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by Published on 2016-01-09 10:42 PM

PTR 2.4 Going Offline, Extra Stash Clarification

Deck Spotlight: LOKShadow's OTK Combo Warrior, Feugen & Stalagg Need Friends

Stunlock Meta Discussion, Town Hall Heroes Ep. 91

Legion - Thrall and Doomhammer
We found some interesting references to Thrall and Doomhammer. Unfortunately there isn't much more than what is below yet. Keep in mind that this is just a reference in an alpha build of Legion, not something final or officially announced. Spoilers below!

Keep your eyes on Thrall. He's wounded. He's like to kill himself down here and I don't want to be the one to tell his wife!
Doomhammer... it was like a dead weight in my hands. The elements were silent. It has been this way since I used it to slay Garrosh.

Spirits... hear my call...
Are you the so-called "World Shaman?" Hah! You fight like a crippled pig.

Hear me, elements of Azeroth.
Once, we walked as one. I abused your powers for my own personal vendetta.
Take back the Doomhammer! Grant it to one who is worthy.
Teach me, and again I will be your servant.



Legion - Shaman Artifact Intro
A little piece of the Shaman Artifact intro was also found, likely from the ending that takes place in your Class Hall.
Originally Posted by MMO-Champion
We stand at the precipice of oblivion, but we do not stand alone. Come forward, shaman.
Take your place among the circle, Farseer. The Earthen Ring is forged anew, and with it, we rekindle hope for this world.
You are the chosen defender of Azeroth! May your wisdom guide this circle to victory, and may the power of your artifact crush those who would bring chaos to this land.

The elements have chosen you as their champion, $n. The artifact you wield is proof.
It is your destiny to lead the Earthen Ring against the Burning Legion. We need you. Do you accept this burden?
Yes. I will be your Farseer!

From this map you may dispatch members of the Earthen Ring throughout the Broken Isles. Lead us to victory, Farseer!
This Astral Portal will return you to Dalaran whenever you wish, Farseer. I will keep it open so that you may return here any time.



Legion - Artifact Weapon Previews
Today we have the Elemental Shaman Artifact The Fist of Ra-Den. Several of the shields are missing still, so look for them after a new build.







Blue Tweets
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
Classes
Rogue (Forums / Skills / Talent Calculator / Artifact Calculator / PvP Talent Calculator)
How is Cheap Shot part of a rotation, surely its only a utility, stun button?
For CC purposes, it can be used as on a rotational basis. It’s not maximum DPS, but still commonly worth it for things like PvP. (WarcraftDevs)

Wtf do you mean blind is gone? Why?? It's my fave Cc! It feels so cocky just to blind a mob. Like "No! Wait your turn!" :'(
That was referring to Subtlety specifically. Different Rogue specs have different ways to CC. For example, you may like Parley. (Celestalon)

Legion Shadow Dance is a letdown to some pvpers. Maybe let an active/passive effect? Passive is negated while on CD, thoughts?
I'd love to hear more about this feedback. People giving it: What frequency are you imagining for the proposed version? (Celestalon)
No sane PvP'er wants to lose the ability to make plays like we can with Shadow Dance. Its just a bad idea.
Again, that's why I'm asking these questions. How are you imagining it will play out? There's clearly a difference. (Celestalon)
The downside is not being able to do stuff on-demand, and positioning not mattering due to Shadowstrike.
So you're saying that you don't expect the proposed version will feel controllable? That's useful feedback. (Celestalon)

Shaman (Forums / Skills / Talent Calculator / Artifact Calculator / PvP Talent Calculator)
If there are no weapon drops in Legion, where will a enhancement shaman get his off hand weapon from?
Doomhammer grants shamans the power to form a second weapon from the elements! No need for any lesser weapon drops. (WarcraftDevs)
Is it like a copy of Doomhammer or something else?
Here's an image of it next to Doomhammer! It's also on the Artifact blog here: https://t.co/BJoTNPPtwq (WarcraftDevs)

Will we be able to transmog over the Elemental weapons?
The weapons formed by your elemental powers will behave like normal weapons. You will be able to transmog over them. (WarcraftDevs)

PvP
Will honor kills acquired out in the world contribute to prestige levels? Any support in legion for out of instance PVP?
Honorable kills in the world will reward Honor and can increase your Honor level. (WarcraftDevs)
by Published on 2016-01-08 05:50 PM

Blue Posts Round-Up, What Class Should You Play?

Deck Spotlight: LOKShadow's OTK Combo Warrior, Feugen & Stalagg Need Friends

Dustin Tweets Round-Up, Heroes WTF Moments #32

Legion - Azshara
We found some interesting references to Azshara. Unfortunately there isn't much more than what is below yet. Keep in mind that this is just a reference in an alpha build of Legion, not something final or officially announced. Spoilers below!

