Talk: Zombie Infestation

When does it end?

I'm currently unable to play WoW due to a dodgy computer (writing from a friend's atm), and would very much like to take part in this. So, when is this event over? I'd love to catch at least some of it.

Exclamation mark

Is it me, or do it feel "right" that an exclamation mark needs adding :) Zombie Infestation! Kirkburn  talk  contr 18:29, 23 October 2008 (UTC)

I agree. Goliath Cobalt (talk) 19:12, 23 October 2008 (UTC)

Given the ability names, this seems to follow on logically. --WoWWiki-Dga (talk) 20:46, 23 October 2008 (UTC)

Changed :) Kirkburn  talk  contr 23:58, 23 October 2008 (UTC)

Given that Blizzard doesn't use it that way, we shouldn't either. g0urra[T҂C] 00:23, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

From IRC: Well, I was trying to evoke the 50s B-Movie style (They Came From The Skies!), similar to the abilities. I know it's not quite "official", but I'd suggest the "official name" is still open to some interpretation. Kirkburn  talk  contr 00:46, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

Aye, as there is no official name as of now, I say a little exclamation point wouldn't hurt, and as said, would fit well. I myself would prefer Scourge Invasion 2.0, but I digress. :D Vulpes Wolf (talk)

I'd support the cheesier, exclamation-pointed-name. The quests show up as "Invasion" in the Quest Log, but that's so indefinite of a name that it doesn't bear considering.--ClemSnide (talk) 14:29, 28 October 2008 (UTC)

A bit of clarification about a note

• NPC Zombies normaly will go for infectable characters over non-infectables, so if a target has a pet they will often attack the attacking pet owner ignoring the pet until the owner is dead.
  

was replaced with

• NPC zombies will normally go for characters that aren't already infected, so if a target has a pet they will often attack the attacking pet owner ignoring the pet until the owner is dead.
  

Sadly the second statement is inaccurate. What I was trying to say in the first statement was that Humanoid mobs seem to be the priority for attack over types like demons, hunter pets, and other mobs that are 100% immune from the plague.
NPC Zombies will attack humanoid infected as well as non-infected with the same priority. --Foxwidget (talk) 19:26, 23 October 2008 (UTC)

killing/looting

not sure about the if you turn a mob into a zombie and kill it part. Once they are zombies they are friendly and not attackable, so this seems impossible. Or is it that once you kill stuff, it becomes a zombie, and doesn't leave a corpse and thus can't be looted. Anyway, added a note about how to loot in certain cases. --WoWWiki-Dga (talk) 20:45, 23 October 2008 (UTC)

Well the exact scenario I had meant was turning a NPC into a zombie, then coming back as alive(after dieing as a zombie) or an uninfected friend killing the Plague Zombie. The original spawning mob's loot will not fall from it's zombie alterego. So the idea of infecting (mob name here) for his/her drops by a waiting for an infection to kick in doesn't work. --Foxwidget (talk) 20:57, 23 October 2008 (UTC)

official name?

I was wondering if this is the official name of the event? I saw over on WoWHead that it was called the "Pre-WotLK Scourge Invasion Event - Zombie Plague!" but I am not sure if that is the official name of the event. Rolandius (talk - contr) 02:44, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

Bornakk's Zombie Infestation Survival Guide refers to the event as the Scourge Invasion. "The Scourge Invasion is upon us! Prepare yourself for the deadly onslaught of the Scourge, unleashed upon Azeroth and all its denizens." If you check on wowhead and the like, new versions of the old Scourge Invasion quests and items sets have already been datamined in the Wrath beta. I'm guessing that the Zombie Infestation is just the first stage of the full Scourge Invasion, which will include the familiar Necropolises, ransacking of capitals by the Scourge, and new bosses appearing in instances. Maybe just divide the Scourge Invasion article into two main sections, one for the Shadow of the Necropolis version and one for the Echoes of Doom version? WoWWiki-Suzaku (talk) 06:11, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

