Arena Season 5 to end as soon as April 14
by Zach Yonzon 
Mar 31st 2009 at 11:10PM
This should also be taken as an indication of when Patch 3.1 will be released. Blizzard has stated that they plan to unleash Season 6 almost simultaneously with the new raid content, so if Season 5 ends within two or three weeks, it should be expected that Patch 3.1 is just around the corner. It might even come sooner rather than later, as Blizzard has noted that Season 5 would "end with or shortly after" Patch 3.1 goes live. All of the necessary files such as Season 6 items are contained in the patch, so this only makes sense.
Bornakk reminds all players who feel they will be eligible for end of season rewards, such as titles and the Deadly Gladiator's Frostwyrm, should refrain from transfering their characters to another realm until after Season 5 ends (or until rewards have been handed out to be safe). During the break between seasons, all ranked matches will be disabled and all Arena points and ratings will be wiped [EDIT: Arena points and ratings will continue to be available during the one week break to allow players to spend their points, but will be wiped when Season 6 begins.]. However, players will retain their matchmaking ratings and Honor points.
Filed under: News items, PvP, Arena
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Shulkman Mar 31st 2009 11:14PM
All failures eventually come to an end. I loved arenas, until this season.
Domilol Mar 31st 2009 11:39PM
Agreed with some of the comments, I really disliked this season, but from the PTR next season actually seems somewhat balanced, I just wish they could of rolled 3.1 ~2/3 weeks before the season ended :(
Clbull Apr 1st 2009 5:01PM
I loved it until season 3-4 tbh, when Resto Druids could completely own in a game whilst shifting between caster and bear form, HoTting themselves and running around a pillar.
And also until season 3 - 4 because Season 3 was when they put big rating requirements on items, so you not only had to spend several weeks farming the points on the items, but you also had to get to a HIGH rating just to buy/wear them.
I'd like it if Season 6 had lesser or even no rating requirements on all pvp gear, and more class balance.
Firestride Mar 31st 2009 11:21PM
The info here notwithstanding, my gut is still telling me May is a more likely drop date for 3.1 than April. Err, drop month.
Yats Mar 31st 2009 11:34PM
Not sure about that - as noble garden starts on April 12 and the achievements, quests and items etc for that are in 3.1
So i'd be saying patch 3.1 before april 12
You heard it here first!
Firestride Mar 31st 2009 11:35PM
That remains a valid theory, but they've said that if they need to, they'll postpone the holiday.
http://www.wowinsider.com/2009/03/12/noblegarden-may-get-delayed/
Leviathon Mar 31st 2009 11:28PM
Well this basically confirms 3.1 on the 14th unless something comes up.
Noscy Mar 31st 2009 11:45PM
"Bornakk makes it clear that the next Arena season will not begin immediately but have at least a one week break before Season 6 begins."
"Season 5 would "end with or shortly after" Patch 3.1 goes live"
I suspect the 21st April MIGHT be the release of 3.1, but words like "at least" and "tentative date" don't instill me with confidence.
Leviathon Apr 1st 2009 1:37AM
Yea so the patch could be next week giving the 1 week period. Either way you can tell 3.1 is about ready for release.
Arkeband Mar 31st 2009 11:31PM
The PTR seems to be mellowing out, if they push it for four more weeks like you're suggesting, they're not going to be gleaning any more information out of it than they will in the next two weeks.
tonedeff Mar 31st 2009 11:34PM
I have done arenas everyone season except this one.
I started too, did it for a few weeks and realized I will never get a rank which doesn't bother me cause I've never gotten a high rank on my shaman in the past. BUT there was nothing for me to spend my points on since I couldn't get a high rank.
Now they are going to wipe the few points I do have!!
/FAIL
Mooch Apr 1st 2009 8:22AM
I'm in your boat too. 2k arena pts. 0 things to spend on :( what a waste. Already have two sets of shaman pvp gear from honor...
Clbull Apr 1st 2009 5:06PM
I agree 100%
I know Win Trading was a problem, because some people could just buy their way into a top rated arena team and get points to get the top arena gear set, but adding stupidly high rating requirements isn't a good way to fix the problem.
I can barely get past 1400 Arena Rating (I play a Hunter, and they aren't that good in Arena atm, as well as the fact that non arena pvp gear sucks). How am I supposed to get past the 1800 or even the 2050 mark just so I can buy some Hateful or Deadly gear with Arena Points???
BooDizz Apr 1st 2009 6:20PM
I'm sorry clbull but hunters were/are up there in the holy crap they are OP list. Sorry to burst your "my class sucks" bubble.
Christoffer Apr 1st 2009 1:27AM
Me thinks that around the time the patch 3.1 will be out.. shhhh... don't tell anyone else about this!
Slyght Apr 1st 2009 2:20AM
I've been calling April 7th for a while now. As mentioned in a previous post today:
1) The whole Noblegarden thing.
2) April 7th will put 3.1 at 43 days on the PTR, which falls smack dab in the typical lifespan of a raid patch on the PTR (all the TBC raid patches were like 40-46 days on the PTR)
3) Build updates to the PTR have been minimal the past couple of weeks, testing is limited to just a few hard modes at this point. Whereas a few weeks ago testing was on a daily basis, we went almost an entire week with no testing whatsoever. They're wrapping up with Ulduar testing.
4) No arena season has started the same day a patch has launched, there's always a delay. There will be at least a week gap between the two, so if they're aiming at April 14th for Season 6, they're aiming for April 7th for 3.1
Anyways, enough speculation for one night. Gotta get ready for April Fools!
Bossy Apr 1st 2009 3:56AM
It is April 7th indeed.
Event is ready and it has to be launched befor Apr 12th.
The PvP gear cycle ALWAYS starts 2 weeks after the next content patch. To motivate everyone to play the new PVE content. And to tune some PvP balance before the season starts.
Hollidays in most schools/workplaces around this time, giving a necesaary boost in playing time for the next week(s).
---
So the content patch cycles stays the same as in TBC (5 months). Meaning they can't work faster than this. It is a fixed period I would say, that means patch 3.2 would only be launched in August/September at the earliest. Odd because they need to have something for Now/Dec as well.
I think the Wow staff is a little undermanned at the moment with all the new projects.
So no new expansion for the next 12 months. I am glad for this as the best period to play Wow is between 6 months - 18 months after each expansion because class balance is at its best.
Charlie Apr 1st 2009 12:44PM
April Fools?
I'd probobly kill GC. Lol.
Dareous Apr 1st 2009 2:42PM
I did arenas for 4 seasons. I started season 5, then quit because I realized that I would never be able to get above 1800 without a DK on my team. Has blizz figured out that this is why people hate arenas now?