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Flying Feedback
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
I have read all of your tweets, and will continue to. Thank you very much for the outpouring of feedback. (Muffinus)

It's a holiday weekend here so there won't be an immediate response, but please know you aren't being ignored. (WatcherDev)
Reading everything. Even the harsh things. Especially the harsh things. I understand you just want to keep enjoying a game you love. (WatcherDev)

Even now, I'm wasting words when the decision was made long ago and won't ever change to introduce flying.
I'm curious - why do you assume the decision was made long ago? I'm sorry you think we've just been lying all this time. (WatcherDev)

you realize most of the post has turned into just flaming you guys because months of real feedback was ignored right?
There is a massive difference between "ignored" and "disagreed with." (CM_Lore)

Patch 6.2 - Archimonde Preview
Today we are taking a look at Archimonde, the final Hellfire Citadel boss. He drops three cloth items which look like his gear and can be used for transmog: Demon Prince's Ascendant Crown, Mantle of the Eredar Lord and Demonbuckle Sash of Argus. He also drops trinkets for each class with spec specific effects.




Level Type Spec Name Model Viewer
100Mount Felsteel Annihilator
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705Neck World Ender's Gorget
705Trinket Reaper's Harvest
705Trinket Seed of Creation
705Trinket Talisman of the Master Tracker
705Trinket Tome of Shifting Words
705Trinket Sacred Draenic Incense
705Trinket Libram of Vindication
705Trinket Repudiation of War
705Trinket Bleeding Hollow Toxin Vessel
705Trinket Core of the Primal Elements
705Trinket Fragment of the Dark Star
705Trinket Worldbreaker's Resolve
685Trinket Grasp of the Defiler
685TrinketAll Strength Unquenchable Doomfire Censer
685TrinketHealer Decree of Demonic Sovereignty
705NeckAll Agility Choker of the Great Betrayer
685TrinketAll Agility Pressure-Compressed Loop
685TrinketAll Intellect Portent of Disaster
705BackAll Strength Cloak of Incendiary Wrath
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705ClothAll Intellect Demon Prince's Ascendant Crown
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685ClothAll Intellect Voidsight Hood
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705ClothAll Intellect Mantle of the Eredar Lord
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685ClothAll Intellect Felfume Robes
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705ClothAll Intellect Demonbuckle Sash of Argus
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685Leather Ironpelt Jerkin
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705Leather Waistwrap of Banishment
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685Leather Shadeflesh Legguards
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705Leather Felfinger Runegloves
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685Mail Rancorbite Chain Shirt
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705Mail Eredar Fel-Chain Gloves
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685Mail Vintage Draenic Handguards
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705Plate Doomcrier's Shoulderplates
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685Plate Demonbreaker Chestplate
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705Plate Treads of the Defiler
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685Plate Stompers of Echoing Doom
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705One-handed MaceAll Intellect Gavel of the Eredar
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705Two-handed SwordAll Strength Calamity's Edge
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685Two-handed SwordAll Strength Greatsword of Chaos
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705StaffAll Intellect Edict of Argus
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685StaffAll Intellect Fractured Soulgem Staff
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Originally Posted by MMO-Champion
One of the original eredar who betrayed the draenei of Argus to take his place as the sinister hand of the dark titan Sargeras, Archimonde the Defiler commands the military might of the Burning Legion. He arrives in Draenor, reaching across space and time, to ensure that the invasion of Azeroth proceeds as planned, and that Gul'dan does not fail his Legion masters.

  • Overview - Archimonde assaults players with the might of the Burning Legion, gaining new abilities each time his health is reduced by 15%, eventually summoning Rain of Chaos to destroy Draenor. When a player is launched into the air by Fel Burst, their allies must catch them to avoid fatal damage. As Archimonde Desecrates the land, players must protect themselves with the Light of the Naaru. When Archimonde reaches 40% health remaining, he begins to cast Nether Banish, sending players to the Twisting Nether.
    • Damage Dealers -
      • Destroy Doomfire Spirits quickly before they create too much Doomfire.
      • Wrought Chaos inflicts heavy damage if aimed towards other players.
      • Shackled Torment inflicts lethal raidwide damage if mutliple shackles are broken at once.
      • Infernal Doombringers will begin to cast Hellfire if not killed quickly.
    • Healers -
    • Tanks -
      • Death Brand inflicts massive initial damage and periodic damage until Hellfire Deathcallers are killed.
      • Nether Banish sends tanks to the Twisting Nether along with any other players within 10 yards.
  • Phase 1: The Defiler
    • Doomfire - Archimonde summons a Doomfire Spirit that persists until it is killed. While alive, the spirit will create a line of Doomfire that will pursue a player for 10 sec. before choosing a new target.