Yeah, that way we have the previous one and the current one. Rolandius (talk - contr) 06:53, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

Oh, and upon logging in this morning, there is a new welcome message. It's something along the lines of: "Welcome to WoW 3.0.3. The Scourge Invasion is upon us! Beware the zombie infestation. Also, we're working on the server problems, thank you for your patience." WoWWiki-Suzaku (talk) 11:11, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

Mine still says 3.0.2 as I logged in just now. It also says latency problems not server problems. Rolandius (talk - contr) 02:05, 25 October 2008 (UTC)

Phase 2

Also, over on WoWHead, they have an update talking about a Phase 2 starting in which Plagued Roaches and more crates will be appearing in all the capital cities. If it is true then there will be more mayhem in WoW. LOL Rolandius (talk - contr) 02:47, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

Well that's already in progress. When it started there was only crates in Booty Bay, now their in every large town. The Plagued Roachs are also about in all the towns that have crates.--Foxwidget (talk) 03:53, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

Okay. I just noticed them tonight myself. Rolandius (talk - contr) 06:54, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

Benefit

Does anyone here something about a "real" benefit of this event? All other events had quest, loots or special rewards from NPC only present at this event date. Is it just the open PvP-Fun? Illdvidd (talk) 06:27, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

I expect that since we already hit phase 2 ~24 hours in... there will be additional phases. And perhaps maybe the reason that we're all taking a ship/zep up to Northrend on the 13th... --k_d³ 06:40, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

Yeah, that the reason is the shipment to Northrend is clear to me, but thats no benefit to me. Not all of us will go to Northrend ;-) I hope there will be quests only for zombies or something like a zombie tabard or a mini zombie as pet. Illdvidd (talk) 07:01, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

You think people would have learned from the Warcraft 3 expansion not to touch mysterious crates. I wonder if someone is going to do a "study" on the whole infestation thing comparing it to what would happen in real life if this occured like they did with that "bug" disease, way back I am not sure when, where people were infecting each other like crazy and their pets too, the majority of time on purpose. Rolandius (talk - contr) 07:19, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

So far it just seems to be a lot of fun. When else are we going to get the opportunity to raid our own faction's towns? That reminds me, quite a few players have been trying to spoil the fun by killing off zombies. If they don't want to get reported under Blizzard's PvP Policy, they had better stop. Jormungand01 (talk) 07:47, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

On out Server (Kargath) it's the same. Players kill zombies and flame this ones who tried to organize zombie runs. The count of players who are against the zombies is greater that the count of the zombies. I hope that will change. ;-) User:Illdvidd/Sig 09:20, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

Well it could be seen as fun to be a zombie and attack your own city. Although, if zombies can attack players why shouldn't players be able to attack zombies? This is also fun for some...like Holy Paladins. LOL Rolandius (talk - contr) 09:24, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

In terms of benefits, check out the old Scourge Invasion article. New versions of those quests/items have already been datamined. These will probably be coming in the next week or two. I expect the zombie infestation will escalate for a while, and then the main Scourge Invasion will last until Wrath is released. WoWWiki-Suzaku (talk) 11:15, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

On Server:Bronze Dragonflight Europe at least if players ask zombies not to attack them, most of the time their wish is granted. But on the other hand if the zombies ask the players to return the favour, they get ganked. According to the PvP policy "Because there are no PvP resolutions between members of the same faction (Horde vs. Horde or Alliance vs. Alliance), normal policies and guidelines will be enforced." Which means that the rules about harassment still apply. Jormungand01 (talk) 18:51, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

Except that in this case, as a zombie PvP resolutions do, in fact, exist. -- Dark T Zeratul (talk) 22:40, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

