Reagent Map Project

The big Jewel socketing/Dragonspyre fishing update is online! As it happens, this is a perfect opportunity to post something seemingly unrelated... I just made a reagent map of nearly every area in Dragonspyre.

Wait, what? ... Let me rewind a bit.

With my return visits to Kensington Park several summer ago, I ended up finding a lot of Scrap Iron, so I made a crude reagent map. As I went through that process, it actually seemed pretty fun. A reagent map of one dungeon wasn't just some dumb project I had relegated to myself. I found it informative, and hoped to pass that knowledge around in the community.

 So, over the last year, I've slowly been developing spawn locations for every map in Wizard101. Here is the culmination of the reagent maps I have worked on over that time -- not much more than a drop in the bucket, but progress nonetheless. But first, let me explain what I've set out to do.

What is a reagent map?

A reagent map starts off as a Wizard101 area map. The image of the map is then manipulated to reveal where certain reagents lie in that area. This happens through symbols or other little images (as I have done), clearly showing where a reagent can be found in that area. After that, a reagent map can be formed in any creative, desirable way.

The Process

I don't have any fancy programs -- all I've really used is Microsoft Paint. To start off, I rendered images of every reagent available for picking up in-game, and gave most of them a colored background to make each reagent noticeable. Then, I mark down each spot on the map a reagent may appear (a "spawn point"). In that process, I take note of how many reagents show up in that area and eventually include that information on the side of the map. For instance, Twin Giants in Azteca will yield 2 Ore and 3 Stone Block spawn points every time you go through the area -- provided no one else has swiped some up.

As it is, I'm still cementing down the process. Eventually, I plan to experiment with making certain maps black & white (as shown in the Basilica map) so there won't be a clash of hues. Many spawn points are also right next to each other, so I've just started giving the rendered reagents some different sizes.

This Emperor's Retreat map, which I made while hunting for the Silver Streak fish, is fully complete. There are no clashing colors and all the spawn points are identifiable. In the end, that's my goal -- for easily readable maps of every area in the Spiral.

Making a reagent map is not a revolutionary idea. After crafting was introduced in the early days of Wizard101 blogging, The Evil Theurgist created many maps, which I believe ran up to Mooshu. Unfortunately, most of that data has been lost. But the idea was not unique. Our own Friendly Necromancer contributed his share to a growing database. Wizard101 Central's guide, "The Crafter's Bible", filled in reagent maps for all of Wizard City. Over 5 years after the release of crafting, I just want to continue the work of others and finally establish a completed database. That will take a lot of time, no doubt, but crafting will likely never lose its practicality, so the information will remain important.

In the meantime, you can check out the maps I've done - including the majority of Dragonspyre - right here: http://twoheadedwizard.blogspot.com/p/wizard101-reagent-maps.html

I'll be updating this page with new maps as regularly as I can. In the meantime, many of those maps will come in handy while out fishing in the multiple lava pools of Dragonspyre! :)

Happy Crafting!

Something Fishy..

 Crafting and Gardening have seemingly always been a part of Wizard101 (5 and 3 1/2 years, respectively). It's a wonderful surprise, then, that a major new system has been introduced nearly six years into the game. It goes withot saying that I'm jumping at the bait for ... fishing!

  

As any friendly pelican will tell you, fishing is a pretty simple task while going through the motions. However, it takes a truly patient wizard to collect some of the more unique fishies out there. In fact, Swordroll and Kelsey Fireheart are already compiling a list of fish found from just outside Ambrose's Office to the distant wilds of Grizzleheim.

My personal reaction to the news was immediately thinking of Animal Crossing, a completely different game. There, going fishing is also an easy-to-grasp task, consisting of reeling in the fish at *just* the right time. The rarer the fish, the quicker the reaction time necessary. Wizard101 has taken a somewhat different path, though. For one thing, there are trained fishing spells (much like gardening), giving wizards better output at the cost of some energy. Naturally, there will be some complaints, with what little energy we have now surrounding three different tasks. But the whole purpose of fishing lies in giving wizards something more to do, and the community has been eel-ectric with excitement ;)

New fish species are still being revealed, which makes one wonder. What will be the ultimate prize out of this venture? In Animal Crossing, catching every fish is a big accomplishment, as the list goes beyond one hundred species. The fisher's bane there is the Coelacanth - in real life an extremely reclusive ancient fish that was once thought to be extinct since the dinosaurs. It can only be caught in certain conditions, and has a size very similar to that of the most common fish; the Sea Bass.

