The Starting Zone: The World of Warcraft Podcast!

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Episode #357: Back from BlizzCon! Nov 06, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to The Starting Zone Podcast, The World of Warcraft Podcast for New and Experienced Players! On this weeks episode! Spencer Downey and Jason Lucas are back from BlizzCon, they discuss their trip, the Anniversary Event, BlizzCon Announcements and everything else going on around Azeroth!

Episode #357: Back from BlizzCon! is ready for Download!

What's New this Week in World of Warcraft!

Weekly Event – World Quest Bonus Event
World Boss – Dunegorger Kraulok
Nazjatar World Boss – Wekemara
Mythic+ Affixes – Tyrannical/Bursting/Necrotic/Beguiling(Enchanted)
Call to Arms – Zuldazar and Nazjatar
Island Expeditions
- Molten Cay with Trolls
- Havenswood with Worgen
- Snowblossom Village with Mogu
Darkmoon Faire - Now through November 9th
WoW's 15th Anniversary - Now through January 7th, 2020
World of Warcraft What's Next Panel Recap
and much more!

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Look Human is an apparel company with 100,000 unique and fun designs so you can express your unique identity. Whether you are a gamer, movie nerd, science geek, fitness nut, or just want to show off your general weird self... Use our promo code 'spazbot' to get ANY t-Shirt for 14.99! For some shirts that is nearly 50% their retail price. Holy Crap Balls. So, what are you waiting for? Go be you, and LOOK HUMAN today!

Episode #356: The BlizzCon 2019 Pre-Show! Oct 28, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to The Starting Zone Podcast, The World of Warcraft Podcast for New and Experienced Players! On this weeks episode! Spencer Downey and Jason Lucas sit down with Kyle Fergusson, Kevin Ellis and Leviathan to discuss our predictions for BlizzCon 2019!

Episode #356: The BlizzCon 2019 Pre-Show! is ready for Download!

We dive deep into every property Blizzard has going with experts who play the games, stream the games and report on them!

Start to 31:45 - Diablo
31:45 to 53:40 - Hearthstone
53:40 to 1:10:20 - HotS
1:10:20 to 1:22:12 - Overwatch
1:22:12 to 1:36:57 - Starcraft
1:36:57 to End - Warcraft

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Episode #355: Hallow's End is Here! Oct 23, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to The Starting Zone Podcast, The World of Warcraft Podcast for New and Experienced Players! On this weeks episode! Spencer Downey and Jason Lucas announce the winners of the Hallow's End virtual ticket giveaway, discuss recent raid hotfixes and everything else going on around Azeroth!

Episode #355: Hallow's End is Here! is ready for Download!

What's New this Week in World of Warcraft!

Weekly Event – Burning Crusade Timewalking
World Boss – T'Zane
Nazjatar World Boss – Wekemara
Mythic+ Affixes – Tyrannical/Teeming/Volcanic/Beguiling(Voids)
Call to Arms – Nazmir and Nazjatar
Island Expeditions
- Molten Cay with Trolls
- Havenswood with Worgen
- Snowblossom Village with Mogu
Hallow's End - October 18th through November 1st
Hotfixes
Hallow's End Virtual Ticket Giveaway Entries!
BlizzCon Update
and much more!

We've got the shirts, hoodies, mugs, pillows even stickers you want!

The Starting Zone is produced by Spazbot Studios, Good Shows by Good People Visit them today!

Gunnar Optiks Provide Killer Gaming Eyewear! Help Fight off Fatigue and stay in the fight even longer! Use the promo code SPAZBOT at checkout for 10% off your entire purchase!

Episode #354: October Patron Q&A! Oct 22, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to The Starting Zone Podcast, The World of Warcraft Podcast for New and Experienced Players! Spencer Downey and Jason Lucas sit down to talk with our Patrons about what's on their minds for the October Patron Q&A!

Episode #354: October Patron Q&A! is ready for Download!

