Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Huzzah!

I got it!
It took me so long to get this!  Thanks to the buff, I got my last two Titan Runestones, killed Lei Shen for his heart, and visited all the Celestials for their blessing yesterday, then tried to beat both Chi-Ji and Yu'lon's challenges. I failed, and flailed, and muttered, and stomped away defeated.  I went to WoWhead and read through the comments. I looked up Chi-Ji's challenge on Youtube (thanks Cymre!) and decided to try Yu-lon again later, resigning myself to farming for brews on the Timeless Isle to help me today.

It worked! The first try was a repeat of yesterday's failures. Today, however, I had the help of many people in the Pwny Express Mumble server giving me tips, cheering me on, even laughing at me when I would answer "Busy!" when they asked me what I was doing. Thanks a lot everyone, especially Todd with his great idea of buying the Celestial Offering for the additional buff.

How'd I pass the challenge? I started the fight with my shadow fiend and faded, then when he was about to disappear I summoned a tank and dps to help me, fading when I could, using mind sear and halo to get rid of the blobs, and using my speed enhanced bubble and once even dispersing to keep from losing too much health. During the mirror phase, I used halo and mind sear to quickly get rid of the copies, refreshed any dots when I found him, and used tendrils and fear and....whew! What a crazy fight!

The next quest was easy, as like anyone at this point in the expansion, I have more Timeless Coins than I need. No one was available to help defeat the Celestials, but an hour from then was our normal World Boss Wednesday, and I knew that I would get my chance then, so I "twiddled" around in Blackrock Depths until raid time.

Delgada, Champion of the Horde.
The cinematic on turning in the quest is so great. Delgada was made out to be so much more of a heroine than she ever makes herself out to be. I watched the whole thing, then went outside to take a picture of Delgada on one of the pillars, only to find her tossing fiery stones around, perhaps enchanting her new cloak?

Ruining a photo opportunity.
After I finally got a picture, I was reminded to find an Ordos group before I logged out to get my changes loaded up for Mr Robot. I am so glad I did, because I got a warforged headpiece! I am now ready to do regular raiding with my guild, so long as I have the time, which I have for about a month and a half more. Yay!

Ordos!
Now, all that is left is to defeat Garrosh and turn in the quest from the last time I defeated him (that'll teach me to leave before looking at my quest log!). Delgada will have, for once, completed a whole expansion before it was over!

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Rogue Zoo Deck

I am finding I like my games to be fast in Hearthstone.  Like my shaman deck, this deck is full of low cost, low health minions, BUT, it's a rogue deck, which means it has combos. Combos are fun! I have some cards that act like combos in here too, because they are fun! Fun is really all I am after, and this deck really gives me some giggles, win or lose. Here, let me show you my latest loss.

2 Mountain Giants and a Molten Giant? Save, or strategy?

Wow. I'm not super high on the ladder (rank 20 represent!), but even so I am seeing some great combinations. Frothing Berserker and Whirlwind on my 5th turn was really damaging. Here's the shameful look at that loss.

He had already hit me for 11 with the same Frothing Berserker. OUCH!

These are both reasons to stop playing my zoo decks. But I love them!!  Here are some more reasons not to play babies without some protection.

Forever Young. Mages are cruel.
Guess the secret?  
I may not have got to keep all those cute little babies with fun quirks, but they were fun while they were out!  Here is my deck list.



The name is silly, I know. It's "on crack" because I managed to get my hands on two Headcrack spells., and thought to myself, "Self, a combo driven rogue deck would be so fun!" By turn 3, if I have a zero pip card, I am tossing it in at every opportunity. The fun part happens when I have both in my hand. If I get to turn 7, which by then they are either really close to dead or it is a loss, I can toss out a 1 pip minion and ping them twice. It plays even better if a Kobold Geomancer or two is up for extra damage.

So, there you have it, my fun for the week. You'll find me struggling to get past 18, with or without this deck. Do you have any suggestions? I'd love to hear your thoughts!  Until then, I'm ShawndraKai#1996, and hope to hear from some of you in game!

