WRUP: Old Ashkandi, new Ashkandi, blue Ashkandi

Every week, just at the start of the weekend, we catch up with the WoW.com staff and ask them, "What are you playing this week?" -- otherwise known as WRUP! Join us to see what we're up to in and out of game, and catch us in the comments to let us know what you're playing, too.

This week, Matt Rossi came up with our WRUP bonus question. He asked us, "Do you prefer the old Ashkandi or the new Ashkandi?" I bet Mr. Rossi had some grand vision for the WRUP that would accompany this question, possibly one that told an epic tale or just delighted in old memories. Little did he know that a clothie would be compiling the WRUP this week!

You see, I have no idea what an Ashkandi is. An educated guess would say it holds some importance to melee classes. I didn't start raiding or playing melee classes until The Burning Crusade (and even then, it was a rogue, kitty druid, and a level 29 troll warrior), so I suspect I'm missing out on some valuable nugget of information that would make this all make sense. Oh well!

Which do you prefer -- and as always, what are you playing this weekend?

Anne Stickney (@Shadesogrey): Working on various projects here and there, working on HM LK-25, hanging out with the family too. As for Ashkandi -- the old version. It's a really pretty, distinct model.
Basil Berntsen (@outdps): I am going to be playing WoW -- I need to get my enchanting/inscription mule to 75 in preparation for Cataclysm's new minimum level for maxed-out professions. I can't tell the difference between those swords, so I'm gonna go ahead and say, "Whatever -- it's not a gun."

Allison Robert (@AllisonRobert): I'm going to enjoy some 5-mans with friends on my druid, saying for the 1,485th time that I'm going to level professions on my shaman and taking some pictures and video of archaeology on the beta for this week's OverAchiever. As for Ashkandi, who cares? If it's not a druid staff or polearm, then it's probably not important. On that note, I'm not seeing any druidy staves or polearms yet among Cataclysm raid gear, so I guess the old nature-themed feral staff is well and truly dead. Cue Sad Keanu moment.
Daniel Whitcomb (@danielwhitcomb): Headed out of town to the deep deep forest (or the semi-deep forest; well, there's more trees there) to visit some friends and do some karaoke. I haven't seen my friends' latest playlist yet, but I'm hoping he added some Gaga. As far as the bonus: Old, please. Back when BWL was the hot stuff, I so lusted after the sword. But I was a druid and couldn't use it. Now I am a death knight who can use it, so I was over the moon when I heard they were adding a new version. Then I saw the new version and shuddered. The dragons just look all weird without that curve, and the blade just looks like an over-designed nerf bat with the chunky blade and without that deep, uniform blood red color. And worst of all, it does not have the initials "A.L." carved in the hilt. How am I supposed to get excited about a silly redesigned sword that lacks the sexy curves and awesome designs of the old model and eschews its heritage as the sword of Anduin "O.G." Lothar? This is an outrage! If you'll excuse me, I'll be in the Angrydome.
Gregg Reece (@undeadfish): I honestly have no idea what I'm doing this weekend. I've been going through and trying to complete a bunch of old achievements I've skipped, namely, things like the exploration and dungeon achievements that I thought I'd have plenty of time to nab when Wrath was still fresh and new. As for the difference between Ashkandi old and new? I actually like elements of both. The pommel and handle on the original, the blade and the fire-breathing dragons on the new.
Joe Perez (@Lodurzj): Fallout: New Vegas. Karaoke with friends and the newly moved girlfriend of amazingness. Leveling my paladin more (trying hard to get used to the new prot), and I have another DK to harass friends on Ner'zhul. Going to have a math nerd geek-out this weekend and dig through reader emails. It is going to be a fun and productive weekend! Bonus question: Old, because sometimes classic is just the way to go.
Kelly Aarons (@Cadistra): I'm hoping to take it somewhat easy this weekend. I'm fighting off some kind of hybrid strep throat/ear infection thing, so I'm really just going to play WoW and Castlevania: LoS and sleep. Drawing some comics (WoW Eh will be back this weekend! Yay!), and ... that's about it. Bonus question: old. The new one reminds me too much of C'Thun/Chogall.
Lisa Poisso (@emused): Leveling my port-a-mage on a new realm in prep for Cataclysm. Bonus question: No -kandi at all. Candy. Actual candy. Leftover Halloween candy, in fact. Kit-Kats or Whoppers, preferably, although Three Musketeers will do in a pinch.
Mathew McCurley (@gomatgo):We're getting a new fridge this weekend because our old fridge is broken. This is very, very exciting. I have no idea what I'm playing this weekend. There is the possibility of some Xbox and some WoW, mostly continuing more achievements or reps on the "new" main. Fun times. I like the new Ashkandi because maybe I'll win the roll on this one this time.
Matt Low (@Matticus): Hoping I can get myself in some of the open raids to try them out. New Ashkandi!
Matthew Rossi (@matthewwrossi): I'm hoping to do some realm transferring and dungeon runs with new folks. Obviously, old Ashkandi is the epitome of awesome, and the new one does not quite measure up. It's too busy. I preferred the way the Sharpened Obsidian Edged Blade updated the old OEB model, keeping much more of its lines intact.
Rich Maloy (@stoneybaby): In a refreshing change of pace, I will be on the beta this weekend working on mastering the new enhancement shaman changes. Quality time with the girlfriend has been postponed until Sunday, though that's not at all related to my playing the beta. Bonus: Old all the way. I love those massive grips.
Robin Torres (@cosmiclaurel): A lot of Cataclysm, a little live WoW, a lot of Civ 5 and a lot of Recettear with The Spawn. Bonus: Old.
Sarah Nichol (@mentalshaman): I am planning a WoW-filled weekend, for I finally have the time and the authenticator! I plan to bury myself in beta and live, and watch a little TV show called Strictly Come Dancing. As for Ashkandi? Old. I have fond memories of helping to get one of our paladins that damn sword, and there is no way the new Ashkandi can beat those memories.
Tyler Caraway (@Murmursofadruid): Working myself to death at the day job is going to be consuming my weekend. Yay for long hours and late nights, eh? Other than that, there's raiding on Sunday to hopefully down H LK. Give me the good, old Ashkandi any day.
Zach Yonzon (@Battlemasters): Playing real-life Dr. Mario watching my daughter's platelets drop to panic-inducing levels. I have to say, the video game was hell of a lot more fun than this, which isn't fun at all.

The weekend is the perfect time to kick back, relax and enjoy some game time. Are you an achievement junkie? Can't get enough raiding? Rolling a new alt? Considering taking the leap into roleplaying? Whatever your favorite way to play World of Warcraft, let us know in the comments what you're playing this weekend!