Originally Posted by Blizzard
(Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
Before Battle for Azeroth launches four days from now, we're making some additional adjustments to several specs based on how they're playing at level 120. We're working on the following via hotfix to the live game:
Spirit Link (PvP Talent) now redirects 35% damage to the team (was 50%).
Spirit Link's (PvP Talent) mana cost has been increased by 12.5%.
Spirit Link (PvP Talent) reduces the heal generated by Spouting Spirits (Azerite Trait) by 80%.
We expect to apply all of the adjustments above to the live game as soon as possible. We will note them along with other hotfixes in the next hotfixes update added to our hotfixes blog post.
Battle for Azeroth Preview - Stormsong Valley Visitor’s Guide
Originally Posted by Blizzard
(Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
Located in the northernmost region of Kul Tiras, Stormsong Valley is home to House Stormsong and the mystical tidesages. Wielding great power over the seas, the tidesages impart their blessings upon the mighty Kul Tiran fleet. Join us as we take you on a brief tour of Stormsong Valley.
The lands of Stormsong Valley are lush with green grasses and rock-strewn rolling hills. Wildlife and plant growth thrive here, fed by the inland streams and the invigorating sea air. It is a region made rich by the harmony between both land and sea.
Welcome to Stormsong Valley.
As with any great mystery, you’ll need to find and follow the clues before you. Begin by taking a ferry to the Stormsong Monastery located in Boralus. Perhaps the sisters and brothers there will have more insight on the missing fleet. Thankfully, you won’t be alone for your journey. A ward of Harbormaster Cyrus Crestfall, your guide Taelia is a knowledgeable companion eager to help you get to the bottom of things in Stormsong Valley.
The signs of the sea are everywhere in the monastery, but an itch between your shoulder blades feeds the impression that you’re unwelcome. Answers aren’t easy to come by and danger is lurking nearer than you think.
Word from someone within the resistance is that the fleet is not truly lost but trapped by dark forces. It will be up to you to find allies within Stormsong Valley to help you root out the heart of this conspiracy and bring the fleet home. Brother Pike from the town of Brennadam in the north is one such ally. You’ll need to meet with him to find out what more he knows of the challenges you’ll face.
The Highland Pass is the only land route into Stormsong Valley, but a blockade halts passage between Brennadam and the rest of Kul Tiras. Once you find a way through, you’ll crest the pass to take in the breathtaking sight of the land stretched out before you.
Meet the Neighbors
The reception you’ll receive in Brennadam isn’t a warm one despite the beauty of the surrounding town. The citizens are angry at the soldiers for seizing their harvests and failing to protect the people they are meant to serve. Brother Pike will help find the answers you seek, but each discovery is another knot in a skein that wends through this troubled land. There is more beneath the surface to be discovered, and you sense darkness waiting just out of sight.
The further inland you go, the more apparent it becomes that the void’s corruption has burrowed deeply into the land, the wildlife, and its people. Those of able body (if not able mind) are either conscripted or manipulated into serving the tidesages and the malevolent will that commands them.
Things to Try: A sip of Seaglide Elixir can be a great refreshment when battling void-corrupted creatures of the sea. It also gives you the ability to walk on water—for a little while. “It is said that tidesage magic allows Kul Tiran ships to glide effortlessly through the sea.” Try not to touch too many unfamiliar things unless you know what you’re getting into—though of course, the voices will insist there's nothing to fear. The Whispering Wavestaff giveth and taketh. But then again, what’s a little cost in health compared to laying out a little extra carnage?
Under the Siege
On the western coast, Fort Daelin is under siege by the naga. Brutes pummel the stone walls even as harpoons drive further into the walls above them. Without aid, the levee holding back the sea will plunge the fertile valley into the naga-infested depths.
A Prickly Situation
Emboldened by the soldiers neglecting their duties, vicious creatures have encroached on the noble people of Stormsong. Whether it’s ettin in Millstone Hamlet or the territorial quilboar, these threats will only grow more aggressive without someone to push them back.
Monsters of the Sea
On an island to the northeast resides the seat of power for both House Stormsong and the tidesages: the Shrine of the Storm. Its very foundations are carved into the rocky outcroppings, and the sign of the kraken adorns its ancient structures.
Shrine of the Storm Dungeon--Spoilers Inside!
The Shrine of the Storm is a seat of power for both House Stormsong and the tidesages. Here, blessings upon the fleet are performed to ensure that the Kul Tiran fleet knows no equals in combat. Yet, a dark force has corrupted these sacred grounds and threatens to steal control of the Kul Tiran Fleet forever.
Difficulties: Normal, Heroic, Mythic Level: Alliance* 110+ (One of four level-up dungeons)
*Available at level 120 for Alliance and Horde
Aqu’sirr – The deeps hide many powerful secrets lost to time. A master of these waters, Lord Stormsong calls upon one of these creatures of myth to defend the sacred shrine.
Tidesage Council – Brother Ironhull and Galecaller Faye use their power to bless the Kul Tiran ships and ensure their fleet remains unmatched on the seas.
Lord Stormsong – Master of House Stormsong, Lord Stormsong leads the tidesages in tehri oceanic blessigns and ways. However, not all is as it seems. . . .
Vol’zith the Whisperer – Sent by Queen Azshara to subvert the tidesages, Vol’zith whispers promises of power to those willing to listen.
