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2.4.2 patch notes updated
The Official 2.4.2 Patch notes have been updated with a variety of new class and item changes that should be live on the PTR right now. For the most part, the class changes are just bug fixes, some of which were already listed, but have been moved from the bug fix section to their proper class section. However, Paladins and Hunters have recieved some very interesting changes. Boar pets have recieved what looks like a massive hit to their aggro potential with a general nerf to Growl, but in return, there's been a slight buff to Aspect of the Viper and a major buff to Scare Beast. Raiding Hunters have also been buffed in that Elixir of Demonslaying now works for ranged attacks. Retribution Paladins may now actually end up using Seal of the Crusader, as it now gives a 40% damage increase to their Crusader Strike. The changes are listed after the jump, courtesy of World of Raids.
Test realm forum offline, possible pointer to WotLK beta
More news for all you hungry Wrath of the Lich King fans out there. The test realm forum has been taken offline and is showing as undergoing a change, although we don't know what that is just yet. The exact submessage is "The forum you're trying to access is not ready." This is significant for a couple reasons.First, the test realm forum is usually left up for a while after the patch so folks have some place to go and reference everything that was learned during the beta. I know that I've used the forum for up to a month to go and get necessary information.Secondly, this comes less than a day after the World of Warcraft beta site experienced a change. When getting public releases of software ready, it's often a process of "First, get the site going – but don't link it to the public. Second, take down the public systems and get them ready." This is quite possibly what we're seeing here.Finally, this forum always goes down before something beta-ish is released. This could mean they're just clearing it to implement a 2.4.2 release or something, but I doubt that given they've usually only cleared it for major point release. Ie: 2.2, 2.3, 2.4.An interesting tid bit of WotLK news for you all this morning. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that within a month we'll see some major announcements concerning the next expansion.%Gallery-5525%
PTR is down, TTR is up
Hortus, the spinning whirly jig wearing gnome, announced on the forms today that the PTR will be closed until further notice. This closure is in order to encourage more people to test out the TTR, which will remain open for the time being.This is important news. First, it signifies that Blizzard is at least comfortable in stopping the testing of PvE content. This might not be the best news for those that were still engaged in PTR activities; or for those that think there are still serious concerns regarding the content and class changes. We might be seeing the Druid Cyclone nerf stay.Secondly, we can infer that the two stress tests they've held might not have been everything they wanted. If they're asking for more testing we can make an educated guess that Blizzard either did not see the kind of numbers they were hoping for, or they have made additional server changes that warrant additional tests. Judging from the lack luster stress test that went on Wednesday night, I'm leaning towards the former as being the reason for the change.
How to get on the TTR
The Tournament Test Realm or TTR is now live and it's where players can create up to three max-level (70) characters of any class and have a cool selection of epic gear. Some readers have written in about having a little trouble actually getting on the server itself. It's really a simple process, and we'll show you how. In order to access the TTR, you first have to download the PTR client on Blizzard's download page. You don't need to have copied any of your characters over to the test realms -- the TTR is a completely different realm with various armor and other item vendors located at each race's starting area. As long as you have the PTR client, you should be able to access the TTR (although all test realms are down as of this writing).Once you've finished downloading the PTR client, you should find it nestled within a folder called WoWTest inside your World of Warcraft folder. It's pretty much the same as the normal World of Warcraft application but with a bunch of extra files that include the changes to the game. You shouldn't have trouble identifying the client as it will be clearly labeled 'TEST', just so you don't confuse the two (those Blizzard folks are so clever!). When you log on, you can access the TTR by toggling the "Select Realm" option which will open up a selection window with two tabs: Test Server and Tournament. Simply toggle the Tournament tab and you will see the Realm named "Arena Tournament" -- select it, press Okay, and you should be good to go. If you have trouble logging in, note that the PTRs remember your password around the time when it went live, so if you changed your password within the last few weeks, try using your old password. Have fun with on the tournament server!
