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No more class reviews, says Blizz
In a "fix warriors" thread last night, Tseric stated that class reviews, as we know them from the 1.x patches, are not going to be happening any more. To quote: 'Class Reviews' as they have been known in the past, are a thing of the past. The devs will make adjustments as they feel are merited, but they will likely be sprinkled between classes and delivered over patches. There will not be a future patch which will be deemed a 'class patch'. Does this mean that the devs think the classes are basically "done," with the exception of minor tweaks and balances? Perhaps; but on the other hand, most classes got what amounted to a full review with 2.0.1, so maybe they just plan on saving wide-scoping changes for the expansions, with adjustments tossed in from patch to patch as necessary.
Welcome to patch 2.0.6
While I can't promise that this will be the end of Blizzard's "balancing issues," today's extended maintenance sees the roll-out of patch 2.0.6 -- you remember patch 2.0.6, don't you? It was deployed to the PTRs on Sunday, which doesn't leave much room to forget. The official patch notes (which aren't live yet, but will show up here when they are) seem to match the patch notes from the PTRs on Sunday, so hopefully we won't see any surprises when the servers come back online. For those of you who would like to get a jump on things, the patch is currently available for download -- and it's a small patch, weighing in around 6MB, so fire up your client and get to it![Thanks, V3T]
2.0.6 hits PTRs: small nerfs for Priests and Hunters, nerfs and buffs for Mages
Another week, another patch. WoW 2.0.6 PTRs are now up, and with them, patch notes. Here's the Priest, Hunter, and Mage stuff; behind the cut is the bug fixes (not much interesting there besides hopefully pet bars being fixed). Marksmanship Hunters lost a bit of damage, Priests' Shadow Word: Pain lost a bit of damage, and Mages' Fireball and Frostbolt lost a bit as well. However, Counterspell is now non-Global Cooldown, which means you can (for example) Counterspell and then immediately cast another spell. I honestly thought Mana Shield already did absorb magical damage as well as physical; shows what I know about mages.Hunters "Silencing Shot" now does only 50% of weapon damage instead of 75%. The base damage for "Arcane Shot" has been reduced by about 9% and the bonus damage from ranged attack power reduced from 20% to 15%. The bonus damage for "Barrage" is now 4/8/12% for ranks 1/2/3. [used to be 5/10/15%] The bonus damage for "Improved Barrage" is now 4/8/12% for ranks 1/2/3. [used to be 5/10/15%] Mages Each rank of "Improved Fireball" now reduces your spell damage coefficient by 2%. Each rank of "Improved Frostbolt" now reduces your spell damage coefficient by 2%. "Counterspell" no longer triggers the global cooldown. "Mana Shield" now absorbs magical damage as well as physical damage. Priests The bonus coefficient for "Shadow Word: Pain" has been reduced by about 9%. This should result in about 5% less damage done by "Shadow Word: Pain" for the typical priest.
2.0.5 patch notes
2.0.5 seems to have rolled out again, this time with fewer problems (I'm now on and playing, anyway). I doubt very many of you are reading from work (unless you're in Europe, I suppose), but here are the rather boring patch notes: World of Warcraft Client Patch 2.0.5 (01/14/2007) Increased the maximum number of realms that can be listed in the Realm List. Updated the Terms of Use. Created an option to disable UI Acceleration for users of select video cards experiencing graphical corruption of the User Interface. To utilize this option, enter the following line to the Config.wtf file, located in the WTF subfolder of the game: Set UIFaster "x" Where x equals: 0 - This turns off all UI acceleration 1 - For Internal Use Only - DO NOT USE! 2 - Enables partial UI acceleration only. 3 - Enables all UI acceleration. Example: Set UIFaster "2" Note: For users experiencing graphical corruption of the User Interface, it is recommended to try option 2 in order to correct the problem. If this does not solve the issue, then use option 0 to disable all UI Accleration.
