Illumination

Stormherald!

2008-02-01T08:51:00.000-08:00

Stormherald
Binds when picked up
Unique
Two-Hand Two-Hand Mace
386 - 579
DamageSpeed 3.80(127.0 damage per second)
+42 Strength
+61 Stamina
+42 Agility
Requires Level 70
Requires: Master Hammersmith
Chance On Hit: Stuns target for 4 seconds.

While clearing Void Reaver trash, my last Vortex dropped. I quickly returned to Ironforge where I crafted it, and had Executioner enchanted to it. It was truly an excellent night, and I can't wait to test it out some more.

2 Weeks?! Gah!

2008-01-30T06:14:00.000-08:00

Don't know how many viewers I have, but I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while.

Went into SSC last night, after getting my Fel-Steel Warhelm off of Voidwalker the other night. We downed Lurker, got a LOT of Paladin loot off him, and proceeded to attempts on Morogrim Tidewalker where the raid leader and I AoE'd the Murlocs to hell. On our third attempt ever, we got him down to 29%! The only reason we wiped is because our healers ran out of mana. It's a very heal-heavy fight seeing as that giant hits so hard, along with the 12 murlocs.

Right before we go to the Tidewalker, while downing some trash, a Vortex dropped and to my surprise: it went to me! 4/5 to go for Stormherald!

Retribution in SSC

2008-01-16T06:20:00.000-08:00

Last night was amazing. I got to go Ret for SSC.

We cleared trash very nicely, with very few accidental deaths due to diseases from the Bog Lords and the like. When we got to Hydross though, things just went down hill from there. But besides that...

I was pushing some numbers up to 3k with Avenging Wrath. My threat was high, which I hope means more damage (had to hold off a lot during the beginning of transitions simply because of crit strings). Average crits were around 2200, and non crits were around 1k. I didn't get to see any damage meters, but I don't think I should be too low or too high. I really need to get some meters, because I don't even know my DPS.

We didn't down Hydross, and we should have. I wish we had done Lurker first, though, as that fight would have reflected a good fight for a Ret Paladin more than Hydross.

Hidden Nerf!

2008-01-11T08:06:00.000-08:00

Apparently, Blizzard has nerfed Paladin Judgements. No longer are we able to cast a judgement while under the effects of Blessing of Pretection or Divine Protection (Not including Divine Shield). Blizzard has now come out and said this, and apparently they refer a judgement to fall under melee attacks, even though a JoRighteousness or JoCommand falls under spell damage and is affected by spell hit, spell damage, and spell crit.

I have tested this out for myself, and although I can Consecrate and Holy Shock, I am in fact unable to judge anything. This is quite unsettling and undeserved. Although a defensive ability, Blessing of Protection was a great tool against rogues and warriors. Hopefully, this will be rightfully mended, and we can go back to judging anytime we want... as long as we're not Cycloned, feared, sheeped seduced...

Hydross Boiled

2008-01-10T07:46:00.001-08:00

After 4 or 5 attempts, the Fires successfully burned out Hydross and gave us his Duke lewtz.

Robe of Hateful Echoes, Brighthelm of Justice, and Living Root of the Wildheart.

Me and another Paladin also got the trash drop boots. I was really surprised they dropped twice, let alone having two different drops.

Will be posting a Paladin related update soon, no worries. Just a lot's been going on progression wise, and haven't had time to mess with Volfmir.

A Very Good Day

2008-01-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

This week has so far turned out nicely for a number of us at FoT. A few nights ago, we dropped Magtheridon for our first time after only 2 nights of attempts. We recieved the mail DPS belt, the Soul-Eater's Handwraps, and two hunter, mage, warlock chests.

Yesterday, I picked up my Vengeful Scaled Leggings and slapped a 50 AP kit onto it. That same day, I got the last nether I needed for my Deep Thunder, and then immediately hearthed to Shattrah and forged it. Soon, blood was dripping from my mace and I was ready to do battle!

But that would not be the case. Instead, we did SSC and dropped Lurker. I got the Breastplate of Glowing Truth, our main spirit-whore priest got his earring, and we did Hydross attempts. 34% isn't too bad if you ask me for a boss we've never attempted before.

Liven up a little!

2007-12-21T08:51:00.000-08:00

Well, after reviewing some of my posts, I realize that this blog is kind of boring, plain, and almost void of life. Therefore, we should Holy Shock a little life into this blog by adding some more personal stuff about my WoW-adventures, besides just links to builds, advice, and my complaining.

