Emblems: Random Heroics vs ICC Farming

[Mosg2]

I've been giving this a lot of thought over the past day or two. With my DK+Ret group I can kill Ick/Krick and Garfrost in regular PoS 5 times per hour with a couple minutes leftover at the end. This comes out 10 emblems an hour and carries a very low risk of wipe--I can basically autopilot and do this while watching a movie etc.

The other option is random Heroics. If you estimate it at 30 minutes per instance you're going to be making 10-13 badges an hour on average. However, you can't just brute force all of them the same as you can with non-Heroics. One single wipe is probably going to make you the same speed as ICC farming. Also, what if you get an instance that you don't have on farm or just plain can't complete? I would dread getting HToC and then HoS one after the other :/ VH with the wrong bosses for your group maybe?

With all this in mind I'm really thinking that PoS farming is going to be the fastest, safest route to badge farming now. Thoughts?

[Shodokan]

I've been giving this a lot of thought over the past day or two. With my DK+Ret group I can kill Ick/Krick and Garfrost in regular PoS 5 times per hour with a couple minutes leftover at the end. This comes out 10 emblems an hour and carries a very low risk of wipe--I can basically autopilot and do this while watching a movie etc.

The other option is random Heroics. If you estimate it at 30 minutes per instance you're going to be making 10-13 badges an hour on average. However, you can't just brute force all of them the same as you can with non-Heroics. One single wipe is probably going to make you the same speed as ICC farming. Also, what if you get an instance that you don't have on farm or just plain can't complete? I would dread getting HToC and then HoS one after the other :/ VH with the wrong bosses for your group maybe?

With all this in mind I'm really thinking that PoS farming is going to be the fastest, safest route to badge farming now. Thoughts?

If you have a dedicated healer in your group or are running 4 shaman + pally it is much faster to do heroics, but if you are doing pure melee teams like yours, then the method you are saying may be better.

[kadaan]

You can get the worst-case scenario, but you can also get best-case ones. Gundrak->Utgarde Keep->CoT:CoS->HoL, etc.

If you do end up randomly getting one that you're not good at (like you mentioned HToC and HoS) you can always leave and do regular PoS while you wait for the debuff to drop.

[Multibocks]

Good point, launch dungeon finder while standing in front of PoS so you can just exit dungeon and do PoS if the random is a shitty one.

[Mosg2]

So are you saying that you can actually clear the heroics at a faster pace than 2 per hour or what? I basically don't have to heal on trash pulls in Heroics but even still, the risk of a wipe or getting a Heroic that's not on farm or potentially one I can't clear (FoS last boss is ridiculous for me) makes me think that just taking the 10 badges an hour is faster.

Edit: Haha, three posts while typing.

Dungeon finder while farming PoS seems like it'd be the fastest then :) Especially in that I can actually clear Garfrost and Ick faster than 5 per hour. Hmmmmm.

First though, 3 more Hilts!

[Shodokan]

So are you saying that you can actually clear the heroics at a faster pace than 2 per hour or what? I basically don't have to heal on trash pulls in Heroics but even still, the risk of a wipe or getting a Heroic that's not on farm or potentially one I can't clear (FoS last boss is ridiculous for me) makes me think that just taking the 10 badges an hour is faster.

Edit: Haha, three posts while typing.

Dungeon finder while farming PoS seems like it'd be the fastest then :) Especially in that I can actually clear Garfrost and Ick faster than 5 per hour. Hmmmmm.

First though, 3 more Hilts!

In a geared group i was able to pull off an average of 3 heroics per hour. I'm not sure why if all toons are geared it would be slower than this. It depends on if you get 2x 5 boss ones or not.

The gold/hour would be less for normal PoS imo, unless trash is amazingly generous with greens.

[Ridere]

I was wondering the exact same thing.

I may try this over the weekened to see how it goes. Wouldn't mind a chance at some of the other drops that the bosses drop, too. I've only cleared four heroics. Granted I've only attempted 5, but I'm sure there are others I can't quite handle yet.

[Shodokan]

I was wondering the exact same thing.

