brewfest
Latest
Arcane Brilliance: On mage healing and other miscellany
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Arcane Brilliance for arcane, fire and frost mages. This week, we talk about the concept of mage healing, which in my opinion is like the concept of warlock winning. It simply isn't a phenomena that occurs in nature. Since those heady, halcyon days of 2004, when mages began to walk to wilds of Azeroth and players were introduced to their glass cannon awesomeness, the topic of mage healing has from time to time emerged, poking its strange and intriguing head up into the mage conversation and usually disappearing just as quickly. The idea has precedence. Healers in Final Fantasy lore are called White Mages. More recently, Dragon Age has its Spirit Mages. Archetypal wizards have had access to magical healing in one form or another throughout fantasy gaming and literature, though rarely is it their strongest focus. And just lately, the idea has been gaining some unprecedented traction among the WoW mage community. Recently, I've seen the concept presented with consideration and clarity on the official forums, among my own contemporaries in-game, and even right here in the comments section of this very column. It bears thinking about. Though the idea is extremely unlikely to ever be implemented, its increasing popularity and the improving practicality with which its proponents conceptualize it warrant attention. Mage healing, whenever it is brought up, is immediately interesting and always at least a little bit tantalizing, even for its most vehement opponents. Like me.
Breakfast Topic: What are your plans for Brewfest?
Brewfest 2011 is finally here! It's a magical in-game holiday dedicated to the fine art of getting drunk. There are achievements to be had, special holiday mounts, and Coren Direbrew, a holiday boss with a new-for-2011 loot table filled with i365 trinkets. Better yet, it's an excuse to drink pint after pint after pint! So what if it's not noon yet? It's a holiday -- get off my back. Brewfest 2011 runs from today until Oct. 5, so you have a lot of time to enjoy all the holiday has to offer. (For more on Brewfest, check out Alison's Guide to Brewfest 2011.) What are you planning on getting done in the next two weeks? Are you heading in to Blackrock Depths to take on Direbrew? Or is this just another boring, skippable in-game holiday? Working on achievements? The Overachiever is here to help! Count on us for advice on Azeroth's holidays and special events, including new achievements, how to get 310% flight speed with achievement mounts, and Cataclysm reputation factions and achievements.
The OverAchiever: Guide to Brewfest 2011 achievements
Every Thursday, The Overachiever shows you how to work toward those sweet achievement points. This week, we get a little drunk, or maybe a lot. It's that time of year again, folks: time to get smashed with no lasting social repercussions! This year, Brewfest runs from Tuesday, Sept. 20 to Wednesday, Oct. 5 (check your in-game calendar for your server's exact start and end times), and drunken frivolity is the name of the game. The Brewfest meta Brewmaster is required for the year-long What A Long, Strange Trip It's Been, so you'll want to get this done if you're working toward a Violet Proto-Drake (and thus free 310% flight). As with the 2010 version of this guide, I've organized the holiday's achievements in the rough order I feel they should be completed, as one is dependent on having some help from other folks around your server. As with most holidays, there's high participation at the start, which dwindles as folks get their drops and complete achievements, so I prioritize getting Down With The Dark Iron done as quickly as possible. Once that's out of the way, Brewfest achievements aren't generally difficult, though they'll require a little elbow grease if you're starting from scratch. I've included all of the achievements attached to the holiday, but you'll only need six for the meta, and they've been marked as such. As always, I'll be around when the holiday goes live to see if there are any unannounced changes. We don't anticipate any major differences to Brewfest this year, but the holiday boss, Coren Direbrew, does have an updated loot table with ilevel 365 drops.
