Cataclysmic ponderings...

[Windzarko]

I'm personally quite excited about Cataclysm, and I don't think I've actually heard anything I don't like about it so far (apart from the fact that at present they're not planning to remove Spellpower Plate, at least not until they can work out a way to let Holydins heal through Strength without ending up as being Healing DPSers), and just got to thinking about how everyone else in the guild (or in the THN community in general) feels about it.

I've seen euphoria and fatalism alike on various WoW forums (official EU/US, MMO, WoR, etc), with the fatalism often being from the misinformed, I'd like to add, so here's some links to a fair bit of collected info:

Official page:

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/cataclysm/

Various WoR links (all info from various Blizzcon panels):

Cataclysm first Preview: http://www.worldofraids.com/news/804-world-of-warcraft-cataclysm-preview-panel.html
Classes, Items, Professions info: http://www.worldofraids.com/news/807-world-of-warcraft-classes-items-and-professions-panel.html
Results of a Blizzcon Q&A session: http://www.worldofraids.com/news/810-world-of-warcraft-open-q-a-panel.html
Game Systems info: http://www.worldofraids.com/news/811-world-of-warcraft-game-systems-panel.html
Dungeons and Raids stuff: http://www.worldofraids.com/news/812-world-of-warcraft-raids-and-dungeons-panel.html


That's not all of it, but it's a goodly amount; there's loads more in other news updates and blue posts but people can go look for it themselves if they want to know more.

Anyhoo, the point of this thread is... well, people voicing their opinions about the upcoming expansion, including the changes we'll see in 4.0 (for those who don't know, the entire world changes in 4.0 pre-expansion, regardless of whether or not you ever by Cataclysm).

 

[thatbloke]

So I was this close to re-activating at the weekend... but account management was down when I tried

Anyway, I personally like the look of the guild talent tree idea - it will give a bit more meaning to doing dailies other than the personal reward we get...

Also, Warlock changes <3

My only concern is that it mentions that there are going to be multiple paths for that Path of the Titan thingy... will they be respeccable?

 

[Windzarko]

Anyway, I personally like the look of the guild talent tree idea - it will give a bit more meaning to doing dailies other than the personal reward we get...

Hell yeah, I want to get us the talent for not needing reagents for party/raid-wide buffs anymore!

My only concern is that it mentions that there are going to be multiple paths for that Path of the Titan thingy... will they be respeccable?

I think they said they will be... you might have to put some extra effort in, though. We just know so little at this stage...

 

[Youn]

I'm looking forward to Cataclysm, i cant wait to try out the Worgen's and Goblin's.

Revamping Kalimdor and Eastern Kindoms was about time, what i've seen from the trailers it's gonna be pretty neat IMO. The new area's and dungeons seems pretty cool, and i cant wait to fight against Mr. Smith, VC and Arugal on hc mode.

Abilities scaling with your level, hunters no linger using mana, improved soulshard system for warlocks... gotta love it

 

[thatbloke]

If I don't do so beforehand, I think that Cataclysm will certainly get me playing for at least a little while

I guess it's probably about 6 months off though...

 

[Silk]

If I don't do so beforehand, I think that Cataclysm will certainly get me playing for at least a little while

I guess it's probably about 6 months off though...

I reckon a year.
Announced early because they're scared of Aion

Besides I think there'll be a large content patch first (icecrown citadel?)

 

[thatbloke]

I reckon a year.
Announced early because they're scared of Aion

Besides I think there'll be a large content patch first (icecrown citadel?)

Yea but after releasing Icecrown, what's left for WotLK?

I mostly stopped playing WoW because of a complete lack of content updates soon enough. (1 year between last TBC content update, WotLK release and Ulduar is NOT good enough). I think they got the message though because they do seem to be rattling through this stuff a little faster, which considering the size of Blizzard and of the game, they are perfectly capable of doing.

Icecrown will certainly be out before the end of October, and then after that I would expect some time around Feb/March 2010 for Cataclysm's release.

 

[Windzarko]

Announced early because they're scared of Aion

Or possibly announced because it was Blizzcon, their big event?

3.2.2 is pretty soon, then there's just one major content patch before the 4.0 pre-expansion update. Before that update, it's got to be on the PTRs... before 4.0 goes to PTR, it has to be on the beta realms. And they wanted to announce it in advance of the beta going up (the Worldwide Invitational would be too late on for that).

I'd be extremely surprised if it isn't out in Spring next year.

Oh, and Aion? Yeah, another game like Age of Conan or Warhammer Online that makes everyone claim that WoW will fall, but Aion will die down to a small player base after initial explosion, like all the rest.

 

[Angelic]

I'm a little sick of them changing the game so much every expansion. Of course, we'll adapt and learn to get the most out of it again, but it's tiresome, doing so time after time after time.

I don't exactly get most of the ideas like removing spellpower, masteries etc, guess I'll have to see an example first.
I LOVE the guild advancement idea.
I like spirit being the only mana-regen stat, I always liked spirit and I don't think that will ever change

Overall I'm neither excited nor worried. It'll just be an expansion. Many things will change, some for the better, some for the worse, we'll adapt and that'll be it. Mostly I feel it as exhausting, though.

 

[Thunder]

Angelic you old man.

 

[Silk]

I'm a little sick of them changing the game so much every expansion. Of course, we'll adapt and learn to get the most out of it again, but it's tiresome, doing so time after time after time.

I think change is for the best, otherwise the game stagnates and everyone gets bored!

I always thought they were massively over-complicating the stats, seemingly adding a new stat or two every expansion. You might not have been concerned if you mainly play Angi and only have to worry about spell power and mana regen (spirit or mp5).

