Starting over - advice from those that have

[Firstcow]

Thanks for the helpful replies.

There is something so tempting about a clean slate. I'm sure many have had that feeling. Starting on a new server without any "seed" gold, no boosting and just running instances at level, making a new name for yourself on the server, etc. Obviously I'm trying to debate if that's worth the $325 plus TONS of time.

I considered waiting until Cata, but there's no guarantee RAF will be around. In fact, since they're redesigning all the old content, I wouldn't be surprised if they did away with RAF. They'd likely keep 1-60 similar to what it is now, decrease 60-70 exp a bit, and heavily decrease 70-80 required exp to level (thereby keeping the leveling time from 1-85 roughly similar to the current non-RAF 1-80).

It would be sooo sweet to have all my teams names exactly how I want them and have everything unison based on the knowledge I've gained multiboxing for the last 1.5 years.

Not an easy decision...

One perk of starting new accounts is that I would have 5 legacy WotLK accounts in case I ever decided to 10-box (not likely, but you never know). I do make very good money at my job, but recently lost a ton investing in options... not my brightest moment in life.

Well, it appears like you kind of made up your mind on starting fresh. Then come to horde on Blackrock server where I have my mains

[Owltoid]

Heh, no, definitely haven't made up my mind. Probably going to think about it for a day or two and try not to make a rash decision.

[Heavyd]

fart money.

lol

I've started over many times. I think at last count I've probably had 16 different RAF accounts, if not more. I also level toons to 60 in those accounts and decide that I'd rather do a different group, delete the 60's and start over. I've probably started hundreds of toons.

I only regret that I don't really have anything to show for all the time i've spent playing -- I do have one toon i leveled to 80 but my highest team is 69.

I did decide that i'm not going to start over anymore -- these teams (pally/shammy and 5warlock or 5 pally) are the last i'm going to level. I'd like to see what all the heroic fuss is about.

[Owltoid]

Heavyd, your situation is the one I'm fearing. I think I've had a total of 9 accounts (4 used for RAF and never upgraded) and am worried that number will only grow with time. I'm wondering if a clean start with the goal of 5x9 toons (screw DKs for now) with an easy, clean naming convention would save money and make the game more fun in the long run, or just be the final straw that drives me away from WoW for good (not likely)

[jinkobi]

Only reason to get 5 more is if you plan on 10 boxing at some point Really to me just seems like a waste of $$ in the name of laziness. Which I can sympathize with I'm lazy as hell and after the RAF experience 1-60 does seem a chore. In actuality you really only save a couple of days if you're boosting toons.

Cataclysm is still a ways off- and day 1 of it you'll be exchanging out gear. I'm in a similar situation 4 druids, 1 pally, 1 rogue at 80 and would like to get more 80's for variety. I'm just going to boost 4 at a time and once they hit around 70 continue boosting with my 80 geared team.

[crowdx]

I am actually in the process of boosting a ton of new toons. For me, I have decided to fill out all the empty slots on my current server with the classes I am missing on each account. What I did was during the sale last year, bought 4 vanilla keys for $5 each. I have added these keys to 4 new RAF accounts linked to the old accounts. Then with my booster I am boosting in teams of 4 toons, 2 on exisiting accounts and 2 on the new RAF accounts. This meant on a couple of sets of toons I had 5 sets of 4 to level. Once I am done I will take the odd toon here and there from the RAF accounts and transfer to the 5th account and then cancel the RAF accounts.
This will leave me with all my accounts on this server full, with all toons level 61 or above. Once this is complete I will boost some of these toons up to 65- 67 and use a mix of boosting and quests to hit 70. Then I will quest in Northrend where I will also be able to skip 90% of the collection questions due to not going to quest in Northrend at 68 and also using the BOA Shoulders and chestpiece.
My current state of play on this process is that I am nearly done with SM on all the accounts and about to move to BRD form 40 - 45 and then Scholo to 59.9 and ding on the RAF account to grant a level to the old account and then ding it to 61. I will have to do this for about half of the toons I am leveling, the other half I will bring to level 45 and then use the grantable levels to level them to 61 also.
I could not even think of the idea of restarting again with brand new accounts, losing all the gold, gear and professions.
My two cents

[Owltoid]

I'm starting to lean towards a similar system, crowdx. I'll have to take inventory of exactly what toons I need, but in the end it would probably be cheaper and faster (considering getting 5 druids from 60-80 is a huge chunk of time) to do the two plus two system. I'm assuming you're just leaving those toons on the vanilla accounts right where they are?

Thanks again for all the help everyone

[Drommon]

Owltoid,

I am curious about your naming "convention" you want to use. You mentioned previously that you wanted everyone name similarly or the "same". What were you planning to use?

[Stabface]

Don't forget to win the walrus fishing tournament a few times to get +5% xp rings !

[crowdx]

I'm starting to lean towards a similar system, crowdx. I'll have to take inventory of exactly what toons I need, but in the end it would probably be cheaper and faster (considering getting 5 druids from 60-80 is a huge chunk of time) to do the two plus two system. I'm assuming you're just leaving those toons on the vanilla accounts right where they are?

Thanks again for all the help everyone

Yes, the vanilla account toons will be disgarded with the exception of the ones I move to the 5th account which I did not link for RAF. I will also use as many of the grantable levels as possible which will reduce the grind from 45 - 60 for about half of those toons (have not done all the math yet on how many levels I have to grant and so how high I will need the remaining accounts to be so as to grant levels to 60).