Love Is In The Air
Start: February 5th, 2012
End: February 18th, 2012

This is your official invite to the most romantic time of the year in Azeroth! Log in to the game and join in the love festivities as the major cities of Azeroth play host to this once-a-year event. Gifts are being shared around galore and the local townsfolk will just love to receive a gift from you and if you’re really lucky, you could receive a Love Is In The Air reward.

This may not just be a happy time of year, though. Not everyone is finding love in Azeroth and some seem to be cursed with a rather strange love sickness. This is the time to rise up and help those who are acting a little strange and redeem some normality to them.

Running from Feb 5th to the 18th, head straight to your nearest capital city to start the quest chains and receive Love Charm rewards which can be used to create a special Lovely Charm Bracelet to gift your friends with.

The Main Quest Sequence

As you probably already know, Blizzard is a big lover of quests and they’ve developed a special main quest line for Love Is In The Air revolving around the Steamwheedle Cartel faction. They’re alert levels are on a massive high and they’re smelling something fishy afoot with the goblin members of the Crown Chemical Company.

You’re being recruited to investigate these members and to find out exactly what they’re up to, giving you the opportunity to earn some good gold and rewards. The chain will eventually lead you to the daily quest to do battle with the evil Apothecary Hummel. He drops some phat loot and itamz, including the much-sought Big Love Rocket.

Other rewards

If you’re used to WoW, you’ll know that there never seems to be just one thing and one thing only to do in game. I never seem to have time to be able to do it so it’s basically a case of doing whatever is more fun or will get you the latest faction boost or gold or achievements.

The Love Is In The Air event is riddled with such achievements and if you manage to complete all of them during the event period, you’ll receive the title, “The Love Fool.” How romantic! Some of these achievements should be pretty damn easy to do, but be warned, some might require a bit of determination to complete.

Aside from the high level loot from Apothecary Hummel, there are buffs from candy and a range of pets if you’re a collector:

Truesilver Shafted Arrow – this can be picked up by turning in Love Tokens at the local Lovely merchants in each capital city. It summons a cute little goblin who will act as your very own cupid.
Toxic Wasteling – A not so cute pet, but it’ll be very happy sat by your side squelching around after you and eating any critters that come near it. The cool thing about this pet is that it grows in size as it consumes the poor little unsuspecting critters.

Pure Romance

If you’re more of a romantic than most, then you’ll likely be looking for the more relative rewards for the Valentine’s event. You can dress up in Dinner Clothes, put a Forever-Lovely Rose in your mouth if you’re a male character, or in your hair if you’re a female, and crack open the Romantic Picnic Basket to really get in to the spirit of the Love Is In The Air festival.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Quest List

What a cool gimmick from Creative, arguably one of the best creators of Sound Cards on the market. That’s good to know, since you should always be looking for a top quality product. This time, Creative has spotted a gap in the market, in an area which quite honestly I didn’t think existed.

Imagine those annoying times when you have to hit “enter” to start chatting in WoW, or type /g or /t or /p etc. This means taking your hands off your keyboard and mouse for a split second than you need to. If you’re not using Ventrilo or TeamSpeak and need to type during raids or PvP, then this split second could really make a difference, especially if you type the wrong thing! It’s situations like this where the Warcraft Tap Chat USB Foot Pedal comes in to play, allowing you to bind a favorite macro or keybinding to your pedal. I’ve used the chat example, but you could use the “mount” command, stealth, sprint or anything you want!

If you use a multi-button mouse, it might be worth binding your push-to-talk key to the pedal to free up a middle mouse button or something similar.

What’s better is that it has a USB connection and so it won’t clog up your wireless airwaves, giving you less interference on other wireless peripherals. I take my hat off to thee, Creative, you’ve really created a cracker here!

If you’re a WoW fan, why not fully immerse yourself in all that is Warcraft with this Warcraft headset? There’s a Warcraft peripheral out there for pretty much everything you can think of, ranging from mouse mats, USB sticks, all the way through to this high quality headset.

Coming from Creative, you should expect that the sound quality from this headset to be second to none. I’m not sure about being the best on the market but it’s definitely worth the price tag! The sound is definitely good quality, boasting THX TruStudio PC sound technology, making you feel like you’re really in the depths of the gameplay. You should be able to hear footsteps in the direction they’re coming from rather than just hear the footsteps themselves, something which generic headsets fail to achieve.

Not only is the sound quality great, but Creative have thrown in wireless technology, allowing you to move around freely whilst chatting to friends in WoW, without having to worry about those pesky wires. You can be rest assured that the sound quality won’t suffer though with the inclusion of wireless.

