4.1 Changes for Hunters (so far)

[Kalcheus]

From the Blizz post (http://blue.mmo-champion.com/topic/1...-coming-soon):

Hunters

•Explosive Trap now has a new spell effect.
•Master's Call now has a new spell effect.
•Tame Beast now tames pets to match the hunter's level, rather than 5 levels below.

(the AotH tooltip change wasn't listed)
...

I'm sure no one has an issue with the last one, but the first two give pause. If I had to guess, they're trying to remove the possibility of Trap Launcher + Explosive Trap possibly being part of the standard SV (or any other spec) rotation permanently; less damage plus an additional effect (stun?) sounds right. As for Master's Call, umm, I need someone to hold me because I'm guessing the "supposedly buff but actually nerf" in 4.0.6 wasn't enough. But I have been more cynical of Hunter changes lately so that might be looking at its mention through obsidium-colored glasses.

EDIT:

Missed this part the first time:

Classes: General

•All non-damaging interrupts off the global cooldown will now always hit the target. This includes Pummel, Shield Bash, Kick, Mind Freeze, Rebuke, Skull Bash, Counterspell, Wind Shear, Solar Beam, Silencing Shot, and related player pet abilities.

Not sure how this impacts Hunters, actually. Was missing with interrupts an issue before?

[redsunrising15]

Don't think so, but now interrupts are like taunts, they can't miss?

[Herecius]

I would hope the change to explosive trap is simply to fix the ever-persistent bug in which two hunters' explosive traps will not stack their damage with one another.

[Kalcheus]

Don't think so, but now interrupts are like taunts, they can't miss?

If they're off GCD and don't do damage, yep. Sounds like other classes had to be hit capped before to ensure it, so this gives them some flexibility. I'm guessing if you weren't hit-capped the moth's or gorilla's silence/interrupt could miss?

---------- Post added 2011-02-24 at 11:42 AM ----------

I would hope the change to explosive trap is simply to fix the ever-persistent bug in which two hunters' explosive traps will not stack their damage with one another.

I don't know, the "new spell effect" seems to indicate there's some doings-a-transpiring.

[Hoylie]

Blizz really should start playing a hunter..

When you tame a pet it is only 3 levels below you, not 5 <.<;

[Kalcheus]

A thought about Explosive Trap change: it could be that they're going to get rid of Immolation Trap and combine the two, and to do so you make it that it does Y damage to each mob in the area, where Y = X / # of Mobs.

[redsunrising15]

That would be an explosive idea. It makes me burn with happiness.

[Hyolith]

I'd glad they are doing away with having to level our pets. I was just leveling my mage and realized wow my elemental is always my level. I've spent a good deal of time leveling pets to get ready for pvp and raids and such, it'll be nice to not have to deal with that.

[Alexandris]

I think by 'spell effect' they mean graphic, guys...

[izdlang]

I think by 'spell effect' they mean graphic, guys...

^ this.. im pretty sure.. spell effect all the pretty sparkly that goes on.

[Kalcheus]

^ this.. im pretty sure.. spell effect all the pretty sparkly that goes on.

I thought that at first too ... but that's noteworthy this early in patch testing?

[redsunrising15]

I thought that at first too ... but that's noteworthy this early in patch testing?

It was for master's call

[Skuz]

I think by 'spell effect' they mean graphic, guys...

This 100%

There is no way they would actually fix something for us.

[Hyolith]

I was thinking all of that too until I saw this:

# The PvP Horde and Alliance trinkets have a new spell effect.

Unless I have been under a rock and pvp trinkets have always provided some sort of effect to let people know when you used them?

[ilo]

@Hyolith: They did. And even if you missed gfx for that, addons would come to the rescue (;

And for me, after reading new spell effect, changed graphics of those skills came to mind first.

[Gotjuice]

How about fixing some bugs!? Making Camo useful? Concussive Shot glyph?? Traps and spell penetration!? Making MS something hunters will use again??

[Kalcheus]

How about fixing some bugs!? Making Camo useful?

Camo is totally useful, especially in PVE. In PVP it's not as useful as some originally envisioned, but it can be useful against certain classes.

Actually, I'm not sure if the last part is accurate. But I'm hoping to head off people from other classes jumping in and whining about Camo because someone in the Hunter forum said it wasn't useful.

[wowplayer]

i was hoping the spell effect referred to something that helps break hunters out of the paralyze in HC stonecore. sucks how we can have serpent sting, black arrow, explosive shot on him and still get paralyzed.

[Cyph3r]

How about fixing some bugs!? Making Camo useful? Concussive Shot glyph?? Traps and spell penetration!? Making MS something hunters will use again??

Don't freak out yet, of course there will be bug fixes. But those don't make the preliminary patch notes usually, ya know?

On topic; I interpreted "spell effect" as "visual effect". As it stands now explosive trap is just a burning graphic on the ground and the occasional little fire plume. It can easily get lost among other effects. My guess is it's to make it more noticeable for pvp purposes.

However... if they are going to actually change the effect of the trap, can it become an aoe knockback please? I'm well aware of the likelihood of this happening, but just think about how much fun we could have with something like that.

[Kalcheus]

However... if they are going to actually change the effect of the trap, can it become an aoe knockback please? I'm well aware of the likelihood of this happening, but just think about how much fun we could have with something like that.

Why would something called "Explosive" have a knockback? Every time I go by something that explodes I don't move at all.