Cataclysm Beta - Build 13202 (Codename Pumpkin)
A wild beta build appears! It might or might not be deployed on beta servers soon depending on Blizzard's mood and raid testing.
Achievements Changes
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
Guild Achievements
Spell Changes
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
Guild Perks
Druid (Forums / Cataclysm Talent Calculator / Beta Skills/Talents)
Feral
Mage (Forums / Cataclysm Talent Calculator / Beta Skills/Talents)
Arcane
Paladin (Forums / Cataclysm Talent Calculator / Beta Skills/Talents)
Holy
Priest (Forums / Cataclysm Talent Calculator / Beta Skills/Talents)
Holy
Warlock (Forums / Cataclysm Talent Calculator / Beta Skills/Talents)
Affliction
Warrior (Forums / Cataclysm Talent Calculator / Beta Skills/Talents)
Arms
Cataclysm Raid Loot Update
Last night's testing revealed more loot on beta servers!
ilvlTypeSpecSlotItem359AxePhys.DPSOff-HandMaimgor's Bite359CrossbowPhys.DPSRangedDragonheart Piercer359DaggerSpell DPSMain HandIncineratus359DaggerSpell DPSMain HandBlade of the Witching Hour359FingerMeleeFingerRing of Rivalry359Fist Weap.MeleeOff-HandBlackwing Descent Trash Loot Strength Fist Weapon - Set359Fist Weap.Phys.DPSMain HandBlackwing Descent Trash Loot Agility Fist Weapon - Set359MaceMeleeTwo-HandAkirus the Worm-Breaker359SwordMeleeOne-HandLava Spine359SwordPhys.DPSOne-HandFang of Twilight359SwordSpell DPSMain HandMaldo's Sword Cane359PlateHealChestBreastplate of Avenging Flame359PlateMeleeFeetTreads of Savage Beatings359PlateTankFeetMolten Tantrum Boots359PlateTankHeadDaybreaker Helm359PlateTankShoulderHeaving Plates of Protection359MailSpellLegsPhase-Twister Leggings359MailSpellWaistLifecycle Waistguard359MailSpellWaistWaistguard of Hatred359MailPhys.DPSLegsLeggings of Lethal Force359LeatherSpellChestScorched Wormling Vest359LeatherPhys.DPSHeadTsanga's Helm359LeatherPhys.DPSWristParasitic Bands359ClothHealHeadHelm of Eldritch Authority359ClothSpell DPSLegsFlame Pillar Leggings359ClothSpell DPSWristBracers of the Dark Pool359CloakTankBackIronstar's Impenetrable Cover359CloakSpell SpiritBackDrape of the Twins359NeckPhys.DPSNeckNecklace of Strife359NeckSpell DPSNeckValiona's Medallion359TrinketTankTrinketVial of Stolen Memories359TrinketSpell DPSTrinketTheralion's Mirror359TrinketTankTrinketSymbiotic Worm
BlizzCon 2010 Begins This Week
BlizzCon is indeed this week and you can expect a full coverage of the event on MMO-Champion!
Originally Posted by Lylirra (Source)
Are you ready for BlizzCon 2010? Blizzard Entertainment's two-day gaming festival begins this Friday, October 22, at the Anaheim Convention Center. The sold-out show features developer discussion panels, top-tier tournament competition, the popular costume and dance contests hosted by Jay Mohr, an epic closing concert starring Tenacious D, and much more.
You can still join us from home by purchasing a BlizzCon Virtual Ticket (http://blizzcon.rayv.com), featuring more than 50 hours of live HD coverage as well as the exclusive BlizzCon 2010 World of Warcraft pet and StarCraft II in-game items. The Virtual Ticket is available globally via Internet stream and also through DIRECTV in the U.S. For more information, read our recent press release (http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/news/?d=2010-10#180800) or visit BlizzCon.com (http://blizzcon.com).
Beta Raid Testing Schedule for Oct. 19
Originally Posted by Daelo (Source)
Yet more raid testing!
