WoW = World Peace

I was AFK for almost two weeks over the holidays... which explains why this pally still hasn't beaten HoR! :(

The holidays were packed full of travel, visiting family members, and trying to hide the WoW withdrawal (symptoms include shakes, gazing longingly at anyone holding a laptop, and yelling "Handle it!")

One thing that did surprise me was how much I missed my WoW friends. It was only ten days... and still, I kept wondering how my guildies were doing and thinking about how much this warrior or that DK or that druid would love to hear my funny story about my family's super alcoholic holiday punch.

WoW friendships are a funny thing - I've never met these people in RL, but I spend hours with them just about every night. You get used to spending that time with those people, and when they aren't around, you miss them. One of my former guild masters left the game about six months ago, and I still miss him like crazy - much more than I miss, say, some of my best friends from college who I haven't seen in years.

One of the many, many things I love about WoW is the way it has expanded my world. I've got friends of all ages, all over the world, in all walks of life. I'm an almost-30 woman living in a small town in the Pacific Northwest - there is no other way I would have met a high school student in California, a landscaper in Florida, a semi truck driver who could be anywhere in the lower 48.

And, crazy as it sounds, these friendships from a virtual world make me more connected and engaged with the real world. When General Motors filed for bankrupcy last year, I worried about the mage in Michigan who makes parts for them. Florida had record lows this week, and I was hoping that DK in Tampa didn't have his pipes freeze. When South Korea experienced flooding this summer I sent a letter to the warrior serving in the Army in Dagu to make sure he was ok.

The world is a smaller place since I started playing WoW, and things that happen half a world away effect the people I care about - and effect me, too.

So hey - it could be that the key to world peace is just getting everyone to play World of Warcraft. Because who would start a war if your top tank was living in that country? ;)

Hey baby - nice loot

I've been in my current guild for about six months, and although they are a little hardcore for me (saying "let's cut the chatter" on vent just raises my hackles) the loot rules, at least, seem pretty approachable and straightforward.

We roll for loot. Simple, no?

You can roll on whatever you like for the spec you are currently using in the raid... and if no main spec wants the gear, off spec can roll for it. So I can't roll on that sweet dps sword for my pathetic dps spec unless none of the actual dps-ing players want it.

And that's how we /roll.

But a few days ago someone caused a bunch of drama by insisting that he be allowed to roll on a piece for his off spec. This caused no end of drama - especially when he finally won the stupid bracers and then said "oh, this actually isn't an upgrade for me."

Now the officers (and that includes Girly Pally) are discussing changing the loot system. I'm not familiar with many other loot distribution systems, but we're discussing a points system. You are given points for things like raid attendance, and then you can spend these points on loot.

I've got a friend in one of the top guilds on our server, and not only do they use a point system - he had to be an active, raiding member of the guild for two weeks before he even started accumulating points. Two weeks! That's months in WoW time!!

I can see how a points system would have its perks - but I can also see some major drawbacks. First, I don't think it would resolve the initial problem. If people are going to be jerks, they'll just throw a fit about using their points for their off spec instead of throwing a fit about rolling for their off spec.

Second, and nearer and dearer to my heart, is that this system of rewarding attendance will guarantee that the people who get to play the most get the best stuff. This will hurt certain Girly Pallys who can only seriously raid a few nights a week if they want to stay married and employed.

And... it sounds like a huge hassle! Establishing a system means someone has to be in charge, checking attendance, recording points, and assigning a point value to the loot - in addition to dealing with the drama that's going to arise no matter what.

I suppose it all boils down to a guild's intentions. If the guild is focused on moving up the wowheroes ladder, then it makes sense to have all the gear go to the ten or twelve players who spend the most time online. But if a guild is attempting to be casual and raid (a combination that might actually be impossible) then a points system might not be worth the headache.

I'm very curious to hear about any and all other loot systems! Does your guild do a point system? Does it drive you nuts? Or is everyone happy to just /roll and let it go?

Ugly, ugly armor

Hooray - finally got rid of my Conqueror's Aegis Tunic!

I mean, look at this thing:



Really, Blizzard? I mean, how is a girly pally supposed to be taken seriously wearing that? First of all - how can it be 2348 armor when it doesn't even cover my belly button?

And is that design supposed to be intimidating? Fear me, Horde and undead... fear my giant red bulls eye boobies!

Plus it makes a girl look, well... saggy. Never a good thing.

I was so embarrassed I took to wearing the Tabard of the Argent Crusade everywhere. Even after I was exalted with them.

But now I've got my Turalyon's Tunic of Triumph:



Ahhhh... classy pally! Nice lion's head design, full belly coverage - now I'm ready to kick some butt!