Mystery patch (2.0.4) goes live -- and I found the patch notes
Earlier today, Blizzard quietly released patch 2.0.4. The patch, however, did not come with any patch notes, just giving the standard pointer to their previous patches page -- but the latest info on that page is from 2.0.1. When asked in the European forums what the patch was for, Aeus merely replied "To use a very old cliche: Patience is a virtue ;)".In a stroke of "why didn't I think of that sooner", I looked at their current patches page, and there it sits. The patch notes for 2.0.4 are as follows: Fixed a bug where flags in Arathi Basin could be captured at extremely long distances. Fixed a bug where players who had set dungeons to Heroic difficulty level previous to patch 2.0.3 could no longer enter instances. Fixed a bug that was causing multiple LUA errors in the German and French battlegrounds. Word on my realm is that various raid interface errors were fixed, but that AV was not. If there were raid fixes, though, I'm not sure why they're not in the patch notes. What have you guys noticed with the new patch?
Breakfast Topic: Wishlist
2006 was a year of much change for our favorite MMO, from patch 1.9 through 2.0.1 (not to mention the BC beta). Here's a quick rundown: 1.9 saw the first world event in the form of the opening of AQ. It also contributed further to server unification by linking auction houses. Paladin talents were updated. 1.10 gave us weather effects, new Priest talents, and Tier 0.5. 1.11 introduced Naxx, keyrings, nifty Mage talents, and a global LFG channel, which was quickly patched to default to off. 1.12 had cross-realm BGs, the EPL and Silithus PvP objectives, and new Rogue talents 2.0.1, as I'm sure you all know, was the day the add-ons died, honor got completely overhauled, and we all got shiny new abilities and talents to tide us over till the expansion. What would you all like to see come to with WoW in 2007? Is the Burning Crusade giving you all your wishes, or do you have more burning desires for the game?
Breakfast Topic: Looking for group!
Do you remember the mass chaos that occurred with the global looking for group channel went in? As I recall, it was a little crazy. The line was quickly overrun by random spam which drove many players from the line and lead a number of people back to old habits -- like typing /who priest 58-60 and whispering down the list. Many protested the flawed system and asked for it to be removed. And now that it's gone, replaced by a sleeker interface? There's a number of players that can't stand the thing and demand the global LFG channel be reinstated. So if the old system wasn't right, and the new system isn't right, what's the best way to go about looking for a group? What do you think Blizzard should have implemented?
Onyxia is deep breathing more ... no, really.
"Onyxia is deep breathing more" is sort of the end-all be-all of generic post-patch raiding complaints, kind of like how "Kite him to Vael's room" is always offered as a strategy for any new boss. These comments are generally met with derision, since a. Blizzard really doesn't have much of a reason to change Onyxia at this point and b. if you spread out and do enough damage to Ony, you won't get deep breathed, or so conventional wisdom says. However, Maeda of Homegirls offers photographic proof that something was a bit ... different with Onyxia this time around for her guild. Nhaerl, of the Feathermoon server, chimes in with his screenshot. Luckily for all who still fear the big black wyrm, Yaltus provides a reasonable explanation -- possibly the first ever seen on the WoW forums. Have you noticed any older bosses acting tetchy since the patch?
Breakfast Topic: Bugs, bugs, glorious bugs!
Ah, yes, the exciting aftermath of a patch. Battlegrounds have been functioning intermittently at best, faction-specific loot is dropping for both factions, talent trees differ from the PTRs (and the patch notes), re-building my UI seems like an impossible challenge, and newly bugged raid encounters one-shot tanks in the game's best gear. (Though admittedly they've already hotfixed Patchwerk.) So how are you coping? Not having any problems? Taking a break from playing while all the kinks get worked out? Switching to a less problematic class? For my part, I'm hoping some of the worst of it is worked out by the weekend, when I'll have more time to play...!