There will be two sessions, an EU session starting at 11AM server time (PDT), and a US timed session at 4PM server time (PDT). We'll open the zones on all Beta realms (including KR!) for both sessions, and possibly longer.
The following encounters will be tested:
Maloriak in Blackwing Descent
Atramedes in Blackwing Descent
Blackwing Descent is a raid zone with an entrance located along the side of Blackrock Mountain.
Since these are the beta realms, this schedule is subject to change at a moment's notice due to bugs and server issues. More raid tests will be occurring over the next few weeks.
Class balance as of Oct 18, 2010
Originally Posted by Ghostcrawler (Source)
We are going to take the resilience buff down a little.
It should end up as a 25% buff from where it stood originally, not a 50% buff. For point of comparison, maxing out resilience before our first hotfix reduced damage by ~50%. After out hotfix, the damage reduction with max resilience was 80%. With this most recent change, damage reduction with max resilience will go down to 60%.
Part of what is going on here is that we don't want newly leveled characters to explode in PvP, while still making sure that well-geared characters aren't invulnerable. The current resilience curve makes that a tricky thing to balance. Perhaps in the future resilience needs diminishing returns so that it doesn't keep getting better and better the more you have.
While we don't have any additional announcements to make at this time, there are some additional balance tweaks we're working on. Some of our adjustments at level 80 ended up causing certain classes to be overpowered or underpowered at level 85.
Cataclysm System Requirements
Originally Posted by Zarhym (Source)
In preparation for the launch of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, we have updated our recommended minimum system requirements. These new requirements correspond with patch 4.0.1. We suggest players check out our related support article for all of the details to ensure your gameplay experience is as ideal as possible.
http://us.blizzard.com/support/artic...rticleId=21054
Cataclysm Preview: The Stonecore
Originally Posted by Lylirra (Source)
What mysteries await within the Temple of Earth? Journey to the heart of Deepholm in our latest dungeon preview featuring the Stonecore. Considered sacred by the Twilight?s Hammer followers and acting as a haven to the elements of earth, this level 82-84 dungeon will not relinquish its secrets easily.
Learn more on our new preview page: http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/catac...stonecore.html
Blue Posts
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
What A Long, Strange Trip It's Been 310% Hotfix
The hotfix is scheduled to go live tonight. (Source)
Missing Glyphs in 4.0.1
The missing glyphs we know of are Mage Armor, Long Word and possibly Vanish. The others have been found through discovery as far as we know. (Source)
Druid (Forums / Cataclysm Talent Calculator / Beta Skills/Talents)
Unshifting clears Vengeance
We could make shifting to Cat clear Vengeance but let it stay on in caster form. We're only paranoid about Cat AP for obvious reasons. (Source)
Paladin (Forums / Cataclysm Talent Calculator / Beta Skills/Talents)
Holy Paladins on Beta
After looking at more of the raid attempts on beta, we are worried that Holy paladins are doing too much area healing and not enough single target healing.
While we definitely want to scoot paladins away from their Lich King monopoly on tank healing and towards raid healing, we don't want to go too far. We're thinking about nerfing Holy Radiance and buffing single target healing. Again, the goal is not that Holy paladins only ever heal the tank, but we want them to actually be able to heal the tank as well.
On Holy Radiance, we think the 20 yard range shifted the spell from one where position was relevant to just blowing it on cooldown. We'll probably keep the 20 yard radius, but have a falloff to where the healing is highest within 8-10 yards of the paladin. This will also help the spell stay relevant in 5-player dungeons without being overpowered in larger raids. The cap for Holy Radiance (and Healing Rain for that matter) also aren't working correctly at the moment.
If we decide to buff single target healing, it would probably just be points on the 5 direct heals. We think Beacon is in a good place and aren't looking to overhaul the overall Holy mechanics. It's just a numbers issue.
