Boost or Quest in 5.0

[JohnGabriel]

What are your experiences so far?

I may switch to questing from now on.

I started a new team and the 1-15 in the starting area went very fast and fun. Then dungeon boosting so far to level 40 and it feels horrible. Partly because divine storm is out and my rotation feels like its just killing things slow.

[daviddoran]

If you are using RAF, running dungeon finder is the fastest way. I ran 3 priests in ragefire chasm right when I hit 15, and between the dungeon quests (that are all right by the entrance now) and the bonus exp for dungeon finder, I was 23 when the dungeon was over. The whole run was about 15 minutes, to get 8 levels, which is one level every two minutes...

Without RAF I can't be sure, but with the changes to scarlet monastery, It doesn't seem to be as useful for boosting any more, seems to me that there are fewer mobs, and in the new armory, the section with archers with knockback sucks, as the knockback works against an 85.

I would just quest. Collection quests are easier now, with AoE looting and items drop for every party member.

[Shodokan]

You can do 15-80 in 12 hours if you are a good booster.

You can also do it in 18 hours and make about 3k gold an hour doing so boosting as a warrior/tank druid or frost dk/blood dk (this is done in the world, not instances)

[Truelle]

Boosting, questing, and running dungeon finder are all incredibly fast with RaF. The difference time wise between the 3 methods is pretty minimal. So really just use the method you enjoy the most. Boosting for me is mindnumbingly boring to me so I rarely use that method. It's probably a bit quicker than the other methods, but feels to much like work to me.

[Palee]

I don't boost because I level 10 at a time from scratch. So mostly questing and 2 groups of 5 in instances AT THE SAME TIME. Because I'm pro like that.

[roddo]

I'm a booster, i just find the other methods to be to slow.

[crowdx]

A note on collection quests, Ice Crown has not updated, collection quests for drops from kills does not give the drop to all toons. Hence solo collect 5 means kill 5 collect 5, 5 boxing means kill 25 to collect 5 per toon

[Meathead]

You can do 15-80 in 12 hours if you are a good booster.

You can also do it in 18 hours and make about 3k gold an hour doing so boosting as a warrior/tank druid or frost dk/blood dk (this is done in the world, not instances)

Do you have a way on how you can do that? Got a list of what instances you do and how to do them?

[JohnGabriel]

Do you have a way on how you can do that? Got a list of what instances you do and how to do them?

There is a pre-patch list in this thread here:
http://www.dual-boxing.com/threads/44846-Boosting-experiences

Been alot of changes though.

[Meathead]

Yea, Are you going any certain way John. Alot of people are saying questing or something and some guy even said it takes 12 hours to get from 1-80 while boosting.

[JohnGabriel]

Yea, Are you going any certain way John. Alot of people are saying questing or something and some guy even said it takes 12 hours to get from 1-80 while boosting.

I have been boosting, its just getting boring after so many teams. I am about to start 10-boxing so have been making as much use of RaF as I can. As soon as this RaF expires I am starting another, still 3 more accounts to go.

I believe it is possible in 12 hours, but mine usually take longer. Not sure what it is post-patch, but if it was 12 before it would be less now. I cant remember what my /played time was, its in one of my posts someplace. I think I was 18 hours.

[Toonarmy]

As I understand it a system called tag-boosting is universally acknowledged to be the fastest way. You can search this forum for more information.

Toonarmy

Ps - sorry couldn't resist.

[Blubber]

Personally I don't really like too much boosting, LFD or questing, so I'll be doing all three on my new Monk team. I actually don't mind levelling that much, gives me an opportunity to revisit old content. Some level ranges really suck though, particularly around 42.

[Meathead]

I am thinking of trying to boost with my 85 397i Level hunter I ran 60-70 instances in about 10 mins flat spamming multishot and my tank pet finish them off..But havent tried it with a lower toon on follow, hoping if they aggro my pet will get the mob before they die

[Shodokan]

I am thinking of trying to boost with my 85 397i Level hunter I ran 60-70 instances in about 10 mins flat spamming multishot and my tank pet finish them off..But havent tried it with a lower toon on follow, hoping if they aggro my pet will get the mob before they die

There area areas in every instance you can park your toons to get exp in a range other than UK (because of all the weirdness in the layout)

[heyaz]

For 70+ instances I just follow the lowbies one room behind, one because I don't know the exact xp distance and it's tricky to reliably pull all of UP or something at the same time, and two so the lowbies can do the quests. The quests + one pull is 1-1.5 levels. I just do them all in that level range rather than the 10-80 method which is one dungeon per 10-20 levels.