Kingsisle is following a similar track, putting forth the Dekoi, a sort of joke fish to frustrate everyone looking for something a little rarer. The description even says "find them wherever more impressive fish are hiding." But what will be our Coelacanth? So far, two particular fish have been giving wizards quite the fit - the Owl-Eyed Pike and Fish Sandwich. They're rare, but are found in Wizard City as part of Lucky Hookline's second quest. Thus, they're necessary to rank up in fishing (although word from the KI devs is that this will be fixed <--). Aside from those, not enough time has passed to gauge the rarity of many fish. Not all fishing holes have been thoroughly checked, and it is quite likely that not all fish have been discovered.

 

Last in the simple yet complex fishing spectacle, the obvious matter of luck comes into play. The school of the fish factors into it here - 'fire' bait is most likely to catch a fire-based fish, for example. Even when a perfect attempt (reel completely underwater) also occurs, the fish can still get away. A new elixir even supplements 25-50% more luck for an hour. Without the elixir, many wizards have experienced frustration, so going fishing may become a little easier before it goes live. Difficult or not, fishing does promise to be a lot of fun. Even if you're not an experienced crafter or gardener, it won't be hard to get your feet wet with fishing :P

 

No, Medusa, your gaze won't help me catch a Troll Trout.

Remember to look at the Update Notes for more instructions, including information about new housing crafting recipes! This is a great update for the busy crafter as well :)

Happy Angling!

Test Realm Eclipse

As with the lunar eclipse last Tuesday, the Kingsisle games have converged their test realms. The sun and the moon will eventually return to their different places in the sky, and so shall Wizard101 and Pirate101. For now, though, we've got just a little more waiting to do.

The much anticipated KR-2 update is out! Not many new thoughts about this, as I will have to wait for the live release to try it all out. However, there are a couple of other items - some good, some meh.

The Good:

Crafting: A new crafting quest, new craft-able items, and reagent bundles. It's a good time to be a crafter. Some other things also caught my eye:

New School Pets: Medusa is sweet, but offhand I'd have to go with the Leviathan and Sabretooth as my favorites.

Shadow-Forged Weapons: Swords acting like pets?!? It appears that the Enchanted Armament pet may have acted as a sort of teaser here. What's next, weapon training? (Seriously though, there are some sweet possibilities when you give a sword a mind of its own.)

Shift Spells: Those are some pretty big 3-pip attacks, but I suppose that advantage is offset by having to waste a round casting the transformation spell. Still, one round transformations aren't a terrible idea.

Global Spells: Don't see myself taking out the two-pip global spells for these, especially with the four-pip cost. These would be really useful in a boss battle... but most bosses have unrelenting critical block rates. If those are toned down, I would use 'Saga of Heroes' regularly. Also note the new cinematic effects on the two-pip ones - some of them actually look pretty cool, notably less distracting.

The Meh:

Shadow Creatures: Inevitably, there are more shadow magic spells. The new 'creatures', however, come with a twist. Using spells they like will increase their effectiveness and vice versa. My only qualm with this involves how complicated these guys will be. Even the most experienced duelers have a lot to process when going into a battle -- adding a whole new element of battle is one thing, forcing wizards to remember when to cast what is another. Maybe I'm skeptical about shadow magic, but I just don't know whether they are making battles fun or over-complicated. Swordroll's recent guide expounds on how to use them. Dark Shepherd seems to be based on Life/Death, Dark Nova/Fiend being more damage-based. Interesting. Of course, the main thing to remember: Use Shadow Magic wisely, and you will be rewarded.

Miscellaneous:

•  Players no longer able to teleport into the Hall of Valor: How is this dungeon a task "a wizard must face alone"? Jotun and his brothers were once the hardest (non-cheating) battle in the game. I don't understand the logic here :P
• Creatures patrolling farther from sigils: If I recall, this was especially a pain in the Stellarium. Thanks Kingsisle!

Moving on to Pirate101's huge Advanced Pets/mechanics update. Soooo much stuff that I'll just outline what I think is "good" and "meh", apart from the main things.

Advanced Pets: More powerful armadillos, anyone? Although the update seems to borrow from Wizard101 (as cleverly admitted in the puppet show intro), there are a couple big distinctions. In the place of the Pet Derby is Pet PvP, which has raised some concerns about the parallels to illegal sports like dog/cockfighting. I'm fine with it, though. Activities are also not tied to mini-games, meaning less wasted time in the Cannon or Dance game, thank goodness. Similarities include the hatching system - what new talents will combine to form P101's "dream pet"? Is the ostrich the new piggle? Overall, it will be a very intriguing system that may take some time to get used to, but one that really helps a big part of the game.