Judging Seal of Insight (a change I alluded to earlier) will help with mana problems, especially when Divine Plea is on cooldown or you're nervous about using it. (Source)
Beacon of Light Nerf
We thought Beacon was overpowered when the paladin could literally heal two targets to 100% at once. In that era, there was never a reason to heal the Beaconed target. Not only was it powerful, it was really easy and required little action or decision on the part of the paladin. Having the Beacon splash some healing onto a target who may or may not need it feels balance-able to us. It means the paladin still needs to decide when to heal the Beaconed target indirectly (i.e. use Beacon) or when to heal them directly. It means there is the risk of doing the wrong thing, which could mean switching Beacon when you shouldn't have or healing the Beacon when you should have healed someone else. (Source)
More...
A wild beta build appears! It might or might not be deployed on beta servers soon depending on Blizzard's mood and raid testing.
Achievements Changes
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
Guild Achievements
- Profit Sharing now requires 100,000 gold, up from 50,000 gold. Now rewards the Guild Herald companion pet.
- Saving For A Rainy Day now requires 200,000 gold, up from 100,000 gold. No longer rewards the Guild Herald companion pet.
- 1000 Valor Points - Earn 1000 Valor Points
- 5000 Valor Points - Earn 5000 Valor Points
- 25,000 Valor Points - Earn 25,000 Valor Points
- 50,000 Valor Points - Earn 50,000 Valor Points
- 1000 Conquest Points - Earn 1000 Conquest Points
- 5000 Conquest Points - Earn 5000 Conquest Points
- 25,000 Conquest Points - Earn 25,000 Conquest Points
- 50,000 Conquest Points - Earn 50,000 Conquest Points
Spell Changes
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
Guild Perks
- Bartering now reduces the price of items from all vendors by 10%, up from 5%.
- Moonkin Hatchling - Right Click to summon or dismiss a Moonkin Hatchling. / Instant
- Enchant Weapon - Landslide no longer works with ranged weapons.
- Enchant Weapon - Power Torrent now increases Intellect by 500 instead of spell power.
- Enchant Weapon - Hurricane no longer works with ranged weapons.
- Enchant Weapon - Elemental Slayer no longer works with ranged weapons.
- Enchant Weapon - Avalanche no longer works with ranged weapons.
- Enchant 2H Weapon - Mighty Agility *New* - Permanently enchant a two-handed weapon to increase Agility by 130. Requires a level 300 or higher item.
Creates Greater Celestial Essence. / Reagents: Hypnotic Dust x 3, Greater Celestial Essence x 3, Heavenly Shard x 3
- Spinal Healing Injector is now applied to the gloves instead of belt.
- Z50 Mana Gulper is now applied to the gloves instead of belt.
Feral
- Rip now scales from 18/37/55/74/92% of Attack Power depending on combo points, up from 8/16/24/32/40%.
- Ferocious Bite now scales from 10.9/21.8/32.7/43.6/54.5% of Attack Power depending on combo points, up from 7/14/21/28/35%.
- Rake now causes scales from 2% of Attack Power for bleed damage, up from 1%. Now scales from 42% of AP for additional bleed damage over 9 sec, up from 18% of AP.
- Mangle additional damage has been increased from 726 to 1136.
- Vengeance - Entering Cat Form will cancel this effect.
Arcane
- Arcane Specialization now increases damage of your Arcane spells by 25%, up from 15%.
- Fire Specialization now increases damage of your Fire spells by 25%, up from 10%.
- Frost Specialization now increases damage of your Frost spells by 25%, up from 15%.
Holy
- Seal of Insight - Unleashing this Seal's energy now also restores 15% of the Paladin's base mana.
- Mastery: Illuminated Healing now only affects your direct healing spells, instead of all healing spells.
- Touched by the Light now increases spell hit by 8%, up from 6%.
- Guardian of Ancient Kings now causes 1750 damage plus 1750 per Application, down from 5250 plus 5250.
- Sheath of Light now increases spell hit by 8%, up from 6%.
Holy
- Holy Nova now heals up to 5 targets.
- Mind Soothe now also affects Dragonkin. Does not cause threat.
- Shadow Word: Death now deals three times as much damage to targets below 25% health.