The OverAchiever: Mountain O' Mounts from holidays
Every Thursday, The Overachiever shows you how to work toward those sweet achievement points. This week, we still have yet to meet anyone with the Big Love Rocket. There aren't many mounts available from WoW's annual holidays, but they're a pretty interesting example of how Blizzard's changed content through the years in an attempt to make things -- words fail me -- less annoying. Three of WoW's annual holidays will cough up rides, and your chances of getting them -- with the benefit of the "goody bag" system implemented in patch 3.3.3 -- are much better than they used to be. Long-time players will remember the hell of farming holiday bosses with a bevy of guild alts in order to maximize the number of boss kills per day for all the mains who wanted special drops. Sometimes you got lucky. Sometimes you were everyone else. Also read: Combining The Ambassador and Mountain O' Mounts Mountain O' Mounts in Outland Mountain O' Mounts in Northrend Mountain O' Mounts in 5-man dungeons Mountain O' Mounts in raids Mountain O' Mounts from achievements Mountain O' Mounts from PVP Mountain O' Mounts from professions
Patch 4.2 PTR: New Hallow's End and Brewfest loot
On the patch 4.1 PTR, we saw hints of a grand new Hallow's End event would be in the works. The Cataclysm has certainly shaken things up, and the Forsaken now have a near and constant enemy in Greymane's worgen. The patch 4.2 PTR was updated this evening with a whole batch of new loot for both Hallow's End and Brewfest. The new epics (such as The Horseman's Sinister Sabre) are ilevel 365, and you can check them out right here. Hallow's End Loot: Band of Ghoulish Glee Seal of the Petrified Pumpkin Wicked Witch's Ring The Horseman's Signet The Horseman's Horrific Helmet The Horseman's Sinister Sabre
It came from the Blog: Brewfest 2010 snapshots and video
Last month, we held our annual Brewfest event in <It came from the Blog>. We completed the quests together, drank a lot of virtual brew and did a lot of running around. Unfortunately, we all found out that Robinemia can't hold her booze. How embarrassing. Though Blizzard has made us split our guild into a few smaller ones, our family of guilds will still be participating in holiday events. Look for the Hallow's End event in the week after BlizzCon and a Pilgrim's Bounty event next month. As usual, you are all welcome to join us, as long as you aren't a funsucker. The picture above links to the video of the event and below are a few snapshots. Join us next time! %Gallery-104906% Please join us on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H) in <It came from the Blog>. Guild ranks of Blog Lurker or above can invite, so /whisper Robiness or any online member. You are all welcome as long as you play by our simple rules -- basically, don't be a funsucker! Visit the guild FAQ for more details.
Breakfast Topic: Dude, where's my ram?
It's morning. You wake up in a groggy haze, your mouth tasting like coal and cheap beer. Staggering outside your hut, you rub your eyes in disbelief as you notice something missing. Something large, furry, covered in pieces of barrel and horned. Wait -- Dude, where's my ram? Another Brewfest has come and gone. Sadly, we'll all have to wait another year for endless rivers of cheap beer, luscious beer meats and hilarious hallucinations. Holidays are always a great chance to mix up your usual routine, so we ask: Were you lucky enough to pull a mount from the cold, dead clutches of Coren Direbrew? Did you get your Brewmaster title? Did you even care?
Know Your Lore: The Pandaren
The World of Warcraft is an expansive universe. You're playing the game, you're fighting the bosses, you know the how -- but do you know the why? Each week, Matthew Rossi and Anne Stickney make sure you Know Your Lore by covering the history of the story behind World of Warcraft. Brewfest is still ongoing in game until Wednesday, Oct. 6, and while the Alliance has their dwarven brewers and beer lovers behind the festival, there is a race of creatures that are not included in the festivities at all -- well, not directly. I'm speaking, of course, about the mysterious pandaren -- a race of humanoid pandas that is about as elusive as they come. Pandaren have shown up in references here and there in World of Warcraft, but for the most part, they seem to be nothing more than vague Easter eggs. However, the World of Warcraft RPG covered the pandaren extensively and provided some background into the nature-loving race. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the pandaren is the origins of the race. Of all the races in Azeroth, the pandaren are the least well known but one of the most beloved of many players of the original Warcraft games. The pandaren first showed up in Warcraft III, and from there, the loveable race of humanoid pandas grew exponentially in popularity. Though the original Warcraft and all subsequent games were carefully planned out, the enigmatic panderan began with an April Fools joke that spread like wildfire.
It came from the Blog: Brewfest 2010 live stream
Update: The stream is now over. Click above for the video of the event. Hello and welcome to WoW Insider's Brewfest celebration! I am your hostess both in game and on the live stream. If you are joining us in game, please read all of the details, rules and tips. Otherwise, the stream is above, and the chat is after the break. Enjoy ... hic!
Reminder: It came from the Blog's Brewfest 2010 event today
Grab your steins and head to Orgrimmar, for today is the day we drink, ride and throw beer at dwarves at the <It came from the Blog> Brewfest event. Here are the details: When: Today at 5 p.m. EDT (2 p.m. PDT, 3 p.m. realm time) for the pre-event mixer and 5:30 p.m. EDT for the event. Where: Meet in front of Orgrimmar on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H). Who: Any level Horde character. What: We will be doing as many Brewfest quests as we can. How: Ask Robinemia, Robiness or any <It came from the Blog> member for an invite. Guild ranks of Blog Lurker and above have the power. We will also be streaming the event here and at WoW Insider's still archaically named Justin.tv channel. If you will be attending the event in game (and we hope you do), please read the tips and rules. Will you be joining us today? %Poll-53089% Disclaimer: No night elves masquerading as bondage gnomes will be attending today's event. Please join us on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H) in <It came from the Blog>. Guild ranks of "Blog Lurker" or above can invite, so /whisper Robiness or any online member. You are all welcome as long as you play by our simple rules -- basically, don't be a funsucker! Visit the guild FAQ for more details.