      Doomfire inflicts 10,700 Fire damage every second for 8 sec. to players that come into contact with it. This effect stacks.
    • Allure of Flames - Archimonde instantly pulls all Doomfire to several player's locations.
    • Shadow Burst - Archimonde knocks a player and their allies within 8 yards high into the air. All players knocked into the air explode for 388,773 Shadow damage, split evenly among all players within 8 yards when they land.
    • Death Brand - Archimonde brands his target, summoning a Hellfire Deathcaller, inflicting 342,732 Shadow damage and an additional 59,895 Shadow every second until the Hellfire Deathcaller is killed.
      • Hellfire Deathcaller
        • Shadow Blast - Hellfire Deathcallers blast several players with demonic energy, inflicting 71,450 Shadow damage and increasing their Shadow damage taken by 25% for 30 sec. This effect stacks.
    • Demonic Art: Desecration - When Archimonde reaches 85% health remaining, he summons corruption that erupts from the ground.
      • Desecrate - Archimonde desecrates the land, inflicting 143,000 Physical damage to all players within 10 yards of the targeted location, summoning a spire of corruption. The spire inflicts 50,000 Shadow damage every 3 sec. to all players.

        Each active spire increases the damage done by Desecration.
      • Yrel -
        • Light of the Naaru - Yrel shatters a spire of desecration, creating orbs of light that persist for 30 sec. Each orb will grant all players within 12 yards the Light of the Naaru for 20 sec., protecting them from all Shadow damage taken and increasing movement speed by 40%.
        • Purifying Light - When Archimonde is weakened, Yrel summons the light to destroy all spires of desecration.
  • Phase 2: Hand of the Legion - When Archimonde reaches 70% health remaining, he calls on new powers to destroy his enemies.
    • Shackled Torment - Archimonde torments the souls of 3 random players inflicting 17,900 Shadow damage every second until they are more than 30 yards from their soul. This effect increases by 10% with every tick.

      When removed, Unleashed Torment inflicts 60,700 Shadow damage to all players.
      • Unleashed Torment - Shackled Souls explode inflicting 60,700 Shadow damage to all players when Shackled Torment is broken.
    • Wrought Chaos - Archimonde brands a player with several stacks of chaotic energy that explodes after 5 sec. The explosion inflicts 130,800 Fire damage to any player in a straight line towards the target of Focused Chaos.

      Wrought Chaos jumps to the target of Focused Chaos with one less stack when it expires.
    • Allure of Flames - Archimonde instantly pulls all Doomfire to several player's locations.
    • Death Brand - Archimonde brands his target, summoning a Hellfire Deathcaller, inflicting 342,732 Shadow damage and an additional 59,895 Shadow every second until the Hellfire Deathcaller is killed.
      • Hellfire Deathcaller
        • Shadow Blast - Hellfire Deathcallers blast several players with demonic energy, inflicting 71,450 Shadow damage and increasing their Shadow damage taken by 25% for 30 sec. This effect stacks.
    • Demonic Art: Vanguard of the Legion - When Archimonde reaches 55% health remaining, he summons the vanguard of the Burning Legion.
      • Felborne Overfiend
        • Heart of Argus - Felborne Overfiends unleash the Flames of Argus each time their health is reduced by 25%. This effect inflicts 32,100 Fire damage to all players.
      • Dreadstalker
        • Consume Magic - Dreadstalkers teleport to a random player and unleash a shrill cry, inflicting 85,600 Shadow damage to all players within 8 yards. This effect interrupts spell casts for 3 sec.
  • Phase 3: The Twisting Nether - When Archimonde reaches 40% health remaining, he calls on the Twisting Nether to destroy his enemies.
    • Demonic Feedback - Archimonde inflicts 60,700 Shadow to all players and an additional 60,700 Shadow damage to all players within 6 yards of each player hit.
    • Shackled Torment - Archimonde torments the souls of 3 random players inflicting 17,900 Shadow damage every second until they are more than 30 yards from their soul. This effect increases by 10% with every tick.

      When removed, Unleashed Torment inflicts 60,700 Shadow damage to all players.
      • Unleashed Torment - Shackled Souls explode inflicting 60,700 Shadow damage to all players when Shackled Torment is broken.
    • Wrought Chaos - Archimonde brands a player with several stacks of chaotic energy that explodes after 5 sec. The explosion inflicts 130,800 Fire damage to any player in a straight line towards the target of Focused Chaos.

