Patch 5.2 interview with Dave Kosak
Inside an old alt's vault
The latest patch 5.2 news
All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsHow the 3.2 Emblems changes will affect the game
by Mike Schramm 
Jul 3rd 2009 at 1:30PM
As we've heard, patch 3.2 will seriously streamline the Emblems system, allowing players to pick up Ulduar-level Emblems even just by running Heroics. Though lots of the other patch 3.2 changes have taken the spotlight lately, the Emblems change is definitely still a big deal, and while lots of "hardcore" players are up in arms about the changes (they had to raid for the same gear that people will now be able to get just by running Heroics, and even the brand new Emblems of Triumph gear will be attainable through Heroic dailies), other players are just confused by the whole thing. Fortunately, if you haven't yet wrapped your head around what all the changes mean, Clearcasting has a really excellent, thorough writeup about the Emblems changes, both explaining what you'll be able to get from where, and why Blizzard has decided to do things this way.The biggest fear seems to be that players who have never raided before will start walking around in Ulduar- or even Coliseum-level gear, and they'll get invited to raids based on their gear, only to find that they're clueless about what to do. But I like Arioch's point there: does that mean we don't have clueless raiders now? Of course we do -- the gear you're wearing doesn't say anything about what you've done now, and it'll say even less after the patch. Players are already requiring achievements, and even that doesn't necessarily guarantee you're a good player.
Will there be bad PuGs after the patch? Of course, and there are bad PuGs now, too. But this is definitely a helpful change for anyone with alts, and while yes, it will allow non-raiders to get better gear, and it will probably bring raiders back into Heroics more often, it still won't affect those who are raiding at the highest levels. They'll still get the best gear earlier than everyone else, so if that's what's important to them, they've got nothing to complain about.
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, Items, Analysis / Opinion, Guilds, Blizzard, Raiding, Bosses
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 5)
Elo Jul 3rd 2009 1:48PM
I love how people get on here and bash raiders for having no life. Why don't spend your limited playtime running a 25 man once a week instead of leveling alts and talking about Chuck Norris in trade. WOW is a game like baseball. Raiding is like the major leagues and non raiding is like t-ball. Get the picture?
Josh Jul 3rd 2009 1:50PM
WoW is not like baseball.
Hawk Jul 3rd 2009 2:03PM
Can you possibly be more pompous?
Raiding is fun sometimes, but it should not be the end all of WOW content. Blizzard realizes this, and is allowing those who don't have the time or desire to raid to acquire some decent gear.
Anyone who has a problem with that is an elitist ass.
Reuben Jul 3rd 2009 1:57PM
I welcome this change because I'm hoping that it will shut up raiders who feel superior and entitled to special treatment because of their gear. I'm not saying you're one of those, but hell, your comment was sure steering that way.
Just because I choose not to sink hours into raiding does not make me a "t-ball" player.
noelkytty Jul 3rd 2009 1:57PM
You are right - WoW is actually interesting.
T Jul 3rd 2009 3:10PM
Thanks for summing up the arrogant, idiot raider mentality in one simple, easy to read post. I actually hope you don't realize what an utter jackass you come across as, because right now you're one big public service campaign that reinforces the reason why so many players think raiders are jerks.
Dartkun Jul 3rd 2009 10:47PM
There doesn't seem to be many people defending against the "OMG RAIDERS NEED A LIFE"
"RAIDERS ARE SOCIALLY INSECURE PEOPLE WHO NEED PIXELS TO CONVINCE THEMSELVES OF THEIR SELF WORTH"
The reason people are mad is because it simply is not fair to nerf the amount of effort just to "make things more accessible".
If you bought a car, and the next day it's price was cut in half, you'd be angry as well. It's the same premise. EVERYONE DOES IT.
okchristian Jul 3rd 2009 11:50PM
@Darkthun - I got some bad news for you...when you buy a new car it depreciates about 25% of its value the second you drive it off a lot. That is the way of the world.
Camo Jul 5th 2009 7:18AM
@Darkthun - And what if the price doubles? I bet you won't go there and pay the amount.
That you feel angry and don't enjoy what you got is your problem so please STFU.
terminaltrip421 Jul 6th 2009 6:42AM
@ Elo "Why don't spend your limited playtime running a 25 man once a week instead of leveling alts and talking about Chuck Norris in trade."
Because Leveling 'alts' is where it's at. And just like your raiding it takes serious effort. I see people with shiny 280% mounts everyday and want one and people probably wonder why I don't have one ...The reason is I've spent what you spent for that mount several times over buying the other mounts for 10 toons. EFFORT. And without AH price gouging I might add. Have just about every blue I've seen drop in one of my toons banks somewhere. Greens disenchanted or vendored.