How are you guys feeling about returning to static gem slots ie wraith days. For me I really enjoyed using different gem combination to get the bonuses and knowing exactly what I want to gem. Nowadays I don't like the randomness of getting a gem slot.
For both hosts, what is your personal ranking of xpacs? Such as for me #1 is Cata as its when I really got into the game and then so on and so forth.
Starting with a softball one first. In these 8.3- times; what races would you guys like to see playable next? I'm a bit disappointed in mechagnomes myself, but absolutely fun with some new additions.
What's your take on professions in this xpack? I find them a bit underwhelming. To be fair, you can live quite comfortably without investing in them and I'd wish that was not the case. Do you disagree and think they have quite an impact and if not; what would you like to see change in 9.0 and beyond?
Damage meters, should they exist?
To piggy back a bit on anger's question.... where would you guys like to see the titanforging system change become? I personally would like to see a wrath type system where you can earn a certain amount of tokens for things you run to upgrade and making crafting worth it again. What would you guys think of a system more like that?
What end game progression system would you like to see in the next expansion? It is pretty clear that there will be some type of system like the AP stuff in the last 2 expansions so I wanted to get your view and hopes for what they could do with that system. I for one hope they bring weapons back. I absolutely fell in love with the concept of Artifact Weapons. With how incredibly integral weapons are to most classes it was super nice knowing you didn't have to worry about getting that really annoying weapon drop. And not only working on increasing the power of them, I also loved how cool they looked and you could work on unlocking different appearances. That was super fun and cool to me! And every class and spec had their unique ones. OMG SO AWESOME!! Maybe they could do something different than the linear talent system they had. Maybe tweak it a bit where you don't unlock everything so you had to choose between some really epic talents. Also, maybe instead of Weapon Drops from Raid Bosses or Mythic Plus Dungeons they would drop appearances instead. I know this is just a pipe dream because they probably would get a lot of flack for going "back to an old system" but I think it would be just the coolest thing.
In the past it was quite common to have bosses in each tier with some sort of "healing gimmick", or something different that healers have to do strategy-wise. This can take the form of bosses like Dreamwalker, Avatar of Sethraliss, or Tsulong, where the fight ends when the boss is healed, not killed. Or something like Chimaeron, where as long as everyone was above a certain health threshold, anything extra healing-wise was "wasted". Or even Sinestra with managing dispels, or Behemoth where there are distinct healing "windows". What are your thoughts on fights like this? Should there be more of them? Less of them? Are there other cool things Blizzard could incorporate with healers and healer mechanics?
Jason, how do you think the possible removal of titanforging will affect a group like yours? It already seems hard to keep a group farming bosses they do not need much gear on. At least with titanforging there is always a possible upgrade on any boss......
Do you have statistics on where your listeners hear your content? How much trouble is it to upload to all the content delivery platforms?

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The Starting Zone is produced by Spazbot Studios, Good Shows by Good People Visit them today!

Are you looking for some AWESOME DEALS?!? Want to support our shows & Spazbot Studios? Well, you clicked on the right web page! We have some great deals lined up for you below, so check them out! Any purchase you make using the links & coupons below helps support our show! Gunnar Optiks Provide Killer Gaming Eyewear! Help Fight off Fatigue and stay in the fight even longer! Use the promo code SPAZBOT at checkout for 10% off your entire purchase! Look Human is an apparel company with 100,000 unique and fun designs so you can express your unique identity. Whether you are a gamer, movie nerd, science geek, fitness nut, or just want to show off your general weird self... Use our promo code 'spazbot' to get ANY t-Shirt for 14.99! For some shirts that is nearly 50% their retail price. Holy Crap Balls. So, what are you waiting for? Go be you, and LOOK HUMAN today!

Episode #353: Virtual Ticket Giveaway! Oct 16, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to The Starting Zone Podcast, The World of Warcraft Podcast for New and Experienced Players! On this weeks episode! Spencer Downey and Jason Lucas announce the winners of the faction pride virtual ticket giveaway, announce the details for the next giveaway, discuss upcoming changes in 8.3 and everything else going on around Azeroth!

Episode #353: Virtual Ticket Giveaway! is ready for Download!

What's New this Week in World of Warcraft!

Weekly Event – Pet Battle Bonus Event
World Boss – Hailstone Construct
Nazjatar World Boss – Ulmath, the Soulbinder
Mythic+ Affixes – Tyrannical/Raging/Explosive/Beguiling(Tides)
Call to Arms – Stormsong Valley and Mechagon
Island Expeditions
- Whispering Reef with Naga
- Jorundall with Taunka
- Crestfall with Dragonkin
PvP Brawl - Deepwind Dunk
Hallow's End - October 18th through November 1st
Visions of N'Zoth Blue Posts
8.3 Class Changes
8.3 Auction House Revamp
Classic Realm Layering
and much more!

