WoW Ironman Challenge Completed, Blue Posts, Fan Art, Curse Weekly Roundup

Diablo 3 - Possible Big Announcement Soon, Magic Find Change, the "Right" Choice, Blue posts, wallpaper

WoW Ironman Challenge Completed
You may remember that a community run challenge became popular a while back which involves leveling to 85 with no deaths, as well as other restrictions. Kripparrian of Turalyon recently completed the Challenge with his Hunter, and Nik had the chance to ask him a few questions about it.


Originally Posted by MMO-Champion
So go ahead, why don't you introduce yourself.
My name is Octavian, I enjoy LCD tanning at my computer desk, newly vegan, and live in Toronto Canada. When I'm not working or cycling, I play online games as Kripp (Kripparrian). I primarily play WoW PvE with Exodus. Before playing WoW, under other alias', I played Dark Age of Camelot for about 7 years, and Diablo 2 HCCL (Hardcore Classic Ladder) on and off.

What inspired you to attempt the Ironman challenge?
I heard about the challenge 3 weeks ago, once it had already become a fairly well known movement. It was clearly created as a non-competitive activity, but the way I see it; if you have a ladder for something -- its competitive. As such, the challenge really appealed to my taste of activity within a game. I thought that if anyone was to complete it, it would be someone like me (as I'm sure many people feel).

Why did you chose Hunter to completed the challenge?
Well, I have played a Hunter for nearly all my time playing WoW. The only other class I know how to play reasonably well is a DK, and they are against the general rules of the challenge. My mains armory can be found here and hunter that I used to complete the challenge here.

How long did it take you and what was the majority of your time spent doing?
My first try was on Feb 12th, and I died at level 23 on the Mor'shan Caravan Delivery quest. I have not done the new Cata quests before this challenge and my inexperience followed by my death caused me to take a more cautious approach until level 60. I made the final character on the 13th and have played as much as I could until yesterday when I hit 85 at 4 days 17 hours 40 minutes played. All my in game time was spent on questing, I did not spend any time with the AH or trades as I felt it would be considered outside help -- although allowed by the rules of the challenge.

Do you think it's even possible to be able to complete it using another class?
I think any class can make it to 85. However, most classes will have to stick it out in WotLK zones and level to 85 with dailies as Cata mobs are brutal. Using the safe daily approach takes a lot more in-game time, leaving your character more prone to mistakes and disconnects. I think the chance of success with this method is about the same for those reasons.

Was there any planning involved regarding it all?
Of course! I really played this challenge to be the first to 85 -- and with others having a several week head start, my strategy was to make it near the top as soon as possible, then begin applying pressure. Last Wednesday (I get Wednesdays off work) I managed to play 14 hours straight;. During this time I leveled from 70 to 79 in one sitting and managed to pass all of the 3-4 of the challengers ahead of me. I was hoping to put a scare on the others near the top, and make them think they're behind, forcing them to play outside of their comfort range. Did it work? I don't know for sure, but when I was at work the next day, everybody else over 70 managed to die off. With this newly acquired 10 level lead, I changed my game plan to being more cautious. When I hit 81 after a couple days, I developed a game plan that I felt was safe enough, while still securing my lead in the challenge, you can check it out here. I had to change my game plan and go to Deepholm in the middle of Vashjir questing because the quest "Looking Forward" bugged, and I was not able to continue the main quest chain.

Any tips for those following in your footsteps and attempt the Ironman Challenge?
Have patience with this, but don't waste your in-game time. You may still see it as a race, as I did, but every action should prioritize security. If you have to use the bathroom, look up a quest, or check on something, log out! Utilize your in-game time only towards leveling, as being logged in just about anywhere has its potential risks -- falling through the world, kill exploits, etc.

Any shoutouts that you'd like to give?
I want to thank all the people participating in the Ironman Challenge for making it such a unique and special experience. Those who have supported it at wowironman.com and the many individuals on The Official Ironman Challenge Thread. I am also grateful for the people that have given me their support and encouragement; the many on the forums, my YouTube subscribers, Taeyeon and Ennuo from Exodus, and my online friend of 10 years Krippie.

Thanks for your time Kripparrian. If you'd like more from him or his guild you can check his Youtube channel or guild website. Kripparrian has also uploaded a video where he talks more in detail about the challenge.