Azsuna - "Ten Thousand Years Ago" - The Council at Val'Sharah
Senegos: Ten thousand years ago, I found myself mixed up with a rebel alliance of sorts.
Senegos: This was during the pinnacle of Queen Azshara's power over the elves. Her abuse of magic had grown dangerously strong.
Senegos: We plotted to use the Tidestone of Golganneth against the queen.

Senegos: Cenarius. I can wield the Tidestone, but I must warn you: we risk destroying the entire Well of Eternity!
Cenarius: That, my friend, is precisely the plan.
Illidan: Fah! We need simply to do away with Queen Azshara herself, not the very source of our people's power.
Farondis: I agree. We are firing a cannon at sparrows.
Tyrande: We are fighting the greatest danger our world has ever seen!
Tyrande: Even now, Queen Azshara colludes with demons. She puts our world at risk.
Cenarius: Very well. Prince Farondis, you can secure the Tidestone of Golganneth?
Farondis: I shall have it arranged, Cenarius.


Azsuna - "The Fate of Nar'thalas" - Memory Scene
Attendant: Here it is, my Prince: The Tidestone of Golganneth, one of the seven Stones of Creation, and treasured relic of the kaldorei.
Farondis: Very good. Leave me.
* Attendant leaves.
Farondis: I'm sorry, Cenarius. I believed in your cause, but I couldn't bring myself to turn against...
* Azshara enters.
* Farondis kneels before Azshara.
Farondis: My queen.
Azshara: You've done me a great service today, Farondis.
Azshara: What a shame that you won't LIVE to reap the benefits of my gratitude.
Farondis: ...what?!
Azshara: This whole valley is filled with plotters and schemers.
Azshara: Cavorting with Cenarius behind my back? I will NOT tolerate dissent!
Azshara: You must all be taught a lesson.
* Azshara uses lightning to blow up the Tidestone.



Legion - Artifact Tweets
The Holy Paladin Artifact weapon we recently previewed is intended to be fairly large.





Legion - Artifact Weapon Previews
Today we have the Restoration Shaman Artifact Scepter of Azshara. Some of the shields are missing or incorrect, so don't worry if they look somewhat off or are missing.







Blue Tweets
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
Classes
Hunter (Forums / Skills / Talent Calculator / Artifact Calculator / PvP Talent Calculator)
My main has been hunter for years. With all the spell removals why does Feed Pet still exist? Pet loyalty is gone.
In this case, it has no impact on keybindings, and minimal potential confusion, so is kept purely for flavor. (WarcraftDevs)

Mage (Forums / Skills / Talent Calculator / Artifact Calculator / PvP Talent Calculator)
Remove Curse for Mages _increases_ class fantasy, yet it's being removed, whats the reasoning there?
Removing Curses is not really part of the iconic Warcraft Mage fantasy, and didn’t fit the desired gameplay. (WarcraftDevs)

Rogue (Forums / Skills / Talent Calculator / Artifact Calculator / PvP Talent Calculator)
Any plans to be able to glyph out the pistol for throwing axes/knives or similar, for the others?
Not currently, though it’s something we'll consider! Primary focus is on creating a strong core fantasy for Outlaws. (WarcraftDevs)

with so much CC stripped away are we going to just be tunneling damage into each other? HOW BORING
CC overall is being reduced. Blind was removed as Subtlety's rotation now includes Cheap Shot. Extremely strong. (WarcraftDevs)

Ghostcrawler Tweets
Ghostcrawler still occasionally talks about WoW. Remember that he no longer works for or speaks for Blizzard.
Originally Posted by MMO-Champion
of the 3 possibilities you mentioned -incompetent, overworked, lazy- how often is at least 1 of them a factor? i imagine 10%
It's usually not lazy. At the places I have worked, devs are horrified at the thought of disappointing players. (OccupyGStreet)
So in the strictest sense, most of the mistakes we make are those of competence - we make a call that ends up being bad. (OccupyGStreet)
But I originally meant competency in the sense that it's easy to throw colleagues under the bus if you aren't careful. (OccupyGStreet)
Saying "Our engineers couldn't find the bug" out of context invites detractors to say "Well, get better engineers." (OccupyGStreet)

yeah, I'm pretty sure the Pony metaphor was about over-sharing and over-promising.
Early in my career, I communicated everything but ended up sending the message that I was in over my head. (OccupyGStreet)

Yeah, some players have a habit of arguing broken promises as a way to force your hand. (OccupyGStreet)
Some people also REALLY have a hard time confusing with changing one's mind and when one is lying.
Yeah, players should REALLY not want devs to go through with bad ideas just because they were promised. (OccupyGStreet)
by Published on 2016-01-07 11:58 AM

Update (2:40 PM EDT): Added bugfix patch notes.

