Encounter Journal Preview
The Encounter Journal is finally on the test realms and even if it isn't finished we finally know how much information we will get from it: a lot. The Firelands raid encounters are already there and it looks like Blizzard really wants you to know where you're going before you enter a raid, see the screenshots below.

I also added a small video preview from OMFGCata because every time I forget to post a video from Jesse, a puppy gets sad.






If you're still wondering how much info you can get for a single fight, check the preview of the Ragnaros encounter below. Everything in the preview (except for the picture, I guess) is from the Encounter Journal and not a single bit of it is from extra datamining.


Ragnaros - Encounter Journal Preview (Heroic Version)
Ragnaros, lord of the Firelands, embodies the fury and destruction of the promordial infernos that forged Azeroth itself. Promised the chance to set Azeroth aflame without interference from Neptulon and Therazane, Ragnaros seeks to appease the Old Gods by incinerating the World Tree of Nordrassil.

He has legs now. Who knew?


Stage 1: By Fire be Purged!
IconNameDescription
Sulfuras SmashRagnaros faces a random player and prepares to smash Sulfuras on the platform. The impact creates several Lava Waves which move out in several directions from the point of impact.
Lava WaveA Lava Wave inflicts 70000 Fire damage and knocks back all players it passes through. Targets who are knocked back suffer an additional 20000 Fire damage every 1 sec for 5 sec.
Wrath of RagnarosRagnaros targets a player, inflicting 60000 Fire damage to all players within 6 yards and knocking them back.

In 25 players raids, Ragnaros targets three players.
Hand of RagnarosRagnaros inflicts 30000 Fire damage to all enemies within 50 yards, knocking them back.
Magma TrapRagnaros periodically forms a Magma Trap at a random player's location. The Magma Trap persists for the duration of the battle and will trigger when stepped on, causing a Magma Trap Eruption.
Magma Trap EruptionWhen triggered, a Magma Trap erupts for 60000 Fire damage to all enemies within the Firelands and violently knocks the player who stripped the Magma Trap into the air.

An enemy that triggers a Magma Trap will take 50 additional damage from the Magma Trap Eruption for 30 sec. Stacks.



Intermission: Minions of Fire!
At 70% health, Ragnaros will cast Splitting Blow, wedging Sulfuras into the platform and creating Sons of Flame across the platform. Ragnaros will stay submerged for 45 seconds or until all of the Sons of Flame are destroyed.
IconNameDescription
Splitting BlowRagnaros buries Sulfuras within the platform, creating Sons of Flame that attempt to reach the mighty hammer.
Sons of Flame
Sons of Flame will cross the platform and attempt to re-form with Sulfuras, causing a Supernova if they are able to reach the mighty hammer.
IconNameDescription
Burning SpeedSons of Flame move faster as their blaze burns hotter. Their movement speed is increased by an amount equal to every 1% health they have above 50% health.
SupernovaIf a Son of Flame reaches Sulfuras, the elemental will explode in a Supernova, inflicting 90000 Fire damage to all players within the Firelands.



Stage 2: Sulfuras will be Your End!
IconNameDescription
Sulfuras SmashRagnaros faces a random player and prepares to smash Sulfuras on the platform. The impact creates several Lava Waves which move out in several directions from the point of impact.
Lava WaveA Lava Wave inflicts 70000 Fire damage and knocks back all players it passes through. Targets who are knocked back suffer an additional 20000 Fire damage every 1 sec for 5 sec.
World In FlamesRagnaros periodically engulfs one third of the platform in flame every 2.6 sec for 13 sec. Inflicting 70000 Fire damage to players caught in the conflagration.
Molten SeedRagnaros forms a Molten Seed at the location of 10 random players, inflicting 55000 Fire damage to all players within 6 yards. After 10 sec the Molten Seed will burst in a Molten Inferno.

In 25 player raids, Ragnaros targets 20 players.
Molten InfernoWhen Molten Seeds burst, they cause a Molten Inferno that inflicts 100000 Fire damage to all players who are near the Molten Seed. The damage decreases the farther away the target is.

Following the Molten Inferno, a Molten Elemental is created at the location of the Seed.
Molten ElementalThe Molten Elemental is spawned from a Molten Inferno. It will attack and fixate on a random player.
Molten PowerThe Molten Elemental is empowered by nearby Molten Elementals, increasing its damage done by 25% and causing it to be immune to Snare effects.



