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!

Friday, October 8, 2010

The door to Celestia is open!

...or at least on Test Realm.

Woohoo! After months of waiting, we have been rewarded! Click here to see all of the fun new things!

Aside from the Celestia, some new advancements have been made! First and foremost are the new level 58 spells! We know that Balance's spell is Horus, and that Fire's is a djinn, but I can't wait to see the rest!

Also, Celestial magic! The three branches, Sun, Moon, and Star, don't have any attacks, but each will be useful. Sun works much like current enchantments. They have spells to increase accuracy and power, and to mutate spells into other schools. Moon allows the wizard to change shape, taking on new stats and a new deck for a limited time. Star casts Auras, which are used on the caster and amplify various stats for some time.

Hmm... I, personally, think that the Moon school is the coolest. It allows you to branch out, and greatly vary your strategy. I do enjoy using Schrodinger Fu!

See you in Celestia! Don't forget to vote Wolf Winterstaff for Ice School Student Teacher!

Until next time!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Fall/Winter Student Teacher Elections

As you may or may not have heard, Diary of a Wizard is hosting another election! This time, the positions open are Fall/winter Student Teacher for each school, plus the additional position of Student Body President.

I myself have decided to take a leap and put forth Wolf Winterstaff for the position of Ice School student teacher. If you think this is a good idea, and would like to support me in any way, please do so! You could certainly use twitter to spread the word, or show off this neat campaign poster that I drew up:


Pretty neat, right? I honestly feel I am the best candidate for this position. I spent days and days farming for that cool coordinated Ice school outfit, because I care that much. And in the end, isn't being the Student Teacher about exemplifying your school? Surely the act of farming shows my perseverance and patience, the values most associated with the Ice school.

So, vote for Wolf Winterstaff for Ice Student Teacher! Spread the word! Tell your friends!

Until next time!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Shark Mount and Selena Quest are Live

Yes, I realize this news is old. Please bear with me.

On Sunday, I managed to get 2/3 of my new outfit. It uses the death robe because there is no Ice robe available for that model. I think it looks pretty cool, but you be the judge.

Then, on Tuesday, once the quest was live, I thought about whether or not the shark was worth the money. Which, as it turns out, was pretty hard to do from a shark's back.


YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW!

*ahem*

So, once the quest was fixed properly, I decided that the Selena Gomez quest was worth the 20 minutes for, if nothing else, the Monstrous card. Cue dancing crabs, etcetera.

Unfortunately, I cannot proudly display the Selena statue, so I've taken to hiding it in my dorm room.


On the plus side, Crab Alley is quite fun from atop a mighty shark.


Alright, it's time for the answer to the riddle! The question was which of the 6 worlds was the odd one out, and why. And the answer is.......





Mooshu!

In every other world, you can see the edge from some point in the world. In Wizard City, Colossus Boulevard offers views of the void. Marleybone flies you over the edge on all flights from Digmoore station. You can see the edge from the commons in Krokotopia, Dragonspyre and Grizzleheim.

But Mooshu? the world is bordered by mountains, so the edge is nowhere to be seen.

Thanks to all who answered or at least thought about it for a bit.

Until next time!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Farming Youkai = Huge pain!

As the title implies, I am farming Youkai in the Tree of Life instance. I am putting together a different, additional in game outfit using his death robe and ice shoes. In addition, I am collecting the reagents necessary to redo my kitchen using any money I gain. As such, I wont be playing very much on my Myth alt, so don't expect to see very much of him.

Until I actually put the outfit together, I won't have much to blog about. The results of the poll are up, and it looks like you guys voted to give my myth alt a Marleybonian Mansion! Good choice!

I'll leave you all with an interesting problem, so you have something to look forward to in my next post.

Wizard City. Krokotopia. Marleybone. Mooshu. Dragonspyre. Grizzleheim. One of these is not like the others. Which one, and why? Here's a hint: it has nothing to do with climate, theme, level, or any game mechanics. Leave your answers in the comments section.

Until next time!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

So, Selena Gomez...

Eh, could be better, could be worse.

What I'm interested in is the other information revealed by the video.

Firstly, both underwater and on land areas for Celestia have been revealed. An on-the-beach area, and some undersea street with coral encrusted houses. Sweet. The Shark is indeed an underwater mount, and wizards don't appear to require any sort of helmet for deep-sea exploring.

Also, two spells have been revealed: A large, bird-faced man wielding a pole-arm and an ankh, and a djinn straight out of the mythos of the Middle East. For those who don't know, the bird-faced man is likely Horus, Egyptian sky god, son of Osiris, god of the dead, and Genie is actually an English corruption of the word 'djinn' who are spirits in Islam that hide in another dimension. Due to the fact that Horus matched Balances' Egyptian theme (Scarab, Locust, Scorpio, Judgement, Alhazred) and that Djinn are described as 'spirits of fire', I would place my money on them being Balance and Fire, respectively. Awesome.

Can't wait to see what the others will be, especially if they keep expounding on this theme of mythology.

Until next time!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

O-U-T of Krokotopia!

Yesterday, my myth alt beat Krokhotep in the Emperor's Retreat. Then, after defeating Grumish Greataxe, I was off to the Tomb of Storms.

But the day only got better from there. I managed to complete all quests in the Tomb of Storms except the Tomb of Beguiler, Culminating in a very satisfying defeat of Krokopatra.


My work for the Manders done, I was off to the land of night and science, Marleybone!


As a gift, I bought my alt some of the best Marleybone gear. I also have decided that I am stitching his GM gear to this outfit.

So, now that I am in Marleybone, should I go to Grizzleheim and finish some quests there before returning? Or should I press onwards?

Also, he deperately needs a house. I'll be putting up a poll to see what you guys think.