Are You Ready for Patch 2.4?

Tavern Brawl: Battle of the Builds, Winterveil Concludes, The Angry Chicken #128 - Pick Your Deck

Heroes Rising Tournament, NA Competitive Scene Snapshot

Legion - Varian and Vol'jin
We found some interesting references to Varian and Vol'jin. Unfortunately there isn't much more than what is below yet. Keep in mind that this is just a reference in an alpha build of Legion, not something final or officially announced. Spoilers below!

Legion Pre-Launch Quests - Varian's Funeral Demon Attack
Legion - Durotar - Vol'jin's Funeral



Legion - Felsaber Mount
The Felsaber mount is given to Demon Hunters during their intro experience.





Patch 6.2.3 Hotfixes - January 6
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
Legendary Ring Quest Line
  • Players who have acquired the most powerful rewards from Khadgar's Legendary questline by completing Draenor's Blessing (Horde) or Light Be With You(Alliance) may now purchase Crystallized Fel from Zooti Fizzlefury in Talador or Dawn-Seeker Krisek in Tanaan Jungle for 1250 Valor.

Creatures and NPCs
Talador
  • Fixed an issue that could cause characters to be unable to loot The Bonechewer Spear that appears after defeating Viperlash.
Spires of Arak
  • Fixed an issue that could cause characters to be unable to loot Varasha's Egg that appears after defeating Varasha.

Items
  • Savage Snowball should no longer incorrectly cause other players to be flagged for PvP combat.

Ghostcrawler Tweets
Ghostcrawler still occasionally talks about WoW. Remember that he no longer works for or speaks for Blizzard.
Originally Posted by MMO-Champion
Obvious MMO question,What are your views on RNG systems used as stat progression?Leveling up was progression before loot tabl
There can be an entitlement risk without RNG - it says if you invest enough time, you will be able to get the reward you want. (OccupyGStreet)



PTR Update
A small build went out to the PTR today, but it didn't make any significant changes, just client fixes.


Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
  • Fixed a client crash that could occur while logging back into a character that disconnected while in Random Draenor Dungeon.
  • Fixed a client crash that could occur while logging into a character that's tracking an achievement.
by Published on 2016-01-06 09:33 AM

John Yang Tweets, DH Season 5 In-Depth Summary

LOE Arena Card Distribution Changes, Deck Spotlight: Reno Control Warrior, iPad Crash Workaround

Arena Not Coming on Q1 2016 & Lunara Balance, MLG Bought by Activision-Blizzard, Sales

Happy Holidays from Overpwn

Legion - Artifact Weapon Previews
Today we have the Holy Paladin Artifacts The Silver Hand and Tome of the Silver Hand.







Ghostcrawler Tweets
Ghostcrawler still occasionally talks about WoW. Remember that he no longer works for or speaks for Blizzard.
Originally Posted by MMO-Champion
do you think we'll ever get to the point where MMO's could rely less on numbers for combat?
Sure. I don't know what MMOs will look like in the future. Destiny seems to have fewer numbers than WoW. (OccupyGStreet)

Although I'll never forgive you for Chakra. I do miss your thoughts/musings on WoW. The other devs have gone radio silent!
Lol I didn't invent Chakra. I just agreed Holy needed something besides generic healing spells. (OccupyGStreet)
I wish you had have told us earlier. and I now regret all the crabs we tortured and slew in retaliation for Chakra.
I've gone on record as saying I don't think "form swapping" works in any game. (OccupyGStreet)



Wrath of the Lich King Timewalking Event
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
Through the end of the day on Monday, Timewalking is back. For these six days, take a trip to Northrend and experience these five Heroic dungeons:

  • Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom
  • Gundrak
  • Halls of Lightning
  • The Nexus
  • Utgarde Pinnacle

Don’t forget to pick up the event-only quest “A Frozen Path Through Time” before you queue up for Timewalking, as it rewards a valuable Seal of Inevitable Fate. Also worth noting are the additional rewards that were added in patch 6.2.2 for Timewalking events – be sure to check out the all details in the patch notes.

Which of the dungeons above are you looking forward to the most?

