Friday, April 8, 2011

Amulets!

I am, as it turns out, NOT missing. I have a lot of course work to juggle, and can't play Wizard101 with the level of dedication that other bloggers do. In addition, I'm branching out to other MMOs, such as RIFT, and so have to divide my time accordingly. Thirdly, I only really feel the need to blog when the news is something that affects the community or an interesting piece of information that you might not have known. This isn't my bragsheet, after all. In short, I'm a very infrequent blogger. However, I don't want to be the guy who has to apologize each post for not posting more, so let's move on.

Test Realm is up! The new additions appear to solely be the amulets. These amulets allow the wearer to use power pips on a non-main school. This should really be interesting for those of us who rely on secondary schools. If you want to start toying with your deck to accomodate these amulets, then GOOOOO!

If my examination of the patch notes is correct, they are not testing wandering mounts quite yet. This is rather disappointing, but this new feature will make it to live soon enough!

Until next time!

Monday, January 31, 2011

Celestian Housing

Oh yes, you heard me.

The Island Getaway and the Celestian Observatory are out on test realm! Island getaway is your standard fare, but the Celestian Observatory is crafted and comes with a dueling circle!!!

*Ahem*

So yeah. I know that it has been a while, but allow me to explain my absence. As a senior in high school, the pressure is on to keep grades high and apply for scholarships. In addition, the workload doesn't show any sign of slowing down at all. I've been pretty busy with government alone, with the 10 page paper that I'm writing.

In addition, I'm in a bit of a rut, in game wise. I'm a level 6 gardener, but that's the only real progress I've made, and the lack of content has made me explore other games. I, like Cassandra Griffindreamer, frequent the League of Legends, as well as playing Dungeons and Dragons with my friends in real life. I also have been dabbling in Rift. Will I leave Wizard101? Unlikely. This is the first game that I've made real progress in, so I'll be sticking with it.

So go! Fill the test realm with your infinite numbers!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

I Triumphantly Return

After weeks of toil, trials and tribulation, I can safely say that I am done with all the work that kept me away. I will be able to continue working towards advancing my alts and gardening, which I haven't had a chance to try out even a little bit.

On a more serious note, Heather Emeraldflame has passed away. I did not ever have the pleasure of knowing her, but I read her blog. She always made time to write spirited posts and play with her friends. I can only hope that she is in a better place, and that Wizard101 made her life better, even a little bit.

Here's to you, Heather.

Until next time!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

College Craziness

Oh my, it has been a month since my last post. How terribly impolite of me!

Yeah, sorry about more or less dropping out of the Spiral entirely. I took a temporary hiatus from distractions this month due to the onslaught of work. I have 7 AP classes, colleges to apply to, and exams to study for. The life of a high school senior is harrowing (no, I don't really think that. I am simply being dramatic).

I thought that, in the interest of my grades and writing nice, well thought out and polished essays for college entrance, it would be best to block myself from all distractions. And yes, this regrettably includes Wizard101.

I think that it is important to note that this is not a permanent absence. I am not leaving Wizard101, nor am I shutting down this blog. I am simply devoting time to my life outside the Spiral. When all the applications are done later this month, you can expect my return, as well as all those articles that I promised that I would write.

Thank you for all understanding my plight.

Until next time!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Celestia: Two weeks later

Oh my, it has been a while since I posted anything. Well, I'm going to rectify that right now!

Celestia is fantastic! As much as I wish that it was longer, it just couldn't be. Between it being a four day weekend for me, and me being an enormous nerd, I ended up finishing the entire thing up rather quickly. I do not regret finishing it, though, as it allows me to begin farming for super awesome level 58 gear! I already have my boots and robe.

In addition, I have gained the (currently) ultimate Ice spell, Snow Angel! It was quite a doozy to get, but it was worth it!



Between the effect, a star and moon spell, and an Iceblade, this bad boy is capable of taking out most of the mooks in Celestia with one hit. Granted, it takes a few turns, but that gives me the chance to use the Treant polymorph (my second favorite new spell) to heal.

Also, I achieved the (not so) impossible and recieved the Spiral Geographer badge! This special (again, not really) badge is given to those who have completed every quest in Celestia! Hooray!

Wow, I do seem to be in a sort of parentheses mood today. ))))))))))))))))))(((((((((((((((((

All in all, Celestia is wonderful. Beautifully planned areas, stunning artwork, clever mooks, and all in all a fun (and challenging) experience for all.

I suppose the one downfall of Celestia is that it is really hard to get going. At the early stages, one will be surprised with the length of the battles and the strength of the enemies. The Astral schools really help here, and they actually beef you up to the point where short battles like the ones in Krokotopia are once again possible.