Advanced Companions: Already a unique Pirate101 feature, companions are getting a major change. I like the new management and lowly companions being kept busy, but not really the fact that randomness of selection won't factor into it any more. However, giving orders to lesser guys in order to get pet items, nautical EXP or even companion EXP is a great idea. I'm relatively conservative with training tomes and don't level on ships much, so getting this without using free time or gold is just great. I think the new companion system is a little better than the old, and not too complicated, so I'm looking forward for this to go live. Also eager to get Fan Flanders on my Swashbuckler -- how awesome is a Marleybonian convict?! A kooky monkey who wants the proletariat to rule is also a great touch for Privateers :P

Intro Expansion: This doesn't sound anything like Unicorn Way - crazy new areas for low level pirates is a boon to explore even for those with all level 65 pirates. There's even some new crazy good gear! Nothing wrong about a much roomier Avery's Court, either.

Doubloons: Uh... treasure cards for Pirate101? Odd. I've heard these special talents are pretty powerful and rare, though, coming mainly from the new Group Plunder chests. Interesting to see how these will work out.

For the many other updates . . .

The Good:

• Mark and Recall: Sure, it's a direct influence from W101, but this will make travelling across the skyways so much easier.

• Interface Changes: The game suggesting things for us is actually really cool, particularly the weapon notification. And the swashbuckler effects (pictured)? Awesome.
• Damage Changes: Damage bonuses now scaling at percentages is big, but actually a big help when leveling up. It will mean, for instance, that using an 100 Will spell now results in 20% more damage (for Privs & WDs) instead of +20 damage, which would have a less effect when damage is over 100. Nice.

Among Others: New Accessory slot, speedier ships, Housing previews, reduced kill counts in Cool Ranch, Burly's Gold reward, updated Zeena's Rain of Fire, Skyway Chat.

The Meh:

• Wounded Companions: Pretty sure I'm going to give my Privateer's heals a little more love soon. Aside from this obvious new pay-or-wait approach to defeated companions, the pay method involves visiting a rather odd dude with a New York accent/attitude - Miracle Mitch. I understand the scaling to level, but after testing (i.e. killing off companions), the average rest time for a level 65 companion is 7 hours. Why punish higher levels so much? Additionally, the price for healing is a whopping 30,000 gold for such companions. Seriously?!? I would recommend establishing a cutoff rest point at maybe 2-3 hours and dropping a 0 from that price tag (to the tune of 3,000+ gold) instead. The approach to wounded companions is understandable given the update, but the price is just way too high in my opinion.

• Exact Damage: Eh, I just like the idea of attacks being a little inconsistent, like Wizard101 spells - it shakes things up a bit. However, everything will now do a certain amount of base damage (minus power-ups). Although most updates to the combat interface are fine, I'm just a little wary of this change in particular.

Meow! Chat Noir was a famous
Paris cabaret in the late 19th century.

• Critical Names: Uh.. why? "EPIC HIT!" sounds way better than "Super Hit!", so shouldn't it continue to reflect more damage? Then again, there is a Superman but no Epicman... yet.

• Le Chat Noire: How dare they change my badge?! Well, at least it's spelled correctly in French now, right? ;)

That's that for a monumental mechanics update in Pirate101. I've  been playing that game a lot more recently, as questing W101 alts in Zafaria/Azteca gets old fast. Swashbuckler Jacques has been questing for awhile and I now have him at the end of Cool Ranch. Look out, Mooshu! (and Khrysalis, soon enough)

Enjoy your chocolate bunnies today -- no, I didn't forget the occasion :P

Happy Easter!

Yarrr.

Sometimes I Feel Like Throwing My Reagents In The Air...

"Friend’s not here with his Spritely pet, so I’m lookin’ around, switchin’ realms, but no one’s there…

So, I’m runnin’ around in the Hatcherry, going “WHEEEE!”, “WHEEEE!”

A man with a Sandman comes strolling in, offering, “would you hatch with me?”

Not having one myself, I’m ecstatic at the suggestion,

So when it doesn’t cost as much as I thought, I question..

