Update #2 Beta Raid Testing for Oct. 19 - ON AGAIN!
Originally Posted by Daelo (Blue Tracker)
Beta update happened and instance servers seem to be up again. I'm opening Blackwing Descent to test Maloriak and Atramedes. I'll leave these two encounters up for an extrended period overnight, including in the morning tomorrow so our non-US regions can try the encounters out.

As always, these plans can change at a moment's notice based on bugs or other issues.

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
  • 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.

Dungeons & Raids

Player vs. Player
Spell Changes
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment

Guild Perks
  • Bartering now reduces the price of items from all vendors by 10%, up from 5%.

Companion Pets

Enchanting

Engineering

Druid (Forums / Cataclysm Talent Calculator / Beta Skills/Talents)
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.

Mage (Forums / Cataclysm Talent Calculator / Beta Skills/Talents)
Arcane

Fire

Frost

Paladin (Forums / Cataclysm Talent Calculator / Beta Skills/Talents)
Holy

Protection

Retribution

Priest (Forums / Cataclysm Talent Calculator / Beta Skills/Talents)
Holy

Shadow
  • 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.

Warlock (Forums / Cataclysm Talent Calculator / Beta Skills/Talents)
Affliction
  • Seed of Corruption now deals 567 to 660 to all enemies within 15 yards, down from 1186 to 1379.

Demonology
  • Summon Infernal now deals 438 to 494 fire damage when it lands, up from 29.

Destruction
  • 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.

Warrior (Forums / Cataclysm Talent Calculator / Beta Skills/Talents)
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!

ilvlTypeSpecSlotItem
359AxePhys.DPSOff-HandMaimgor's Bite
359CrossbowPhys.DPSRangedDragonheart Piercer
359DaggerSpell DPSMain HandIncineratus
359DaggerSpell DPSMain HandBlade of the Witching Hour
359FingerMeleeFingerRing of Rivalry
359Fist Weap.MeleeOff-HandBlackwing Descent Trash Loot Strength Fist Weapon - Set
359Fist Weap.Phys.DPSMain HandBlackwing Descent Trash Loot Agility Fist Weapon - Set
359MaceMeleeTwo-HandAkirus the Worm-Breaker
359SwordMeleeOne-HandLava Spine
359SwordPhys.DPSOne-HandFang of Twilight
359SwordSpell DPSMain HandMaldo's Sword Cane
359PlateHealChestBreastplate of Avenging Flame
359PlateMeleeFeetTreads of Savage Beatings
359PlateTankFeetMolten Tantrum Boots
359PlateTankHeadDaybreaker Helm
359PlateTankShoulderHeaving Plates of Protection
359MailSpellLegsPhase-Twister Leggings
359MailSpellWaistLifecycle Waistguard
359MailSpellWaistWaistguard of Hatred
359MailPhys.DPSLegsLeggings of Lethal Force
359LeatherSpellChestScorched Wormling Vest
359LeatherPhys.DPSHeadTsanga's Helm
359LeatherPhys.DPSWristParasitic Bands
359ClothHealHeadHelm of Eldritch Authority
359ClothSpell DPSLegsFlame Pillar Leggings
359ClothSpell DPSWristBracers of the Dark Pool
359CloakTankBackIronstar's Impenetrable Cover
359CloakSpell SpiritBackDrape of the Twins
359NeckPhys.DPSNeckNecklace of Strife
359NeckSpell DPSNeckValiona's Medallion
359TrinketTankTrinketVial of Stolen Memories
359TrinketSpell DPSTrinketTheralion's Mirror
359TrinketTankTrinketSymbiotic Worm



Class balance as of Oct 18, 2010
Originally Posted by Ghostcrawler (Blue Tracker)
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.

Beta Raid Testing Schedule for Oct. 19
Originally Posted by Daelo (Blue Tracker)
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.

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 (Blue Tracker)
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).