Activision Blizzard Acquires the Business of Major League Gaming
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced the acquisition of the business of Major League Gaming (MLG). MLG is a leader in creating and streaming premium live gaming events, organizing professional competitions and running competitive gaming leagues. The acquisition expands Activision Blizzard's reach across the rapidly-growing esports ecosystem by adding proven live streaming capabilities and technologies to the Activision Blizzard Media Networks division, led by former ESPN CEO Steve Bornstein and MLG Co-founder Mike Sepso.

Bobby Kotick, Chief Executive Officer of Activision Blizzard, said, "Our acquisition of Major League Gaming's business furthers our plans to create the ESPN of esports. MLG's ability to create premium content and its proven broadcast technology platform - including its live streaming capabilities - strengthens our strategic position in competitive gaming. MLG has an incredibly strong and seasoned team and a thriving community. Together, we will create new ways to celebrate players and their unique skills, dedication and commitment to gaming. We are excited to add Sundance and the entire MLG esports team to our competitive gaming initiatives."

Sundance DiGiovanni, Chief Executive Officer and MLG Co-founder, said, "Our mission for over 12 years has been to promote and expand the growth of competitive gaming worldwide, and today the industry is at a key inflection point as its popularity soars and rivals that of many traditional professional sports. This acquisition and Activision Blizzard's commitment to competitive gaming will expand the opportunities for gamers to be recognized and celebrated for their competitive excellence."

Mike Sepso, Senior Vice President of Activision Blizzard Media Networks and MLG Co-founder, said, "Sundance and I founded MLG to highlight the incredible talent of competitive gamers all over the world. Activision Blizzard's esports leadership, incredible intellectual property and long history in competitive gaming create a perfect home for MLG's capabilities. The acquisition of MLG's business is an important step towards Activision Blizzard Media Networks' broader mission to bring esports into the mainstream by creating and broadcasting premium esports content, organizing global league play and expanding distribution with key gaming partners."

MLG will continue to operate MLG.tv, MLG Pro Circuit and GameBattles platforms, and will continue to work with its partners and other publishers across the industry. MLG.tv is a premium online broadcast network for professional-level esports and the MLG Pro Circuit is the longest-running esports league in North America. GameBattles is the largest online gaming tournament system across consoles, PC and mobile platforms.

With over 100 million unique viewers, the esports audience is estimated to be bigger than audiences for many professional sports leagues. Creating premium content for these audiences will provide significant opportunities in ticket sales, advertising, sponsorships, licensing and merchandising. By 2017, esports is projected to have over 300 million viewers1. For the past 12 years, MLG has helped bring esports into the mainstream with broadcasts of professional gaming competitions that rival traditional sports fan engagement.

Fan Art
A nice piece of Garrosh fan art was posted on Reddit today.

by Published on 2016-01-05 01:29 AM

End of Era 4, Stash Organization and Muling

Most Popular Decks of the Week, Deck Spotlight: Spark's Anyfin Mrrgglrglr, Dr. Boom and the 7+ Mana Alternatives

Rotation for Jan. 5, 2016, Epic Plays of the Week - Best of 2015, Winter Veil Sale Reminder

Crystalized Fel Now Sold For Valor
Players who have acquired the legendary ring may now purchase Crystallized Fel from Zooti Fizzlefury in Talador or Dawn-Seeker Krisek in Tanaan Jungle for 1250 Valor.



Legion Alpha to Return With New Content
No ETA yet, but when Legion alpha returns it will be with some new content! Many of the developers returned to work today.



Blue Posts
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
Loot Rules
I've commented on this before, but MS>OS is an extremely vague and fluid concept. For example someone who mains a Protection Warrior might join a raid as Arms because all the tank spots are full. While Protection is technically their MS, they are in the raid as Arms, which causes other players to believe that Arms is the MS of that Warrior. Is that Warrior, or the Master Looter, then in the wrong if they receive a tank trinket?

Likewise, what about players who change specs mid-raid (such as a DPS switching to Healer) to allow the raid to continue if the group can't backfill people who have left, where do these players fit in with regards to MS>OS?

Let's then say that the raid leader fails to update their LFG listing to reflect the change. The change doesn't get explained to the DPS who subsequently join, causing them to feel that something has been ninja'ed when the now-Healer is given a DPS item. Is anyone actually in the wrong here?

These are just some examples of the ambiguity MS>OS can fall into.

Generally, the Master Looter system is intended to be used in groups of people you trust. By joining a PuG raid with Master Looter set, you join knowing that the Master Looter has the power to assign the loot. If you don't seek precise clarification, in chat, on how the loot will be allocated, our Game Masters cannot then assist you on the basis of unspoken assumptions when so many grey areas are in play.

Ninja Looting
https://eu.battle.net/support/en/art...looting-policy (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

Dark Legacy Comics #520
DLC #520 has been released.


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