Countdown To Classic - A World Of Warcraft Classic Podcast

It's the last episode of Countdown To Classic before release month dawns on us, and so the show is taking one last chance to enjoy the calm before the storm of content coming in August and onwards. Today, we kick off with some awesome in game advice, but then bring it down a notch as we get zen with a bunch of 'external' topics about World of Warcraft Classic. So sit back, relax, and let Countdown soothe you.....just before we turn it up to 11. Calling Countdown #1 - The Art Of Ranking In Phase 2 w/ Sowleye - 3:00 Calling Countdown #2 - Guild Reunions w/ Bissy87, Blez, Jormundir & Sonosuke - 48:10 Calling Countdown #3 - Asking Your Partner To Play w/ Rhian & Roo - 1:20:20 Calling Countdown #4 - The Psychology Behind The Classes - w/ Soap - 1:43:35 Calling Countdown #5 - MMO Gamer Personality Test - w/ Taladril - 2:07:30 Calling Countdown #6 - Chatting w/ PlatinumWoW - 2:25:45 Calling Countdown #7 - Supplementing With Forums w/ Sawyer - 2:39:30     Also listen @ Spotify here (Spotify takes a couple

It's raining notable names over at Countdown To Classic as Josh sits down for a bunch of epic one on one chats. First, we hear from Madseason, of the immensely popular Madseasonshow YouTube channel, as he sits down for a tavern chat covering a variety of WoW Classic topics as we get a bit of a deeper insight into his thoughts on Classic and what makes him and his character tick. Next, MMORPG icon, Brad McQuaid, stops by for a lengthy chat covering his thoughts on the state of MMORPG's, game design philosophies, and some meaty chat another highly anticipated MMORPG that he's currently working on in Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen. After that, Athalus, the founder of WoW Radio, checks in to talk about the wild ride of setting up the first ever World of Warcraft talk show, discovering & working with TotalBiscuit, and leaves with a fun announcement about his plans for Classic. And finally, we talk with SneakyB4rd, who's not a celebrity outside of the show, but it's his second time on the podcast so he's a celebr

Beta is done and so it's time to give some final thoughts on what was a critical window of time for WoW Classic's development process. The show extensively covers the winners and losers of the beta, which includes a twist that would make M. Night Shymalan cringe! After that the show goes on to break down the sneakily huge blue post regarding crit suppression with the theorycrafters, vanilla dungeon designer John Staat's is back for part two of his epic recap of the making of Karazhan, and then we hear all about what's happening with Countdown To Classic guild options. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Winners & Losers of Beta w/ Ayle & Nano - 3:50 Calling Countdown #2 - Crit Suppression News w/ Melderon, Steppenwolf, & Vilius - 1:11:55 Calling Countdown #3 - The Making of Karazhan (Part Two) w/ John Staats, Norfair, NostalgiaDad, & OkieSooner - 1:56:50 Calling Countdown #4 - Countdown Guilds w/ Jamie & Saturnalia - 2:42:50   Buy ‘The WoW Diary’ by John Staats on Amazon @ https://w

Less than seven weeks to launch and there's more to talk about on the show than ever! Listen to Josh discuss a wide range of topics with the listeners, who continue to call in for a fun chat. Today, Hunter extraordinaire Zeroed stops by to chat about all of the Hunter issues that have reared their ugly head in the beta, causing concern for everyone wanting to roll their beloved ranged class in Classic.  Vanilla dungeon designer John Staats stops by again for part one of an epic two part conversation about the making of Karazhan, which while not being playable in vanilla, was very much a part of the vanilla design process. Next, we unite former nemeses in a call about vanilla raid history, as members of famed guilds Nihilum and Death & Taxes stop by to bury the hatchet and fondly reminisce about their feats back in the day.  After that, we go over some detailed theorycrafting about warriors, warlocks and priests amongst others, and then finish up speaking with the host of the fantastic podcast 'Convert To

Did somebody call in about Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker?!? Countdown To Classic is back again as we inch another week closer to launch day, and we've got more topical issues and game related chatter for you. Callers from far and wide hit the show up to discuss the minutiae behind using Thunderfury, a pro-world buffs reply, and Twitch sensation Dr. Lupo stops by to talk about his history with WoW and give his thoughts on how well WoW Classic and streaming will mix. Then we hear from a couple of European players who have concerns over the recent news from Blizzard about EU servers, and finally, vanilla dungeon designer John Staats is back again to discuss the making of Wailing Caverns. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - The Ins & Outs of Swinging Thunderfury w/ Zorn - 3:00 Calling Countdown #2 - Leave World Buffs Alone w/ Fahq - 25:15 Calling Countdown #3 - Vanilla Memories & Streaming Classic w/ Dr. Lupo - 51:00 Calling Countdown #4 - EU Server Mayhem w/ Arun & Ghob - 1:31:0

