BurningCrusadeBeta
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BC beta changes for rogues
The 41-point talent for rogues in the subtlety tree, Cloak of Shadows, never really impressed me. However, while I can't see myself spending that many talent points for it, I can certainly see its uses, and I know I'll be using it frequently if the change in the Burning Crusade beta -- making it a trainable skill -- makes it to the live realms. And before you think it's too good to be true and start pointing out that Cloak of Shadows is still listed as the 41-point talent in the official talent calculator, you should know that Tseric seems to have confirmed the change -- or at least, in his posted response to the thread about the change, he doesn't deny it -- only talks about reasons for making trainable high level talents. Of course, if the 41-point talent is trainable, that leaves the question of what the new talent might be -- and I believe the above screenshot is legitimate. The Shadowstep ability is getting too much discussion on the beta forums for it to have been a fabrication by a single person.
A later release means... more beta invites?
Well, Nethaera didn't phrase it quite in that way, but she did confirm that there are still opportunities to get a beta invite. While Blizzcon attendees and beta contest winners have guaranteed entry, there are still invites for players who were neither. Nethaera advises us to keep an eye on fan sites and Blizzard's own site for possible information on how to get yourself into the beta test -- though, no, she can't tell you when you might expect to see anything.
First steps into the Burning Crusade beta
Yesterday, I rolled a blood elf. I didn't exactly plan to, but what else is one supposed to do while waiting for high-level characters to transfer? And besides, they're so pretty.I found myself alone -- but for fifty paladins -- on Sunstrider Isle, armed with nothing but a dagger and some lurid green clothes. For the first time in months, I didn't know what to do next -- and I liked it.
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No NDA for the closed beta
Not being a veteran of betas, as I have the worst luck in the world, I have no idea how standard this is, but I thought it was interesting to note that according to Drysc there will be no non-disclosure agreement in place for the Burning Crusade closed beta. For those of you unfamiliar with the ins and outs of an NDA, this info means that unlike in the alpha, when the testers were limited in what they could reveal about the expansion, folks lucky enough to be in the beta will be free to reveal whatever they please. Once everyone gets their client installed and the beta is in full swing, we should be seeing information flowing at a pretty good clip. I am really looking forward to hearing all about the new stuff, and totally pretending not to be jealous that I didn't get a beta pass. As always, if you are in the closed beta and come across something interesting, don't be shy!
A chance to get in to the BC beta!
At present, I'm only seeing this contest up on the European website, but it wouldn't surprise me to find a similar affair on the US website soon. (If not, expect more moaning on the forums than usual over the next few days.) Winning is simple -- just take a screenshot of your guild near a well-known NPC. So get out your fanciest clothes and get searching for that perfect spot. The best 40 entries will receive 25 beta keys for the guild. Now get going -- you only have until October 5th to send in your entry!
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Blizzard's Burning Crusade closed beta invite plan
This post by Nethaera in the WoW.com forums more or less sums up everything we already knew about the upcoming closed beta, as well as giving a little of the philosophy behind who they are picking for the beta test and why.In a nutshell, they want to spread out the invites amongst the hardcore raiders, the casual, the contest winners and friends of Blizzard. Interestingly, they do reveal that there will be more than one phase of the beta test, and there is a chance to get an invite as the process moves along. So maybe you don't have an invite in your inbox now, but you may get one later. Oh, and one more thing...don't bother sending them a sob story on why you should get a chance to test drive the expanison. They already know who they are inviting, and if you have to ask if you are on the list, you aren't on the list. I interpreted this post as basically saying "Here's what we're doing, here is why, don't call us, we'll call you". Sounds suspiciously like what my girlfriend said in high school when she dumped me for my best friend. Couldn't argue my way out of dumped, and I can't argue my way into a beta invite. So sad!