@Dartkun "The reason people are mad is because it simply is not fair to nerf the amount of effort just to "make things more accessible".
With 3.2 and before I'm going to have to / have had to deal with the same thing. Raided BC pre raid / heroic nerfs on two toons geared well enough to get into the next tier except for having my toon of choice feral tank thrown completely off balance in conjunction with the release of the newest content. So I thought I'd have a failsafe should the same thing ever happen again in the form of other classes to fall back on. Anyway So yeah expansion came out and all of a sudden everyone could level 10-20% faster (?) and without the stress of having to constantly upgrade gear as they leveled. I didn't complain, should i roll ten horde I'll enjoy the benefit myself. When you people realize the benefit and ease of alts, you'll be doing so faster and cheaper (a HELL OF A LOT CHEAPER) than I did. again not complaining rolling horde I could benefit from this. And like that when all the current end game content goes sour for you and you want to level alts you'll be happy not to rely on RNG or loot allocation for SOME of the best gear.
I really don't want to count but will 60% mounts x 9 100% mounts x 9 flying REG x 4 the prices of which will all be reduced substantially next patch.
So I have a complaint after all my TG warrior feels like he's DW 2h nerf bats even though in actuallity they're deep thunder and stormherald with other higher end gear including swiftsteel shoulders ...tell me that's fair, that my level 68 balance druid likely out dps' him.
Arbitor Jul 3rd 2009 1:49PM
" bring raiders back into Heroics more often"
Additional instances cannot be launched at this time
Asketh Jul 3rd 2009 1:58PM
Yay, we get to grind Naxx and Heroics for badges just like we did in Kara during the BC. Except we freaking hated it. I thougt Blizzard said they were going to avoid making more badge grinds, but here they are again. I really don't like this change.
Hawk Jul 3rd 2009 2:07PM
Nobody is forcing you to do anything. If the game feels like a "grind" to you, then maybe it's time for a break, hmmm?
*shrug*
Guess I'm just one of those weirdos who plays for fun, and when it ever feels like a "grind", I turn off the computer and do something else.
Elo Jul 3rd 2009 1:56PM
How is wow not like baseball Josh? You play to win and get rewarded. You want to be rewarded just for showing up? There are special games for that ;)
Agerath Jul 3rd 2009 2:00PM
Mainly because baseball doesn't involve sitting on your ass all day pressing the same combination of buttons over and over again.
Agerath Jul 3rd 2009 2:01PM
Mainly because baseball doesn't involve sitting on your ass all day pressing the same combination of buttons ad infinitum.
Rich Jul 3rd 2009 2:11PM
Cause baseball requires skill
WoW takes no life...
big difference...
Josh Jul 3rd 2009 2:26PM
@ Elo
Since WoW is sports like in it "work hard and earn rewards" aspect, I guess we could say its also like Rhythmic Gymnaistics! Ribbon dancer Up and Down! Dancing through the streets! Come on and Do IT!" lol
danawhitaker Jul 3rd 2009 2:28PM
Because no matter how many steroids you're taking, you probably won't enhance your Strength stat in WoW. ;)
Seriously though, the people who usually complain about this type of thing have some serious inferiority complex or elitist complex going on. Someone halfway across the world from you who got Tier 8 gear doing heroics instead of grinding Ulduar almost every night each week shouldn't make a difference to you.
People getting better geared more quickly can only serve as an enhancement to the PUG raid pool. Yes, you'll have to teach people the fights. But remember, you had to learn the fights once too. You didn't just magically walk into Naxx and Ulduar knowing exactly how to do stuff. If someone taught you how to do it, be grateful and turn around and help teach new raiders how to do it too.
Mike Jul 3rd 2009 2:05PM
WoW and MMO's are truly a roller coaster of a genre. Despite the worldwide sub numbers, WoW's domestic sales compared to other mega popular games are quite low. I know WoW being a subscription based effects that, but I can't help but think so does the radical game changes that happen so frequently. IT seems like every patch, there are new changes and improvements for under and overpowered class. I know change is constant, but the game feels like a merry go around.
I have to hand it to the MMO player base, you guys are probably the most patient and hardcore of all the gamers. I know with most major games from other genres, people are a lot more finicky and quick to drop the game if it doesn't meet there expectations.
I don't play the game anymore, but the wowinsider page is still part of my chrome startup and I happened to see the headline and felt like commenting.