Intermission: Denizens of Flame!
At 40% health, Ragnaros will cast Splitting Blow, wedging Sulfuras into the platform and creating Sons of Flame. Ragnaros will stay submerged for 45 seconds or until all of the Sons of Flame are destroyed.
IconNameDescription
Splitting BlowRagnaros buries Sulfuras within the platform, creating Sons of Flame that attempt to reach the mighty hammer.
Sons of Flame
Sons of Flame will cross the platform and attempt to re-form with Sulfuras, causing a Supernova if they are able to reach the mighty hammer.
IconNameDescription
Burning SpeedSons of Flame move faster as their blaze burns hotter. Their movement speed is increased by an amount equal to every 1% health they have above 50% health.
SupernovaIf a Son of Flame reaches Sulfuras, the elemental will explode in a Supernova, inflicting 90000 Fire damage to all players within the Firelands.
Lava Scion
One Lava Scion will form on each side of the platform.
IconNameDescription
Blazing HeatThe Lava Scion inflicts a random target with Blazing Heat, causing them to create a trail of Blazing Heat in their wake. Blazing Heat inflicts 50000 Fire damage every 1 sec and heals Sons of Flame and Lava Scions for 10% every 1 sec.



Stage 3: Begone From my Realm!
IconNameDescription
Sulfuras SmashRagnaros faces a random player and prepares to smash Sulfuras on the platform. The impact creates several Lava Waves which move out in several directions from the point of impact.
Lava WaveA Lava Wave inflicts 70000 Fire damage and knocks back all players it passes through. Targets who are knocked back suffer an additional 20000 Fire damage every 1 sec for 5 sec.
World In FlamesRagnaros periodically engulfs one third of the platform in flame every 2.6 sec for 13 sec. Inflicting 70000 Fire damage to players caught in the conflagration.
Summon Living MeteorRagnaros calls down an increasing number of Living Meteors over time, inflicting 65000 Fire damage to players within 5 yards of the location.
Living MeteorThe Living Meteor will fixate on a random target and chase them. A player that gets within 4 yards of the Living Meteor will trigger a Meteor Impact, inflicting 500000 Fire damage to enemies within 8 yards.
Meteor ImpactA player that gets within 4 yards of the Living Meteor will trigger a Meteor Impact, inflicting 500000 Fire damage to enemies within 8 yards.
CombustibleThe Living Meteor is highly Combustible. When attacked, it will cause Combustion, knocking it back several yards away from the enemy that hit it. Combustible is removed for several seconds after Combustion is triggered.
CombustionWhen Combustible is active, the Living Meteor is knocked back several yards from the enemy that hit it.



Stage 4: The True Power of the Fire Lord
The Fire Lord unleashes his full power and is able to move freely around the platform. Players have the aid of powerful heroes of Azeroth to support them.
IconNameDescription
SuperheatedRagnaros is at his full power and is now Superheated, inflicting 2000 Fire damage every 1 sec, increasing damage taken from Superheated by 10%. Stacks.
Empower SulfurasRagnaros begins to Empower Sulfuras. After 5 sec, Sulfuras becomes Empowered and attacks made by Ragnaros cause Flames of Sulfuras, influcting 500000 Fire damage to all enemies within the Firelands.
Flames of SulfurasWhen Sulfuras is Empowered, attacks made by Ragnaros cause Flames of Sulfuras, inflicting 500000 Fire damage to all enemies within the Firelands.
DreadflameSulfuras creates a Dreadflame at two nearby Locations. The Dreadflame multiplies rapidly and spreads across the platform. Dreadflame inflicts 35000 Fire damage and an additional 3500 Fire damage every 1 sec for 30 sec.

In 25 players raids, Dreadflame will strike five locations at once.
Magma GeyserRagnaros will target a Magma Geyser whenever he notices four players in a cluster together. The Magma Geyser inflicts 55000 Fire damage every 1 sec and destroys any nearby Breadth of Frost.
Cenarius
Cenarius is a demigod, the son of Malorne and Elune, and the patron of all of Azeroth's druids. Cenarius will support the raid by freezing Living Meteors and reducing the damage caused by Superheated.
IconNameDescription
Breadth of FrostCenarius forms a Breadth of Frost at a nearby location. Any Living Meteors that enter the Breadth of Frost are frozen and take 15000% additional damage. Additionally, players who stand within the Breadth of Frost are immune to Superheated damage and have the Superheated debuff removed from them.
Hamuul Runetotem
Hamuul Runetotem is a tauren druid and leads the druids of Thunder Bluff. In Mount Hyjal, he assists Ysera in protecting Nordrassil from Ragnaros. The arch druid will support the raid by entrapping Ragnaros.
IconNameDescription
Entrapping RootsArch Druid Hamuul Runetotem forms Entrapping Roots at a nearby location. If Ragnaros enters the area of the Entrapping Roots, he will become stunned for 10 sec and take 50% additional damage while stunned.
Malfurion Stormrage
Malfurion Stormrage is an ancient and powerful night elf druid. He leads the army of Cenarius in the Defense of Mount Hyjal against the forces of Ragnaros.

