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. konflick's Avatar
    this is a good change i have both a healer and tank at max gear level and i dont need valor points so this is a nice incentive for me to get back into heroics on both my characters and maybe a good reward for having to deal with undergeared/skilled players that have to have their hands held and carried. I personally hate doing heroics because most of the time people dont know what their doing even after having to explain it 10x so if i can get a better reward for my effort to lead a group of halfwitts im down ( no offense to anyone but their are a lot of bad people that play)
  1. Bucky Mclachlan's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by lvlark View Post
    That right there. Might be harder though. However why do tanks and healers feel more responsibility? Because wipes tend to be blamed on them.
    Maybe because for the most part your tanks and healers are 100% in control of a groups ability to successfully get past encounters and dps just plays whack-a-mole?
  1. mmoc52d48f0c21's Avatar
    That is not true, blizzard fails to see or juts cba to work on the actual reason of the problem. Being a dps main but with loads of level 85 alts from which I play either tank or healer where it's possible, I can pretty much say this has nothing to do with stress and responsibility.

    My most played tank alt, semi raid geared, paladin can pretty much aoe tank all hc pulls by now wotlk style, add a competent hunter or rogue and agro issues are out of the window, completely brainless and boring, big responsibility.

    As I healer, from experimentation in guild runs, a dps with even out of combat self healing abilities can pretty much be ignored for an entire run if he plays really competently in most cases. Keeping a geared enough tank alive with both having 333/346 gear? No big dead, add 1-2 dps focusing really good on taking as much damage as possible in any given situation and then blaming you for not keeping them alive and then having to argue/qq with them and their numbness? That now is something that can put a healer off...

    And to many above, no, playing a dps class at it's max potential, meaning not getting agro, taking as less damage as possible while doing your max dps for your given gear in any situation is equally or more demanding, the difference in 5 mans at least is that it's not the end of the world if you don't do it but it's certainly noticeable and annoying to any semi experienced player...
  1. maquiladora's Avatar
    its actually a good solution, and any dps whining is simply to lazy to tank.

    blizzard is completely right about the fact, that tanking means carrying more responsibility - you have to be concentrated throughout the run unless you have a full epic healer carrying you through.

    some people suggested, that it would help to tune up the dps requirements for random dungeons then - but that wouldn't work, as dps are notorious slackers and will rather wipe 3 hours or leave than improve their game.
    in the end it will be tanks and healers again, carrying bad dps through the dungeon.

    obviously its not the best solution, but blizzard is quite right - when i decide to tank a random dungeon, i rather pick up 4 guildmates or 4 people from my realm - going completely random often resulted in neverending frustration.

    i do predict though, that a lot of bad tanks might also start tanking again.
  1. Bucky Mclachlan's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Rokmarr View Post
    See you misread what I said, I said the SAME THING AS EVERYONE ELSE. I used atramedes as an example. And as far as just standing there, you usually do in heroics.
    I did not misread what you said. You don't get it. The tank is never JUST sitting there. EVER. The tank is in control of the fight and always trying to maintain that control. He is positioning things for you to be able to dps them without dying. He is taking damage for the group. Never just sitting there. EVER. Got it?
  1. Rokmarr's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Bucky Mclachlan View Post
    Maybe because for the most part your tanks and healers are 100% in control of a groups ability to successfully get past encounters and dps just plays whack-a-mole?
    So for example, if we just randomly attack things and don't say, kill the healing mob, everything goes according to plan right? Because all dps do is shoot stuff and never bring anything to help right? We don't buff you like crazy or have any knowledge on priority targets at all. Come on man, we don't all have our heads up our *ss.
  1. Skippert's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Rokmarr View Post
    See you misread what I said, I said the SAME THING AS EVERYONE ELSE. I used atramedes as an example. And as far as just standing there, you usually do in heroics. Not exactly hard boss mechanics there guy. Raids are different. You may have to press a few buttons to taunt, or perhaps pop a CD. But how often will a boss go running off unless your tps is shit? Especially with rogues and hunters, (both DPS if you didnt know.) buffing your tps like crazy. You may have to kite something oh damn magmaw and cho'gall say hi. I kite adds on both those fights as a dps while one tank is on cho and the other picks up adds and occasionally swaps. Same with putricide. You can't tell me you are more responsible, maybe you should roll a dps. This is about heroics and how it is equally easy for all. Those of you tanks who talk about selfish, roll a dps for a day and try to random a heroic. Then go back to your tank and say,"Man that really sucked, let me do my part as a TANK to help out my fellow players."
    I don't see you talking about healing, with a reason probably. Healing might actually be harder than both DPS AND tanking.
  1. zeock's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Buttered Toast View Post
    Well....

    time to get back to tanking in 4.1
    This.

    more tanks = shorter que times for dps

    and DO NOT take this as a punishment for being a dps, think of it as a small leverage for fulfilling a role that is seemingly very unattractive at this stage in game.



    Extra rewards for tanks and shorter que times for dps, it's a win-win.

    Why are you guys complaining?
  1. Morsetlis's Avatar
    As a player with four tank/heal alts and two pure dps alts, I see absolutely no problem with this.

