A Meandering March Through Expansions and Zones

A Meandering March Through Expansions and Zones

The places and names change almost by the hour, but Java remains focused on reaching level 100 before the Legion release only two and a half months from now. Consumed with her mission, she is only sketchily marking her progress as recorded below. In summary, though, her latest jaunt plumbed all of Uldum, followed by Deepholm, and stretched partly into Mount Hyjal. Looking for stronger challenges and perhaps better gear, she now has her sights on Pandaria.

Camels, anyone? Java took her level 83 self down to Tanaris far to the south of of Kalimdor. Java joined a caravan and entered the land of Uldum, a land reminiscent of ancient Egypt.

Java quickly tested the mettle of the place, learning that she could handle the mobs and that the experience she hoped to gain was sufficient to stay awhile. So far that has proven true, as Java completed the 30% experience she needed to reach Level 84. Uldum is a vast desert and Java hopes to fully plumb all of it's secrets.

Java did the whole Indiana Jones series of quests with far more interest and gusto than the first time Wild tried it - back then the quests were buggy, there were a lot of cut shots that made everything take longer, and the quests themselves required a manual to figure out what to do. This time is was just for fun and experience. Java cleared virtually all of Uldum, reached Level 85, and ground her way to 62% of the way to level 86. The experience was good, but dropped significantly when she hit Level 85.

Uldum is a Cataclysm zone. Java wants to take on another zone in Cata. Her picks are Deepholm or Mount Hyjal. The zones are familiar to her. There is also Vashjr, but I really don't like that zone, which is conducted mostly underwater. There is enough to do protecting oneself from attackers from the front, back and side, but also having to look out for enemies from below and above is just a little too much.

Her gear level rose from i281 to i335.

Java got the call from the Stormwind king to travel to Deepholm. It was already late into the night, but Java did some good in a short period, improving her experience from 62% to 73%. Java poked her head into the Stonecore Dungeon, but the level 85 elites there did not look friendly.

Sunday morning went smoothly in Deepholm. Java easily quested her way to Level 86 and 10% toward level 87. Her gear level is at i351.

Java began her assault on Mount Hyjal but got sidetracked by the Earth experience and was pulled into the very long multi-scenario about Thrall. That was fun the first time I did it, but I've lost count of how many times I had to go through it. Hoping to get around it. Java did hit Level 87.

Update: Mount Hyjal is proving to be too low level to garner enough experience to be worthwhile. Java is over-geared here and has little chance of improving. Java is setting that zone aside for now (she could go back to it if needed). Instead, Java is going to jump into Pandaria. Though not a fan of Pandaria, the early quests are pretty good and the experience should improve markedly. At least that is the plan. The Hero Board in Stormwind didn't list Pandaria. Perhaps it was confused because Java had made that short trip into Mount Hyjal earlier. Anyway, Java found Rell Stormwind in the courtyard outside the Keep with the quest to get everything started. The Horde version was pretty chaotic the first time Pandaria launched. At one point Wild found himself attempting to solo entire groups of enemies in those early battles. Flying wasn't allowed and Wild died many times earning his way.

Now Java gets to experience it from the Alliance side.