But, seeing a Sandman with a pedigree of 70,

Is enough to randomly have some tea,

So, I’m runnin’ around in the Hatcherry, going “WHEEEE!”, “WHEEEE!”

So, I’m runnin’ around in the Hatcherry, going “WHEEEE!”, “WHEEEE!”

Training it up, getting Spritely,

I’m so happy my face is shining brightly,

And then, it gets Spell-Proof.

I’M ALOOF!

So, I’m runnin’ around in the Hatcherry, going “WHEEEE!, “WHEEEE!”

And when it gets Spell-Defy,

I believe I CAN FLY!

Going around in the Commons,

So happy with my perfect pet, I’m all grins..

So, I’m runnin’ around in the Hatcherry, going “WHEEEE!, “WHEEEE!”

So, I’m runnin’ around in the Hatcherry, going “WHEEEE!, “WHEEEE!”

“WHEEEE!, “WHEEEE!”

“WHEEEE!, “WHEEEE!”

But wait..

Is that a Jade Onee?" ------------

Thats a random song/poem I made up from a random tweet with the "WHEE!" line from someone. LOL. Whatever background sound is best for you, feel free to sing it :P (scary.. am I watching too much Weird Al?)

So, about that hatching picture, I'm close to 3/4 completion of a perfect Boss pet! Currently training a Fierce Hound on Sophia, got Spell-Proof at Teen, and will be Adult first thing tomorrow, with, very likely, Spritely or Feinting. And 50/50 it'll end up as an Ancient Feinting, Proof & Spritely pet :D. Though, as I've said my last want talent is 'May Cast Tower Shield'. Thats a rare one. Blech. I've got a friend with the many of the only pet with the talent, Vigilant Dragon, who may train some up soon, though. So, I'm getting there :). The Pale Maiden was from a hatch with a Central Member who had Feinting on it, plus I now have one for my DS House, lol.

In Housing, I got the Headmaster Statue after a little bit, but have zero luck with Labyrinth Statues atm. I've gotten several Kraken Statues over time from the Silver Sentinel in the past, so there might be one in a bank somewhere. The main enemy is that loose Storm Boss (it'll come to me.. not the.. gah, WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES?) but anyway, he drops the Wyrmkin Statue. I've seen plenty of people with it, but I've fought him uncountable times and nada. JUST ONE, I ASK! Hopefully I'll have that luck tomorrow. But its just one item, sir annoying Storm Boss who I always forget the name and often forgets my Storm Prisms. A little to do with Housing, I'm making a little Gardening comeback, as I made 2 big plots of Prickly Bears for Mycin and am planning, just need to follow through, on a King Parsley garden on Arlen. Well, that DS Farming isn't a total waste. At least I don't have to craft anything for a while, except those Jade Chairs, right?

-----------------------------------------------------------

"Crafting is so stressing,

(Worse than bad French Dressing!)

So instead of working on that Mannequin,

I’d rather buy some Fish Fins

Sometimes I feel like throwing my reagents in the air

(and I just don’t care..)

Sometimes I feel like throwing my reagents in the air

(and I just don’t care..)

Celestial Observatory?

Bo-ring!

Sunstones, you say?

Nay-ay.

Fire Blossoms are a pain,

Its too lame..

Sometimes I feel like throwing my reagents in the air

(and I just don’t care..)

Sometimes I feel like throwing my reagents in the air

(and I just don’t care..)

Golden Pearls are so rare,

Grendelweed won’t appear,

And that’s not even the start of what to fear.

Aquamarine, Diamond, Lotus, Fossil?
They’re so docile, but I just want to swear…

Sometimes I feel like throwing my reagents in the air

(and I just don’t care..)

Sometimes I feel like throwing my reagents in the air

(and I just don’t care..)

Oh wait, I have all the requirements for a Mannequin?

Crafting, is win!"

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I borrowed a little line from an annoying modern song. Hey, maybe I can make a "Hatched This Way" parody next. And feel lucky I didn't include my Bee Gees cross-over to Questing song in this post. (Wait, you don't know who the Bee Gees are? -.-)

Happy Farming!

We're Cooler Than I Thought.

Note: Wall of text coming your way. I'll try to include a picture.. just think of this as getting ready for Summer reading ;)

Okay, first I'll address the non-related-game stuff and end off with my Crafting/Housing progress. First, I want to say how proud I am of the community. You've got most going through School or Work (College/Work-Personal Crises = Ouch..), are/has being bullied in School, etc. One person was very inspiring, and I say that because she was suffering from a fatal illness. But, you know what? She took her time and did great work in the W101 community, and enjoyed her final days. You may know of whom I'm speaking of. 2 of our current community workers, in a great up-and-coming site, are deaf, but that didn't stop them! Eh, kinda random, but I'm glad everyone's rebounded from a rather sensitive subject on being Official and all that.