    Complain moar.
  1. Bucky Mclachlan's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Rokmarr View Post
    So for example, if we just randomly attack things and don't say, kill the healing mob, everything goes according to plan right? Because all dps do is shoot stuff and never bring anything to help right? We don't buff you like crazy or have any knowledge on priority targets at all. Come on man, we don't all have our heads up our *ss.
    You playing right has nothing to do with the fact that tanks and healers do have much more responsibility on an encounter. You just don't get it. Play a healer or tank and you'll figure it out.
  1. Rokmarr's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Bucky Mclachlan View Post
    I did not misread what you said. You don't get it. The tank is never JUST sitting there. EVER. The tank is in control of the fight and always trying to maintain that control. He is positioning things for you to be able to dps them without dying. He is taking damage for the group. Never just sitting there. EVER. Got it?
    Again, heroics man. How hard is it for your feeble brain to comprehend? How often as a gear tank do you do anything at all but hit things to keep them on you and soak hits? Most fights last less than two minutes and you're saying you need to be more aware than a dps in that? Face it, you are no better than a dps or healer. So what you have to drag something a few yards? Amazing I have to worship your greatness now. Maybe you should think about the point I'm making before you say anything. It's not you and your tanking awesomeness that makes or breaks a group, I've carried hella bad tanks on dps strength and misdirect/tricks.
  1. mmoc634c1cdef7's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by patcherke View Post
    Sure, as if those DPS even have time to go solo those instances. We cannot do those while we are queuing in the LFD for half an hour.
    Actually we can. I do it all the time - pop over to say hi to Skadi while waiting for my random Heroic.
  1. mmoc1841a88e3d's Avatar
    good stuff. i only hope that it doesnt drive too many "6k-dps-with-345ish-gear-idiots" into the tank role. thats my only concern.
  1. mmoc7c5925fb1b's Avatar
    Woah... I don't know what to think of this. I really wouldn't of been surprised if this was announced a few days ago (April 1st)...
    I agree that it will shorten DPS queue's a lot, there's no doubting that, because high geared Tanks who like mount farming will start queueing for Random Heroics again, so not only will the queue's be shorter, but you've got more chance of getting a decent Tank. Not only this, but it will encourage more players (who like mount farming) to start Tanking. I just don't know if I think that going about it this way is a good idea, unless they made the rewards BoA. I collect all my mounts, titles and achievements on my Priest, I'd love to get any of those mount rewards for him, but unless there becomes a Healer shortage (enough to activate Call to Arms: Healer) it doesn't look like I'll be getting Deathcharger's Reins for a while.
  1. mmoc40a66acc0c's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Rokmarr View Post
    So for example, if we just randomly attack things and don't say, kill the healing mob, everything goes according to plan right? Because all dps do is shoot stuff and never bring anything to help right? We don't buff you like crazy or have any knowledge on priority targets at all. Come on man, we don't all have our heads up our *ss.
    Because the majority of the DPS do this right ?
  1. Skippert's Avatar
    Why do we even discuss responsibility of tank/healers?

    WoW has a much bigger problem: tanking and healing is not very exiting (DPS isn't either imo, but it's more 'tasty' to many)

    Healing can require extreme focus, but in the end it's still for the most part: a THANKLESS job. When someone dies, you get the shit. When people stay alive, they keep silent. When someone's DPS is crap, most people don't even bother saying anything about it, or don't have a dmg meter. Besides that, healing still is mostly, watching some bars and filling them up. Nothing's really changed that much since Vanilla in terms of pure actual COMBAT mechanics.

    With tanking/healing, you can either: do your job, or: fail (you lose threat, you place the boss the wrong way, people die). With DPS, you can do more than your job and that's to do more dps than others. You can't keep the boss "harder on yourself" when the other tank can keep agro as well. With DPS, there's more of a competition element.

    How to solve this? A totally new game.
  1. Maliander's Avatar
    The advantage of (marginally?) lower queue times and happier tanks does not seem to outweigh the disadvantages:
    * Will discourage tanks to queue with guildies. This is a pretty big one, every time one or more guildies que with a tank, he's being screwed out of a nice rewardbag.
    * Will make pures feel even more disadvantaged. My main is a mage and already has a hard enough time getting into groups. I could run heroics on my tank alts, but that still doesn't get me the really interesting mount/pet rewards on the character I care about, my main.

    Potential solutions would be to allow tanks to retain the reward bag when queueing with guildies and to make the rewarded mounts/pets BoA (but consumed upon use). The former solution may have a small impact on queue time reduction for non-guilded DPS, the latter may be hard to technically implement.
  1. Raur0s's Avatar
    I can't believe the stupidity of the WoW community. It really is beyond anything in terms of retardness...

    First everyone QQs about how the long times, even thou the issue is easy to solve like a wooden plow.

    Now Blizzard got fed up with the enormous whine so they bribe the people to resolve the issue, and now it's the greatest shitstorm I've seen in like 3 years...

    Some facts for you whiners:
    - You got what you've been asking for like 2 years, your queue will be shorter -> You have a pretty fucking big reward
    - As a result of the above, you will gear up faster
    - The rare mount are retardedly easy to come by, not to mention that most of them are in the game for 4 or more years, if you really wanted it, you would get it already.
    - If someone joins just for the mount, chances are, he/she will be a tank, thus he/she is HELPING you. Now it is kinda dumb to help strangers just for free, isn't it.
  1. konflick's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by stevorino View Post
    good stuff. i only hope that it doesnt drive too many "6k-dps-with-345ish-gear-idiots" into the tank role. thats my only concern.
    as long as you got a good healer i dont see this as a problem as it is the healer who carries the group most of the time anyway no matter how bad a tank is
  1. Riavan's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by roflwaffle View Post
    so anyone who only dps's or heals wont ever be able to get this benefit since tanks are ALWAYS guna be the Call To Arms : /
    I do not get how you guys are seeing it this way, you benefit by having more tanks, hence, getting into instances quicker. It's not like the items from this bonus arn't available to everyone elsewhere in different ways.

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