New Sketchy MMO Site Stealing Everyones Content

So, I’m not going to give them a proper link here, because they are sleaze bag IP-thiefs, but I thought I’d drop warning in case anyone happens across their site. MMORPGnetwork(dot)com rips content from other MMO focused sites, uses a really bad ai to paraphrase the content and then posts it as if it is there own. They are stealing from us, wowhead, and more. While legal action is being considered (because what they are doing is absolutely criminal), I wanted our viewers to be informed so that they may choose to not support such a terrible organization with their views.

Again, I don’t recommend trying to find them, just, if you happen to see that address, consider not clicking and/or leaving. They actively hurt the business of those creating the content that they blatantly steal.

Welcome to the New 15 Minutes of WoW

Hello and welcome!

If you’re a returning reader coming over from the old site – thanks for following me here, stalking is normally weird but this time is appreciated! For those just joining, you won’t notice that I’m using a new layout, so I’m pointing it out.

In this transition between wordpress.com and private hosting, there may be some bugs, some bear with me (and feel free to let me know if anything is off). Outside of that, you should be expecting more little bursts of World of Warcraft insights, commentary, news, and etc. Feel free to share this link – 15minutesofwow.alternateimage.net – to any WoW related friends and sites that you think would need the updated link or just might enjoy reading. Thanks for coming!

Daily Thoughts: Brawler’s Guild Woes

Upcoming patch 5.1 is bringing with it a lot of changes and new content. One of the most controversial items seems to be the Brawler’s Guild. Despite the first rule of Brawler’s Guild being “don’t talk about Brawler’s Guild”, there is a lot of talking going on – primarily about the way that a player can gain access to this content. For those who don’t know anything about this feature, here’s the description from the patch notes:

Brawler’s Guild

  • Underground fighting rings have sprung up in Stormwind and Orgrimmar that will give brawlers who have their mitts on an invitation a chance to earn bragging rights by testing their solo PvE mettle against some of the toughest creatures found in World of Warcraft.
  • Players will prove their skill, and increase their rank with the Brawler’s Guild, as they win matches against some of the most difficult solo encounters in World of Warcraft.
  • Entry into the brawler’s guild is by invitation only. Invitations can be found on the black market auction house or by invitation from somebody within the guild.
  • As their Brawler’s Guild rank increases, players will unlock additional rewards and activities within the Brawler’s Guild.
  • Brawlers on a realm will gather together into the blood spattered ring to watch as their peers face down their own opponents. They can watch the battles in progress to learn from hardened Brawler’s Guild veterans as they wait for their own turn to fight.
  • If this is your first night at Brawler’s Guild, you have to fight.

Black Market Auction House invitations means that only the wealthiest players will have access to the Guild at first and has some people upset. I think it’s awesome and can’t imagine a better way to handle it.

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Daily Thoughts: To Need Or Not To Need – A Dungeon Loot Discussion

There are two main camps with very different rationale regarding dungeon loot etiquette – specifically in looking for dungeon (LFD) groups. These dungeons are queued up with an interface that, after a wait (much shorter for tanks and healers), dumps you in a dungeon with random players. Chances are you’ve never seen these other players before, they’re probably from a different server, and you’ll probably never see them again. Then, along with this new-found group of temporary companions, you proceed to trounce a bunch of enemies, bosses, and hopefully collect some loot. Here is where the issue comes into play. In a LFD group, the “Need” roll, or highest priority option, is limited solely by class. A Paladin in the group, regardless of the role they’ve chosen (tank, healer, or DPS), can roll need for plate tanking, dps, or healing gear (including rings/necks wither either intellect, strength, or tanking stats). The two camps of thought vary dramatically at this point. One side thinks that it’s okay to need on anything your class can use, anything at all that is an upgrade (as is allowed by the game system) while the other firmly believes that some courtesy should be shown and the player should limit their need rolls to the role they have chosen (unless the gear is not needed by the player filling the role). So which side is right and which side is a selfish, entitled, wanker?

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