Patch 2.4 files reveal tons of goodies
There are a ton of goodies out there in patch 2.4. We've compiled some of our favorite items from poking around the patch files for you, and you can check them out in our Patch 2.4 Finds gallery. Just about everything was retrieved using a few tricks with the patch files and WoW Model Viewer.A few other sites, such as MMO-Champion and World of Raids are covering the latest 2.4 finds as well.There are a few interesting images. First, it appears that the Blue Dragon Kalecgos will be making an appearance, in both his dragon and human form. We were all introduced to Kalecgos in the World of Warcraft manga The Sunwell Trilogy. The second great little find is the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game loot-item; the new Rocket Mount. You can see an action shot of this sweet ride right here in a YouTube video I made earlier today.If you're poking around the patch files, what have you found? Anything special?%Gallery-15657%
Rocket Mount animation
We covered the Rocket Mount announcement a earlier last month. However with the 2.4 patch notes released last night, and the test client now downloadable, we've been able to do some digging around. The mpq files have been kind to us and have given us this great animation of my warrior ridding the newest addition to the loot available from the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game, the Rocket Mount.I'm sure everyone will want one of these. My guess is that it'll be even more in demand than the Spectral Tiger Mount. After all, who just can't resist going "yeehaw!" when you see this?
Sunwell Isle map and PTR news
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/playable_web_games/New_Sunwell_map_is_discovered_for_World_of_Warcraft_Patch_2'; Thanks to Michael for alerting us to a post over at the WoW LiveJournal. He has managed to piece together a map of Sunwell Isle and the new Azeroth world map from the beta files currently available for patch 2.4. Of course, this is just beta information and may change at any time.As far as the PTR goes, you can now download the patch files. However, when you try to copy a character you get the error message "You have no characters on Anvilmar," or what ever server you live on. This is because while the patch files are available, the server is not up yet.Stay tuned to WoW Insider all this weekend for the latest patch news!See the new maps after the break.
The Daily Grind: Do you read patch notes?
One of myriad things that World of Warcraft seems to have brought to the fore is that many people seem to pay a great deal of attention to patch notes on test servers. With Patch 2.4 releasing to test last night, there was much talk about it over Vent in my guild. Sure, there were people who checked them in earlier games, but it just never seemed to provoke as many complaints or happy-dancing as test patches do in WoW. (There again, you could argue that it may well be proportional, honestly.) Still, quite a few of my guild-mates seemed extremely nonchalant about it, to the point of almost being "meh" on the entire concept. As one said, everything on test is hypothetical until released. Another one chimed in that he just doesn't want the surprise ruined; new content at endgame is worth its weight in gold. Today we thought we'd ask you if you're the type to pounce all over patch notes and digest every nuance? Do you instead skim patch notes for only class-related items? Or do you think reading patch notes at all spoils the fun of discovering it yourself?
2.3.2 patch notes updated
Earlier today, Salthem posted updated patch notes on the European WoW site and Teza has reposted them at World of Raids with all the changes highlighted. From my quick scan of the list, it appears that resto druids are getting nerfed, mages' Mana Emeralds as well as rogues' Hemorrhage ability are receiving some rather neutral changes, and rogues' Shadowstep is getting buffed.From my understanding, tree druids are currently able to maintain a high level of healing per second through careful upkeep of Lifebloom on their targets. This is due to the fact that a druid can pop all his trinkets to maximize his +healing and then cast the spell. As long as he keeps refreshing the HoT before it "blooms", it will maintain that maximized level of +healing, thus making for a very efficient and powerful spell. As I understand the new patch notes, this will no longer be possible since the incoming Lifeblooms will overwrite the +healing value of the previous ones. I don't play a tree druid, but I'm sure some of my guild mates will be ranting over this in tonight's raid.
Hardware sound acceleration to return in 2.3
There's yet more Patch 2.3 news, this time for people who have been having problems with sound ever since the sound upgrades in 2.2. As Cicero noted from his experience on the test realms, "all my sound problems were gone. I can hear myself cast again, no more clipped sounds..."Those of you who have been suffering unduly may wish to go to the test realms and try it out. I haven't been able to do so myself due to some computer limitations, but I wonder if our readers who have visited the test realms can comment on any differences they can hear. Are things really as good as Cicero says?