      Wrought Chaos jumps to the target of Focused Chaos with one less stack when it expires.
    • Nether Banish - Archimonde marks his current target, banishing them and everything within 8 yards to the Twisting Nether after 5 sec. When banished, a Nether Portal is torn open at the player's location, periodically summoning Living Shadows for the remainder of the fight.
      • Living Shadow - Living Shadow periodically spawn from the Nether Portal and attack players.

        Each time a Living Shadow spawns from a portal, the rate at which they spawn is increased.
        • Devour Life - Living Shadows devour life from their target, inflicting 160,650 Shadow damage and reducing their healing and absorption received by 20% for 45 sec. This act destroys the Living Shadow.
    • The Nether
      • Nether Storm - Storms form in the nether that inflict 35,700 Fire damage to all players within the targeted area every second.
      • Nether Corruption - The Twisting Nether corrupts all players, inflicting 5,360 Shadow damage every 2 sec., increasing damage taken from Nether Corruption by 5% for 60 sec. This effect stacks.
      • Void Star -
        • Void Star - Void Stars form in the Twisting Nether, fixating on a random player. If the star reaches its target, it explodes knocking all players within 15 yards away.
        • Dark Pursuit - Empowered by the Twisting Nether, increasing movement speed by 35% every 5 seconds.
      • Shadowed Netherwalker -
        • Touch of Shadows - Shadowed Netherwalks unleash a wave a shadows, inflicting 125,000 Shadow damage to all players in the Twisting Nether.
        • Collapsing Void - The Twisting Nether collapses around Shadowed Netherwalkers when they die, creating a rift that will teleport players back to Draenor.
    • Demonic Art: Rain of Chaos - When Archimonde reaches 25% health remaining, he summons a massive meteor to destroy Draenor.
      • Rain of Chaos - Archimonde calls down a rain of meteors to destroy Draenor that inflicts 71,500 Fire damage to all players with each impact. This effect is reduced the farther away a player is from the point of impact.
        • Infernal Doombringer - Periodically the meteor impacts from Rain of Chaos will reform as Infernal Doombringers.
          • Eternal Flame - Infernal Doombringers smolder with intense heat that heals any other Infernal Doombringer within 15 yards for 8% of their maximum health every second.
          • Hellfire - Infernal Doombringers radiate Hellfire when they reach full energy, inflicting 46,450 Fire damage to all players within 40 yards every second.
  • Phase 3: The Twisting Nether - When Archimonde reaches 40% health remaining, he transcends. All of his enemies are drawn helplessly into the Twisting Nether, an endless, chaotic space from which few have ever returned...



Patch 6.2 - Class Balancing
Originally Posted by Watcher (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
We have not yet done a final numerical class/spec balance pass. Many of initial changes in the first PTR patch notes were aimed at correcting stat weighting imbalances. Feedback isn't being ignored; it's just being supplemented with lots of useful data from PTR testing that we're continuing to gather, and then numbers tweaks will follow.

Blue Tweets
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
Patch 6.2
Will we be able to test the legendary rings on the PTR? There are a few unclear mechanic interactions to test.
We don't currently plan to put the legendary rings on the PTR. (WarcraftDevs)

Patch 5.2 kept me occupied for months with all the crap it had. 6.2 will last a week.
What do you feel Isle of Thunder has that Tanaan lacks? (WatcherDev)

Any plans for an Ogre Waygate in Tanaan Jungle?
Yes! Look for it in either the next PTR build or the one after. (WarcraftDevs)

PvE
When are you going to tune the Pandaria dungeons so we can solo? On that same note, what about the raids?
As player power grows naturally with new tiers and expansions, you’ll be able to solo more old content. Same as always. (WarcraftDevs)

Professions
Why are Lunkers unique 5? It's annoying having to go back every 5 lunkers.
The unique 5 restriction will be lifted in 6.2. (WarcraftDevs)

Do I need JC as an equipped prof to access the Arakkoa questline in tanaan for gems in 6.2? I have the JC garr. building
Yes, being trained in Jewelcrafting will be a prerequisite. (WarcraftDevs)

Reputation / Questing
You got story now through the Garrison Campaign, but it's not linked to Apexis dailies at all. wrong move IMHO.
Thanks, this is great, constructive feedback. (WatcherDev)

