Pets Make Prizes!

Last week Mr and Mrs WoW announced a competition to celebrate their 1 year blogiversary and I couldn't help but enter. It was a type of scavenger hunt with four clues to locations in Azeroth with the task being to work out the location and take a screenshot. Along my journey I took a number of screenshots at each location before deciding which four to enter. I've decided to share them all here, along with the lovely poetic clues.

Blogiversary Naming Competition

Today happens to be my first blogiversary. It seems crazy that a year ago today I made my first blog post. In the past year I've written 247 posts (this is my 248th) and taken part in various blogging community events - from taking screenshots to writing short stories to designing transmogs. But I think the most important thing is that I've had a lot of fun, made some awesome (of virtual) friends and have every intention of continuing to be an active blogger (provided I have the time).

For some time I've been thinking about how to celebrate my blogiversary and a while ago came up with a loose idea that I've now decided to go with...

Writing Competition: Explanation

In this post I talk about the competition, explain the inspirtion behind my story, the possible endings I had in mind and winning! You may want to read the actual story first (or vice-versa).

 

A Bit of Everything

I've been a bit slack with blogging the last few weeks. Last week was graduation week and I've spent a fair bit of this week in bed with an evil cold/flu. I'm still somewhat ill but as I'm able to actually get out of bed and move (unlike Wednesday) I'm considering myself to be fit and well. I've also had some brilliant news on the job front but will post about that seperately next week when I know more, definite details. Anyway this blog is made up of mostly old-ish news but nonetheless it's news (unless you happened to have read about it via Twitter).

What happens if you place a Thermal Anvil & Blingtron...

Last Minute Prep for the Celestial Tournament!

Recently I ticked off a few achievements that I've been stupidly close to finishing but never bothered with or forgot all about. This included the achievement Pro Pet Crew. Now I have twice the minimum number of level 25 pets needed to take part in The Celestial Tournament. Which is excellent news as there's no healing or reviving pets in the instance.

But... do I have the right pet families leveled? Could I do with some more pets from a certain family? What pets should I level next to make things easier? Not to mention wanting the achievement Pro Pet Mob!

This post is going to explore what pets we can expect to face as part of the Celestial Tournament and how we can use this information to prepare our own pet rosters (even if it is last minute!!). I will be showing you how I have worked out what pet families will benefit me the most when it comes to competing at the Celestial Tournament.

200th Blog

Yep, you guessed it - this is my 200th blog!

Back in March I posted my 100th blog, just 5 months after starting my blog. Here we are in August, 5 months after my 100th blog and 10 months into the blog as a whole. Which means we're very close to my 1st blogiversary. And also that writing about 100 posts in 5 monts is average for me, or so it seems. In my 100th blog I did a sort of mini review of things so far and I've decided to do that again plus a few little extra things here and there.

One major game change for me is raiding. In April I took part in my first LFR and much to my surprise found it wasn't the horrendous tortuous experience I had expected! I have since tried to do on LFR a week. Initally I was working through the various raids going up a tier (I think they're tiers) each week. More recently, I have been doing the Terrace of Endless Springs more often than anything else as I really like it! Plus I'd quite like the gun (Taoren, the Soul Burner) from Lei Shi - who I should point out I love.
Note: I got the gun during tonights LFR night :)

Fun on the US PTR

On Friday afternoon I had arranged to spend some time on the PTR with a guildie. It turned out that the EU Normal server 'Brill' was offline and so we headed to the US server 'Anasterian'. Having noted when I first got onto the PTR that the US servers will an option I was curious to see if I could access them - and yes I could. I assume it works both ways and that those of you on US servers go get to the EU PTR ones. The Korean server was, however, locked.

Clearly, this would be a brilliant way to meet up with those of you on US servers and share a slice of cake! Perhaps, if people were interested, we could arrange for a party of sorts?

I think this is what happens when you complete the Legendary cloak!!

My Personal Pet Battle Strategy

About a month ago Mr and Mrs WoW commented on a post of mine asking whether I have a strategy when it comes to pet battles. Then this week I got asked a similar question by Trolling Azeroth:

So, I've decided to put my strategy down in writing. It most definately isn't the most efficient method but it may be useful for someone.