Forum Post of the Day: Neuro's macro guide
At a loss as to making your old macros work in the new 2.0.1 version of World of Warcraft? Well, this thread has you covered. Here, poster Neuro explains all of the ins and outs of the new macro system which seems very much unlike the old. It goes over basic syntax and then jumps in with plenty of useful examples (both general-purpose and class-specific) -- at least one of which you're sure to be able to adapt to your own needs. Especially cool? The new /castsequence command, which allows you to chain spells together. For example.../castsequence Frost Nova, Blink ...will cast Frost Nova the first time you activate the macro and Blink the second time you activate the macro. Don't always want to Blink away after a Frost Nova? You might try this one, instead.../castsequence reset=24 Frost Nova, BlinkWith this macro, after 24 seconds (coincidentally, the standard cooldown of Frost Nova) the sequence will reset, and clicking it will start on Frost Nova again. Nifty, huh?
Around Azeroth extra: Patch day woes
I know what you're thinking -- two Around Azeroths in one day? But when I saw this land in my mailbox this morning, I couldn't resist posting it as a current events shot. Does that look like Alterac Valley to you? Me neither... but apparently this is exactly what some players -- including reader Chris -- were seeing in the Battlegrounds last night. Right before they fell to their deaths, I would guess.Do you have a unique shot of Azeroth that you'd like to show off to the rest of the world? Tell us about it by e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com! You can attach a picture file or send us a link to one -- and don't worry about formatting, we'll take care of that part.
Let the delays begin!
Of course having the servers back online as scheduled was too good to be true. And at 12:09 PM PST, Blizzard announced that maintenance would be extended by an additional four hours in order to deal with issues arising from the patching process. Yes, that means you shouldn't expect to be online and playing before 4:00 PM PST 5:00 PM PST -- at least if we're optimistic enough to assume this will be the afternoon's only hiccup!Update: Drysc, always trying to outdo me, posted an update by the time I clicked to post this. We are now looking at 5:00 PM PST.Update 2: All realms should be online and accepting players as of 6:00 PM PST.
2.0.1 patch notes are here
The realms should be coming back online soon, if not already, and the everything is changing throughout the world.... of Warcraft. 2.0.1 is upon us! Duel wielding Shamans! Talking trees! Water elementals! Normalized rage! Arena PVP! LFG summoning! It's almost too much to take.The official site is down at the moment-- no telling what it dropped. Complete patch notes are after the jump. Have fun.Update: Maintenance extended until 5pm PST. Can't... wait....
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A few patch related items
Just a reminder for you guys about a few Blizzard announcements in regards to tomorrow's maintenance... Remember those select free realm transfers? Well, if you want to transfer a toon, do it quickly. Blizzard will be suspending the transfers beginning with the maintenance tomorrow. They anticipate bringing them back online in about a week, but the word "anticipate" doesn't mean definitely, so if you want to transfer, do it soon. If you happen to be using a European Language Pack to change the default language for your UI, you may want to backup your screenshots before applying the new patch, as they will be erased. For those of you uncomfortable with delving into your Windows folders, Blizzard gives instructions on how to preserve your screenies. Finally, the Tuesday downtime has been extended from 1 AM PST until 1 PM PST. Good luck downloading and installing the patch, and see you all in the arena!
Soooo...how bad is it going to be?
I am as excited about the patch as everyone else. I am starved for something new to do in-game, and I desperately want to try out the new doodads and gizmos. I want to respec my terribly overpowered warlock, try out the arena and check out the brand new Looking For Group system. All in all, Tuesday should be a fantastic WoW day.But it probably won't be. It will probably be an experience consisting of gridlock and lag. Why am I such a pessimist? Well, on one hand, there is past experience. Patch days are always a little bumpy. And honestly, I don't find that to be too terribly annoying. Patching a game the size of WoW is an incredible undertaking, and if it takes a day to work out the kinks, I am good with that. However, I think this patch just might be a little different. It is fundamentally changing the game, so it might lead to even more small problems for Blizzard to work out, so this could be messier than usual.Even more than the patching itself, with all the new pre-expansion features and talents, I know a bunch of people looking forward to logging on for the first time in a while to kick the tires and take 2.0 for a test drive. This will add more strain to the servers. Now don't get me wrong... I am hyped for all the goodies in the patch. I am just thinking that perhaps I won't be enjoying any of it for a few days. And, being the WoW addict I am, I am strangely fine with it. Sure, it is annoying at first, but all the new stuff makes it worth a little turbulence. What about you guys? Are you anticipating being able to play tomorrow night?