Misc
Really disappointing your the lead designer for WoW. I'm sure a lot of people agree with me. Your focus is completely off :/
Just saying: _A_ lead designer. Not _THE_ lead designer. We have a number of leads, all with different focuses and specialties. (WatcherDev)
Just because a single interview doesn't address every concern doesn't mean those concerns have fallen on deaf ears. (WatcherDev)
I could probably ramble for an hour about mistakes made and lessons learned, but the nature of an interview is a focused Q&A. (WatcherDev)

Curious what AMR does for that problem now. Back on Rawr, we (mostly Kavan) built a genetic algorithm for it. (Celestalon)
We use a branch and bound technique with some cleverness. We then tested it against a brute-force method that combed EVERY combo
Cool. I experimented with things like that, but I always ran into problems with cases where you had to take several... (Celestalon)
...individual downgrades in a row, followed by a large individual downgrade, in order to find a net upgrade. (Celestalon)
That occurred most commonly with combinations of hit caps, talent points, and especially set bonuses. Hard problems to optimize! (Celestalon)

Ghostcrawler Tweets
Remember that Ghostcrawler no longer works for or speaks for Blizzard.
Originally Posted by MMO-Champion
No More Flying
What are you thoughts on blizzard's decision about Flying?
Resilience will fix it? (OccupyGStreet)

What's your stand on the "no more flying in WoW" stance the devs have taken?
As a developer, I always applaud bold moves over feeling paralyzed by the weight of the status quo. (OccupyGStreet)
Even if you don't like a particular change, you should want people unafraid to make bold decisions running your game. (OccupyGStreet)



Overwatch - McCree Gameplay
We got another look at Overwatch gameplay this week with the release of some McCree footage.

This article was originally published in forum thread: Flying Feedback, Archimonde Preview, 6.2 Class Balance, Tweets, Overwatch Gameplay started by chaud View original post
Comments 107 Comments
  1. Xerfall's Avatar
    So this means Archimonde will be the final boss of the expansion? No Gul'dan or Grommash?! That just sucks!
  1. Gotrik's Avatar
    Notice how Blizzard made this announcement on a Holiday Weekend, while the stock market is still closed, and will be closed for an extra day?
  1. TheHodedOne's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Luji View Post
    So this means Archimonde will be the final boss of the expansion? No Gul'dan or Grommash?! That just sucks!
    The entire expansion sucks, not to mention the Dev team behind it.
  1. Tread's Avatar
    you realize most of the post has turned into just flaming you guys because months of real feedback was ignored right?
    There is a massive difference between "ignored" and "disagreed with." (CM_Lore)
    So let me get this straight, a few devs disagree with loads of feedback from THOUNSANDS of players? For me it's the same thing as ignoring. If thousands of people think there are multiple things wrong with this game, then maybe it's time to pull your head out of your ass and actually start listening what players want and not few devs in the office think?
  1. Zabatakis's Avatar
    Pretty sure I read Grom dies fighting archimond.
  1. Venziir's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Luji View Post
    So this means Archimonde will be the final boss of the expansion? No Gul'dan or Grommash?! That just sucks!
    Gul'dan is part of the Legendary questline and Grommash does a 180 and helps us.
  1. mmoc466b12be68's Avatar
    and yet again, nothing useful for the pvp community. yet again, ignored and yet again, another shitty season to look forward to!
  1. mmoc9a58a87011's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Luji View Post
    So this means Archimonde will be the final boss of the expansion? No Gul'dan or Grommash?! That just sucks!
    Where did they say that? you must been reading something different than me.

    This is what they said in a post earlier on MMO •Is Patch 6.2 the final content patch? "We've got plenty of more story to be told after this"

    Maybe read up before you QQ and make a statement that isnt true.
  1. smackfan's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Luji View Post
    So this means Archimonde will be the final boss of the expansion? No Gul'dan or Grommash?! That just sucks!
    Not necessarily true. They have confirmed 6.2 will not be the last content patch of WoD so I'm expecting a patch with another raid where we will fight Grommash and this will lead into the next expansion where gul'dan will be the main villain. Just my opinion though.
  1. mmocf07314a97b's Avatar
    Wait, what? Why do you think Archimonde is the final boss of the expansion? Didnt they say that another patch will be coming (supposedly with more raid content)?
  1. Zabatakis's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by smackfan View Post
    Not necessarily true. They have confirmed 6.2 will not be the last content patch of WoD so I'm expecting a patch with another raid where we will fight Grommash and this will lead into the next expansion where gul'dan will be the main villain. Just my opinion though.
    I missed that confirmation. Or are you talking about the "plenty more story to tell" comment? Because that was pretty ambiguous even by blizz standards.
  1. Redfroggy's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Luji View Post
    So this means Archimonde will be the final boss of the expansion? No Gul'dan or Grommash?! That just sucks!
    After completing the garrison quest chain I knew Grom would never be a boss we fight. I think he's going to realize who the real enemy is and turn the Iron Horde against Gul'dan and the Burning Legion.
  1. Xerfall's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by fyl View Post
    Where did they say that? you must been reading something different than me.

