Midnight Oil Definitely Got Burned - Episode 29

Show Notes 

Welcome to Episode 29! – 3:27         

Could there be a few more roadblocks set to getting this episode out in an already busy part of my calendar?  Ep. 28 saw great numbers and a huge contribution to the recent surge was Denethar graciously interviewing me on Azeroth United and I am very grateful.  Also, I’m darn tired and dying to upload this episode, so notes may be a bit short this episode

 

“What have you done lately?” – 9:43

The IRL boss certainly got its licks in over the past 30 days, with school starting up, a sick relative, moving my entire WoW and recording setup and stuff and bookcases and books up to a new location in our house.  But, it was the confusion around the Midnight launch announcement that really was the biggest roadblock for me diving into this episode. 

 

“What ELSE have you done lately?” – 21:38

First I checked out completely and leveled my Earthen monk in MoP (not even Classic).  When I returned to K’arech, I did a small pile of Delves, finally hit Story Mode and the Follower Dungeon, but perhaps most exciting was earning the P.O.S.T. Master's Express Hearthstone from Katy Stampwhistle and her impromptu mailroom in Tazavesh.  And if you ever wondered if you lose a Great Vault if the week passes and you earn another one, you don’t.  I tested it for you.  Your welcome.

 

Drink of the Month – 58:42

For a break from collecting bees and honey in Stormsong Valley for Ecological Succession, I head over to The Golden Flagon in Brennadam.  “Nasty” Buck serves up a Mildenhall Mead.

 

Nostalgia Moment – 1:02:17

A new segment for WoW moments that take me back.  In the inaugural segment,  remember one retired podcast, Azeroth Public Radio and one mostly retired podcast, the Goblin Goldcast after hearing Mac on Lion’s Pride Tavern!  Go check out LPT!  Both are SQ’s forefathers.

 

News – 1:14:56            

• Legion Remix coming on Oct. 7 and bits of the Midnight features come in 11.2.7, like character cap of 70.
• Apple’s iOS 26 will have a feature that can boost voices in its Podcast listening app by suppressing background music and noise. DON’T USE IT or I will be sad with you.

 

Main Topic:  Midnight Announcement Kerfuffle – 1:24:13

The Gamescom announcement was a bit of a mess that took a couple of weeks to sort out, and this seems like a strange mistake for Blizzard.  Second mistake was the timing that saw the Midnight cinematic spoil the Manaforge Omega raid for anyone planning on LFR and Story Mode people unless you did it immediately after weekly reset.  This launch featured less mystery as well  All combined for much lower hype levels for me.

 

Midnight features of interest to me with my thoughts:

• Level cap to 90
• New or renovated zones of Eversong Woods, Zul’Aman, Harandar, and Voidstorm
• Character news: Haranir allied race, Void Elves as DHs, and a 3rd DH spec
• End game: 8 Dungeons, 3 Raids with 9 total bosses (but only 2 with Story Mode – WTF Blizz?), 10 Delves plus a Nemesis Delve
• Prey system is a neat idea for optional challenge
• Community Events return with some variety and in all zones
• Experiences for new and returning players getting needed updates and options
• UI improvements continue by targeting damage meters, encounter assistance, and name plate info; the beginning of Blizz bringing some add-on functions into the game

The janky launch made it difficult to be positive about Midnight.  Looking forward to that feeling fading into the past.

 

SQ Mailbag – 2:08:11

You all responded!  Many new ratings on Apple Podcasts returned SQ to a 4.8/5.0 and we have multiple new reviews on Apple and Spotify.  So grateful for the support!

 

Outro – 2:20:56

• Thanks to Blizzard for the amazing music and sound, to OGRE for intro/outro music, my lovely and supportive wife, and you for listening.
• Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/soloqueuewow
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“I will see you out there."