Project 60 18 - Skull Rock and Doomhowl
When I started playing WoW HC with a buddy a few years ago, I had no idea that I would be discovering the best version of World of Warcraft out there. I hadn't played the game in over half a decade, and figured we'd give this absurd challenge a few tries, and move on. My first attempt I even died to at level 7 to a crab in Durotar. Many demoralizing deaths followed on my first character, Lunaly, on Skull Rock. Dying plenty of times after getting Deadmines gear, getting eaten by a shark near Theramore at level 40, and getting eviscerated by Bloodsail Warlocks my first time to level 44. After probably 8 attempts I finally reached level 59, and was going to grind the last 2 bars safely in the Northern Deadwood Furbolg camp. A bad pull and a Denwatcher's call for help later and I've got 10 mobs on me and a light of elune + hearthstone macro is the only thing that kept the dream alive.
After getting the first 60, and falling in love with classic WoW, I couldn't help but try to grind every class. By the time I managed to finish my 9 60s on Skull Rock, a new server had dropped, and I decided to roll a few toons over there. This got out of hand, and I knew in my heart I had to do it again.
The result; Two 60's of every class, Nine Horde 60s, Nine Alliance 60s.
What I learned:
- Game knowledge is the most valuable thing for leveling in Hardcore. Not only do you need to learn the quests, and how to safely complete them, but learn level appropriate routes that set you up to have plenty of quests later on.
Example: Could I hit X zone at this level? Yeah, probably. But the experience there will still be good in two levels, if I clear Y and Z zones first, I can take advantage of that zone at a higher level when I'll need the experience more.
Unless you're speed leveling, there's no reason to rush zones.
Always keep at level health pots and a few swiftness potions. This simple rule will keep you alive. If you're level 45 keep two Limited Invulnerability Potions on you, and level 50+ keep two Petrification Flasks on you.
Join fun guilds and enjoy the journey. You will die, probably a lot, before you master the route, and you still might die to a DC like I have a few times, but the player base on hardcore servers make it worth coming back to.
Know your class and character strength. I could safely solo elites and difficult quests on some classes, while on others I'd wait for a group or just skip if I didn't feel like my gear/specialization was strong enough.
Rested XP: the biggest perk of leveling an army of alts is always being able to grind with rested xp. I'd go months in between touching toons, but at least when I finally went back they were in good shape to level quickly.
Boon all Toons: I generally keep double or triple buffs booned on all Toons, when possible. Sometimes I'll go 20-30 levels without even unbooning, but it's always nice to have in your back pocket. It's a good way to not get used to playing with world buffs, but always having them ready for when you hit those zones where you know they're handy. For me that's WPL, Southern STV, Hinterlands, and Un'goro.
Always have an out, and don't get used to abusing it. If your out is a target dummy, try to have one up when you pull. Same with vanish, or health pots. If your out is on CD, it probably isn't a good idea to pull more than single packs.
My Paladin was the last that I finished, and I don't think I used lay on hands *a single time* on his run. Sure, it's a great ability, but if I regularly get myself into spots where I need it, I'd probably die.
Worst Deaths:
53 Warlock - running directly to Jademyre lake in Feralas to try to finish my map
48 Shaman - DCed in Hinterlands
47 Paladin - Screwed up my LOE Hearth in ZF and was torn apart while the rest of my group escaped
46 Mage - alt-tabbed while auto running through desolace to answer a work question. When I swapped back a minute later I was dismounted and dead
46 Warrior - DC while fighting the sand people in Tanarid
My next, and maybe final goal is to clear Naxxramas, the only raid I've never cleared in classic and the only raid I have not cleared in Hardcore.
If I can go from a guy that died to a crab at level 7, and at least 12 times levels 25 and under to a guy with 18 60s, there's no reason that any of you can't get that first 60 too. GG and always go agane!!!