Patch 3.2 PTR: Koralon the Flame Watcher impressions

The Public Test Realm for Patch 3.2 is in full swing, and even though the Argent Coliseum isn't available for testing just yet, there's a brand-new wing in Wintergrasp's Vault of Archavon housing a brand-new giant to beat up. Enter Koralon, the Flame Watcher.
He's a stout fellow, and you probably recognize his model, which he shares with Volkhan from Halls of Lightning and Ignis from Ulduar, replete with crotch-pot. And as you may have also guessed, he uses fire spells and abilities. He doesn't currently drop loot on the PTR, though I assume the distribution will be much the same as it is with Emalon -- two or so pieces of Tier 9 gear along with a lion's share of PVP items.
Impressions and strategy after the jump.
A word of warning: I've tried Koralon on the PTR, and we one-shot him. He is currently easier than Archavon in terms of execution, and much easier than Emalon in terms of DPS benchmarks. We were all in very good gear for our level. Your mileage may vary.
Koralon has no adds. The fight can be single-tanked on 10-man, or at least we did it that way. Here's a breakdown of his abilities:
- Lava Burst: A straightforward DD spell used against the main tank.
- Burning Cinder: Koralon tosses fire onto the ground. It does periodic damage to those standing in or near it.
- Meteor Fists: Like any other Meteor spell, this punch will distribute and split its damage equally between those standing in front of Koralon.
- Burning Breath: An uninterruptable spinning breath that deals damage to everyone in the raid.
The strategy is somewhat along the lines of:
1. Tank
2. Spank
I jest, but that's pretty much the fight. All you need to do is not stand in fire, get healed through the paltry damage for which Burning Breath hits you (and not very often), and (if the tank needs it) bunch up at Koralon's feet before Meteor Fists.
I fully expect him to get buffed before he goes live, along the lines of other very undertuned bosses that got a boost before hitting the live game (Hodir, Ignis, etc).
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!





Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Wulfkin Jun 25th 2009 5:39PM
Interesting, but wonder if they'll rank him up in difficulty. It seems odd to create a new wing with a boss easier than Emalon.
nyctef Jun 25th 2009 6:26PM
He'll be easy so that it's easy to test the game mechanics. He'll most likely get buffed during or after the PTR so that he's at an appropriate level and difficulty for ulduar-geared players.
Sumanai Jun 25th 2009 7:16PM
I guess he is too easy because everyone is wearing full T9.2 and other new epics the npcs give you for "free" in the PTR.
Roflpanda Jun 26th 2009 1:14AM
Sumanai: That's an idea in theory, but in actuality it's not like that. The gear is HORRIBLY itemized (as a ret paladin in full pve gear, premade of course, I had over 500 hit rating), and most of the people just don't know how to play. So you end up with people in full tier 9 who are doing about 3200 dps. No joke.
Obono Jun 25th 2009 5:41PM
So that's Stone, Storm and now flame watcher? Maybe there will be a fourth and he will be frost watcher or something along those lines?
Riley Jun 25th 2009 5:44PM
probably, considering 3.3 is gonna have Icecrown Citadel
bestiari Jun 30th 2009 5:17AM
undoubtedly the fifth will wield the power of heart.
Tyras Jun 26th 2009 5:43AM
Yeah I can see them adding another for the (supposed) last patch of WotLK. But I dunno how it would work out considering I can only see 3 ways from when you enter now, if they do add another wing, it will end up branching out diagonally.
Seraphna Jun 26th 2009 9:49AM
EARTH WIND AND FIRE HEED MY CALL!
Aaeen Jun 27th 2009 12:46AM
Could be Heart...GO PLANET!!!
Hendrata Jun 25th 2009 5:41PM
Or they could be THAT easy to allow people get Tier 9 easily, in line with how they make heroic quests drop E.o.Triumph
jjcoola998 Jun 26th 2009 12:51PM
Why are people voting down an honest comment lol whether you want to admit it or not VoA is designed to be easy - yes the boss will be buffed to match where he should be, but don't expect mimiron hard mode pre-nerf either..
Hendrata Jun 26th 2009 12:55PM
Yeah I don't understand why I got voted down either. I'm not an elitist raider so this is not a QQ of "wahhh noobs get to wear T9". I'm one of those "noobs"
This is just observation that if Blizzard decides to make EoC drops in heroics and EoT rewards from heroic dailies, then they should make the new VoA boss easy to be consistent.
Bob Dewane Jun 25th 2009 5:41PM
I love VoA. I am excited that 1 trip will net 3 bosses (2 of which I can use the gear from). Maybe this is why I'm excited about Crusader's Collosium. See Boss. Kill Boss. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. My kinda town, baby!
Riley Jun 25th 2009 5:44PM
Yay, I miss me some good tank&spank
nate Jun 26th 2009 7:26PM
he is so easy i cant describe it
Paux Jun 25th 2009 6:02PM
Maybe they can tune this lower than emalon, to allow more people to beat the loot pinata.
Heilig Jun 25th 2009 6:05PM
They should keep it a tank and spank, but up the DPS/healing requirements to abusive levels so people can't go in as a fresh 80 and pull it off.
Tim Jun 25th 2009 6:23PM
This fight needs more Doomfire, IMO.
Jamesisgreat Jun 25th 2009 6:44PM
I just wish they'd put these bosses in separate instances, so that us lowly scrubs that aren't geared for the tougher bosses can still thrash Archavon in a PUG.
That or just make all 3 of em giant easy loot pinatas - that would be nice as well :)