Dragonflight Alpha/Beta General Discussion

[Nymrohd]

If they give me a class that can look even half as cool as Wrathion does in the middle image when they transform, I'll take it.

But I am kind of worried about the similarities between this purported new Dragon Class™ and Demon Hunters.

- Both can transform into a winged, humanoid monster. (Metamorphosis; although in this case I suppose it would be more akin to Worgen transforming in combat).
- Both would probably have very similar class-specific racial customization such as scaly skin, horns, and wings.
- Speaking of which, they gave the Spyro Glide™ to Demon Hunters, but if they add a Dragon-themed class, wouldn't it make sense to give it to them too? Or at least give them some kind of similar mobility feature? I can already see the forum threads of players complaining about this ("I'm literally a DRAGON but I can't spread my wings to glide like DHs can?????").

Honestly I want EVERYONE to be able to fly on Draconic wings as the main feature of becoming Dragonsworn (the covenant). It could work exactly like the jetpack did in Mechagon.

[Yunravel]

Honestly I want EVERYONE to be able to fly on Draconic wings as the main feature of becoming Dragonsworn (the covenant). It could work exactly like the jetpack did in Mechagon.

If they give us shitty wings instead of a dragon form similar to Tarecgosa, I’ll pass on the class.

[ercarp]

Honestly I want EVERYONE to be able to fly on Draconic wings as the main feature of becoming Dragonsworn (the covenant). It could work exactly like the jetpack did in Mechagon.

That could actually be really cool and it would also make the lack of flying at launch feel so, so much better.

[Nymrohd]

The class has the potential to do it, it's a matter of Blizzard wanting to commit resources.

And then you would just do a spec per flight which would make it much simpler.

It's also a class epic enough to not need its own artifacts, a class that would likely have a ready replacement for the class order halls in whatever sanctums the dragonflights might get in this xpac. Also a class that would wear mail since Scale Mail (and no, doesn't have to mean we kill other dragons to wear them, could be dragonscale made from shed scales.)

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That could actually be really cool and it would also make the lack of flying at launch feel so, so much better.

And they could make an attempt to design vertical zones. Especially if Dragon Isles are floating.

[Teriz]

If they give me a class that can look even half as cool as Wrathion does in the middle image when they transform, I'll take it.

But I am kind of worried about the similarities between this purported new Dragon Class™ and Demon Hunters.

- Both can transform into a winged, humanoid monster. (Metamorphosis; although in this case I suppose it would be more akin to Worgen transforming in combat).
- Both would probably have very similar class-specific racial customization such as scaly skin, horns, and wings.
- Speaking of which, they gave the Spyro Glide™ to Demon Hunters, but if they add a Dragon-themed class, wouldn't it make sense to give it to them too? Or at least give them some kind of similar mobility feature? I can already see the forum threads of players complaining about this ("I'm literally a DRAGON but I can't spread my wings to glide like DHs can?????").

I think flight and flying would definitely be what sets this class apart from other classes. Deathwing HotS for example has Dragonflight where he launches himself into the air, healing himself, and then lands at another location. You could have a similar ability where if you're out of combat you can launch into the air to recover, turning into a dragon when you do so. Additionally, Alexstraza HotS has Cleansing Flames where she also launches into the air, but all you see is her shadow on the ground, and a targeting reticle where you can blast targets with fire. You then choose your landing zone.

Also a version of Druid Flight form is a must.

With that said, you can give them a version of DH glide, just don't give them double jump, and it should be fine.

Honestly I want EVERYONE to be able to fly on Draconic wings as the main feature of becoming Dragonsworn (the covenant). It could work exactly like the jetpack did in Mechagon.

Yeah, that works too.

[SniperCT]

A 4-spec class? There is a lack of a poison-based magic user, and players would go nuts for a class with two RDPS specs.

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Would Blizzard design a 5-spec class though?