Blue Posts
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
Dev Watercooler - Question about stats
I think this sentence of the blog is important to note: First of all, please note that we actually aren’t making many stat changes compared to the ones we made in Cataclysm.

That doesn't mean nothing is changing with the other stats. But if said changes aren't laid out in Greg's latest blog, chances are the changes aren't as broad in scope.

We'll start digging into the meat of the other stats and how we plan for them to play out in Mists of Pandaria class design soon enough. (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

Naxx Achievement Drakes
In some cases, we like to keep the mounts for those that managed to complete the content when it was at its peak. I think of it as a nod to the effort that went into achieving the task. Isn't it a good thing that, as Kazera said, some things can stay rare? (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

WoW Training Grounds
The WoW training grounds is a max-level training ground with scripted training for each class and each of their specs.
We've discussed a similar idea in the past, and it might be possible to use the technology we're using to build out the Scenarios coming in Mists to make something like this happen at some point in the future. Maybe!

It would be cool. (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

PvP Balance
We are sorry to hear that you feel that we perform sweeping game changes in expansions and that it makes the game more difficult for us to balance; each expansion has come with changes that presented their own unique challenges and we would like to feel that we overcame these with varying degrees of success, but success none-the-less. We are our own harshest critic mind you, and we are not afraid to say that some things did not work out as planned though.

In regards to this particular comment: I think that if blizz instead stopped adding that many spells and instead focused on fixing what we have, not creating something new, then the game would be better.

You have to remember that World of Warcraft is an incredibly complex machine and while we can make small changes and tweaks as we go along, things that affect multiple systems aren’t so simply changed in that way. We do the best that we can to make the minor adjustments wherever possible, but expansions afford us the opportunity to make those larger changes that will help improve and balance the game, and apply the resources we need to do them.

These changes we are making to things such as abilities, talents and other systems are designed to try and create compelling choices and engaging content, for the betterment of both PvP and PvE. We just want to be sure that you know that none of the changes made through an expansion are done on a whim, they are incredibly thought out and made to ensure that the game will be as balanced and enjoyable as possible for everyone come its release.

We have a lot of information that will be coming out over the following weeks regarding Mists of Pandaria, covering both the changes in store for PvP and PvE. We hope that you look forward to reading it as much as we are excited to be bringing it to you! (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

PvP Ignored?
I'm not going to go point by point right now, but I do want to reassure you that we're not ignoring PvP. We're definitely aware of the concerns that players have and like much of the current development, are working on many things for the future of World of Warcraft (as a whole) and Mists of Pandaria. With the press tour coming up in March, we can hopefully be able to get you a better look at what we have planned and how we're planning to address things such as the PvP concerns that people have and have been expressing. I'm not going to promise that we'll "fix" everything that everyone has concerns about because that's not something we can ever guarantee, but we will be keeping a close eye on all of the (constructive) feedback that we expect you will have. We also look forward to when we'll be able to get community members into the beta test (when it occurs) to give it a first-hand look as well.

For those who are falling back to "Next expansion pack will fix it" as a complaint-- The most I can say is that this is the cycle of MMO development. As you also know, we've generally made changes that affect the game as a whole available to anyone regardless of whether they have purchased the new expansion pack or not as well as add content that is available via the expansion. That said though, I'm not making any guarantees of anything at this point in time, but I want the door left open for the possibilities. We'll be doing our best to explain all of this in the near future as I've mentioned.

Will you please confirm that those of us on PvE servers who do not want or care for world PvP will not find themselves forced into PvP...
I can't address these concerns for you right now, but we're aware of them and as I've mentioned in prior posts, we want to make sure what we're doing allows for PvP without infringing on those who are not as interested in taking part. The devil (as always) is in the details, however and we'll make sure to share those details with you all when we can so we can get your feedback. (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

New Race and Class Combinations
Well, we're adding the pandaren and monk in Mists of Pandaria and the monk class will be available to all races save for goblin and worgen, so you could say that, "yes, we're still adding new race/class combos." That said, we want to make sure that when we add things like this that they make sense for the longevity of the game so we can't make any guarantees as to what or how often these will be added into the game. Balancing new classes into the game is a bit more difficult than adding a new race, but there are obviously complexities to both.

