Free Talents Respec for Patch 3.0.2

One final late night note here, due to the large number of talent changes it has confirmed that all classes will receive a free talent respec when patch 3.0.2 is released. Good times for all!

All players will have their talent points reimbursed and will have access to new talents throughout their trees; this includes the 51-point talents. Several new spells and abilities have been added for all classes. Players will need to visit their class trainer to learn new spells. (source)

Blizzard’s Secret Project Announced at Blizzcon

For months rumors have been flying around as to what Blizzard’s “secret project” could be, and after the Blizzcon announcement earlier today it appears the project isn’t so “secret” after all…

The new project is blizzard’s next generation MMO, an MMO which according to the Blizzcon announcement will not take place in one of the franchise’s current universes. As for what this “new universe” is, who knows, we won’t have any definitive answer for several months.

Though this project wasn’t all that secret, it’s still great too get confirmation that it will be outside of the current WoW / SC / Diablo world’s. I’m very interested to see this project built from the ground up.

Future WotLK Patch Updates and News

In a very uncharacteristic move Blizzard dropped the ball on several pretty big content patches, which are slated for release following the launch of WotLK. Here’s a quick break down of what’s coming up in the next several months of patches.

Patch 3.0.2

This patch is the bridge between the Burning Crusade and WotLK. There is no official scheduled release date yet, all we know is it won’t go live until S4 ends, which is this 10/14/08. In my opinion it will launch 10/21/08. This patch includes major talent changes, class balances, and other features in preperation for WotLK. Check out the compiled list of changes and updates here. Patch 3.0.2 Compiled.

Patch 3.0.3

This minor patch will go live 1-2 weeks after patch 3.0.2 releases, it’s only real purpose will be to retroactively complete the C’thun achievement quests. This patch will likely be the last patch prior to WotLK launch and should include any final bug fixes or other minor changes

Tigole Regarding Patch 3.0.3

We just added the C’Thun BP’s to the retro list. Previously, we were checking the quests but the quests were not recorded because they are repeatable.

This fix won’t go in the upcoming patch but one that will follow that patch by a week or two. So hang on to those C’Thun BP’s and you’ll get credit.

Patch 3.1

The first major content patch of the expansion, major highlights include

• Uldar Raid Instance 10 man
• Uldar Raid Instance 25 man

Patch 3.2

The second major content patch for expansion. Currently the features in this patch have not been announced. However, we do know that that this patch will…

…add a new and still unknown raid instance to the game (source)

Patch 3.3

The third major content patch for the expansion, major highlights include

• Ashbringer story resolved
• Icecrown Citadel released

Additional New WotLK Features

• New Guild Ratings based on PvE / PvP accomplishment
• New Guild Achievements

Not a whole lot is currently known regarding these new guild ratings, it’s something that’s been talked about for some time. Prior to the Burning Crusade blizzard had considered putting a system for rated Warsong Gulch in, but scrapped the idea. Personally I think this would be a great idea, particuarlly for PvP guilds, as it adds a whole new level of accomplishment for those groups of players.

New Riptide Animation

Not sure if I missed this change in a previous PTR build or not, but it looks like there was an undocumented change to the riptide animation. As you can see below it’s received a significant improvement. Note, this is build 9038, not 9056, which will buff the +healing of riptide.

2 Talent Specs in WotLK?

You bet! While details are still up in the air, chances are you’ll be able to have 2 talent specs to swap when WotLK comes out. I’ve heard several different theories on how this new 2 spec feature might work. One, and the most likely selection in my opinion, would allow you to have 2 talent spec templates saved. You still would only be able to have one spec active at a time, but you could return to your trainer and train you secondary saved template for free.

This would be a great addition, and something both PvE and PvP players alike would enjoy. I would almost guarantee we’ll get further confirmation on this feature tomorrow at Blizzcon.

We most surely are working on some plans to allow players to switch between specs, but the details are sill being discussed internally.

Just wanted to add that it is most likely that we will see this added to the game in a patch after the release of WotLK :-) (source)

Flying Mounts in Northrend

Nothing too unexpected here. There was some initial confusion regarding how you would get your flying mount training for Northrend. Currently the plan is to have it as a part of a quest chain at level 68 and require 1000 gold. This change is for 2 reasons.

• Making you wait until level 77 forces you to see all of the zones in the order they were intended to be played through. There has been a significant improvement in the overall design and feel of each zone and it would be a shame to just “fly by” (pun intended!) them without experiencing the story line along with each zone.
• The 1000g cost is simply attempting to further reduction inflation on your server’s economy by sucking probably between 25-50% of the overall gold you would have made by while leveling. Pretty lame in my opinion, but I understand blizzard’s reasoning behind it.

