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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBornakk hints that Tier 3 might be removed from the game
by Adam Holisky 
Apr 17th 2008 at 5:00PM
With solid confirmation that Naxx will be "floating" off to Northrend (and not exist in two places at once) also comes a strong hint by Bornakk that they will be removing the ability to get Tier-3 armor pieces along with the rest of the current Naxx loot. Bornakk says that "For players who want the look and the stats of tier 3 armor at level 80, hopefully they are already farming the dungeon for them." This is a very strong indication that post WotLK, the current Tier 3 gear will be no longer available.Before today it has been pure speculation that this removal of loot would or would not happen. The only time that the WoW Insider staff can think of this happening before (save for the holiday and special events) is with a few old mount models getting changed. And that is nothing compared to entire loot tables being removed from the game. Note that the changes in patch 2.3 to old world loot were just that – changes, not removal.
In many ways this removal does make since, given that the armor models will be reused in Wrath of the Lich King's version of Naxx. While there is similar looking and colored gear floating around WoW, none of it is really twenty levels apart and powerful each in their own right.
However with that said, the removal of items from the game like this stirs a mixed reaction in me.
Part of me doesn't really care, given that it's not going to be useful for my characters past level 68 or so. But another part of me is unsettled that I won't be able to get my lowbie characters a super-powered item from Naxx. Don't doubt that this hasn't been done – I've taken a level 59 toon into MC and retrieved some pieces of gear that've lasted me until 63, and have done the same with Naxx.
The other thing that this removal of loot might do is create the ultimate status icon – old world Tier 3 armor. If people are no longer able to get it, the demand for the armor will be ridiculously high given the non-existent supply. This creates a situation where those who have it still will automatically posses one helluva status symbol, especially in the years following the release of WotLK.
What are your opinions on the removal of Tier 3 loot? Quite an interesting change, is it not?
Filed under: Items, Analysis / Opinion, News items, Raiding, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
dave99@aol.com Apr 17th 2008 5:27PM
Just a crazy thought, but... what about people that DON'T get the expansions? Isn't Blizzard effectively removing content for them by taking away Naxx and removing tier 3? I don't know if there's actually a group of people that play without TBC, so that issue might not exists, but....
Treima Apr 17th 2008 5:30PM
You are right. This just gives people more of an incentive to not be cheap, go out and relinquish the money to get the expansions.
Manatank Apr 17th 2008 5:31PM
Wah?
Rich Apr 17th 2008 6:53PM
Like someone who doesn't get the expansions is going to be able to get people to run Naxx if it stayed... New players are going to Naxx now, they are hardly going to MC or AQ. Moving Naxx and making it "WotLK Friendly" not only makes sense, it will allow more people to actually see it.
Its still lame, they are just retooling it and changing the loot tables from the original Naxx, but its better than nothing.
arcady0 Apr 17th 2008 5:38PM
But at 25-man rather than 10 or even 5, there will still be a majority of players that never get to step foot in it.
Badger Apr 17th 2008 8:31PM
Sadly, that is true ... but at least it's *somewhat* closer to striking a balance between the completely inaccessible 40-Man Raid system and the basic 5-Man Party system. It wouldn't be nearly as hard to find a group, especially when only half as many members are required.
Badger Apr 18th 2008 10:41AM
Sadly, that is true ... but at least it's *somewhat* closer to striking a balance between the completely inaccessible 40-Man Raid system and the basic 5-Man Party system. It wouldn't be nearly as hard to find a group, especially when only half as many members are required.
(Re-submitted. For some reason, the Insider site attached my Reply to the wrong post.)
Dave Apr 17th 2008 5:27PM
I thought this would be pretty obvious based on the fact that Naxx won't be a Tier3 instance anymore...
They'll probably just recolor the sets and use them for T7 or 8. I wouldn't worry too much.
If you really want the gear for whatever reason, it's not too tough to raid it now as long as you treat it like a technical fight you can only lose when you're not trying. There are a few fights that will still wipe you easy if you don't know what you're doing, but it's not like patchwerk will be any difficulty with T5+ raid dps.
There's not a lot of useful loot left in there. A few trinkets, the enchants and maybe some other stuff happens to still be relevant at 70, but I guess if you really want the look, that's what you've got. I wouldn't waste several hours per week on it, but that's just me.
Meira Apr 17th 2008 5:33PM
I really hope that Tier 7 gives the same set bonus that Tier 3 had... specially mage: chance on spell hit to increase the damage of the next spell by 200 (by the time, i hope better damage bonus :P), reducing Evocation's cd by 1 min and chance on spell hit to avoid aggro on next spell... oh... and that sexy 8-piece set bonus of Tier 2... you know, the chance of instant casts ^^ Please Blizzard!!! XD
Kzin Apr 17th 2008 5:34PM
so is there going to be a new atiesh???
James Apr 17th 2008 5:34PM
Sorry, I just have to do this...
sense*
Lab Monkey Apr 17th 2008 6:02PM
Someone had to. Spellcheck =/= Proof Reading.
Jademalo Apr 17th 2008 5:37PM
I see it as simple..
All you need is a "Retro" setting. Like Heroic or sumit. A small attunement to get you a "Portal" or summit from the old naxx area to northrend naxx area, and a changeable setting depending on weather you want the old 40-man or the new 25 man.
I just see it as so simple.
And it would tie in with "Lore" and the likes.
Todd Apr 17th 2008 5:37PM
I guess this also extends to any possibility of getting any legendary caster weapon... of which most nobody has need or gotten.
Andrew Apr 17th 2008 5:38PM
There is precedent: Lord Kazzak/Highlord Kruul are no longer in the game, and as such, their loot tables are gone (in fact, because of this, the set "Spirit of Eskhandar" is now no longer able to be completed.
Matt Apr 17th 2008 6:15PM
kazzak is still in the game...hes still at the throne of kil'jaeden where you do 2 of the SSO quests...
Charles Apr 17th 2008 7:36PM
Doom Lord Kazzak is in game, Lord Kazzak was his old incantation that drops the piece of the set.
Rhys Apr 17th 2008 5:40PM
What on earth?
The level 60 version is being removed. Of course you won't be able to get the loot from there anymore.
Tirion Apr 17th 2008 5:46PM
Oh come on. In the amount of time it would take to get attuned and farm Nax for a complete set of T3, you could level from 57-70. If there's really people out there gearing their toons for Outland this way, Blizzard is doing them a huge favor.
Murmillos Apr 17th 2008 5:57PM
I doubt they are going to remove~remove the armor. Just once Naxx is moved (and the old 40 man instance is removed) then any chance to get the Teir-3 Armor will be removed. Also, they sound like they have no plans to reuse the armor set, so the looks will never be seen, except by those who have the armor before the chance to get it is removed.