Zarhym has posted information about an interesting change in effect on the PTR right now. Blizzard is tweaking the way that character nameplates (those names that you see floating above everyone's heads) works. First, nameplate vision has been extended, so that you can see player names from farther away. They've also adjusted some line-of-sight issues, and players will no longer be able to see nameplates through anything that blocks line-of-sight (so no nameplates of players hiding behind doors or walls). And multiple nameplates in one space will now overlap -- we'll have to see exactly what this looks like on the PTRs, but it sounds like a big group of the same mobs (i.e. Onyxia whelps) will now just have one nameplate to share.
Interesting stuff (and I didn't realize that some of this stuff, especially the nameplate overlapping, was even possible). Zarhym has a few other notes in the thread about how you can change or update the options on the PTR, including a checkbox to turn on or off totem or pet nameplates. Elsewhere, Ghostcrawler says that
it's not just line-of-sight, as Arena pillars and other "objects" won't affect the nameplate view, but doors and walls will. If you're on the PTR, keep an eye out for these changes, and note that Blizzard is still asking for feedback. It's unknown which of these changes (or others) will end up on the live realms in the future.
Tags: blizzard, explanation, ghostcrawler, nameplate, nameplates, patch-3.3, patch-3.3-changes, patch-3.3-ptr, patch-3.3-wow, ptrs, world-of-warcraft-patch-3.3, wow-3.3-changes, wow-new-patch, wow-patch, wow-patch-3.3, wow-patch-news, zarhym
Filed under: Patches, Blizzard
Oct 9th 2009 at 3:00PM 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Anaughtybear Oct 9th 2009 3:06PM
The only thing I hate more than having the nameplates visible while playing is belfs. The first time I experienced it, my cat had walked across the keyboard and hit the v key. I didn't know how to turn it off, so I just didn't play for a couple days. It's grotesque.
Jordan Oct 9th 2009 3:10PM
I don't much care for them while I'm on DPS or heals, but when I'm tanking I *love* enemy nameplates. A lot easier to notice a big red nameplate charging a healer than a mob, and easier to click on them and taunt them back over too.
Silversol Oct 9th 2009 4:00PM
The fact that you can see nameplates through objects on enemies has kept mine on. Although i currently use Aloft to make them prettier.
Anaughtybear Oct 10th 2009 12:24AM
Once again, down-voted to oblivion for simply commenting like everyone else. Nobody else is particularly insightful on the subject, so I see no reason I'm the only one getting chopped. Maybe if you can't play PvP without the nameplates, you suck more than you thought you did. Just be thankful I'm not a "first!" poster and get on with your lives.
jfofla Oct 9th 2009 3:10PM
I cannot imagine playing the game with NPC nameplates and health bars like in your pic.
Horrible.
Dart Oct 9th 2009 10:56PM
It's incredible helpful in PvP. I probably couldn't play without them.
Photograffiti Oct 9th 2009 3:11PM
Does this help any to stop totem stomp macros?
Deadly. Off. Topic. Oct 9th 2009 3:11PM
I use the V since I can't be bothered to turn on the normal viewing of the names... you never know when you want to take a picture at the spur of the moment and they just take too long to take off to get the picture in time.
MazokuRanma Oct 9th 2009 5:06PM
If you hit Alt+Z it will completely hide your interface. This is great for taking clean screenshots.
peon47 Oct 9th 2009 3:12PM
I can't play without nameplates up.
Not sure how overlapping nameplates are going to work. If one of them obscures another, won't that defeat their purpose?
cjshrader Oct 9th 2009 3:26PM
I think it will only overlap nameplates of the same creature.
So if you're fighting 5 Giant Rats, does it really matter which you are targeting?
I guess it does in some situations but I suppose that's why you can turn them off.
peon47 Oct 9th 2009 3:29PM
It kinda does matter, yes, if all of them are on a different amount of health.
SunGod228 Oct 9th 2009 3:39PM
I agree with you peon47, that is how I prioritize mobs when I'm soloing.
Ben Oct 9th 2009 3:18PM
I used to hate nameplates, but now I use them often. For arena, I use Overhead, which eliminates pet/totem nameplates. So, that addon will be obsolete.
@photograffiti
Pretty sure in the last patch, they made it so macros cannot target totems, to eliminate macro stomping.
Traazu Oct 9th 2009 3:19PM
They are great for healing in Bgs, but the short range was always an issue. I use an add-on called Aloft to keep them a bit neater and have more control over them, but if Blizz can absorb that add-on like many others in the past, I'll be happy to give it a shot.
Rastakitty Oct 9th 2009 4:07PM
^ This
I am also wondering how it will work for large groups of people. I use nameplates to select vendors etc when someone is trying to block them with there mammoths, or to select the WG Battle Master 1 min before it launches :). If they overlap it will defeat this purpose.
Randomize Oct 9th 2009 3:21PM
That pic gives me bad memories of wipes after beating herod. *shudders*
Spiraea Oct 9th 2009 3:42PM
Just gives me memories (some good, mostly bad) of many, many runs for lower level guildies/buddies through SM
Hitek Oct 9th 2009 3:23PM
Thank god for Gladius
SydRocks Oct 9th 2009 3:32PM
"and I didn't realize that some of this stuff, especially the nameplate overlapping, was even possible"
Mike, your foolishness continues to amaze me....