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. Viradiance's Avatar
    I am disappointed.

    As a DPS, I am at a disadvantage soloing some content to receive these mounts to begin with. Now they are being offered as a reward to tanks, who already have instant queues and are payed small fortunes of gold to tank a single heroic.

    I am now rather upset with Blizzard. : /. It's a lazy solution and a simple bandage to a simple problem: It's not that there aren't enough tanks, it's that there aren't enough classes that CAN tank. Like the aesthetics of being a Shaman, but want to tank? Too bad. "Hybridizing" all the pure classes, though it would admittedly be a bitch to balance, would help to solve this problem a lot.

    EDIT: Also, first; my first first. A first of firsts. Sorry, had to get that out of my system!
  1. Buckwald's Avatar
    The rage about the mounts will be insurmountable! I still plan on solo'ing those instances though.
  1. flepser's Avatar
    Lol, I already got those mounts, guess I"ll just stick to healing instead of tanking.
  1. LoLHellcy's Avatar
    Yes..........
    oh yes
  1. MustacheSnowglobe's Avatar
    This is actually pretty cool.
  1. Merin's Avatar
    More bloat for 4.1, a new feature each week, no bugs being fixed. This TOTALLY isn't a ploy to delay 4.1 launch in order for their skeleton crew to work on the unfinished Firelands!

    so much for quicker patching, we're on a slower schedule than WOTLK but with LESS content.
  1. Myci's Avatar
    o.0
    And then i roll a tank
  1. Khalai's Avatar
    Well time to swap from Holy offset to the Prot offset. Heroic groups will feel the wrath of my inadequate tank gear.
  1. Zahlan's Avatar
    Would have been a cool idea to me with just the gold/gems/flasks but the added benefit of a small chance to get a mount or pet could make this a fun thing to do while jumping in org.
  1. Poxxy's Avatar
    So I can pretty much expect to never get this on my pure-DPS class characters? :/
  1. Dominating's Avatar
    Incoming: Rage from purists who feel they're entitled to those mounts only because they waste their lives grind soloing those dungeons.

    I see this as a great change, and ultimately it's gonna lower queue times, which is what matters. Also, moar lewt is always a good thing!
  1. absurdgamertag's Avatar
    So, if i play a mage, i get no chance to get the new rewards?
  1. Kakaza's Avatar
    what?!?!?! -_-
  1. Inimicus's Avatar
    Honestly, I think it's a pretty solid idea. For max geared tanks, there is absolutely no incentive to run Random heroics, this might alleviate some of the queue times, while also increasing the general quality of players queueing
  1. awayfromlife's Avatar
    I dont usually complain about changes; but offering mounts like is a bad call.
  1. Rawryah's Avatar
    Fun fun, another way to fuck my hunter over sideways.
  1. asb's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Boubouille View Post
    Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker)
    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.
    Why didn't they fix that for this expansion then? If the DPS role is a free ride, why don't they reconsider their DPS requirement tuning? o_o
  1. illindarious's Avatar
    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?
  1. Grumar's Avatar
    so tanks/heals get a chance at mounts/pets just for playing the game? how about making another call to arms for BGs that give these rewards to PvPers, i mean there just playing the game like they like to, why not give them rewards
  1. msbxghost's Avatar
    time to make my drood offspec feral

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