This week World of Warcraft is still buzzing with news of patch 3.1. More and more exciting facts are coming out about it, and as always, there is a bit of controversy . In order to keep the game fair for all classes and players, Blizzard has to constantly fiddle and change a lot of aspects of World of Warcraft. Many classes are getting "nerfed" and some buffed. I used to be one of those who became very agitated whenever Blizzard would make a big change to my class, or buff an already overpowered class (*cough* hunters...), but I have learned over time that every change they make has a purpose.
Patch 3.1 is not all class changes though; one of the most anticipated goodies arriving with Blizzards largest WoW patch is Ulduar. Yes, we typed your eyes out with great new tid-bits; but please, reach down, pick up those eyeballs, and fasten your seat belts for a little more Ulduar awesomeness.
Above is a video of one of the new legendary weapons being introduced in to the game: Val'anya, Hammer of Ancient Kings. There is not much info on it yet, but it sure does look amazing.
Word to the wise: Thar be SPOILERS ahead.
In order to get weapons though, one has to actually defeat bosses; so here is your first look at a couple of the boss fights in Blizzards newest raid instance:
About those class changes... A couple of them hit home for me. They are nerfing mana regen, which was admittedly very overpowered for druids. They are also trying to find a way to fix Lifebloom (again, overpowered) so that it is still a viable heal, but not the all-and-be-all of healing spells. It seems that Blizzard's basic tactic on fixing druids is to throw something at Azeroth and see what sticks. From what I read, they don't seem to be certain they are making the right choice, but, as usual, Blizz is doing the best it can.
Blizzard is playing around with Warlock's soul shards, and trying to get rid of their constant need to farm new shards. They are temporarily adding in a system where every time Drain Soul is used on something that gives experience or honor, regardless of whether or not they die, the Warlock will get a soul shard. With this new addition, they are limiting the soul shard cap to 32 in your bags at a time.
The ability to "Ghetto Hearth" (enter an instance in a party, leave the party and be hearthed back to your saved location) is being removed from the game. Blizzard did not like that it felt as if players were exploiting the game each time they ghetto hearthed.
The dual spec talent will cost 1000g and will only be available to players over level 40. Dual talents will be an instant out of combat button click that will also change your glyphs and action bars.
Blizzard will be removing the rewards Plagued and Black Proto-Drake currently obtainable through raiding achievements. If you want your awesome drake, get in a 10-man quick, and get those achievements done!
I hate to talk the heck out of Patch 3.1, but the fact is it's amazing, and it will probably be the biggest and most interesting news in the World of Warcraft for a while. Even after it is released, I anticipate much debate and some interesting forum fodder.
Here are a few of the more interesting PTR blue post quotes from the past week:
General
- New high-resolution player textures for Northrend armor sets have been added. Players can enable this feature by setting Player Textures to High in the Effects Panel of the Video Options.
- Players can now return items purchased with an alternate currency back to the original vendor within 2 hours of the purchase time for the original cost of the item. Stackable items (such as Frozen Orbs and gems) and charged items that can be purchased with an alternate currency are not eligible.
- Hearthstone: Cooldown has been reduced to 30 min. down from 60 min.
Druid
- Lifebloom: Mana cost of all ranks doubled. When Lifebloom blooms or is dispelled, it now refunds half the base mana cost of the spell per application of Lifebloom, and the heal effect is multiplied by the number of applications.
Hunter
- Ammunition: All types of gun and bow ammunition now stack to 1000. All quivers and ammo pouches no longer provide haste. 15% ranged haste is now built in to Hunter Autoshot.
- Call Stabled Pet: This new ability lets the hunter remotely access the stable. 30 min cooldown.
Priest
- Psychic Horror: Has been redesigned and is now a 1-pt talent. You terrify the target, causing them to tremble in horror for 3 sec. and drop all weapons (disarm effect: including bows) for 10 sec. 1 minute cooldown. Instant cast. The horror effect can be dispelled, but the disarm cannot.
Warlock
- Drain Soul: Each time Drain Soul deals damage to a target which can grant experience, it now has a chance to generate a Soul Shard.
- Soul Shard: This item now has a maximum count of 32 in inventory.
Warrior
Protection
- Last Stand: Cooldown reduced to 3 min.