Unless the zombies are all thirty, fourty, or even fifty levels higher than you. At which point, no, there isn't a PvP resolution available - nor any solution except to log off in disgust and frustration, to be honest. IMO, Blizzard seriously dropped the ball on this: lower-level characters (30 and under, say) end up being near-instant kills for high-level zombies (60+, and I daresay mostly 70's) ... and then turn into low-level zombies who are near-instant kills for the town guards. All that adds up to is, getting one- or two-shotted twice, in rapid succession. What should have happened IMO is, peg all Zombies to the same "level", or effective level (DPS, attack skill, HP total, etc), regardless of the originating creature's native level. That way, at least when the uber-godlike Zombie kills a lowbie, that lowbie would have had the option to try to enjoy being a zombie themselves. As it stands, though? Blecch. --PaxArcana (talk) 11:23, 27 October 2008 (UTC)

Re: the gankfest; I'm of two minds on this one. As a gamer, I openly support (for example) Hordies taking over the sites in Hellfire Peninsula so that Allies can take them back-- no aggro from me, kemosabe! But as a RPer, many of my charas would go for the throat while others would still take a moderate stance. With zombies, which are even less cuddly than Tauren, it's different. The one thing I really, really hate is when they kill a questgiver-- but then, the same could be said for those weems who kill off Booty Bay residents while I'm trying to level up one of my guys before leaving for work. Can we even have polite zombies? Or are the kinds of people drawn to the zombie lifestyle the kind that would make it on our blacklists anyway? I dunno. For now I'm just killing them and asking for cures 'cause that's what I'd do in that case for real ... Re: the benefits; there are already quests to do, and some of them give Argent Dawn rep. I'm pretty good on my reputation goals, but my Hunter was given an awesome Leatherworking recipe by guildies, and felt the need to hunt Talbuks and Clefthoofs and therefore levelled beyond the range of kills for AD credit. So he's been short of the Revered level for a while. But with this he gets a little boost-- not much, but better than handing in thousands of Dark Iron Scraps etc. Plus, I'm sure there's going to be more, so I'm looking forward to how this event develops!--ClemSnide (talk) 14:42, 28 October 2008 (UTC)

Incubation period

Day 3: The Infection's incubation period shortens from 10 minutes to 5 minutes. Yes, it was decreased, but before Phase 3 (Day 3). Neia Pique (talk) 23:10, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

The infestation was 10 minutes in day 1 and 2. It's 5 minutes from day 3. g0urra[T҂C] 23:19, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

Actually, during Phase 2, there were many reports on the forums of the Incubation period randomly decreasing to five minutes. I suppose the situation is slowly becoming worse, as the wiki states that the Argent Healers are going missing on Day 3, yet I have not seen this taking place. I'm guessing they will only get much scarcer tomorrow... Vulpes Wolf (talk)

On Shu'halo, it's 8:50 PM server time, and we're already down to five minutes. All the healers are still there, though... --Blasterman (talk) 03:49, 25 October 2008 (UTC)

I expierienced that the incubation-time falls extremely if you get hit by zombies. down to at least about 15sec if 3 of them hit you, for example.

It's been that way the whole event, though far more noticeable what with the extremely shortened timer and all.Vulpes Wolf (talk)

Return of the Scourge Invasion bosses!

http://www.wowwiki.com/Scourge_Invasion#New_Bosses I'm in-game staring down Lord Blackwood even as I type this. No idea about others Linkskywalker (talk) 19:03, 25 October 2008 (UTC)

Killed Blackwood and went to strat. Balzaphon is confirmed, still where they moved him to halfway through 1.11. Linkskywalker (talk) 19:58, 25 October 2008 (UTC)

Scorn in SM:Graveyard is confirmed. Linkskywalker (talk) 21:31, 25 October 2008 (UTC)

All of the Scourge Invasion bosses are back because it's the Scourge Invasion event. It's even called the Scourge Invasion when you log in your character, and in Bornakk's zombie survival guide. WoWWiki-Suzaku (talk) 23:27, 25 October 2008 (UTC)

PSA: necropoli is not the plural form of necropolis

It's not like octopus or cactus. It's Greek, meaning "city of the dead", and the plural form of necropolis is either necropolises or necropoleis, just like metropolis is metropolises or metropoleis, not metropoli. WoWWiki-Suzaku (talk) 23:27, 25 October 2008 (UTC)