    This is what they said in a post earlier on MMO •Is Patch 6.2 the final content patch? "We've got plenty of more story to be told after this"

    Maybe read up before you QQ and make a statement that isnt true.
    Yes, I read it. But does that mean necessarily that "there will be another raid"?
    For all I know, last few expansions, end boss is the one who drops a mount, and Archimonde in this case does drop the mount! I know it's not the most "scientific" way to build my conclusion on, but it's something.
  1. Shampro's Avatar
    Clearly the dude in the first comment is pretty much clueless when it comes to the current Story. Why would you want Grom as the final boss when hes clearly fighting for the same cause as us, killing the legion and stopping Gul'dan?(watch the 6.1 cinematic) We don't know what Gul'dan will do, but why would you want Grom as the final boss instead of Archimonde, makes no sense.
  1. Xerfall's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Heretias View Post
    Wait, what? Why do you think Archimonde is the final boss of the expansion? Didnt they say that another patch will be coming (supposedly with more raid content)?
    They did say "we've plenty more story to tell", which doesn't necessarily translate to a new raid. If we compare to MoP, Tanaan Jungle is the new Timelss Isle, Hellfire is the new SoO.
  1. mmoc56c829a066's Avatar
    Damn Overwatch looks fun! <3
  1. Xerfall's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Shampro View Post
    Clearly the dude in the first comment is pretty much clueless when it comes to the current Story. Why would you want Grom as the final boss when hes clearly fighting for the same cause as us, killing the legion and stopping Gul'dan?(watch the 6.1 cinematic) We don't know what Gul'dan will do, but why would you want Grom as the final boss instead of Archimonde, makes no sense.
    I didn't say I want Grommash specifically, I actually want Gul'dan, but even Grommash would make a more suitable expansion end boss than Archimonde!
    Seriously, how can Archimonde even be the end boss?! He wasn't featured in the story so far, we'll just see him for the first time in Hellfire! Gul'dan should be the final boss not some sort of a twisted Eredar!
  1. mmoc56c829a066's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Tread View Post
    So let me get this straight, a few devs disagree with loads of feedback from THOUNSANDS of players? For me it's the same thing as ignoring. If thousands of people think there are multiple things wrong with this game, then maybe it's time to pull your head out of your ass and actually start listening what players want and not few devs in the office think?
    Not to defend Blizzard or anything, but even a hundred loud posters on the forums are nothing compared to the whole playerbase. Perfect example is Wildstar. So many many many loud people on the forums who wanted hard raids, 40 man etc etc. and what exactly did that bring? A complete failure.

    Forums never ever ever mean real feedback simply because it's a video game. People who enjoy it, play it. And millions of people seems to enjoy it since they pay for the subscription.

    So you have millions of paying customers and maybe 100 players who whine on the forums?
  1. Shampro's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Luji View Post
    I didn't say I want Grommash specifically, I actually want Gul'dan, but even Grommash would make a more suitable expansion end boss than Archimonde!
    Seriously, how can Archimonde even be the end boss?! He wasn't featured in the story so far, we'll just see him for the first time in Hellfire! Gul'dan should be the final boss not some sort of a twisted Eredar!
    You have no idea who Archimonde is if you just call him 'some twisted eredar'. Absolutely no idea, so I'm not wasting my time. And FYI he was featured in vision in Talador, but whatever.
  1. CasCrow's Avatar
    I'm glad that blizz is not catering to the loud people on the forums. But those loud people need to realize chances are very high flying will be back in the future. How far in the future is unanswerable question. I couldn't care less about flying just the loud people need to glue their lips shut (cut off their fingers?).

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Luji View Post
    I didn't say I want Grommash specifically, I actually want Gul'dan, but even Grommash would make a more suitable expansion end boss than Archimonde!
    Seriously, how can Archimonde even be the end boss?! He wasn't featured in the story so far, we'll just see him for the first time in Hellfire! Gul'dan should be the final boss not some sort of a twisted Eredar!
    Lemme guess you were one of the people in SoO hoping the end boss of WoD wasn't going to be another orc and now yer fighting for an orc end-boss over a big corrupt space goat.

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