Breakfast topic: Cha cha cha changes
by Amanda Dean 
Jun 19th 2008 at 8:00AM
I have to admit, I was a little bit astonished by news of patch 2.4.3. We know that Blizzard is ramping up for the release of Wrath of the Lich King, as they did for the Burning Crusade. The two things that stand out most to me are the Cheat Death nerf and the reduction of riding skill level requirement to 30. Even as a Cosmo Girl, I don't really care much about Harris Piltion's new line of designer bags. (Unless those bags have 24 slots and don't have tacky, brand-name logos on them.)
I think we can expect more changes in the not-too-distant future. We've already seen the death of most raid attunements. I expect to see the cost of epic flying skill reduced considerably in future patches. The same thing happened with epic land mounts, and long ago Drysc hinted that such a change may be in the works. I'd also like to see an additional character slot or two added to each realm.
What changes do you predict will occur prior to Wrath's release?
Filed under: Patches, Analysis / Opinion, Breakfast Topics
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tushar Bharadia Jun 19th 2008 8:08AM
Epic mounts at level 55 to match the Deathcharger.
Badger Jun 19th 2008 10:50AM
Bingo. This was exactly what I was going to say.
Those seem like nice, round numbers:
30 levels to Mount. (30 level diff.)
55 levels to Epic Mount. (25 level diff.)
70 levels to Flying Mount. (15 level diff.)
When you take into consideration the relative difficulty of each of those level ranges, then revisions to the Mount system make a lot of sense. Earning a Mount after each closing each of those level 'brackets' strikes me as a just reward.
Radiophonic Jun 19th 2008 4:25PM
Nah, seriously, how long would it take to do 5 levels? C'mon
rosencratz Jun 19th 2008 8:08AM
It has only been mentioned that the flying mount cost would be reduced if a higher riding skill was "required" for anything else that is necessary!
I should hope it's never reduced. there is nothing else we could possibly want to ride than a 280/310% speed flying mount. What do you want next a 400% rowing boat?
There's just no justification to reduce the epic cost because it will never be "Needed" the basic maybe require dtog et access tos ome instance or dalaran or something but why would you "need" the epic speed one? And what could they release that'd be better and thus justify a higher skill rank?
(Other than "de-iced wings" which has always been a silly idea)
Farrell Jun 19th 2008 8:23AM
weren't passenger mounts announced at one point? That could take any level of character
Mattias Löfblad Jun 19th 2008 8:26AM
In that case I want a shark mount with frickin' laser beams on its head.
Fedya Jun 19th 2008 8:33AM
Can't remember where but I've read something about mounts with passengers in Wrath.
rosencratz Jun 19th 2008 8:39AM
Why would the naturally next step from "flying" be "passengers?"
As far as i've heard the passenger mechanic was involved in a quest where you are a passenger on the back of an npc ridden mount and there's some speculation that maybe it'll be possible to bunk up on someone else mount by why would you need a new riding skill for that?
Additionally why would the "passenger" riding skill be "required" for any reason like flying is required for Tempest keep for example?
Fedya Jun 19th 2008 8:42AM
Not like that. It stated that you will be able to buy a mount that can take passengers, and that mount can be used in 'old world' also.
Alliance SM run comes in mind... You can just take your lowbie to the SM and run him through. Or wait! Mounts at 30... :S
rosencratz Jun 19th 2008 8:51AM
That is a new type of mount however and not a new skill and, furthermore, there is no element to it that suggests that it's "Neede," as in you'll need it progress in the game in the same way you HAD to have a flapper mount to get into tempest keep which is why they made the the epic ground mount skill cheaper, to help make tempest keep more accessible.
I can't see Passenger mounts being "needed" just possibly expensive and so there is no justification to lowering the epic flapper skill if the original statement is to believed then it shouldn't be.
Zanzi Jun 19th 2008 9:48AM
Uhhh... actually, I'd totally take a 400% speed boat. It would mean less reliance on flight paths and harbor towns in Azeroth, not to mention new areas to explore.
In fact, if we ever get an expansion focusing on the Maelstrom and its nearby islands, something like this would make a lot of sense. If they never introduce flying mounts in Azeroth, I could certainly picture them introducing watercraft of some kind, though it's likely an expansion or two away.
Eternalpayn Jun 19th 2008 10:40AM
Hey rosen, what's up? What guild are you in nowadays?
Anyways, yes, it was either leaked or announced about the passenger mounts being able to carry other players.
Ayrianna Jun 19th 2008 8:15AM
I really don't see the epic flying mount price being reduced any time soon. Perhaps when Wrath actually comes out, they'll do it, but Blizzard has hinted that they're trying to add in more money sinks into the game before Wrath, and the epic flyer is the ultimate money sink at the moment.
I don't think they need to change too many other things before Wrath comes out, but I'm still rooting for old-world attunments to go away.
Fedya Jun 19th 2008 8:37AM
Alliance Onyxia attunement is the most fun quest in game atm. It would be horrible if it'd be removed.
Naxx attunement is stupid and should be removed, but with Naxx moving this won't be an issue...
Culhag Jun 19th 2008 8:23AM
I heard the bags are 22 slots for 1200 gold.
Khanmora Jun 19th 2008 8:32AM
that's what's up on Wowhead right now.
ninjasuperspy Jun 19th 2008 8:27AM
Haris Pilton:
["Gigantique" Bag]
"Gigantique" Bag
Binds when equipped
22 Slot Bag
- 1200 Gold
Yes. 22 slots. 1200 gold. BoE. Yes.
ninjasuperspy Jun 19th 2008 8:29AM
Also, the Silvermoon flightmaster has Dragonhawks instead of bats. So, can we see giant moths from Exodar? Nether Rays?
rosencratz Jun 19th 2008 8:38AM
Belfs are known for riding the Dragonhawks. I've never seen draenei riding moths and not seen a glimpse of a Nether Ray on Azeroth not even from the crashed bits of the Exodar.
No reason to assume the Skyguard are at the Exodar really and the Hypogryph's make far more sense considering where the Draenei are.
ninjasuperspy Jun 19th 2008 9:09AM
@rosencratz: I only suggest that because they don't have a history of riding anything other than nether rays, and there are moths in abundance on the islands (and only on the islands). So I kinda assume they brought the moths with them like the ravagers.
If anything the night elf's reticence to even talk to Draenei (EREDAR!) makes them less likely to lend them Hippogryphs. Unless the argument is that they found themselves next to Night Elf lands and decided to take the available transports. Though that doesn't work because Hippogryphs are intelligent and capable of speaking Darnassian.
I'd be pro a Draenei-specific intra-island flying transport. Any thoughts on what it might be, if not a moth or ray?