Dragonflight Alpha/Beta General Discussion

[Teekey]

That will gut the remaining content I have in this game after they took away everything else I used to do and I would prefer literally anything else.

I think it'd be a HUGE mistake to remove leveling, personally.

Might be fake might be true. I think no more level increases is plausible after Shadowlands where it didn't matter when we hit 60 we still had to complete the leveling campaign then alts could do level anyway. I could see them doing that again and then that would alts a lot more friendly if there is no more leveling anymore just one time unlocks on your main.

Maybe they're going to move away from hard levels and instead have something like Alternate Advancement like EverQuest had.

[ATZenith]

Eh...wouldn't it just be the same as doing the "box" version of the game but without the numbers and abilities being adjusted?

Granted, they could just as easily squish us down 10 again and have it play out roughly the same. I think that would help the illusion of progress.

But that leak's almost certainly fake.



There's datamined armor that strongly resembles what she's wearing. It's a totally new piece of art in the style of an existing artist that has done work for her.

It's like 95% likely to be real. Hopefully all flights get one.

WoW datamined armor?? You have a link? I must have missed that

[Vakir]

WoW datamined armor?? You have a link? I must have missed that

https://twitter.com/keyboardturn/sta...74500748734467

[ro9ue]

So... Dragonflight is 100% confirmed in my mind, but assuming the Dragonflight content leak is true:

1. One Spec "Mini" Classes:

These are fresh and cool. I remember a while back thinking they might do this when I started viewing the 36 specs as tightly designed MOBA heroes. We no longer have 12 classes with 3 trees you can spread points in. Specs are separate gameplay kits. The good thing about this is they're able to introduce 4 unique class flavors in this case, vs just 1 class with multiple specs. However, it could be potentially bad. They need to absolutely have more account-wide progression. The convenience of a multi-spec class is that you press one button and have access to another role and gameplay but you still have all of your story progress and gear progression on that character. That will need to be solved. We'll see if they deliver.

It also looks like there is one class for each armor type. I could see them having these be a meta/paragon/unlockable class where you need to have a level capped plate wearer to unlock Dragon Knight or something. Minstrel is leather, Tinker is mail, and Chronomancer is cloth.

2. No Level Cap Increase

I basically wouldn't buy any more expansions if they just keep adding levels to the cap, so no level cap increase is amazing. This is 2022, other games are way ahead on this. Item level is a totally fine vertical progression system and much easier to swallow if they have to reset/squish old gear. I do think this signals some future Destiny 2 style seasonal progression track design which is fine by me. I personally find that model much more compelling actually - account wide progression specifically.

3. Class Skins

Right on board with Necromancer and Dark Ranger (check sig!).

Dragon Knight and Tinker are sort of surprising and did not see these coming at all. For Dragon Knight - I feel a lot of that flavor is kinda in game with the DK and DH. It's fun stuff, don't get me wrong, but I'm interested to see where they take it. I do really like ESO's dragon knight so if they basically make it have the mobility of the Warrior (dragon leap with a stun), but have the fiery spell effects of a DH... it could be really neat.

Tinker feels like a waste to have a singular spec class. There's a lot of room there for a Mech suit/force field based tank and an alchemist/med-bot style healer. HOWEVER, there's nothing that says they can't expand one of these into multiple specs later on. If they think they can later on, maybe we'll see a Feral-style split when they made Guardian/Feral.

EZ preorder if it's accurate

[ATZenith]

https://twitter.com/keyboardturn/sta...74500748734467

Thanks!! That’s wild, that definitely looks like the armor

[Veluren]

I'd be more willing to bet the existing leak was just a case of throwing a cluster of darts at a board and claiming victory when one hits, but just in case, I'm not sure how I'd feel about it, I liked a lot of the content in the EoA leak a lot more, especially the dragon-like race.

[Nightshade711]

So... Dragonflight is 100% confirmed in my mind, but assuming the Dragonflight content leak is true:

1. One Spec "Mini" Classes:

These are fresh and cool. I remember a while back thinking they might do this when I started viewing the 36 specs as tightly designed MOBA heroes. We no longer have 12 classes with 3 trees you can spread points in. Specs are separate gameplay kits. The good thing about this is they're able to introduce 4 unique class flavors in this case, vs just 1 class with multiple specs. However, it could be potentially bad. They need to absolutely have more account-wide progression. The convenience of a multi-spec class is that you press one button and have access to another role and gameplay but you still have all of your story progress and gear progression on that character. That will need to be solved. We'll see if they deliver.

