Arenas hotfixed, more changes to come
by Zach Yonzon 
Mar 7th 2009 at 12:00PM
Blizzard applied some hotfixes over the past few days that should help make the maps less of a circus. The gates have been removed from the Ring of Valor, allowing players to engage as soon as the problematic elevators hit the arena floor. The moving pillars were adjusted to start the match in the elevated position, whereas they used to rise a few seconds after the match started. Most importantly, the damage from the flame wall was changed to break certain effects such as Fears and Roots after a certain amount of damage has been dealt. The last change is nice, but it's still problematic. The only thing that should damage another player in an Arena is another player.
They also have some changes planned for Patch 3.1, such as bug fixes for falling through the world (gotta hate that), and making it easier to plan around the events in the new Arenas. As gimmicky as they are -- and they're gimmicks, make no mistake about it -- Blizzard intends players to plan their strategies around the events such as the waterfall in the Dalaran Arena. So they've made these events easier to identify and prepare for. Blizzard poster Mumper says that most of the changes are taken from feedback on the forums, which is great. They seem hell bent on making these maps work, so even though I think the moving parts and fire (stupid, stupid fire) are terrible ideas for an Arena map, their constant tuning helps make things easier to swallow.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, PvP, Forums, Arena
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
seanfury Mar 7th 2009 12:11PM
Skilled players should have no problem dealing with obstacles. If arenas were meant to test your merit as a PvPer, obstacles are PART of the world, and therefore part of what should be in arenas.
Hey, remember the gladiators? They had freaking tigers in their arena.
NoTomorrow Mar 7th 2009 12:21PM
I lol'd.
Excellent point as well.
Alanid Mar 7th 2009 6:05PM
The logic here is flawless, I salute you sir/madam!
Magma Mar 7th 2009 12:16PM
Yeah..I disagree with the thought only other players should damage other players. If both teams have an equal chance to get screwed by the map, it's perfectly fair.
apoxic Mar 7th 2009 12:57PM
I didn't knew all teams had the ability to fear people into the fire.
Roflpanda Mar 7th 2009 1:17PM
"I didn't knew all teams had the ability to fear people into the fire."
Fail. All teams can change their comp. If you don't want to, that's your own loss.
Alkaios Mar 7th 2009 12:23PM
Random elements in arenas from time to time is better then the pillar-humping/LOS issues that the older maps ALWAYS had.
I'd rather earn arena points on a fun, exciting map that always changes. If I'm $15 bucks a month for a HOBBY, of all things, it shouldn't be limited to the rigid, boring arenas we've seen in BC. Blade's Edge Arena: awesome and exciting. Nagrand and the Undercity? : boring boring boring. Every druid, shaman, and warrior seem to take advantage of the center tombstone-thing with their movement-impairing effects, and it ends up being annoying and no fun at all.
There's strategy involved in rooting people on the flame wall. There's strategy involved with the Dalaran sewer waterfalls. There's NO FUN in maps tailor-made for pillar-humping and kiting, but it's a breath of fresh air in the new maps, where the elements are scattered in and fun =).
I play a paladin, an overlooked class for some time when it comes to most arenas (except 5v5) until the current season. We're getting nerfs because they're needed, but someone without better things to do in life is going to complain, I'm sure of it. I'm not a hardcore PvP'er, highest title I ever got was Challenger for arenas, but I'm tired of this QQ bullsh!t I keep hearing. The "elite" and "hardcore" who are used to seeing easy, predictable raids for the past few months, and want their arena experience to be similar for Season 5 and beyond.
/endrant
Louman124 Mar 7th 2009 12:24PM
I have to agree with the others on the obstacles in the arena. Personally I love them, and think they add a bit of variety. When they work that is, but seeing as how Blizzard is aware of the issues I'm looking forward to playing more of those maps. I can understand them being taken out for tournament purposes though.
Shulkman Mar 7th 2009 12:39PM
I disagree with using the word hotfix in relation to the Arenas. I don't believe that any version of the word "fix" should be attached to arenas in any way. Maybe something along the lines of "Arenas slightly less screwed up" would be a little more proper. But to use the word fix or hotfix raises too much hope.
Drad Mar 7th 2009 12:43PM
when your considered the "elite" in Arena you should be able to respond to RNG. Removing the RNG from will reduce the interesting things in the game, imo. If you want to have a regular know-all-you-can-do-in-this-arena fight then play a BC arena.
/Inhale
Treason of Farstriders Mar 7th 2009 1:27PM
"The only thing that should damage another player in an Arena is another player."
uh no.
Obstacle/cagematches are yet another LONG historical part of arena matches. Lions? Pits? Spike walls? These are roman inventions, and are fantastic.
Thander Mar 7th 2009 1:20PM
I think the new arena points are fun just from a gameplay standpoint but for competition it's just too uncontrollable. You look at the maps they use for other games and the only time the environment deals damage to players is if they happen to fall off a ledge or something. That's fair because the player is in control of their movement. There should be no RNG involved in competitive play.
Balius Mar 7th 2009 1:37PM
I was under the impression that the arenas were timed, not random.
Malkeior Mar 7th 2009 1:45PM
They are, but we don't really know the exact times, nor are most people in a position to keep track since they're too busy facing another team.
chetfurious Mar 7th 2009 1:42PM
these changes arent enough i demand final destination no items!
Malkeior Mar 7th 2009 1:43PM
The maps suck. Random elements aren't good in the same way any RNG ability is. Most of the time that they occur, you typically aren't in a position to react accordingly.
Also, to all you people who say "Real arena's have always had random elements" yeah? Well real Arena's didn't have blue skinned trolls in dresses raining ice down on enemies and turning others into sheep.
cente_ddr Mar 7th 2009 1:50PM
Maps like this worked fine in battlebots. Cry more if you don't have the skill to move around it all. It's yet another way to separate the players from the morons.
Theoz Mar 7th 2009 2:16PM
"The only thing that should damage another player in an Arena is another player."
QFT
Fung Mar 7th 2009 2:58PM
i always liked the kung-fu movies where the smarter master beat the younger master by having better control of the environment...
epsilon343 Mar 7th 2009 3:45PM
So how soon until Blizzard introduces a stark white box for Arena? Oh wait...there'd be an onslaught of QQing because those with white armor would have an advantage.
Let's just take all the armor away and only put in a single move for every class and race. That way it'd be SOOOO fair there could never be any complaing! Damn I'm a genius.