Affliction
- Seed of Corruption now deals 567 to 660 to all enemies within 15 yards, down from 1186 to 1379.
- Summon Infernal now deals 438 to 494 fire damage when it lands, up from 29.
- Incinerate now deals 579 to 673 Fire Damage and an additional 96 to 112 Fire damage if the target is affected by Immolate. Changed from 540 to 627 with an additional 135 to 156.
- Rain of Fire now deals 2455 Fire damage over 8 sec, up from 1890.
Arms
- Taste for Blood will not occur more than once every 5 sec, down from 6 sec.
Cataclysm Raid Loot Update
Last night's testing revealed more loot on beta servers!
ilvlTypeSpecSlotItem359AxePhys.DPSOff-HandMaimgor's Bite359CrossbowPhys.DPSRangedDragonheart Piercer359DaggerSpell DPSMain HandIncineratus359DaggerSpell DPSMain HandBlade of the Witching Hour359FingerMeleeFingerRing of Rivalry359Fist Weap.MeleeOff-HandBlackwing Descent Trash Loot Strength Fist Weapon - Set359Fist Weap.Phys.DPSMain HandBlackwing Descent Trash Loot Agility Fist Weapon - Set359MaceMeleeTwo-HandAkirus the Worm-Breaker359SwordMeleeOne-HandLava Spine359SwordPhys.DPSOne-HandFang of Twilight359SwordSpell DPSMain HandMaldo's Sword Cane359PlateHealChestBreastplate of Avenging Flame359PlateMeleeFeetTreads of Savage Beatings359PlateTankFeetMolten Tantrum Boots359PlateTankHeadDaybreaker Helm359PlateTankShoulderHeaving Plates of Protection359MailSpellLegsPhase-Twister Leggings359MailSpellWaistLifecycle Waistguard359MailSpellWaistWaistguard of Hatred359MailPhys.DPSLegsLeggings of Lethal Force359LeatherSpellChestScorched Wormling Vest359LeatherPhys.DPSHeadTsanga's Helm359LeatherPhys.DPSWristParasitic Bands359ClothHealHeadHelm of Eldritch Authority359ClothSpell DPSLegsFlame Pillar Leggings359ClothSpell DPSWristBracers of the Dark Pool359CloakTankBackIronstar's Impenetrable Cover359CloakSpell SpiritBackDrape of the Twins359NeckPhys.DPSNeckNecklace of Strife359NeckSpell DPSNeckValiona's Medallion359TrinketTankTrinketVial of Stolen Memories359TrinketSpell DPSTrinketTheralion's Mirror359TrinketTankTrinketSymbiotic Worm
BlizzCon 2010 Begins This Week
BlizzCon is indeed this week and you can expect a full coverage of the event on MMO-Champion!
Originally Posted by Lylirra (Source)
Are you ready for BlizzCon 2010? Blizzard Entertainment's two-day gaming festival begins this Friday, October 22, at the Anaheim Convention Center. The sold-out show features developer discussion panels, top-tier tournament competition, the popular costume and dance contests hosted by Jay Mohr, an epic closing concert starring Tenacious D, and much more.
You can still join us from home by purchasing a BlizzCon Virtual Ticket (http://blizzcon.rayv.com), featuring more than 50 hours of live HD coverage as well as the exclusive BlizzCon 2010 World of Warcraft pet and StarCraft II in-game items. The Virtual Ticket is available globally via Internet stream and also through DIRECTV in the U.S. For more information, read our recent press release (http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/news/?d=2010-10#180800) or visit BlizzCon.com (http://blizzcon.com).
Beta Raid Testing Schedule for Oct. 19
Originally Posted by Daelo (Source)
Yet more raid testing!
There will be two sessions, an EU session starting at 11AM server time (PDT), and a US timed session at 4PM server time (PDT). We'll open the zones on all Beta realms (including KR!) for both sessions, and possibly longer.
The following encounters will be tested:
Maloriak in Blackwing Descent
Atramedes in Blackwing Descent
Blackwing Descent is a raid zone with an entrance located along the side of Blackrock Mountain.
