Having fun with OS X

Even though I've been using OS X for quite a while, I haven't really been using some of the new features of 10.5 or some of the old terminal commands. So, I thought I would give some things a try, and here's a small example of the result of my experimentation.

(The picture doesn't show that the desktop is animated)

DDO-Daily also had a post about DDO possibly coming to OS X. That would be awesome, so I wouldn't have to use boot camp anymore. I bet the OS X video drivers are much better than the boot camp drivers for my now dated Mobility X1600.

Spawn of Whisperdoom

Last night our static group ran Spawn of Whisperdoom for the first time. Well, first time for me and our rogue, but the ranger had tried to solo it earlier in the month.

We had some weird lag issues, with a DC for both me and the rogue and different points in the quest.

But, at the end, we took on Whisperdoom near the shrine and did take her down. Knight of the Chalice II for me, and Arcane Archer for the Ranger and we had enough DPS to make it work, at least on normal.

Risia Ice Games

It wasn't until this latest incarnation of the ice games have I actually played them, so I feel a bit behind the curve. But after much practice, and watching some excellent YouTube videos, I feel that I have purple coin collecting down.

My suggestion: +30 jump spell or icy potion of jump, plus haste spell or icy potion of haste, and just totally skip the harbormaster house ramp. Oh, and no feather fall.

Need those potions? Then get coins to trade in for them the easy way (alternate method)

Once you got your spells on, try this!

Elite Sacred Helm

So Cyllyn needed some help. Melkiar was otherwise occupied, so I, Meloth the Balding, and Havarth Wolfkiller assisted Cyllyn. We knew that Shaagah's helm was well guarded, and that this would be one of our toughest fights yet.

We eventually persevered, but Cyllyn's apparent stature meant that my contributions, while worthy, did not help me gain meaningful experience.

Overall, it was fun, but took a long time, especially with several runs back and forth to shrines. I didn't drink all the sp pots I was given by Cyllyn, but I came pretty close. A level 10 rogue, level 5 barbarian, and level 4 wizard is probably the wrong mix for that sort of thing, but it still worked out. Next time, I might bring a cleric hireling with DV to help out of with spell points and healing.

Templates and playstyles

I've been using a template for my wizard as I get used to playing a caster in DDO.

http://ddowiki.com/page/Elven_Mage

I like it so far, but I've found playing solo that crowd control is so much better than straight damage. Yesterday for example, I would have much preferred the wizard in the pickup group to cast hypnotize or sleep than burning hands.

But, people play the way they want to play.

Farming for Favor

It's been crazy the last few weeks, not having much time to play. So I've been playing here and there where I can. Most of this has meant farming favor for turbine points on other servers for those 'first time server rewards'. So far, I've got at least 25 favor on every server, and 50 on three so far.

It's been a good opportunity to learn about other classes and races, but makes me appreciate my main , an Elf Paladin, even more. For example, a human cleric with power attack and a quarterstaff just looks and feels awesome, even if it isn't the 'best' way to play.

Quick xp on elite

My low level wizard alt unexpectedly grouped up with my regular group, who were also playing their alts. So my level 2 wizard joined a level 5 barbarian and later a level 2 bard.

I quickly got to 3rd level, and got blur and otto's resistible dance. I must say, the suhagain dancing animation is awesome.

I also spent a bit of gold and scribed new spells. I have a somewhat better choice of spells now, but I still need knock to not feel that I'm shooting myself in the foot for not having a level of rogue.