This page contains news from August 2008.
Glyphs and Pigments
The latest WotLK beta build makes Glyphs available. Recipes can be trained by Inscribers starting at Inscription skill 75 and above. Inscription can currently only be trained to 300 skill. Almost all Inscriptions (recipes) are using temporary “placeholder” materials: It is still far too early to write detailed training instructions. This is a very early implementation of Inscription: Most of the profession is not available.
Glyphs can be applied to an individual to improve their spells. Currently, only Druid, Hunter, Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Shaman and Warlock classes have glyphs. All these glyphs are categorised as “major”: Every individual can apply 3 major glyphs at a time (and in theory also 3 minor ones).
Pomaces have become Pigments! They are gained the same way as before – milling herbs. There have been no changes to the skill required to mill herbs, however each group of herbs now normally produces 2 different types of pigment – a common pigment and a rarer pigment.
Update: El’s Inscription now contains the latest new information. Please post additional information or corrections in the forums.
Inscription Before WotLK
Eyonix has revealed that Inscription will be introduced in a patch before Wrath of the Lich King, “in the coming weeks”. Inscription will be trainable by those with The Burning Crusade: “Regarding Inscription, please note that all Burning Crusade players will be able to select Inscription as one of their two professions and level up to a skill level of 375 with it. Upon the release of Wrath of the Lich King, players who purchase and install the expansion will be able to continue leveling in Inscription and the other professions beyond 375.”
Scribe Tools and Parchment
In the latest test version, Inscription Scribe Tools and Parchment can be purchased from all 4 Inscription trainers in Northrend’s arrival ports/fortresses. Parchment is also sold by many Trade Vendors. This means low-level Inscribers can finally get started easily. The Auction House interface gains a “Glyphs” section – the first ((in-game)) indication that Inscribers’ Glyphs will be easy to trade. Glyphs and the higher levels of Inscription are still not available to Inscribers. Indeed, it is not yet confirmed how individuals will choose different glyphs ((minute 29 of IGN’s recent interview with Jeff Kaplan reveals that core mechanics, like the ability to “swap” Glyphs, are being designed)).
WotLK Round-Up: Northrend Pools and Grand Master Fishing
The latest WotLK test version adds many new pools to Northrend. It is now also possible to learn and (since this morning) train fishing above skill 375 – more details. Thanks to those anglers that have been posting information on the forums. Curious about fishing in Wrath of the Lich King? Read the full preview.
Northrend Fish
The WotLK pages have been updated with information about the skill needed to cast a line in Northrend, and what you can catch there. No new fishing training, no way to cook new fish, and no new “mechanics” yet.
Pygmified!
Pygmy Suckerfish can now be caught from inland water in Northrend. Alchemists can use these to make Pygmy Oil. Each fish makes 1-2 oils. Drinking Pygmy Oil makes you a little smaller for 10 minutes. After drinking 6-10 oils in a row, you gain a buff described as “Pygmified!”, which turns you into – you guessed it – a Pygmy for 10 minutes!
The buff currently changes appearance, voice and emotes: You become just like a gnome. There are no obvious combat benefits yet, such as immunity to polymorph. So it is still too early to declare this the new Noggenfogger Elixir or Deviate Delight. But it is an amusing addition to fishing, and re-introduces the link between Alchemy and Fishing professions.
Thanks to Jessikha and Ashaya on Coldarra for helping me test Pygmy Oils. Update: New common Northrend fish and skill requirements are on the Fish Finder. More details “soon”.
BlizzCast on Inscription
The latest BlizzCast includes Jon LeCraft (Profession designer) discussing Inscription. And it’s still a work in progress.
“So the whole ‘enchanting your spells’ or whatever, we’re still going forward with that. We want it to feel different than Enchanting, so a lot of the effects are pretty epic.” How many spells do you see the profession actually affecting? “It’s probably going to be 15-20 per class.”
More Interactive Fishing?
Jon LeCraft (Profession designer and self-confessed fishing enthusiast) appears in the latest Blizzcast, discussing fishing!
Different types of fish will still be found in different locations, but Jon is considering a change to the way fish are physically caught: “I think the biggest thing right now is going to be the mechanic. It still isn’t… it’s just not that fun, and we really want the act of fishing to be fun. … I think more interactive is going to be the way to go.”
Fishing will also remain a useful profession in Wrath of the Lich King: “Something that happened and worked out really well in Burning Crusade is the unique fish that cook into the types of food you can’t get anywhere else. The Golden Darters and the Spicy Crawdads, those really helped keep fishing relevant. We’ll do some more of those, although maybe not to that extreme of a swing.”
El’s Inscription
El has started work on a new book about the Inscription profession! Even the trainers are still being trained, so the book is incomplete. El’s Inscription will help new Inscribers learn the basics, and will be continually updated as new information is discovered.