But for melee we have to balance things like expertise & hit & armour penetration.. it's silly. Do we really need three stats to tell us how well we swing a weapon? About time things were changed.

I'm hoping they change weapon skill as well. It levels up faster when you have lots of int; which is surely unfair for some classes (it's a PITA for me, think it takes about 5 mins per skillup at the high end).

Also defense, resilience and armour. All the same thing surely; how well I can soak up damage? I know they added resilience to try segregate pvp gear but personally always hated that idea and tbh when I tank in pvp I don't seem to need any resi gear, maybe my defense rating reduces my chance to be crit against players?

 

[Elincia]

What I have seen till so far is I like almost everything of catalysm.
What I like most are: Hopefully better racials, the reforging thing, the new secondary proffesion, helping your guild level by doing dailies, the guild talent tree ect ect ect.

What I don't like are the fact that Goblins choose a side now and the new class/race combo's

ahh well, no one is perfect Can't wait till catalysm comes out.

 

[Brighthorn]

i'm with silk on this one... especially skilling up weapons... i understand that skilling up first weapon should work more or less the same, but others? it is real pain to skill up a zweihander, with 1h weps it's not that bad, as you can buy some fast crappy white 1h and knock yourself out...

ad stat reduction - it is for the best - clearing out what is which stat supposed to do (atm int gives Qualka mana, crit and mp5) - it will really help balancing out the preffered stats for yourself (as with hit for casters, it's pretty messy to pick your gear, things have shizzle load of hit imho, but being an arcane mage i only need like 8/11 per cent (depending on raid setup) but whatever i do, i just can't push it beneath 12 per cent)

and complete changes to vanilla azeroth? hell yeah... can't wait flying around all the old stuff, finally being able to visit mount hyjal and so on and so forth

(if you couldn't tell already, i'm more than excited about cataclysm )

 

[Marqo]

I'm quite exited about this expansion. It'll be interesting to see how stuff will change, but I have a fair amount of confidence that Blizz can pull it off.

I also agree that Cataclysm will probably hit stores somewhere in the first half of 2010.

What I don't like are the fact that Goblins choose a side now and the new class/race combo's

Not all Goblins have joined the Horde; only some cartels. I'd expect the Steamwheedle Cartel to remain perfectly neutral. Most of the combos are perfectly reasonable. And they're adding in new lore to explain the others.

 

[Brighthorn]

... Most of the combos are perfectly reasonable. And they're adding in new lore to explain the others.

yes, this is imho one main thing many many players don't realize or whatever, that the lore isn't strictly locked, but it does continue with patches... this wasn't so obvious in vanilla, where it almost everywhere just stuck to the lore from w3 and books and stuff, but the game progresses somehow, we can't be playing in the same world all the time, when we kill ragnaros, nefarian or illidan, we have to move on... obviously, some of the things, where bosses are brought back to life are little far fetched, but that's life... i personally welcome these cataclysmic changes, because for once, we are able to witness actions, which do have impact on the whole world... literally... not just "threat" from northrend or whatnot... there, i is finished for now

 

[thatbloke]

Another thing:

If they do not pull out an utterly awesome in-game launch event like, ya know, Deathwing rising, sending dragons absofuckinglutely EVERYWHERE (think Zombie invasion but on a much LARGER scale) and causing the cataclysm to actually happen I will have a severe case of sadface:

 

[Brighthorn]

i don't think that they'd miss an opportunity like this to mess with everyone - remember being unable to do anything at the beginning of zombie invasion in shattrath?

also pretty excited about the announced even more pimped out phasing, with zones altering throughout completing the main quest line... that might be very tastylicious indeedy

 

[Rai]

Oh yes, Blizzard will absolutely fuck Azeroth up with Deathwing, etc.

On a side note, some of us never got out of the Zombie phase.


...people like Zillet.

 

[SwampFae]

Thus far we have seen a lot of impressive things and shiney objects.
But that would also describe half of what the entire gaming world shows off to impress and not all that many have delivered as much.
I do however hope that Blizz sticks to this with the utmost vigor.
They have some pretty neat stuff thus far and.

As for the new classes:
Yes. The Alliance will be getting the Worgen as a new race.
And the Horde gets the fugly Goblins.
But which would you fear the most? A roaring werewolf or a group of tiny little green stumpy buggers who beat you silly? (They seem to have done a nice job beating up strong paladins, warriors etc thus far )

Makes me want to create a Goblin here and now just to beat people in the kneecaps, lawl

Tearing the world asunder:
Well. What can I say?
Azeroth was already dieing on a player-basis as most were just speeding up so that they could get through the portal and then to Northrend.
The addition of finally being able to use Flying Mounts in Azeroth is a nice touch and being able to do things there(other than gank muppets near Cross-Roads, lawl) even after ding is kind of kewl if you ask me.
Also: This just in. Horde is getting some attention now*smirks*
If Blizz deliver what they promise with Cataclysm. I'll just have to say that I will be -very- impressed.

New guild setup, making things a bit more fun is a snazzy function. Me likey. Bit puzzled. But still likey. Nice idea.

As for the molten dwaggie now known as Deathwing. Considering the inherent skill setup he had way back when. Looking forward to the new and improved version.

Talent extensions for races, new, more racial-correct races to choose from (And no. Space goats with squids on their faces is -not- balanced*rofl* )
Here's hoping things will go smoothly with the new expansion.

 

[Sasser]

But which would you fear the most? A roaring werewolf or a group of tiny little green stumpy buggers who beat you silly? (They seem to have done a nice job beating up strong paladins, warriors etc thus far )

Makes me want to create a Goblin here and now just to beat people in the kneecaps, lawl

This.

(read the flavor text)