I'd like to point out that there's a whole sub-community of WoW blogs out there that deal specifically with pets, battles, strategy etc. I like to read the work of Liopleurodon, Quintessence, Kaitz, Ross and Ratshag amongst others. Ross has even got leveling from 1-25 down to four fights but it does require you to have some specific items and pets.

PTR: Pretty Pets & Magnificent Mounts

As I mentioned earlier in the week I downloaded and went on the Patch 5.4 Public Test Realm (PTR). If I'm honest I didn't do much testing when I was on there. But one thing I did do, pretty much instantly, was check out which pets and mounts I had available to me. There's absolutely no spoilers here - just a lot of screenshots!

Introducing My New Pet: Arvash!

Last week it was Arvash (over at The Crimson Hammer)'s 1 year blogiversary. Arv asked people to "leave a comment, explaining what superhero, or supervillain, your Warcraft character would most resemble" for a chance at winning an Armored Bloodwing or one of two Blossoming Ancient.

There were some really good answers and some funny ones. Here's my answer: "I’d like to say that my hunter’s most like Hawkeye because she’s an excellent aim but I’m not sure how true that actually is… Nontheless, Hawkeye is brilliant ". Arv soon pointed out to me that Hawkeye doesn't use pets - he's missing out if you ask me.

Breakfast Topic Thoughts: Zookeeping

Last night I managed to complete the World Safari achievement and it happens to be the subject of todays WoW Insider Breakfast Topic - so brilliant timing all round!

Blossoming Ancient!

I know there's been a lot of these posts the past few days but I couldn't help it - I wanted to show mine off too! Yesterday the boyf purchased me a Blossoming Ancient as a belated birthday gift. It's quite simply an amazing pet and I'm properly in love with it *big grin*. I can't wait to see him change with the seasons...


Big yawn!

Flowers!

It's also worth noting that the Blossoming Ancient is £7 from the Blizzard Store unlike the other pets which are £9.

Some Pictures of Horridon...

... both dead and alive!

Saturday I returned to WoW after a week of not playing. I'd been away at a wedding the previous weekend and uber busy with deadlines at work so I'd chosen to not renew my subscription 'til things settled down.



Some ToT architectrure.

My Top 10 Favourite Companion Pets!

Swenyola posted her top 10 comanion pets back on the 9th and since then it's really taken off! Since the original post I've seen Mrand MrsWoW, Lorelei, Zeriah, Luxypie, Navimie all post their own and yesterday Kamaliaetalia posted her own (which I have to confess reminded me about my own draft that's been waiting for some time now!). I think this is a really good idea for a mini community event and it's certainly got people talking and thinking.

I've been thinking about how to define my 'Top 10' and I've come to the conclusion that it's impossible for me to simply say it's an overall 'Top 10'. I could easily name 10 pets based on their models/appearance, pet battle abilities or those that mean something to me. I've decided to post my 'Top 10' pets that I either worked hard to get or instantly fell in love with.

Sprite Darter Hatchling
This is the first pet I ever remember wanting! It really was love at first sight. Once pets were cageable this was my first purchase.

Disgusting Oozeling
As far as I can remember the Disgusting Oozeling was the first pet I decided to farm for. Prior to MoP I went on a mission to get as many pets as possible before pet battles went live. The Oozeling (or Ozzy as I've named mine) is a random drop from Oozing Bags which are dropped my most ooze-like things. I got mine from Shifting Mireglobs in the Swamp of Sorrows.

Tiny Emerald Whelpling
The Tiny Emerald Whelpling is drops from the Noxious Whelps found in Feralas. I'm not sure when I first saw this pet but I started to farm for it before MoP. I managed to get two - keeping one for myself and sold the other.

Tiny Sporebat
The Tiny Sporebat can be purchased from Mycah the Sporeggar quartermaster once you reach axalted status. For me it's a pet that I instantly loved the look of and wanted which spurred me on to do the rep grind.

Minfernal
Minfernal makes the list for two reasons - not only did I put a lot of effort into getting my own but I also love his design. He really was one of those pets that I saw and thought I must have one. On top of this they were extremely hard to get when MoP launched. You can read about my quest to find the Mysterious Minfernal and about when I finally got my own by clicking on the links.

