flight-path
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In patch 5.2, automatic flight path discovery is a thing of the past
If you've been on the leveling treadmill -- or if you frequent the WoW forums -- chances are you've noticed that after patch 5.2, you stopped automatically discovering new flight paths. For those of you (myself included) who loved this feature, it's unfortunately an intentional change. According to everyone's favorite floating skull, Zarhym, the auto-discovery of flight paths -- introduced way back in patch 4.2 in June 2011 -- was never intentional. @autumnsunxo @bubblepuffle Unfortunately, you weren't provided correct info. Auto-discovery was never intended. Post to explain coming. - Zarhym (@CM_Zarhym) March 17, 2013 So why's it waited so long? Again, according to Zarhym, it was a complicated problem to crack -- and low on the priority list. @reaper2352 Until 5.2 we couldn't fix it without erasing what paths any character had discovered pre-Cataclysm. It required new tech. - Zarhym (@CM_Zarhym) March 19, 2013 While I mourn the loss of what was one of my favorite Cataclysm-era features -- the run through the Wetlands to pick up the flight path at Menethil Harbor used to be a killer, literally -- I can't complain too much. After all, with mounts starting at level 20, hearthstones on a 15 minute cooldown (with the right guild perks), and flight paths scattered conveniently around the world, getting around is easier than it's ever been, even without automatically discovering new flight paths.
Wrath 101: Horde flight paths in Howling Fjord, Borean Tundra, and Dragonblight
Previously, we covered the Alliance flight paths of the first three zones in Northrend. Now it's the Horde's turn. Once you've gotten to Northrend and possibly taken an awesome turtle boat to your choice of starting zone, you'll be mostly getting around by Wind Rider (flying mounts, of course, don't work in Northrend until level 77). Note that there will be zone-specific information and maps after the cut; if you don't want to see anything about Northrend before you go there, don't click.
Wrath 101: Alliance flight paths in Howling Fjord, Borean Tundra, and Dragonblight
In about nine short hours, we'll all be storming the (figurative) gates of Northrend, in one of two zones: Borean Tundra and Howling Fjord (I'll be Fjording first, in case you were wondering). The zones are pretty large, but fortunately, they're replete with flight paths. And one of the questions I can promise you are going to see for the first week or so in /1 is: "Where is the FP?" But you, gentle reader, will not be asking this question, because I'm going to tell you where all the flight paths are (Horde-side friends, your version of this post is coming soon). First off, you'll need to know how to get to Northrend in the first place. Fortunately, we've got your back. And once you do get there, you may want to shuttle from one starting zone to the other. Turtle boats to the rescue! Now once you've picked a zone, how do you get around within it? Note that there will be zone-specific information and maps after the cut; if you don't want to see anything about Northrend before you go there, don't click.
Preparing for Wrath Day 2: The dying wallet
Off a question on professions we recently took in Ask A Beta Tester, it occurred to me that it would probably be helpful to provide players with a few ballpark figures on budgetary expectations for Northrend. Blizzard's been pretty frank about its desire to reduce ingame inflation, so it's reasonable to expect a number of compelling demands made on your e-wallet (especially if legions of grasping guild leaders worldwide get their wish and start taxing the living hell out of you). Bottom line? You're going to bleed gold out of your ears unless you exercise some financial restraint. But...whatever. Screaming over the ingame cost of everything keeps me from looking at my real-life stock portfolio. I need a drink.PROFESSIONS: Your first few minutes on the continent, no matter where you land, are going to be pretty expensive if you train up your tradeskills immediately. Polar22 in the AABT comments provided an extremely helpful link to WarcraftEcon confirming that each major and minor trade skill, with the exception of First Aid, will cost 35g to level to Grand Master. First Aid is more expensive at 50g. So, assuming you train your two major tradeskills in addition to Fishing, Cooking, and First Aid, count on being out 190g in addition to whatever it will cost you to train new recipes. WarcraftEcon estimates the total damage for an average player will clock in around 400-500g for these initial recipes and the Grand Master skill-up. That sounds broadly accurate from my experience in the beta, so plan on toting 500g along if you want all of your professions trained up immediately. The bleed begins!
