NDA Lifted

mmo-champ announced that blizzard has officially started the cataclysm closed beta testing! everyone knows what this means, right? the NDA has been lifted!

"The Tester Agreement (NDA) has been lifted. Lots of stuff has changed since the testing originally started so there are a lot of new screenshots to take to show all of the updates." - Bornakk

in the coming days and weeks i'll be posting any news of cataclysm companion pets that i can find, including some screenshots. i'm very eager to see what everyone else has discovered on the beta :D

pet of the week will have to be put on hold for now, but with all the hub-bub about the frigid frostling, scorchling, the new (and terrible) loot bag system, and now the NDA being lifted... i think there's going to be enough material to write about for a few months at the very least. heh.

oh and the "rumored" non-combat pet 'withers'? consider it un-rumored. whether or not blizzard will release it come expansion, we'll just have to wait and see.

more on withers and any other new pets in the hours/days to come. stay tuned!

Frost Lord Log: Day 9

Frost Lord Log: Day 9
- frigid frostling. now let's never do that ever again. EVER.

Frost Lord Log: Day 8

Frost Lord Log: Day 8
- never thought i'd say this as a pet collector, but i hope they DON'T add more holiday pets. not as long as this system is around. no frigid frostling.

Frost Lord Log: Day 7

Frost Lord Log: Day 7
- OMG GUESS WHAT?! .... still no frigid frostling.

Frost Lord Log: Day 6

Frost Lord Log: Day 6
- nearly the half way point. still no frigid frostling.

(to quote a friend: "this really is just one big 'fuck you!' to collectors, huh?")

Frost Lord Log: Day 5

Frost Lord Log: Day 5
- not even the damn frostscythe. no frigid frostling.

RNG

i was thinking about RNG and when it's fun for collectors and when it's not. much of this post stems from my sentiment that blizzard is failing to see how hard collectors are willing to work for their companions, and instead is putting us through the hassle and pains of suffering through RNG with only a short amount of time to obtain a pet.

in some cases RNG can be fun or at the very least an interesting aspect of the collecting business. for example: grinding on mobs and wondering when that special item will drop. will it be on the next kill? how about the next one? maybe just one more! or if you just happen to feel going out and trying your luck and surprise, a new friend for you. for situations like these, RNG is pretty acceptable. while your chances and drop rates may vary from high to low, persistence and determination make it guaranteed that you will receive it eventually and in your time. the collector is in control here.

under different circumstances, RNG is more of a stress factor/pain than it is an enjoyable factor of the game. seasonal pets for example. the big word here being "seasonal"; available only for a limited amount of time each year. since there's only a small window to obtain any companions for the holiday, there's a lot of pressure to get the pet as quickly as possible. however with RNG AND a time limit standing in the way, even the most persistent, dedicated and determined collector may be screwed out of their ultimate goal. the collector has no control here.

Frost Lord Log: Day 4

Frost Lord Log: Day 4
- it's really hard to not get your hopes up each run. no frigid frostling.

Pet of the Week - Pengu

this week's pet review is of pengu, the kalu'ak penguin. as soon as i heard this would be a purchasable pet (provided that you have the correct reputation with the kalu'ak faction), i began the rep grind for him. it wasn't too difficult to reach exalted since there are repeatable dailies that just take some time to get to.

why i love it
i absolutely adore his penguin run. when i'm bored i pull out pengu, run around and watch him chase after me with his cute waddle.

another aspect of this companion that i love is when you target him and do /sexy, he may sometimes do a penguin slide! it's not a guaranteed emote like other pets, so there are times when i'm just sitting around dalaran spamming /sexy with pengu out. i'm sure i've annoyed quite a few people just to get him to do his slide. XD

what i would change
when wotlk first came out pengu was THE penguin pet, but unlike his (smaller) brother mr. chilly, pengu had red glossy eyes which made him seem a bit demonic and evil. i loved those eyes! it really made him unique when standing next to the other penguin pet. color me sad when i found out blizzard had plans to exorcise pengu. :( wish they hadn't and i wish they'd change him back.

Frost Lord Log: Day 3

Frost Lord Log: Day 3
- does ahune have pockets? no frigid frostling.