launch-classes
Latest
WoW Archivist: Launch classes' 9 biggest aggravations, part 2
WoW Archivist explores the secrets of World of Warcraft's past. What did the game look like years ago? Who is etched into WoW's history? What secrets does the game still hold? Vanilla WoW is properly considered the golden age of this beloved MMO. The evolutionary ideas behind the game were exciting, the art style was fresh, and the world was full of mysteries. Some yearn for a return to that time. But many forget that classes at launch suffered from some truly aggravating designs. Last time on Archivist, we looked at priest racials, hunter mana, warlock shard farming, and shaman weapon skill resets. This week, we review the most aggravating aspects of warriors, mages, druids, rogues, and paladins. Warriors: The leather conundrum Let's be fair: warriors, for the most part, had it pretty good in vanilla. Back then, they were the only class that could viably tank and their DPS was better than most hybrids. Rage had its share of problems early on, it's true, but the mechanic worked -- warriors just needed more of it. Stance dancing was annoying to some but the mark of a pro to others. Warriors also had a crippling bug at launch that would register all enemy dodges and parries as misses, preventing skills like Overpower from ever proc'ing. The bug made early leveling painful, but it was solved a few months after launch. The biggest aggravation for warriors throughout vanilla -- and beyond -- was leather.
Final Fantasy XIV confirms launch classes
Final Fantasy XIV's class system is one of the defining elements of the game, as it was in Final Fantasy XI. The game has revealed 18 different classes, or disciplines in the game's parlance, spread across four categories -- war (weapon-using fighters), magic (casters), hand (crafters), and land (gatherers). As it turns out, it's been revealed via Famitsu that the game will launch with 18 playable classes, meaning that we know all of the options for play already. Of course, 18 classes that can share abilities isn't exactly an anemic offering to begin with. For some players, this might be a bit disappointing, as it means only two casting classes will be available at launch, the thaumaturge and the conjurer. Disciples of the hand are the most numerous, with armourers, blacksmiths, weavers, goldsmiths, carpenters, culinarians, leatherworkers, and alchemists. Miners, botanists, and fishermen round out the disciples of the land, and lancers, archers, gladiators, marauders, and pugilists fill out the disciples of war. While there will be additional classes after launch, it looks like this is what will be in the game to start -- useful information for a Final Fantasy XIV hopeful to chew on.