According to m-w.com, necropolises, necropoles, necropoleis, and necropoli are all correct. Furthermore, octopus and cactus are both from Greek as well. --Flyspeck (talk) 23:32, 25 October 2008 (UTC)

Regardles, necropolises is used in-game, and I believe the policy of wowwiki is to follow the in-game spellings, yes? WoWWiki-Suzaku (talk) 21:16, 26 October 2008 (UTC)

I thought that it was necropolises too according to the in-game text. Now today, I saw some new text from an NPC spelling it necropoli. Rolandius (talk - contr) 05:40, 27 October 2008 (UTC)

This has been discussed on the general forums, and has been said that Necropoli, along with necropolises, and necropoleis are all correct, something about the word being used at the same time in Rome and Greece.Vulpes Wolf (talk)

Suicide Causing Durability Damage?

What do they define by suicide? Paladin self-sacrificing abilities count as suicide. Warlock Hellfire-oneself-to-death-and-get-the-killing-blow-with-it counts as a suicide. Reflected damage incurs durability damage (upon death) only if reflected by a mob (so it would seem). Falling incurs falling damage which does not seem to count as a suicide as it does incur durability loss and can be caused by "knockup" (punt) or knockback. I suppose I could sign on and find out, but I don't know where to begin because "suicide" (perhaps an actual death type define in XML files on the server-side) does not normally incur durability loss (unless it involves falling and not all classes are capable of "suicide" (without falling) at will, and that generally does not include letting oneself get killed (losing the will to live isn't getting anyone charged with negligent suci-homicide), especially in WoW terms where tagging and killing blows take precedence. Please be more concrete about this.Miryuki (talk) 01:28, 26 October 2008 (UTC)

Plagued Vermin?

Under Phase 4 the line "Plagued Vermin begin to manifest in cities. " was added. What other vermin have appeared since Phase 2's Plagued Roach?--Foxwidget (talk) 04:35, 26 October 2008 (UTC)

Quite literally, Plagued Vermin. They're rats. --k_d³ 04:40, 26 October 2008 (UTC)

Cool cool, hadn't seen them before. --Foxwidget (talk) 04:55, 26 October 2008 (UTC)

Scourge Haunt

Scourge Haunt are (visible) black ghosts that follow the player around, if he has a Haunted Memento (dropped near Necrotic Shards) [1] --Netspider (talk) 10:33, 26 October 2008 (UTC)

Magic Circles outside Stormwind

4 purple magic cicrles have appeard outside Stormwind, near them spawns Skeletal Soldiers and Spectral Apparitions. Are they part of phase 4 or new?(sorry I got to phase 4 late)--Foxwidget (talk) 13:31, 26 October 2008 (UTC)

They're not new. They were part of the last Scourge Invasion. They started appearing yesterday, along with the other standard Scourge Invasion NPCs and quests. WoWWiki-Suzaku (talk) 21:17, 26 October 2008 (UTC)

end?

I heard some people say Blizzard stopped the zombies only for today so people could use their banks and stuff. Is it official that the plague is really over? Rolandius (talk - contr) 05:28, 28 October 2008 (UTC)

Officially, yes, the plague is over... For now. -- Dark T Zeratul (talk) 07:35, 28 October 2008 (UTC)

And there was - in certain quarters - much rejoicing. Not that I hate hte concept ... I just think the execution is a bit "off". I hope Blizzard takes this back to the drawing table, fixes the "lowbies repeatedly ganked by 70's" (or, eventually, 80's) flaw, and brings it back ... annually. As a regular part of Hallow's End, maybe? --PaxArcana (talk) 09:36, 28 October 2008 (UTC)

I did warn people on my server to stay away from the cities and run and hide in the countryside. LOL Rolandius (talk - contr) 10:00, 28 October 2008 (UTC)

Not always an option when, like me, you've just (re)started the game, and all your quests are taking you into those cities. Plus accessing the bank (remember how small your inventory is pre-20?) and the AH (remember how poor you are, pre-20?). --PaxArcana (talk) 12:44, 28 October 2008 (UTC)

I loved the whole "Racoon City" vibe it brought on Sunday, though. When I logged in with my 70 pally, I appeared at the Hall Of The Brave in Orgrimmar, an empty room, filled with skeletons and zombie corpses... I go out and I find players and guards battling zombies and losing. For me, it was awesome, it was a challenge, and it was a nice way to break the WoW routine (and as a not-so-much-now overpowered paladin, even more fun).