I may try this over the weekened to see how it goes. Wouldn't mind a chance at some of the other drops that the bosses drop, too. I've only cleared four heroics. Granted I've only attempted 5, but I'm sure there are others I can't quite handle yet.

IIRC the new normals are about equal to basic heroics.

[Mosg2]

I'll give it all a try once all the Hilts are farmed up.

[Shodokan]

I'll give it all a try once all the Hilts are farmed up.

Farming heroic trash atm i take it?

[Svpernova09]

Maybe I'm slow, but 3 heroics in 1 hour?

I can do CoS and VH in an hour, but I can't think of a 3rd that I could finish in that same hour, even AN. Maybe ToC. But how are you able to do 3 full runs an hour? Not looting? Skipping as much trash as you can? I mean Solo, SURE, I've done some pretty quick heroics, but I think it's unreasonable for a boxer to be pumping out 3 heroics an hour consistently.

[Mosg2]

Agree Supernova. I think two an hour is reasonable. I guess mixing Ick/Garfrost farming with doing the random heroics when they're favorable (Gundrak, UTK, Draktharon, etc) would work out to be the fastest. We'll see :)

@Shodokan: Yeah, I'm farming PoS trash like a mad man. I made the switch from Keyclone to ISBoxer on Sun/Mon/Tue/Wed (took me a long time to get everything the way I wanted it) but yesterday was my first full day of playing since moving over. Two Hilts down and I am going to be playing 30-40 hours this weekend until I get the rest.

[Fursphere]

I can clear heroics pretty damn fast, but ya, two an hour is really pushing it.

Three sounds bogus.

[Shodokan]

Agree Supernova. I think two an hour is reasonable. I guess mixing Ick/Garfrost farming with doing the random heroics when they're favorable (Gundrak, UTK, Draktharon, etc) would work out to be the fastest. We'll see :)

@Shodokan: Yeah, I'm farming PoS trash like a mad man. I made the switch from Keyclone to ISBoxer on Sun/Mon/Tue/Wed (took me a long time to get everything the way I wanted it) but yesterday was my first full day of playing since moving over. Two Hilts down and I am going to be playing 30-40 hours this weekend until I get the rest.

Very nice... the quest chain will be annoying though =P

@Fursphere: Sounding bogus or not, i'll gladly make a video of it once my toons are semi-geared and 80. It's all based on which you get though. In one hour and 10 mins i was able to complete nexus + toc + up as an example... i know it took about that amount of time because those were the only 3 we did on a day to day basis.

It might be "pushing" it to get in 3 heroics an hour as a boxer. But lets assume you are in full t9 + have your elementals... your DPS will be over 4k per character EASILY and your tank will be over 42k life (or should be around there) It's not much to expect the ability to do 3 heroics in an hour. Even at an average of 2.5 per hour that is 5 per 2 hours. Giving 6 average each that is 30 per 2 hours.

[Slats]

I can do two an hour quite easily as long as I dont get:

Heroic PoS
Heroic HoL (lightning stairs boss man fucks me up, need help on this one!)
Heroic HoS (Brann Event is just a PITA. Doable but some wipes every now and then).

AN is my fastest and probably takes about 13 minutes. Crashin' Thrashin' Racer for the win. :P

I was wondering how you are resetting PoS trash for Hilt Farming? Does Reset All Instances work?

[Shodokan]

I can do two an hour quite easily as long as I dont get:

Heroic PoS
Heroic HoL (lightning stairs boss man fucks me up, need help on this one!)
Heroic HoS (Brann Event is just a PITA. Doable but some wipes every now and then).

AN is my fastest and probably takes about 13 minutes. Crashin' Thrashin' Racer for the win. :P

I was wondering how you are resetting PoS trash for Hilt Farming? Does Reset All Instances work?

You have to give them 15 minuets to respawn.

[Fursphere]

Very nice... the quest chain will be annoying though =P

@Fursphere: Sounding bogus or not, i'll gladly make a video of it once my toons are semi-geared and 80. It's all based on which you get though. In one hour and 10 mins i was able to complete nexus + toc + up as an example... i know it took about that amount of time because those were the only 3 we did on a day to day basis.


