Project Lore

The Balancing Act column was created to highlight how we as a community can dedicate so much time to our beloved MMORPG, and still have times for the finer things in life.  The introductory piece focused one's ability to play other games.  The second installment forces us to take a much harder look at ourselves, our lives and how our hobby interferes with our personal connections. The past few weeks in the blogosphere have been, well, downright depressing.  First the WoW community lost one of the most prominent Druid healing blogs, Resto4Life.  In the past few days I have personally lost two blogs that I subscribe to on my RSS feeder (Yes, I read other stuff.  You should too!), my favorite WAR blog known as WAAAGH! and Project Lore's own, BigRedKitty.  Phaelia and BRK both mark personal and family duties as reasons for their departure.  Phaelia took her absence due to a pregnancy, one which Blizzard has honored.  For his part, BRK ends his reign as an enlightened and highly regarded Huntard to spend more time with his family.  Only Syp of WAAAGH! will remain on the blogging scene, shifting gears from WAR to an all-new multi MMO blog appropriately named Bio Break. The recent losses, and the reasons behind them, have led me to look at my life in much the same way.  I'm not going anywhere though, and that is due to one big difference - I do not have a family.  Pleasing my girlfriend and keeping friendships intact are all I have to worry about, but even that can become difficult sometimes!  Time management is not everyone's strong point, and the only way I manage is by laying things out in advance.  The most time consuming of my WoW habits is raiding.  I work around this all night affair by informing my girlfriend of my raiding nights days in advance.  Not only does this let her know it's coming, but she can try to schedule her owns things, like a girl's night, if given enough time.  For obvious reasons I don't inform my friends of such plans, but with my guild only raiding twice a week, it is easy to work raiding around face time with friends. This is mainly accomplished by keeping the weekends entirely unscheduled as far as Azeroth is concerned.  I have also been known to disappear from raiding entirely for a few weeks.  Going cold turkey from time to time allows me to reevaluate my habits.  I can discern if I am being neglectful or getting sucked in a little too much.  Not to mention the fact that a break here and there keeps the game fresh and fun. How do the hardcore raiders out there manage it?  I don't think I could ever be hardcore again.  In fact, the only reason I was able to pull it off in the first place was because my ex-girlfriend played more than I did.  I don't regret it, I had tons of fun, but my life has changed since then and it can no longer facilitate such a commitment.  As long as I get through all the raids, I am content at being hardcore casual.  The lesson to take away from all of this is to remember that age old adage, Life > WoW. Be sure to keep those friendships active, the grades up to snuff and to stay awake at work.  To Phaelia, BRK and Syp, all the best in your future endeavors.

Click to read more ...

BigRedKitty bring us along as they venture into the Arachnid Quarter of 25-man Naxxramas. Watch as BRK squash this oversized bug with the help of a couple dozen other people. Addons mentioned in this video include: Omen Threat Meter Mik's Scrolling Battle Text Power Auras - check out some more tips from BRK about Power Auras here. Deadly Boss Mods Remember to vote for Project Lore on the streamys at http://vote.streamys.org/

Click to read more ...

If you've spent any significant time in a crowded area lately - the Auction House, the Wintergrasp portal just before it opens, even a raid's summoning stone - you've probably experienced one of the more annoying cosmetic toys in the game - the Toy Train Set. In case you don't know, it makes everyone in the general area start making train noises for a minute and a half. Currently the only ways to save one's ears is to turn off game sound or to leave the area. But in 3.1, you'll be able to get a little guy to destroy those annoyances with a Wind Up Train Wrecker. How do you like it?

Click to read more ...

BigRedKitty brings you the second in a series of videos to help you get the most out of your hunter. This one starts a few levels after the first installment at level four. Learn some new tips and tricks about instant shots, damage types, and kiting mobs in this BRK Hunter Guide Movie

Click to read more ...

When a hunter happens upon a Spirit Beast in Sholazar Basin, the reaction is usually sublime and controlled; decorum is maintained at all times. Like this: "WWAAAAAAAHHHH IT'S MY SPIRIT BEEEEEEEEAST!!!" And then they gather their composure... and spittle-shriek again. Of course, this usually only happens once in a hunter's life as the Spirit Beast in Sholazar Basin is extremely elusive. Well guess what we did today: "WWAAAAAAAHHHH IT'S MY NEW SPIRIT BEEEEEEEEAST!!!" Blizzard has come through with a little-mentioned rumor, that a new Spirit Beast would be introduced. Now, in the latest version of the PTR, this rumor is a reality. Gondria has arrived.

Click to read more ...

BigRedKitty is proud to bring you the first in a series of videos to help you get the most out of your hunter. This one starts just after character creation, at level one. What could you possibly be doing wrong as a level one hunter? Check out this video and find out.

Click to read more ...

Dual Spec is one of the most highly anticipated features of patch 3.1, and that's what we'll be hilighting in this video. There are currently a couple of bugs involving hunter pets as they relate to Dual Spec, but keep in mind that this is the PTR, so things will likely change before they go live.

Click to read more ...

So you're a hunter. Done. As a hunter you have one job, (unless you are spec'd survival, in which case you still really only have one job) you shoot shit. Since all you do is shoot shit, it becomes of paramount importance that you shoot shit correctly. Okay so how do you do that? Well I don't f***ing know, that's why I look to other people to tell me, specifically http://www.bigredkitty.net/. Bigredkitty has spent lots of time creating and compiling info for the betterment of huntards everywhere. And if you dig into his forums a bit you will find a (not-so-secret anymore) secret. A brave, Tauren hunter by the name of Manito has perfected the Beast Master's 3:2 shot rotation macro. And he has graciously shared it for all the world...of warcraft, to see. You will find all the info you need if you follow this link. Follow the instructions carefully and in no time you will be shooting shit about as good as you can shoot shit. By the way this is the macro I was speaking of in Episode 2.4

Click to read more ...