The Essential WoW Blogroll and Feed Reader List

The other day, I was looking at my Google Reader reading list, and I was also making a couple additions and fixes to my blogroll. Both are fairly sizable; the former is almost unmanageable. So I got to thinking, if someone asked me to cite a single blog as a reference for a specific class or spec, could I do it? The answer I came up with is, "Probably, but it might take more than a little time to find the best one."

So that triggered a thought, and copying the example by Matticus, I asked my fellow bloggers on Twitter, "If I want to learn X class or Y spec, what’s the 1st blog you’d suggest? Why?" Essentially, I was looking for a starting point; unfortunately, no single blog really works as a starting point

My prejudices in compiling this digest leaned towards more recent material: Of late, many bloggers who rose to prominence in their class or spec have either changed focus (e.g.,Egotistical Priest, who is writing more about the Hunter class recently) or have stopped blogging entirely about their original spec (Priestly Endeavors; Kirk has recently returned from a hiatus and is leveling up a Druid these days). (Both sites still have a huge amount of extremely valuable and important information: Ignoring either would be a mistake!)

Here, then, are their responses, as well as some suggestions of my own. (I got a lot of suggestions, but not a lot of "whys"; I’ve included that information, and where my own opinions are expressed, I’ve attempted to be sure the distinctions are clear.)

And yes, there are some blanks. Help me fill them in! Have a better suggestion? By all means, put it in the comments!

Druid

    Balanced: 

    Feral: BigBearButt, a recommendation from Softthistle and Rhoelyn. I would recommend, for technique, tutorials, and theorycrafting, Karthis’ Of Teeth and Claws. It should be noted BBB recently has scaled back his raiding considerably.

    Restoration: Phaelia, at Resto4Life, hands down. Recommended by Softthistle, Matticus, Rhoelyn and myself.

Hunter

    Beast Master: BigRedKitty. Recommended by Gun Lovin’ Dwarf Chick, Not too many people will argue this choice. Lately, Daniel’s started doing a lot more than just Beast Master tutorials, but his earlier stuff, especially what he did in his first stint with WoW Insider, are the Beast Master’s Bible. For someone just starting out as a hunter, Pike’s recent efforts at Aspect of the Hare are every bit as good, and not as heavy on the theorycrafting.

    Survival: Lienna’s Log, recommended by me. 

    Marksman:  The Hunter’s Mark; again, my recommendation. Lassirra is actually an outstanding overall hunter reference, with considerable experience in all three specs. (Her current build is actually a MM/SV combo.)

Mage

    Arcane:

    Fire: 

    Frost: Euripedes at Critical QQ, suggested by Gun Lovin’ Dwarf Chick.

Paladin 

    Holy: Banana Shoulders, by me. Bonus content: Siha is also a Guild Leader, so you get that perspective, too.

    Protection: Ardent Defender, by me. Bibble suggested Maintankadin, which link I’m including, but I was really looking for blogs, rather than forums or other kinds of websites. (That’s why Elitist Jerks, for example, doesn’t make my list, the excellence of their information notwithstanding.) Instead, I would recommend Ardent Defender.

    Retribution:

Priest

    Discipline:

    Holy: A Dwarf Priest, recommended by Rhoelyn, and I concur, although the theorycrafting can get a little deep. Close behind are World of Matticus, Egotistical Priest, and Priestly Endeavors, in increasing depth of theorycrafting. In fact, it’s practically a four-way tie.

    Shadow:

Rogue

    Assassination: 

    Combat: Parry, Dodge, Spin!, recommended by Phaelia. I agree; I just wish Valenna were more prolific!

    Subtlety:

Shaman 

    Enhancement:

    Elemental:

    Restoration: TooManyAnnas, suggested by Matticus.

Warlock

    PvP: Out of Mana, suggested by TeePee at TapTapPewPew. 

    Everything Else: Recommended by Rhoelyn, the aforementioned TapTapPewPew  (whose spec I couldn’t determine, but what does it matter? All ‘locks are OP anyway. )  

Special Mention

    World of Matticus:  Matt is one of the most prolific WoW bloggers, and provides considerable insight into raiding in general, managing a guild (he’s an officer, but not a guild leader), and includes a lot of resources on blogs and blogging.

Again, if you have suggestions to fill in the blanks, or want to alert the world to an alternative to any of those I’ve listed, please comment!