I do, however, understand the grief that lowbies went trough, I experienced some of it with one of my alts. But it was a sad thing that so much people complained and blizzard had to end it... it was a unique event, i think it's very unlikely that something like that hapens again. WoWWiki-Durendal (talk) 17:22, 28 October 2008 (UTC)

Don't get me wrong - I think it was a great idea, and could have been insanely fun for everyone, not just those at or near the level cap. The problems were twofold: one, 60+'s (wether PC or NPC) turned into Zombies were so powerful, on the last day it was "wham, you're a zombie" - no infection time, no hope of finding a healer, just suck it up. Two, once zombied, the guards were so powerful, it was "wham, you're dead". I'd've enjoyed the Event much more, if being a zombie weren't effectively an instant sentence of death-by-guard (and the Dura loss an NPC kill entails). --PaxArcana (talk) 09:07, 29 October 2008 (UTC)

It is not like the event was going to last a year. Players that are level 60-70 should be able to have some fun too. Next time they have an event before any expansion they will probably not implement any cool ideas because they know some players will complain about anything and everything and it was only a few days so far. Now we will never know what the next "phases" were going to be like. I thought the complaining on the chat channels was 10 times worse than anything in the event itself. At least you can hide from zombies, you cannot really hide from 20 players complaining in the chat channels especially when you want to keep the chat channels on so you can trade, find a group, etc. Rolandius (talk - contr) 10:07, 29 October 2008 (UTC)

According to Blizzard, they ended the event exactly when they intended to and didn't cut it short due to whining. Given that it was down to a one minute incubation and the NPCs seeking a cure appeared shortly beforehand, I don't see any reason to doubt this. -- Dark T Zeratul (talk) 19:47, 29 October 2008 (UTC)

Rolandius, I'm not suggesting that 60-70 players shouldn't have fun. I'm merely saying that Events should not be designed to give them that fun at the expense of 10-30 players. Boosting Zombie-forms up to match, for example, the common Guard level in an area would have made the whole event much more fun ... because at least then, a level 10, 15, or 20 killed in the heart of a capital city, surrounded by level 60 guards, could have some fun as a zombie. As for hiding from zombies: not in my experience, no. I was more than once confronted with only one way to escape the zombies: LOG OFF. One night, being stubborn, I spent over HALF AN HOUR just trying to catch an airship out of UC. The PLAYER zombies - and these're 60-70 players, mind - would not let me leave; they would hunt me down and kill/infect me, every single time. That was not fun ... because then the local Guards would hunt me down, and I'd die a second time. If I could have JOINED the zombie horde ... sure, sign me up, lemme chew on some delicious brains. But I couldn't even do THAT. --PaxArcana (talk) 17:39, 13 November 2008 (UTC)

Exploring as a zombie?

Do you get exploration XP and credit while in zombie form? I haven't participated in the zombie lifestyle, but it might be handy to pick up some of those troublesome areas on the map.--ClemSnide (talk) 15:00, 28 October 2008 (UTC)

Good question. I am not sure, but I know that your health as a zombie slowly disappears every second and most of the time you walk slowly as a zombie so I am not sure how far you could travel. Rolandius (talk - contr) 01:31, 29 October 2008 (UTC)

Future Revival?

I really enjoyed this event, although I know some didn't. It gave a real "zombie apocalypse" feeling. Maybe next time it could be an option to be attacked by zombies? Such as choosing one time at the beginning of the plague. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by AngryBiscuit (talk · contr).