Will races will get other classes. Remember how Cata got Human Hunters, Night Elf Mages, Tauren Paladins, etc...?
That too is always a possibility if the developers feel it makes sense, but it would still incur some amount of additional development to make it all fit within the world both in terms of the story and in terms of items/gear. (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

Fan Art Update
The World of Warcraft Fan Art Section has been updated with five new pieces of fan artwork.




Curse Weekly Roundup
Pico is back to catch us up with the news in Minecraft, LoL, Guild Wars 2, Realm of the Mad God, Aion and Borderlands 2.

This article was originally published in forum thread: WoW Ironman Challenge Completed, Blue Posts, Fan Art, Curse Weekly Roundup started by chaud View original post
Published on 2012-03-03 03:50 AM
160 Comments
Comments 159 Comments
  1. Fichek's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by icedwarrior View Post
    According to wowhead, Frostbolt has a base 35 yard range, 40% snare for 9 seconds, 2 second cast time, all untalented. I will concede the fact that I have never attempted to play untalented, grey gear, and any / all of the Ironman rules, so yes, I don't know the mana issues. That said, I see Ice Lance is 6% base, I would think with proper abuse of Frost Nova and kiting with Frostbolt / CoC, it is possible. Timers on CDs are irrelevant; unless you're aiming for world first (which has obviously been done already), what does it matter if the challenge took 5 years? It would be plausible to wait 10 minutes per pull, so long as you achieve the ultimate goal. But, of course, this would just be further ammunition for people to bitch about, and would invalidate the achievement. Somehow. You won't be getting "hit like a truck" if you can successfully kite, but again I have not attempted the Iron Man Challenge. I am merely suggesting that it is possible.

    ...

    Of course I haven't; I'm currently unsubscribed, and I never had the thought "You know what would be fun? Level 1-85 with no deaths, talents, gear, etc". It is a fun idea, and something I would actively pursue if I was. I simply don't have the time anymore to do so, nor do I have the money. I still maintain that mages would be viable candidates.

    Of course not many mages have reached that far, because only 7.6% of the Iron Man Challenge are mages. Compare that to, say, Paladins, which are amazingly almost double the amount. For some reason.

    Either way, kudos to Kripp, hunter or not.
    I just love people like you: "I'm currently unsubscribed, have never done this so i can't talk from personal experience, but please take me seriously as i make a serious suggestion which i will base only on pure speculation and guesswork."
    Yeah. That's. Nice. To say the least. Thank you for that completely useful input on your part. Lemme just get through some points in your post. The thing that you obviously fail to understand is the reliance of a mage class on it's talents and gear. Every spell has a base mana cost, and with no stats on gear that's actually flat mana cost considering the fact that base = actual mana with no gear on. The cost of 1 frostbolt is 13% of that mana. The cost of icelance is 6%. If those two numbers alone aren't enough for you to get a clear picture of things then let me illustrate it for your convenience.

    You will not kill a mob over level 30 with 3 frostbolts, or 4, or 5, or 6, or 7 etc. With base frostbolt damage, you will need 10+ frostbolts (on average, including crits) to down a mob. How much is 13%x10? I leave that to you to figure it out.
    Now let's take icelance into consideration. Icelance costs 2x less than frostbolt, but does half it's damage unless the target is frozen. So, unless the target is frozen, cost to damage ratio of icelance is almost identical to frostbolt. When is the target frozen? Specless mage can only use Frost Nova to freeze enemies. It's a spell with 25sec cooldown and 7% mana cost. So depending on your luck, you may fire off up to 3 icelances on a frozen target before the frost effect breaks which will save up to 3x7% (the difference in cost of 3frostbolts vs 3icelances) - 7% (the cost of Frost Nova) of mana. Which still ends up at more than your entire mana pool for just one mob. Can you grasp now the severity of leveling a mage this way? And this is only on level 30. As you continue progressing, mobs health increases rapidly while base damage of your skills is only slightly enhanced. At certain point, your entire mana pool + evo won't be enough to down even 1 mob. That's where your journey ends. As far as combat is concerned. You could still do dailies if you manage to get to zones that have them, but you won't. So, effectively, finishing the ironman challenge with a mage is impossible. There are no buts and maybes and "it will just take 5years!", it's simply not possible.
  1. russykh's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Senaelanna View Post
    Why would I waste my time killing green mobs to 85? It's stupid. He should have saved his time and hit the gym. PS I'm a legendary player in WoW back when the game was actually good. I can do anything I put my mind to. I rest MY case. LOL. EAT IT.
    In your head maybe. If you were a legendary player people would know you already and you wouldnt have to tell people. The fact that you keep doing so only proves your arent, that and no one knows you. You havent rested anything. It would be like me saying "I can sprint 100m in under 10 seconds, I know I can, therefore I dont actually have to but will act like I did".
  1. mmoc0f4682c0e0's Avatar
    Btw: did noone else notice that the guy who was first to complete the challenge (mad props to him, great skills and patience) didn't actually work by the rules? If you check the forumpost
    us.battle[/url][dot]net/wow/en/forum/topic/4015202822?page=1
    it clearly says that you can't use any professions or secundary skills except for First Aid.