It came from the Blog: Join us for Brewfest 2010
It's that time of year again, where we get together for an hour or so to virtually drink virtual alcohol while virtually riding virtual rams and also virtually chucking virtual beer steins. That's right, it's time for the annual Brewfest event from <It came from the Blog>! Here are the details: When: Sunday, Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. EDT (2 p.m. PDT, 3 p.m. realm time) for the pre-event mixer and 5:30 p.m. EDT for the event. Where: Meet in front of Orgrimmar on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H). Who: Any level Horde character. What: We will be doing as many Brewfest quests as we can. How: Ask Robinemia, Robiness or any <It came from the Blog> member for an invite. Guild ranks of Blog Lurker and above have the power. This event will be streamed on our Justin.tv channel, so if you are unable to attend, you can still watch us live. This event tends to be fun for all involved and hopefully that will be the same this year. If you are planning to attend, please, please, please read the tips and rules after the break.
Breakfast Topic: Brewfest 2010 is here ... hic!
Yarrr! Brewfest 2010 be here, mateys! /cough Sorry, that was leftover from yesterday's Pirates' Day. Today begins one of the best holidays of the yar ... er, year. It's got beer and ram riding for beer and ram riding to deliver beer and the throwing of beer and a good old-fashioned dungeon run that is beer-related. There are quests, achievements and lots and lots of goodies, ranging from the supremely silly to the ultimate in usefulness. (Well, maybe not the ultimate. I just needed a "u" word to go with usefulness.) Brewfest is a requirement for the meta achievement What A Long, Strange Trip It's Been, and Allison Robert has everything you need to know about that right here. Also, don't forget your Brew of the Month Club membership, because it doesn't carry over. So go visit the areas outside Ironforge or Orgrimmar and enjoy your completely safe, non-fattening, virtual beer binge. <It came from the Blog> will be throwing a Brewfest party this weekend. Stay tuned here at WoW Insider for details. What are you trying to get this year? Do you participate even if you have everything you want already? Is Brewfest your favorite in-game holiday? Disclaimer: No alcoholic beverages, virtual or otherwise, were consumed in the writing of this post. Unfortunately. %Gallery-8222%
WoW Insider's Brewfest FAQ
Within 24 hours, Brewfest will have begun on all servers regardless of location, and if you're new to the holiday or just need some extra information, we hope this FAQ will be helpful! Help! Where do I go to get started? There will be special holiday-related NPCs parked around most major cities to direct you to the festival, but if you want to skip directly to the main event, head to Ironforge (if you're Alliance) or Orgrimmar (if you're Horde). The festival areas are located outside the main gates of each.
The OverAchiever: Guide to Brewfest 2010 achievements
Brewfest 2010 runs from Monday, Sept. 20 (3:00 a.m. server time) through Wednesday, Oct. 6 (again, 3:00 a.m. server time). We don't anticipate any major changes to the holiday this year, but how you get to the holiday boss (Coren Direbrew) has changed slightly. I've updated and expanded our coverage past the cut. While I organized the achievements alphabetically in 2009, this year, I've put them in the order I feel they should be completed. There are a few that are definitely easier to do at the beginning of the holiday than at the end. While I've included all of the achievements attached to the holiday, only six are actually required for the meta, and they've all been marked as such. As always, I'll be around when the holiday goes live to see if there are any unannounced changes. If so, the guide will be updated.
Breakfast Topic: Brewing up better faires and festivals
This Breakfast Topic has been brought to you by Seed, the Aol guest writer program that brings your words to WoW.com. I've just spent a day being Scottish. My father's family hails from Scotland, and the summer months will find me out and about at a variety of highland games in the Midwest. Sometimes I'm a spectator, and sometimes I run a tent for my clan. There's a general understanding that the highland games were created to prepare men for doing battle with the English. Each part of what has become the athletic portion of the games can be traced back a need for hurling hurl rocks, logs or flaming bales of vegetation at advancing troops or fortified positions. At the games I just attended, a group gave demonstrations on medieval swordplay. In World of Warcraft, the Argent Tournament springs immediately to mind. We were informed this was a training ground to prepare us for an assault on the LIch King and his forces. The Darkmoon Faire and Brewfest are examples of festivals with games of chance, food and vendors, and tickets you have to procure by participating in events or getting lots of items requested by vendors. We've heard rumors (or perhaps it was a column of wishful thinking on WoW.com's part) about an upgrade to the Darkmoon Faire. I'd go more often if I could make an attempt to toss a caber, the stone or the sheaf. These are strength and agility events; having purchasable trinkets for both attributes would give everyone a chance to succeed. Rewards could be class-specific buff items of a certain duration. If you can get the caber to twelve o'clock (the prime position for this event; check out the North American Scottish Games Association for the rules), you get a scroll that will give a hunter an additional 50 agility for 10 minutes. It might be something of minor interest to a level 80 -- but you can be sure I'd be at the faire, just to try to toss a caber.
