With each new beta build that is released, Mists of Panderia is coming along swimmingly. I certainly am looking forward to this expansion, for my hope is that it will give WoW the much needed shot in the arm that it could defiantly use. With Diablo 3 just released, it would be an understatement to say that many of the tried and true WoW players are currently immersed with a large supply of Mt. Dew and hot pockets to tied them over while they battle against the forces of evil newly unleashed. When I was logged into WoW last night, there was at one point a large influx of guildies who signed in all at the same time. My intuition was correct when I asked if the D3 servers crashed, for sure enough everyone popped back into Wow since they were unable due to the servers being on the fritz. Notwithstanding the release of D3, along with the new Star Wars MMO, there defiantly seems to be a dip in terms of active players on the server I play on. Blizzard has publicly stated that the WoW subscription numbers are hovering around the ten million point, which is three million less than at its most popular peak of player base subscribers. I defiantly believe that the pressure is on a Blizzard to ensure that the Mists of Panderia expansion has to really “shine”, especially since Cataclysm is seeming more of a let down in terms of what players were expecting.
In terms of my beloved Warrior class, there are some changes that have been made that on the surface seem all well and good, though to my way of thinking they should have been incorporated into our class design back within the Lich King expansion. One primary example, is that quite a few of our abilities are now usable in any stance, which I totally welcome, but one that I was championing for back in the LK beta, as were other warriors. With the advent of the death knight class, where by a DK could make use of any ability regardless of whatever presence used. At least we have finally “caught up” to that more streamlined design, so I am quite happy that it is now finally a reality for us.
If you have been following the warrior class beta thread like I have, then you will know that Ghostcrawler (Greg Street) has been posting reposes to the various feedback which the warrior community has presented. While I do not fully agree with the various design choices that Ghostcrawler enacts, I will give him credit for making his presence known in terms of presenting his basic roadmap for the class design. It certainly means a lot to those of us within the warrior community to know that our feedback and concerns are being read and taken into consideration.
For the sake of brevity, I am presetting (in no particular order) some of my thoughts so as to share in the feedback of the warrior class design for MoP:
-War Banner- It needs to be resigned/reworked, for it “feels” too shamanistic dropping a banner for one. I already drop PvP banners, as well as guild banners, so it does not “feel” uniquely like a warrior talent. The duration is too short for one, and trying to make use of it via the action bar is problematic in that oftentimes the text of the ability is overlapping upon the actual War Banner button. Not very fun, nor exciting. If it is the case that War Banner is with us weather we like it or not, I would much rather have it show upon our backs as seen in Warcraft Lore. Also, the duration needs to be increased and hopefully a banner is included that provides something other than a mere “crit % increase”. Like I mentioned, it is uninteresting and not very fun as our “cool, new warrior ability.”
Charge- The base range should be increased to 30 yard, as it stands now, one has to take a major glyph in order to go from 25 to 30 yards. With there only now being a total of three “useful” glyphs offered to a player it seems that one which increases five yards to the distance is underwhelming. Also, why is there no longer any “crit” ability incorporated with Juggernaught?
Slam/Heroic Strike- While I welcome the change to Slam being that it is an instant attack, there really needs to be some more differentiation between these Slam and Heroic Strike. Both are the “meat and potatoes” of our offensive abilities, but they really don’t seem very engaging nor exciting per se these days. I would love for them to “do” something additional and or different to better differentiate between the two.
Rend- I welcome the fact that it was removed. Thank you!
Mortal Strike- While I very happy that it also provides Mortal Wounds (old Rend ability), for being the signature Arms warrior ability, it feels like it is lacking the essence of what made it so defining to begin with. Not only has it healing reduction ability been given to other classes (which I can understand the reasons for), nevertheless in doing so it lessens and reduces the “cool factor” of what it means to be an Arms warrior. I would love for it to have an additional ability, take for example providing a monetary stun. Moreover, how about a new spell graphic to accompany the use of Mortal Strike. Please make Mortal Strike the shining and bad ass Arms warrior attack that it used to be!
Hamstring- It would be nice if there was a small amount of damage given back to this ability. I remember when the damage was removed, since it had to do with it getting a lot of damage procs in conjunction with one of the Shamans totems. As it stands now it is one of the weakest “snares” in the game. I wish it were reworked or given a bit of “umph” to it. It is pretty long in the tooth!
Throwdown- Why was this removed? It is fun and quite useful, especially in PvP situations. I wish we could have it back.
Sunder Armor- I wish it were removed form the game, having to keep three stacks up in a pain and I would imagine that many warriors do not make use of this ability. It would be nice if Colossus Smash would also partake of this ability.
Pummel- 15 seconds seems a tad too long, it would be good to have it back at the 12 second cooldown.
Spell Reflect- Please remove the shield requirement. One of my biggest 9and longest grips) about this talent. I would also like to see a different graphic associated with the use of this ability. As it stands now (as has been mentioned since its inception) having the current graphic glow over our heads when we make use of this ability is problematic for us, since any spell caster with half a brain would know that the warrior is making use of Spell Reflect. It defeats the purpose and is really frustrating.
Sunder Armor- I bet many warriors never make use of this ability. It would be a welcomed change if one just had to apply it once for the full benefits to take effect, rather than have to apply it three times.
Run/Mount Speed Increase- One of the longest pet peeves I have had as a Warrior is that I, as well as my land mount “run” so slow. I wish we could have a passive talent that would finally allow us and our mount to be able to actually move at a decent speed.
Lastly, please allow Arms to equip an offhand weapon. I can’t tell you how frustrating and annoying it is to not be able to equip an offhand weapon if I so choose to. I am unable to equip my Twin Blades of Azzinoth, not some other fun (and dare I say RPish) weapons and items. Please allow us the freedom to play how we see fit within the confines of the game.
I am looking forward to when the expansion is released, but from the vantage point of an Arms warrior, I feel there is still a fair amount of work to be done. Warlocks for example have had some incredibly fun and awesome changes take place. I would love to see some such additions for my beloved class.