With the beta now being 6 weeks old, those who have been fortunate enough to spend time with it have begun to notice a few things which warrant a conversation about their implementation in WoW Classic.  Today, the listeners touch on some of those points. We first hear all about melee leeway and get some further commentary on the layering examples that we've seen pop up thus far.  This is followed by a correction from an IT expert on the technical side of layering as touched on in earlier episodes. From there, we hear all about how the AV weekend went, and then about a couple of server firsts in the third stress test from a pair of speed runners. And, finally, we hear once again from vanilla WoW dungeon designer John Staats, all about the making of Scholomance. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Melee Leeway Commentary w/ Ayle & North (Feat. Lokth) - 2:50 Calling Countdown #2 - AoE Leeway Update + Layering Commentary w/ Ayle & North - 33:10 (layering chat starts at 38:10) Calling Countdown #3 -

The beta rolls on and brings with it a couple of fresh talking points for the show and its listeners to tackle this week with Josh. Warsong Gulch has been open for a couple of weeks now in the beta and Arathi Basin just opened days ago, and with those come the bloodthirsty PvP testers looking to see how things perform on the battlegrounds. After that we break down stream sniping, after some comments made by streamer Sodapoppin ignited the forums this past week on the issue. Then, we welcome back vanilla WoW level designer John Staats, for the first of a lengthy ongoing segment all about the design of vanilla WoW's instances.  Listen in to part one of this series, as John tells us all about how he built one of the most beloved dungeons in MMORPG history, Blackrock Depths. The show then rounds out with a great call with a sitting member of the state of Maine's House of Representatives, about that one time that WoW got caught up in politics, and also a follow up call from last week, for a slightly different angl

Countdown To Classic has a bit of everything for you today as we touch on beta news and talking points as well as a couple of class conversations. Josh talks with the listeners on whether or not Blizzard should invoke the ban hammer for trolling streamed events, and covers off on more beta impressions as we dive deeper into what Classic has to offer. Next, Josh talks to a number of hardcore Warrior theorycrafters in relation to the latest blue post from Blizzard about hit caps and the solved and unsolved mysteries behind the numbers for melee classes in Classic. Finally, a pair of experienced Priests join the show to convince Josh that his choice of rolling with the light (or shadow) is the right way to go for his main on release day, as they discuss Priest PvE gameplay at length. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Trolling, ToS, and Streamer Content - Should Blizzard Get Involved? w/ Ayle, Corazu, Roo, & Shlapshtick - 2:45 Calling Countdown #2 - More Beta Impressions, 3 Weeks In w/ Lokth & Sa

Stress test #1 of World of Warcraft Classic is in the books and the Countdown To Classic listeners are here to regale you with their tales of the experience. After hearing all about C'Thun & Hogger messing with people (that is if they even got in at all!), the show then  brings you a one on one chat between Josh and a beloved Classic content creator, Frostadamus.  Frost chats all about himself, grinding/farming, the economy, and the AH in a great intimate chat. Following that, the show goes off piste slightly, as a bunch of listeners call in to discuss a topic that has everyone talking lately, Game of Thrones! Why the hell is GoT being discussed on a WoW Classic podcast?!? Well, the crew highlights the parallels between GoT and WoW, the references in game, and also can't help but touch on some thoughts regarding Season 8 and the finale (FULL SPOILER WARNING!). Finally, we touch on a quick call regarding a caution to those Classic fans who are going through school when the game launches (given that release

It's time to break down the first playable version of World of Warcraft Classic that we've been given as the closed beta dropped this past week. Josh speaks with Defcamp & Polydox in a call recorded after two days spent with the beta, and then takes another call from Ayle after six days with the game, as the callers cover off on bugs, PvP and whether or not the game is fun and running well. After that, Josh hears from IT professional Linkson, who stops by to give further clarification on exactly what Blizzard's proposed 'layering' system entails, explaining it further to the listeners. And, finally, in saving the best for last, vanilla WoW class designer Kevin Jordan stops by for the last instalment in his fantastic 'Ask Kevin' series, as he sits down with the Countdown community to discuss WoW, MMORPG's, the gaming industry and Blizzard in a candid, final interview. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Beta Impressions Day #2 w/ Defcamp and Polydox - 3:05 Calling Countdown #2 - Beta Impressions Day