Breakfast Topic: Did you meet your Brewfest goals?
Brewfest was over. It was fun. It was extended. But now it's gone. I was able to get my Brewmaster title this year and caught it on video. I also enjoyed a couple of events with the It came from the Blog guild. Because we had Achievements this year, I find that the event was more fun than previously. But now I must admit that I'm Brewfested out.Were you able to accomplish all of your Brewfest goals? Did Coren give you the gear you wanted? Answer our poll below and then tell us your goals and challenges in the comments.%Poll-35135%
Reminder: Today is the last day of Brewfest
If you haven't quite finished your Brewfest activities, today is the last day. Not only will you not be able to earn (and spend) tokens after today, but there are a few Achievements that can only be earned during the event. For example, even though you don't have to be wearing or drinking anything Brewfesty, you can only get the Drunken Stupor Achievement during the holiday. So go get virtually smashed and jump off a virtual bridge today, if you haven't already.Many of you will not be able to get Brewmaster before midnight if you haven't been diligent with your daily token earning. I highly recommend, however, that you get as much done as you can this year so you have less to do next time around. Check out our Brewfest Guide for any Achievements you might have missed.Warning: Tokens will not carry over into next year, so spend what you have today.Good luck ...hic!
WRUP: Ziebart craves brains edition
Well, here we are at the weekend, and yet again we're all in danger. Alex Ziebart has been bitten by the dread PTR and is stalking the halls of Wow.com central, craving our succulent brains and/or posts about patch 3.3, while we struggle to survive. Or to provide him with PTR posts and patch details like, say, Quel'Delar, This weekend, it's not just a game, it's a battle to survive against a fiend more dead than alive! Well, until he gets his morning nosh, then he's usually okay. Woe betide thee that denies said nosh! A peckish zombie is a fearful adversary. Luckily, I have a character skilled in dealing with the undead and he just got himself a new toy.But what about the gaming, you ask? I'm glad you did, because I'm awful at segues. Seriously, just awful. I mean, look at this one, it's just atrocious.
Reminder: ICftB Epic Harvest Brewfestival Ride today
The Epic Harvest Brewfestival Ride is today! Those of us who are level 40 and above are going to dress up our Epic Mounts as Brewfest Kodos and ride to Honor a Hero in Ashenvale. When: 4:30pm EDT (1:30pm PDT, 2:30pm Server Time) Today Where: Meet in front of Orgrimmar on Zangarmarsh (U.S.) Who: Any Horde character with an Epic Mount How: Send a tell to Robinella or any It came from the Blog Lurker to join the guild We will be earning enough tokens in Brewfest to obtain the ability to transform our mounts and then riding to honor Grom Hellscream. We will then return to Javnir Nashak and complete the one Harvest Festival quest (there is no Achievement). If you have any questions about It came from the Blog, please read our FAQ. See you soon!
It came from the Blog: Join the Epic Harvest Brewfestival Ride
What happens when Harvest Festival and Brewfest collide? The It came from the Blog Epic Harvest Brewfestival Ride! On Saturday, those of us who are level 40 and above are going to dress up our Epic Mounts as Brewfest Kodos and ride to Honor a Hero in Ashenvale. When: 4:30pm EDT (1:30pm PDT, 2:30pm Server Time) Saturday, October 3rd Where: Meet in front of Orgrimmar on Zangarmarsh (U.S.) Who: Any Horde character with an Epic Mount How: Send a tell to Robinella or any It came from the Blog Lurker to join the guild We will be earning enough tokens in Brewfest to obtain the ability to transform our mounts and then riding to honor Grom Hellscream. We will then return to Javnir Nashak and complete the one Harvest Festival quest (there is no Achievement). If you do not have a high enough level character on Zangarmarsh to participate, there is still plenty of time to make a Death Knight and complete the starter quests.If you have any questions about It came from the Blog, please read our FAQ. We hope you'll join us for the Epic Harvest Brewfestival Ride!
