A great big pile of info about future patches
by Elizabeth Wachowski 
Feb 20th 2007 at 8:55AM
Schwick, a community MVP on the European forums, took the trouble of compiling all known info about future patches into one handy thread. The highlights include:
- Druids will get an epic flight form, but they'll have to have 300 riding skill to use it -- unlike their regular flight form.
- The priest spell Circle of Healing is still being looked at for changes, but Blizzard doesn't anticipate changing Pain Suppression in any meaningful way.
- The PVP matching system will be introduced in the next content patch.
- There will probably be an Emerald Dream dungeon, but there's a good chance it will be saved until the next expansion. Ravenholdt and the Sunwell will probably be important in the future.
- Professions will be getting a revamp, and engineering is the first one they're going to look at.
- Warlock and hunter pets will be dismissed upon flying, so they no longer drag behind you on the ground and make you feel guilty.
- Guild housing, player last names, and guild banks are all things Blizzard is currently working on.
Thanks to Chris for the tip!
Filed under: Patches, Blizzard, The Burning Crusade, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Zuuler Feb 20th 2007 9:05AM
A previous article had mentioned warlock and hunter pets dissappearing when flying, and reappearing after you land, eliminating the need to re-summon the pet when you land.
I hope they still plan on doing it this way. Its a major PVP disadvantage to locks and hunters to not have a pet when you land (this obviously has implications mostly in outland and not so much azeroth).
Jeff Feb 28th 2007 12:54PM
What about hunters who tamed a bird? It should be ok for us then :) I find it funny to see my big bird crawling on the ground... Did Taming process unlearn bird to fly :S
Xtremebcn Feb 20th 2007 11:40AM
So druids get another travel form? epic flying one? LOL
and people says that giving an epic flying mount via quest + money + mats (like epic ground mount that costs as much as epic one) to warlocks and paladins is ask for too much.
BTW: "Can summon a demonic mount" from Blizz page of warlock character (http://www.wow-europe.com/en/info/classes/warlock/index.html) seems this is only for ground, but druids can get flying ones free via trainer.
We dont ask for free mount, just a demonic flying mount. But seems Blizz now only has eyes for druids :(.
KitKatDruid Feb 20th 2007 12:53PM
I'm very excited about the epic flight form, except I have a question. Does anyone know? It mentions you have to buy the flight form. Is it as expensive as the actual epic mount? Because, at that point, it's not so much an advantage as a disadvantage, since transforming eats mana. Not an intense amount, of course, but obviously more than if you were summoning a gryph.
Seltor Feb 20th 2007 9:34AM
Am I the only one who thinks the gear-matching for PVP is only going to increase the queue times?
Ugkul Feb 20th 2007 11:16AM
Frankly I always thought Engineers could be a class on its own. Right now its kind of an awkward fit as a profession.
Zuuler Feb 20th 2007 9:38AM
I can see how gear matching might increase queue times, but I don't think it will be all that bad. Maybe a few minutes here and there. Since cross-realm battlegrounds started I haven't had to wait more than 2 minutes to enter one.
They should make hunter and warlock pets just hop on the back of the flying mount. That would be awesome.
And what about fixing the imp? They hot"fixed" the bonus spell damage out of the imp, but haven't put it back in and now they're not even talking about putting it back in. Big hit on instances.
Romulox Feb 20th 2007 9:44AM
I thought they said housing wasnt going to happen.
Romulox Feb 20th 2007 9:49AM
Oh, and we should have some stories on Ravenholdt and the Sunwell to get us familiar with upcoming content. :)
Jorane Feb 20th 2007 9:56AM
@#3 I think that too. I think the queue times are going to depend on how strict the gear requirements are, but I think that any change like that will increase times. I haven't heard, though, if Blizzard will be looking at ALL gear (both gear being worn and in your bags), or just whatever you're wearing at the time. If they only pick worn gear, that'll definitely upset the system - just wear your Crocheted set to get in, then swap it out for your Tier 5 gear. :(
@#5 No, I think they said it would happen, they just didn't say when. Seems this compilation of future patch changes doesn't have any timeline attached to it.
Galipan Feb 20th 2007 10:23AM
Last names? Cool! I did NOT see that one coming. Then again, I'm not much of a forum reader
Mokojin Feb 20th 2007 10:45AM
I just cant wait for childrens week to drag the kids along behind us on our flying mounts. >:)
apavluck Feb 20th 2007 12:33PM
Here is the solution to the Pvp problem...forget the gear matching! You need to match those who enter as a group with a team that enters as a group. That will allow the guild on teamspeak not to just wipe the floor with pug teams. The gear thing balances itself out.
TwhiT Feb 20th 2007 10:40AM
FINALLY! keeping my eni skill might have actually pay off, lord i hope so.....hope they fix it soon =/
Becca Feb 20th 2007 10:42AM
The last names idea comes as a shock to me too. I guess it will be nice on the RP servers, but I'm not looking forward to all the unclever "Gankedyou Dahordekilla"-type people running around...
Kaylek Feb 21st 2007 8:25AM
I agree with 3, it'll greatly increase queue times, and some people honestly prefer testing their blues against a team of hot shot purples.
In addition, I think it largely defeats the purpose of min/maxing your PVE-aquired gear for PVP. Why bother getting any Gladiator, as I would see this as an equivalent to a wrestler gaining a single pound the pushes him into the next weight bracket with a severe disadvantage.
I think the concept of matching making gear quality is a good intention, but poor results are inevitable. Also, if this is in any way a reaction to lower bracket twinks (maybe as an intended side effect), I don't care about them or credit them with anything anyway. Once again, I rather enjoy going up against twinked out characters and showing them they need to do more than spam SS.
Glocky Feb 20th 2007 11:39AM
WTB "Being looked at" being upgraded to "Planned future patch."
Glocky - AD - L70 Shammy
Chris Feb 20th 2007 11:26AM
NP All thought you all might like it! :D
Roguerhunter Feb 20th 2007 12:59PM
Well as an Engineer myself I have always found that it low on the financial aspect. They need to make to think "Engineering" What is it well in todays world its Survival, Arsenal and a money maker! I think the better trinkets that Pwn better, that grenade launcher is cool but need to make it for both gnome as well. Also the pet trinkets dont need to be a 1 min thing. More like the guardians 10min at least with a lesser cool down. Also more Guardians at higher lvls. Finally better amo to make that Engineers can only make and as well make some good profit in that profession.
FadedReality Feb 20th 2007 11:57AM
@2: Bird mobs have a 6 foot ceiling :P
All these changes sound like this game is going to be taking my money for a long time to come