Wrath of Lich King Stuff (was 'Blizzcon' thread) - Page 144

Leviathon · 06/01/08, 2:35 PM

Originally Posted by Tyrian

I would place a small bet on something like this happening actually! It just strikes me that going 'into the depths of Nerub' seems like the perfect opportunity to continue the game after Arthas dies. Just like how Illidan->Kil'jaeden worked in TBC. Having an Old God underground there is the perfect opportunity to build up a new evil character thats worthy of the 'so we killed arthas? what could possibly be worth doing next?' chain of thought.

It doesnt particulary matter that blizzard have said 'Arthas will be the last content patch of WOTLK'. First we all know plans can change. Second, whos to say that they dont have a similar BT->Sunwell idea up their sleeve for Icecrown->? , except this time they won't actually spill the beans in advance then 'go quiet' and hope the fanbase forgets, only to release it 'new info' 1 year+ later.

The only way I could see there being something after Arthas would be if the third expansion was delayed. The Illidan to Kil'Jaeden thing was partly due to the fact that the storyline of TBC made very little sense since it was played up that the Burning Legion was the main focus of Burning Crusade but we barely did anything with them. Also considering a loading screen is in the MPQ for Sunwell with a WotLK logo it actually seems likely Sunwell was meant to be a WotLK instance and was only pushed because they needed something in the game while they finished WotLK.

If Azjol-Nerub would end up being a instance for later then the 2 instances wouldn't be in the game files right now as much as they are either.

Prinsesa · 06/01/08, 2:37 PM

Originally Posted by impossible!

Of everything so far, I think I'm most interested in seeing how talents like "Sudden Death" work out.

There are similar talents in the priest's Shadow tree for Mind Flay to refresh SW:P, and I believe for Warlocks to refresh Immolation or Corruption. Whatever they are, the core of these talents breaks up spell/ability rotations, which is a move in the right direction. That is, assuming they're worth taking.

Protection also has a similar talent that gives your Shield Slams and Devastates a chance to refresh your Shield Slam cooldown, as well as Fury's Bloodthirst crits reducing your Slam cast time (probably making it instant).

If anything, the main determinant of how valuable the Shadow Priest and Warlock versions are will probably be if Blizzard recognizes that only the duration should be reset. If the spell "starts from 0" (I hope I'm conveying this clearly) every time the talent procs, the actual ticks from the DOT would never occur.

Tyrian · 06/01/08, 2:38 PM

Also considering a loading screen is in the MPQ for Sunwell with a WotLK logo it actually seems likely Sunwell was meant to be a WotLK instance and was only pushed because they needed something in the game while they finished WotLK.

Interesting find. If they planned Sunwell to be a WOTLK instance (digressing a bit, but oh well) then wouldnt it seem strange to leave the first expansions story-arc hanging and tying it up in the second, when the 2nd introduces an entirely new story arc?

Leviathon · 06/01/08, 2:40 PM

Originally Posted by Tyrian

Interesting find. If they planned Sunwell to be a WOTLK instance (digressing a bit, but oh well) then wouldnt it seem strange to leave the first expansions story-arc hanging and tying it up in the second, when the 2nd introduces an entirely new story arc?

Well Kil'jaeden was the one who created the Lich King so it could of been a side story to that.

Malleus · 06/01/08, 2:50 PM

Originally Posted by flyingtoastr

Regardless, I did find this:

[Divine Intervention reworked as a post-death rez]

Interesting ability to say the least. Much more useful as wipe recovery than saving repair bills.

I can tell you're not a Healadin.

This is more than interesting and much, much more than a wipe recovery tool. Being dead takes you out of combat; therefore, this is a battle rez that can be used on anyone in the raid, including the Paladin himself. I'll take Rebirth + Ankhing in one handy package, thanks very much.

Tacitus · 06/01/08, 3:18 PM

Some pics I found on NeoGAF:

Personally, I think these new armour sets are looking awesome.

These DK skills are slightly out of date, but still interesting:

Leviathon · 06/01/08, 3:29 PM

Think you should read this Tacitus primarily number 4.