It's something like UK, Nexus, DTK, GD, VH, HoS, HoL, UP. A couple UK repeats to get them over 70 and a couple extra UP or HoL to finish to 80. It was really quite smooth last time I did it.

[Shodokan]

For 70+ instances I just follow the lowbies one room behind, one because I don't know the exact xp distance and it's tricky to reliably pull all of UP or something at the same time, and two so the lowbies can do the quests. The quests + one pull is 1-1.5 levels. I just do them all in that level range rather than the 10-80 method which is one dungeon per 10-20 levels.

It's something like UK, Nexus, DTK, GD, VH, HoS, HoL, UP. A couple UK repeats to get them over 70 and a couple extra UP or HoL to finish to 80. It was really quite smooth last time I did it.

The way I do it

UK 68-70
Nexus 70-72
DTK 72-73
GD 73-75
Amphitheater of Anguish 75-76
HoL 76-80

[heyaz]

The way I do it

UK 68-70
Nexus 70-72
DTK 72-73
GD 73-75
Amphitheater of Anguish 75-76
HoL 76-80

Oh yeah, forgot about AoA, I think I did that last time also.
I also like to do VH, its another free level or level and a half and it's pitifully easy. The only annoying part is waiting between bosses and trash packs.

[heyaz]

Oh yeah, another note, I know we don't have HGWT anymore, but level 85s can now use summoning stones to grab lowbies. Then you can have lowbies grab their friends, or however you wanna do it. That or some strategically placed warlocks. Honestly it shouldn't cost you more than an hour or so - last time I used a mage and druid (booster) for quick travel and summoning.

[F9thRet]

I find if you park toons on the top of the Cathedral of Darkness in Northrend (Icecrown), you can boost any level toons (with RAF of course) pretty fast with a lvl 83-85. Just run in, grab all the cultist's on the left, burn them down, then grab the ones on the right, and burn them down. By then, the ones on the left have respawned.

This also generates a lot of Cloth, and Northrend Greens. I do this from 70-75 in a few hours, then hit AoA, then that dragon one IN Dalaran a few times. By then, I'm 80 and good to go.

Kind of off topic, but do we know if RAF will expand to 85 when MOP launches?

Stephen

[Shodokan]

I find if you park toons on the top of the Cathedral of Darkness in Northrend (Icecrown), you can boost any level toons (with RAF of course) pretty fast with a lvl 83-85. Just run in, grab all the cultist's on the left, burn them down, then grab the ones on the right, and burn them down. By then, the ones on the left have respawned.

This also generates a lot of Cloth, and Northrend Greens. I do this from 70-75 in a few hours, then hit AoA, then that dragon one IN Dalaran a few times. By then, I'm 80 and good to go.

Kind of off topic, but do we know if RAF will expand to 85 when MOP launches?

Stephen

dungeons are faster, its about 8% a min or so for that area. Its great to make gold but not for anything more. If you want speed then don't really use it. You can do 6 levels an hour from 30-60 there though.

[Kojii]

Wouldnt Deepholm aoe area be faster?

[MiRai]

Kind of off topic, but do we know if RAF will expand to 85 when MOP launches?
Blizzard said they are not making any changes at the launch of MoP for RaF.

[F9thRet]

Ahh cool beans, thanks for the info there MiRai and Shodokan.

I think one reason I have concentrated on it this last week, was that annoying crossrealm drop your butt to the ground, anytime you try and fly anywhere. With that location, I was able to just get a few toons there and then summon. But, I did hear that the skill spam was being fixed in a patch, maybe they will fix the 2 person mount bugs also.

@ Koji, It may be. I just didn't get Cata on the last round of RAF's. I'm already sitting on 18 accounts at Cata, and right now 2 with MOP. Maybe down the road I'll add the other 4, But I've got enough to keep me busy for a year. (although I only keep 5-6 going each month.

