Ask a Beta Tester: Professions and gems
We'll start out today with a simple enchanting question from WarwolfSwe, who asked....
Is there and new rod for enchanting? And do i need to upgrade the standard Runed Adamantite Rod to a Runed Eternium Rod?
There is now a Runed Eternium Rod you can craft at 375 skill. And, yes, it does require a Runed Adamanite Rod to craft (though the other materials -- Greater Planar Essence and Primal Might may be placeholders, as they seem pretty old world-y).
For more of your beta questions -- and our beta answers -- read on! But if you're the sort who wants to avoid spoilers, turn back now. We're aiming to avoid major story spoilers, but this feature is all about beta content and we can't talk about the beta without giving a few things away.
actodd asked....
Will Northrend have gem vendors like Outland does -- selling low end gems? If so, how do these gems compare to ones currently in game? How do the basic Northrend JC gems compare?
I haven't run into any gem vendors in Northrend, but green quality gem cuts in Northrend are superior to both blue and purple quality Outland gems. For example, the green quality Northrend stamina gem, Solid Chalcedony is 18 stamina. (And yes, cutting one of these will be as simple as finding one in the nearest ore vein to the boat or zeppelin to Northrend.) The epic equivalent in the current game, the Solid Empyrean Sapphire is only 15 stamina.
It is also worth noting that green quality gems can be cut "perfectly." A simple quest gives you the ability Gem Perfection which gives you a chance to cut green quality gems into "perfect" variations of the same, which have better stats. For example, a Balanced Shadow Crystal will give 12 AP and 9 stamina while a Perfect Balanced Shadow Crystal will give 14 AP and 11 stamina. (And the perfect version of the Solid Chalcedony mentioned above? 21 stamina.)
RogueJedi86 asked....
As an extension of that, will there be basic glyph vendors? Because otherwise, it'll suck to have to go to players every time we want a glyph. Unlike Jewelcrafting, we'll have a big old Glyph tab in our spellbook from the first level we get a Glyph. Without basic Glyphs on a vendor, Scribes will be pushed a little too hard, harder than JC was with BC.
Again, haven't seen one yet. However, I think it's likely that the market will be fairly well flooded with Glyphs as countless people start leveling up Inscription -- just like the market was flooded with with gems after Burning Crusade's release. And after Wrath's launch, it'll be all supply and demand. If people want certain Glyphs, there should be plenty of people happy to provide them.
Connor asked....
Do I get a seventh Glyph slot with lvl 1 inscription? I know it's not uncommon for max-level characters to drop their gathering profession for another crafting one. For me, the cost of leveling the profession wasn't worth the BoPs at the end but all I've heard is "seven if you've taken Inscription yourself." Seems like a no-brainer to drop my mining once I get my BS maxed and pick up a free glyph-slot. The only way I don't see that working out is if the 7th-glyphs are BoP or something....
Right now that mysterious seventh Glyph isn't in the game, at any skill level -- so where it shows up is anyone's guess. However, as to the trade-off between a seventh Glyph, as all of your gathering professions now have some sort of buff associated with them. Miners get Toughness, a stamina boost. Skinners get Master of Anatomy, a critical strike boost. Herbalists get Wild Growth, a heal over time. Are these worth losing an extra Glyph slot? That one's up to you.
Meethan asked....
What does Murder Spree do now? Is it still borked as a Rhino's growl?
In the latest beta build, it seems to be working as advertised, making multiple attacks on multiple targets within its 10 yard range. (Since people have asked previously, I'll clear this part up right now: if you only have one target in range, using Murder Spree will attacks them multiple times.)
The Wrath of the Lich King beta is in full swing, and the WoW Insider crew is here to sate your curiosity with Ask a Beta Tester! Leave your beta questions in the comments and we'll do our best to answer 'em! And if you can't get enough Wrath, don't forget to check WoW Insider's Wrath Roundup page for anything we haven't answered here!