WotLK, Leaks, and You

Now that the F&F Alpha is getting started, and additional phases surely will follow before long, leaks are inevitable (beginning with the entire client being publicly downloadable for a while on the first day... oops!).

Anyway, a few guidelines to follow for discussing this information here:

1) If you are under an NDA, do not break the NDA here. This is in your interest as much as ours. Blizzard employees read these forums. You will lose your alpha/beta access, and depending on what you post you could easily get in even more trouble.

2) Even if you are not under an NDA, do not use these forums to "leak" confidential information from the alpha or closed beta. Our forums should not be a locus for the dissemination of any new WotLK info that has not previously been released or leaked into the mainstream.

3) You may use these forums to discuss high-profile leaks -- there's no point putting our heads in the sand. If something is on WoR or mmo-champion, or is as widespread as the recent data-mining from the initial alpha client, then we're not going to pretend it doesn't exist. Leaks that are limited to the shadowy reaches of IRC, questionable hack sites, or stuff "your friend" told you, should not be discussed until and unless they reach more mainstream exposure elsewhere.

4) Do not upload/attach screenshots of NDA material, even if already disseminated elsewhere, to our servers. Link them elsewhere.

Tacitus · 06/01/08, 3:35 PM

Originally Posted by Leviathon

Think you should read this Tacitus primarily number 4.

WotLK, Leaks, and You

And I think you should read my post/links. I found the pictures on NeoGAF forums NeoGAF - Home AND the pictures are hosted on tinypic.

Zedd · 06/01/08, 3:39 PM

Originally Posted by Tyrian

Could you please explain what benefits there would be to doing this? Im not sure what different it would make, if they put AN on the outland server etc?

Edit - would it be related to reducing server lag/load etc?

The idea of A-N being on a seperate instance server because it would be a huge /involving zone is a nice one, and the current outland server will be underused in WRATH, thus well suited to host A-N.
That was what I was aiming at.

• Playered · 06/01/08, 4:24 PM

The pictures are fairly old.

The xx_Northrend_D_01 armours look like the PvP gear to me (reinforced/armoured looks), as you recall the PvP has different graphics as the 10/25 man raiding gear shares the same now.

Emeraude · 06/01/08, 4:28 PM

Originally Posted by Tyrian

Interesting find. If they planned Sunwell to be a WOTLK instance (digressing a bit, but oh well) then wouldnt it seem strange to leave the first expansions story-arc hanging and tying it up in the second, when the 2nd introduces an entirely new story arc?

Or perhaps they have a CoT Sunwell instance planned where we'll go back and help Arthas/Kel'Thuzad destroy it!....Ok I can dream can't I? >_>

But jokes aside, I'm sure Strath won't be the only CoT instance in this expansion.

Zaphid · 06/01/08, 4:34 PM

Originally Posted by Emeraude

Or perhaps they have a CoT Sunwell instance planned where we'll go back and help Arthas/Kel'Thuzad destroy it!....Ok I can dream can't I? >_>

But jokes aside, I'm sure Strath won't be the only CoT instance in this expansion.

Well it sure looks more like assisting Kel'Thuzad summon Archimonde, with Dalaran and all its lore in expansion, if it wasn't for the name.

Bart00 · 06/01/08, 4:35 PM

5/31 15:57:01.187 49379: Great Brewfest Kodo ()
5/31 15:57:01.237 3 sec cast
5/31 15:57:01.237 Summons and dismisses a rideable swift Brewfest kodo. This is a very fast mount.

nice, ally kodo

5/31 15:58:29.316 50085: Slow Fall ()
5/31 15:58:29.365 Instant
5/31 15:58:29.365 Protects the caster from falling damage for 40 sec.

slow fall changed?

5/31 15:59:49.814 50730: Bloodlust ()
5/31 15:59:49.865 750 Mana
5/31 15:59:49.865 20 yd range
5/31 15:59:49.865 Instant cast
5/31 15:59:49.873 Increases melee, ranged, and spell casting speed by 35% for all party members. Lasts 20 sec.

nerf?