    us.battle[/url][dot]net/wow/en/character/turalyon/Kripparrian/advanced
    however clearly shows that he got part of a fishing achievement BEFORE he dinged 85. Which means he technically didn't follow the rules...
    Not here to bitch about it, because as I said: mad props. But the challenge is still open for the next to complete WITHOUT fishing

    ps: sorry for the crappy links, no rights yet.
  1. DontTakeEmOff316's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Goldenvoid View Post
    Btw: did noone else notice that the guy who was first to complete the challenge (mad props to him, great skills and patience) didn't actually work by the rules? If you check the forumpost
    us.battle[/url][dot]net/wow/en/forum/topic/4015202822?page=1
    it clearly says that you can't use any professions or secundary skills except for First Aid.

    us.battle[/url][dot]net/wow/en/character/turalyon/Kripparrian/advanced
    however clearly shows that he got part of a fishing achievement BEFORE he dinged 85. Which means he technically didn't follow the rules...
    Not here to bitch about it, because as I said: mad props. But the challenge is still open for the next to complete WITHOUT fishing

    ps: sorry for the crappy links, no rights yet.
    You should read through the thread before you post. That has already been cleared up, he completed the challenge following the rules.
  1. mmoc1d1ec1edc2's Avatar
    Did that guy Kripparrian, pee in his pants or what ?


    Quote Originally Posted by DontTakeEmOff316 View Post
    You should read through the thread before you post. That has already been cleared up, he completed the challenge following the rules.
    Proove it... (you can't) Anybody could equip full heirlooms, and remove them once they logout. This challenge is almost pointless, did that guy seriously wet his pants over it ? this sounds like it when you read the "interview"... and the fact there even is an "interview", proove he wasn't the only one to wet himself.
  1. mmoc0f4682c0e0's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by DontTakeEmOff316 View Post
    You should read through the thread before you post. That has already been cleared up, he completed the challenge following the rules.
    You are correct, I appologize. I missed that part of the threat. Once again mad props to him then.
  1. icedwarrior's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Fichek View Post
    I just love people like you: "I'm currently unsubscribed, have never done this so i can't talk from personal experience, but please take me seriously as i make a serious suggestion which i will base only on pure speculation and guesswork."
    Yeah. That's. Nice. To say the least. Thank you for that completely useful input on your part.
    I say that for full disclosure. You know, so I let people know my situation, instead of talking like I've done it ten times and am an expert. I guess I should stop being logical and fair in my arguments, since it hinders my argument. Sigh. What are your qualifications? Have you done it ten times, successfully? No? Okay then.

    Lemme just get through some points in your post. The thing that you obviously fail to understand is the reliance of a mage class on it's talents and gear. Every spell has a base mana cost, and with no stats on gear that's actually flat mana cost considering the fact that base = actual mana with no gear on. The cost of 1 frostbolt is 13% of that mana. The cost of icelance is 6%. If those two numbers alone aren't enough for you to get a clear picture of things then let me illustrate it for your convenience.

