Almost Everything Including
“Dear BRK, did you see on WoWInsider about the rogue getting the epic hunter bow from Sunwell?”
Yes.
And we’ll have no problem with that decision, once we see a hunter with a Warglaive. Not giving the epic bow to a hunter? That rogue and loot council should be ashamed of themselves.
But on the bright side, we hunters are now free to roll on anything and everything that drops that we can equip, and nobody can b!tch about it. Daggers? Hunter-loot. Tanking swords? Hunter-loot. Leather gear? DST? Thrown weapons?
It’s all hunter-loot now, foshizzle.
“Dear BRK, do you want one of those zebra-mounts?”
No. /scoff
“Dear BRK, are you going to do Inscriptions?”
No. /shudder
“Dear BRK, are you going to roll a Death [Knigget]?”
Roll? yes. Level? 99% chance of No.
“Dear BRK, Devilsaur or Chimera?”
Ooo. Now THAT’S a tough one. It’s a tie at the moment, we think. We need to do a poll on that one. Just guessing, but we’re going to say 80/20 for the Devilsaur.
But what we really want is a Core Hound from Molten Core. That would be all Win.
“Dear BRK, when are you going to do a BRK-TV like the TJ-TV?”
Probably never. That’s her shtick, talking non-stop for five minutes through a Great Wall of Hair. Who could do it better? Nobody, that’s who.
Although it should be noted that Auntie TJ should be thrilled to learn that Mrs BRK has approved TJ’s suggestion for the Temporary Name of the Baby in Making:
Thor.
“Dear BRK, why do you do all the screen shots of Alterac Valley and Arathi Basin? Isn’t that just one big ego-stroking, e-peening farce that only interests you?”
Probably, yes.
But when we do a screenshot like that, there is a Story behind it. The story is what we want to tell, not just regurgitate killing-blow stats. Sometimes we post losing shots as well, but in AV we rarely lose, so there are few losing screenshots that tell a good story. But just our luck, we had a horrible loss in AV last night, we took a screenie, and there’s a great story to go with it. It’ll be posted tonight! Or tomorrow!
“Dear BRK, who are your favorite WoW-bloggers?”
We have 57 WoW-bloggers in our RSS reader, and we read them all. Which ones do we look forward to reading the most?
Ratshag is the best RP-WoW blogger, hands down, end of discussion. You’re not going to “learn” from Ratshag, he doesn’t do theorycrafting or strategy, but there is nobody more entertaining, anywhere. Galertubby should have his own blog, and that’s a fact.
Blessing of Kings is the holy grail of calm, quiet, intellectual blogging in our community. Personally, we think paladins are as boring as watching AFKers, but his writing style rocks. He is the Bob Ross of Warcraft. (Can we claim to be the Dick Vitale of Warcraft? Any objections?)
OutOfMana… well what can we say about Megs other than we’d be on her PvP team anytime. Although she’d probably made us respec Marksman and become a mana-draining team.
If you’ve got a quick trip to Singapore and need to kill fourteen hours on the plane, read BigBearButt, foshizzle.
Resto4Life, specifically Phaelia, combines theorycrafting and silliness in a way that is a model for all you people who want to advance your blogging skills.
Spicytuna knows more about mages than anybody we know. Why he’s not writing the mage-column at WoW Insider, we have no idea.
A Renoobed-written, MelvinDoesWoW.com would be required reading for every class, and it’s criminal that this project hasn’t been started yet.
And Mania, of course, for her sheer volume of work. She gets our vote for Next In-Game NPC.
You want to be a better WoW-Blogger?
BRK’s Top Ten Rules of WoW Blogging
1. Don’t repost the beta/patch notes without adding something of your own. People get their Blizzard-news from the Big Sites, they don’t want to read them on yours. You need to add something to them, something that you are uniquely qualified to provide. When Galertubby starts discussing the new 51st Combat talent tree point, do you think you’re going to learn anything? No, but you’re going to laugh your head off. That’s what you want to do; give your audience a reason to visit you.