5/31 16:00:11.880 50907: Seal of Onslaught ()
5/31 16:00:11.930 Instant
5/31 16:00:11.933 The Seal of Onslaught inflicts an attack that ignores enemies armor.
5/31 16:00:11.980 50908: Seal of Onslaught ()
5/31 16:00:12.030 300 Mana
5/31 16:00:12.030 Instant cast
5/31 16:00:12.030 Grants the casters attacks the chance on melee swing to ignore enemy armor.

new ret seal? =o

darkra · 06/01/08, 4:51 PM

Originally Posted by Zaphid

Well it sure looks more like assisting Kel'Thuzad summon Archimonde, with Dalaran and all its lore in expansion, if it wasn't for the name.

I get amused by how much people read into this image... noone seems to consider the possibility that they just didn't like the current loading screen (too literal, too take-a-model-and-make-it-wallpaper) and they changed it. It has happened before (BRS, Mara, SFK)

And its confirmed it's the Sunwell Plateau loading screen, people at the Alpha entered the zone and got this image.

Liebestod · 06/01/08, 5:21 PM

Originally Posted by Tyrian

Interesting find. If they planned Sunwell to be a WOTLK instance (digressing a bit, but oh well) then wouldnt it seem strange to leave the first expansions story-arc hanging and tying it up in the second, when the 2nd introduces an entirely new story arc?

Blizzard clearly indicated before TBC was released that the Sunwell was planned to be in at release. Obviously this didn't happen, so it was pushed back into TBC's content cycle... maybe at some point they thought they'd have WotLK out before Sunwell, but at least originally Sunwell was not meant to be a part of WotLK.

Granted, I think the events at the Sunwell will lead into WotLK somehow or another, but exactly how has yet to be seen.

aikiwoce · 06/01/08, 5:28 PM

Dunno if this was posted yet, but I found these in the spell data text file

5/31 16:00:26.862 51027: Drums of Great Battle ()
5/31 16:00:26.912 Instant
5/31 16:00:26.912 Increases movement speed by 15% and haste rating by 95 on nearby party members. Lasts 30 sec. Drums can be used while shapeshifted.
5/31 16:00:26.962 51028: Drums of Major Restoration ()
5/31 16:00:27.029 Instant
5/31 16:00:27.029 Restores 720 health and mana to nearby party members over 15 sec. Drums can be used while shapeshifted.
5/31 16:00:27.129 51029: Drums of Dark War ()
5/31 16:00:27.181 Instant
5/31 16:00:27.181 Increases attack power by 75 and spell damage by 44 on nearby party members. Lasts 30 sec. Drums can be used while shapeshifted.
5/31 16:00:27.230 51030: Drums of Precision ()
5/31 16:00:27.280 Instant
5/31 16:00:27.282 Increases hit rating by 95 on nearby party members. Lasts 30 sec. Drums can be used while shapeshifted.
5/31 16:00:27.330 51031: Greater Drums of Battle ()
5/31 16:00:27.481 51032: Greater Drums of Restoration ()
5/31 16:00:27.581 51033: Greater Drums of War ()
5/31 16:00:27.731 51034: Drums of Precision ()

OOC Druid res?

5/31 15:59:53.890 50763: Revive (Rank 7)
5/31 15:59:53.940 52 Mana
5/31 15:59:53.940 30 yd range
5/31 15:59:53.940 Instant cast
5/31 15:59:53.948 Returns the spirit to the body, restoring a dead target to life with 1800 health and 1365 mana. Cannot be cast when in combat.

North101 · 06/01/08, 5:32 PM

Originally Posted by aikiwoce

OOC Druid res?

Unless its a mob spell, Druid would be the most obvious choice for a OoC res. Heres what the tooltip looks like in game:

Revive Rank 7
52 Mana 30 yd range
Instant cast
Returns the spirit to the body,
restoring a dead target to life with
1800 health and 1365 mana.
Cannot be cast while in combat.

