:::26 February 2007:::
Well, it didn't take a week for me to complete this update, it has taken over two.  I do have one good excuse, I was off work last week on my personal vacation.  I finally hit 70 last week (I think it was Tuesday when I finally dinged for the last time, at least until they raise the cap again)  Since then I had been working like crazy to get my Karazstan key quest completed.  That has been a major pain in the ass, more on it later.

 

When I hit 70 I was able to buy my flying mount.  It is only usable in Outlands, but it is SWEET to be able to fly wherever I want to.  I am saving to get the epic flying mount so I can fly even faster.  I have been slowly raising my engineering as well (I have topped out my mining at 375) I need to get to 375 so I can get the Area 52 trinket (clicky to area 52!).

 

I still have a lot to explore in the expansion.  I have just started the Netherstorm quests (now they give GOLD, lots of GOLD and rep with the Scryers) I barely touched Blades Edge Mountains and just entered Shadowmoon.  When I am not doing CoT or any other instance I should be in Netherstorm questing.

 

Kara is the first raid for TBC and you have to get the key to it before you can enter.  As for the Kara key, it is a PAIN IN THE ASS!  The quest line starts off Deadwind pass where you have to collect two water samples and collect a number of spiritual essences from a certain undead mob in the area.  I started that part when I was 68 and the mobs were 68-70.  It was not fun, but I completed it.  I then had to go to Dalarian (which is on the other side of the Eastern Kindoms from Deadwind pass) just to talk to a guy.  I then had to go to Shatt City to get the next quest.  That one required me to run and complete Shadow Labs (I had run that instance a number of times already I am pissed that I didn't have that quest when I went there before!)  So I am successful in completing SL, next I have to get key parts two and three from Steamvaults and Arcatraz.  I get a PUG for the Arca part (something that is hardly EVER done) and then a guild group for the Steamvaults key part (did that on Thursday, my B-Day, I also won the Breastplate of the Righteous, the pally TBC dungon set BP).  That was a fun instance.  To get the key finished I have to Complete the Black Morass in Caverns of Time.  To be able to get in Black Morass, you have to finish the Durnhold instance of CoT.  I had not been there so I was a bit behind in getting to CoT:BM.  I got in another PUG to do Durnhold.  In that run I was second healer, off-tank, and buff-bot.  I was healing on the boss mobs and I had nearly the same damage output as the Beast-Spec hunter that was with us.  After we finished Durnhold, the group wanted to try BM.  the Warrior that we had didn't an left.  I was able to get Belloc to come on his war (Raize).  We were able to convince the Hunter to leave and we picked up another mage (group setup was Pally (me), Raize - War, two mage, and a 68 priest)  during the big fight I was set as the off tank.  I had to gather the non-elite mobs that spawned from the portal and keep them from attacking the shield.  Then on boss mobs I had to transisition to healer.  We were able to get to the final boss then one of the mages and I were disconnected.  It had gotten too late, we were pissed off and did not continue.  Hopefully tonight I can get another BM run going and finish that damn Kara key.

 

The CoT:Durnhold instance it really cool.  It follows Warcraft lore and you have to rescue Thrall. (Thrall becomes the Warlord of the Orcs later in his life, after he breaks his allegience with the humans)  Still that whole run was sweet.  To be a Time Traveller and kick some butt was a lot of fun.

 

Now that I am off the levelling elevator, it is time to focus on getting access to raid zones and improving my gear.  I have a few nice pieces but I know I need to upgrade nearly everything.  Being a Holy/Prot Pally means I need at least two sets of gear as well - a healing set and tanking set.  I did do a re-spec to tweak my talents.  I dropped the increased str for the improved Seal of Righteousness, and I dropped the reduced refresh to Blessing of Protection and added more toughness (extra AC) and I now have Blessing of Sanctuary for raids.

 

I have been thinking of the Blessing lineup for raids now.  It will depend on who has what spec but I can provide three "talent blessing" Improved BoWisdom, Kings, and Sanct.
If I am the only Pally I'll probably do the following Blessings:

Kings for Warriors and Rogues (or if there is a Druid tank)
Wisdom for everyone else.
Depending on what I am responsible for I will have Kings or Wisdom.

 

If there is another Prot pally:
Sanct the Warriors (Other will give Kings)
Wis the Casters, hunters, and Pallies (Other will give Kings)
Salv the Rogues (Other will give Kings)

 

The optimal setup would be me, another Pally with Kings, and another Pally with improved Might.
I would:
Sanct for the Warriors
Wis the casters, hunters and Pallies
Salv for Rogues

Pally two (kings) would cast Kings for all

Pally three (BOM) would:
Might for Warriors and Rogues
Salv for casters, hunters and pallies

 

That setup would give each class the following blessings:
Warriors - Sanct, Kings, Might+
Rogues - Salv, Kings, Might+
Hunters - Wis+, Kings, Salv
Pallies - Wis+, Kings, Salv (Unless Pally is MT/OT then Might or Sanct)
Casters - Wis+, Kings, Salv

Still this is in flux (like most things) but good to have around.