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World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade
Published by: Vivendi Universal |
World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade - Game Review (PC)
By Emanuel Avram
Published: March 13, 2007
Print After the tormenting work of getting the latest Add-Ons I use / disabling the ones that don't work, I finally got in the game, and on my way to Nethergarde Keep in the Blasted Lands, around where the Dark Portal is located. Apparently you need to be level 58 or higher to enter, but I haven't checked, my character was already 60.
After you pass by the ganking around the Dark Portal, you will find yourself in the middle of a battle – demons fighting against alliance and horde NPCs. It's huge! The other side of the portal I mean! The first impulse is to go forward and get involved. I won't spoil the moment for you. After you come to your senses and resurrect, you will notice the dot on the map to saying “quest”. The quest show you a flight path to the main town in this area: Honor Hold. Once you get there, your story in the Outlands starts.
Although game engine is the same, there is significant improvement in the graphics. Everything is more detailed, and worked out more. The architecture on most new places is brilliant, and everything is “built” in a way that it seems massive and imposing. I also saw some frame increase that suggests a bit of engine optimization. The animation of the new characters and monsters is complex and amazing, and everything seems really alive – a job well done!
The interface is a bit changed here and there, adding cast bars for your enemy to see what's he casting and how long does it have until he's finished, more statistics on the character screen, and a new Looking for Group tool, which comes in handy. They could of done more, but then again, they could of done less. The thing that makes the interface extremely powerful is the possibility to create addons for it. So many addons with different functionality make it very customizable for every taste.
As I've seen, people who bought the expansion have gone two ways: either they chose to create a new character (especially one of the new races) or continue with the level 60. I will try to cover as much as I can from both these aspects, starting with the new races.
Bone Dragon anyone?
The Draenei (Alliance)
The noble Draenei have crashed on an island South of Darnassus with their mighty ship “The Exodar”. When they heard the heroic battles that the Alliance fought against the Burning Legion, they decided to join them and help out. I won't insist much on the story/lore, but I will point you out to the official website so you can read more if you are interested.
In order to bring “balance to the force” and in the game, Blizzard decided that the Draenei can be Shamans, and consequently the Blood Elf - Paladins. While the lore fans were again totally against it, and the story on how they came to know those classes is indeed a bit “light”, it is indeed true that the game is more balanced now. And besides, it saves blizzard the trouble in designing new classes. Thus, when you create a Draenei it can be a Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Priest, Shaman or Mage.
The Draenei are robust, have demon-like legs and horns, and some Blizzard fans claim they resemble Protoss. It is true that they bring a certain Sci-Fi aspect to the game - crystal decorations can be found everywhere in the new Draenei areas. By the way, they start on an island south of Darnassus, where the Exodar, the mothership crashed. Ok now to the important part: dances! Female Draenei don't dance that well, but the males look really cute. First, check out the dance moves carefully here. Then check out the music video here. Finally try this out.
Good! Now that that's done, we can go back to more boring stuff.
Racial Traits
Gemcutting - passive - Jewelcrafting skill increased by 5.
Gift of the Naaru - active - Heals the target 50 + 15/Level over 15 sec - 40 yd range - 1.5 sec cast - 3 min cooldown.
Inspiring Presence - passive - (Mages/Priests/Shaman only) - Increases chance to hit with spells by 1% for you and all party members within 30 yards.
Heroic Presence - passive - (Hunters/Paladins/Warriors only) - Increases chance to hit by 1% for you and all party members within 30 yards.
Shadow Resistance – passive - Shadow Resistance increased by 10.
Other Information
Start Location: Azuremyst Isle
Home City: Exodar
Racial Mount: Elekk
Available Classes: Hunter, Mage, Paladin, Priest, Shaman, Warrior
While Gemcutting isn't the most brilliant trait (it helps though), every other trait makes Draenei a really good choice. Gift of Naaru means a healing ability for Warriors, Hunters and Mages, and another healing available for Priests and Shamans, without any additional cost (no mana/rage, just 1.5 sec cast time). Inspiring/Heroic Presence makes Draenei really wanted in parties, and the Shadow Resistance was one of the best thing for raids or PvP they could get. Not to mention they are the only alliance race that can be Shamans.
They make great Priests because they have Fear Ward (first fear attack is absorbed), and an ability to restore 33 mana every 5 seconds to every party member within 30 yards. Gift of Naruu is another heal over time, with no mana. Gift of Naruu also makes Draenei good Warriors and Mages, because these classes don't normally have a heal ability.
The Draenei mount is the Elekk, some sort of an elephant... looks... interesting.
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must have rogue macros
must have priest macros
must have mage macros
must have druid macros
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