The icon makes it even more likely:
Interface\Icons\Ability_Druid_LunarGuidance

flyingtoastr · 06/01/08, 5:51 PM

Originally Posted by North101

Unless its a mob spell, Druid would be the most obvious choice for a OoC res. Heres what the tooltip looks like in game:

That would make the "new DI" make sense as well. If Druids are given an OOC res there is no longer any reason why other classes can't have an in-combat res.

Emeraude · 06/01/08, 6:12 PM

Originally Posted by aikiwoce

Dunno if this was posted yet, but I found these in the spell data text file

OOC Druid res?

Guess this means raiding guilds are gonna stick to having everyone with Leatherworking.

• Playered · 06/01/08, 6:23 PM

Originally Posted by flyingtoastr

That would make the "new DI" make sense as well. If Druids are given an OOC res there is no longer any reason why other classes can't have an in-combat res.

Because an OOC res effects everyone so much.
Rebirth is used as a 'class utility' spell along with Innervate - as one of the perks of bringing Druids to raids and so-forth, I wont go into petty arguments over other class utility spells.

The TBC drum upgrades are rather.. small.. 80->95 Haste, 600->720 Restoration, the Hit one is rather iffy when you think about it.

Muggins · 06/01/08, 6:33 PM

Originally Posted by Playered

the Hit one is rather iffy when you think about it.

Only use i could really think of was if you're in the tank group. In fights where you need a lot of avoidance hit rating can drop to ~40 or so, even less if you're in mostly sunwell gear.

flyingtoastr · 06/01/08, 6:33 PM

Originally Posted by Playered

Because an OOC res effects everyone so much.
Rebirth is used as a 'class utility' spell along with Innervate - as one of the perks of bringing Druids to raids and so-forth, I wont go into petty arguments over other class utility spells.

Correct, but the reasoning blues have given in the past as to why Druids can only have bres (and why no one else has it) is because they want to make each class "unique". If they're giving Druids an OOC res they clearly don't care about that anymore, so can you think of a reason other classes shouldn't have a bres (other than "because its a Druid thing FFS!!!" crap)?

And if you took the time to read what the new DI is it requires the pally to be dead to use it (in effect its just a targeted Reincarnation) so I don't think we'll be stealing your raid spots.

aikiwoce · 06/01/08, 6:37 PM

Originally Posted by flyingtoastr

Correct, but the reasoning blues have given in the past as to why Druids can only have bres (and why no one else has it) is because they want to make each class "unique". If they're giving Druids an OOC res they clearly don't care about that anymore, so can you think of a reason other classes shouldn't have a bres (other than "because its a Druid thing FFS!!!" crap)?

And if you took the time to read what the new DI is it requires the pally to be dead to use it (in effect its just a targeted Reincarnation) so I don't think we'll be stealing your raid spots.

I will point out that the DI being discussed has a spellid in the 22000 range, and as such was tested a long, long time ago. I would really be surprised if it's being considered for WotLK.

flyingtoastr · 06/01/08, 6:39 PM

Originally Posted by aikiwoce

I will point out that the DI being discussed has a spellid in the 22000 range, and as such was tested a long, long time ago. I would really be surprised if it's being considered for WotLK.

That has exactly zero to do with anything. Titan Grip was tested for TBC and we're seeing it again, why not a change to a worthless spell?

Ok, to be fair DI does save me a ton of gold on repair bills, but I would like a reason to keep it on my bars aside from a free 5 gold.

Tyrian · 06/01/08, 6:40 PM

is because they want to make each class "unique". If they're giving Druids an OOC res they clearly don't care about that anymore

Dont draw silly conclusions like that - giving druids a ooc res means they 'dont care' anymore?

More likely, the problem with having hugely 'unique' classes is that in 10 man instances, with 10 classes - it can get more difficult to design really cool/innovative boss encounters. You couldnt design a boss fight, say, to take advantage of any single class niche - because you cant reasonably expect and assume 10 mans will have one of every class.

I realise OOC res doesnt have much to do with encounter design - but its the same idea. Being unique is good, but if can also bite you in the ass in other ways if you push it too far. The best way to say it is how someone on the BB mentioned it, "Have ~2 classes who can perform gimmicky roles" and balance around that.