Dual spec issues and how to fix them
by Eliah Hecht 
Apr 18th 2009 at 8:00PM
Dual spec is very handy, and I've already started relying on it for increased flexibility in setting up my 10-man raids. However, as may be expected with a new feature, it is not without its bugs. From extra talent points to missing talent points to things not switching correctly when you swap specs, I've seen a lot of errors pop up over the last few days.
Fortunately, most dual-spec errors can be fixed by one of the following steps:
- Reload your UI.
- Log out and back in.
- Reset your UI entirely (I haven't seen this help anybody with dual spec issues, but the blues are suggesting it, as always).
Of course, if none of this works, a GM can usually set it right. Ancilorn is also suggesting some work-arounds for specific issues, so go check his post in case you're having resistant issues.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sergeant Anton of Magtherodin Apr 18th 2009 8:15PM
first comment, and i had an issue with dual spec that my talent tree reset, which i'm not complaining about because i messed it up, but GM said it was a UI problem. it obviously isnt if it a free reset but whatever, i bet theres more bugs like that.
Eternauta Apr 18th 2009 10:49PM
I have the same problem.
It's kinda like a free reset, but it's very annoying IMO.
Bob Dewane Apr 19th 2009 8:50AM
I had to entirely reset my UI files (delete them and start over) for my specs to not be completely wiped EVERY TIME i logged out and back in. Talk about annoying. This seems to have done the trick though as I haven't had a problem since
Kemikalkadet Apr 18th 2009 8:32PM
What ever happened to being able to confirm your spec before it gets saved? Did it get dropped? Seemed like a really good idea but i never got a confirmation thing when i redid my two trees after patch day.
whowhatme Apr 18th 2009 8:33PM
you need to check the option under interface in your menu before you respec
tagashi Apr 19th 2009 1:18AM
Blizzard failed, again. That's what happened.
Now, queue all the Blizzard fan-boy losers to make up stories about how hard it is running the biggest MMO ever...
MrBlue Apr 19th 2009 2:09AM
@Tagashi
You're an idiot, before talking about how blizzard failed maybe you should look and realize that it's implemented.
Kemikalkadet Apr 19th 2009 5:44AM
Thanks whowhatme =]
rowg Apr 19th 2009 7:17AM
Tagashi is trying so hard to "stick it to the man" and "show all those Blizzard fanbois" how cool he is that he fails to realize that if he simply opened his settings, clicked Display, and put a little check in the box that says "Preview Talents", then viola.
Nah, he'd much rather flame randomly and whine about "Now, queue all the Blizzard fan-boy losers to make up stories about how hard it is running the biggest MMO ever..."
Looks like someone else fails harder, imo. Moron.
Cheese Rations Apr 18th 2009 8:59PM
Unfortunately if you have an issue that's not covered by these suggestions, you're nearly entirely SOL. I had an issue where my talents really were lost when getting dual-spec., and just received a canned response to my ticket and no ability to reply to the GM to speak with him directly.
Glad that they gave us free respecs. so recently so that I remembered the talents I had chosen, otherwise I'd be starting from scratch with a new build. Super lame. Glad I paid 1k gold for that.
Azbulldog Apr 18th 2009 9:05PM
So far my only problem was having one tree reset when I switched specs to it. The other trees still had the correct points spent.
Cyanea Apr 18th 2009 9:16PM
One thing I'm noticing might not be a "bug", but still something people should look out for. I was running around in my Shaman's Resto spec. I went and upgraded my Healing Wave and LHW spells, and the buttons on my resto bar changed to reflect the new rank. When I switched back to Enhance, the buttons were not upgraded to the highest rank.
Just something to keep an eye out for, I guess.
MrBlue Apr 19th 2009 2:11AM
Your action bars stay the same in different specs. This way you can have different bars for say holy paladin and ret paladin.
Banthis Apr 18th 2009 9:36PM
I was having a problem with some of my talents (SV, BM dual spec, SV "lost" my Black Arrow and Explosive Shot) as well as some problems with my pet's spells not showing up in the spellbook. A UI reset (with appropriate pet out) solved the problem.
Also, I had a problem with not being able to buy dual specs. I'd click the button and nothing would happen, but just disabling my addons helped there.
Metema Apr 18th 2009 9:50PM
My dual specs is very buggy with it reseting all the talent points that are not shared between the two builds. this basically makes it unusable for me because its faster to kill this as resto than to spend 5 mins reseting spec and tool bars etc. Oh well, I'm going away for a week so hopefully it is fixed by the time i get back.
ScytheNoire Apr 18th 2009 9:53PM
Deleting the WTF folder never solves anything, and yet, it's their default answer to everything. Drives me up a frackin' wall. They need to stop using it as their default answer and start actually fixing problems. So damn annoying.
Karilyn Apr 18th 2009 10:17PM
I've had the WTF folder fix problems before.
They say it to do that first, not because it's the most common problem, but rather because it eliminates user UI as a possible problem.
It's a "First thing first" mentality. However likely or unlikely the WTF folder causing the problem is, it's quick, and it is logically the first thing to check.
Seems silly? I've seen it happen before where people don't check the "First thing first". My workplace went almost 4 hours once without a working computer network, and they couldn't figure out why the server was down... I stared at it for a few seconds, then unplugged the server and plugged my phone into the outlet. I immediately noted that there was no power, and went to flick on the circuit breaker, which had for some reason, tripped itself and turned off.
Company lost tens of thousands of dollars in work-hours, because they forgot that the first rule of a non-functioning computer system... check the power supply first.
The computer system equivalent of deleting the WTF folder.
tagashi Apr 19th 2009 1:24AM
Karilyn-
As someone who has worked in support before, I can tell you that this is their default BS answer to get you off their back ASAP when the queues for support are 100 deep. They know exactly what issues can and can't be fixed by deleting the WTF folder, and will give this answer KNOWING it won't fix your issue. It's like that at every support center I ever worked in. Having said that, I don't really blame them. Support is a crappy job. There is a reason why that industry has an ungodly turnover rate.
verc Apr 19th 2009 6:06AM
For one...it's not just the WTF folder. That by itself doesn't fix much. It's like Karilyn said...addons and other things that we do to our UIs can make things fubar, and they've got to rule out things on our end before they can start plugging away at things on their end. I tend to delete those three folders (WTF, Interface, and Cache) monthly, and update my addons at the same time, and it has helped so much...with everything from quests not working to lag problems.
Viper007Bond Apr 18th 2009 10:16PM
Disable all addons to make sure one isn't at fault. Quite a few guild members have issues with their switchers, but I haven't had a single one with any of my characters which leads me to be believe it's an addon or something.