After a little thought, I decided Sap(2) and the Argent Squire(1) were not necessary, but Shadowstep(1) and Backstab(2) were.  Your mileage may vary :D

The day after I wrote this I bought a pack and got an SI:7 Agent. Why would I not want this one in my hand? So I replaced one of my Sunfury Protectors. I think this is a better card, due to the combo, because, rogues play combos, and this is a cheap card. YAY!

Friday, May 30, 2014

Maleficent Transmog.

My take on Maleficent.

I probably have never mentioned this, but I am a member of a few WoW Facebook groups.  My favorite is Gaming Mommies Play WoW. It's a fun group, and the admins have put together some successful fun runs on both sides of the conflict. You don't have to be a mom to be part of the group, you just have to keep your chatter as clean as possible and play nice.

Anyhow, to the point of this post. They are having a contest, prize to be determined, to make a cloth transmog using MogIt of Maleficent. I put the above outfit together.  I don't have a blood elf high enough to wear it! Still, I think it is a close interpretation.

Crafted Malevolent Gladiator's Mooncloth Helm
Mantle of Electrical Charges
Auchenai Death Shroud
Drakewing Raiments
Lifedrainer's Sordid Grip
Contender's Silk Belt
Prideful Gladiator's Treads of Cruelty
Foamspittle Staff

side view

back view
Does anyone know if the helm clips this way in game as it does in MogIt?  It's the only part of this mog that bothers me. Well, not the only part.  I would like to have had a cloak that was less cape like, or even one that looked like folded wings.  The shoulders are my attempt at giving her wings without being too obvious. Does anyone else think it fitting that her robe is draconically named?

So, there she is. Perhaps you would like to enter?  The contest runs until Monday at noon Central Time, with the winner being selected around 6 the same night. Come join me and the Gaming Mommies!  I'm sure you will love it there as much as I do.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

My Shaman Buffs Murlocs.

Three Fabulous Prizes for Three Wins!
MURLOCS!

I have been limping along with an almost done shaman murloc deck for a while now, and I really wanted a legendary that I didn't get because I went somewhere or bought something. I have been following the advice of someone out there that mentioned that there is more bang for your coin in arena than in just buying a pack. So, I had a smallish stack of dust from rewards and a few extra cards that were disenchanted.  I went to Hearthhead to see which murlocs I was missing from my deck, and I was only missing the Coldlight Seer. I had enough dust to make him and get the achievement, which gave me Old Murk-Eye! Here's my deck. I'm no expert, but this is so fun to play when the cards draw right!


The murlocs are easily explained, because this is a theme deck. I chose Lightning Bolt for taking out low health raptors and Earth Shock to silence annoying taunts and abilities. Hex is awesome for taking care of the really nasty cards. Buffs help with the army, because most of them are low damage dealers alone. The Master Swordsmith is more fun than useful, putting a little RNG into buffing, where Windfury and Rockbiter Weapon help buff a single specific minion to maximize damage and help in board clearing. Bloodlust is great when I have placed a small army on the board. I have my other legendary, Elite Tauren Chieftain, out for the RNG chance of getting the I Am Murloc card. The Shattered Sun Cleric could easily be swapped for a Raid Leader for more group damage. I like her because she gives one of my low health annoying minions a little health boost with the damage.

Any of you that play Hearthstone regularly see anything I can do to make this deck better? I don't have many legendaries ( I can see how Gelbin Mekkatorque could be a useful addition, if he played nicely). I welcome your comments!


On a slightly related note, there is this neat-o card back you can get for playing with more than 2 real people in a shared wireless area. I have that many in my house, but I wanted to do it with lots of people, so I mentioned it on our Inland Empire WoW Meetup Facebook page. Our fearless leader thought it was a great idea, so I scheduled an event, listed in the Liquidhearth's forums and pending listing on their event list. When is it? It's Friday the 9th of May at 6:00 Pacific at the Panera Bread in Redlands, California. The details are in the forum post, if you or someone you know wants in on the fun. We'd love to see you there!

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Flattered.