    You will not kill a mob over level 30 with 3 frostbolts, or 4, or 5, or 6, or 7 etc. With base frostbolt damage, you will need 10+ frostbolts (on average, including crits) to down a mob. How much is 13%x10? I leave that to you to figure it out.
    Now let's take icelance into consideration. Icelance costs 2x less than frostbolt, but does half it's damage unless the target is frozen. So, unless the target is frozen, cost to damage ratio of icelance is almost identical to frostbolt. When is the target frozen? Specless mage can only use Frost Nova to freeze enemies. It's a spell with 25sec cooldown and 7% mana cost. So depending on your luck, you may fire off up to 3 icelances on a frozen target before the frost effect breaks which will save up to 3x7% (the difference in cost of 3frostbolts vs 3icelances) - 7% (the cost of Frost Nova) of mana. Which still ends up at more than your entire mana pool for just one mob. Can you grasp now the severity of leveling a mage this way? And this is only on level 30. As you continue progressing, mobs health increases rapidly while base damage of your skills is only slightly enhanced. At certain point, your entire mana pool + evo won't be enough to down even 1 mob. That's where your journey ends. As far as combat is concerned. You could still do dailies if you manage to get to zones that have them, but you won't. So, effectively, finishing the ironman challenge with a mage is impossible. There are no buts and maybes and "it will just take 5years!", it's simply not possible.
    Fair enough. As I've said, I haven't considered mana cost, I've been thinking about the abilities and what not. I would, however, like to point out that mages have abilities such as Evocation and Conjure Mana Gem, things that would help in this department. But whatever, it's impossible.

    Regardless, I'm over this conversation. It's pointless when the other side won't entertain anything, and we're not giving credit to Kripp, which this thread should be about. So I'll say it again, kudos Kripp.
  1. mmoc16c59ed6df's Avatar
    I like how he "chose" hunter. So very very lame.
  1. Zardro's Avatar
    Do PvP deaths count? Lol
  1. Tydrane's Avatar
    Love the photobombing Forsaken rogue in the 3rd fanart picture, with the female fire-casting mage.
  1. thatbezoguy's Avatar
    I have an idea. A sort of masochist challenge.

    -All of the rules of the original Ironman challenge
    -You can only play a priest
    -You cannot learn any spells
    -You cannot do any quests
    -You cannot equip any gear
    -You cannot loot anything
    -You must only use unarmed melee attacks
    -Also, while we're at it, you must do it on a PvP server and every 10 minutes must yell "I am doing the Super Iron Man Challenge. Please kill me."
    -Also, you cannot look at your screen or use your fingers.
    -Also, there will be a wolverine in your trousers.

    First person to 85 wins. Gogogogogogogogo.
  1. kazso's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Duncanîdaho View Post
    To be considered part of the challenge there is some ladder out there you get put on, that tracks certain things that are against the rules. He is the first one who did it on the ladder. If not done on the ladder it does not count I believe. If you have not tried it and are thinking its easy, its really hard near the end.
    First: That ladder is fairly new and came long after the release of Cataclysm. IMO the players who completed the Ironman Challenge before the ladder was even avaliable still count.
    Second: The software used for the ladder is still buggy. It disqualified many players (me included) for no valid reasons.

    So being first on the ladder doesn't equal World First. It just means first on the ladder. Nothing more, nothing less.
  1. kazso's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Kripparrian View Post
    The majority of the rules can be enforced by checking the statistics tab. wowironman.com performs this checking service quite well.
    Yeah, "quite well" is the right term, because it's definitely not 100% accurate. My first 2 characters were disqualified for no valid reasons, and after a short break i'm trying the challenge with my 3rd one. If i'm disqualified again, then i will just simply stop. It's pointless to do this challenge, if the software used for the ladder is still buggy.
  1. ZeroWashu's Avatar
    WTG Krip. I know I would try it but in no way would I ever complete it. I am not sure which class I would think best for this but a pet class should theoretically be easier. Probably any class with a good get out of combat move should be easier. Not sure how any mana using class, especially those with heals, survive post 80 with the mana costs.
  1. sved's Avatar
    To everyone that is replying "lol he played a hunter". Not to belittle what he did, but there has to be an easiest and hardest class to play. The rules dont mandate what class to play, only what to do and what not to do and attempt to win.

    If hunters are are the "best" class why didn't other hunters beat him or why we dont see tons of hunters finishing 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th etc? Look at the link I provide, A TON of players are playing a hunter and are 1+ levels behind him.. He obviously put in the most time, effort and had the most skill to finish the challenge.

    So, regardless GRATS TO HIM.

    wowironman check the others.
  1. mmocf9215b94bc's Avatar
    Well done! Grats
  1. Shdwbane's Avatar
    grats well done
  1. mmoc44fce3bd9a's Avatar
    Wasn't part of the challenge to randomly pick a race/class combo?If he chose hunter by himself then...
  1. fallenman's Avatar
    grats on the win
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