CAN YOU SAY RELEASE DATE BABY??!!?  Blizzard finally delivers the news that everyone had been eager to hear with a release date for World of Warcraft Classic, and brings a number of other huge news items along with it. Josh gets a handful of dedicated listeners on the line to breakdown the news while it was piping hot and fresh, and the group discusses sharding's lesser known cousin 'layering', closed beta, and cross-realm battlegrounds amongst other topics that came to light. After that, former vanilla WoW class/talents/abilities designer Kevin Jordan is back for his final class breakdown as we rip through the design history of Rogues in vanilla WoW. Finally, we hear from a few listeners all about what the predicted reception of Classic will be from the retail crowd who haven't already made the commitment to try the game out. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Release Date, Closed Beta, Layering, Cross-Realm Battlegrounds w/ Ayle, Jamie, Jhakobi, Jigantor & Viv- 5:30 Calling Countdown #2 - Kevin

It's a Triple P kind of day over at Countdown To Classic as we discuss Paladins, Podcasting, and Playing Roles (that's kind of cheating, I know). Listen as as three very experienced and knowledgeable players, Theloras, Smiter, and Sonosuke, talk listeners through the minutiae of Paladin PvE across all three specs, in what was a very extensive and enjoyable chat. After that we hear from a group of passionate RP-PvP'ers who want their voices heard all the way in Irvine, CA about why Blizzard should reconsider their position on not having RP-PVP servers at launch. And, finally, the show is lucky enough to welcome some WoW Podcasting royalty in Star Mike (World of Warcast) & Rho (Realm Maintenance), along with two newcomers to the podcasting game in Allen & Anthony (The Classic Casual), to discuss the history and fun of podcasting about World of Warcraft. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Paladin PvE with Theloras, Smiter & Sonosuke - 3:35 Calling Countdown #2 - RP-PvP Players Call For Change

Countdown To Classic calls in the big guns as the show welcomes a very special guest, and an MMORPG heavy hitter in Scott Hartsman. Scott shares stories about competing against WoW as the technical director for Everquest and Everquest 2, as well as trying to trying to break away from the pack during his time as CEO of Trion Worlds with Rift.  He also gives some great thoughts on WoW Classic and the potential future of the MMORPG genre as a whole. The great chat keeps coming as the episode also hits on the big news we got recently about Blizzard's stance on progressive itemization in Classic with Nano (Nostalrius Core) & the listeners, as well as going through the design history and thought process behind making Priests in vanilla WoW with former class designer, Kevin Jordan. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Progressive itemization news with Nano, Fredmunroe & Ante - 5:10 Calling Countdown #2 - A History of Everquest vs. WoW & the future of MMORPG's with Scott Hartsman (EQ/EQ2/Rift) - 35:

Big news this past week as we were told by big blue that internal alpha testing had begun over at Irvine! Josh breaks down this news and what it means for us moving forward with the listeners. Then we hear from former vanilla WoW class designer Kevin Jordan on Warlocks for another amazing segment of Ask Kevin. After that, the show features an in depth interview with Martin Falch, creator of the immensely popular machinima series from back in the day, 'Tales of the Past' to discuss the ins and outs of making those movies. Finally, we hear all about the pros and cons of knowing vanilla quests inside and out. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Alpha Announced - 4:55 Calling Countdown #2 - Kevin Jordan On Warlocks - 29:05 Calling Countdown #3 - Tales of the Past - 1:09:50 Calling Countdown #4 - Quest Knowledge - 2:04:15   Join the Countdown To Classic Discord here: https://discord.gg/2xJAwNf Countdown Advertising Survey: https://survey.libsyn.com/countdowntoclassic Find Kevin Jordan @ Twitch: https://www.