You're not multiboxing heroics. You don't have an 80 team (by your own addmission).

Stop posting your own personal theory as fact.

Oh, and once you get a team full T9 so you can theoretically clear heroics this fast, why would you bother? You've already got the gear.

[Vicker]

I think everyone here is missing the main purpose of WoW. Would you rather run an interesting variety of encounters, or would you rather kill the same two bosses over and over? Which is more enjoyable?

We're talking about having fun with your free time, not finding the most effective business model. People who build model boats out of wood as a hobby could probably dish out more boats if they got together and did things assembly line style, but they don't. There's a reason why they don't.

[Mosg2]

I'd have fun doing it either way Vicker. I'm all about efficiency though--And I'm convinced now that a mixed approach taking the easy random Heroics that pop while farming regular PoS is going to be the fastest.

And seriously Shodokan, who's going to be doing this when they're in full T9 unless they're looking for the pvp set pieces? In that instance, you've already obviously got some sort of farming routine down.

Also, you can't assume you're going to get only the fast ones. For every time you get UTK and Gundrak in a row you're going to get Halls of Stone and then Forge of Souls for example.

[Shodokan]

I'd have fun doing it either way Vicker. I'm all about efficiency though--And I'm convinced now that a mixed approach taking the easy random Heroics that pop while farming regular PoS is going to be the fastest.

And seriously Shodokan, who's going to be doing this when they're in full T9 unless they're looking for the pvp set pieces? In that instance, you've already obviously got some sort of farming routine down.

Also, you can't assume you're going to get only the fast ones. For every time you get UTK and Gundrak in a row you're going to get Halls of Stone and then Forge of Souls for example.

I would do it, switch out one dps for a friend and help them...and to get PVP/BOA gear.

[heffner]

Wait, the normal ICC instances drop emblems??!??!???! or is this just the random quest you are talking about???

[Zzc2]

yes normal icc bosses do drop emblems

[GS4Clagg]

Regarding hilts, has anyone found one after they let the mobs reset after killing the bosses? Just farming trash the rest of the day. I've been doing this in FoS, where I found my first hilt, but haven't found another one so far. Hoping it's possible to do once the bosses are downed in the heroics.

Thanks

[Gadzooks]

What gear level/dps would be entry level for ICC normal?

[GS4Clagg]

Update on the hilts. Found my second one on a gargoyle in PoS. No bosses down. Going to keep trying H Trash in FoS with bosses down.

[heyaz]

The other option is random Heroics. If you estimate it at 30 minutes per instance you're going to be making 10-13 badges an hour on average.

If you're quick and get good instances it can be 20-25 per hour. I got Nexus, CoS, and Gundrak all in a row for 21 badges in about an hour.

[heyaz]

Maybe I'm slow, but 3 heroics in 1 hour?

I can do CoS and VH in an hour, but I can't think of a 3rd that I could finish in that same hour, even AN. Maybe ToC. But how are you able to do 3 full runs an hour? Not looting? Skipping as much trash as you can? I mean Solo, SURE, I've done some pretty quick heroics, but I think it's unreasonable for a boxer to be pumping out 3 heroics an hour consistently.

Not too much looting, but in some like Nexus and CoS you have time. Gundrak took 18 minutes with Eck. Nexus and CoS about 15-20 each. I think DTK takes me 20 or so.

[heyaz]

How much is that hilt going for on the AH (it's BoE right?) I didn't see any on my AH to I can't tell

[Redbeard]

Ive heard reports of 1k up to 35k (not joking). On my server I only saw one on the AH, for 14k BO. Im sure it will die down some given time.

[Ualaa]

6.5k to 10k, on my server for the hilt.

Trade chat seems to think the hilt is worth 8k.
And the BoE sword is being offered for 10k or so.

[heffner]

Well I ran through all three ICC on normal (got stuck on the "run from Lich King" so I didn't finish that yet). I didn't get a single hilt drop, but the drop rate is probably where it should be. Also, I would bet the drop rate is lower on normal versus heroic.

