Breakfast topic: Class consciousness
by Amanda Dean 
Jun 29th 2008 at 8:00AM
Day 1 of the World Wide Invitational has been filled with exciting news for WoW players, and well as some fascinating displays of entertainment. Blizzard hosted panel discussions with information about changes for each of the classes in Wrath of the Lich King. In case you've missed it, here's the good news for each of the classes:
I'd like to know what everyone thinks about these changes. It looks to me like some classes are making out better than others. I, for one, am nearly giddy.
Since my main is a Shaman, I'm thrilled with a little Shammy love from Blizz. Patch 2.4 was kind of disappointing, but I think we'll see some decent buffs come Wrath. One of the main complaints among players has been that this class lacks crowd control abilities. As I see it, anything after that is gravy.
Depending on implementation, combination totems will likely be a boon to Shamans as they will take less time overall to drop. I hope you get to create something like a totem package. Mike mentioned the combination of Strength of Earth and Grace of Air, but I switch between Grace and Windfury depending on my party composition.
Of course all of the class changes have yet to be solidified. If the Wrath went live today, with these modifications how would you feel about the changes to your main class(es)?
Filed under: Shaman, Analysis / Opinion, Blizzard, Breakfast Topics, Enchants, Wrath of the Lich King, Worldwide Invitational
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
kunukia Jun 29th 2008 8:07AM
Hunter
* Steady Shot will no longer clip Auto Shot, meaning it won't have to be timed, just spammed "
In one way it is kinda annoying, because it takes away one of the real skills a huntard, I mean a fine professional hunter needs, the ability to time his/her shots...so it is down to can you MD and chain trap, because any a$$ can spam a button.
On the other hand it is awesome, because I know my timing was not perfect, although not horrible.
And, pet talent trees?
kunukia Jun 29th 2008 8:07AM
And, pet talent trees? /swoon
SBKT Jun 29th 2008 8:13AM
Reading all of these I see rage in the comments and since I play a Warrior main as Arms, does this make me obsolete?
Yeah, change is hard..
Kyle Jun 29th 2008 8:20AM
Three favorite class updates: Shamans, Warriors and Hunter (pets).
With the shaman buff, we'll most likely end up seeming alot more of them as tme goes on and seem them populating raids more. Some people will say that with raid wide totems, you'll only need 1 instead of 2-3, but instead of having 4 raid wide totems, you'd get 8-12. Pretty insane for a 25 man. Even the 10 mans can take a healer and dps (enh or ele) shaman and still benefit greatly.
Warriors: The new abilities that warriors are getting are insane (or atleast should be). Shockwave first off, going to be a warrior tank's wet dream. With the ability to do some more damage AND have a better AoE threat mechanic, I wouldn't be surprised if the "tanking shortage" was taken care of. That, plus the ability to do more DPS through our normal abilities be based of AP. Gonna be more strenght on tnak gear again. Titan Grip: need I say more? And Bladestorm, gonna be the most fun warriors have spinning around since Ravager in the good 'ol SM days. Plus, with it being an arms talent, it is going to wreak havoc in BGs and Arenas. All in all, good stuff for warriors.
Hunter (pets): Can't speak much about it as my hunter is only 50, but having talent trees brings a whole new level of gameplay for a hunter and their pet. Now pets can have a chance to do more and be used for so many more things. While not a gamebreaking change, its something that is a nice addition that will make things more entertaining and overall more fun for a hunter while bringing a new level of gameplay.
Zoidberg Jun 29th 2008 8:29AM
Mage:
Yet another nuke that happens to be a combination of two that you've already got.
/yawn
Charlie Jun 29th 2008 2:38PM
Hey! Don't be upset! Look at our new food spells! Strudel and Sweet Potato Pie! Awsome!
Anyways, I agree. i feel the mage updates are the most boring/disapointing out of all. I feel they really are becoming a PvP class =(
We will have to see what happens in Wrath with the way raids are turned. I have a sneaking suspicion that Wrath will be to AoE Damage and BC was to AoE Healing. If thats the case, the mage changes will be awsome (uh, living bomb anyone? Jesus that spell is sweet).
Only spell/talent that has really gotten me excited besides Living Bomb is shatter shield, but again its mostly a PvP device.
Toto Jul 4th 2008 6:32PM
All of you are whining how mages are not getting anything interesting?! Just look what you got in TBC. The only class that's left behind is paladin, as always.
The class with the most lore and history is at the bottom of the food chain. When I think of Warcraft universe, I think of human paladins vs. orc warriors. And just look what it has become...