It also looks like there is one class for each armor type. I could see them having these be a meta/paragon/unlockable class where you need to have a level capped plate wearer to unlock Dragon Knight or something. Minstrel is leather, Tinker is mail, and Chronomancer is cloth.

2. No Level Cap Increase

I basically wouldn't buy any more expansions if they just keep adding levels to the cap, so no level cap increase is amazing. This is 2022, other games are way ahead on this. Item level is a totally fine vertical progression system and much easier to swallow if they have to reset/squish old gear. I do think this signals some future Destiny 2 style seasonal progression track design which is fine by me. I personally find that model much more compelling actually - account wide progression specifically.

3. Class Skins

Right on board with Necromancer and Dark Ranger (check sig!).

Dragon Knight and Tinker are sort of surprising and did not see these coming at all. For Dragon Knight - I feel a lot of that flavor is kinda in game with the DK and DH. It's fun stuff, don't get me wrong, but I'm interested to see where they take it. I do really like ESO's dragon knight so if they basically make it have the mobility of the Warrior (dragon leap with a stun), but have the fiery spell effects of a DH... it could be really neat.

Tinker feels like a waste to have a singular spec class. There's a lot of room there for a Mech suit/force field based tank and an alchemist/med-bot style healer. HOWEVER, there's nothing that says they can't expand one of these into multiple specs later on. If they think they can later on, maybe we'll see a Feral-style split when they made Guardian/Feral.

EZ preorder if it's accurate

I personally strongly dislike the mini class idea.
It’ll mean that they could 100% just take the easy road and have every future class be just one spec.

Also because both a dragon class and tinkers could easily have 3+ specs.

[Kiivar86]

I personally strongly dislike the mini class idea.
It’ll mean that they could 100% just take the easy road and have every future class be just one spec.

Also because both a dragon class and tinkers could easily have 3+ specs.

I mean they already kinda headed that way with DHs. I wouldn't be surprised by 1 spec classes.

That said, I don't believe in that "leak" itself. I think it got lucky with the title.

[Revamp Man]

Most of that stuff didn't affect me or how I play the game at this point (at least not in a meaningful enough way to really bother me) so I don't have that same perspective really. Though I can see why telling Blizz something isn't going to work, then telling them it isn't working, then being told later on that they finally agree with you but they still don't properly fix it, all while feeling ignored, would be very frustrating.

it wasnt ignored
it was being told we were playing the game wrong and that we didnt understand how it worked
its just a thing that irks me because they act with such an ego until they cant do it anymore and have to make a change then say that the crap version they gave us was integral to us enjoying the game

[KainneAbsolute]

You know what? Maybe Blizzard decided: lets have fun and do crazy stuff with dragons. If a 1 spec class is awesome to play, then why not?

[ro9ue]

I personally strongly dislike the mini class idea.
It’ll mean that they could 100% just take the easy road and have every future class be just one spec.

Also because both a dragon class and tinkers could easily have 3+ specs.

Could you explain why adding 4X 1 spec classes with unique visuals and flavors is the easy road compared to 1 new class with 2-3 specs with a ton of overlapping visuals?

By the way, I agree Tinker can and should be expanded, but in terms of what we've received previously when a new class (with 2-3 specs) was added I see 4x 1 specs with unique flavors as a lot more work actually.

[Nightshade711]

Could you explain why adding 4X 1 spec classes with unique visuals and flavors is the easy road compared to 1 new class with 2-3 specs with a ton of overlapping visuals?

By the way, I agree Tinker can and should be expanded, but in terms of what we've received previously when a new class (with 2-3 specs) was added I see 4x 1 specs with unique flavors as a lot more work actually.

Because if there’s a precedent set by mini classes that blizzard could get away with one spec classes then theres nothing stopping them from doing the same in future expansions and just adding one “mini-class”

[Vakir]

You know what? Maybe Blizzard decided: lets have fun and do crazy stuff with dragons. If a 1 spec class is awesome to play, then why not?

Eh. There's some logistical nightmares involved. Not even talking about tuning. Class armor sets returning? Even harder to front the amount of art invested in making that happen. Designing world content around single roles? Not as easy as it sounds unless everyone is homogenized to be self-sustaining and efficient on the same footing. Future class-specific things like Mage Tower? Split way more significantly across the board.

A new class is already a huge endeavor including past-proofing and future-proofing for new additions. Less specs doesn't really change that since usually a lot of mechanics and art are shared between specs anyway.