2. Don’t steal ideas. TheUndeadMage.com with nothing but “gharbles” wouldn’t be funny, it would piss off everybody who knows who Ratshag is. TheWisdomOfGalertubby.com would be hysterical, though. See?
3. Make moar white space. Massive chunks of text turn people off, totally. Break up those paragraphs, people!
4. Focus. If you’re a decent hunter and a lot of people come to your site to read about hunters, they’ll be pissed if you write about your level twenty paladin. When we do our Airman Howell stories, we always get a few “/yawn” comments because we’re deviating from our main focus.
5. Don’t worry about your niche. There are a couple of really good hunter-blogs out there, but that does not mean your hunter blog won’t be outstanding. It’s not your topic that keeps readers, it’s your style and content.
6. Don’t write for readers. When we started out, we got 2000 hits per month. We write because we love to write, not to increase our hit-count. In the military, the most successful officers are those who worry about their people first, not their careers. Worry about your writing, not your readers, and the readers will come.
7. Write frequently. Once per week isn’t going to cut it. The more you write, the better you’ll get, and the more people will visit you to see what you have to say today. Daily, if at all possible. Schedule posts for the future if you can.
8. Adapt and evolve. We used to do loads of gear-comparison posts, but hardly any anymore. If your audience doesn’t want X anymore, don’t keep giving them X.
9. Don’t change just for change’s sake. Your blog has to meet a minimum readability standard, absolutely. But people will read you for your words, not your background image. Kestrel has a gorgeous site, but who would visit it if he didn’t give people something to read?
10. Love what you do. Your blog is for you. If you think it’s for someone else, it becomes a Job. Jobs stink, and so will your blog.
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Flights to Singapore aren’t that bad!
You know, I honestly don’t know how to take that, Loronar.
Are you saying that a flight to Singapore for 14 hours trapped on a plane still isn’t SO boring that you should be reduced to reading my blog?
O.O
As a WoW blogger who’s happy to see just 100 hits a month, thanks for the tips.
I already knew most of them, but I appreciate the confirmation.
Also, Thor ftw.
[...] Mr. ’short britches’ BRK today, and [...]
I vote Devilsaur! I have always prefered the raptors, and now I can get one that won’t be “dwarfed” by my big tauren butt!
@BBB — It’s not meant to minimize your blog at all.
If I could, I’d still read your blog on a flight to Singapore, but I find enough things to do on a flight there and being a poor student, I can’t exactly get net access on the plane. I do fly back there every year after all.
“Love what you do. Your blog is for you. If you think it’s for someone else, it becomes a Job.”
Truth.
I have always loved the Airman Howell stories, although I must admit to being bewildered when I read my first…but if you ever post about raspberry latte again, I am going to be extremely upset. Coffee is pure and blissful in and of itself, a wee bit of Tauren juice is all it needs to be perfect.
“But just our luck, we had a horrible loss in AV last night, we took a screenie, and there’s a great story to go with it. It’ll be posted tonight! Or tomorrow!”
If that screenshot has you on top with KB and damage, stop kidding us that it’s ‘all about the story’. It’s about the e-peening.
Baby updates should also be included with #4 there as well.
/Duck & Run
how can people not like Airman Howell stories? Personally i think they r hilarious!
Aww, thanks! We love you too, BRK. :>
Hey, I love the name Thor, by the way…
Make sure that you remember, we’re going to want BRKlette pics like Wulfa does Orclette pics, if you get a grrl.
Here here BRK. Who needs a great blog… meh… just do a mediocre one like the rest of us. Personally, my blog is really all about random nonsense and to kill time at work.
I concur about Ratters… that guy is a genius
“Although it should be noted that Auntie TJ should be thrilled to learn that Mrs BRK has approved TJ’s suggestion for the Temporary Name of the Baby in Making:
Thor.”
which reminds me of one of the world’s oldest jokes.
The norse god Thor assumed mortal form to seduce a woman. He succeeded.
After a long night of wondrous loving, he was so filled with joy that he leapt from the bed, rose to his full height, pounded his chest and bellowed
I’M THOR!
his paramour replied
YOUR thor?!? I’m tho thor I can hardly pith!
/apologize
Favorite WoW-bloggers? Don’t make me pick!