A 4+ spec class sounds like an absolute nightmare of work for future balancing. When adding a class you have to think long term, like decades+ not just the current expansion. There are so many specs already that they have to constantly update and tweak and balance.

[Nymrohd]

I honestly don't think glide is that special. Every one of my characters has glide, either with goblin gliders or by being an engineer themselves. I don't even understand how people can play when flight is not available without glide in some form. . .

[Teriz]

The class has the potential to do it, it's a matter of Blizzard wanting to commit resources.

That's the key honestly. I suppose if people actually believed they were going to do 4 Micro-classes, a 5 spec dragon class should be well in the realm of possibility.

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A 4+ spec class sounds like an absolute nightmare of work for future balancing. When adding a class you have to think long term, like decades+ not just the current expansion. There are so many specs already that they have to constantly update and tweak and balance.

Well just to help out, here are my dragon-class concepts;

My more conservative 3-spec class, supported by HotS (I view this as more likely);

https://www.mmo-champion.com/threads...s-Concept-2022

My more ambitious 5-spec class where everyone gets their favorite dragon spec;

https://www.mmo-champion.com/threads...pt-2019-(long)

I agree that doing a 5-spec class would be much more difficult, but it would be one hell of a class. If people believe that 4th specs and microclasses are possible, a 5-spec dragon class isn't impossible. However, I still lean on the idea of 3-specs.

That said, would a 5-spec dragon class overshadow every other class? I mean, why the hell would anyone play anything else? I think they would have to limit it to 3-specs to avoid strangling other spellcasting classes.

[Wangming]

That's the key honestly. I suppose if people actually believed they were going to do 4 Micro-classes, a 5 spec dragon class should be well in the realm of possibility.

Oh hi! When did you get back?

On topic: I think the main challenge of a 5 spec class compared to 4 micro classes is to create a class fantasy that works well with all the specs. single spec classes can be all over the place.

[Therougetitan]

Not if their spec was based on Spellblades and are melee.

Yeah but we have enough melee. The last 3 classes added have been melee. Not to mention ranged actually lost a spec because survival went melee.

[Nymrohd]

That's the key honestly. I suppose if people actually believed they were going to do 4 Micro-classes, a 5 spec dragon class should be well in the realm of possibility.

I mean it could always be a three spec class. You could give each spec access to multiple dragonflights and either make them stances or make the flight choice be the first talent row.

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Yeah but we have enough melee. The last 3 classes added have been melee. Not to mention ranged actually lost a spec because survival went melee.

Maybe they could redesign a melee class into ranged. I think Rogues could easily have a sniper spec.

[Teriz]

Oh hi! When did you get back?

About 12 hours ago.

On topic: I think the main challenge of a 5 spec class compared to 4 micro classes is to create a class fantasy that works well with all the specs. single spec classes can be all over the place.

The mechanical core of the dragon class concept is well developed, so the class fantasy is relatively easy to produce. The problem I'm seeing is trying to avoid having the Blue dragon spec completely override the Mage class. Chromie HotS can avoid that because her abilities are sand-based, something Mages don't do. A Red dragon spec based on Alexstraza avoids too much conflict with Fire and Destro because it's healing-based.

However, Blue dragons are arcane/frost-based, and I can see that directly competing with Mages. In my 5-spec class concept, I made the spec bow-based, but I don't think Blizzard would go that route, they would go straight Kalecgos mode;



Which is clearly mage-style.

[Nymrohd]

About 12 hours ago.



The mechanical core of the dragon class concept is well developed, so the class fantasy is relatively easy to produce. The problem I'm seeing is trying to avoid having the Blue dragon spec completely override the Mage class. Chromie HotS can avoid that because her abilities are sand-based, something Mages don't do. A Red dragon spec based on Alexstraza avoids too much conflict with Fire and Destro because it's healing-based.