Since these are the beta realms, this schedule is subject to change at a moment's notice due to bugs and server issues. More raid tests will be occurring over the next few weeks.
Class balance as of Oct 18, 2010
Originally Posted by Ghostcrawler (Source)
We are going to take the resilience buff down a little.
It should end up as a 25% buff from where it stood originally, not a 50% buff. For point of comparison, maxing out resilience before our first hotfix reduced damage by ~50%. After out hotfix, the damage reduction with max resilience was 80%. With this most recent change, damage reduction with max resilience will go down to 60%.
Part of what is going on here is that we don't want newly leveled characters to explode in PvP, while still making sure that well-geared characters aren't invulnerable. The current resilience curve makes that a tricky thing to balance. Perhaps in the future resilience needs diminishing returns so that it doesn't keep getting better and better the more you have.
While we don't have any additional announcements to make at this time, there are some additional balance tweaks we're working on. Some of our adjustments at level 80 ended up causing certain classes to be overpowered or underpowered at level 85.
Cataclysm System Requirements
Originally Posted by Zarhym (Source)
In preparation for the launch of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, we have updated our recommended minimum system requirements. These new requirements correspond with patch 4.0.1. We suggest players check out our related support article for all of the details to ensure your gameplay experience is as ideal as possible.
http://us.blizzard.com/support/artic...rticleId=21054
Cataclysm Preview: The Stonecore
Originally Posted by Lylirra (Source)
What mysteries await within the Temple of Earth? Journey to the heart of Deepholm in our latest dungeon preview featuring the Stonecore. Considered sacred by the Twilight?s Hammer followers and acting as a haven to the elements of earth, this level 82-84 dungeon will not relinquish its secrets easily.
Learn more on our new preview page: http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/catac...stonecore.html
Blue Posts
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
What A Long, Strange Trip It's Been 310% Hotfix
The hotfix is scheduled to go live tonight. (Source)
Missing Glyphs in 4.0.1
The missing glyphs we know of are Mage Armor, Long Word and possibly Vanish. The others have been found through discovery as far as we know. (Source)
Unshifting clears Vengeance
We could make shifting to Cat clear Vengeance but let it stay on in caster form. We're only paranoid about Cat AP for obvious reasons. (Source)
Holy Paladins on Beta
After looking at more of the raid attempts on beta, we are worried that Holy paladins are doing too much area healing and not enough single target healing.
While we definitely want to scoot paladins away from their Lich King monopoly on tank healing and towards raid healing, we don't want to go too far. We're thinking about nerfing Holy Radiance and buffing single target healing. Again, the goal is not that Holy paladins only ever heal the tank, but we want them to actually be able to heal the tank as well.
On Holy Radiance, we think the 20 yard range shifted the spell from one where position was relevant to just blowing it on cooldown. We'll probably keep the 20 yard radius, but have a falloff to where the healing is highest within 8-10 yards of the paladin. This will also help the spell stay relevant in 5-player dungeons without being overpowered in larger raids. The cap for Holy Radiance (and Healing Rain for that matter) also aren't working correctly at the moment.
If we decide to buff single target healing, it would probably just be points on the 5 direct heals. We think Beacon is in a good place and aren't looking to overhaul the overall Holy mechanics. It's just a numbers issue.
Judging Seal of Insight (a change I alluded to earlier) will help with mana problems, especially when Divine Plea is on cooldown or you're nervous about using it. (Source)
Beacon of Light Nerf
We thought Beacon was overpowered when the paladin could literally heal two targets to 100% at once. In that era, there was never a reason to heal the Beaconed target. Not only was it powerful, it was really easy and required little action or decision on the part of the paladin. Having the Beacon splash some healing onto a target who may or may not need it feels balance-able to us. It means the paladin still needs to decide when to heal the Beaconed target indirectly (i.e. use Beacon) or when to heal them directly. It means there is the risk of doing the wrong thing, which could mean switching Beacon when you shouldn't have or healing the Beacon when you should have healed someone else. (Source)
More...