There’s a long road to take through this beautiful but treacherous land. Bringing House Stormsong back into the fold and freeing the Kul Tiran fleet are paramount to defending the kingdom against the Horde's incursion. Those brave enough to explore Stormsong Valley's vast coastlines will meet a brave, noble people who embrace the land they live in and the bountiful sea they so love.
When you’re ready to go beyond the lands of Stormsong Valley, the stygian hills of Drustvar await to the southwest, and to the southeast lies the capital of Kul Tiras, Tiragarde Sound.
Patch 8.0.1 - Build 27291: Group Finder Addon Changes
The latest live build made a few more changes to the Group Finder. This was likely to combat group finding addons, such as the LookingForGroup addon.
Searching for groups now must be done manually.
Entering text into the search box now must be done manually, you can't paste in text anymore.
Accepting group members now must be done manually, as the Auto-Accept functionality has been disabled.
Stromgarde Warfront Unlock Timing
Originally Posted by Blizzard
(Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
We’ve seen some confusion about when Battle for Azeroth’s first Warfront, Battle for Stromgarde, will open and would like to give some clarifications.
Similar to other types of endgame content such as raids and rated PvP, the Battle for Stromgarde will not be immediately available at launch. Instead, it’ll open a few weeks later. Initially, the Alliance will control Stromgarde Keep (which allows access to certain outdoor content in the Arathi Highlands), while the Horde begins preparations to assault. Once those preparations are finished, Horde players will be able to queue for the Battle for Stromgarde Warfront.
A few days afterward, the roles will reverse: the Horde will control Stromgarde (thus gaining access to the outdoor content), and the Alliance will begin their own preparations to retaliate. This process will continue to alternate between Horde and Alliance on a regular cadence.
Zappi Boi Stats
Blizzard shared a chart that demonstrates how character names with Zap at the beginning spiked after the release of the cinematic.
Patch 8.0.1 Hotfixes - August 8, 2018
Originally Posted by Blizzard
(Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
Succubus will no longer automatically cast Seduction when the Warlock is affected by crowd control effects.
Dungeons and Raids
Tomb of Sargeras
Dresanoth’s Icy Talons ability no longer deals excessive damage.
Lylth the Silent no longer deals excessive damage with Lunar Blast, Shadow Blast, and Star Barrage abilities.
Lieutenant Silvermight no longer deals excessive damage.
Player versus Player
Arathi Blizzard
The number of bases controlled by each faction is now displayed correctly.
Professions
Herbalism
Fixed a bug that made Frost Lotus require a Herbalism skill of 400 to be successfully harvested.
Warcraft Secrets Website Launch
The Warcraft Secrets website launched recently, with the goal of documenting the hidden secrets in WoW.
The Secrets Database documents all the secrets that have been completed by the community, as well as hidden collectibles and other interesting vanity items.
Hunter Pets section includes guides to secret-related or hard-to-find and challenging hunter pets such as Lightning Paw and Fenryr.
Mysteries documents uncovered hidden secrets, as well as Battle for Azeroth secrets in the process of uncovering.
If you decide to register an account, you will also be able to sort your collection based on obtained secret mounts, hidden collectibles and vanity items.
They are currently hosting a giveaway for 5x Blizzard Shop Mounts on their front page, as well as several others on their Website Discord for MMO-Champion Premium and other websites.
BlizzCon 2018 – Third Ticket Sale Added
Round 3 ticket buyers will have until August 31 at 8pm Pacific Time to change the names on their tickets.
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
Hoping to attend BlizzCon in person this year but didn’t manage to snag a ticket during the first two sales? You’re in luck—we’re thrilled to announce a third ticket sale, scheduled for Saturday, August 18 at 10 a.m. PDT.
This third ticket sale will once again be hosted by Universe.com, and tickets are priced at $199 each (plus applicable taxes and fees). This sale will work just like our previous two—check out the BlizzCon Ticket page and Badge Information page for all the details.
Blizzard Entertainment’s two-day gaming convention and community celebration returns to the Anaheim Convention Center on November 2 and 3 for a weekend full of hands-on gaming, in-depth developer panels, incredible esports competition, and more.
Virtual Ticket – Coming Soon!
If you can’t make it to the show in person, you’ll still have a chance to join the celebration from home with the BlizzCon Virtual Ticket, which will provide live streaming coverage to viewers around the world. Stay tuned for more details.
Check out the BlizzCon Event Info page for lots more information on prepping for the show and the upcoming ticket sales.
And look for more information on the events and activities at BlizzCon as the show approaches. We’ll see you in November!
The Future of Diablo
Blizzard released a video letting the community know that there may be a Diablo announcement later this year.
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
Greetings heroes, I am community manager Brandy Camel, also known as Nevalistis.
On behalf of the Diablo team welcome back to Sanctuary for our newest season.
For those of you still rocking your heroes in Reaper of Souls, you might have noticed we did something a little bit different for Season 14:Themed Seasons.
The Season of Greed is our first Themed Season and we plan to explore additional themes in the future. If you'd like to know more, click the link in the video description below.
We'd also like to let you know that the forges here at Blizzard are burning hot. And we have multiple Diablo projects in the works. Some of them are going to take longer than others. But... we may have some things to show you later this year.
We hope you stay tuned, while we work to bring these Diablo experiences to life.
None of this would be possible without the support that you have shown us for over 20 years. So whether you first joined us in D3 or you are a seasoned veteran, thank you.
Diablo is, and always will be, part of Blizzard's identity, and we can't wait for the future.