For me? I'm so flattered!
Repgrind nominated me for a Liebster award. And then, JD from Amateur Azerothian nominated me, too! Yay! What is a Liebster award?  Well, it's like a chain letter. Here's 11 questions, list 11 facts about yourself, nominate several people for the award yourself and give them 11 questions to answer.  I always wanted to do that one where people send hot pads or kitchen towels, because how cool would that be? You send one person a towel and send of 10 letters telling them to send you one each, and they do the same, and noone spends more than the amount of one towel and everyone gets a lot! Oh, sorry, got sidetracked, but what this does is lets people who read other blogs see who was nominated and let them try out something new. So, if you came here from Reputation Grind or Amateur Azerothian, thanks for stopping by! If you haven't heard of them yet, go visit! Here's the questions Repgrind sent me.

1. Are you a screenshot taker? How many do you have? Post one of your favorites.

I take a lot of screenshots. Unfortunately, I don't back up all the ones I take, and only have what I have shared on my blog. I recently got a new computer, so all my screenshots are still on my laptop, gathering dust in a corner of my bedroom. Of the ones I have on my blog, I love them all. Still, some of my very favorites are the ones my hubby is in with me, because I love playing with him. Here is one that was posted on WoW Insider


Delgada and Sinnerman, reenacting a wedding?

2. How did you get started playing WoW?

My guild at the time was playing Star Wars Galaxies, and after the many changes they had made, we wanted to stay together, but the game was not home anymore. Several suggested WoW, and that is where we went. I'm still here, on a different server, and there are still some of the guild remaining, but the guild is pretty much gone.


3. What is your favorite instance and why? This can be a raid, dungeon, or scenario.

For the ambiance, I love Scholomance. Karazhan is also a huge favorite. If I can stay behind and play tourist afterward, there are many I like to explore in. Zul'Gurub was my favorite to raid in, the first time it came out. I can't go back without feeling the loss.


4. If you could leave the Horde/Alliance and join another faction, which one would you join?

A separate faction?  Tough question. I love the Horde for making their way in the tough places, be it as strangers to the planet or peoples brought to the brink of extinction, or forced into their plight and shunned by the ones they lived with. I was very upset with the path Garrosh plowed for us, and was so happy when Vol'jin was named his successor. I'd never want Delgada to have to leave them.

Now, I have always loved exploring, and the Explorer's League is pretty awesome. If I could be a part of their faction, and neutral to the others, that would be a great thing! It'll never happen, of course, but this is what if!


5. What is your favorite battle pet?

Electrified Razortooth

I about squealed when I saw him on the Isle of the Thunder. When I got him, he became my go-to pet for most battles, and not because of abilities, though he has good ones. Sparky is my boy, and I love him so much, he is one of less than 10 pets I have named.


6. What in-game item do you want the most but haven’t gotten yet?

You know that saying, you don't know what you've got until it's gone? Well, I had bits of the items needed to put together Benediction/Anathema in my bags when they made the announcement that it was no longer in the game. I still have the Eye of Divinity in my void storage.


7. What class have you never quite been able to level/not gotten the hang of?

Shaman confuse me. I have a level 70 something shaman, but she sits there, unused. Recruit a friend was fun, just not really something that helps me learn a class well. Maybe if I try again?


8. Were you happy with MoP? What was your favorite thing/least favorite thing about the expansion?

Mists of Pandaria is a beautiful expansion. I was able to do things I've not been able to in a long time, like raid, gear up others beside my main, and have time to do nothing but farm if I wanted to. I still have many things to do, and am not in a hurry at all for the next expansion. My favorite thing from this expansion? It has to be transmogrification. My least favorite thing? The Timeless (waste of time) Island. I cringe to think of the many more hours I still have to get to exalted with Shao-hao because I must have that mount. *cry*


9. Are you looking forward to WoD? Why/why not?

Warlords of Draenor coming means I get about a month or two of my hubby playing with me, which is definitely something to look forward to. I tried to entice him back with a huge flying robot mount, which was just finished yesterday, but unless he transfers a character over or uses a boost, that mount will be in Shawndra's bags until WoD.


10. Who is your favorite faction leader?

I have to pick one? I play undead, and so I love Sylvanas. But, I love my trolls, too, as that was my first character ever, and so I love Vol'jin. Cairne was awesome, and I love that I can visit Baine and see the mace that was given to him by Varian. Lor'themar has had a lot of story happen for him this expansion, but he has a lot to go before he becomes a favorite. I guess if I have to choose one it would be Vol'jin, with the Dark Lady as an extremely close second.


