Patch 3.2: UI changes coming to the PTR
by Mike Schramm 
Jun 18th 2009 at 5:00PM
Well wouldja look at that -- hidden in the just-released Patch 3.2 notes are a whole slew of UI changes to check out.- Auto-completion for character names in mail, chat, and pop-up interfaces can now be enabled (and disabled) from the interface options. I believe auto-complete was already in there for mail, but now it'll be everywhere, and/or you'll be able to turn it off if you've sent things to the wrong place in the past.
- Names are getting a color option according to class, so if "Lolpaladins" is really a Death Knight, you'll know right away.
- Casting bars near a portrait's target will show whether the spell is interruptible or not. Some boss casts are not interruptible, so now you'll know with a glance.
- Druids will be able to see mana bars even while shape-shifted, which probably won't change gameplay much, but will be nice for bears and kitties.
- Item comparisons (like the ability to check other gear for slots while hovering over that gear) are now available everywhere -- hover over an item with Alt pressed to see what's currently equipped in that slot on your character.
- Macros and scripts can no longer target totems by name -- bye bye totem stompers.
- The quest log is getting a small revamp: it'll be "double-paned for more easily viewing quest information." We're not quite sure what that means (you'll be able to look at two quests at once? It'll break out the list of accepted quests into its own full-size window?), but we'll give you a look as soon as we see it on the PTR.
- Vendor prices will now be listed on items even if you're not at a vendor. This was a pretty common feature already, thanks to Auctioneer, but now it'll be built into the standard interface.
Patch 3.2 will bring about a new 5, 10, and 25 man instance to WoW, and usher in a new 40-man battleground called the Isle of Conquest. WoW.com will have you covered every step of the way, from extensive PTR coverage through the official live release. Check out WoW.com's Guide to Patch 3.2 for all the latest!Filed under: Patches, Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Blizzard
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Rowan Jun 18th 2009 5:05PM
The double wide quest window will, if its anything like the amazing addon, break down the quest list into one side and the quest description into the other side.
Rowan Jun 18th 2009 5:06PM
If you'd like to have a look at what I assume it'll be like, do a search for Double Wide - the addon that the change is based on I assume.
vknong Jun 18th 2009 5:15PM
Pretty much what I had on my mind, but you beat me to it! This is one of the first addons I always get after a reinstallation. It makes it a tad more convenient, and is worth the extra screen space it takes up.
Most of these UI changes are pretty slow as they are covered by many addons tried and tested. The 'is-interruptible' cast bar thing will be quite useful I guess. I wonder how that will be implemented; will it be coloured red or have a 'No Entry' icon?
Sorcefire Jun 19th 2009 12:49PM
The quest log has been in dire need of enhancement for some time as monitors have become larger over the years. I always grab my favorite QL addon that gives me a double paned view.
The vendor price feature is also very nice as it will eliminate a small addon that I've used for years with vendor prices (not always accurate or updated). Nice to see that a piece of junk from the fishing daily can be sold for 100g.
The item compare is practically a must-have feature for tooltip addons, so it's long past time to get this in the game.
Mordockk Jun 23rd 2009 9:01AM
This sounds great. If any of you use MS Outlook at work you have the bookmarks of your mail in a list on the left and then a windowpane that you can read the emails without opening them in a separate window. Should make reading the details of the quest much easier....sometimes you have to read a little description even if you're using Questerhelper addons.
Hammerfaller Jun 18th 2009 5:08PM
For the quest window think of it as Quest Guru if you have that addon....at least im guessing that it was they mean by dual windows
Microtonal Jun 18th 2009 5:21PM
That's what I'm assuming (and hoping), as well. I still use QuestGuru for the quest pane, but since the author withdrew it from the addon-hosting sites and removed the on-screen tracker (which I use MonkeyQuest for, now), QG has become more of a memory drain than it's really worth.
The preliminary patch notes also indicate that 3.2 will make two more of my favorite addons, RatingBuster and SellFish, more or less obsolete.
Tori Jun 18th 2009 6:52PM
Quest Guru is actually updated again and has the wonderful Quest Log back in action. :) Should be on curse.
Hellscreamy Jun 18th 2009 5:08PM
"Macros and scripts can no longer target totems by name -- bye bye totem stompers."
Finally! JUSTICE!
Jason Jun 18th 2009 5:09PM
Thumbs up for being able to see mana bars while in other forms for druids. That might help a lot. These changes are making a lot of addons useless, which I find hilarious XD.
Way to go!
Erogroth Jun 18th 2009 5:11PM
In short, all your mods will be broken and you will have about 2 weeks of chaos.
Ger Jun 18th 2009 5:17PM
OR... Blizzard is incorporating some of the more useful mods into the game negating the need for some mods. Mods are broken with almost every new patch and have to be updated... but some people just have to be negative and talk crap.
Microtonal Jun 18th 2009 5:32PM
That happens every patch, regardless of what Blizzard does to the UI. Not news.
The fewer third-party mods I have to rely on, the happier I am. If the author of a mod I really like is slow on the uptake or decides to quit developing entirely, I'm just SOL. But if Blizzard incorporates that mod's functionality into the standard UI (insert Master Control Program joke here), then I don't have to worry about it.
The list of mods I'd like to see adapted into the standard UI is pretty long. This patch hits five or six of them, which is great by me. I'd like to see Blizzard work on getting ATSW and Talented into SUI, too.
Quark1020 Jun 18th 2009 10:13PM
Pretty much, yea :P
Endless Jun 19th 2009 9:48AM
@Ger> Sadly, Blizzard usually fails to implement ALL the functions of said add-on, so you'll end up using the add-on anyway.
theincredibleaustin Jun 18th 2009 5:14PM
i'm pretty sure double-wide quest window means one side where you see the list of quests, and the other side where it shows the quest text.
Utakata Jun 18th 2009 5:16PM
You forgot one:
"Quest creatures and objects will now show on the player's world map."
Can we finally say, "So long Quest Helper, and thanks for all the fish?"
Rowan Jun 18th 2009 5:18PM
I certainly hope so. As much as I like QH, it'd be nice to have it built into WoW. Only question is, will it be on the world map? Mini-map?
Avan Jun 18th 2009 5:25PM
I think the best part about QH wasn't the huge, clumsy database that backed it, but the algorithm that calculated the best questing route.
Utakata Jun 18th 2009 5:29PM
Right now Rowan, it's just stating world map.