I respecced Retribution this morning, PvP style, and entered my first EotS in weeks. My heart was pounding as I entered the battle ground and 'Walk' by Pantera popped up on iTunes. Gorehowl was bloody as ever, maybe even more as it had been a while since it last tasted some orc flesh. As I was buffing, it started, and I hopped on Petunia my Charger.

"im going to BE, anyone?" appeared at the bottom of my screen, and I directed my horse down the rocks to a gentle landing. I knew what to do. Alongside a season 3 priest, a season 1 warrior, and a mage with some odd gear, I raced my way across the desolate ground and over the bridge. Surprisingly, there was little defense, and I cut a down a rogue that attempted to surprise the mage. It felt good to have that heft in my hands, Gorehowl spraying blood across the ground as the orc crumpled and faded.

The tower was ours! And every single Ally was up. Soon, we had a three cap, and things were going well with two nicely executed flag runs. But the Horde would not stand for this, and in a classic maneuver, zerged the broken Fel Reaver. We lost bases, the Horde lost bases, and the score began to even out, with the Alliance at the lead. There was so much chaos that eventually both factions were down to one base. That's when we stepped it up. Snatching up three of the four bases, I charged the center and nabbed the flag right before the rogue behind me tore through my armored chest piece and rended my back with a cruel dagger. As I turned to cut him down, I was amazed to see that same mage who I had saved earlier had frost bolted the rogue and shattered his body into a thousand little pieces. I was not pursued as I triumphantly ran the flag to the Mage Tower, setting us in place for the win. Only a few seconds had passed when the 'Victory!' stats page appeared before me. Second in damage done, behind a Grand Marshall hunter from the same server as me, and 3 in killing blows, behind that same hunter and a Tauren warrior.

As I marched down to the bank to deposit my marks, I felt emboldened. Petunia came to my side at a whistle, and I rode off. Today was going to be a fine one...

Comparison on Healers

2007-12-20T06:15:00.000-08:00

I will admit that although I have not played any other healer over level 40 before, I believe that Paladin healing is the the hardest healer to play because we lack any HoT, AoE heal, or any useful instant cast. I really noticed this on things like the Void Reaver fight. There's so much movement, and although there is time to cast heals, it would be much easier if we had a HoT where we we could heal on the run.

I'm not complaining too much. All healers have their ups and downs. Paladins are considered the most mana-efficient and longest-lasting healer out there, and also the most durable when it comes to a mob running wild amongst the raid, and we can take a couple of hits. But I think that even though we have those, it would make sense to me to give Holy Shock a DoT/HoT component, or some other thing that gives us an instant cast heal. At this moment, I have used Holy Shock as a heal only 4 times, and I've been raiding for quite some time now.

Vroom Vroom!

2007-12-18T07:29:00.000-08:00

Sweet dreams, Void Reaver! Your ass is grass.

On our second attempt, Fires of Tirisfal successfully downed Void Reaver last night even with the early loss of one tank and a healer.

We got a leather healing belt, and two Hunter, Mage, Warlock shoulder tokens.

Onto Solarian!... (After we slay Gruul again.)

Lurker Drowned!

2007-12-17T06:12:00.000-08:00

On 12/13/07, Fires of Tirisfal successfully gaffed Lurker for our first kill on him!

Yes, he is the easiest boss of SSC, but it shows that even though a new guild, we're still capable of stuff without having to learn each other like most have to.

A DPS melee ring, a caster PvP ring, Shammy healing boots, and Plans: Boots of the Protector dropped.

Keep up the good work, Fires! Let's shutdown Void Reaver tonight!

PvP

2007-12-05T06:56:00.001-08:00

PvP to me in Battlegrounds is a lot of fun, but only as Retribution. I for one cannot stand dueling or PvP (Besides Arenas) as Holy. Kudos to all of you healers who do it.

When I do go Ret, I'm always torn between what talents to choose. But I always pick up Imp. BoM (There really is no point in saving a little mana through Benediction when you can get the equivalent of 22 extra strength). Vindication is Godly now, and PoJ really shows its worth, namely by the way I can be mounted and not really have to worry about having Crusader on over Sanctity. Eye for an Eye can be helpful, but it's usuallt the last talent I put points in.