Malfurion will support the raid by protecting players from Dreadflame.
IconNameDescription
CloudburstMalfurion forms a Cloudburst. The players who interacts with the Cloudburst will be surrounded with a Deluge. Deluge makes the player immune to Dreadflame damage, and also allows the player to extinguish any nearby Dreadflame.

In 25 player raids, up to three player can use a single Cloudburst.
DelugeMakes the player immune to Dreadflame damage, and also allows the player to extinguish any nearby Dreadflame.
This article was originally published in forum thread: Encounter Journal Preview started by Boubouille View original post
Comments 179 Comments
  1. Magik505's Avatar
    looks sick
  1. lightmgl's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Ares42 View Post
    Sigh, and just to think that only 5 days ago Michael Morhaime "complained" about people burning through content too fast....
    Which was only a month after the lead game producer announced at GDC that players were moving through the content slower than expected. Morhaime is full of shit and just trying to appease investors. Investors won't know about that GDC comment but they definitely know about Morhaime's one.

    Anyways the DJ isn't really gonna have an effect on anyone except the very first guilds who try to knock over encounters and maybe make it a little easier for the first few who follow after them to get the information from the DJ instead of watching videos and searching the spell database. If anything, I'm hoping Blizzard takes this as a queue to make sure the challenge of the fight relies on the execution and not the gimmicks. Design the fights so that knowing just lets you make attempts without spending the first hour or two figuring out whats going on, but rather figuring out how to execute it.
  1. Beet's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Keristrasza View Post
    I agree its like the 1% of super special "elitist" show offs pay more to play this game than the other 99%? It's why they must cater to the smaller side of the player base, because they can OBVIOUSLY run the entire game off that "enormous" income. They need to change this games name while they are at it ... either to World of Catercraft, or World of Elitistpigcraft.

    Wow.. really? You're the type of player that gives casuals a bad name. I'm not sure why you seem to think players wanting challenges in WoW makes them automatic elitists. Because it doesn't, just FYI.

    Back to the main subject. I think the Encounter Journal is a good idea. It doesn't ruin anything at all and I really cannot believe some people are crying about this being implemented. Just seeing boss abilities doesn't make the fight a joke. I mean look at heroic LK25. People knew every single ability for that fight yet it took many many guilds months to kill him.

    And yeah goodbye Atlas Loot.
  1. mmoc910c888bcd's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Kalsam View Post
    Am I the only one to have caught this faux paus: "Cenarius is a demigod, the son of Malorne and Elune, and the patron of all of Azeroth's druids."

    Cenarius, according to the stories, is the son of Malorne and YSERA. Hence why the Aspect when berserk in the Ancients trilogy when she saw Malorne slaughtered by the demons, and Cenarius wounded. =\
    malorne was killed by archimonde
  1. Puro's Avatar
    Hahahaahhaha, I just check back here for the first time since I quit little over a month ago, and what do I see?
    A useless window to tell you about useless stuff, and Raggy with legs.
    HAEHAHAHA Raggy with legs, what a game, I tell you.
    What a game.
  1. meroko's Avatar
    I realize it's undone and may change but didn't they say Heroic Ragnaros would be completely different than normal? According to this, it only adds a new phase. That's hardly a redone fight. I guess we will see as time progresses but if that is the only change to Heroic Rag I am disappointed.....only because we were promised it would be an original fight on its own.
  1. Alraml's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Puro View Post
    Hahahaahhaha, I just check back here for the first time since I quit little over a month ago, and what do I see?
    A useless window to tell you about useless stuff, and Raggy with legs.
    HAEHAHAHA Raggy with legs, what a game, I tell you.
    What a game.
    Oh you're so cool.
  1. Freese's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Duster505 View Post
    As a player that never looked at a loot table... as a player who always went into a first try with minimal info and let it be a surprise (looked at abilites and strats later).. I find this really sad day.