Stephen

[Meathead]

I love the AOE Looting it adds on a extra 5mins or so too the instances. But well worth it :)

[Shodokan]

I love the AOE Looting it adds on a extra 5mins or so too the instances. But well worth it :)

Considering the LONGEST instances are maybe 10 mins long you have some spare time.

[Meathead]

You can do 15-80 in 12 hours if you are a good booster.

You can also do it in 18 hours and make about 3k gold an hour doing so boosting as a warrior/tank druid or frost dk/blood dk (this is done in the world, not instances)

12 hours, How you do it in 12 if so what way are you doing it now? What instances and stuff

[roddo]

Doing it that fast you gotta be pretty close to 400 ilvl on your booster I'm guessing. my boosters under 300 and hes a hell of a lot slower than that.

[Shodokan]

15 - 25 : stocks (5 runs)
25-34 : SM cath (4-5 runs)
34-40: Scholomance (~4 runs)
40-46: Stratholme normal (3 runs)
46-48: Stratholme service entrance (1 run)
48-58: Lbrs (4-5 runs)
58-61: ramps (3 runs)
61-63: Blood furnace (1 run)
63-64: sethekk halls (1 run)
64-65: Auchenai crypts (1 run)
65-66: mana tombs (1 run)
66-68: Sethekk halls (2 runs)
68-70: uk (2 runs)
70-72: nexus ( 2 runs)
72-73: DTK (1 run)
73-75: Gundrak (2 runs)
75-76: AoA ( not an instance)
76-80: HoL (3 runs)

1 run = ~ 8 mins on average (some only take 3-4, some take more like stratholme and lbrs)
Total runs: 41
Total time: 8.2 hours of instances due to 5 lockouts, 2 hours to get to 15, and then the rest is travel time.

The key to this is using as many instances as possible to get instance quest EXP. Instance quests give you about 40-50% per quest normally which cuts the runs you need down substantially.

[Truelle]

Your math is off. A 12 min average run x 41 gets you to 8.2 hours.

I think 12 mins a run is a bit more realistic too.

I think 12 hours 1-80 is still a bit aggressive. I think 15 or so is prolly doable.

I quested A group of 5 Druids last weekend using Raf and Heirlooms and Guild exp

Here were my times

Level 30 3h 21 mins
Level 40 5h 21m
Level 50 7h 43 mins

My Raf ran out lol and I didnt get to finish them off but I am pretty sure I could have been under 18 hours played to 80 purely questing. This is also for 5 toons and not 4 that you get boosting. So boosting does appear to be slightly faster but not by a huge margin.

Correction - I see you are factoring in the lockouts to get your total time played of 8.2 hours. at an 8 min average. I still think reality and theory will be a bit different though. Your 5 stocks runs will prolly be done in 30 mins or less. What are your toons doing for the next 30?

[Shodokan]

Your math is off. A 12 min average run x 41 gets you to 8.2 hours.

I think 12 mins a run is a bit more realistic too.

I think 12 hours 1-80 is still a bit aggressive. I think 15 or so is prolly doable.

I quested A group of 5 Druids last weekend using Raf and Heirlooms and Guild exp

Here were my times

Level 30 3h 21 mins
Level 40 5h 21m
Level 50 7h 43 mins

My Raf ran out lol and I didnt get to finish them off but I am pretty sure I could have been under 18 hours played to 80 purely questing. This is also for 5 toons and not 4 that you get boosting. So boosting does appear to be slightly faster but not by a huge margin.

Correction - I see you are factoring in the lockouts to get your total time played of 8.2 hours. at an 8 min average. I still think reality and theory will be a bit different though. Your 5 stocks runs will prolly be done in 30 mins or less. What are your toons doing for the next 30?

Since theres a 30 min CD for summon friend I am farming in the cathedral of darkness for about 5-10% exp a min depending on level. Or just not doing anything.

[roddo]

Shod what are you using to boost, and could you post an armory link? Just curious how badass your booster is.

