The OverAchiever: Cataclysm achievements FAQ
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Hey folks. This edition of OverAchiever was initially meant to cover archaeology achievements, but we've been getting so many questions on Insane in the Membrane and other problematic achievements that I decided to pre-empt the archaeology article. The Queue comments also tend to host a lot of achievement questions, so I want to answer as many of them as I can here. I apologize in advance to anyone who already knows some, most, or even all of the answers contained herein.
If you have a question concerning disappearing achievements, reappearing achievements, achievements that are being altered, or [insert issue du jour], hopefully you'll find the answer here. Additionally, there's some information on the Razzashi Hatchling that pet collectors might want to hear about (fair warning: It involves a Cataclysm spoiler related to Northern Stranglethorn content), in addition to notes on what's going on with the Shen'dralar, Dire Maul, Molten Core, and city reputation tabards. I ran both an Alliance and Horde character ragged on the beta to confirm everything in this article personally, and the information should be accurate as of the most recent beta patch.
Do the faction reputation tabards work in every level dungeon?
Yes (barring one exception below). You won't get as much reputation for lower-level dungeons, but they'll still work. I saw three reputation points per mob (bosses included) in lower-level dungeons, as compared to 15+ per mob in 85 dungeons and heroics.
Wrath of the Lich King dungeons and heroics don't appear to be granting reputation with the city tabards, however (for example, Darkspear Tabard, Gnomeregan Tabard). I don't know whether this is intended or a bug. I assume it's the latter, given that much easier dungeons award rep.
What's going on with Insane in the Membrane?
During the BlizzCon 2010 World of Warcraft open Q&A session, developers made the unexpected announcement that Insane in the Membrane might not be obtainable in Cataclysm. This triggered a flurry of posts on the forums from players who were still working on it, and the community weathered some conflicting information from the blues and player angst before Blizzard finally decided that, yes, it was going to keep Insane in the Membrane. However, the developers have still made some changes, so I've listed them below.
So if you don't have your "Insane" title yet but still want it, don't worry; you can still get it in Cataclysm.
What's happening with each of the reputation grinds needed for Insane in the Membrane?
Bloodsail Buccaneers No real change.The pirate faction's still very active and now plays an important (and fun) role in the Cape of Stranglethorn leveling process; you'll actually spend a period of time friendly with them even if you've never killed a single Booty Bay Bruiser. On that note, Bruisers should now award reputation through exalted.
Darkmoon Faire This should be unchanged. However, I didn't have the foresight to visit the Darkmoon Faire during the limited periods it's been available on the beta, so I can't personally confirm this.
Ravenholdt Unchanged. It's a lot easier to find the place these days, as the path up the mountainside to Ravenholdt Manor is now marked on the map. But then, you can also fly to it, too.
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However, the reputation-related quests no longer appear to be on offer, so I'm not sure what's going on. The faction itself is still here, but why the reputation grind had to be taken out is anyone's guess.
A few notes on Dire Maul:
- The imp Pusillin is still around.
- Dire Maul East is still theoretically accessible from the "back door" at the Lariss Pavilion in eastern Feralas. Azj'Tordin (the Shen'dralar elf who, on the live servers, gives you a quest to get the Crescent Key) is still moping in the Pavilion as well.
- However, while it's possible to leave Dire Maul East by way of the back door, it wasn't possible to gain entry there; the Crescent Key had disappeared from my bags. I'm not sure whether this was simply the result of copying the character to the beta with an achievement wipe, a bug, or if it means that the Crescent Key is no longer meant to exist. You don't need it to access any portion of Dire Maul anyway, but I'm hoping it's simply a bug, because the "back door" is still interactive and requires the key.
- The Athenaeum continues to connect Dire Maul West and North. However, the door between the two in Dire Maul North isn't interactive, so the two dungeons are no longer accessible from their other halves. Cue Sad Keanu moment.
- The Dire Maul North "tribute run" is still alive and well, and a new NPC (a Druid of the Talon for the Alliance and a Stonemaul Ogre for the Horde) will tell you about it as you zone in. The key/lockpicking is no longer required to access the last door before Captain Kromcrush, so you don't need to kill the first boss if you don't have a rogue with you. The tribute run is also doable without bringing materials along for a Gordok Ogre Suit (or having made one in advance) or alchemy supplies to repair the trap for Guard Slip'kik.