Cataclysm System Requirements
Originally Posted by Zarhym (Blue Tracker)
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 (Blue Tracker)
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)
This article was originally published in forum thread: Beta Build 13202, Raid Loot, Blizzcon, Class Changes, Blue Posts started by Boubouille View original post
Comments 111 Comments
  1. Mistral's Avatar
    Speaking of Blizzcon, are there any special animations known yet for this deathy murloc?
  1. Nathiest's Avatar
    lol They NERF the most gimp pos Ret ability in the game the pos Guardian of Ancient Kings. lol! Blizz are you all a bunch of drunks? Or just really retarded?
  1. Senaelanna's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Nathiest View Post
    lol They NERF the most gimp pos Ret ability in the game the pos Guardian of Ancient Kings. lol! Blizz are you all a bunch of drunks? Or just really retarded?
    Nah the only retards are the paladins thinking that they deserve their bi-daily book on their class, and how "broken" and "inferior" they are when they do amazing damage, and healing. O and last I heard they were pretty good tanks too, unlike, say, bears who still only have three buttons to push.
  1. Daylosprime's Avatar
    There must be a lot of crappy ret paladins about because the one's I'm seeing are doing pretty good on the meters and all I see is people crying about how ret sucks.
  1. Akamaru's Avatar
    "Companion Pets

    * Moonkin Hatchling - Right Click to summon or dismiss a Moonkin Hatchling. / Instant"

    Just made my day i have always wanted one! =D
  1. Liinxy's Avatar
    MOONKIN PET how awesome XD I wanttt. I can't wait to see what it looks like! ^_^
  1. S@thi's Avatar
    Another hunter nerf yes with the 2h enchants..
    Even on the wow forums not a single blue reply. ( EU that is)
    To me it looks like blizzard is telling us to sit back and play / hateplay the game till cataclysm hits us.
    Thanks for nothing blizzard!
  1. lunaspike's Avatar

    We think Holy paladins are good at 85
    So, how does your foot taste there GC. You post you think they are fine, then just 1 day latter you guys start getting actual numbers instead of your own inflated egos telling you the truth.

    Wonder how many more numbers you people will have to see before you start admitting you were wrong about many things.
  1. slimj091's Avatar
    "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"

    so much for all of the "if your machine can run WoW now, then it will be able to run Cataclysm" talk. If i'm going to have to spend $600 to $800 to build a new machine to play this game (finding old FX cards is not an option. no reputable dealers still sell working FX, 6 series, of 7 series APG cards) then i would rather save the money i would spend on this overplayed game, and wait for something new like swtor.

    it would have been nice if they let us know more than a month and a half in advance that we would have to build new machines in order to play. at least then i could have spent time searching for a working non crap built FX, or 6 series card.
  1. Swizzle's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by lunaspike View Post
    So, how does your foot taste there GC. You post you think they are fine, then just 1 day latter you guys start getting actual numbers instead of your own inflated egos telling you the truth.

    Wonder how many more numbers you people will have to see before you start admitting you were wrong about many things.
    Really? Cause the videos I've watched of beta raids holy paladins are topping the charts.
  1. Lumocolor's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by KevyB View Post
    Mage nerf was a cool break while it lasted....

    Back to business i guess, let the QQ re-commence

    But the holy nova nerf... wtf is the point of first making it really useful in raid-environment, and then gimping it down again... /facedesk
    Maybe they noticed mages doing tank like damage in the beta raids???
  1. Jerakal's Avatar
    http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=1&p=000004

    Codename Pumpkin? What Pumpkin?
  1. heatrage's Avatar
    Not bad warlock changes!
  1. lunaspike's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Swizzle View Post
    Really? Cause the videos I've watched of beta raids holy paladins are topping the charts.
    Links?

    are you talking about the yoggscast? or one of the fl/p ? Still I would like to see it.

    And ty ahead of time for posting the link.
  1. mmoc6cf872d270's Avatar
    More nerfs to affli? The spec nobody plays at the moment lol.
  1. Eleveneleven's Avatar
    BOO Casters deserve interesting trinkets too!
  1. Hayro1's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by lunaspike View Post
    Links?

    are you talking about the yoggscast? or one of the fl/p ? Still I would like to see it.

    And ty ahead of time for posting the link.
    Holy Paladins in Beta are ridiculously OP in 25 mans due to their AoE healing capability. Have you seen PoV's of Holy Paladins in 25 mans with recount?
  1. mykro9's Avatar
    As luck would have it, I have obligations for MOST of Friday, so I will miss a lot of the live footage. I bought the virtual ticket, is there any way to watch at leisure, or is it strictly streaming...
  1. Shifthappens's Avatar
    Hell yeah new 2h passive agility enchant, about time! /happy druid here
  1. Rizendragon's Avatar
    Hey as a little update this Build just went live!!!!

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