I'd say the normal ICC instances are about the same difficulty as heroic ToC. There is a lot of moving around on some boss fights and you have to actually pay attention again (at least I do). This makes sense since they both drop i219 loot and emblems (was happy to hear that!!). You can complete the quest line in normal as well.

For me, the difficulty of the instances on normal is basically how the questline progresses, HoR > PoS > FoS. However, it really should be ranked by boss.

I haven't done much heroic, I did manage to kill Bronjahm on heroic but not Devourer. I am actually afraid to do some of the fights in heroic :P Normal was hard enough for me.

[Mosg2]

Hilts don't drop in non-heroic mode unfortunately.

Shrug, the non-heroics feel pretty cake to me. I was able to brute force down all the bosses except the Devourer of Souls which took a little bit of finesse. My guys aren't all that greatly geared too.

[Ualaa]

And seriously Shodokan, who's going to be doing this when they're in full T9 unless they're looking for the pvp set pieces? In that instance, you've already obviously got some sort of farming routine down.

On my server, there are players who are on very strong 5's arena teams... who will take two of the members, and sell ratings in 3's to people for a lot of gold. Boost you to 1800 or whatever rating you have agreed upon, for whatever price.

I could see offering heroic runs, once your team is rather geared.
You have a strong tank and healer, and two DPS.
And then sell badges for whatever, to newer people who are undergeared and want to raid whatever, but don't have the "gearscore" to get into pugs.

Not sure what the market will be on that.
I suppose it depends on when Cataclysm comes out.
If its a year off, with one more content patch, this might be a decent market.

[Iceorbz]

How much is that hilt going for on the AH (it's BoE right?) I didn't see any on my AH to I can't tell


Ive yet to see one.... i look about 15 times a day.

[Mosg2]

I spent a ridiculous amount of cash on them. I don't regret it though. I can farm up cash doing Heroics 5x easier now that I have the DPS to brute force anything down.

BTW, starting with 5 toons with 1 in Two Hand Swords *sucks*. Sigh.

[Starbuck_Jones]

I don't see selling heroic runs as a very viable option, with the new dungeon finder just about any group that has a good tank and healer can carry the rest of the team. One of the Occulus runs I did we had a pair of noobs that kept dying and did not how to fly a drake. Thats fine and well but it did slow things down while they learned.

We got to the second dragon kin boss and it was just myself the tank. a healer and a hunter. The other 2 finally just left in frustration and we finished the rest of the zone by ourselves. Green, Red, and amber drake.

Point is that there are enough over geared players to carry any fresh 80 and in a weeks time that fresh 80 will have 5/5 T9.

[valkry]

I've been giving this a lot of thought over the past day or two. With my DK+Ret group I can kill Ick/Krick and Garfrost in regular PoS 5 times per hour with a couple minutes leftover at the end. This comes out 10 emblems an hour and carries a very low risk of wipe--I can basically autopilot and do this while watching a movie etc.

The other option is random Heroics. If you estimate it at 30 minutes per instance you're going to be making 10-13 badges an hour on average. However, you can't just brute force all of them the same as you can with non-Heroics. One single wipe is probably going to make you the same speed as ICC farming. Also, what if you get an instance that you don't have on farm or just plain can't complete? I would dread getting HToC and then HoS one after the other :/ VH with the wrong bosses for your group maybe?

With all this in mind I'm really thinking that PoS farming is going to be the fastest, safest route to badge farming now. Thoughts?
How do you get emblems from a normal dungeon?

Edit: nvm, found the answer

[Gadzooks]

Ugh. I tried FOS last night, on normal, and got facerolled by the third pull of trash in under 20 seconds - my priest died almost instantly.

So much for that.

I have under a month left before I'm going to be quitting, I don't think I'll get much done. The lag is killing me on my server, it's laggy and buggy no matter where you go - I'm even getting it all zones in Outland.

I tried to do some badge runs last night - barely got Moorabi down, and could not take Eck down due to the lag.

Gave up, and went to go do dailys. Traveling in Icecrown is so painful with the lag, I gave up.

