I’m not the best geared out there, and I’m definitely nowhere near the worst geared, but this has to be a joke. I’m in (predominantly) badge gear, so I’ll accept that I’m better geared than most of the players I’ve encountered. Fine. I’ll even give you the benefit of saying I’ve worked hard to find the best set of gear I could get my hands on, as well as to say I’m a different type of player because I carry multiple pieces for different occasions.

Hell, I’ll even agree that I shouldn’t see too much of a struggle in the first few portions of Northrend at all regardless of gear (although I disagree).

At 79, I still have not encountered any real challenge. None. Zip. Zero.

We’ve made instances challenging by pulling entire rooms instead of one pull at a time…

I thought I was supposed to feel the Wrath of the Lich King, not be tickled by feather swords and have glitter thrown on me.

/sigh

I’m holding out hope that things will be different as we start running Naxx, but given initial reports I’m skeptical. I’ll hold out hope that heroics will be tough if nothing else, and I can see where they have potential, but everything else really shouldn’t be this easy should it?

/end rant

/begin rational ponderings

Obviously things are skewed at the moment. My experiences in badge gear versus the experiences of guildies starting out in quest gear are quite different, and we all know how much of an impact good gear has. In many ways I’m glad I’ve not really found any upgrades, save three definites, after all of the time I spent getting my gear. A part of me also feels left out, not knowing the same enjoyment others have when that quest reward or dungeon drop is an “OMGMUSTHAVE!” item.

Based on rumors/opinions I’m scared all of the content I’ll see soon is going to be easy, and my experiences to date do not help that impression in the least.

It does help that most of the people I’m grouping with, all guildies, are about as well geared as I am. I realize this, and I know it makes a huge difference. But that was well geared for level 70, should it really still be well-geared for 79?

Blizzard tried hard not to have the same thing happen here that happened when The Burning Crusade launched, that much is quite apparent. I’m glad. I applaud them for it. I think, however, we went just a little too far the other direction.

A part of me thinks it really is just the experiences of those who were well geared that is making me fearful. After all, we have some new characters in the guild (main rerolls primarily) that are experiencing a little difficulty at 70, which points to the majority of the player-base probably being in the same general ballpark.

I’d like to know what other people have been experiencing. If you’d rather not comment here feel free to send me an email (byaghro at mac.com).

For me, things just seem way too easy right now…