ITS...

I got my Disco Floor in the CLOB (CL Observatory, you heard it first here :P *clobber*) done, 4/5 of the next 3 floors done, and just about all of the top floor (maybe all, I'm going to check if anything extra is needed). The outside hasn't been worked on over the weekend, but I'd say its half-done.. its so hard to decide what to put out there though! I keep imagining everything floating through space :P but I have decided to make a couple statues. Will see what else is good after that. For the Mooshu House, I just realized I'm nearly done! In fact, the main thing left is to craft a ton of Jade Chairs (huge $ta$h of Black Pearls required) for my, sort of, Mooshuian Restaurant. Was farming Oyotomi for a long time for several Jade Tables ^-^ I got a Collosus & Stormzilla TC though, that was interesting. And of course, a bit of gold :D. I had a little too many trees outside, so thinning out a little :P so, its going along well. I found the rare Diving Rack Set in the Bazaar (no one knows where it drops yet!), so I may add that to Arlen's House, but was really just WHOA when I saw it xD. (Look up the picture yourself ;P) Yeah, thats pretty much it. School's *almost* over (8 1/2 days), so, should be less busy soon. HURRY UP, JUNE 16TH (Uncles Birthday too ;)) anyways, you're probably getting bored by now, so...

Happy Crafting!

Birds Are The Words

With school coming to a close, I'm forced to not be able to be on as much, so I don't think I'll do the Waterworks till this Summer or big dungeons, at least. But, I'm still on a bit! Anyways, lets get to the post :)

Arlen and Sophia finished up everything except Nostrand in the last week! Here's part of the awesome Gramma cutscene :P

Hornwood and Maple Trees. Austrilund!

Not exactly a warm welcome though :-&

Honestly, I'd never be brave enough to get the honey, but its a game after all ;)

Ice Trolls o_o. How can an inanimate object be hungry?

And of course, the Abominable Forest Lord, looks like it ate something bad when it dies xD

I'm guessing you can get across there in a side quest, but otherwise, I'm not sure why there's a Silver Chest there.

Saw this WT amulet (Wyrm-something..) in the Bazaar with 1 in stock, and WHOA, that costs more than a house O_o

One of the Sudriland crafted hats, I love the extra stackable school Blade. So, I've made several so far, that one, Arlen's.

YMIR! What a beard.

I get the throne now, evil Ravens! Was helping a friend with Nostrand, got a Balanceblade/Hex amulet. Wanted Balanceblade/Tower Shield one, but better than nothing :) plus it was a learning experience, it was a little easier - but longer - than I thought. Friend got the Lifeforce Blade too! :D

Nostrilund lava.. and snow.. :o

At least Wizard101 discussions are much more fun than real life ones!

Delighted indeed ;) woot!

One picture disappeared, but I'm too lazy to show Sophia's Volkir Rimeaxe ending. Took 2 tries, fun battle :)

What a sight, I wanna walk onto that cloud... *AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH*

Thanks, Greyrose! Snow Angel is surprisingly powerful. Loving it.

I went ahead and beat this guy for a side quest (but didn't turn it in, seeing my EXP-saving self). Every 5 rounds (first one included) he says something along the lines of "You must help each other to defeat me!" and puts on a 65% Tower Shield. I shared a Balanceblade, and he took it right off, as Ptolemos would do. Not too hard though.

Had fun with the 5 minute Raven transformation!

CAWWWW!!!

*tackles Sudri*

Ok, enough already xD

Golden Apple Tree! This is straight from Greek Mythology, where Hercules had to retrieve this for one of his 12 tasks. Harder though, believe me.

Jaws: Arctic Version.

Bear funeral D:

Sweet. And I hear this is a furniture item in the newest Becketts! MUST GET ONE!

MIDNIGHT OBJECTS! Well yes, not the greatest name for a Frog either, LOL. Got a sweet Storm Ring from the Boss who planned to cook Midnight. SHAME!

NO WYVERN OMELET FOR YOU, FROST GOBLINS! There's that extra Raven picture too. Blogger is messed up sometimes :/. Anyways,

Happy Questing!