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More details on PTR Patch 2.3.2
MMO-Champion continues to post up-to-date information from Patch 2.3.2. This time we have additional notes addressing even more class buffs: Druid Ravage (their high damage postitonal attack from stealth in Cat form) gets a boost in damage from 350% to 385% Hunter Aspect of the Viper gets a boost in Mana regen return from 50% of total Int to 55% Rogue Ambush gets a dps boost from 250% to 275% Paladin Sanctified Judgement has its seal mana cost return changed from 50% to 80% You may be thinking, yay, more dps/mana/etc., but I can't help but think what kind of brutal beatings are we going to face that justify all these buffs. Think about it. Blizzard doesn't hand out the buff candy just because a class dot shocks their own forums. They do so only when they think it's warranted. So what warrants all this goodness?My best guess is that while many players are breezing through Zul'Aman, something far more challenging is awaiting us when Sunwell Plateau arrives in Patch 2.4.There are a few more buffs and hard numbers available in the MMO-Champion post. Including the breakdown by Rank of the Shaman spell changes. Check it out for more information.EDIT: Clarified Ravage description & Sanctified numbers.
PTR Patch 2.3.2 notes leaked
MMO-Champion got their hands on the Patch 2.3.2 notes and they contain many interesting changes. Some highlights include: "Withdraw Repair Only" control on the guild bank control panel that can be set by rank Many buffs (or un-nerfs really) for Hunters we covered in an earlier post Mana cost reduction for some Shaman spells as well as a change to how Water Shield restores mana Mage buffs we reported on earlier including Ice Block becoming a spell for all Mages and a replacement talent called Icy Veins. There are many more class buffs, tradeskill tweaks, boss changes and bug fixes (including one for the button mashing issue). Check out the complete notes on MMO-Champion.No word yet on when this Patch will hit the Test server.EDIT: Hortus announced the PTR is coming up later today.EDIT2: Not leaked anymore! Here's the official patch notes.
Upper Deck previews MotL (and more loot card speculation)
Upper Deck has dropped three nice previews of their upcoming card set for the WoW TCG, entitled March of the Legion, set to hit store shelves in late November. The first preview is a look at how they're finally going to use those damage attributes on each card-- playing certain damage types will help open up new abilities on some card. The second preview looks at staff and dagger weapons for casters, and how UDE is bringing more of the online game abilities into the card game. And finally, the last preview looks at the addition of the Aldor and Scryer factions to the card game, as well as how Demons will enter into play. If you're a TCG player, are a must-read to find out how the new set is going to change the game.And Boubouille at MMO Champion has even more word on the three loot cards that will be released with the set. UD hasn't officially announced what they are (though not for lacking of trying on our part-- WoW Insider is doing our best to get an official announcement on what loot cards will be available), but it looks like, according to code in the game client, that those items we originally thought were more toys for engineers are actually the loot items-- a dragon kite, a robot chicken, and a paper gyrocopter. Bou even discovered a spell for the dragon kite that says "Upper Deck" right there on it, so this is about as sure a confirmation as they come. March of the Legion, and the new loot cards, all drop on November 17th.Update: Well there you go. Upper Deck apparently didn't like the leaks, and went ahead and confirmed all three loot cards. Look for a dragon kite, a paper airplane card, and a robotic homing chicken in a new deck near you.
Mad Alchemists' potion buffs appear on PTR
Slowly the information about this new item has been trickling, nay bubbling to the surface. First there was the announcement of a new, Alchemist-only potion that does...um, stuff. Then we learned what it does. CM Drysc said it would restore health and mana and add a random elixir buff. Now, MMO-Champion has a screenshot from a player experimenting with the new potion on the PTR. As Drysc mentioned, each time it proc'd he got one of the following elixir buffs: Major Agility, Fel Strength, and Major Armor (same as Major Defense Elixir.) The tester also mentioned that the proc rate was "quite high."Personally, I'm not a fan of random buffs. I like to know what I'm going to get so I can plan my strategy around it. What about our Alchemists out there? Is this your cup of tea or another foul brew to be poured down the nearest drain?
Low level dungeon item updates
Boubouille over at MMO Champion has compiled a list of low level items which drop in dungeons, and are set to receive some significant upgrades in patch 2.3. If you'll be working on a new character once the midlevel leveling changes come into play, then you may be interested to look at this list and see which items you'll want to be shooting for once you reach the right level range to go adventuring in instances.Keep in mind, however, that any of these stats might change as new builds come up on the PTR. Some updated items in particular seem to be missing (such as all Gnomeregan drops, and the new low-level epics we've heard about), so check back at the list now and then to see any updates.
2.3 PTR screenshots rolling in
2.3 is up on the PTR, and both MMO Champion and World of Raids have broken out the Model Viewer and are ripping the new patch to pieces. Man, that bear mount looks awesome. And the engineering mount! And Zul'jin!Spoilers ahead, as well-- these guys are pulling out all the weapons from Zul'Aman, so if you don't want to see what all the new drops look like yet, don't look now. If you want to know what I think, I'd rather see this stuff in-game rather than diving in with the Model Viewer-- it's like reading the last page of a brand new novel, in that you might not know exactly how you get there, but you'll already know just what it looks like. The bear mount above isn't that big of a spoiler-- we already know it drops from. But the weapons and armor-- a big part of me wants to wait and see them in Zul'Aman itself.Still, if seeing the patch laid out in screenshots is your thing, both MMO Champion and World of Raids are going at it, and I'm told we'll be diving in later this evening. 2.3 ahoy! Go test those bugs on the PTR so those of us on the live realms can get it quick!Thanks, Atryd!
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.
WoW Moviewatch: Northrend video (not really)
Know why I love you guys? Because when you go too long without hearing new information about the next patch and expansion, you just go out there and make it up.This video says it's by Fanatik, who you may remember has leaked some info about upcoming content before. This purports to be a video of the next expansion, situated in Northrend-- except that it's completely and totally fake. Some parts are better than others-- the last cinematic is ripped straight out of WC3, but the main screen looks OK, at least until you realize that it too is chopped together from the previous Warcraft game. Boubouille has a list over at MMO Champion of where everything in the video comes from, and it's all completely fake-- Fanatik didn't even create it.Still, it would be nice to hear some official word from Blizzard about what's coming next, wouldn't it? Until then (probably around Blizzcon, if my instincts are correct), I guess we'll have to make do with this.
