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Scattered Shots: On Roleplaying a Hunter
Welcome to Scattered Shots, a weekly column on all things Hunter related, now written by Daniel Whitcomb. I may have mentioned this before elsewhere, but often times it's hard to speak authoritatively on any class in Beta, because no matter what the changes and the new imba combos and whatnot are right now, they will likely change drastically the next time a new build comes into play. This isn't to say that it's impossible to write about them, but often times whatever words you write will be obsolete, or at least inaccurate, by the time you sit down to write next week's column. For example, last week I wrote about traps. I mentioned that Freezing Traps no longer break immediately on damage. Well, now they do again. As Ghostcrawler tells it, they couldn't find a way to make pets automatically ignore a frozen target, so they called the whole thing off. Now, honestly, that seems a bit like chopping off your hand to take care of a mosquito bite on your pinky finger, but hey. On the plus side, she also said that they'll put it back in once they figure out how to reign in pets (I recommend using the passive button on the pet bar, myself). But who knows when that will be? So I thought I'd take a trip down a path that's more solid this week, and speak a bit about roleplaying your Hunter. These are a few archetypes I looked at when roleplaying my various Hunters, with various tips on roleplaying them and reflections on how they fit in to various factions and alliances around the game. As always, of course, general roleplay rules apply: Don't be a jerk, don't godmode or Mary-sue it, and don't let roleplaying get in the way of your fun or your group's success.
ST-2 shooting simulator keeps your aim sharp
And you thought using the HIPerSpace wall for GTA IV was overkill. Marksman Training Systems' ST-2 shooting simulator is touted as the "first simulator for shotgun and rifle shooting designed specifically for demanding users such as shooting instructors," and considering that the Russian and Slovakian national clay shooting teams have practiced on this very system in preparation for the Beijing Olympics, we'll be seeing just how effective it is here soon. Furthermore, this system allows hunters / huntresses to use their preferred weapon (via an attachable sensor) rather than some proprietary pistol, and the advanced diagnostics screen ensures that you know exactly why you missed that digital fowl. Looks like you'll have to inquire directly about pricing, but seriously, you don't want this taking the place of your home cinema... or do you?[Via CrunchGear]
Garmin DC 30 GPS dog collar turns hunting into a videogame
Here's one for the hunters. Strap the Garmin DC 30 collar onto your hunting dog, fire up your Astro 220 receiver, and you'll not only know where your dog is, but you'll also know if he is running, pointing, or treeing, even in dense cover. Range is good for up to seven miles, and the tracking even covers the dog's direction so you can figure out where that delicious nubbin of turkey is hiding. The receiver can track up to 10 dogs at once, and the collar is good for 17-36 hours on one charge. The DC 30 is sold separately for $199.99 or for $649.99 as part of an Astro 220 combo, and should be available third-quarter 2008.UPDATE: Garmin was nice enough to send us proper shots of the actual DC 30. Thanks!
