Developers call for focused PvP testing on the PTR
by Alex Ziebart 
Mar 24th 2009 at 5:30PM
The devs have stated repeatedly in the past that PvP is one of the hardest parts of the game to test and receive feedback on before a patch/expansion goes live. Not many people do Battlegrounds or queue for the Arena on the test realms. This looks like an attempt to get as much testing as possible in a somewhat-controlled environment, where normally they wouldn't get much useful data at all due to simple lack of participation.
As Zarhym stated last night, it's easier to observe how each of the classes are handling themselves when it's in a fairly simple, last-man-standing 5v5 (or whichever bracket) environment rather than the back and forth of Warsong Gulch or zerg of Alterac Valley (my words, not his).
PvPers, this is your chance to nerf Death Kni-err, have a hand in making sure PvP is as balanced as possible before Patch 3.1 hits live realms. Hop to it! You know, if you feel like it. Again, this is happening on March 26th.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ozymandias Mar 24th 2009 5:35PM
Makes me wonder, why isn't there focused testing on ALL aspects of the game?
Alanid Mar 24th 2009 5:46PM
because then it wouldn't be FOCUSED :P
jerzz80 Mar 25th 2009 9:05AM
This is F'n histerical!
They want to test arena NOW on the PTR realm?
LOLOLOLOL..........what planet are these guys on?
1. Its too little too late. Period.
2. PTR realm might be the worst place to test anything PVP.
a. Who joins the PTRs? PVE focused Raiders not Arena players. Any findings they have will be like compairing Apples to Oranges.
Blizz is a joke.
/quit job
shisho2k Mar 25th 2009 9:37AM
@Jerzz
My sentiments exactly.
Too little too late, and the totally wrong way of going about it.
David B Mar 24th 2009 5:35PM
Perhaps they should disable Ulduar (and instance) testing until enough people have tested the Tournament and BGs.
Of course, I'm not doing the PTR, so I can say this with impunity...
Jay in Oregon Mar 24th 2009 5:58PM
I've only fiddled around on the Argent Tournament. (Well, that and collecting the new Engineering and Cooking recipes.)
The closest I've been to Ulduar is to sit outside the front door; 'course that could have something to do with being a non-optimal mage in Naxx-10 epics.
I was hoping to see some changes that would make Frost viable for high-end raiding on the PTR; instead, I got a new glyph and a wonky Replenishment.
Max Mar 25th 2009 2:22AM
lolfrost.
respec nub
Shulkman Mar 24th 2009 5:37PM
Sorry, I'm a warlock with practically no pvp gear, as the pathetic lack of pvp class balance made it a complete waste of time to go to the arenas.
addo Mar 24th 2009 6:10PM
Umm, in case you've been asleep for the past few months..... Warlocks are among the best classes to be in the Arena! You've lied to yourself to excuse your lack of interest in something that requires a lot practice and skill.
People that think PvE is harder than PvP couldn't be more wrong! BG gear is easy to get, just like heroic instance gear, and Arena gear is hard to get, like Heroic Raid gear.
Stop crying and get your Lock butt in the arena!
Zul Mar 24th 2009 6:48PM
Say that to a pve enhancement shaman.
BooDizz Mar 24th 2009 8:49PM
Locks are only find in PvP atm if you have the gear for it.
Unless you are really pro, you won't be hitting high rating till you have around 700 resil and 20k hp
firant Mar 25th 2009 2:42AM
er.. he's basically right -- 'locks do well when teamed up with a pally and a DK.
Keleron Mar 25th 2009 6:42AM
Locks are not one of the best classes to be in Arena. Some are doing well with DK and Pally in 3s, but that doesn't make them "one of the best". If they were one of the best, then you would see them in 2s, 3s and 5s with non-pally/dk team partners.
Warlocks are hurting big time in pvp now. There is a reason only a small number of locks are even in arena now.
fronkus Mar 24th 2009 5:41PM
Test schmest.
Do your own damn testing , its not like players are unbiased. Cough up some premades or somethin and I will detail for you how OP every class is but mine.
Wheres the incetive to play on that lag fest ghost town server to test for you free of charge?
Hire some real testers or something.
Or better yet FIRE Ghostcrawler and I will test 10 hours a day at your offices for free.
talkingmike Mar 24th 2009 6:21PM
Sometimes I wish Ghostcrawler would simply go back into his hole so ridiculous comments like this one are not made.
Ghostcrawler is the most accessible designer in WoW, and we are lucky to have someone communicate with us as much as he does. He will make post after post about upcoming changes and even some of the motivation behind these changes. There is evidence he reads our comments; no really, the evidence is there if you choose to believe him, and I have every reason to believe him since his career and even livelihood depend on a well-balanced game and class structure. If you really think the game would be better off without him, please stop and realize that there are other classes in the game besides your precious tank/healer/DPSer/hybrid, and there are genuine efforts afoot to make it better.
David B Mar 24th 2009 6:32PM
Spoken like someone who's never been in the computer software industry.
The quote goes: "You can't make something completely foolproof, because fools are so ingenius." It goes well alongside "You can make it foolproof, but you can't make it damn-foolproof."
Blizzard's real testers are doing and have done their job - even if they miss in a few places. The point of PTR testing is to get some idea if people will *like* the changes, and how they play out after people *use* the changes. It's also a chance to see how the plan goes after first engagement with the enemy.
I will also add that the kind of people who want pre-mades are not really the kind of people they want testing. They want people who've *played* the game up to 80, and especially people who may not have fully optimized equipment yet.
Nice troll - you've managed to get me all rightously indignified. I will stop now for everyone's benefit, including mine.
Vassal Mar 24th 2009 5:42PM
Alex Ziebart you sly dog. Of course DK's aren't going to get a nerf!
We're your hero...class!
yokumgang Mar 24th 2009 5:46PM
"PvPers, this is your chance to nerf Death Kni-err,"
TO THE GROUND BABY.
Chryso Mar 24th 2009 6:02PM
"The calls for focused testing on the PTR continue, this time with a focus on PvP and the arena."
Actually, just the arenas, but for convenience' sake, lets all pretend along with the devs that deathmatches are the only PvP that matters.
Dan Mar 24th 2009 6:42PM
65% drop in arena teams and they still haven't realized all the people who care about pvp went to warhammer? It'd be a great day if I woke up and pvp had been removed.