Patch 5.3 interview with Ghostcrawler
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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsThe Queue: Puppies
by Michael Sacco 
Jan 28th 2010 at 8:00PM
Puppies. Puppies.
Aliceness asked ...
"Where might Blizzard go in terms of (maybe) implementing a new class for the next expansion? What kind of class haven't we seen?"
If and when we get a new hero class, you can probably count on it being a healer/DPS hybrid that wears mail at maximum level. We only have two specs that take advantage of spellpower mail, and they're both the same class. We also could probably use a new perspective on healing like death knights did for tanking. But, of course, they couldn't be only healers, because that's not how classes in the game work (anymore).
That's my prediction, and I'm sticking to it.
Also -- Blizzard has said many times there will not be a new class for Cataclysm, so this is a ways off.
Danielspeaks asked ...
"With the introduction of reshaping Azeroth in Cataclysm, do you think they'll create new low level instances? Or even change 'em?"
Blizzard has said that while they may not create any new 1-60 instances in Azeroth, they'll be redesigning some older instances with current design philosophies (and the Dungeon Finder) in mind.
Mousewrites asked ...
"For the achievements Epic and Superior, must you have purple/blue shirts and tabards as well?"
Nope.
Davelea asked ...
"Will the goblin and worgen mounts be available to the other classes at Exalted, and if so should I stock up on Runecloth?"
We have no idea, but it's very likely given how racial mounts have worked in the game up until now.
Dosman711 asked ...
"When is WoW.com going to update their prot paladin guides? It would be great to have a new-to-80 tanking, stats, and gear guide."
We've had a few other new-to-80/new-to-the-class guides for other classes and specs go up recently, and there'll definitely be more in the weeks to come, so if you're interested in a similar guide for protection paladins, you can do one of two things -- check out previous TLaHTSI posts where Gregg Reece talks about prot tanking, or ask him to create a Prot 101.
Have questions about the World of Warcraft? The WoW.com crew is here with The Queue, our daily Q&A column! Leave your questions in the comments and we'll do our best to answer 'em!
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 9)
Tomatketchup Jan 29th 2010 4:30AM
I LIEK TURTL-
*distracted by puppies*
The220 Jan 29th 2010 7:28AM
Many Pups... now! Handle it!
Deadly. Off. Topic. Jan 29th 2010 9:39AM
KITTENS!
What wait? Where? You mean it's puppies again? Dangnabit!
JAREDO Jan 29th 2010 10:32AM
In all honesty I think for the next class you could build expect something like DAoC's monk, but rebuilt for a WoW environment.
Wields staves/maces.
Wears leather.
Can DPS, heal, or decently DPS while buffing/healing himself or the party/raid.
Talent tree 1: Focuses on melee augmentation which would be dipped into for solo play or endgame DPS.
Talent tree 2: Focuses on healing and buffing himself/others through proc abilities.
Talent tree 3: Focuses on more traditional healing abilities but with flavor suited for the class -- as well as containing better defensive cooldowns or CC.
The argument that spellcaster chainmail is viable also applies to leather as its the native armor class of only boomers and trees. Either works but theoretically the tons of mp5 caster chainmail gets itemized isn't something you want to force on a melee/heals hybrid. They should be elseways mana efficient. Perhaps if they go the more traditional healing route they can talent for chainmail??
I always thought a class that has decent healing procs while being able to put slight pressure on enemies would bring some flare to PvP.
I admit its hard to balance correctly but I doubt Blizz would be scared to try something like this.
kabshiel Jan 29th 2010 12:31PM
Puppies are almost as dangerous as Candlej-
*distracted by puppies*
MetalX Jan 28th 2010 8:05PM
There are only two specs of spellpower leather at 80 as well.
dirtygringo Jan 28th 2010 8:14PM
wouldnt it be easier to let druids advance to mail gear instead of hunters. surely it would help solve itemisation problems. hunters dont need the armour value and look for the same stats as rogues. and druids match up well spec to spec with shammies
elvendude Jan 28th 2010 8:20PM
And there's only one spec of spellpower plate.
In fact, the only spellpower armor that has more than one class that uses it as its highest form of armor: cloth.
So, an argument for another plate or leather healer is just as likely.
Also interesting to note: there is one healer of each armor type as it is. Another healing class would have to change that, obviously.
Nizari Jan 28th 2010 8:27PM
We won't see another plate class because that would mean either another plate DPS or plate tanking class. And there's enough of those already.
Scunosi Jan 28th 2010 9:42PM
@dirty-while both caster dps specs of Druids and Shaman want spellpower, crit, haste, and the like, the healing trees prioritize pretty different stats. Resto shaman want mp5, while mp5 is next to useless (other than just straight mana regen) for Resto druids.
In fact, if you're talking about moving armor levels based on itemization, you might as well put resto and balance at cloth level, and make leather gear something feral has to spec into.
Hivetyrant Jan 28th 2010 9:55PM
My vote goes towards a new naked class.
Maybe it could be a young person and instead of generating rage you have to get progressivly drunk and take off your armor as you level
Jaysonn Jan 28th 2010 11:03PM
Monk! Cloth armor only! Uses int and spirit to boost fighting powers. Drunken style tree could give more bonuses while affected by beverages.
beaubruno1 Jan 29th 2010 12:22AM
And only one of spellpower plate =D
Rod Jan 29th 2010 12:25AM
And only one for plate.
Lucidien Jan 29th 2010 12:45AM
On the topic of those mail-wearing healers, I have but one word to say:
- Bard.
I want mah all-singing, all-dancing cow, with a Ukulele for a ranged weapon and I want it nao. A martial-class healer, this would also be bringing healers in an obscure direction, like shieldless tanks were for DK's.
dirtygringo Jan 29th 2010 5:58AM
@scunosi. But with the stat changes coming in cata (mp5 going away) both resto specs will probably want the same stuff
kabshiel Jan 29th 2010 1:57PM
Blizzard needs to remove armor classes from gear and just make five types of items (caster DPS, healer, agility DPS, strength DPS, and tank) that would be equippable by anyone. The items would then grant an appropriate amount of armor to the wearer based on item level and class. This would solve so many itemization issues, particularly the need to design special armor just for caster paladin, shaman, and druid specs. It would also reduce the number of arguments between cloth/leather classes and the high armor class players who "steal" their gear, without the need for Blizzard to design awkward talents just to entice players to wear their highest armor class.
SledgeHammer Jan 28th 2010 8:05PM
did you get beagle puppies?
Tarbh Jan 28th 2010 8:05PM
PUPPIES!
AudreyR Jan 28th 2010 8:07PM
The cuteness! Can't...avert...my....eyes!