WotLK changes, Tournament Q&A, Badge vendor

[Boubouille]

Rogue and Paladin changes in WotLK
Dagger rogues and retribution paladins will get some love, however there won't be any class changes before the release of Wrath of the Lich King.
[blizzquote author=Bornakk]Retribution paladins
We have mentioned in the past that we would like to improve Retribution Paladins in Wrath of the Lich King, we just don't have a lot of specific details to release regarding this right now. We did say we plan on changing how their abilities work to share gear with warriors which will help make it easier for them to gear up though. (Source)

Dagger rogues
We understand that daggers need a bit of improvement and plan to improve them. Currently though there are other options for doing damage for the Rogue so it is not like all options are blocked, but like I said, we are aware of this issue. (Source)

Classes changes before the expansion
We currently don't have any plans to make big changes to any class before Wrath of the Lich King. (Source)[/blizzquote]


Hunter - Charge affecting Growl is a bug
Sad news for all the hunters using a boar in solo PvE, your pet will be nerfed in a future patch.

I have confirmed with the developers that Boar's growl ability getting such a large bonus to attack power based on charge is a bug. Growl should only benefit from the hunter's attack power and get no benefit from buffs to the pet's attack power.

Expect this to be changed in a future patch. If you disagree with this change please post about it in the suggestions or class forums.

Arena tournament Q&A
Bornakk answered a lot of questions related to the Arena Tournament on the official forums.

Why are the +15 Agility to gloves and the +24 AP to bracers enchantments not available ?
We were adding in as many enchants and items as possible based on what arena players were using and what players who helped test the Tournament system requested, we must have missed these. We’re currently looking to see if we can get these added in, but currently it doesn’t look like they’ll make it into the Tournament. (Source)

The tournament details mentioned world pvp, and so far you cant kill an opposite faction at all. Is this coming?
We did remove the note that mentioned World PvP when it was decided to take it out. World PvP requires a lot of players to be in the same area at the same time which would lead people away from the Arenas and we want to keep people focused on the Arena games. The more people queuing up the better for everybody really. (Source)

Why are 2v2 and 5v5 games available on the Tournament Realm ?
The 2v2 and 5v5 games are still offered as we want to provide players with more options to enjoy while playing on the Tournament realms. If you have extra friends that are online (or fewer) you can play the other games and still battle your heart or even try some new things for fun. We will continue to monitor the queues and make changes as we are able to though (Source)

When will all ratings reset to 1500 (end of the practice period) ?
The practice period will end on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 when the servers go down for maintenance and at this time, all teams will be reset to 1500 rating. (Source)

When do we need 200 games by?
The 200 games must be played by the end of the first qualifier which is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 when the servers go down for maintenance. Players will have 4 weeks to play the 200 games that count toward their final rating. The same length of time will apply to the second qualification round though the dates for the second qualification will obviously be different. (Source)

If i have 3 characters, Am I allowed to play with 3 groups ? One group for each character?
If you have three characters you can be on three different teams, however, you will only be eligible to qualify for the regionals with one team. If you happen to have two teams that qualify, you will have to pick one to play. (Source)

When will we be kicked out of the tournament if we don't have enough games or a high enough rating?
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 is when the first round of qualification completes. You will have to re-register to continue to take part in the Tournament Realm past this date. (Source)

Do I need to have my group formed at the end of the period of practice?
It is best to have your team formed and ready at the end of the practice period and before Phase 2 of the Tournament begins (which is when actual rankings begin) because your team will lose 150 rating for each team member added during this phase. (Source)

Approximately what rating is needed to advance to Stage 2?
There is no numerical value we can attach to this question right now. It depends on how well players do and where they are at when the four week period finishes. (Source)

50 Characters limit and Arena Tournament Realm
Keep in mind the 50 characters per account restriction still applies to the new Tournament Realms. You will want to check your total and possibly delete a single character and see if you can then create a new one on the Tournament Realm of your choice. (Source)

Other blue posts

Season 4 still ways off
We will provide information a couple weeks in advance when Season 4 is near stating. Right now there is no information regarding this as it is still a ways off. (Source)

WoTLK: Goodbye LVL70 dungeons?
We don't have any plans to update old content for level 80 players. Instead we plan to provide lots of brand new content for our players to go through in Wrath of the Lich King. We talked about the dungeons a bit in the next BlizzCast too, so stay tuned. (Source)

Any chance of introducing heroic versions of "classic" dungeons in WotLK ? Like Heroic Stratholme ?
We don't have any plans currently to do this. But the Caverns of Time: Stratholme dungeon will let you experience that dungeon in a whole new way at least. (Source)

Will AQ40 Bug Mounts useable outside the dungeon at some point ?
We have seen requests for this in the past but we don't have any plans currently to implement this and they were never intended to be used outside of the dungeon they dropped in. (Source)

Armory update frequency
The Armory updates on a continuous basis, there are just some issues we are continuing to work on ironing out where some things are missed in this process. Generally speaking I've seen my characters' profiles updated within 2-3 hours of when I log out. (Source)

US-Proudmoore unlocks the Badge Vendor !
US-Proudmoore was the first realm to unlock the badge vendor during the 3rd phase of the Shattered Sun Offensive ! And if you've been wondering, that's how your server will look like once it happens (Thanks to Sync for the screenshots) :

As a reminder, they can now buy all the following rewards :