Atari brings Deer Hunter Tournament to PC, 360 this Fall
Dear hunter,I am writing to you, with great difficulty I might add, about a matter very dear to my heart. I understand that not all members of the human race find us endearing, but I would greatly and truly appreciate it if you would be a dear and stop hunting my kind, the deer. Isn't that what your dearly beloved technology is for? Why not purchase a copy of Atari's "most intense virtual hunting experience ever created," Deer Hunter Tournament? Set for release this Fall on Xbox 360 and PC, it promises "true-to-life animal behaviour," a variety of hunting modes, techniques and tools, and online multiplayer (though I'm sure you would prefer online mullet-player). And for only $19.99, or $39.99 for the Xbox 360 version, you'll get to hunt deer without forcing me to deal with all the painful repercussions. Plus, you know, it'll help you with your dire aiming and embarrassing tracking abilities. I'm writing this with your stationery and making a complete mess of the study.Yours truly,John Deer
Scattered Shots: Your first levels as a new Hunter
Every week, Brian Karasek and David Bowers bring you help, tips and advice for the leveling Hunter in Scattered Shots. For those veterans looking for high end Hunter goodness, BRK will be returning to active duty next week. This post is part of the Hunter Leveling Guide. [Also, it was actually written by Brian Karasek, not David Bowers.] Hunters have it easy. They get a pet to hang around with and keep them company. They don't get hit that often (or at least for very long, one way or the other), and they have one of the best ways to shake off foes in the game. Furthermore, and most tellingly, Hunters can pretty much get to the level cap without ever working in a group or running a dungeon. It's our blessing and our curse, our boon and our bane. We have a built in tank that we can heal, and we're our own DPS support. What this means is that we can reach the heights of leveling in a multiplayer game, without once needing to play with multiple players.A problem for hunters often comes there: a level 70 character is often expected to know how to do things in a group, with multiple players. And many a hunter has gone into a level 70 instance as their first dungeon run, resulting in less than optimal outcomes.In this column, which I'll be sharing duty with one of my colleagues here at WoW Insider, I'll be discussing the Hunter class from the ground up, from a casual point of view. Starting from level 1 and going all the way to the level cap, I'll share my experience and advice, and ask for yours as well. For new hunters, I hope this column will let you avoid some stereotypical mistakes Hunters make. For old hunters, I hope this column will let you point out my shortcomings, offer your own advice, or notice some of your own.We ding level 2, after the jump!
Alberta: Stop playing games, go out and hunt
While you sit around the couch plowing through Halo 3 today, the Canadian province of Alberta would like to remind you that there are other, more worthwhile pursuits than shooting virtual creatures. Like shooting real creatures, for instance!Alberta declared Sept. 22 "Hunting Day" to promote the province's hunting heritage and reverse declining interest in hunting among the populace. That's all well and good, but what got us was Alberta Minister of Sustainable Resource Development Ted Morton's assertion, reprinted in a Reuters story, that "hunting is more fun (than video games) and a lot healthier."More fun? While crouching in the bushes covered in mud for hours waiting for that perfect shot to come along might be some people's idea of fun, we haven't seen many people lining up at midnight launch events for new hunting gear. As for health, while hunting might be very beneficial for the hunter, it's decidedly less healthy for the prey being shot.[Via Button Mashing]
Swim away Nessie! Monster Hunter Portable 2G announced
We're scared for Nessie, our underwater ally, because after Capcom sponsored a hunt for South America's Bigfoot and giant anacondas to promote Monster Hunter Freedom 2, we just know they're going after her next as the company announced its plans to release Monster Hunter Portable 2G.No, it's not a full sequel, but it will build upon the Japanese hit by featuring new monsters, fields and systems. While the game doesn't have a release date, we won't be surprised if this one never makes it our way. But one thing is for certain, all mythical creatures now have nowhere to hide.[via 1up]
Finally, no more loot click hunting
There's one little mostly unseen note in the 2.1 patch notes that has quietly been making players' lives easier for the past few weeks. Hidden way down inside the "User Interface" section, we find this: "Active corpses or objects (ones with loot on them) now can be selected and looted, even if they are underneath another corpse that does not have loot on it."We've all been in that situation before 2.1, where we were fighting, and had to deal with adds that died in almost exactly the same place, and then had to slowly move your looting cursor over the whole area, looking for that tiny little section in which it went from black and white to color, just so you could look that few silver and bit of trash from it. Nowadays, in these enlightened 2.1 times, we can simply loot at will, and life is good.Of course, it's not perfect-- I still can't target anything through walls, and that's a known bug. But it is very nice to see that one simple sentence in the patch notes, and know that I never again have to hunt around for a tiny point of contact just to loot a piece of junk.