Wewt, alot of celebs responding…. :3
PS personally I like ANY kind of brag you place in the blog, BRK
Because you brag on behalf of hunters….and then try to teach us how to do the same ourselves
Hunter Epeening? We Need It!
If not You, Who?
If not Now, When?
(speaking of stealing)
Dick Vitale? No knock on Dickie V, but I think your blog has far more nuance and dynamic range than the estimable Mr.V supplies. And MUCH more actual information.
“the Bob Ross of Warcraft”…only if he’s got the afro
Off to see if Amazon.com sells Bob Ross DVDs…nothing inspires lazy afternoon naps like watching “The Joy of Painting”!
Oh, also should mention: your list of blogging-tips is possibly the best list of them I’ve seen. /salute BRK and keep fightin’ the good fight and bloggin’ the good blog!
“6. Don’t write for readers.”
Spot on. While I do try to include info or atleast point to good info in my WoWg, for the benifit of the poor sods bored enough t read it, I am mostly just talking to the voices in my head.
Temporary Baby Names:
We called our tiny little offspring while still in the womb….
Cletus the Fetus.
Ok, well I said it mostly. My wife kinda glowered at me.
Awww .. thanks for the link love .. and the kind words! Mixing fun and facts is definitely something I’ve picked up from you!
Ignore those /yawns for the Airman Howell stories!
When I see one of those, I drop everything I am doing to read it. I love those things. So well written, it really feels like you are actually just telling the story in person.
AIRMAN HOWELL FTW!
about the epic bow that went to a rogue…
hunters everywhere should shed a tear for those poor hunters. what a cruel thing to do… like giving a warglaive to a prot warrior because a rogue isn’t loyal enough to have it yet.
Brk. I know your a hunter at heart. But like.. did you read the post?
Why should hunters get free loot especially when they haven’t done the work to deserve it?
The guild leaders/council made a very tough decision.
Its like.. if your in a raid with a brand new to the guild hunter. The council decides to give the new hunter an upgrade you need. Do you think thats fair?
The rogue benefits quite a bit from the bow. He earned his legendaries through ALOT of raiding and hard times it sounds like.
Put yourself in each of the peoples shoes.
Well, the bow *is* the best ranged weapon for rogues, and if the other hunters didn’t mind, sure, why not? But it does seem like one of those mean-spirited “I have more DKP than you so I’m taking it” things.
Oh…
I DEMAND MY FLUFFY! I so want a Core Hound pet.
Whether or not the rogue or a hunter should get the bow comes down to this, and simply this:
Which person brings more benefit to the raiding ability of the guild by possessing the item?
Sure it’s great for the rogue… but how often is the rogue using a bow? Therefore, isn’t its DPS potential being utterly wasted? It’s somewhat analogous to a fury warrior taking a druid tanking trinket because it gives him slightly more agility and a minor crit bonus: yes, he DOES benefit slightly, but not as much as a bear-tank druid would.
Of course, this extends to dependability; a raider in mid-range gear is of more use than an undependable, infrequent raider in top-end gear. So, if it’s down to an always-there-and-helpful rogue and a raiding-butterfly of a hunter, the rogue would win in my opinion (as a hunter, even).
@Anonymous: gtfo. We’ve heard your take on the subject, we (or I) have explained why you’re wrong, you’re not doing anyone any favors. Less spam please.
@Airman Howell, AV stories, Ratshag: WANT.
Devilsaur for lvling definitley, but Chimera for PvP. Cant wait to see what new exotics are coming up next!
But what we really want is a Core Hound from Molten Core. That would be all Win.
Now you’re talking my language!
You know, Thori’dal is the best rogue ranged weapon in the game. I don’t think its a misappropriation to loot one to a rogue, at least they can put it to use.
Exotic Pets: you gotta be kidding me. Blue said their skills won’t be better than standard pets, nor will there be pet talents avalible only to 51-point BM hunters. Really, it is just a waste of 6 talent points (aspect mastery is crap), I hope you reconsider better dps-talents before you make your final decision.