This extends as well to class skins, really. Any mechanic changes for the class means having to redo the class skins. But at least then they can justify doing a one-and-done set or weapon for them and that's it. "Here's your Necromancer themed set. Other than that, you gotta go off the Warlock ones."

[Kiivar86]

One thing in that Dragonflight "leak" that is odd, minor thing admittedly, is the bit about the Dark Ranger skin for Hunters.

"Dark Ranger skin for Hunters. Dark spell effects. Tames undead instead of animals."

They already can tame undead animals though? So why even mention that.

[Seasz]

Ok that logo looks horrid though

[Kiria]

One thing in that Dragonflight "leak" that is odd, minor thing admittedly, is the bit about the Dark Ranger skin for Hunters.

"Dark Ranger skin for Hunters. Dark spell effects. Tames undead instead of animals."

They already can tame undead animals though? So why even mention that.

Could mean zombies or corpses?

[ro9ue]

Eh. There's some logistical nightmares involved. Not even talking about tuning. Class armor sets returning? Even harder to front the amount of art invested in making that happen. Designing world content around single roles? Not as easy as it sounds unless everyone is homogenized to be self-sustaining and efficient on the same footing. Future class-specific things like Mage Tower? Split way more significantly across the board.

A new class is already a huge endeavor including past-proofing and future-proofing for new additions. Less specs doesn't really change that since usually a lot of mechanics and art are shared between specs anyway.

This extends as well to class skins, really. Any mechanic changes for the class means having to redo the class skins. But at least then they can justify doing a one-and-done set or weapon for them and that's it. "Here's your Necromancer themed set. Other than that, you gotta go off the Warlock ones."

I found the way the leak broke down certain things interesting. Maybe we need to look at it holistically and put 2+2 together. I think it's possible this isn't 4 NEW classes, but instead SHARED 4th specs for certain classes. The classes where it maybe doesn't make much sense just happen to be the ones getting the cosmetic class skins.... coincidence?

Dragon Knight - 4th spec for Warrior, Paladin, Death Knight (unlocked by a Bolvar quest or something)
Tinker - 4th spec for Hunter. Doesn't make sense for Shaman so they get the Dragon cosmetic thing instead.
Minstrel - 4th spec for Monks and Rogues. Doesn't make sense for DH or Druid so they get the Warden skin and Nightmare skin.
Chronomancer - 4th spec for Priest or Mage. Seems weird for Warlock so they get the Necromancer cosmetic.

Hunters do get the bonus Dark Ranger skin, so it might be race locked:

Alliance
Ranger - Night Elf, Void Elf
Tinker - Dwarf, Draenei, Gnome, Dark Iron, Mechagnome, LFD
?? - Human, Worgen, Kul'Tiran

Horde
Ranger - Blood Elf, Forsaken
Tinker - Goblin, Orc, Mag'har, Vulpera, Nightborne
?? - Darkspear, Zandalari, Highmountain or Tauren

[Kiivar86]

Could mean zombies or corpses?

I suppose it could. Seems a bit odd overall but possible.

Still, I'm leaning toward the leak itself being just a lucky hit.

Though I am warming to the idea of micro-classes, honestly.

[ATZenith]

I’m cool with mini classes. Demon Hunter made me love WoW again with how new and fresh they felt. I hope each new spec feels modern like DH did. Though I was hoping for a fast paced class like DH if some dragon spec was added :,(

[Vakir]

I found the way the leak broke down certain things interesting. Maybe we need to look at it holistically and put 2+2 together. I think it's possible this isn't 4 NEW classes, but instead SHARED 4th specs for certain classes. The classes where it maybe doesn't make much sense just happen to be the ones getting the cosmetic class skins.... coincidence?

Dragon Knight - 4th spec for Warrior, Paladin, Death Knight (unlocked by a Bolvar quest or something)
Tinker - 4th spec for Hunter. Doesn't make sense for Shaman so they get the Dragon cosmetic thing instead.
Minstrel - 4th spec for Monks and Rogues. Doesn't make sense for DH or Druid so they get the Warden skin and Nightmare skin.
Chronomancer - 4th spec for Priest or Mage. Seems weird for Warlock so they get the Necromancer cosmetic.

Hunters do get the bonus Dark Ranger skin, but they're popular so whatever.

Possible, but it feels like a weird thing to omit. They'd just say fourth spec rather than microclasses.

It's a cool set of ideas, and I know people wanna see it, but I think it's just fake.