Prices for Sunwell badge items
Chest/Legs - 100 Badges
Gloves/Belt/Boots - 75 Badges
Rings - 60 Badges
Two-Hand/Caster Weapons (Including 1H Caster) - 150 Badges
One-hand Weapons - 105 Badges
Off-hands - 45 Badges

Weapons

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/gavelofnaarublessings.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Gavel of Naaru Blessings[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/thebladeofharbingers.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]The Blade of Harbingers[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/staffoftheforestlord.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Staff of the Forest Lord[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/vanirsrightfistofbrutality.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Vanir's Right Fist of Brutality[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/vanirsleftfistofbrutality.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Vanir's Left Fist of Brutality[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/vanirsleftfistofsavagery.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Vanir's Left Fist of Savagery[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/scryersbladeoffocus.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Scryer's Blade of Focus[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/bladeofserration.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Blade of Serration[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/swiftbladeofuncertainty.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Swift Blade of Uncertainty[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/themutilator.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]The Mutilator[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/crossbowofrelentlessstrikes.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Crossbow of Relentless Strikes[/b]</font>[/url]

Cloth

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/legwrapsofswelteringflame.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Legwraps of Sweltering Flame[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/corruptedsoulclothpantaloon.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Corrupted Soulcloth Pantaloons[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/adornedsupernallegwraps.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Adorned Supernal Legwraps[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/bootsofincantations.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Boots of Incantations[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/shroudofthelorenial.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Shroud of the Lore'nial[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/slippersofdutifulmending.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Slippers of Dutiful Mending[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/gownofspiritualwonder.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Gown of Spiritual Wonder[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/enslaveddoomguardsoulgrips.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Enslaved Doomguard Soulgrips[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/tormenteddemonsoulrobes.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Tormented Demonsoul Robes[/b]</font>[/url]

Leather

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/barbedglovesofthesage.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Barbed Gloves of the Sage[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/embraceofeverlastingprowess.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Embrace of Everlasting Prowess[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/crystalwindleggings.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Crystalwind Leggings[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/tamelessbreeches.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Tameless Breeches[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/embraceofstarlight.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Embrace of Starlight[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/beltofthesilentpath.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Belt of the Silent Patch[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/tunicofthedarkhour.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Tunic of the Dark Hour[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/shroudofnaturesharmony.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Shroud of Nature's Harmony[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/trousersofthescryersretaine.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Trousers of the Scryers' Retainer[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/handwrapsoftheaggressor.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Handwraps of the Aggressor[/b]</font>[/url]

Mail

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/rushingstormkilt.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Rushing Storm Kilt[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/clutchofthesoothingbreeze.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Clutch of the Soothing Breeze[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/waveoflifechestguard.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Wave of Life Chestguard[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/aftershockwaistguard.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Aftershock Waistguard[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/gauntletsofrapidity.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Gauntlets of Rapidity[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/leggingsofthepursuit.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Leggings of the Pursuit[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/hauberkofwhirlingfury.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Hauberk of Whirling Fury[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/runedscalesofantiquity.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Runed Scales of Antiquity[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/scaleddrakeskinchestguard.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Scaled Drakeskin Chestguard[/b]</font>[/url]

Plate

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/chestplateofstoicism.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Chestplate of Stoicism[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/legplatesofunendingfury.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Legplates of Unending Fury[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/breastplateofire.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Breastplate of Ire[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/girdleofthefearless.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Girdle of the Fearless[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/shattprotectoratebreastpl.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Shattrath Protectorate's Breastplate[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/inscribedlegplatesaldor.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Inscribed Legplates of the Aldor[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/sunguardlegplates.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Sunguard Legplates[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/greavesofpacification.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Greaves of Pacification[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/ecclesiasticalcuirass.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Ecclesiastical Cuirass[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/waistguardofreparation.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Waistguard of Reparation[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/legionbanegreavesofadyen.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Legionbane Greaves of Adyen[/b]</font>[/url]

[url="http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/february/girdleofseethingrage.jpg"]<font color="#A335EE">[b]Girdle of Seething Rage[/b]</font>[/url]

Rings
[item=34890]
[item=34889]
[item=34887]
[item=34888]


Comics
A new comic has been added to the official site.

<script src="http://www.wowhead.com/widgets/power.js?3"></script>
<script>$WowheadPower.set({showlogo:1,applyto:2});</script>

[Dessimus]

TQ for Sunwell badge item prices... some of the stuff looks very good and lucky I have been saving up

[Hokuto]

4 days to unlock the badge vendor, that's nice. So "regular" servers should take a week or so after P3.

[insidelane]

The PvP and lag is bad enough now, I can't think what it will be like when the vendor opens :S

[overneathe]

Hahahahahhahah the comic is hahahahha omg hahaa.
Quite nice.

[Octopus]

Wish they'd leave Retri alone, it's more than fine now. How about they give Holy some recognition as being the weakest healer and buff that instead.

Does the changes to daggers mean itemization changes to the daggers, or changes to dagger specs for Rogues? Is Mutilate no longer a good spec? o_o

[Beefpotpie]

Boub, it appears that you have left out Grovewalker's Leggings (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=34901#sold-by) from your list of leather items that are available from the badge vendor!

[Yasuhiko]

That's right, Enhancement Shaman, forget about PvP >
~Blizzard

[Wevah]

A lot of the linked item images are from before the model/texture updates that took place partway through the PTR testing (e.g., on Gavel of Naaru Blessings). I don't know if it really matters, though; the stats should be the same.