WoW, Casually: Tidbits for the playtime-challenged

Robin Torres writes WoW, Casually for the player with limited playtime. Of course, you people with lots of playtime can read this too, but you may get annoyed by the fact that we are unashamed, even proud, of the fact that beating WoW isn't our highest priority. Take solace in the fact that your gear is better than ours, but if that doesn't work, remember that we outnumber you. Not that that's a threat, after all, we don't have time to do anything about it. But if WoW were a democracy, we'd win.

This week, dear Reader with Limited WoW Playtime, I am going to let you in on my thought process. This is partially to create a kind of casual WoW.com reading list, partially to tackle topics too small to fill up a whole column and partially to show that normality is not my strong suit. But who wants to be normal? Normal is boring.

So here are a few excerpts from what goes on in my mind when thinking about this column, starring Me, Myself and I (not in order of appearance):

Me: So it sure would be nice if you actually put your weekly column out, you know, weekly.

I: What should I write about?

Me: You have a list just for this purpose.

I: Ooh. Getaway Guilds. I should write about Getaway Guilds. Then I could totally plug It came from the Blog.

Myself:

Do it!

One attempt later...

Me: This sucks. Turn it into a Breakfast Topic.

I: Sigh. Done. Now what?

Me: The. List.

I: Right, right. I wanted to write up the Duo's Guide to the Dungeon Finder, starring the family paladins.

Me: But you are level 18.

I: Yeah, we haven't done much. Why is that? The Spousal Unit and I are really enjoying ourselves. [Note: I don't really refer to The Spousal Unit that way in my head.]

Me:Beatles Rock Band.

I: Oh yeah, there's that.

Myself: John was hot!

Me: Focus.

I: Those are some great 101 posts that the class columnists are doing. Is there some way I can get on that bandwagon?

Me: Wouldn't that just be WoW Rookie?

I: Yes, yes it would. WoW Rookie is an excellent resource for casual players. But they already know that. They may be missing those awesome class/spec 101 posts though. Maybe I'll figure out a way to mention them, particularly if anyone wants to quickly read up on class basics before going into their next random PUG.

Me: I think you may have messed up your singular/plural possessive pronouns there. You know that's a pet peeve.

I: Everyone is doing it these days. And his/her is so awkward.

Me: So you're going to go with bad grammar to fit in?

I: Anyway, I particularly liked Rossi's Prot Warrior 101.

Me: You don't have a warrior past 19.

Myself:

Bananas and Nutella break!

Me: Woot!

I: Woot!

Later...

I: Perhaps I can fill a whole column about how the world would be a better place if everyone took a bananas and Nutella break in the afternoon.

Me: I think you bore your twitter followers enough with that.

I: I was kidding.

Me: Go back to The List.

I: I just added more topics to the list.

Me: The point of going to The List was to get a topic from it.

I: Right right. But I'm just not feeling any of those topics this week. Maybe I can talk about casual AHing. You know, give tips.

Me: That's really more for Time is Money and Insider Trader, no?

I: Well, there are casual tips like using an addon like Auctioneer and making sure to scan every day, not during a playsession, to keep the database up to date.

Me: That's one. Didn't you cover this already anyway?

I:Over a year ago. But it looks like the only things that need to be updated are the bag sizes and the link to that video.

Myself:Cooooooooooool rider!

Me: Yeah and that whole solo vs. group thing. With the Dungeon Finder, grouping is now so much easier for players with limited playtime. This changes the whole money/loot/gear thing entirely.

I: Events! Two events are coming up: Love is in the Air and Lunar Festival.

Me: Gee, you can read the calendar on the right just like your readers.

I: But events are fun! Players with limited playtime want to pack their short playsessions with fun!

Me: Which is why you covered that before. You also covered the Lunar Festival. Are you saying you want to post reruns?

I:Drama Mamas is so much easier to write. The drama just pours into the mailbox. We can't keep up with it all.

Me: QQ

Myself: Time to collect the sweaters!

Me: /sigh

I: Facebook! We can talk about that. There's the WoW.com Facebook page. And you can spam up your feed with the new official WoW Armory hookup. And and and...

Me: And we're done. Might I recommend The List?

I: Yeah, I just added another topic there.

Me: /facepalm

Myself: Dinner!

Later...

I: Is there some way we could possibly write a column that somehow incorporates Jane Austen quotes, characters and plotlines? Surely I can put all my "research" to good use...

Me: Stop it.

Myself: And don't call me Shirley!

I:Chromie is my new fave Ask a Faction Leader.

Me: And this is on topic how?

I: I got distracted.

Myself:Puppies!

Me: This is painful.

I: I'm thinking a PvP-heavy topic might be good.

Me: Finally!

I: Zach's Art of Warcraft is a great resource for heavy PvPers and casuals alike, but I think there's room for a casual guide.

Myself: Do it!

Me: Please.

I: Ok. That will be next week's topic.

Me: /headdesk

WoW, Casually is a column for those of us who are playtime-challenged. We've got your guides for choosing the best class, finding a casual guild, keeping your account safe and choosing the best addons for casual play. But wait there's more! If you have questions or tips about how to get the most out of your limited playtime, please send them to robin AT wow DOT com for a possible future column.