Enchanted Broom
The Enchanted Broom is another pet that I thought was not only awesome but very unique. The Broom can be purchased for 40 Champion's Seals from Trellis Morningsun. As I had no Horde characters at a high enough level I had to wait 'til pets were cageable and for onr to turn up on my realm AH before I had my own.

Phoenix Hatchling
The Phoenix Hatchling is a drop from Kael'thas Sunstrider who can be found in Magisters' Terrace. Now I have to confess whilst I have farmed for this pet repeatedly I've never got it myself. Rather a guildie who had several caged one and gave it to me.

Perky Pug
The Perky Pug is a reward for getting the achievement Looking for Multitudes which I got quite recently. I think the Pug is an awesome pet and in all honesty it's one of the reasons why I've used Dungeon Finder to find groups. I'm not sure if I'd have sone so many otherwise!

Singing Sunflower
The Singing Sunflower is another pet that I went back to get prioro to MoP and pet battles. You get it for completing Lawn of the Dead in the Hillsbrad Foothills.

 

Scourged Whelpling

 

The Scourged Whelpling is another pet that became available for wild battling and capture with MoP. Similarly to the Minfernal I liked the design of the pet before I became aware of its rarity and this only encouraged me to work harder to get my own. You can read all about my hunt for my own and when I finally got mine by following the links.

Party Pics!

On Sunday I had a mini Azerothian party to celebrate my birthday last week. I'd like to thank everyone who made it and those of you who couldn't make it but have subsequently spoken to / visited me in-game. We had some [virtual] cake and booze, a showering of gifts, went skinny dipping and played hide & seek (which was much more fun than Id imagined!). I also received a few companion pets which I have since named after those who gave them to me.

 

 

 

 

A dirty Hordie turned up too!

Despite their size Pandaren's can hide pretty well...

From @Farli

From @Laeleiweyn

From @Leonilda & @JamesNaktul

From @MrandMrsWoW (it's an amalgamation of their real names [sort of])

Birthday Celebrations!

This week I've been fairly quiet when it comes to both writing my own blog posts, reading others and tweeting. It's been quite hectic with work and birthday celebrations. It just so happens that I share my birthday (which is today) with a work colleague so we had a work meal on Wednesday evening and post-work drinks this evening. My uni friend came around last night which has meant that the last few nights have been mostly spent away from WoW-stuff.

I've been waiting to share with you pictures of a birthday gift that I received last weekend. I woke up Sunday morning to find I had an email from Tyledres that contained a TCG loot code which turned out to be a Gregarious Grell. This is my second TCG loot pet and both have been gifts. Tyledres informed me that she'd had the card for a couple of months and after I commented on one of her recent posts (about the grells ear-rings) decided to give it to me for my birthday. Nonethless, I really love my new pet which I have named after her. Thanks again!!

The second bit of exciting news is that my work colleagues surprised me with a cake today. But it wasn't any old cake - it was a WoW cake. I hadn't expected a cake let alone one so amazingly tasty and well decorated by people who really have no idea about or interest in WoW.

Finally, thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday via twitter. I have replied to all (or certainly most) of you. Also, don't forget that my Azerothian birthday party is this Sunday and that the deadline for Pet-mog is next Wednesday (22nd). Here's a link to the original post with all the details.

BPTT: Children's Week

It's been a while since I did a Pet Battle Theme Team and what better an occasion to return with than Children's Week! For those of you that are taking part in this year's Children's Week world event Perculia's guide can be found here.

During Children's Week it's possible to get 10 companion/battle pets! Last night I managed to get my final one the Curious Wolvar Pup. This BPTT, unlike previous ones, I will not be using images of pets from warcraftpets.com as I possess all of the pets I'm talking about (for once). Plus after my recent discovery that my gnomeee can look super small beside enlarged pets I thought I'd have some more fun with Magical Pet Biscuits!

Egbert's Egg

 

Egbert is a Bird from the Critter family of pets. He has a mostly Beast abilities (4/6) with a single Flying and Critter ability. A notable ability that Egbert has (and only shares with three other pets) is Feign Death which acts much like the hunter ability of the same name.