Breakfast Topic: The long run
I was, once again, leveling an alternate character. Since I already have three level 70s that I regularly play, I'm no longer fascinated by new bits of scenery. True I haven't seen it all, and I love the screenshots from Around Azeroth. I'm just really bored with the run from place to place. As I was running across Ashenvale from Splintertree Post to Zoram Strand I began thinking about the marathon runs to pick up a new flight point. I came to the conclusion that my least favorite run is from Gadgetzan in Tanaris to Marshal's Refuge in Un'Goro Crater. It's just too long and unexciting. I know that I will have to make that run with every character I level. It always feels good to get there, just remember to pick up the flight point. What's your least favorite run?
Breakfast Topic: Changes mid-flight
I'm sure you've all been there. You volunteer to actually fly to a summoning stone for your group, and suddenly you realize you're out of arrows, or your fourth and fifth drop out. If I had a nickel for every time I desperately wanted to hop off my ten minute flight down a continent, I'd have at least a dollar. Doclrea recently made a suggestion that would be helpful to commuters everywhere. What if, at certain points during a flightpath, an option would be given to veer off and land at one of several nearby destinations? Heck, I'd probably take advantage of such a system even if I had to pay a little more. What do you think? Would you like the option to land at an alternative, on-the-way flight path, or do you prefer things the way they are? Can you think of any other flight-related changes you'd like to see?
Blue Notes: STV Rebel Camp getting flight path in patch 2.3
The Rebel Camp in northern Stranglethorn Vale will be getting a flight path in patch 2.3, according to Eyonix.Currently, the Alliance's closest flight path to their first quest area in STV is Darkshire or Sentinel Hill.This change along with the leveling improvements will make Alliance questing in the 30s and early 40s much easier once the patch is released.Hopefully, Eyonix wasn't just teasing as he was here: Hogger is becoming a level 73 outdoor raid boss. His loot will remain the same, I'm afraid.That would make Elwynn Forest just a little bit more interesting. If you are anxious to play with all of the new goodies, Bornakk says that patch 2.3 will be coming soon to the Public Test Realms.
New flight paths and graveyards
The 2.1 news just keeps coming. As well as boatloads of profession changes and new Darkmoon cards, now there is information on two new graveyards and some new flight points and flight paths:New Graveyards Two new graveyards have been added to Blade's Edge Mountains. New Flypaths New flight points: Felwood, Emerald Sanctuary (Both) Ashenvale, Forest Song (Alliance) New flight paths: Stormwind <-> Thorium Point Grom'gol Base Camp <-> Flame Crest Ratchet <-> Gadgetzan, Astranaar, Brackenwall Village Brackenwall Village <-> Ratchet, Camp Taurajo, Freewind Post Thunderbluff <-> Zoram'gar Outpost Evergrove <-> Toshley's Station Honor Hold <-> Shattrath In addition, many flight paths have been adjusted to be shorter, faster flights. I must say, I'm pretty apathetic about flight paths these days. Now that I have my epic flying mount, it's easier just to aim myself towards my destination, fly high, hit runlock, and go AFK. No finding a flight master, no fee, and I can go anywhere. Epic mounts: the only way to fly. Still, these improvements are great for anyone that doesn't yet have the epic, including of course my eight zillion alts. And the new paths and points are all long overdue (very long, for the Azeroth ones).
Flight Paths
Ever flown from Theramore to Auberdine? I'd personally recommend not bothering - though the thirteen minute flight does cover some lovely scenery, it's faster to take the boat back to the Eastern Kingdoms, and then catch another boat to Auberdine. Flight paths across Azeroth sometimes seem odd - most of them are anything but a straight line, and not all flight masters are connected in the most obvious way. (As an example, until recently you could not fly from Western to Eastern Plaguelands.) Community manager Caydiem has announced some small improvements in this area, including flight paths from Tarren Mill to Sepulcher, Ironforge to Light's Hope Chapel, and the possibility of flight masters in Ratchet. Caydiem also hints at a larger change - single-click from point A to point B without having to talk to the flight master at every stop? We'll see!
