August 2010 Edition So you've got a budget of $1000 and you want to improve your computing and gaming experience, huh? Let's look at some things you can buy without voiding your warranty by having to open up your tower in order!

Hi there!

This is Valdesta from WoWGrrl.com and I'm going to take you through the process of nuking your interface and WTF folders safely in World of Warcraft.

Fixing WoW UI Problems

I'm on a Macintosh here but the process will be the same for people on a PC - you'll have to go into your hard drive and into Program Files and into the World of Warcraft folder to see what I'm seeing on my screen.

You want to find a ..read the full article

Hey folks, it's Valdesta!

I'm on my Shaman in this video, and I'm testing out Screenr.com and showing you another one of my favorite addons for World of Warcraft - the Addon Control Panel.

This is another one of those addons that I install right away as soon as I get set up on a new computer, or if I have to nuke my Interface and WTF folders due to loading or UI problems.

Addon Control Panel

This is an add-on you ..read the full article

I'll admit it, I don't play NEAR as much as I used to.

I still enjoy the game because I've made some good friends that I still hang around with on my Ventrilo server, and Dad and I still play together once a week, questing and advancing our characters into the 70s that started together in their 20s.

Upcoming Video Content

And I still enjoy the LFG tool because of its quick access to a packaged amount of playing that I can ..read the full article

Frost Mage has been largely seen as a PvP spec, but don't let them fool you - a player who plays their Mage skillfully can be a giant in terms of fast levelling and high damage in dungeons and raids in addition to being a formidable foe on the battlegrounds or in the arena.

There are subtle differences in the talent configurations in order to be successful as a Frost Mage in different areas of the game.

Note, although this is a ..read the full article

My wee tanks on Alliance side are progressing through a few different instances, with Wailing Caverns being one of the ones that comes up regularly whenever I put myself into the Dungeon Tool.

Wow, what a series of tests that instance is!

Dancing Dranaei Tank

This is the first conclusion I've come to, after running 3-4 full WC's on my Druid and my Warrior, and many failed attempts on my Shaman healer.

The logic ..read the full article

Here's a great thing about leveling up a crapload of toons through the Horde side, and then switching over and leveling up another group of characters on the Alliance side:

There are instances that Alliance folk are afraid of that Horde folk run a kabillion times when they level a toon family, and this Horde-based knowledge pays off big time in these few times.

Druid Tanking Wailing Caverns

I guess it will be the same with Razorfen ..read the full article

Tanking as an LFG leveler is an interesting experience.

I mean, I know most of these dungeons like the back of my hand after having run friends through or PUGged them a billion times, or having farmed through to the end of the various instances for the Achievements.

So, it's the perfect time to get into Tanking - not only do I know where I'm going and have a decent handle on generating threat on multiple targets, but I can move quickly ..read the full article

With the upgrade of the Dungeon Tool for regular 5-player instances, increasing the pool of potential PUGmates you'll be assigned to because of the cross-realm battlegroups being included, I'd love to hear from everyone else your opinion about ditching PUG parties with little or no warning.

Not to say that I think people should feel free to ditch groups they got into and have progressed part way through the ..read the full article

Last year I was a complete dummy and didn't complete the Love Is In The Air quest series from the Valentine's event that is required to get "the Love Fool" title.

Wanna know why?

Cuz I'm a dummy. I already said that! Keep up!

Shrimproll's Achievement Screen

Each one of the Seasonal Events has a title that your various characters can get. Most require you to be level-capped, or nearly so, unless you ..read the full article

Tanking as an LFG leveler is an interesting experience.

I mean, I know most of these dungeons like the back of my hand after having run friends through or PUGged them a billion times, or having farmed through to the end of the various instances for the Achievements.

So, it's the perfect time to get into Tanking - not only do I know where I'm going and have a decent handle on generating threat on multiple targets, but I can move quickly ..read the full article

So, I don't know if you've experienced this or not since the new Dungeon Tool came in...

But man, what's with all the Healer Ninjas in the leveling dungeons??!!

Personally, I love the challenge of PUGs with complete and utter strangers.

Druid Tanking In Wailing Caverns

Ever since BC came out, and the first rendition of the LFG tool, I've gained a huge amount of playing skill just by playing with strangers instead of friends.

In fact, ..read the full article

My LFG Levelers aren't to the Blackrock Depths level yet, and won't be for quite a while, but that doesn't mean I can't still enjoy the dungeon once in a while.

Specifically, on my Horde-side, well-established set of toons, a couple of them have Direbrew's Remote.

And the Remote, other than being a rare daily boss drop during the Brewfest celebration which was difficult to get in the first place, has a couple of neat features that can be enjoyed year round.

..read the full article

I admit it.

I've crossed the line.

After years of being Horde-dominated and only having dabbled half-heartedly in any Alliance faction toons, I've finally set myself up an official, lasting, Alliance family.

One that is getting proper attention to be called a family and not just a stray spore that landed, germinated, and then was put into forever-stasis.

Lil Timmy The Boy With Kittens

One of my lowbie Alliance toons was running around in Stormwind, working on her Tailoring jive with ..read the full article

It's readily apparent to anyone who used to read this blog regularly that I've had some troubles writing for a while.

Elemental Shaman in Icecrown Citadel 25

I find that whenever I get into a solid raid team, I have troubles writing about my adventures.

Sure, I'm having a great time advancing in-game but I'm missing out on something I really love to do, which is write on this blog.

This blog that I spent so much time upgrading and re-designing!

So, I'm ..read the full article

My previous entry was about all the awesome things that the new cross-realm LFG tool has brought to us as Heroic-rompers and Leveling Lowbies.

This entry is more about the things that I lament about the new LFG tool.

Ready Check For Random Dungeon

Now, don't get confused. Overall, I L-O-V-E the new LFG tool. I think it's a wicked upgrade to an already useful tool.

But, there are some things that "just aren't the same" ..read the full article

If you're like me, your guild has taken an official break from its raid schedule for the Holiday season, and you've been given an opportunity to do whatever it is you want with your time.

A WoW Christmas Tree

I've had a very enjoyable holiday season, spending time with family and friends and getting a lot of personal projects done that have been waiting my attention for months.

The weather has been NASTY COLD for the past ..read the full article

CURRENT FOR PATCH 3.3!

Here's a complete Gemming and Enchanting Guide for Balance Druids in WoTLK World of Warcraft.

This guide includes two sets of gem/enchant suggestions: One for the beginner and another for "pro" raiders

BONUS: Complete Materials Lists + helpful suggestions to help you reduce your raid gear-enhancing costs!

EVERY BALANCE DRUID RAIDER NEEDS THIS GUIDE!

Crit Chicken - Unshifted

TL;DR version: If you don't believe in Gemming and Enchanting your gear, you're destined and doomed to ..read the full article