Respeccing for 2.0
Tomorrow's the big day -- WoW is getting patched and rolling over to 2.0. Bye-bye honor rankings, bye-bye DHKs, hello new LFG system, and new spells and talents for all. Oh, and every character in the game will log in after the patch is applied with a completely free respec.So things will likely look very different in terms of specs on Wednesday (my guild has an MC run planned, and I can't wait to see what happens). Personally, I like my rogue's combat daggers spec, so I'll probably keep it (he's only 50 now, so I'm not real worried about it). My warrior is currently specced protection, but hasn't been getting much play (or DPS) as a tank, so I may flip him fury or half prot-half fury. My priest is staying shadow, but my shaman -- for the expansion, I'm planning to switch him to elemental instead of restoration, so by Wednesday he may be much more deadly with lightning bolts than healing waves (not sure how that will go over in my guild raids, however).If you're thinking about respeccing, Mystic Worlds has posted a nice little commentary on how specs work -- while you should really spec for the talents and abilities you play with, for each class there's usually three or four different ways to set things up, either for soloing (or leveling), PVP, or PVE play. Of course, you don't have to respec on Wednesday -- you could just choose the same talents you have in place now. But since everything is changing so much (even your regular spec will have a few new shines to it), this might be your chance to be something a little bit different than you're used to.
Curse Gaming site revamp
The new patch is coming this Tuesday to a realm near you, and when you run off to find updated versions of your latest addons, you may be in for a surprise -- because favorite addon site Curse Gaming has undergone a complete redesign. (If you're trying to find the addon section of the site from the main page, it's a big purple button on the right.) Their addons section looks quite a bit different and no longer sorts addons by familiar categories -- instead, there appears to be one giant list of addons, which is searchable by labels attached to the addon. For better or for worse, the new layout is going to take some getting used to -- and I can only again encourage everyone to go and download addon updates in advance of Tuesday's patch!
More beta expansion changes
The latest beta patch has come down with some interesting changes. As usual, some of them are good, some of them are unbelievably good, and some of them will make you want to cry. My thoughts: rogues have come out nicely, if the unofficial notes are to be believed. And by "nicely" I mean "my main is now a rogue!" Also in the patch and not in the notes -- a couple of warlock nerfs. You may check out Nethaera's official notes and Idejder's unofficial notes, or read on to see both.
Patch 2.0.1 bug list
No software is bug-free, of course, but this lengthy list of bugs -- compiled by Arafina on the EU forums -- is a bit concerning, considering the patch is set to be applied next week. Many of the listed bugs are minor graphical or sound issues, but I personally prefer to know what I'm getting into before the fact. And if you really want to be informed, you may wish to take a look at the patch notes, too.
Breakfast Topic: Looking forward to the patch?
We now know that the next patch is coming out on December 5th -- Blizzard has given us a week's warning on this one, presumably to allow PvPers time to try to get in those last ranks in the last week of the honor system. What's the new patch have in store for us? New honor system (old ranks will be scrapped) Revised talent trees (up to 41 points) for all classes) New LFG system Changes to +spell damage (making lower rank spells receive less, HoTs/DoTs/channeled spells receive more) Stacking HoTs Resilience Weapon skill changes (no longer reduces the percent damage lost due to glancing, adds a minor amount of +crit) Crowd control effects reduced to a maximum of 12 seconds in PvP with a higher resist chance. New arenas Agility change (1AGI == 1AP) for hunters Rage normalization for warriors Skill level required for disenchanting Signifigant UI changes and the death of Decursive With some of these good and some of these not so good, are you looking forward to the patch or getting the most out of your time pre-patch?