Internet-enabled TrailGuard metal detectors snitch on poachers
The latest anti-poaching tool may not be as completely bizarre as the Robodeer, but the TrailGuard technology coming out of Steve Gulick's laboratory is entirely more sophisticated (and stealthy, too). The system consists of a network of metal detectors buried next to forest trails which will detect the presence of a contraband machete or rifle and swing into action. Upon recognizing a potential weapon, the sensor will "send a radio signal to a nearby internet gateway and then to the internet via satellite," which will subsequently alert a ranger to the unwanted guest practically in real-time. The developing team insinuates that this product could make the rounds that rangers make a lot more efficient, and considering that most national parks are somewhat understaffed, this could help them cover the ground that they need to. So if you just so happen to wander out in the woods and pitch a tent with metal stakes, only to be approached by an armed wildlife officer, don't be too alarmed.
How Ultimate is Ultimate Duck Hunting?
We aren't sure if Ultimate Duck Hunting is truly the last duck hunting game we'll need. Our requirements for duck hunting games are stringent, you see, and it would take a truly robust and deep duck hunting game to fill the spot of the decisive duck hunting game in our collection. We wonder if the game will really be the authoritative work the title claims it will be.We're actually kidding about the stringent requirements, and like most people, we consider the duck hunting genre well and truly filled since 1985. Have a look at some screens and decide for yourself if you should update your library of duck hunting video games.
Stealth Cam Prowler snags undercover pics, videos
The zany methods available to spy on something (or someone) are constantly becoming more plentiful, and for hunters and stalkers alike who are tired of undercover nighttime footage turning out black, the Stealth Cam Prowler is your answer. This inconspicuous device sports a five-megapixel sensor for color day time captures, a two-megapixel sensor for monochrome nighttime images, and the ability to capture footage in the pitch black wilderness sans a flash. Apparently, the camera / camcorder hybrid utilizes 42 infrared emitters to "illuminate the area up to 50-feet away," after which it can snag programmable burst shots or videos up to 90 seconds in length. It also packs 32MB of internal memory in case a clever animal snags the evidence held on your SD card, and the built-in battery pack should ensure a night full of remote shooting fun in case you're too frightened to hang out in the rough. No word yet on pricing or availability, but we're sure those details will sneak out soon enough.[Via BeSportier]
Legally blind Texans may use lasers to pick out prey
Completely bypassing the stunning fact that (legally) blind Texans are actually allowed to wield a weapon and fire at will during regular hunting seasons, a new piece of legislation could allow these folks to see what they're aiming at a wee bit better, which is thrilling news if you're being mistaken for game. Rep. Edmund Kuempel has initiated a bill that would enable legally blind hunters that have a valid Texas hunting license to strap a sweet laser scope on their weaponry in order to pinpoint exactly where the bullet is headed before pulling the trigger. The bill would require the hunter to be accompanied by a (not legally blind) licensed hunter of 13 years or older, and is being pushed as a "reasonable accommodation" for those with disabilities. Hey, we know Texas is good for helping out the less fortunate, but we'd seriously think twice before wandering out into the wilderness for a weekend retreat in the Lonestar state.[Via Fark]
360 gets hunting title, beer not included
K1lla's Xbox Domain reminds us all about the 360's forgotten budget-priced hunting title, Cabela's Alaskan Adventures, from Activision. Here's the feature list: Journey from the North Slope to Ketchikan across 12 Alaskan regions in the hunting and fishing adventure of a lifetime Go on 30 hunting adventures in pursuit of over 20 species of the most sought after Alaskan Trophy Game - Yukon Moose, Barren Ground Caribou, Grizzly Bears, Roosevelt Elk, Dall Sheep, Kodiak Bears, Sitka Black-Tailed Deer and more Fish off the Alaskan coast for 10 different species of Alaskan fish, including Sockeye Salmon, Dolly Varden and Arctic Char Experience the thrill of hunting ducks, geese, grouse and ptarmigan Compete in a dog sled race against time through the Alaskan Artic The trailer makes Cabela's look like an acceptable alternative to blowing away endandgered species, although it seems to include stuff (Elephants?) not mentioned in the press release. When are we going to get to be the Sockeye Salmon and exact some revenge?