All in all, great job KI. You pushed the envelope so far, it turned into a bar, which you then promptly raised to the heavens.

My word, so many cliches.

Until next time!





Saturday, October 30, 2010

Celestia Day 2

Between my college applications and my course load, I haven't had much time to play on Wizard101. People had finished Celestia before I'd even begun. I am perfectly okay with this. I want to take Celestia at a more gentle pace, rather than rushing through it. We waited for 6 months for Celestia, and I don't want to run out of things to do in a week.

So, last night, I began my epic quest! I ventured into the Survey Camp, and two long hours later, the deed was done. This morning, I almost completed the Grotto, and intend to head back ITS after this post. I did manage to see a glimpse of the power of a critical after my friends Ice Colossus did enough damage to twice kill the boss we were fighting.


Heck yeah!

Remember, Ravenwood Radio is hosting a Halloween / one year anniversary party tonight, from 4 - 6 Central time. Be there!

Also, if anyone wants to hatch a satyr with my colossus, comment on this post and we'll work something out.

Until next time!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Celestia, Castles and... Wildbolt?

Long time no see, blogosphere! I've been busy with college applications for the past week, so between that and my conviction to not play on the test realm and leave Celestia unspoiled, there has not been much to discuss.

However, between the discovery of the level 58 spells, the double wide GameStop cards, and the test realm changes, I think we can fill up a decently sized blog post! Let's begin, shall we?

Hoo boy, the level 58 Spells! I think that, clearly, KingsIsle worked hard to make sure that no school went unheard! Each school got a spell that was cool, executes well, and is well balanced with the other schools! Good show, KI, good show.

Next on the agenda, the Massive Fantasy Palace. I was lucky enough to tour one, although I did not take any pictures, regrettably. However, by now, there are multiple pictures, a few video tours, and more than enough testimonials for everyone to know that they are awesome. However, so as to generate hype for these new goody bags, KingsIsle gave a select group of bloggers a castle of their very own. This unfortunately incited the first blog war in Wizard101 history, as many felt that, as they blogged, they deserved a castle. I personally think that it was quite unbecoming of the community that almost won Best Community at the GDC this year. Thankfully, it was a short battle, and an armistice was signed before many knew what had happened, myself included.

Thirdly, the most recent item on the agenda, the Wildbolt fiasco. KingsIsle just added a change to the Test Realm. For many, it went unnoticed. But for some, this act was high treason.

Changes? To Wild Bolt? Who do they think they are, the people who kindly built the game, programmed it, planned the classes with a system that keeps everything in balance and generally keep order? It's very hard to type with a sardonic tone.

Many are up in arms over the fact that KI decided to remove two Solar spells with the power to reduce pip cost and the Celestian wands second power pip boost. But mostly, they are angry about the Wold Bolt thing.

Gather round, children! It's Uncle Winterstaff's story time! Today, I'll tell you a tale from way back when, two years ago when Wizard101 first opened..... It was an optimistic time! Everyone was happy, and you saw wizards of all types frolic as they completed quests and traveled the Spiral. One group, the Storm wizards, had a very powerful spell: Wild Bolt! Although it was a very powerful spell for such a low cost, KingsIsle lovingly gave it to the Storm school, on the condition that they play nicely. As an added measure, to make sure that its great power was checked, they made it a very low accuracy spell. The Storm wizards thanked KI, and merrily went on their way. Two years later, at the release of Celestia, Storm wizards gained access to new, powerful armor that boosted their accuracy! Suddenly, the Wildbolt spell could be used much more! KingsIsle noticed this new development, and, realizing that their old method of checking the Wild Bolt was inefficient, changed it. Now, Wild Bolt could either strike well, or not very well! The Storm wizards felt slighted. How dare KI make their Wild Bolt spell a game of chance, and what's more, with POSSIBLE NEGATIVE EFFECTS! The Storm wizards, in their anger, looked for a place to relieve the frustration, but, lacking a real source at which to complain, they chose their nemesis: PvP. Long had the insidious PvPers been jealous of the Storm Wizard's power. Players of PvE and PvP had always been enemies, as they both felt their needs weren't being addressed. However, KingsIsle was unable to divide spells
for the two categories, and the two bicker to this day.

Seriously, have any of you tried to program a game? Dividing the spell book between PvP and PvE is incredibly difficult! Be thankful that they didn't eliminate it entirely. I don't know where this sense of entitlement came from, and I really do not like it. Between Leviathan and Tempest, you guys are still the strongest school, and no longer have the lowest accuracy. Suck it up.

See you next time!