- Knot Thimblejack is still present, and he will still offer to make you the Gordok Ogre Suit. However, it only requires Ogre Tannin now (that is, you don't have to bring other materials). I don't know whether it's still possible for tailors and leatherworkers to get the recipe for the suit. See below for a note on Steamwheedle Cartel rep.
What's happened to the Razzashi Hatchling?
The Razzashi Hatchling (the little red raptor pet) was assumed to be disappearing alongside Zul'Gurub, but has been recently confirmed to be obtainable elsewhere in the game. We initially thought it would appear as a drop elsewhere, but I think (though can't yet confirm) it's going to wind up being a quested pet.
Here's why: There's a really neat quest line (for both Alliance and Horde) in Northern Stranglethorn pairing you with a small raptor hatchling that follows you around. Horde players, if you've done the quest line for the Venomhide Ravasaur, you'll recognize a few of the elements here. The friendly little raptor turns out to be the daughter of Bloodlord Mandokir's raptor, Ohgan, and not disposed to follow in daddy's footsteps. However, you accidentally resurrect Mandokir over the course of the quest line (hands up -- who's surprised?), and he proceeds to hold a friendly NPC hostage in return for your little raptor buddy. Players killed his own mount and he needs to raise a replacement.
What follows is a nifty series of quests that culminates in a trip back to Zul'Gurub, where you'll assume control of the tiny raptor in a bid to escape before Mandokir catches you. The attempt doesn't succeed, but unfortunately, that's as far as I got on my level 36 rogue. My best guess right now is that the little raptor will be a quested pet down the line, because making it a random drop under the circumstances wouldn't really make sense.
Is Molten Core still in the game?
Yes, and it appears unchanged from its present incarnation on the live servers.
What's going on with the Hydraxian Waterlords?
The rep is still in the game, but there's no sign of Duke Hydraxis or his elementals in Azshara.
What about the Thorium Brotherhood?
They're still around and accepting the usual turn-ins.
What old-world raids have disappeared?
Apart from Zul'Gurub, none of them. Ahn'Qiraj-20 has been changed to a 10-man raid, but that's about it.
What mounts are disappearing?
The Swift Zulian Tiger, the Swift Razzashi Raptor, and the four Trial of the Grand Crusader mounts. We recently ran an OverAchiever on getting these if you're still interested, but time is running out.
What's going on with the Ulduar and Icecrown drakes?
Nothing. The Ulduar proto-drakes and Icecrown frostwyrms are all still in the game.
What's happening with Loremaster? Do I have to start all over again if I don't already have it?
Nope. In a nutshell, whatever you've already done isn't taken away from you, but how much you have left to do is subject to change. If you already have one or more of the meta-achievements, you'll still have them post-patch (e.g., Loremaster of Kalimdor, Loremaster of Eastern Kingdoms). If you've done, say, 529 quests toward Loremaster of the Eastern Kingdoms, you'll have those 529 quests credited to you, but the number of quests you have to finish for each achievement has probably changed. However, that's where things get hairy, as you won't have credit for any of the new quests introduced, but you still won't be starting from scratch.
A Horde character before the patch needs 685 quests for Loremaster of Kalimdor and 550 quests for Loremaster of Eastern Kingdoms. An Alliance character needs 700 quests for Loremaster of Kalimdor and 700 quests for Loremaster of Eastern Kingdoms.
Post-patch, that same Horde character will need 624 quests for Loremaster of Kalimdor (split across 13 zones, each with its own achievement) and 603 quests for Loremaster of Eastern Kingdoms (split across 14 zones, each with its own achievement). The Alliance character will need 714 quests for Loremaster of Kalimdor (split across 13 zones, each with its own achievement) and 648 quests for Loremaster of Eastern Kingdoms (split across 14 zones, each with its own achievement). The Outland and Northrend quest requirements appear to be unchanged for the moment. With the Cataclysm zones becoming a requirement for Loremaster, it's possible that the title may be briefly unattainable by players between patch 4.0.3a (if all of these changes go live then) and Cataclysm's release.
If you have any other questions, please drop a line on the comments, and I'll make sure they get answered.
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Filed under: Achievements, The Overachiever
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
James Nov 18th 2010 3:07PM
Can I still do Glory of the Hero? And is there a new version for Cataclysm heroics (guess to early to know but what the hell)?
Allison Robert Nov 18th 2010 3:12PM
Glory of the Hero (from Wrath heroics) is still available, yes. There is also a new Cataclysm equivalent (http://cata.wowhead.com/achievement=4845) awarding the Reins of the Volcanic Stone Drake.