Went to Outlands to farm some Heroics, "Instance cannot be found".

Sigh.

Went in now, to farm some BC Heroics (Northrend is laggier than before, I was getting 1-2 FPS in Dalaran), I cannot get an Outland dungeon to spawn.

I'm done, for the day. It's just beating my head against the wall.

I'm thinking of heading down to BestBuy and picking up a copy of DragonAge or Fallout3.

[Souca]

Ugh. I tried FOS last night, on normal, and got facerolled by the third pull of trash in under 20 seconds - my priest died almost instantly.

So much for that.

I have under a month left before I'm going to be quitting, I don't think I'll get much done. The lag is killing me on my server, it's laggy and buggy no matter where you go - I'm even getting it all zones in Outland.

I tried to do some badge runs last night - barely got Moorabi down, and could not take Eck down due to the lag.

Gave up, and went to go do dailys. Traveling in Icecrown is so painful with the lag, I gave up.

Went to Outlands to farm some Heroics, "Instance cannot be found".

Sigh.

Went in now, to farm some BC Heroics (Northrend is laggier than before, I was getting 1-2 FPS in Dalaran), I cannot get an Outland dungeon to spawn.

I'm done, for the day. It's just beating my head against the wall.

I'm thinking of heading down to BestBuy and picking up a copy of DragonAge or Fallout3.

There was a good deal of lag and server crashes over the weekend. From what I've seen it's related to the cross realm dungeons, but I'd expect it to be solved by some server changes or a hotfix/patch this week. Hopefully things will be better this week.

- Souca -

[Svpernova09]

Saturday night the lag on Kil'Jaeden got pretty terrible, but I was still able to down bosses. it just made doing anything other than instance farming a 5 minute CD >.<

I still think it's amusing I get sub 100ms to Kil'Jaden (PST located in LA) and I never got below 150ms to Madoran (CST located in Dallas) with me being in Memphis.

For the geographically challanged, Dallas is closer to Memphis than Memphis is to LA.

[valkry]

Frostmourne (high pop) was laggy for the first 12 hours after patch release but since then it's fine so Blizard is probably slowly getting everyone fixed. For those who may hate me for having a currently stable server, in BC we had 4 months of almost un-raidable lag and guild GMs actually petitioned blizzard to wipe the trash from the raids so we could actually attempt bosses during the small windows of laglessness.

[emesis]

Update on the hilts. Found my second one on a gargoyle in PoS. No bosses down. Going to keep trying H Trash in FoS with bosses down.

PoS is the place to farm hilts, much better than FoS. The little tiny skeletons that you AoE in PoS with the necromancer dude all can drop epics/hilts.

I've farmed 5 hilts so far; like 4 of them the first day before the drop rate got nerfed, sold them each for 5K as I was guess (wrong) that the server would soon get flooded with them. My last hilt after the nerf dropped after about 2 hours of farming and I sold it immediately for 10K. This is way in excess gold per hour so far of what I can earn doing 5x dailies.

[Mosg2]

Yes, farming Hilts in PoS for cash is insane. They move at 10k no questions asked on my server.

[not5150]

Have any 5 boxers gotten hilts for all their guys yet?

[Mosg2]

Yeah, I finished my 5 hilts on Sunday. The damage is retarded.

[Altsoba]

With my DK+Ret group I can kill Ick/Krick and Garfrost in regular PoS 5 times per hour with a couple minutes leftover at the end. This comes out 10 emblems an hour...

Found the answer sorry :p

[LionsFist]

Saturday night the lag on Kil'Jaeden got pretty terrible, but I was still able to down bosses. it just made doing anything other than instance farming a 5 minute CD >.<

I still think it's amusing I get sub 100ms to Kil'Jaden (PST located in LA) and I never got below 150ms to Madoran (CST located in Dallas) with me being in Memphis.

For the geographically challanged, Dallas is closer to Memphis than Memphis is to LA.

I get 250 ping to servers in Sydney, Australia, from <100 miles north of Sydney.
I also get 300 ping to American servers.

Go figure.