Patch 4.1 Preview -- Dungeon Finder: Call to Arms
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker)
In patch 4.1 we'll be introducing Dungeon Finder: Call to Arms, a new system intended to lower queue times. Call to Arms will automatically detect which class role is currently the least represented in the queue, and offer them additional rewards for entering the Dungeon Finder queue and completing a random level-85 Heroic dungeon.

Any time the Dungeon Finder queue is longer than a few minutes for level-85 Heroics, the Call to Arms system kicks in and determines which role is the least represented. In the case of tanking being the least represented role, the "Call to Arms: Tanks" icon will display in the Dungeon Finder UI menu where class roles are selected, and will also display on the UI when the queue pops and you are selected to enter a dungeon. Regardless of your role, you'll always be able to see which role currently has been Called to Arms, if any.

Call to Arms is meant to lower wait times by offering additional rewards for queuing as the currently least represented role. To be eligible for the additional rewards you must solo queue for a random level-85 Heroic in the role that is currently being Called to Arms, and complete the dungeon by killing the final boss. Every time you hit these requirements (there is no daily limit) you'll receive a goodie bag that will contain some gold, a chance at a rare gem, a chance at a flask/elixir (determined by spec), a good chance of receiving a non-combat pet (including cross faction pets), and a very rare chance at receiving a mount. The pets offered come from a wide variety of sources, and include companions like the Razzashi Hatchling, Cockatiel, and Tiny Sporebat, but the mounts are those specifically only available through dungeons (not raids), like the Reins of the Raven Lord from Sethekk Halls, Swift White Hawkstrider from Magister's Terrace, and Deathcharger's Reins from Stratholme.

This system is meant to address the unacceptable queue times currently being experienced by those that queue for the DPS role at max level. The long queue times are, of course, caused by a very simple lack of representation in the Dungeon Finder by tanks, and to some extent healers. We don't feel the tanking and healing roles have any inherent issues that are causing the representation disparity, except that fulfilling them carries more responsibility. Understandably, players prefer to take on that responsibility in more organized situations than what the Dungeon Finder offers, but perhaps we can bribe them a little. While this system gives tanks and healers something extra, the incentive is being provided so that we can help players in the DPS role get into more dungeons, get better gear, and continue progressing.

While the gold, gems, flasks, and elixirs are OK incentives, we knew we needed something more substantial. We had briefly considered Valor Points and epics, but decided that wouldn't be working toward the goal of helping DPS players progress, and ultimately wouldn't keep tanks and healers in the Dungeon Finder system for very long. We settled on pets and dungeon-found mounts as they’re cosmetic/achievement items that players tend to try to get on their own, so why not change that up and offer them a chance to get some of those elusive pets and mounts in a way that also helps other players? Even if they don't get a pet or mount, or get one they already have, the gold and other goodies still feel rewarding enough that it won't feel like a waste of effort.

We think it's a pretty solid incentive to get tanks and healers queuing, give max-level players another way to collect the pets and mounts they so desire, and above all, to improve wait times for DPS players sitting in queues. In the case of lower level dungeons, it's actually not uncommon for DPS to be the least represented role, and so if this new system works out and we're pleased with the results, we may consider applying this same mechanic to lower level dungeons as well.
This article was originally published in forum thread: Patch 4.1 Preview -- Dungeon Finder: Call to Arms started by Boubouille View original post
Comments 1855 Comments
  1. spiralled's Avatar
    Oh god no, we already have enough idiots queueing as tank to get the shorter queue time. This is going to cause chaos.
  1. tjkiler's Avatar
    yippie now ppl will go tank but don't know how to tank. Its gonne be awsome -_-
  1. adynn's Avatar
    Considering there'll most likely be no time when DPS ever get the reward at 85, I feel this is a little unfair to pures. What blizzard seems to want to do is encourage the hybrid classes to tank/heal for heroics, what could be a possibility would be to give any pure dps class a bag every 3 runs, regardless of availability. It is substaintially less than what a tank or maybe a healer would get, but I feel it would even the gap. Let's face it, it isn't that hard for a hybrid to get at an offset of gear that's heroic worthy. As for the hardcore dps spec hybrids, I'd reply that they are only heroics.
  1. Skippert's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Dorfus View Post
    Mounts...bad call. Very bad call. Doesn't matter how rare they are, farming them is essentially trivialised.
    No it's not. Farming an oldschool dungeon takes less time than doing a dungeon with some shitty group in 40+ mins.
  1. Daedius's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by IKT View Post
    1) You're an idiot, shut up.