However, Blue dragons are arcane/frost-based, and I can see that directly competing with Mages. In my 5-spec class concept, I made the spec bow-based, but I don't think Blizzard would go that route, they would go straight Kalecgos mode;

Which is clearly mage-style.

There is always the option to have some basic dragon shapeshifting be part of the race package (the mount form) instead of the class one and make Dragons a 3 class race with access to the Dragon Class, Mage and Druid. Give Druid dragon forms and keep the other two specs as is. We have had plenty of Red Dragons who were mages as well after all (Krasus)

[Teriz]

I mean it could always be a three spec class. You could give each spec access to multiple dragonflights and either make them stances or make the flight choice be the first talent row.

Not to be argumentative, but I think that would lack cohesion on a spec level. I believe you could make a good argument that if the player is a chromatic/prismatic drake, they're simply limited in the number of flights they can imitate. That way you avoid stepping on the toes of Mages and Druids, and avoid creating a Frankenstein of a class.

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There is always the option to have some basic dragon shapeshifting be part of the race package (the mount form) instead of the class one and make Dragons a 3 class race with access to the Dragon Class, Mage and Druid. Give Druid dragon forms and keep the other two specs as is. We have had plenty of Red Dragons who were mages as well after all (Krasus)

Now that's not a bad idea at all. In fact, if I were developing the class/race, that's the route I'd take.

[Baedril]

I think flight and flying would definitely be what sets this class apart from other classes. Deathwing HotS for example has Dragonflight where he launches himself into the air, healing himself, and then lands at another location. You could have a similar ability where if you're out of combat you can launch into the air to recover, turning into a dragon when you do so. Additionally, Alexstraza HotS has Cleansing Flames where she also launches into the air, but all you see is her shadow on the ground, and a targeting reticle where you can blast targets with fire. You then choose your landing zone.

https://www.wowhead.com/spell=206803/rain-from-above
https://www.wowhead.com/spell=328530/divine-ascension

We already have this in WoW as well via DH/Holy priest PvP talents, divine ascension lets you keep your bars/toolkit, just limited to holy only so you can't, say, mind control someone without the enemy team being able to stop it. DH gets a vehicle mode where they can shoot down bolts of fel, having some kind of expanded (and cooler looking) version of this for a dragon class would be sick.

[Syegfryed]

If they give me a class that can look even half as cool as Wrathion does in the middle image when they transform, I'll take it.

They can do that, DH is a proof, but i do hope they don't go lazy and jsut do two specs.

we can safely get 4 specs, but im ok with 3 and not being melee.

But I am kind of worried about the similarities between this purported new Dragon Class™ and Demon Hunters.

Nah, id on't think this would be a problem, they are safely distinguished enough from each other, especially if one is ranged.

ITs especially good since fucking DH are still fucking locked to elves.

[Wangming]

About 12 hours ago.

Oh, I spent most of that asleep.

Glad your class ideas have ranged dps and healing specs. Those are sorely lacking.

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They can do that, DH is a proof, but i do hope they don't go lazy and jsut do two specs.

we can safely get 4 specs, but im ok with 3 and not being melee.




Nah, id on't think this would be a problem, they are safely distinguished enough from each other, especially if one is ranged.

ITs especially good since fucking DH are still fucking locked to elves.

if all the dragon class specs were ranged I feel they would be different enough from demon hunter.

[Teriz]

Nah, id on't think this would be a problem, they are safely distinguished enough from each other, especially if one is ranged.

ITs especially good since fucking DH are still fucking locked to elves.

I fully support any class concept that curb stomps Demon Hunters into obscurity.

[SniperCT]

If I had to choose between a new race or new class, I'm not sure which I'd want more. I'd lean more towards race, tbh. but i feel like a dragon race might be limited class wise. Warrior, mage, warlock, druid and hunter? Oh wait, Shaman would be a possibility too, and probably priest.

[Chickat]

Is that metallic dragonflight Ren and Stimpy at the bottom?

Think its light and void?