11. Do you collect transmog gear?


Yes. If I am in any dungeon, raid, or even out in the world and I pick up something, I try it on. If it looks good and I can wear it, I keep it. If it looks good but is the wrong armor class or shows too much bone for Del, I send it off to Bittsee to sell. If I don't think it looks good at all, I disenchant it right on the spot. My void storage is full, my bank is full, and I really need more room!

Thanks for the questions, Rep! Here are the questions from JD.

  1. Presume you blogged regardless.  If it wasn’t World of Warcraft/MMO’s, what would your blog be about?
I toyed with the idea of writing a mommy blog. You know the type, where the mom tells funny little stories about her family and shares tips on cleaning, saving money, and how to take care of "insert childhood malady here". I even made the header, and posted one or two posts on it. I am a little sad at myself for letting it go, because with as many teenage girls as I have, I have a lot of stories to tell. Here, you can see the banner. Just, please, don't go look at the page. it is very, very sad.
Things have changed a lot since I drew this.
2.Out of all the Caverns of Time, which one do you enjoy the most?  The least?

Old Hillsbrad Foothills, hands down. There is so much to see and do in there. Patterns to buy, conversations to overhear, a sombrero you can loot that summons a dog...

3.Is there a class in WoW you just can’t bring yourself to like?

I guess this is where I hate on shaman again. Really, It's not hate, not even dislike, it's more of a misunderstanding is all. All those totems are a little intimidating.

4.Are you a board gamer, or a pen & paper gamer…or just video games?

Card games and board games happen in my household sometimes. Our favorite is Monopoly, though honestly I don't know why. Most of the time people leave the game sore, tired, and mad. We also love playing a card game call Car Wars. I don't think it is still in production, but it is great fun! Once in a while when my siblings share days off we'll put together and impromptu Scrabble game. Last time we had two games going, with mom and hubby and a kid along, and did a final match where the winners on each board went head to head. Some of my favorite memories are sitting over a folding card table trying to fit a piece into a puzzle that had been going for days. Can't do things like that here, for obvious reasons.

5.What would you like to see Blizzard grant the Warcraft license to?

Can you imagine a Warcraft TV series? Hubby suggested that. I'm all for a Warcraft lunch box and thermos to sit next to my Mickey Mouse Club and Holly Hobbie boxes.

6.What racial leader would you follow into battle, no questions asked?

Well, since Thrall is out, who does that leave? I'm not sure I know Vol'jin enough to follow blindly, and I know the Dark Lady is no saint. Even the goblins don't trust Gallywix! Lor'themar? Baine? Too many unknown factors there. Varian is too hot headed. The Iron Council is still too shaky. Gelbin Mekkatorque is too crafty to trust easily. Velen is a pretty fair minded fella, and Tyrande too, but they are Alliance, and Delgada can only admire them from very very far away. I guess that leaves nobody. 

7.Many people point to Wrath as the pinnacle of the game.  If you were introducing someone to WoW for the first time, what would you show them outside of that expansion?

I guess it depends on the person. If they are looking for great looking graphics I would, assuming I get a two seater by then, would fly them around Pandaria, especially to the Arboretum, that neat bog area in the Dread Wastes, and under the Kypari trees in Townlong Steppes. With the graphics on high, the colors in these areas pop, and the attention to detail (like the sap droplets in Townlong) is amazing. Oh, and I would take them to see the Sha of Anger in Kun Lai Summit if he was up, because!!!   

If they were looking for challenging game play and I couldn't drag them into a raid, I would probably take them to the Timeless Isle (if they wouldn't die) just to see how the mobs can keep a person on their toes. If they were just looking over my shoulder I might try to run LFR Siege of Orgrimmar wing 2, mostly because that is the furthest I have gone, and it is still hard for me.

8.What’s your proudest WoW moment?

As much as I really dislike doing it, I guess my biggest moment was tanking Prince Malchezzar in Karazhan when KNR was still raiding together. I was really nervous and I think I ground a layer of enamel off my teeth learning the fights, but I am happy I did it. I haven't tanked since, but am gathering gear again "just in case".