Crusade and Imp. Sanctity Aura truly are for PvE purposes. That extra whatever % isn't going to show up much when you're in those short fights. It's mostly for PvE purposes (Also, when is anyone in your group EVER close by?). I will basically go 5/0/56, as with my 100 hit rating I surpass the standard 5% hit by an extra point. I put 5 points in Holy for the strength talent, which adds about 108 AP to my stats.

For the second tier, I always pick up Imp. Judgement. Because of my libram, the more judgements the more AP I have during the course of a battle.

http://wowdigger.com/talent/view/2/050000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000050023003513200030100530313005000100

Here is the build I use, but it can easily be tweaked by taking points out of Deflection or Benediction and tossing them into Spiritual Focus. It's up to you, though. I find that bubble-healing is truly the best way to heal for a Retribution Paladin, rather than trying to heal while under attack.

Contact Me!

2007-12-03T08:38:00.000-08:00

Hey again.

Wanted to let the word out that I am looking to increase Paladin spec-knowledge, and Paladin talent/spell information.

Rather than waiting on a message board or getting snide comments on the WoW Forums, send an e-mail to me: pcyr125@gmail.com with your questions! I will provide same day answers on all Paladin related material! (Unless it's a Holiday)

I want to help Paladins worldwide, whether they be Marshals or Privates. In my view, it is my contribution to all the people that helped me on my path to 60, then 70.

Some specs

2007-11-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

Been playing with some Holy specs on a calculator at home, and wanted to post a few on here. The computer I'm at right now is acting funny and won't let me see and calcs, but I'll see what I can do.

Raid Whore(AKA BuffBot): This build is focused purely on raiding, and picks up almost every improved buff a Paladin can get their hands on, Sanctuary not included. Even while picking up all necessary talents to maximize healing, it leaves 3 points to be played with (which I put in Blessed Life).

http://wowdigger.com/talent/view/2/005005003102052001300050313005000100050032001000000000000000000000000000050000000000000000000000000000000000

Soloing Holy(AKA Shockadin): With the addition of the healing--> spell damage conversion, it is possible to pick up a very strong Shockadin set, and keep all the survivability of a healing Paladin. This one allows a Paladin to solo very effectively as Holy, while letting them still be viable healers in raids and groups.

http://wowdigger.com/talent/view/2/005005503002052001001050010005000000000000000000000000000000000000000000005023002503000000100000000000000000

Arena Healer: This is a build that I'm still tweaking to be used for Arena Healing, with points in Protection for Improved Righteous Fury for the damage reduction and Improved Concentration Aura to make those painful silences easier.

http://wowdigger.com/talent/view/2/005005003002051001300050311005000100005002050300203000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Holy, and its rewards

2007-11-20T08:51:00.000-08:00

Ah, 2.3. What a great day to be a healer. In case you haven't seen the patch notes, or haven't played in the past couple of weeks, I'll fill you in: apart from many of the changes implemented in 2.3, now one-third of all healing power will be converted to spell damage.

While wielding Gorehowl, I have about 514 damage, and a little more than 1k healing. With my current spec, I swing (With Imp. SoR) for around 800. Half and half, at that.

I don't usually pick up Improved Seal of Righteousness, but figured I'd see just how big of an increase 15% is. It's good to pick up if you're a Shockadin, in my perspective, and if you're leveling as Holy. But back to 2.3:

I love how now that be switching out three pieces of gear (a ring and my mace and shield), I can pack a decent punch not only while soloing, and without having to carry a second set of gear, but I can hold others off in PvP while not gimping my support of others. My Holy Lights crit for around 5500, so I'm happy.

Newly Founded

2007-11-20T08:10:00.000-08:00

With the creation of a new guild, Fires of Tirisfal, I have decided to create a blog along with it.

Nice to meet you all. I'm Volfmir (you can just call me Volf), level 70 Paladin on Maelstrom (RPPvP). I've been playing for quite some time now. More than two years it has been since I first stepped foot in the World of Warcraft, and my views have changed so many times over the course of my adventures. I've experienced much, from deranged people to sane ogres. I'm not just a heal-bot, prot-bot, or ret-noob, either. I've been every spec, from 61-0-0, to 0-0-61.

Now, this blog will not solely cover my guild. It is more to talk about Paladins and progression. Along with my discoveries, what I post here will be positive in nature, and will be free from any flaming and/or hurtful things. I want it to be constructive to the point that people learn from this and can take away great info on the Paladin class.