Countdown To Classic turns in its 100th episode, and hits that century mark in style by bringing you a bunch of great calls with the listeners of the show. First, Josh undertakes the most ambitious call in history as he gets 10 people on the line to discuss the emotional journey of the past three years, from the shutdown of Nostalrius to the announcement of WoW: Classic to where we are today. After that, former vanilla WoW class designer Kevin Jordan is back again to discuss the design philosophies behind Paladins. Next, Josh has a bit of fun and enlists the help of some North American and Oceanic players to woo him to their servers as he finally chooses which region he will play Classic on. And bringing it home, Josh sits down with members of the super hardcore guild, 'Onslaught', to discuss the ins and outs of pushing vanilla WoW to the next level and their plans for Classic, which includes a surprise YouTube star's appearance! Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - 10 Callers, 3 Years - The Journey From

Countdown is back with two, count 'em, two very special guests this week as the show keeps going with another packed episode full of WoW Classic goodness. First up, Josh is humbled to be joined by Luke Lafreniere of Linus Tech Tips fame, to discuss his love of vanilla WoW and his time with Nostalrius. After that, we hear yet again from vanilla WoW class designer Kevin Jordan all about the history and decisions behind designing Hunters. Then we hear from the listeners, as a crew calls in about the huge PvP schedule news we got during the week, and then Nineteen27 from Death & Taxes returns to break down PvP tips for Hunters against all the other classes. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Luke Lafreniere - 3:00 Calling Countdown #2 - Kevin Jordan On Hunters - 1:02:10 Calling Countdown #3 - PvP Schedule News - 1:42:45 Calling Countdown #4 - Nineteen27 On Hunter PvP - 2:15:45   Find Luke at Linus Tech Tips @ https://www.youtube.com/user/LinusTechTips And on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/luke_lafr?lan

The show brings back vanilla WoW Class Designer Kevin Jordan once again to cover off on Shaman, Josh gets on the wowey sauce and discusses beta possibilities with the listeners.  We also hear from the show's resident PvP expert OhGee about Blizzard's decision to implement spell batching in WoW: Classic, and then Josh talks to a real contender in the world first 60 race. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - 3:30 - Kevin Jordan Talks Shaman With Melderon Calling Countdown #2 - 35:50 - Beta Guesstimations With Chimly, Ante, and TianSG Calling Countdown #3 - 1:10:00 - Spell Batching News With OhGee Calling Countdown #4 - 1:37:45 - The Race To 60 With Alenya & Umbra Dramacraft - 2:11:50 Anger Management - 2:14:05 Memory Lane - 2:21:10   Find Kevin Jordan @ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/kevinjordan Directly download here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/countdowntoclassic/C2C_Episode_97_Final.mp3 Also listen @ Spotify here (Spotify takes a couple of hours to upload after posting, check back later if not there

Countdown To Classic has it all for you today. Join in on a very special episode as Mute from World of Roguecraft re-emerges on the scene to talk to Josh all about those famous videos and whether or not he'll be playing WoW: Classic. Josh then speaks with vanilla WoW Class Designer Kevin Jordan about the history and design choices behind Druids, in this week's installment of the show's ongoing 'Ask Kevin' series. The show then turns to the news from last week, discussing the huge loot trading backflip from Blizzard, as well as the news regarding RP-PvP servers. Finally, the show closes with a huge call about everything Alterac Valley, with an alternative view to last week's take on the news about 1.12 AV, as well as breaking down notes, strategies, and fun memories from some AV veterans, including the show's resident PvP expert Ohgee. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Mute from World of Roguecraft - 2:40 Calling Countdown #2 - Kevin Jordan on Druids - 38:40 Calling Countdown #3 - Loot Trading News - 1

Another week, another blue post.  Who would have thought it would be raining WoW Classic news?!? Josh kicks off a jam packed episode by speaking to the listeners about the news regarding Blizzard's decision to run with the 1.12 version of Alterac Valley. Then, in part two of the show's 'Ask Kevin' series, we hear from vanilla class designer Kevin Jordan about the design choices behind Mages in vanilla WoW. Finally, we finish up with a fun, potentially divisive call about the 'unwritten rules' of vanilla World of Warcraft. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Classic News Re: 1.12 AV With Ayle, Fredmunroe, & Sonosuke - 2:45 Calling Countdown #2 - 'Ask Kevin' Part Two - Mages - With Kevin Jordan & Viv - 32:45 Calling Countdown #3 - The Unwritten Rules of Vanilla WoW With Ante, Bawlsosteel, & Remani - 1:11:30   Find Kevin Jordan @ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/failureanalysis Directly download this episode of the show here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/countdowntoclassic/C2C_Episode_96_Final.mp3