Unofficial Patch 2.3 notes
With the avalanche of information from Blizzard in the last week about Patch 2.3 it's been hard to keep track of it all. Fortunately, two sites have done just that. MMO-Champion and World of Raids have both compiled all the blue notes into a theoretical Test Realm Patch 2.3 Notes list. Most of the notes listed have links leading to the official source of the information.There will be a great deal more in the patch than what the blues have revealed so far, so take these as only partial lists. Also, a few items Blizzard hoped to get into the patch may not make it. This is the unfortunate truth in the development process.World of Warcraft Lead Developer Jeff Kaplan, aka Tigole, mentioned that Patch 2.3 may hit the Test server this week. This seems very likely since the current patch on the PTRs, 2.2.2, must move off for Brewfest to go live on Tuesday.
Mount changes in 1.12.1
Hot off the test realm forums comes a big change to mounts and the way we ride them:Mounts now require only one, shared riding skill (blue mounts require level 75, epic mounts, level 150). Also costs of learning this skill are now significally increased. Previously, cost of learning riding skill was 20 gold for each kind of mount, without any discount. Now it will be 90 gold for level 75 and 900 for level 150. Level 150 of riding skills is required for epic mounts and will most probably include PvP mounts and all mounts that drop in instances (Tiger, Raptor, Baron mount, bug mount and maybe paladin and warlock mount too). For now I can confirm that it is required to ride Stormpike Battle Charger, rest of mounts require confirmation. In addition to the change of riding skills, the costs of Blue and Epic faction mounts has been significally decreased. Now blue mounts costs 10 gold and epic mounts costs 100 gold. As you can see from this screenshot we took on the European PTR, you'll need exalted to buy a mount (as you do currently), but the items have become bind-on-pickup. We can't tell just by playing on the PTR exactly what will happen to our existing riding skills and mounts, so here's hoping we find out more about this change soon.
Breakfast Topic: Testing!
The public test realms opened late Friday, and despite stability issues, are officially online. With lots of interesting changes, are you interested in checking them out? Perhaps exploring the new Naxxramas dungeon with a pick up group, or just enjoying playing a pre-made and pre-geared level 60 character. So let us know - will we be seeing you on the test realm?
Now Testing: Patch 1.10.2
In an unusual move, Blizzard has opted to bring the public test realm online for a round of testing for patch 1.10.2. To the best of my knowledge, it's the first time a minor patch has been put through public testing, and I suppose we'll see how it works out. The patch seems to be primarily bug fixes, so check out the patch notes - and, as usual, be aware that these may not be final. If you want to copy a character over, start here, but be aware that character copy hours are Monday through Friday, 3:00 AM - 3:00 PM PDT.
Breakfast Topic: Competition Over!
Another Tuesday, another maintenance day, and today's brings with it an end to the Public Test Realm contests as well as patch 1.10. For the last few weeks players have been frantically levelling, grinding, and PvPing in their quest to be in the top 1000. Did you take part, and how did it go?I popped on to the Honor Contest EU realm last night to gauge the atmosphere and I was surprised at how few players were online. When I visited, only one battleground was open, which makes me wonder if Blizzard will even find the 1000 players they need for their prizes. However, that puts anyone who created a character on the realm in with a good chance. Some players were definitely nervous, boasting about their amount of honour without explicitly detailing their achievements. I didn't get a chance to check out the other two contest realms; have you been watching the competitions unfold? Do you think you will win a spot in the Burning Crusade beta?
Character Copy Re-opened
Copies to the public test realms seem to be enabled again, so go ahead and copy one of your characters over to try out. And, while copies are limited to 2, you can copy unlimited numbers of pre-made test characters (nicely geared level 60s of all classes, with most of the necessary quest items to get started on the Dungeon 2 armor quests). Without having my own account, I can't confirm or deny whether the European test realms are up, but you can check the European character copy page and see. Happy testing!
Test Realm Character Copy Closed
Well, if you'd attempted to copy your character over or log in, you knew there were problems - though, considering the 5000 person login queues, the test server itself has been astonishingly playable. The character copy feature seems to have been particularly slammed today, giving a generic "service unavailable" message all day, and this afternoon, community manager Tseric has said that character copies will be disabled for the next 48 hours.