We've got the shirts, hoodies, mugs, pillows even stickers you want!

The Starting Zone is produced by Spazbot Studios, Good Shows by Good People Visit them today!

Gunnar Optiks Provide Killer Gaming Eyewear! Help Fight off Fatigue and stay in the fight even longer! Use the promo code SPAZBOT at checkout for 10% off your entire purchase!

Episode #352: The 8.3 Preview! Oct 09, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to The Starting Zone Podcast, The World of Warcraft Podcast for New and Experienced Players! On this weeks episode! Spencer Downey and Jason Lucas sit down to discuss the War Campaign conclusion, the BlizzCon virtual ticket and everything else going on around Azeroth!

Episode #352: The 8.3 Preview! is ready for Download!

What's New this Week in World of Warcraft!

Weekly Event – Battle for Azeroth Dungeon Event
World Boss – Ji'arak
Nazjatar World Boss – Wekemara
Mythic+ Affixes – Tyrannical/Raging/Explosive/Beguiling(Tides)
Call to Arms – Vol'dun and Nazjatar
Island Expeditions
- Skittering Hollow with Kobolds
- Verdant Wilds with Furbolgs
- Jorundall with Vrykul
Great Gnomeregan Race! - October 12th
Running of the Gnomes 2019 - October 12th, 7pm EST.
Darkmoon Fair - run until October 12th
New Allied Races Preview!
8.3 Developer Content Preview!
and much more!

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The Starting Zone is produced by Spazbot Studios, Good Shows by Good People Visit them today!

Gunnar Optiks Provide Killer Gaming Eyewear! Help Fight off Fatigue and stay in the fight even longer! Use the promo code SPAZBOT at checkout for 10% off your entire purchase!

Episode #351: Reckoning! Oct 01, 2019

Show notes

Episode #351: Reckoning! is ready for Download!

What's New this Week in World of Warcraft!

Weekly Event – Battleground Bonus Event
World Boss – Azurethos, The Winged Typhoon
Nazjatar World Boss – Ulmath, the Soulbinder
Mythic+ Affixes – Fortified/Bolstering/Grievous/Beguiling(Void)
Call to Arms – Drustvar and Mechagon
PvP Brawl: Cooking Impossible
Island Expeditions
- Molten Cay with Yaungol
- Verdant Wilds with Feral Druids
- Jorundall with Taunka
Brewfest is live until October 6th
Hotfixes
BlizzCon Virtual Ticket
War Campaign Recap
and much more!

We've got the shirts, hoodies, mugs, pillows even stickers you want!

The Starting Zone is produced by Spazbot Studios, Good Shows by Good People Visit them today!

Gunnar Optiks Provide Killer Gaming Eyewear! Help Fight off Fatigue and stay in the fight even longer! Use the promo code SPAZBOT at checkout for 10% off your entire purchase!

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Episode #350: September Patron Q&A! Oct 01, 2019

Show notes

Episode #350: September Patron Q&A! is ready for Download!

