Archimonde Hotfixes
by Robin Torres 
Aug 11th 2007 at 5:30PM
Daelo, Lead Encounter Designer, has announced on the forums that the Archimonde encounter in the Battle of Mount Hyjal (Caverns of Time) has been hotfixed in preparation for Patch 2.2. Daelo says:In an effort to apply some of our upcoming 2.2 changes in a more expedited manner, we're hotfixing some elements of the Archimonde encounter. Not every planned change to Archimonde could be hotfixed, the other announced changes will occur with the release of patch 2.2.
The following hotfix changes are now live:
- Archimonde now casts fear in a bit more consistent manner, roughly every 40 seconds.
- Fear's cast time is now 1.5 seconds.
- Grip of the Legion now has only a 60 yard range.
- Red Soul Charge now only silences players for 4 seconds.
The planned changes for Mother Shahraz could not be hotfixed, but we are working to resolve via hotfix the timing issue with Essence of Desire's Rune Shield and Spirit Shock. Working on that fix, we discovered that Rune Shield wasn't actually absorbing any damage. We're also working to fix that error. Since the Rune Shield is normally removed quickly, Essence of Desire still won't get much benefit out of the effect. Mages who Spell Steal the effect will be quite a bit happier, however.
I wonder if this means that Patch 2.2 will be coming out in the next couple of weeks. Since VOIP just got implemented on the PTR, I doubt it will be released any sooner.
Are you happy with these changes?
Filed under: Patches, News items, Bosses
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
schroey Aug 11th 2007 6:01PM
How many of your readers have actually gotten to Archimonde to really be able to discuss the changes, heh.
brett Aug 11th 2007 7:09PM
... at least one.
It makes archimonde a little less punishing. Getting gripped just after an airburst when you are miles away from the nearest decurser felt random and stupid.
Also, being that I raid hordeside, having a more predicatble fear really helps our or non fear-warded tanks.
The change to the red soul effect is .. nice i guess. At this point for us, if one of those effects happens its pretty much a cascade wipe.
jakeh111 Aug 11th 2007 6:39PM
me
tython25 Aug 11th 2007 7:29PM
99% of the population will not be able to even see this content unless they watch the video. Maybe when everyone is 80, people will go back to experience the content but I doubt it...
keegan Aug 11th 2007 8:08PM
Your lack of skill should not stop blizzard from producing quality raid content. If you WANT to see this content, it is VERY VERY do-able, even for the casual gamer. WoW rewards those who put in the effort.
schroey Aug 11th 2007 9:02PM
My lack of skill isn't the issue. It is the availability of comparable skill with likeminded schedules that is lacking.
Being in a casual guild myself, we have been progressing through SSC and the Eye moderately. When you can only raid 3 nights a week due to real life schedules, you are not going to get to black temple in short time.
brett Aug 11th 2007 9:33PM
You might be surprised. The content progresses fairly rapidly these days. The only two major blocks being vashj and kael'thas. Both of which are very complicated encounters that will take many tries to master. Once you get through them though it's smooth sailing to archie/well/shaz
tython25 Aug 11th 2007 10:08PM
@5- you are confusing quality with complex, time consuming, heal heavy encounters. You cannot see BT as a casual gamer no matter how you want to sugarcoat it...
@7- more than kael and vash are keeping people from seeing content. #6 gives many good reasons. I'd include more but the majority of wow's player base gets it. It's the small hardcore minority that never will...
brett Aug 11th 2007 11:30PM
@8 : I've been on all three sides of the fence. Hardcore PvP, Hardcore Slackercasual and now Hardcore raider. I know what the arguments are on all sides. I agree that it sucks to know that there are things you will probably never see. (I for instance never got to see C'thun or the back half of Naxxramas.)
I also realize that you need that carrot out there on the stick to drive players forward. If there was nothing beyond Karazhan I think you would see alot less players.
That all being said, I'm looking forward to instances like Zul'Aman which are both accessible and reward the skilled. The word is that the loot dropped will be better the faster you complete the objectives. Defiantly an interesting new model for content. I'm sure that there will be a chorus of whining none-the-less.
Slayblaze Aug 12th 2007 12:05AM
>quote
>Defiantly an interesting new model for content
>endquote
Freudian slip?
RHR Aug 12th 2007 12:40AM
Probably not what the question was, but it's about 2.2 - blizzard have nerfed blade flurry, best PvE rogue skill by far.
Dayum. =/
brett Aug 12th 2007 12:48AM
@10 bad spellcheck heh.
tython25 Aug 12th 2007 8:59AM
@9- well said. I think Blizzard did a poll and found Karazhan to be the most cleared instance in the game atm so it's good they are adding another 10 man.
Just having played other MMO's, this game is way too dependant on healing to be fun. The amount of precision timing on end game encounters, reps and gear needed is sometimes staggering.
But I guess it's true that if Bliz made the game too easy, people would get bored fast and move on which is why so much of BC was untuned when it was released; make it harder on the players.
Actually I think the model for Zul'Aman is the right way to go. Let the hardcores have a little better gear for blazing through it and let the casuals actually see the content. Maybe it will be the happy medium everyone is looking for.