Cold Weather Flying was indeed a part of a quest line, but we changed it because we felt that it wasn’t clear enough where to get it.
This ability will now be purchasable instead, and the 1000 gold cost has been tuned around the amount of gold people will usually have gathered around level 77. At that level we expect you will have more than enough gold to afford getting the Cold Weather Flying ability. (source)

Cold Weather Flying Trainer

Best Blizzcon Achievements List

As many of you know Blizzcon is right around the corner. It’ll be 2 days of big announcements, exciting changes, and some of most ridiculous footage of gamers hanging out in the massive convntion center (I can’t wait!).

If do happen to be joining this year’s festivities at Blizzcon 2008 consider participating in the strictly unoffical Blizzcon Achievemnts!

• “Little man in big Place” - Made it to Blizzcon in one peice
  
• “Did you catch that?” - Sit in the back row of each board both days
  
• “I went to Blizzcon and all I got was this lousy Shirt” - Buy a T shirt from the Blizzcon Store
  
• “Champion of your Realm” - Punched everyone from your server in the face. Awards Title: Felon
• “Ruler of Blizzcon” - Survived both days of Blizzcon without Sleeping, eating, and showering
• “The status is not quo” - beat someone with an inflatable frostmourne as they try to protect with an inflatable bubble hearthing paladin.
• “Finalizer of the Truth” - Learn, without doubt and with photographic evidence, the gender of Ghostcrawler.
• “Slayer of the Dragon” - Hand out mints to five people with the “dragon” breath.
  

Thanks to Killertotems from the WoW forums who initially started this list.

What would you add to the list?

WoW Email Scam Warning

WoW email scams are nothing new. Phishers and scammers go where the money is, and WoW accounts are a great source of quick and repeatable income for these people. But please…please don’t let yourself become the next victim. Earlier this evening I received a phishing email asking me to update my WoW info.

This is a common technique used by these scammers to steal your personal information and steal your World of Warcraft account. I’ve attached a copy of this email below.

There are a few things that give this email away as an obvious fake.

1. Note the URL in the lower left corner. while it appears legit at first glance you should note it is a sub-domain which is located on a free hosting service.
2. Note the poor grammar I’ve high lighted in red, do you really think blizzard would misspell “follow”?
3. I’m a US player, not a EU player.
4. Finally, remember Blizzard will never contact you by email to verify  your personal information, including passwords.

This email is very similar to another phishing scam I received several months ago, oddly enough it appears to be from the same scam “artist”. In my first scam warning I mentioned a few tips which might help you avoid scams like these, I’ve got them listed below for your convince.

The easiest way to avoid these is to simply not click on them, but there are a few extra small steps you can take to further protect yourself (in the event you accidentally click them). First and foremost, I strongly suggest you download and use firefox. Security wise firefox out performs internet explorer in every category (which tends to stop virtually nothing).

Additionally you may also find it helpful to download the NoScript addon for firefox. This allows you to block active and script content from sites, and will only allow scripts to be run on sites you trust (like zuggaming.com!).

You won’t believe the number of scripts that run on the majority of sites. These scripts often…

• Track your movements on the site
• Automatically download files without your permission (could be virus)
• Present advertisements you may not want to see
• Present Pop ups, pop unders, pop overs and exit ads
• Additional malicious activities

With just a few simple steps I’ve listed above you can dramatically reduce your chance of becoming the victim of one of these phishing scams.

Wrath of the Lich King System Requirements

PC System Requirements

OS: Windows XP (Service Pack 3), Windows Vista (Service Pack 1)

Processor:

• Minimum: Intel Pentium 4 1.3 GHz or AMD Athlon XP 1500+
• Recommended: Dual-core processor, such as the Intel Pentium D or AMD Athlon 64 X2

Memory:

• Minimum: 512 MB RAM (1GB for Vista users)
• Recommended: 1 GB RAM (2 GB for Vista users)

Video:

• Minimum: 3D graphics processor with Hardware Transform and Lighting with 32 MB VRAM such as an ATI Radeon 7200 or NVIDIA GeForce 2 class card or better
• Recommended: 3D graphics processor with Vertex and Pixel Shader capability with 128 MB VRAM such as an ATI Radeon X1600 or NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT class card or better

Sound: DirectX-compatible sound card or motherboard sound capability

Mac System Requirements

OS: Mac OS X 10.4.11 or newer

Processor:

• Minimum: PowerPC G5 1.6 GHz or Intel Core Duo processor
• Recommended: Intel 1.8GHz processor or better

Memory:

• Minimum: 1 GB RAM
• Recommended: 2 GB RAM

Video:

• Minimum: 3D graphics processor with Hardware Transform and Lighting with 64 MB VRAM such as an ATI Radeon 9600 or NVIDIA GeForce Ti 4600 class card or better
• Recommended: 3D graphics processor with Vertex and Pixel Shader capability with 128 MB VRAM such as an ATI Radeon X1600 or NVIDIA 7600 class card or better

All Platforms

• Controls: A keyboard and mouse are required. Input devices other than a mouse and keyboard are not supported.
• Connectivity: You must have an active broadband Internet connection to play.
• Mouse: Multi-button mouse with scroll wheel recommended.
• Hard Drive Space: 15 GB free hard drive space

Upcoming Shaman Changes

More pretty big changes for the shaman class this morning. On the elemental front we’re looking at some pretty nice buffs to riptide, which had been looking sub par. Now that riptide can proc tidal waves there should be no question about the rotational significance of the new spell.

Tidal Waves: You have a 100% chance after you cast Chain Heal to lower the cast time of your next Lesser Healing Wave or Healing WAve spell by 30%. In addition, your Healing Wave gains an additional 20% of your bonus healing effects and your Lesser Healing Wave gains an additional 10% of your bonus healing effects.

This change in addition to the increase on initial healing should make the spell an absolute must for restoration shamans.

Some interesting changes on the elemental / enhancement front as well. I like the theory on Blizzard’s reasoning for trying to buff fire for elemental, but it’s a delicate balancing act. Currently an elemental shaman really does nothing in PvE accept drop totems and cast lightning bolt. So adding some sort of situational spells and abilities would be a nice addition. If the devs can work the new lava burst ability into the rotation it would be a job well done.

A small victory for enhancement shamans, initially it was looking like Maelstrom weapon was going to be nerfed to the point it was worthless, but in a last minute change Blizzard have decided to set it aside for the moment. It will certainly make for some very interesting PvP and PvE moments if it makes it all the way through till expansion.

Tidal Waves — Riptide now also procs this effect.

Riptide — We’re going to increase the initial healing component.

Storm Reach — now called “Elemental Reach” and includes Lava Burst.

Improved Fire Nova Totem - Increases the damage done by your Fire Nova Totem by 10/20%, and your Fire Nova totem has a 50/100% chance to stun all targets damaged by your Fire Nova Totem for 2 sec.

Thunderstorm — We will probably boost the mana return to 8% of total mana. That seems more in line with similar effects. We talked a lot about buffing its damage, but decided that may not be a good idea. With its short range, it isn’t a great rotational spell for a raiding Elemental shamans, and making you run up to hit a boss and run back is giving up a lot of cast time. Instead we’re going to try to keep the damage and knockback more situational (in PvP it will get used a lot) and make the mana return the big PvE raiding focus.

Maelstrom Weapon — We have a concern that the proc per minute frequency is too often. According to our numbers, it’s balanced for a two-handed weapon and a bit generous for a dual-wielder. However, this would be a nerf to Enhancement dps overall that we’d have to make up elsewhere, and it seems to be a fun change shamans are enjoying. So we’re going to let this ride for now. It’s something to keep an eye on, but we aren’t going to change it yet.

Lava Burst and Lightning Bolt — And now for a few words on Elemental damage. One of the things we were trying to do to make Elemental dps more interesting was to have a Lava Burst + Flameshock variant. We also themed some new deep talents to support this play style. The problem is that lightning still seems to do more damage than fire, which in turn makes the new talents feel lame because they benefit fire and not lightning.


Now we think that Lava Burst is doing appropriate damage for its cost and if anything Lightning Bolt and Chain Lightning are a little too good. (Remember they benefit from Curse of the Elements and similar spells now.) However, nerfing lightning would make it harder to level as well as making 3.0.2 kind of brutal for Elemental shamans, since Lava Burst is level 75. Hurting lightning would feel like a flat out nerf, and even though you’d partially make up for it at higher level, overall we think this would feel, um, yucky. So no big changes to lightning spells.

We talked a lot about just buffing Lava Burst and a deep fire-based talent or two. This will make Lava Burst too good on paper, but it might work out okay in the game itself. We’ll just have to see. We aren’t 100% sold on this course of action, so I’ll update when we decide for sure.

Once again, these decisions were the consensus of our design team, so please don’t give me the credit. In fact, if there are any changes you specifically don’t like — those I had nothing to do with

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