I’m pretty sure all of the core raiding Hunters had already gotten Thori’dal in that guild. I remember a quote on the forums from a member of the guild saying that there were 4 Thori’dal drops, and 3 Hunters who raided with them. So the next best thing to them I’m guessing would be a rogue. /shrug
But anyway, I would totally use a devilsaur over a chimera….. Looks MUCH more badass. And the zhevra mount looks amazing, tbqh…
Is MrsBRK gonna do a preggy blog? She’s a great writer, too.
“6. Don’t write for readers.”
I did have a moment (not too long ago actually) where i was pretty busy in RL aswell playing an officer ingame, i just didn’t have the strength or will to blog about Wow, so i didn’t…
The one post i did make (but didnt put up) was about me quiting blogging, for some reason i couldn’t give up on my baby yet .
Suddenly a few of my readers commented on a post saying they did like my stuff and actually would to read more.. WTF?
Did they knew what was going on in my mind? :O
Anyway, you’re not supposed to write for the readers but it’s sure nice if your readers enjoy it aswell… still a good motivator.
Otherwise i could have just aswell started each blogpost with “Dear Diary”.
Please note that the “h” in Thor is silent; so pronounced Tor (which is the more common spelling).
That is all.
How can u see a hunter with warglaive I wonder. Isnt it a warrior-rogue weapon. Did hunter show her/his bags to u ?
@Jon: Indeed, Aspect Mastery sucks, as BRK stated in an earlier post. If you’re filling out Beast Mastery as you ought to be, though, there’s *more* than enough talents to grab those 50 points without Aspect Mastery (no one said Aspect Mastery was required for Beast Mastery – the talent or the tree). In that case, it’s a single talent point you’re putting into getting five pet skill points and a pet that, besides looking pretty awesome (eyecandy means nothing for min/maxing), can learn skills beyond those normal pets can learn. (There was a blue post somewhere about it.) Try this on for size: http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?talent=cVbrzgxoiuMesz0eVbZx
@Armond: How am I wrong? Lettme guess, BRK brags on behalf of hunters everywhere? Riiiiiiigghhhht.
Tell ya what, when BRK posts screen shots of hunters, other than himself, at the top then I’ll buy into your argument.
/tap
You might want to update your list of BRK’s Military Stories to include the 5 you are missing, plus the 2 other /Daniel Mode stories you have.
An alternative would be to go back and assign the 14 stories a category like “Airman Howell”, so that you can have a single category link in the right panel taking up less space.
I have created a BRKWiki page with links to all of the Non-BRK stories that I could find:
http://www.bigredkitty.net/brkwiki/index.php?title=Airman_Howell
There’s nothing wrong with only posting once/week. I think the biggest reason so many blogs fail is that people try to post too much. You’ve gotta be able to place blogging within your life. If it’s this fun amazing thing that’s replacing everything else you’re doing that’s fun right now… then you’re doomed.
I’m not saying daily blogging can’t be a good thing, but there are other ways to blog other than the spaghetti method. (ie. throw everything at the wall and hope something sticks) High Signal, Low Noise, Moderate Frequency blogging works wonders.
My little one was going to be named Thor.. all set ready to go.. then someone pointed out that when spoken it sounded like Thaw… and for those of you that know my surname, will appreciate we were inviting him to a whole world of pain growing up… so we settled for Odin.
@ Anonymous – Um, wow. Bitter much? If you’re that upset about BRK posting his BG screenshots, either a) skip over them like I do (sorry BRK!), or b) quit reading his blog.
Really, it’s not that hard of a choice. Besides, all the tears from your QQing are shorting out my workstation :3
“In the military, the most successful officers are those who worry about their people first, not their careers.”
If only that were true…
@Ashaelia
You forgot c) ‘Calling BS’.
It’s BRK’s blog, he can do whatever he wants. But lets not pretend that it’s anything other than ego stroking. Self ego – not hunter ego. Now if the entry had the warning ‘Gotta stroke myself folks.’, I’d be happy to walk onto the next entry. I couldn’t call BS if BRK was being honest.
No worries about forgetting c) though, I’m sure that you are despondent over your workstation shorting out. /bummer
/foshizzle
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