To top it off, if you’re a Horde-hater or an Alliance-advert, you can change over the lenses to suit your allegiance – a nice little touch to really make you feel like you’re fighting the battle in Azeroth.

If wireless isn’t your thing, or if you’d just prefer to save a few bucks, here’s the USB version.

It’s that time of year again! The Feast of Winter Veil is upon us, so be ready to join the Revelers and pay a visit to Greatfather Winter in Ironforge and Orgrimmar. He’s so magical that he can be in both places at one time, just like Santa Claus! What a clever fellow.

Ho Ho Ho!

You’ve got a generous 19 days to fully partake in the joy and glee that is Winter Veil. Blizzard really make this holiday season special between December 15th and January 2nd. Ya see, Greatfather Winter is somewhat of a greedy man and he’ll be looking to you to help supply him with some milk and cookies. Mmm, cookies.

Fun and Cheer For All

There’s a myriad of quests and fun things to do in this period, so be sure to log in or reactivate your account. Personally, I find that one of the best things to do is run around hurling snowballs at random unsuspecting gamers.

Grab all the quests and you’ll be rushing around for the resourceful Smokeywood Pastures Company, finding lost shipments and trying to find their lost reindeer, Metzen who has been kidnapped!

There’s also some special bosses kicking around in dungeons across Azeroth. Head over to Northrend and also the Cataclysm areas to defeat bosses for special loot and fun encounters!

This is definitely a holiday event not to be missed, so if you’re looking for some winter snow fun, get in game now and experience the fun of Winter Veil.

Kissing a ‘Neutral Winter Reveler’ under mistletoe will magically create for you 5 sprigs of Mistletoe or 5 Handful of Snowflakes… You can also get Fresh Holly (x5), which can be used to transform your mount into a reindeer for thirty minutes…
There are snow mounds, Holiday Snow, in the snowy parts of the Alterac Mountains (and Dun Morogh) during this event. You can pick up Snowballs off them. They used to have a knock back effect, but that has been changed.
There are special Hardpacked Snowdrifts in Alterac Valley during this event. You can pick 5 Hardpacked Snowballs off them. They have a knock back and dismount effect so use them wisely.
Around this event, Blizzard forum posters a festive snowball icon, shown to the right.
The quest A Metzen the Reindeer are actually Neutral quests, in that they can be done by players of either faction. If a character has both quests, they can be accomplished at the same time. The difficulty in gaining the quest in the opposing faction’s city is … the opposing faction.
The Winter Wondervolt Machine is available in or just outside of several cities to transform your character’s appearance into a Winter Veil gnome. Your gnome outfit is randomly red or green.

Quests:

A Carefully Wrapped Present

A Festive Gift

Gaily Wrapped Present

Gently Shaken Gift

A Smokywood Pastures’ Thank You!

A Ticking Present

A Winter Veil Gift

Great-father Winter is Here!

The Feast of Winter Veil

The Hero of the Day

Preserved Holly (5)

The Reason for the Season

Treats for Greatfather Winter

Smokywood Pastures Gift Pack

Winter’s Presents

You’re a Mean One…

I just got this in the mail and I gotta say I’m suitably impressed. To be honest I wasn’t expecting much but am happily surprised. Beautiful artwork, regular real world holidays noted AND WoW events like Winter Veil etc. are noted. Very cool

Here are the included pages:

Sept-Dec 2011: Thrall
Jan: Varian Wrynn
Feb: Vol’jin
Mar: Muradin Bronzebeard, Moira Thaurissan, Falstad Wildhammer
Apr: Garrosh Hellscream
May: Lor’themar Theron
Jun: Gelbin Mekkatorque
Jul: Jastor Gallywix
Aug: Genn Greymane
Sept: Sylvanas Windrunner
Oct: Velen
Nov: Baine Bloodhoof
Dec: Malfurion Stormrage

I think I might keep some of these even after the year is over to hang on my wall.

When will Blizzard stop coming up with excellent product ideas? “Never” is probably the correct answer to that.

This is a collectible trading card game based on World of Warcraft. We wonder if Blizzard realised they were going to create a global phenomenom when they had the idea for Warcraft. The single player games were successful enough, they then decide to take the online world by storm and create the best ever MMO to grace this planet. Now they’re trying to take over the card game market and we reckon they’re doing a pretty damn good job at it!

The starter deck allows you to select a hero from either the Alliance or Horde side who will lead your party alongside his or her allies, using the other cards to equip the hero with magical armor and weapons as you go. You’ll also be able to use special talents and skills as well as inviting the allies into your party and completing quests.

