About the Bloggers: Amanda Dean

Twice a week, our writers will tell you more about themselves, and let you get to know them and the characters they play a little better. Click here to read more About the Bloggers.

Hi there. It's nice to finally make an introduction. The name's Amanda, but you can call me mandy. With a whole generation of Amandas out there it helps to differentiate us.

What do you do for WoW Insider?

I'm technically just your average, run-of-the-mill blogger. Since coming on staff in February, I've picked up the WoW Rookie column and Blood Sport. David Bowers and I write He Said She Said together, but we're taking a little break due to educational commitments. I have the most fun writing Well Fed Buff. I really enjoy writing about intersections between the real and virtual worlds, and I love any topic that gets people talking.

What's your main right now?

I mostly play a Resto Shaman in the arenas. I do so love my alts. I seem to have a nasty habit of leveling characters such as my Priest and Paladin, and then sending them into retirement. I haven't found anything that I love more than the Shaman.

For the Horde or Glory to the Alliance ?

There seems to be this general idea that WoW Insider writers favor the Horde. I have to admit that my preference is for Taurens and Undeads, but I've found by reading the other About the Blogger columns that we've got a real variety of preferences. I have plans on leveling a Human Mage, I just seem to get distracted during my Alliance time. I have taken to wearing a "Real Women Roll Alliance" shirt on occasion.

Favorite thing to do in Azeroth?

The arenas are something that you either love or hate. Despite their flaws and occasional frustrations, I find myself in the "love them" camp. They suit my limited playtime very well and I find they challenge me to be a better player. I was terrified by PvP when I was a rookie, now I thrive on it.

What's the best instance in the game?

I can't entirely answer this question as I have not completed all of the instances in the game. I have never been in Stockade, Deadmines, or Maraudon. Of the instance I've been in, Wailing Caverns is my favorite. I giggle or cheer every time I hear a male Night Elf die. I gladly run lowbies through that instance. I really wish Blizzard would make a new Night-Elf Killing dungeon.

What's the number one thing Blizzard could do better?

Overall, despite out frustrations, I think Blizzard does a fantastic job of making a compelling and interesting game. I would like to see more variety in quests and less grinding. I walk away from it when the game feels more like a chore than a game.

The best way to make money ingame is...

This really depends on where you're at in the game. As a low level character I really got into mining, skinning and auctioning. I was a copper baron for quite a while. Dailies are a great source of cash, but they wind up feeling like a chore, so I really wouldn't considerer them the best way. I prefer going up to the Ruins of Karabor with my boyfriend and massacring Blood Elves (almost as much fun as Night Elves) for gold, cloth and tomes.

Favorite mount?

• Mortis- my 2006 Mustang GT. (4.8 liter, V8, Manual transmission, SLP loudmouth exhaust, lots of little poser mods). Once it's out of warranty I will most likely put a shaker intake on him so he really roars. When I saw the new Mustang, I knew I had to have one. I worked a horrible job managing a survey research room to get him. I put a pink Beanie Baby pony on my desk to remind myself when I got frustrated that I was doing it for the pony. I'm very proud to have Mortis.

• Christine- my 2001 GSX-R 600. I've been riding motorcycles for 8 or 9 years now and I find it's a real blast. The front page picture was taken at Willow Springs on a track day. My preference is for street riding, but only when I can get out of the city. The last pic was taken in Death Valley.
  

• Muffin- my Frostwolf. On my battlegroup, Horde owns every battleground except AV. I probably worked as hard to get Muffin as I did to get Mortis.

Favorite piece of loot?

Every girl needs a little black dress. Since it's not BOE, I can pass it around from character to character. I think it's a wonderful addition to the game. I am most proud of the Lionheart Blade on my Paladin. It will eventually be an Executioner, and I sincerely hope that Blizzard has it in the cards to upgrade the specialist crafted weapons in the future.

When I'm not playing WoW, I'm...

I work a lot. I do technical support and am working on my Ph.D., so I teach and write most of the time. I love the company of good friends, game nights, bar-b-ques... you name it. If I can have some good conversation and a decent beer, I'm in. I spend way too much time outside for the geek that I am. I'm not much of a TV person, but I've really been enjoying Battlestar Galactica (Adama has to be the 12th Cylon). Oh and I sleep when I can.

What accomplishment in-game are you most proud of?

My Hunter character was completely leveled solo. Prior to her, I usually leveled alongside my boyfriend. My Hunter is a character that I play on my time. I refer to her as my "Cash Cow" as she's the one I'm most likely to seek out cash and prizes with. I use the same Dragonhawk pet that I had at lvl 10.

I'm also rather proud of multiboxing a Druid and a Paladin to level 70. Now I know a lot of you disapprove, especially of my archaic method of actually using one hand on each keyboard. I found it to be awesome. I was my own back up. When things got out of control, I had no problem spirit rezzing and walking away for a while. I also perfected what I call the Hail Mandy. When wiping, I'd let the Pally go first. Then I'd battle rez the Pally and let the Druid die. Once the mobs reset, I'd accept the rez and get on with my game.

If you could add one touch of personal flair to your main, what would it be?

I would have a theme song. It would be kind of a combination of Black Sabbath's Iron Man and John Williams' Star Wars Imperial March. Ok, so it's not going to happen, but it's totally what I would do.

If you had 10 more hours to play every week, what would you spend them doing?

I would consider raiding. My problem with raiding really isn't the time or mechanics though. I just can't stand vent. It's fine when I'm only chatting with friends, but the horrible racist and sexist things that people say just drive me bonkers. I'm looking forward to ten person content in Wrath of the Lich King.

Other games I enjoy are ...
Video games are totally pretty new to me. I didn't really play anything but Tetris prior to World of Warcraft. I've recently been introduced to Guitar Hero, and I find that to be a blast (Thanks Rally!) I'm an old school pen and paper power gamer. I've played many many RPGs. I love board games like Settlers and Descent. Screw-your-neighbor games like Killer Bunnies and Munchkin also amuse me. Since I'm such a social person, I really love the interaction I get when playing games face-to-face. Long live Euchre!

A word of thanks
This seems like a good time to say "Thank you" to the folks that make this so much fun. I have to say, Our readers at WoW Insider are absolutely the best. We may not always agree, but I always look forward to reading your posts. I hope that I bring you stuff that's interesting and compelling. The other bloggers and leads do an awesome job. Keep up the good work guys.

Thank you to Brad for being incredibly awesome at WoW and making me look good. I love you tons and tons! Thanks Mom, for giving WoW a shot, I'm very proud of you. And finally, thank you to all my guildies and friends. The game would be dreadful without you.