Bornakk on item scaling in WotLK
by Michael Gray 
Jun 18th 2008 at 6:00PM
We're already seeing some significant changes to the way gear works in Wrath of the Lich King. However, in a thread on the official forums about the ever-increasing character level cap, Bornakk steps in to set at least a few minds at ease regarding the way gear will scale. He says the developers don't plan on overhauling gear in Wrath quite the same way they had when TBC came out. So, while the items will be more powerful, we shouldn't see the same disparity between WotLK items and pre-WotLK items that we did for BC gear and pre-BC gear. It won't be like you'll pick up a green from a level 71 quest that replaces your S4 gear.
But there's a bunch of stat changes in WotLK that've already been revealed. Does this mean the spellpower changes will go back through all of the BC gear, or is it just that the item level is going to remain a steady scale? Or will unified spellpower only be available in Northrend? Eh, we're only in Alpha right now. Just the notion that Blizzard is aware and considering this issue is enough for now, and I guess we can wait and see how the drops will look.
Filed under: Items, Analysis / Opinion, News items, Expansions, Leveling, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Eternalpayn Jun 18th 2008 6:11PM
"In Wrath of the Lich King we don't currently plan to rework an entire statistic like that, so instead the items will just get more powerful at a more consistent rate. Of course anything can still change so we'll have to see how things turn out."
Uhh... I guess that means the spellpower guess was wrong?
Nogun Jun 18th 2008 6:18PM
Spell power is for damage casters nothing but a cosmetic change. For healers it is an increase in spell damage but not such a big one since they already got 1/3rd of their healing as spelldamage.
Merging crit/hit/haste however is really a much bigger change but it won't really impact the performance of any class/spec except Enhancement shamans.
Nogun Jun 18th 2008 6:21PM
Typo,
The merge of Spell crit with crit and Spell hit with hit and SPell haste with haste rather, still 3 separate rating stats.
Ikarus Jun 18th 2008 6:43PM
a 2/3 increase in bonus damage isn't a major change?
Eternalpayn Jun 18th 2008 6:55PM
I'm putting 300% extra spell damage under a major change.
Kevo Jun 19th 2008 8:38AM
That comment was made specifically for stamina. I understand he said that they do not plan on reworking an entire statistic again, but I'd lean to the side of statistic meaning strictly intellect/strength/stamina etc... and not necessarily the spell damage rework.
Blackhorn Jun 19th 2008 3:11PM
@ Nogun:
Spellpower isn't meant to make healers more potent DPSers, it's meant to allow easier respecs and fewer gear sets.
LostOne Jun 18th 2008 6:22PM
So if gear won't be scaling as much in WotLK, that means that we'll see level 80s still wearing their T5, T6, S4 and S3 gear? Where's the fun in that? Leveling up is more fun when you're getting new toys.
makishima Jun 19th 2008 10:34AM
I doubt it, I think what he was really going for here was you wont see a lvl 71 who had full T6 running around in Northrend greens because they are better than his T6 gear. Sure there will still be some pieces that survive till 80 simply because they're still the best in slot available to you.
Milktub Jun 19th 2008 10:42AM
Point being that you'll get new stuff, just it'll be more sensible.
I imagine that when I take my underused rogue into Northrend, I'll be replacing about 99% of his gear before level 72. Poor kid is still wearing some level 66 greens.
But I doubt most of my warrior's tanking gear will be replaced before 75 ... unless instance mechanics up in the north require frost resist or other bits than straight up migitation/EH.
marj Jun 18th 2008 7:32PM
It took me about 5 minutes to find the link to the actual post.... I guess I'm a newb
Eternalpayn Jun 18th 2008 8:49PM
Haha, I clicked every link in the post before I found the source button, too. I started to look for the icon that massively uses.
doyesac Jun 18th 2008 9:06PM
You'd think the original source would be linked at "Bornakk says", since the source is WHERE bornakk says it!
But WOW Insider is the king of gratuitous self-links.