    It doesn't matter how good or bad the actual coding is. Its good for lootwhores who will now see even better when they can leave a pug in middle of the run. But as part of an immersive game that I personally want to play this is actually one of the worst feature I have ever seen.
    You still don't have to look. And people can look at loot drops from other sources rights now. Ergo, both of your points are invalid.
  1. Puro's Avatar
    I know, because if you can't see how far this game is down the trash can, then you need glasses.
    Ragnaros with legs, I mean come on, I lol'd so hard.
  1. Spoiledkid's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Puro View Post
    Hahahaahhaha, I just check back here for the first time since I quit little over a month ago, and what do I see?
    A useless window to tell you about useless stuff, and Raggy with legs.
    HAEHAHAHA Raggy with legs, what a game, I tell you.
    What a game.
    I guess these things improve others' gaming experience.

    ---------- Post added 2011-05-16 at 04:02 AM ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by Metalfenrir View Post
    No one mentioned the most important aspect of the journal yet. Crabby is in the left hand corner, ready to help us with his friendly advice and commentary!
    I think you were the 8th or something.
  1. Alayea's Avatar
    What caught my attention first when looking at the journal was a certain creature in the upper-left corner. Go Crabby! XD
  1. DaGhostDS's Avatar
    lets make this game easier.. meh :/
  1. tusker's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Nienniora View Post
    lets make this game easier.. meh :/
    Seriously? This information is widely available anyway. You've got to be kidding. Even if it did make the game "easier" would that be a bad thing to those crying the game is too hard?
  1. good diu bro's Avatar
    So that crab wasnt an april fool! Aw we should have known that we wont get 3 april fool jokes in a year.

    Quote Originally Posted by Xcruiser View Post
    This is just to give people who said the Encounter Journal doesn't provide enough information from which to generate loose strategies:
    - Magma Trap is a new ability. Players should be mindful of not standing in locations that could create a line of Magma Traps that would otherwise limit your ability to move freely around Ragnaros' platform (as these apparently persist for "the remainder of the battle").
    I suspect we have to alternate members to eat the trap.

    - Move around the platform in CW or CCW fashion as Living Meteors come down so they are always trailing you. They will essentially be "kite killed" by ranged DPS.
    Depends, it might use the prince setback council's mechanics in ICC.

    - Hamuul will most likely place Entrapping Roots on the ground and you must kite/navigate Ragnaros towards them to trap him for additional damage/immobilization. This is reminiscent of Maiev's traps during the Illidan encounter(BT) or the Crystals against Ossirian the Unscarred (AQ20).
    Oh raggy, what big legs you got?
    All the better to trap me with!
    Thats sound stupid, he can simply sit there and empowering his sulfuras while telling us to face him or get wtfpwned.
  1. KnickKnack's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Crazia View Post
    Thanks for ruining another fun aspect of the game Blizzard.... good job
    Yeah, it is fun to have to always have PuG's in dungeon finder to not know the fights.
  1. Amazad's Avatar
    they're kidding right ?
  1. Puro's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Spoiledkid View Post
    I guess these things improve others' gaming experience. [COLOR="red"]
    Yes, Ragnaros with legs sure improves the game a lot.

    Quote Originally Posted by tusker View Post
    Seriously? This information is widely available anyway. You've got to be kidding. Even if it did make the game "easier" would that be a bad thing to those crying the game is too hard?
    If people thinks this game is hard they have to start playing something else, they are just not up for the "challenges" this game delivers.
    I lol'd, this game, hard.. haha.
  1. sabrelime's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by meroko View Post
    I realize it's undone and may change but didn't they say Heroic Ragnaros would be completely different than normal? According to this, it only adds a new phase. That's hardly a redone fight. I guess we will see as time progresses but if that is the only change to Heroic Rag I am disappointed.....only because we were promised it would be an original fight on its own.
    They said specifically that the legs were for a special heroic only PHASE, they have never said a completely different fight.
  1. Puremallace's Avatar
    I am confused how people see this is as a bad thing? People do realize before you were relying on some bubba to update a add-on every patch and now blizzard does it for you. It has been there for as long as even I was playing WoW and I stopped a long time ago.
  1. DaGhostDS's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by tusker View Post
    Seriously? This information is widely available anyway. You've got to be kidding. Even if it did make the game "easier" would that be a bad thing to those crying the game is too hard?
    yet its not needed havent used any "raid encounter tools" since ulduar and i rarely ask for a strat or look on wowhead i just learn it, anyway its like any fight they are not bringing much new to the table these day, they have done it all already.

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