Pink nurses vs. green mean killing machines
machieldejager Jun 29th 2008 8:48AM
Paladins got told, just like 9 months ago at Blizzcon, that retribution gear will be changed. Currently retribution paladins use mainly warrior gear, with some items that are warrior gear with a bit intellect on them. In WotLK we have been said that we can look forward to... using warrior gear.
I myself play a protection paladin. They only thing I've heard so far that will change for me is my gear. They said they wont make gear that is only usable for 1 spec, so that means all my plate with spelldamage gear will be removed. If WotLK would go live now, I wouldn't be able to tank anymore \o/
Angus Jun 29th 2008 1:37PM
I'm guessing that they're going to have to put either a base ability converting AP to spell damage, or a talent low in the ret or protection tree.
This means all that Str for warriors increases your block value for mitigation (not by much) and str for damage (not by much with those caster weapons) but increases your Spell damage which makes your spells have more threat.
This also fixes Retribution as they can use all that AP for all their attacks.
At least that's what someone with more than 2 brain cells in charge SHOULD do...
Jason Jun 29th 2008 8:50AM
To much cc/stun added to the classes in my opinion. There is nothing more frustrating then not being in control of your character.
Charlie Jun 29th 2008 2:40PM
That may be true, but if you have ever played a boomkin or a elemental shaman trying to get into a 5 man heroic when your not overgeared... well its impossible. Heroics require CC, so all (dps/utility) specs need some form of it.
Hufke Jun 29th 2008 8:58AM
Mage:
A real new spell would've been all I needed to not QQ.
Menalaous Jun 29th 2008 9:23AM
I have spent some time playing all of the classes but would I be happy?
Titans Grip?! How could I not be. More AoE for warriors, hey tank spec + off dps for leveling faster!
Demonform! I cant wait, going to start a lock just so I Can have his badass running around in demonform
A CC for Shamies and totem buff, plus healthbiter! I hate to say a class is OP especially one I am playing but this is going to make leveling Shamies so much cooler.
Dire Cat! Need I say more
As far as pallys are concerned I am a little more then disapointed and have to admit I have been waiting for some positive changes for years.....I am not a healing pally so a new spell isnt going to benift me.
It seams some are getting boons for leveling (shamies, improved [probably scaling with level] AoE damage for mages etc) and some are getting end game bonuses (demonform, titans grip, titans grip, titans grip...woops was I ranting)
Bosswally Jun 29th 2008 11:29AM
mage,
unless the increased damage they give us really brings the hurt i will feel wronged by blizz
juicyjuice Jun 29th 2008 12:11PM
Shamans definitely seemed to have the most official "special attention" being paid to them. This doesnt mean that the other classes arent getting some pretty cool changes too. But just based off of what theyre making official, shamans are becoming a VERY enticing class for the future. I would guess this is intentional on Blizz's part since the shaman class is widely regarded as the most "broken" by alot of people. Theyre trying to rope people back into their shamans so that people start playing them again in anticipation for WOTLK. (it worked for me!)
Other than that, the most groundbreaking official announcements seemed to be titan's grip for warriors, pet talents for hunters, and illidanform for warlocks. I would say mages sadly do seem to be getting shafted unfortunately. Blizz should be careful, Mages are about to take the shaman's place as unnecessary if theyre not careful.
Charlie Jun 29th 2008 2:41PM
I agree, its about damn time Mages took back their place as the biggest QQers!
=D (largeman, 70 mage, burning blade)
Charlie Jun 29th 2008 2:50PM
Shamans, Warriors, and Hunters definatley have gotten the best changes so far. I think that is pretty unanimous
Shaman - CC, Raid wide Totems, +healing enchant.
Warriors - Titans Grip (which should have been part of the original class design)
Hunters - Steady Shot change and Pet Talents
Warlock Demonform is cool, but it is yet to be seen how good it is. So i'm not gonna put it on there.
Id say the holy priest changes are pretty phenomenal as well. There's nothing thats gives you a "Holy Shit" Reaction like the above, but overall they have made it pretty great. And the New CoH is nice. Buffed healing and hits all raid members, just a 6 sec cd. Nice. Our AoE healing should be through the roof come WotlK
twh Jun 29th 2008 3:33PM
To say that paladins were both disappointed and angry would be a large understatement.
Skarlette Jun 29th 2008 5:11PM
As a mage, I'm both bored and disappointed by the lack of new shinies for me. I'm hoping more cool stuff shows up later on, because right now my class isn't getting anything very exciting. :(
Thorn Jun 30th 2008 4:32AM
What change to my main class? There's nothing of note for mages. Sure, we're going to have our damage buffed. Then everyone else will yell "OP!" and Blizz will nerf us back into vending machines. Same old story.