9.Gold: Rich beyond words, enough to get by comfortably, or always needing to generate it for repairs?

I used to hang out in the "OMG where am I going to get the gold to repair?!" until recently. Now I'm closer to comfortable. I'd love to have so much gold that I could buy anything. Any sugar daddies out there? Hubby?

10.What about Hearthstone?  Yes?  No?  Or the other common answer of “I hate this #&$^ game!”

Yes! I've only put 2.99 into it and it is obvious by the way I was murdered earlier tonight with a deck full of legendaries. Still, I'm slowly trying to get up the rank ladder. I play stupid strategies though. Like this one...
I keel you wit a sheep. Baaaaa!
11.If World of Warcraft was gone when you wake up in the morning, what would be your fondest memory?

Sneaking into Ironforge with Hubby and Baz on our rogues, killing the auctioneers. Watching Hubby play "What's in the boss' pockets?". Running for the instance portal when Hubby finds out the boss doesn't have pockets. Twinking out level 39 characters and owning Arathi Basin. Twinking out level 19 toons and owning Warsong Gulch. Passing plague around in Orgrimmar after a fun run in Zul Gurub. Finding a new home in Pwny Express. Meeting people who play WoW everywhere, and hanging out with some of them at our meetup group. Blizzcon! I have too many great memories, and am glad I have a place to write them down here.

 Now, to nominate some others. Hmmm. Frankly, I'm at a loss. I waited too long? I have been working on this for a week now, and had to go back and add more because, I waited too long! So, I'm calling out our fearless meetup group leader who needs something to start up with, and one other.


  • Adoree at Adoree's Adventures. 
  • You! Why? Because you haven't done it enough? Because you haven't done it yet. Because I'm lame and I'm not following you (and I should!).
Here are eleven questions for the lucky winners to answer.

1) What is your favorite game? Don't limit yourself. Pen and paper, tabletop, console, computer, even the local pizza place cabinet are all contenders!
2) Do you read? Tell me about your favorite book/series.
3) I know you are creative. Tell me about the last thing you made, in game or out. 
4) What zone has your favorite music? 
5) We all have to eat. Does your favorite food have an in game equivalent? Oh, I want the recipe, the real world version!
6) What ability out of everything in the game would you want that your character doesn't have? 
7) Do you have a game you play when your usual title is frustrating, boring, or overwhelming?
8) Do you have Steam? How many games haven't you played that you bought?
9) PVE or PVP?
10) What has been your favorite quest or quest chain?
11) Is your character anything like the real you?

Here are the rules, in case you need them. Feel free to steal the art I stole and use it on your site for your post, too!



Now, I read somewhere that I have to give 11 tidbits about myself here.

1) My daughter is in the hospital right now going through the middle stages of labor. I could be a grandma (again) by morning or sooner!
2) As I sit here typing and eating Salt and Pepper chips, I remember that I have lost 10 pounds in the last 3 months. I better put them away.
3) It has taken me 19 years and 7 kids, but I can finally say that I am now a soccer mom!
4) I have pirate flags as curtains in my living room windows. They weren't my idea, but after seeing those kids with their fund raising form deliberately walk on the other side of the street to not knock on my door, I'm sold.
5) Posting random things on social media accounts that were left open to me makes me giddy.
6) One of my real world happy places is the swap meet near my house. For a buck and 2 quarters, I can get some new jewelry and enjoy some great people watching.
7) I procrastinate...a lot. Oh, wait, you probably already knew that.
8) I am addicted to the Tiny Tower app on my phone. My tower has 181 floors. No, make that 182!
9) I speak Spanish fluently, but play dumb around the people I work with.
10) My white hairs have grown into a nice Rogue streak. My latest dye job has lasted a long time because of this new ombre thing.
11) My favorite cat was named Tommy. Hubby's name is Tommy. His last wife and several girlfriends were named Jennifer. This may have been meant to be...

Thanks again for the nominations! I'll pop in again soon to write a post wholly of my own, maybe a Blog Azeroth topic even. As you can tell by reading the random facts about me, I've been busy. Until then, kick some sand in one of the Dark Shaman's faces for me!