Naturally, the objective of the trading card game is to defeat your opponent first. So, basically the trading card game is exactly like the MMO, but in card form. Not a difficuly concept, but Blizzard have cleverly created a variety of different card sets, all containing different heros, allies, enemies, weapons, armor, talents and skills. It’s hard to see when it’ll all come to an end and quite honestly, with the state of the MMO market as it is that’s hard to envisage.

Even if you’ve never played a trading card game before, if you’ve thought about it or are into WoW anyway, why not give this WoW trading card game a try? It’s such great value, you won’t really miss out on anything by not giving it a shot.

With Christmas just around the corner and WoW’s Pilgrims Bounty in-game event on, this excellently designed plastic dagger will be a cool addition to your arsenal this year. Actually, never mind Christmas, it’ll make a cool toy or present in general, for you or for your kids.

Featuring a jagged edge plastic blade, the owner of this Executioner Weapon will feel like they’re fighting off the Orcs from World of Warcraft instantly. The artwork fits the in-game weapons with a red heart at the top of a raven claw style handle.

More and more are taking their in-game experiences into the real world, with card games, costumes and toys becoming more and more popular. Whether you’re looking for a present for your kids or a friend or other family members, this WoW dagger will be a most welcome gift. If you’re definitely sure the recipient is into World of Warcraft, then chances are you won’t go wrong with getting them this cool dagger.

Re-enacting some of the key events from the game can be a great way to extent your experience of World of Warcraft. Why not grab two of these Executioner Weapons and have some cool playfights. Actually, why not go even further and pick up other WoW gear and have some full-blown battles? One could dress up as an Orc and the other a Night Elf or one of the other Alliance races. Or, even better, why not get a bunch of friends together and have an epic battle to the death? (not literally).

Whatever you decide to do, at the price that this plastic dagger is currently being sold for, you won’t be happier with this cool toy.

“FOOD FIGHT!”
Bounce food off a fellow feaster’s head at a Bountiful Table.

Now We’re Cookin’
Cook up one of every Pilgrim’s Bounty dish.

Pilgrim’s Paunch
Acquire the Spirit of Sharing from a complete Bountiful Table feast at every Alliance capital.

Pilgrim’s Peril
While wearing either a Pilgrim’s Dress, Robe, or Attire, take a seat at each enemy capital’s Bountiful Table.

Pilgrim’s Progress
Complete each of the Pilgrim’s Bounty dailies.

Sharing is Caring
Pass one of every dish at a Bountiful Table.

Terokkar Turkey Time
Defeat Talon King Ikiss while wearing a Pilgrim’s Hat and either a Pilgrim’s Dress, Robe, or Attire.

The Turkinator
Hunt enough Wild Turkeys quickly enough to gain Turkey Triumph.

Turkey Lurkey
Blast those dirty, sneaking Rogues with your Turkey Shooter.

Quests

Candied Sweet Potatoes (Buy them in Darnassus or Thunder Bluff)

Can’t Get Enough Turkey – Daily (Choose from Pilgrim’s Hat, Pilgrim’s Attire, Pilgrim’s Robe, Pilgrim’s Dress, Pilgrim’s Boots, or Turkey Caller)

Cranberry Chutney (Buy ingredients in Orgimmar and Iron Forge)

Don’t Forget The Stuffing! – Daily (Choose from Pilgrim’s Hat, Pilgrim’s Attire, Pilgrim’s Robe, Pilgrim’s Dress, Pilgrim’s Boots, or Turkey Caller)

Easy As Pie – Daily (Choose from Pilgrim’s Hat, Pilgrim’s Attire, Pilgrim’s Robe, Pilgrim’s Dress, Pilgrim’s Boots, or Turkey Caller)

Pilgrim’s Bounty

Pumpkin Pie (Buy in Stormwind or Lorderon)

Sharing a Bountiful Feast

She Says Potato – Daily (Choose from Pilgrim’s Hat, Pilgrim’s Attire, Pilgrim’s Robe, Pilgrim’s Dress, Pilgrim’s Boots, or Turkey Caller)

Slow-roasted Turkey – (Turkey Caller) (Wild Turkey’s found in Elwynn Forest and in Tirisfal Glade

Spice Bread Stuffing (can buy all the ingredients from vendor)

They’re Ravenous In Darnassus (Alliance)

Undersupplied in the Undercity (Horde)

We’re Out of Cranberry Chutney Again? – Daily (Choose from Pilgrim’s Hat, Pilgrim’s Attire, Pilgrim’s Robe, Pilgrim’s Dress, Pilgrim’s Boots, or Turkey Caller)

No pet this year so far, but you do get the achievement for logging in, and you’ll get a token in your game mail that you can click that “Increases Experience and Reputation gains from kills by 7% for 1 hour.”

Click here to view the embedded video.