Until next time!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Spiral Map Updates

Hey, look! The Spiral Map updated with Celestia! Hooray!

I take this to mean that they are done tweaking it and will be turning on the test realm either this week, the next, or the week after. Hopefully.

So let's take a deeper look. The world icon shows that, somehow, Celestia is inside a sphere of water. Somehow the gravity of the island keeps the ocean perched in fishbowl form? Regardless, It provides an answer to the question that many were asking: If all the worlds are floating in the sky, how can Celestia be underwater?

Now, the concept art doesn't add anything. It's the same pictures that we have had for some time now. But what really draws my attention is the entry below.

Long ago, the Astral Wizards of Celestia created powerful magic using the energy of the Stars, the Moon, and the Sun. The sorceress Morganthe, a Queen of the Shadow Web, wanted the secrets of the Celestian magic at all costs. The Celestians Refused her, so she raised a Dark Army and sent it against Celestia. After Decades of battle, the Astral Wizards realized their world would fall. They summoned the Storm Titan to defeat Morganthe’s legions and to take their world to a place of safety.

The Storm Titan betrayed the Celestians by Sinking their world beneath the Waves along with Morganthe’s invading forces. Realizing they were Doomed, the Celestians raised mighty Domes to protect some of their treasured city from the waves, though it was too late! They Perished along with Morganthe's invading army. Celestia was lost to the Spiral, its Spiral Door closed forever.

Centuries later, a team of brave explorers from the Spiral Geographic Society, led by Sir Thurston Plunkett, re-discovered Celestia. They landed with an Air-Ship and built Exploratory Undersea Domes to explore Celestia’s ruins. Plunkett and his fellow explorers soon realized that Celestia was now inhabited by a strange new culture... the Crustacean Empire. Unfortunately, the explorers did not come alone to Celestia. Morganthe’s followers, the Shadow Weavers, stand ready to take Celestia’s magic for their Queen.

After receiving the Spiral Geographic Society’s Distress Call, Headmaster Merle Ambrose of the Ravenwood School for Magic seeks any young Wizards brave enough to journey to the undersea world of Celestia and discover the secrets of its Lost Magic.

What will you find there?

What worries me about this description is a single, insignificant article: A Queen of the Shadow Web. If Morganthe is indeed the final boss of Celestia, this certainly implies that someone even worse is waiting in the wings. That does not sound good.

Until next time!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Re: Back to School Bash

Boy, I had a great weekend! The Back to School Bash hosted by Diary of a Wizard sure was fun! It sure was fun talking to/ seeing the more famous bloggers, players, and in-game celebrities.


Unfortunately, when I left temporarily to retrieve my party hat, I found that the friends whom I had ported to earlier were in a Sunken City instance, and so I was unable to rejoin the party. The 10 or so minutes I was there for were fun, though!


And now for something completely different. After resolving to keep trying and get through Krokotopia on my myth alt, Wolf Griffintail, he's made a fair bit of progress. He's only learned the Cyclops Minion spell, but he's very much almost done with the Krokosphinx!


I'll keep updating with his progress as time goes on. The day he gets free of Krokotopia is a happy day indeed.

Until next time!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Back-to-School Bash

To those of you who assumed I had fallen off of the Earth, I am still very much alive. Turns out, being a senior in high school with 6 AP classes leaves you little time for games. I am still cranking through Krokotopia, and am currently up to the Vault of Ice. Soon enough, I will be out of there, and on to Marleybone.

I still play around on Wolf Winterstaff, usually for pets, parties, or farming. I will be attending the Back-to-School Bash, even though I might be a tad late. I will see each and everyone of you there!

Monday, August 23, 2010

About the week long hiatus

Sorry! Things have been a little slow so far, game-wise. I have to work really hard in my classes this year. Besides, I finished all the goals I set out for myself in the game, so there isn't much to report. However, I will try my hardest to make at least a weekly update. Should I not, at least look at my twitter feed, I will explain myself there.

Until next time!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Getting through Krokotopia



For those of you wondering where I was last week, I was out of town looking at colleges. You didn't come to hear about that, so I'll say no more.

With no quests left on Wolf Winterstaff, and Celestia not yet out, I have been grinding Wolf Griffintail through Krokotopia. He is almost done with the Chamber of Fire, and hopefully will soon be on his way to the Krokosphinx.

To be frank, it isn't much fun. Krokotopia has never been my favorite world, between the dim underground passages and the lack of power pips. My only real consolation is that afterwards is my favorite world, Marleybone. Yes, I am serious. I love the theme, the clothing, the more advanced battle strategy, and pretty much everything else. The whole 'no sidewalk' thing is but a minor grievance.

Until next time!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen, Wolf Winterstaff - Master Artisan


Title says it all, really

In a fit of farming spirit, I managed to get the 180 Black Lotuses necessary for the 12 Black Pearls all in one day. Luck sure was smiling on me!

My new goal is Kitchen Refurbishing. I want to take all the cool new Kitchen accessories from Grizzleheim and rework the kitchen in my castle. When I'm done, I'll put up a video tour of my house!

And if you look to your right (unless you use your computer upside down), you'll see a brand new Blogging Club Badge! John Lifeglen accepted my application, and I am now a member of the illustrious Wizard101 Blogging Club.

Until next time!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Thunderchill Cloaks- Complete

Those of you who read this blog regularly are aware that my current goal is to complete the final crafting quests in this game and become a Master Artisan. Well, tonight I am one step closer!



Hooray! The best news is that I can simply make more Black pearls, and I have bought everything else. Soon, I too shall proudly wear the badge of crafting superiority!

*ahem*

Well, silly rants aside, I'm really excited.

Until next time!