Donating expected?

[Sior]

Hello,

so I was choosing the Lordaeron realm as it looked the most Blizzlike. I just saw however that you can purchase level 80 epics here as well.
Now I',m curious if you can start here without donating to get gear?

What I mean (or am curious about):
- are there enough players doing the content 'legit', means getting their gear through playing?
- if I'd start new and was looking for a guild, is it very likely they won't recruit people without epics (as you can purchase them)?

I'm aware that you can purchase only 'basic' level 80 epics. Still I'm curious if it's feasible to play 'self-found' and still be able to
find guilds ect. :)

I appreciate your opinions.

[Bioness]

Unless someone is paying 200-300$ for gear that is not even best in slot, you won't see many people walking around with full sets of bought gear. You will likely see quite a few people with bought mounts though, or maybe it is just those are the most noticeable.

[Lorbenia]

Hmm how's the leveling here? I like to play supportive classes like resto healers, so it can be boring playing alone. Will there be plenty of parties, with the RDF not working?

[Bioness]

If you want to heal, level using a DPS spec but carry healing gear on you for dungeons. All classes can heal decently before 60 as any spec, just make sure the gear has spellpower and not just "of the Eagle" crap.

[Sior]

I have nothing against mounts. :)
Well, that's true.. equipping yourself completely with 'starter' epics would be quite expensive. But hey... you never know.

[Lorbenia]

If you want to heal, level using a DPS spec but carry healing gear on you for dungeons. All classes can heal decently before 60 as any spec, just make sure the gear has spellpower and not just "of the Eagle" crap.

Doesn't sound like a lot of fun for party-minded people. Sounds like a solo game until 60ish then you start doing actual PvE content. I'm not too familiar with how to run to every single dungeon and things like that. Bummer, because I enjoy partying and leveling with other people, but the other servers look like ghost towns and you level waaaay too fast for my liking.

[Bioness]

I have nothing against mounts. :)
Well, that's true.. equipping yourself completely with 'starter' epics would be quite expensive. But hey... you never know.

I know only 2 players who have done it, there may be more but usually if you see someone in only Naxxramas 10 gear, you can inspect their achievements and see if they got it legit or not.

Doesn't sound like a lot of fun for party-minded people. Sounds like a solo game until 60ish then you start doing actual PvE content. I'm not too familiar with how to run to every single dungeon and things like that. Bummer, because I enjoy partying and leveling with other people, but the other servers look like ghost towns and you level waaaay too fast for my liking.

If you're not too familiar with how to run the instance, it is never too late to start. Make it your mission to try as many of the dungeons as possible.

[decert00]

its not hard to level as a healer...i leveled as a elemental shammy and rolled as a healer in dungeons.Hell,i even managed to heal people on lvl 55ish in dungeons like stratholme and scholomance with ele build and not a single point in resto >.< . I just had to bring a lot of mana food...A LOT. :D

[Touchooo]

- are there enough players doing the content 'legit', means getting their gear through playing?

Very large majority. You can check the coin store for yourself to see the prices, they're extremely high compared to other realms.

if I'd start new and was looking for a guild, is it very likely they won't recruit people without epics (as you can purchase them)?

Yes they would. Most guilds require you to be at least close to best-in-slot gear from heroics and emblems. No guild requires donated gear.

I'm aware that you can purchase only 'basic' level 80 epics.

- Item availability based on realm's progression
- Items available will be 1 Tier below items obtainable in-game until all content is released in all modes
- Must have a lower tier equipped before higher item can be obtained using coins
- Item level requirement (i.e. must have Edge of Agony equipped before Fleshrender can be obtained using coins

http://forum.warmane.com/showthread.php?t=301200

[DakMonkey]

are there enough players doing the content 'legit', means getting their gear through playing?

Yes, there is enough players who play legit. Plenty of heroics to grind, even for dps. (Obviously easier to find groups as tank/healer, like it has been at every server in every expansion ;)) Downloading GearScore addon will make finding groups a bit easier.

if I'd start new and was looking for a guild, is it very likely they won't recruit people without epics (as you can purchase them)?

Yes and no. This depends a lot on how much the guild needs your class/spec. Getting BiS pre-raid gear from heroics/crafteds/badges should be enough for any class/spec. If some guild is in a great need of your class/spec, you might get in with only questing items as well.

I'm aware that you can purchase only 'basic' level 80 epics. Still I'm curious if it's feasible to play 'self-found' and still be able to
find guilds ect. :)

In my experience, most people play legit. Some people have 1 or maybe 2 pieces of bought items for whatever reasons. I know I donated because I wanted to skip server queue and bought a wand with that donation. I personally don't know anyone who would've donated for more than 2 items. (not counting twinks/cosmetic items such as mounts)

Donating for gear that you will replace within a week or two just isn't worth it for most people, especially since one piece of gear costs like 50€ :) So.. Don't worry, you don't have to donate to be able to play any content, but feel free to donate some to help keep the server up.