Docrev Nov 18th 2010 3:15PM
It's been around on beta for a while, but I think they've tweaked the achievements for it a few times:
http://cata.wowhead.com/achievement=4845/glory-of-the-cataclysm-hero
MysticalOS Nov 18th 2010 3:18PM
yes to both.
Twill Nov 18th 2010 4:46PM
Veteran of the Wrathgate becoming a Feat of Strength.
Scepter of the Shifting Sands new FoS.
I really love the coverage you bring Allison, but I hate that I still have to go to other websites because you miss stuff. Add these in and be the completion master :D
Also -- Anyone know of some that I missed too? Lets get a full list here people!
(Minor note about the Scepter Feat: BWL is broken right now (First boss despawns randomly.)
Nethertwist Nov 18th 2010 3:08PM
What about Explorer achievement? Will you recieve a FoS for being an old world explorer and have a new achievement for the new world? Or something different?
Allison Robert Nov 18th 2010 3:19PM
There is no Feat of Strength awarded for having done Explorer in the old world. There's a new achievement for exploring Cataclysm zones -- and, like Loremaster, it's been yoked to the Explorer meta as well -- but that's it.
Faith Trust Nov 18th 2010 3:10PM
didnt a blue post said that the raptor pet would remain rare?
Faith Trust Nov 18th 2010 3:14PM
And is there a progresion on "The Seeker" Achievement?
That is if you already have the seeker and go on and do all the new quests
Allison Robert Nov 18th 2010 3:26PM
I haven't seen a blue post saying that, but if you've got a link I'll amend the article. But considering the nature of the Northern Stranglethorn questline, it would seem very odd for the pet to turn into a drop. I'm still leveling the worgen rogue to try to resolve this.
"The Seeker" has not been updated and continues to require 3,000 quests.
wizzums Nov 18th 2010 3:24PM
I hope so :(
On that same note, I'm glad I was lucky enough to pick up the pet for only a couple hundred gold (before the relocation announcement). I couldn't imagine being one of the people who farmed ZG for any extended period of time specifically for this pet.
"Thanks for taking the time to repeatedly kill mobs every three days for a year to obtain this rare and unique pet. Unfortunately for you, we're now making it a reward at the end of a level 30ish quest chain. Enjoy!"
Revynn Nov 18th 2010 3:37PM
Found it:
http://blue.mmo-champion.com/topic/129029/is-the-razzashi-hatchling-item-to-be-removed
" . . . or, given that it will still be a rare pet, . . ."
Faith Trust Nov 18th 2010 4:18PM
thanks for the reply Allison, and the post is in fact the one that was linked above, i remember reading it somewhere else, but it was the exact same thing.
molochmrk Nov 18th 2010 3:15PM
What about the Timbermaw? Do they get removed as rep faction?
Allison Robert Nov 18th 2010 4:40PM
Nope, the Timbermaw are still in, and are still one of the requirements for "The Diplomat."
Revynn Nov 18th 2010 3:45PM
There's been no reason to believe that they would be removed, but if you want to be safe you can just grind it out before the shattering. It can be done in a day.
Merus Nov 18th 2010 8:43PM
Yes, but has it been made less soul destroying? Some Timbermaw dailies would be very welcome.
Cyno01 Nov 18th 2010 10:04PM
@Merus
Better than it used to be, i ground it out before the un-nerfed it. 2-3 rep per kill, plus the feathers. @ lvl 70. It was pretty brutal.
Fierna Nov 18th 2010 3:10PM
"If you've done, say, 529 quests toward Loremaster of the Eastern Kingdoms, you'll have those 529 quests credited to you, but the number of quests you have to finish for each achievement has probably changed."
I could be wrong but I thought the official word from the Devs was that if the quest you completed in Eastern Kingdoms or Kalimdor no longer exists then you will not have credit for it. By that I mean if you do 10 quests in EK today and cataclysm wipes out 5 of them you will only have 5 quests towards the achievement.
Hih Nov 19th 2010 5:10AM
Ya, I could have swore I remember reading that, say you have Loremaster of Outlands and Eastern Kingdoms, but not Northrend or Kalimdor. After the patch since there's no change to Northrend, there's no change to the Northrend achievement and any progress you have is preserved. But since all the quests are different in Cata, any progress you have on the Kalimdor one is wiped clean and you have to start from scratch, even if you're only one quest away from completing it before the patch.