Then vs. Now

[shundaroni]

I'm the typical casual sporadic player.

The first time I played WoW, it was pre-expansion. I leveled a Warlock to 28 before life interfered and I took a sabbatical.

The second time I played WoW, Burning Crusade had just released. This time around, I ignored my 28 Warlock and decided to dabble in multiple classes. I took a Priest to 32, a Mage to 30, a Hunter to 26, and a few others to the teens.

Notice that I have never made it close to the level cap. Ever.

Well, life interrupted again, and, after taking a long time off to work and attend my first year of law school, I've got the bug again. The minute finals are done, I'm getting back in the game--so I need some input.

For those of you who have been around for some time and have experience leveling Alts recently, my question is: Is the time to level noticeably shorter now than it was back in the days of Burning Crusade?

Thanks for the help in advance.

[clevins]

yes. Leveling 20-70 is faster than before. The XP requirements have been decreased, the XP granted is larger. That said if you want to level to max you have to focus and it will take some time. You might want to look into the Recruit a Friend program where you level new accounts with someone else (who's already playing... they 'recruit' you). It gets you triple XP until 60.

However... if life keeps interfering to the point where you can't play for a year or more - is it really worth it to worry about leveling?

[semiiramiis]

I'm the typical casual sporadic player.

The first time I played WoW, it was pre-expansion. I leveled a Warlock to 28 before life interfered and I took a sabbatical.

The second time I played WoW, Burning Crusade had just released. This time around, I ignored my 28 Warlock and decided to dabble in multiple classes. I took a Priest to 32, a Mage to 30, a Hunter to 26, and a few others to the teens.

Notice that I have never made it close to the level cap. Ever.

Well, life interrupted again, and, after taking a long time off to work and attend my first year of law school, I've got the bug again. The minute finals are done, I'm getting back in the game--so I need some input.

For those of you who have been around for some time and have experience leveling Alts recently, my question is: Is the time to level noticeably shorter now than it was back in the days of Burning Crusade?

Thanks for the help in advance.

Yes...and no.
1. Yes. The questing has been streamlined, and xp awards have been increased. There are more quests packed into hub points, you can pick up a whole load of them and go slam them out.
2. The problem, however... the lower zones are pretty desolate on most servers. If you mean to solo grind your way out of them, you'll do it quickly. If you want to group, there may be issues finding anybody at all to help you. With my last alt (leveled to 68 until Wrath and DK took my attention) I did not see a single group until I hit EPL.

[shundaroni]

You might want to look into the Recruit a Friend program where you level new accounts with someone else (who's already playing... they 'recruit' you). It gets you triple XP until 60.

I'd taken a cursory glance at the RaF. It sounds like a good plan of attack for my purposes, and I've got a few friends who have played pretty regularly since the beginning.

if life keeps interfering to the point where you can't play for a year or more - is it really worth it to worry about leveling?

I've got two reasons for my preoccupation with leveling:

(1) Just to say I've done it--even if I'm the only one who hears me say it. My fiance won't give a damn. My friends will tell me, "It's about time." But I'll be glad to finally reach a level cap.

(2) I actually want to be able to participate in this "end game" that has eluded me for so long. I've had to hear, "The game really starts at [insert level cap here...60, 70, 80]" for too long. Plus, getting to legitimately participate with my friends while they use their mains would be fun.

After frying my brain for two semesters, I'm ready for some mindless vegetation. At least a summer's worth. If I can level faster than before, all the better.

If you mean to solo grind your way out of them, you'll do it quickly. If you want to group, there may be issues finding anybody at all to help you.

Due to my previously slow pace and long bouts of absence, I'm used to soloing. In fact, I'm terrible at groups because I've only legitimately run an instance with ONE group made up of chars that were my level. I've generally just had a friend run me through instances with their main. Hurt my XP but gave me all of the drops. I guess I'll just have to learn to play in a group when I catch up with everyone. :embarassed:

Thanks for the input...both of you. I'm much obliged.

[mesonm]

I'd taken a cursory glance at the RaF. It sounds like a good plan of attack for my purposes, and I've got a few friends who have played pretty regularly since the beginning.

Keep in mind that RaF works only if you and the friend/second account level at the same time.

You must be within (5?) levels of each other, to get the bonus xp.

[shundaroni]

Keep in mind that RaF works only if you and the friend/second account level at the same time.

You must be within (5?) levels of each other, to get the bonus xp.

Thanks for the clarification. Maybe I can persuade my fiance to create her own account. I won't hold my breath.

[wyren]

go to official forums and ask about refer a friend for the realm you want to be in. There are many levels of people looking for a refer a friend. hardcore 16 hour a day-t hour a day casual pick out good fit and level.