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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBlizzard opens up old instances to soloers, changes quest items
by Mike Schramm 
Dec 12th 2008 at 2:00PM
Blue poster Daelo has good news for people aiming to solo old instances -- Blizzard has made a few changes to the way keys and unlocks work in the old dungeons, so that you no longer need keys or multiple people to get to the good stuff. The rituals in Blackrock Spire and Uldaman only require one click now, and quintessence (in Molten Core to summon Executus before the Ragnaros fight), the Scepter of Celebras (in Maraudon), and the Mallet of Zul'Farrak (in the ZF, obviously) are no longer needed to do their jobs. Additionally, Nightbane will be accessible in Karazhan without the Blackened Urn.Some may be disappointed that items we worked so hard for are now pretty much useless, but as you probably know by now, that's the way of things when an expansion hits. The good news, obviously, is that people running through instances solo or with just a few people will be able to hit all the content they couldn't get to before. And if you happen to be running the content, you won't need to worry about whether you left the Mallet in the bank or forgot the Scepter on a Princess run.
And unfortunately, collectors will be left out as well -- most of the items will actually change form into weapons or other useless objects, so even if you have the old items, they won't be usable in the same way. Sure, the Mallet was a pain to get, but it'll be a little sad to see it disappear in the way we know it forever.
Filed under: Items, Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Odds and ends, Blizzard, Instances, Expansions
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 4)
Dave Dec 12th 2008 3:12PM
%100 if you've got decent gear (a few purples, all blue) and mix in a few fire resist items.
You'll basically resist all the magic damage and be able to bandage often enough for phase 2. It takes a while, but it's definitely solo'able.
Take a Gorilla though, otherwise your pet probably won't be able to aggro all the whelps.
cjshrader Dec 12th 2008 2:34PM
I like these changes. I never got to see most of those instances as I leveled right past them, and now I have a real interest in seeing those.
Unfortunately my friends don't play like they used to so getting a group together for these old ones is impossible, so anything that will let me get in them for soloing I'm all for.
Todd Dec 12th 2008 2:34PM
I would prefer having the mallet and scepter being in the keyring. No reason to have to get "rid" of them, per se.
Mitawa Dec 12th 2008 2:47PM
I agree, the scepter and mallet really aren't hard to do, even at level for them. Those were a nice touch that I appreciated. I'll be sad to see them go, besides... wouldn't it hurt an awful lot to try and bang that giant gong with your bare hand?
Arktic Dec 12th 2008 3:47PM
"wouldn't it hurt an awful lot to try and bang that giant gong with your bare hand?"
And a war-torn veteran such as yourself, having ventured through Black Temple, visited the Sunwell, quested the icy lands of the north, been beaten to a pulp more time than you care to count, each time having holy light infused through your body bringing you back to life, and you're worried about some bloody knuckles and a broken hand?
Seriously, if you're going around beating on stuff with your bare hands you have more to worry about than a silly gong... namely the big monster that you just summoned standing right behind you, awoken from a deep sleep and most likely a little hungry from his nap. Perhaps you could just use your *regular mallet* that you've used to kill EVERYTHING ELSE.
EmOtaku Dec 12th 2008 2:36PM
Amazes me how people complain about the end of the game because Blizz decides to make some of the earlier content more accessible and streamlined.
I see this as a positive thing for a game that has been around as long as it has and added as much content/levels as it has.
People who have been playing forever, like me, appreciate the opportunity to go back and solo it, or get through it a bit easier if we're rolling an alt. At this point in the game's life-cycle, these places are minor speed bumps on the way to the part of the game most people are at.
If you're rolling an alt, you want to make it past it gain quicker, and if you're totally new you will still experience the gameplay, but you won't have to sweat it as much as you'll probably be solo'ing or begging for a random group given the probably low population of people to group with at that level.
I see it as a plus. They didn't make anything "easier" with this gameplay-wise, just more accessable and streamlined.
MechChef Dec 12th 2008 3:12PM
Good. One less piece of trash to clutter my bank.
Rosa Dec 12th 2008 2:54PM
I just want the five person requirement from Grim(oire) Business to be removed. My and my pocket priest could easily two-man that dude, and we need it to open Ogri'la on our new characters for the Winter Veil achievements, but we still need to drag three useless warm bodies over there to stand in the circles.
*sigh*
Steve Dec 12th 2008 3:36PM
AMEN! I'd even pay people in the zone to just come stand on the circles... only there's never anyone in the zone, the death knights seem to skip Blade's Edge completely.
Joshua137 Dec 12th 2008 3:45PM
You can actually do Grim(oire) Business with 4 people. Get 3 people in the circles, and have 1 person on their epic flyer fly quickly between 2 adjacent circles. Eventually, the lag will have both lines light up at once
ivyleaves Jan 20th 2009 4:35PM
We did the whole series with 4 people, 5 requirement was removed already. Maybe even only 3 are needed, didn't try it out.
tarheelblue24 Dec 12th 2008 2:54PM
I have no problem with any of this. Even in a guild with 70 80's atm its hard to throw together 8 or 9 peeps for 3 consecutive full clears of MC so we have the correct number of ppl with quintessence to summon majordomo. Not too mention that MC isnt exactly the most fun place in terms of repeating it. No offense to anyone that level, but the mallet and the septer are super easy to obtain anyways.
As for Ony just take a pally with you and your done.
Also, again is this hotfixed in game or coming with the next patch?
CavalierX Dec 12th 2008 2:57PM
I'd been wondering where the mighty nerf hammer was going to strike next. I never suspected it'd be the older instances. Well played, Blizzard, well played.
SaintStryfe Dec 12th 2008 2:59PM
Wonderful, I can finally get into UBRS and complete the few quests I have there.
falken Dec 12th 2008 3:05PM
They have this great phasing engine. why not phase things like the old dungeons? If you're 10 levels above the instance level, you can go in and solo the place. If you're not, you have to pug it and go.
Pete Dec 12th 2008 3:20PM
Change is effective next patch
falken Dec 12th 2008 3:23PM
I understand it's in the next patch. I just dont see why they dont implement something like this when they have the technology to do it instead of just throwing up their hands and saying "alright"
Radiophonic Dec 12th 2008 3:27PM
More easy mode for easy mode users. Fail.
hold up Dec 12th 2008 3:41PM
To this i say... BOOOOO!
It sucks to have gone through so much to get the nightbane urn and now anybody can summon. I guess they will take the quest chain out of the game completely?
Cut pieces out of a story just to make it more pleasing for the public... sounds like Blizzard is going Hollywood.
hold up Dec 12th 2008 3:41PM
To this i say... BOOOOO!
It sucks to have gone through so much to get the nightbane urn and now anybody can summon. I guess they will take the quest chain out of the game completely?
Cut pieces out of a story just to make it more pleasing for the public... sounds like Blizzard is going Hollywood.