Do we think they are going to cut BFA short?
How do we get interviews at BlizzCon and can we choose who we are going to interview?
What do we think about guilds being opened up to Cross-Realm, also what do you think about raids being opened up sooner?
Since I assume we're either going to get WC3 or at least get a date at BlizzCon what is some advice for someone (me!) that never played it before?
I main a healer (currently resto shaman) but I'm deciding what to play next expansion. My guild often has tank troubles so what I would like to do is play a class where I can Main Heal and OS tank, I'm currently thinking of pally but what are your guys' suggestions for classes that can do this and why?
Buddy of mine and myself were arguing why blizzard released classic. My buddy thinks blizzard released classic to revive wow and basically keep it afloat in the event blizzard comes out with another failing expansion (in his opinion) he thinks they will also probably need to re-release a few fan favorite expansions to keep players coming back and subbing to and playing the game. I think he's totally wrong, i think they released it for the sole purpose that the community asked long enough and blizzard simply delivered. In my opinion, with or without classic people will sub and play the game if they want to, regardless if there is an earlier expansion like classic that they can also play if they get bored of WoW now. I am curious on your thoughts about that, and also curious a little bit of what you think blizzard will do in regards to rereleasing older expansions or patches and how do you think they'll approach that convo if and when more people start asking. (Obviously years later but just an idea)
I recently started a new account on a different region and I have noticed what a new player of the game actually needs to get through with their character to get going in the expansion. Stuff that a experienced players just take for granted today can probably cause headaches for a new player to the game. The need to get to friendly of each faction while leveling to get world quests unlocked isn't communicated before you even start leveling. So if you have not quested in all zones you need to do questing even after reaching max level to unlock wqs. An experienced player knows that flying is a thing but it isn't really communicated anywhere in game for new players. The difficulty to handle outdoor content with absolutely no gear is a daunting experience. Benthic is a thing but to even survive the outdoor content in Nazjatar to get the pearls is really hard to do with level up gear. What would you guys think blizzard should do in the future to make the experience more accessible for new players. Do we really need to have to go to 3rd party sites to figure out how the game works?
Would you rather: New classes OR new class specs? ie; there are "rumors/spoilers" about a new tinker class, but perhaps additional specializations for a few classes. like a RDPS DK, A Warlock Tank spec, or even a rogue healer). I Don't think it would be ideal to add a new spec to every class, but the ideology behind theory crafting it can be fun.
Spencer it is kind of hard for you to answer this as you play a druid who can do it all as a druid so Jason, if you could have one new specialization for your 15 year main, what would that be like?

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Episode #349: 8.2.5 is Live! Sep 24, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to The Starting Zone Podcast, The World of Warcraft Podcast for New and Experienced Players! On this weeks episode! Spencer Downey and Jason Lucas sit down to discuss Patch 8.2.5 that just went live, they dig into what's happening with WoW's 15th Anniversary and everything else going on around Azeroth!

Episode #349: 8.2.5 is Live! is ready for Download!

What's New this Week in World of Warcraft!

Weekly Event – Warlords of Draenor Timewalking
World Boss – Dunegorger Kraulok
Nazjatar World Boss – Wekemara
Mythic+ Affixes – Tyrannical/Bursting/Skittish/Beguiling(Enchanted)
Call to Arms – Zuldazar and Nazjatar
Island Expeditions
- Molten Cay with Trolls
- Un'gol Ruins with Hozen
- Snowblossom Village with Klaxxi
The AWC Summer LAN results are in!
Brewfest is live until October 6th
Goblin and Worgen Model updates
Party Sync
Honeyback Harvester Mount!
8.2.5 Content Update
and much more!

We've got the shirts, hoodies, mugs, pillows even stickers you want!

The Starting Zone is produced by Spazbot Studios, Good Shows by Good People Visit them today!

Gunnar Optiks Provide Killer Gaming Eyewear! Help Fight off Fatigue and stay in the fight even longer! Use the promo code SPAZBOT at checkout for 10% off your entire purchase!

Episode #348: Operation Mechagon Part 2! Sep 17, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to The Starting Zone Podcast, The World of Warcraft Podcast for New and Experienced Players! On this weeks episode! Spencer Downey and Jason Lucas do their guide to Part 2 of the Hard Mode Mechagon Mega Dungeon and let you know about everything else going on around Azeroth!

Episode #348: Operation Mechagon Part 2! is ready for Download!

What's New this Week in World of Warcraft!

Weekly Event – World Quest Bonus Event
World Boss – Warbringer Yenajz
Nazjatar World Boss – Ulmath, the Soulbinder
Mythic+ Affixes – Fortified/Teeming/Quaking/Beguiling
Island Expeditions
- Dread Chain with Trolls
- Whispering Reef with Naga
- Crestfall with Dragonkin
Call to Arms – Tiragarde Sound and Mechagon
PvP Brawl - Warsong Scramble
Pirate's Day - September 19th
Brewfest - September 19th to October 6th
Operation: Mechagon Part 2!
and much more!

We've got the shirts, hoodies, mugs, pillows even stickers you want!

The Starting Zone is produced by Spazbot Studios, Good Shows by Good People Visit them today!

Gunnar Optiks Provide Killer Gaming Eyewear! Help Fight off Fatigue and stay in the fight even longer! Use the promo code SPAZBOT at checkout for 10% off your entire purchase!

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