Cataclysm levelling tips?

[rodos]

Just edited the first post with a few observations about zone progression in Cataclysm. Compared to BC or Wotlk, it is a lot more linear - there is choice at L80-81, but thereafter, I think going in the progression Blizzard intended makes sense. They seem to have done a really good job of pacing the levelling and questing so that you are about the right level for the next zone if you just do the bundle of faction related "main story" quests. You don't have to grind XP nor do you quickly outlevel the zone; it is just right. I was very impressed by the timing of it all - after L81, whenever I levelled it seemed to be very close to the epic conclusion of the zone I was in, cinematics and all. Linearity does allow better story telling and Blizzard have used it with skill.

I found I got ahead of things pretty easily. I turned in a few lvl 80 dailies, and did some archaeology while the initial (couple of hours) rush died down, then did a BRC run and went to Vashj'ir. By the time I'd finished that zone entirely (wanted to open up the final Neptulon dungeon quests) I was at lvl 83. Poked my nose in Deepholm, found it a bit ugly, and went directly to Uldum. Great XP and tasty item rewards there. At 84 now I have Uldum half done and am back in Deepholm to open up the Therazane dailies. Add a couple of dungeon runs and I reckon I'll have all of TH and Hyjal to do for cash at 85.

That said, I love the stories, and the characterization seems much better than in the past. In Wrath, the stories like those of Thassarian and, to a lesser extent, Keristrasza were really good. Cataclysm has even more like that. It's great stuff.

[econ21]

I found I got ahead of things pretty easily.

I got out of the starter zones (Vashj'ir) to go to Deepholm as soon as I hit 82, as I was frustrated with the lack of gear upgrades. I probably had only done half of the zone or less. But thereafter, natural zone progression synchronised almost perfectly with when I dinged (Uldum at 83, TH at 84). I skipped what I considered to be "non-main story" quests (basically those not giving Therazane, Rahamen or Wildhammer rep), but got some XP from mining.

[Njall]

Uldum. You will never find a more wretched hive of cut-scenes and mini-games.

[thatguy]

Uldum. You will never find a more wretched hive of cut-scenes and mini-games.

I thought this was a good thing!

[Njall]

Uldum. You will never find a more wretched hive of cut-scenes and mini-games.

I thought this was a good thing!

It is. I just liked the quip too much. Thieving Pluckers and "Kill them with fire"* are great dailies. And now that I've done all the quests, it seems that some of my problems with phasing nodes are gone. Honestly, Uldum is the new Nagrand - for me at least!


* okay, I have no idea what it is called but its hilarious to watch the burning Schnotzzi infantry running away and setting each other on fire.

[rodos]

Uldum. You will never find a more wretched hive of cut-scenes and mini-games.

I thought this was a good thing!

Uldum is possibly my favourite thing in WoW ever.

[Holyblaze]

Uldum. You will never find a more wretched hive of cut-scenes and mini-games.

I thought this was a good thing!

Uldum is possibly my favourite thing in WoW ever.

This! Im a HUGE Stargate SG1/Atlantis/Universe hooker! I have all the dvd's and still watch them on TV! muhahahaha

[Njall]

Uldum. You will never find a more wretched hive of cut-scenes and mini-games.

I thought this was a good thing!

Uldum is possibly my favourite thing in WoW ever.

As I said before, I have to suppress the urge to go and watch SG-1 every time I spend more than an hour in Uldum. Man, I really, really miss writing for the RPG based on the show. Pity it went down the tubes so soo. And the story of the SG-1 MMO is just sadness.

And yes, I was grumbling "where the hell is Brann??!?!" throughout most of the zone - until the end. He's still my favorite character. Has been since Classic. Always will be, at least, until the wife starts playing that worgen she's threatened me with. Woo!

[edsdame]

I hate Uldum with passion. Never-ever want to be there. Cutscenes in every bush, which are bugged and boring, slower repop, smaller mob populations, and nothing at all unique.
Don't get me wrong, I love the egyptian culture, but I feel like the whole map is a complete ripoff, while the others (especially Deepholme) at least trying to be something different.

But I guess I am in minority. Just wanted to add my two cents.

[Mannstein]

Uldum is possibly my favourite thing in WoW ever.

+1

[halabar]

I hate Uldum with passion. Never-ever want to be there. Cutscenes in every bush, which are bugged and boring, slower repop, smaller mob populations, and nothing at all unique.
Don't get me wrong, I love the egyptian culture, but I feel like the whole map is a complete ripoff, while the others (especially Deepholme) at least trying to be something different.

But I guess I am in minority. Just wanted to add my two cents.

Design - Deepholm
Quests - Uldum
Farming - Uldum
Cutscenes - Meh

Vash seemed less well planned, and while its "pretty" it feels a bit like a kid's art project, with everything glommed together. (allthough I'll admit I haven't done the full zone yet).

The overall design of Deepholm, especially the art of the rockwork, warmed the veins of my dwarven heart.

[Njall]

Vash seemed less well planned, and while its "pretty" it feels a bit like a kid's art project, with everything glommed together. (allthough I'll admit I haven't done the full zone yet).

The overall design of Deepholm, especially the art of the rockwork, warmed the veins of my dwarven heart.

Vash'ir was cut down dramatically in scope from the Closed Beta, I am told with numerous quests removed. The giblin quest chains suffer from this particularly, becoming caricatures of the original intent which was focused on diplomacy and intrigue. Deepholme was nice but I found the quests too prevalent in grindy/kill-listy stuff.

[Sabindeus]

[halabar]

Vash seemed less well planned, and while its "pretty" it feels a bit like a kid's art project, with everything glommed together. (allthough I'll admit I haven't done the full zone yet).

The overall design of Deepholm, especially the art of the rockwork, warmed the veins of my dwarven heart.

Vash'ir was cut down dramatically in scope from the Closed Beta, I am told with numerous quests removed. The giblin quest chains suffer from this particularly, becoming caricatures of the original intent which was focused on diplomacy and intrigue. Deepholme was nice but I found the quests too prevalent in grindy/kill-listy stuff.

Yeah, I don't feel drawn to Vash. Considering that I'm already lvl 84, and haven't finished Uldum, I'll likely not go back except for a tabard and the dungeon entrance.

Uldum does have better quests.. but the rockwork in Deepholm, yum.. (did I mention I studied geology?...)

[Njall]

Yeah, I don't feel drawn to Vash. Considering that I'm already lvl 84, and haven't finished Uldum, I'll likely not go back except for a tabard and the dungeon entrance.

Uldum does have better quests.. but the rockwork in Deepholm, yum.. (did I mention I studied geology?...)

Spent 10 years working as a field geologist during the 80s and 90s. I prefer Uldum as I don't like being trapped inside a gigantic galena geode. It is a nice zone and very aesthetic but I just prefer Uldum, I suppose.