    2) You've confused the point of the changes, the goal wasn't "how can we reward tanks for being awesome?" it was "how can we reduce queue times for dps?", once you learn to read and figure that out, then post again.
    How about a big fuck you ye douchebag ? I'm entitled to my opinions ye prick... And I know wtf the changes is intended for ye twat... I take it you're one of them faggot tanks that like to exploit their roles while randoming a LFG, them "do as I say or good bye" ones.
  1. Ninetyseven's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Kirgresh View Post
    plz.... make the bag BoA before it's open.

    I already have those rare items, but it would be fair for other pure DPS who are tanking on their alts.

    Short Q time is not a "so awsome" reward. Tanks, who already have short Qs, will tank for even more rewards, while DPS will get.... a bit faster Qs and nothing else.

    I think making the bag BoA will help even more their goal to lowering DPS Q since ppl WILL go to an alt and tank / learn to tank to get the rewards on their main.... and when they'll have what they wanted, they'll keep running it for other toons.
    This, would solve alot of the QQ tbh..
  1. Idria's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Tantric View Post
    I am not sure this is going to help. I think you will see a few baddies queue as tanks and heals now, and fail utterly. And dps will wait still wait. This doesn't address the real issue, which is tanking and healing should be made more attractive and fun. All Cata did was make both more challenging. Personally, I did not have a problem with it, but that is no way to attract more people in this game. DPS always holds the least responsibility and the easiest time dealing with mechanics. Even the hardest dps rotations are forgiving compared to tanking and healing.

    So, either blizz makes tanking and healing faceroll, or Tanks and healers get some RARE GEMS and dime a dozen dps is still going to wait.


    My suggestion for those dps that are having trouble with queue times? Learn to tank or heal...
    Don't think blizz wants back to wolk state of tanks where a blue geared could hold aggro from a t9 geared dps and tanking was just spam buttons no real though behind why you pressed your rotation
  1. IKT's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by adynn View Post
    What blizzard seems to want to do is encourage the hybrid classes to tank/heal for heroics,
    Why are you guessing what blizzard "seems to want to do", they said it right there in the fucking first post

    "Call to Arms is meant to lower wait times by offering additional rewards for queuing as the currently least represented role".
  1. mmoc93f7f2d623's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by illindarious View Post
    But it's tanks and healers that get the quick que's already. So they are also going to get more rewards as well? While the dps that wait 30-45 minutes or longer get nothing new?
    sh1t happens
  1. Egeldi's Avatar
    Loving how so many people in here are crying about how this is blizzards way of "screwing over pure DPS" when it's going to significantly lower queue times for them.

    Way to complain about a good thing guys. This may not be the perfect fix, but maybe now instead of a 40 minute wait you'll have a 10 minute wait instead. Quit your whining.
  1. Drekmar's Avatar
    I think this is good idea. I do not get you people.
    1, You complain that queues are too long for DPS players, but you refuse to reroll/respec because healing and tanking requires more atention or/and is harder.

    2, After blizzard comes with a solution, you cry, because it will reward only tanks/healers (probably).

    So, make up your mind. You can pick a choice: Reroll/Respec , Wait in long queue as DPS or accept this system.

