Arena Season 5 to close soon
by Michael Gray 
Mar 9th 2009 at 3:00PM
We've been hearing an awful lot about Ulduar and patch 3.1 lately. As such, this announcement is really not a surprise. Vaneras and Bornakk posted on the forums today to warn us all that Season 5 is drawing near an end. The current season should close at the same time 3.1 drops, or very shortly afterward. (I'd guess "very shortly afterward" means "the following Tuesday.") Your Arena points will reset with the season transition, though your Honor points will remain banked.
The announcement doesn't set a specific date. He just says "soon." Since we traditionally get at least two weeks' warning before an official season ends, that does mean that the patch probably won't drop for at least three. And since Noblegarden has been expanded on the PTR, then I expect the patch to hit and season to wrap up in the beginning of April.
We haven't heard details about season-end rewards yet. That's important because we don't demonstrably know whether those rewards are going to be based on personal rating, team rating, or even the Match-Making Rating. The details of season-end rewards tend to fluctuate a little, but the best Arena teams can probably expect a title. The very, very best can expect the Arena mount. However, we don't know if it'll be a Nether Drake or maybe even a Proto-Drake. We'll let you know as we find out more.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, News items, Arena
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mattimus Mar 9th 2009 3:06PM
There is a Black Dragonhawk in the data files already that nobody knows about. Maybe that's gonna be this season's Arena mount?
That sounds kinda lame to me, though, as just about everyone would have preferred some kind of armored Proto-drake.
Nevermindz Mar 9th 2009 5:53PM
My opinion is that the Ironbound & Rusted Proto-Drake are rewards for some kind of Ulduar Glory of the Raider and Ulduar Heroic Glory of the Raider.
Blizzard said that they would remove the Black and Plagued Proto-Drakes from the game but would have something equivalent for Ulduar. There are two new mounts added and as far as I know, there is always only one arena mount as a reward each season.
Nevermindz Mar 9th 2009 5:56PM
Whoops. I failed at reading your post. Sorry.
Reading WowInsider while in class is bad.
Nadril Mar 9th 2009 3:16PM
I didn't really expect the arena to end so early (I know an april date is just a guess, but still) and that 3.1 would hit sooner than I thought.
That means that my warrior I am leveling up (@66 atm) may only get a few weeks worth of Season 5 before its over. Which, in all honesty, is a good thing because it at least gives some practice time.
Still, if an april date is true then I'm pretty happy about that.
Lilithsblood Mar 9th 2009 3:28PM
HA! I KNEW IT!
I foresaw the arena ending as 3.1 would drop a few weeks ago. I got plenty of responses about how that would not be so that they'd continue it on past the patch. HA!
Manatank Mar 9th 2009 3:30PM
They are still doing arenas? Lol.
Vektorix Mar 9th 2009 3:48PM
Seriously doubt if 3.1 will be ready in three weeks. I would expect a release date in mid-April more likely.
Brian Broom Mar 9th 2009 3:50PM
He didn't say it would be ready, he said it would be released ;)
jfofla Mar 9th 2009 4:01PM
I am shocked and not happy that Arena Points will not roll over like in the past!
No worries though, as soon as the legion of QQers start, Blizz will "Roll Over" and let us keep our points to spend on the current gear that will unlock with a new season.
jerzz80 Mar 9th 2009 4:11PM
So they are giving titles out to Pallies, DKs?
Here are my suggested titles...
OPaladin
OPDK
If your team doesnt have one of those classes your title should be....
BEST ARENA TEAM EVER
I am a avid arena player and all I see every single match is spam-offs. No skill needed. No planning necessary. Just go out and BURSTCRAFT.
WOOO HOOO.....Resiliance means nothing!!! YEEE HAWWW
Arena is a joke, because Burst DPS is a joke and reiliance the great equilzer was removed from consideration.
If i was a developer involved in the success of the arena Id chalk up seasons 4 and 5 as nice FAILS.
WOW sucks now, I got to get over it. I loved arena. LOVED IT. Now its something where OP class face rolling gets you farther than any sort of skill.
Im sorry blizz for not rolling one of your chosen classes. I know you wanted me to be a Pally or DK but I just didnt want to roll another class.
I would love to know the stats that Blizz knows.
Whats the record of just the middle of the road 1500 rated teams with 1 plate wearer vs. 2 plate wearers vs. teams with non-plate wearers. damage mitigation is king in the arena and there is no value to being Leather or below.
Itss fun to crit a Priest for 8K and crit a Pally for 3K. Its cute. Fair and balanced, you know? Did you know that Pally has a 10 second bubble? I know I was stunned too. Why would a tank mechanic apply to a plate wearing healer?
Blizz is a joke. Arena is a joke. WOW is a joke.
/delete game
Ani Mar 9th 2009 4:21PM
Wow, sounds like somebody's Rogue isn't quite as powerful and dominating as he remembers it being.
Well, feel free to delete your game. One less nerd raging PVP'er we have to deal with.
/farewell
Axel Mar 9th 2009 4:29PM
I have a feeling you
a) Suck bad
b) Can't create any line of code for anything the game better than Blizzard then.
So until you are not a terrible player and learn code, maybe you should stick with what you know (which sounds from your text that you're a disgruntled dishwasher for a living)
akw Mar 9th 2009 5:00PM
"Resiliance means nothing!!!"
"damage mitigation is king in the arena"
???
jfofla Mar 9th 2009 5:45PM
WOW since a Mage Rogue and Priest team just won the Arena Tournament, ALL your points are validated!
Nadril Mar 9th 2009 9:42PM
Learn to play.
Decrusher Mar 10th 2009 12:48AM
are you seriously qq'ing about bubble? i thought youd have got that out of ur system a few years ago...
Bob Kane Mar 9th 2009 4:23PM
Ummmm, area points reset? That's a first? Why are they doing this now?
Koan Mar 9th 2009 6:03PM
Actually, this isn't the first time Arena Points have been reset.
Unless that's sarcasm, then yeah what the hell?
Haupt Mar 9th 2009 4:51PM
Patch 3.1 will release April 7th Easter Week, you know the week when the MOST people are on spring break and Most of Europe is off of work and almost ALL European schools are on break...
It's a business they want people to play...
You heard it here first...LOL
Anorax Mar 9th 2009 5:07PM
People still play in Arenas?!