 

 

Elekk Training Collar

 

Peanut is from the Critter family and has a selection of Critter (2/6) and Beast abilities (4/6). Peanut has an enrage, Trumpet Strike, among his abilities which I think could be a really useful way of upping his damage. Note: the Wowhead tooltip says that damaged is increased by 0% which I think it an error - warcraftpets says 25% increase.

 

Random achievements, new transmog, a must-have mount and a GIANT moonkin hatchling!

Hey!

I got back from my cousins wedding yesterday afternoon. I had a really nice time and it was a lot of fun - there was a whole table of sweets (giant strawberrys, fried eggs etc.) which was amazing!

Last night I logged into WoW and had a pretty laid back evening. As usual I logged my hunter, checked out the BMAH and queued for my daily random heroic and scenario. Following my scenario I got the achievement Got My Mind On My Money for looting 10,000 gold. I then went into my dungeon and got Mystically Superior.

 

I've gradually been getting new gear and my Dragonstalker transmog has slowly been getting less and less as I haven't been transmogging my new stuff to match. So, I decided it was about time I re-mogged my gear. I collected the Wind-Reaver gear (part of the Stormscale Set) from the quests in the Dread Wastes and decided to try it out as a transmog. I really like how it all looks together and to make things even better it looks great with my favourite bow - Black Bow of the Betrayer! I've hidden the helm and cloak because I don't like the helm and my current cloak doesn't match. I've also equiped the Tabard of the Wildhammer Clan as that matches it nicely.

 

I then logged onto my mage to do some pet battling. I'm taking a break from questing on her now that she's reached level 89 and am just poodling along pet battling. During one battle I saw a Player X has got [Turtles All the Way Down] message/alert pop up and once out of the battle I congratulated them. We had a good old chat about various things - from achievements to pet battles and they showed me their new Sea Turtle mount. It looks amazingly cute and even hides in it's shell. It really is a must have mount, in my opinion, but takes a lot of time, patience and luck to get. There is however a similar TCG loot model (Riding Turtle) which will set you back around $100!

My last bit of quirky news is that I got my Moonkin Hatchling to level 25 and the boyf asked if it would be bigger than me (on my mage) if I fed it Magical Pet Biscuits. The answer is Yes!

Perky Pug!

I've literally just got the Perky Pug pet which is a reward for the achievement Looking for Multitudes which you get for grouping with 100 random people in heroics. I'd totally forgotten about this pet and how you get it so it was a nice surprise when I got it through in the mail.

 

Also, in slightly related news I got the achievement Rookie Pet Crew at the weekend. I'm slowly progressing with my battle pet roster and now have 17 level 25s (towards Pro Pet Crew) and need to raise only a dragonkin to level 25 to get All Pets Allowed.

Auction Addiction!

Wednesday evening I visited the Black Market Auction House and noticed a Dun Morogh Cub for sale at 1,000G. I thought this was a bit of a bargain knowing that these pets (those purchased with Champion's Seals) used to sell for around 4k each. As I hadn't checked for some time I logged onto my banking-alt and found only one for sale at around 2,500G. So, I made a bid before logging off for the night.

Last night I logged in to find I'd been outbid. I made a second bid for the cub and went off to do some dailies. The auction had between 2 hours and 30 minutes left and so I knew I would need to keep a close eye on things.

I managed to find my second ever Onyx Egg and found myself just short of reaching exhalted with the Order of the Cloud Serpent. I did a quick daily and managed to reach exalted status and get my Jade Cloud Serpent. I also decided to buy the Azure Cloud Serpent and Golden Cloud Serpent.

Cool shot from the cinematic.

I headed back to the BMAH and found that the auction still had medium length but I knew that it wouldn't be long until it went below 30 minutes. I noticed a Bood-Soaked Invitation at the base price of 1,000G with a short duration and though 'what the heck' and made a bid. By this time the cub had also dropped to short duration.

I hung around the BMAH leveling some battle pets and keeping an eye on things. Someonne outbid me, I outbid them and a mini bidding war began. But I was determined to get the cub. Again they outbid me, I outbid them and then things settled down again. I won the Invitation and it was a case of waiting to see if I'd be outbid again. I wasn't and I got the cub for 2,169G.

With my new cub beside what appears to be a giant mailbox!