[heyaz]

15 - 25 : stocks (5 runs)
25-34 : SM cath (4-5 runs)
34-40: Scholomance (~4 runs)
40-46: Stratholme normal (3 runs)
46-48: Stratholme service entrance (1 run)
48-58: Lbrs (4-5 runs)
58-61: ramps (3 runs)
61-63: Blood furnace (1 run)
63-64: sethekk halls (1 run)
64-65: Auchenai crypts (1 run)
65-66: mana tombs (1 run)
66-68: Sethekk halls (2 runs)
68-70: uk (2 runs)
70-72: nexus ( 2 runs)
72-73: DTK (1 run)
73-75: Gundrak (2 runs)
75-76: AoA ( not an instance)
76-80: HoL (3 runs)


Good lord why so much moving around without HGWT? I always found it easier just to stick it out to the next level bracket rather than move to get slightly more efficient xp.

I was like...

12-22 SFK (5 runs or so?)
22-36 SM
36-42 Scholo
42-52ish BRD (with a druid you can do the most ridiculous pulls ever)
52-58 LBRS
58-62 Ramps
62-68 Underbog 2nd best pull ever (after BRD)

.. and then your wrath instances 1-2 times, AoA, and the quests and they're 80

[Shodokan]

Good lord why so much moving around without HGWT? I always found it easier just to stick it out to the next level bracket rather than move to get slightly more efficient xp.

I was like...

12-22 SFK (5 runs or so?)
22-36 SM
36-42 Scholo
42-52ish BRD (with a druid you can do the most ridiculous pulls ever)
52-58 LBRS
58-62 Ramps
62-68 Underbog 2nd best pull ever (after BRD)

.. and then your wrath instances 1-2 times, AoA, and the quests and they're 80

Underbog exp stops being good after like 65 due to mob level.

I also just finished 1-80 in under 10 hours.


Shod what are you using to boost, and could you post an armory link? Just curious how badass your booster is.

Tier 2 pvp deathknight.

[roddo]

If you have RaF you don't need hgwt. Just log your slaves if the played time matters, fly your booster, then relog and start the summons chain. If you don't care about your played just fly and summon. the increased effieciency will more than make up the time, and it also kills the boredom factor.

[heyaz]

Then I just run over to steamvaults around that level

[Shodokan]

Then I just run over to steamvaults around that level

All of the outland instances i use are right next to eachother just like that, but i get more overall EXP faster due to the quests.

[Meathead]

My next team I will try your way shodokan and see how well it does :) Thanks

[Meathead]

When you are saying 2 runs Im having to do double that Every instance ive done ive had to do more then what you have said. hmmm.. Using RAF

[Negativ1337]

I would just quest. Collection quests are easier now, with AoE looting and items drop for every party member.

Wait.. what? WHAT?

Thats the best thing ever. GRINDING quests here i come ^^

[thefunk]

Wait.. what? WHAT?

Thats the best thing ever. GRINDING quests here i come ^^


Most of them, not all of them. Zul-drak still a nightmare and one or 2 quests in sholazar not very boxer friendly.

BUT

It's much improved and less of a pain.

[crowdx]

Most of them, not all of them. Zul-drak still a nightmare and one or 2 quests in sholazar not very boxer friendly.

BUT

It's much improved and less of a pain.

IceCrown also has a lot of quests that the quest item does not drop for every part member.

[JohnGabriel]

Sometimes the quests are easier.

There is a quest in Hyjal called crushing the cores where you have to kill these fire elementals then smash their cores. Not only does smashing a core give credit amongst all toons, but now all toons can loot a core. So you're killing 2 instead of having to kill 8.

I know its not enough to make up for all the non-boxer friendly quests, but its fun to find quests like that.

[daviddoran]

Sometimes the quests are easier.

There is a quest in Hyjal called crushing the cores where you have to kill these fire elementals then smash their cores. Not only does smashing a core give credit amongst all toons, but now all toons can loot a core. So you're killing 2 instead of having to kill 8.

I know its not enough to make up for all the non-boxer friendly quests, but its fun to find quests like that.

Also quests where you have to interact with a dead mob, you can sometimes get credit for each toon who interacts at the same time, like the one for alliance in Borean Tundra where you rewire the harvest reaper. I love those types of quests :)

[djensen2010]

The key to this is using as many instances as possible to get instance quest EXP. Instance quests give you about 40-50% per quest normally which cuts the runs you need down substantially. Hey man what do you mean by this? Ive been following ur guide and i tend to end up having to run every dungeon at least one more time than u describe.