is changing in MoP and you’ll only need to do it to supplement raid gear while progressing. No big deal. /exhale

Now That Summer Is Coming…

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Niq

The growing season (well the initial part) will be slowing down and job 1 will start to dwindle down down down which means that I might have some more time on my hands. It all kind of depends on if job 2 picks up more. Here’s hoping…

Anyway, I have an update on the status of my copied posts. I have contacted the site master dude guy and it seems it was an issue with an SEO. So the ragefest is over.

In other news, I’ve been horridly unmotivated to do like… anything lately so tonight I’m going to invigorate myself and sit down for some beta… and hopefully not crash. I’d also like to remember to record the boss fights. I know like EVERYONE has done it alright, but I’d hate to miss an opportunity to be told I was doing something wrong.

Wish me luck!

Raid Group Of 4 Defeats Spine…

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Niq

of Niqwing. Yep, I totally caved this week and spent like no time on the computer. I did manage to squeeze in some Skyrim but only because my brother wanted to see me “Fus Ro Dah” some stuff off of cliffs, sorry random critters!

There is still some positive to come out of it. My brother has left me with his copy of Harry Potter 7 part 2 so I can finally finish that. He also gave me a pair of shoes. I’d brag about how they’re designer (John Varvatos) and they cost a lot ($140)… but they’re last season so that shit pretty much means nothing. Still, I am glad to have another pair of fancy shoes… that I’ll hardly ever wear… because I never leave my house… except for work…. and I can’t wear them there because job 1 is dirty and job 2 is currently sharing a space with a fish market… and I want my nice shoes neither dirty nor fishy-smelling.

In all seriousness, I am quite happy about the shoes and can’t wait until next weekend to wear them. Apparently my boss for job 2 wants to take us (Stephen [other shirt guy], Whatley [fish store owner guy], Fletch [a friend I guess], and myself) out to dinner so I’ll wear them then.

Anyway, this was just sort of an emo I-didn’t-get-to-do-what-I-wanted-to-do post. Feel free to ignore it and carry about your business while I try and get some time in before I go to sleep. It’s going to be a big day tomorrow!!

Goodnight!