    This system is a good solution. But still, there is a possibility that not many player will solo-queue as tank/healers. Why? Because there you can get grouped up with weirdos/idiots/retards. I will run heroics with guild mates, because i can trust them.
  1. mmocda190bd02e's Avatar
    It wouldn't bother me so much, if this didn't encourage people who have crap gear and no idea how to play to role to tank/heal. I see a lot more failed pugs...
  1. gorkos's Avatar
    so this will only apply to tanks ? as a dps you have no chance what so ever of getting the call to arms, and healers it will be rare........

    this is dumb
  1. IKT's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by lagzinc View Post
    sh1t happens
    If more tanks are going to queue because of this, and currently the lack of tanks queuing is the root cause of the long DPS queue times, are you able to put 1 and 1 together? or do I have to spell it out for you?
  1. jaksan's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Idria View Post
    I had no problems with queue as I had friends who tanked and I healed or dpsed also sometimes I tanked and they dpsed this change just ruins the play with friends/guild member theme
    So you just have to ignore your friends now? No you dont, just do the normal dailies with them and when they dont want to play or are offline you can do some yourself, nothing is stopping you from that? You will do the same amount of heroics with your friend as before this but if you want some more, then go ahead and do some more for the extra reward, you are not losing a shit but have the oppurtunity to gain things you want

    Quote Originally Posted by Pacster View Post
    Cause you don't see the other side: What if tanks and healers don't join anymore unless they are called to arms? How will that shorten the queue?
    I mean, if I was a healer or a tank I definitely wouldn't join anymore unless I was called to arms.
    If this happens the call to arms will kick in asap doesnt it? So it means that call to arms will keep activating and deactivating all the time, meaning that people will queue all the time. I have an alt tank/healer and I will still queue regardless if there is CtA.

    People here are sad, if someone you know wins something nice do you just bloat them and feel jelous and not happy for them? sems like that is what you people are, sad people as whole. In this case even you gain something, aka shorter queues
  1. mmocf1b7d43091's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Idria View Post
    Don't think blizz wants back to wolk state of tanks where a blue geared could hold aggro from a t9 geared dps and tanking was just spam buttons no real though behind why you pressed your rotation
    Strange... Most dps i saw of late stated exactly the same is on live-Servers.....
    Most of th time it read like "Stand at the Boss/Group and does DPS-Like Rotation"
  1. IKT's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by gorkos View Post
    so this will only apply to tanks ? as a dps you have no chance what so ever of getting the call to arms, and healers it will be rare........

    this is dumb
    You're the cancer that is ruining this game.
  1. Idria's Avatar
    Blizz could add AI controlled tank/healers and non would notice a difference most of the time since x-realm dug finder was introduced I have rarely spoken in dugs and gotten friends that way since both I and the others know we probably wont never met again ...
  1. mmoc55ef44424f's Avatar
    I haven't laughed so much in a long time.

    I'm full time tank, I don't need a thing from heroics, even valors as I already have everything I needed for both tank and dps spec. And I NEVER run in pugs, only with guildies. Bit of money (e.g. i can go and solo Maggy in 10 minutes = 6x more money than one hc) or one flask or even stupid pet/mount is no incentive for me to queue in LFG and deal with bunch of... [put your own word here].
  1. IKT's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Idria View Post
    Blizz could add AI controlled tank/healers and non would notice a difference most of the time since x-realm dug finder was introduced I have rarely spoken in dugs and gotten friends that way since both I and the others know we probably wont never met again ...
    that'll fix it.

    (go away)


    Quote Originally Posted by Wezyr View Post
    I haven't laughed so much in a long time.

    I'm full time tank, I don't need a thing from heroics, even valors as I already have everything I needed for both tank and dps spec. And I NEVER run in pugs, only with guildies. Bit of money (e.g. i can go and solo Maggy in 10 minutes = 6x more money than one hc) or one flask or even stupid pet/mount is no incentive for me to queue in LFG and deal with bunch of... [put your own word here].
    Congrats, you get to continue on playing the game as per normal.

    (go away)

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