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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsPatch 3.3 PTR: Blizzard tweaking nameplate visibility
by Mike Schramm 
Oct 9th 2009 at 3:00PM
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.
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
machoflaco Oct 9th 2009 3:33PM
I like the ideas. I'm a fan of nameplates for any role you play.
Nick Oct 9th 2009 3:43PM
I wish that bushes could block LOS. That'd be fun, admit it. Everyone would be rolling Gnomes for the increased viability in WSG.
Matt A Oct 9th 2009 3:51PM
I do hope that Blizzard codes this change as a "toggle" feature or checkbox to allow the new stackable nameplates AND the current system we experience. The issue with the current system, in my opinion, is the way the nameplates move around in a swarm, which makes targeting a headache. A solution could be to slow the movement of the nameplates or at least allow them to transition more slowly to the next position.
Kyle Oct 9th 2009 3:56PM
As a Shadow Priest I think overlapping nameplates is a bad idea. When I AoE a group I need to know when the mob I'm targeting has become the last mob left alive, as Mind Sear does not damage the mob I am targeting. Actually for that reason I need to know when I'm down to 2 mobs, as at that point I might as well focus fire on one of them at a time.
If this change makes the live servers, then I hope that they provide a way to determine how many mobs are represented by a single nameplate (i.e. how many nameplates are actually overlapping in one area of the screen).
Taz Oct 9th 2009 5:06PM
ABOUT TIME!!
GO AWAY TOTEMS!! I DONT WANT TO TAB YOU!!
Thetealone Oct 9th 2009 5:12PM
Once upon a time... new loot was released via ONE VENDOR in ONE SPOT and everyone decided to stand right on top of her, which was increasingly annoying on a pvp realm where one wrong click got you shot across the map, which I guess would also be the case if one person decided to flag themselves on a pve realm and started a chain reaction. But this happened (not sure if i can do links in the comments but i'll try) - http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b7/TheTealOne/fuckem.jpg -as you can clearly see (if links work) the nameplates are so clustered they are "stacking" in the middle.. I remember that day.. even though you can clearly see Smith Hauthaa here the nameplates were constantly moving when I snapped it.. fun day :D
xvkarbear Oct 9th 2009 5:30PM
"including a checkbox to turn on or off ... pet nameplates"
Thank you blizzard!
Stuckinhouston Oct 9th 2009 7:06PM
I think it should be an option in the UI. I liked the idea that I could see what was around the corner hidden by the wall because I could see their name plate. I have a tendency of getting lost and in dungeons I used that as a tool to help me get where I was going.
Ayiano Oct 9th 2009 6:20PM
Just my luck, this change comes right AFTER I installed a nameplate addon. Still, they look like good improvements, especially the increased distance. I only use nameplates in Wintergrasp for healing, and being able to see a separate raid member's health a lot farther away would be really useful.
Silversol Oct 9th 2009 7:42PM
I actually am not a fan of increased distance, since when the nameplate shows is how i judge aggro.
jurandr Oct 9th 2009 10:00PM
I like the idea of longer range. Also, instead of just making them overlap, I think it would be more benificial if the plates just stopped switching places with each other every time a mob moves two inches. It's kinda annoying to have one disappear from under your mouse when you're trying to pick the right target to dps/ect.
Radiophonic Oct 9th 2009 10:46PM
Ugh...that looks terrible.
Caelrial Oct 10th 2009 12:13PM
Er, this is bad, very very bad. I have currently made the switch over to AION and name plates overlapping is a huge annoyance. At times, even with a only a couple enemy players in the same area, it becomes difficult with locating your target or seeing if any target is being focused.
The current nameplate system is perfect as is. I am sure that nearly everyone who has played the game for some time have fond memorys of a nameplate wipe. That full screen of name plates looks so much better in a screen shot then 1 jumbled mess of unreadable names.
PistolPeet Oct 12th 2009 5:12AM
Here's how I'd like this to work (based on PvE):
1. Nameplates keep their order and don't randomly reshuffle every time you you shift view, or they scratch their elbow.
2. Mobs marked with raid target icons have bigger/sticky/prioritised nameplates so they're easier to see & track.
3. Very large mobs no longer get their nameplates x pixels above their head (which is very often off-screen for a tank/melee DPS) but instead this nameplate always stays on screen (same with raid target icon)
Super Healer Oct 12th 2009 9:29AM
This is just a suggestion and theres probably a million reasons why it cant or shouldnt happen but here goes:
Why do nameplates have to be above the mobs head. Im thinking sometimes it would be helpful to have the option of having nameplates maybe in a list format on one side of the screen with a distance number next to them so you know which is the closest mob (maybe sort them in distance order so you know the top one is the nearest?).
I think I remember reading it wasnt possible due to programming reasons but still, it would be a good idea to have the option at least, especially for tanks...!