Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsDon't freak out about the Cataclysm changes yet
by Gregg Reece 
Apr 12th 2010 at 1:00PM
One important thing to remember (and something Ghostcrawler and other devs have stressed multiple times) is that almost all numbers, coefficients and bonuses are going to be changing when the expansion ships, and none of the abilities are final. This means trying to say that using certain spells or stats is a "horrible idea" because of particular issues in the current game doesn't really hold up, because your class might end up needing that stat or relying on that spell when Cataclysm hits.
Also, being as the entire stat system is getting a revamp (with a lot of the current stats going away or being repurposed completely), all of your current gear's stats will also be changing to reflect this including increased armor for cloth, leather and mail users.
There is also the fact that these previews are not the whole story. There might end up being additional talented spells for your spec or revamps of various class abilities that will change your current rotation. Some classes are getting simplified and others will be getting a little more depth.
All in all, please look at these changes with an open mind and leave any preconceived notions at the door. We still have the entire beta for them to tweak and change any of the current ideas that might be lacking or might not mesh well with your class's existing kit.
Always remember to leave constructive feedback (Note: "This sucks!", "Blizzard obviously doesn't play my class," and "Ghostcrawler promised me a pony!" are not examples constructive feedback.) and tell them what parts seem clunky, good, lackluster or just simply feel "off" of what it should be for whatever reason (and always include the reason why). If you're eloquent in your post (and sometimes even if you're not), you might be the voice that gets things changed.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it. Nothing will be the same. In WoW.com's Guide to Cataclysm you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion. From goblins and worgens to mastery and guild changes, it's all there for your cataclysmic enjoyment.Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 6)
Gregg Reece Apr 12th 2010 4:46PM
Thanks, I try ;)
MrLee Apr 12th 2010 1:26PM
"Don't freak out about the Cataclysm changes yet"
Are you kidding? These are WoW players you're talking about. EVERYTHING IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!1!!
Gregg Reece Apr 12th 2010 4:47PM
CATA IS SRS BSNS!
Thanatos Apr 12th 2010 1:32PM
Remain Calm, nothing to see here....
Umm... This is supposed to be a Cataclysm not Deathwing's Hissy Fit.
http://www.wow.com/2009/08/23/know-your-lore-world-of-warcraft-cataclysm-deathwing/
Or are you suggesting that this is like the Civil Defense drills of yesteryear. Put your helmet on and get under your desk for the incoming nukes boys and girls. Teacher? Susie isn't wearing her helmet, she couldn't get a concussion.
Chrissie Apr 12th 2010 1:34PM
While I agree with the "calm the @#*$ down" sentiment, frost tanks going bye bye still makes me a sad panda. A sad panda who probably won't play her DK much anymore.
Sinthar Apr 13th 2010 6:31AM
Personally im more worried over the tank shortage generally. With DK's being reduced (as tanks) to one spec and the inevitable prot pally nurf, i strongly suspect there will be fewer tanks in wrath than there are currently. This will lead to increased times, and more difficulties in using the DF and pugging in general.
Stella Apr 12th 2010 1:34PM
The image at the top of this article should have been Chicken Little.
Elothox Apr 12th 2010 1:37PM
(In regards to rogues and the 'binary encounter' problem, stunlock and win, or lose stun and lose)
I think rogues are fun for the casual player as they are now, but in the hands of a truly skilled player, they are insane beyond all belief. I guess I can say it this way. For lvl 80 players, lets say 40% of each class is 'decent' at pvp, and 10% is very good. With rogues, it seems that 75% are decent at pvp, but only 2% are very good. That's what I like about the class so much. Don't get me wrong, my rogue is level 26, and I hit ambush in battle grounds and stuff dies (other than that I'm rather newbish), but I'm talking about the guy that still can take off all his gear but his weapons and win more than half his fights in the underbelly, the rogue that wins 2s battles when his partner is dead, and both opponents are at full health. (and yes, I have a guildie in mind, my 2s partner) There are some amazing rogues out there, and I hope this doesn't take away from the few that have escaped the binary encounter idea.
Marathal Apr 12th 2010 1:44PM
My biggest hope is that I have the opportunity to participate in the Beta. This is such a huge reformatting of the game as we currently know it. I know there is a large percentage of players that have been here since Vanilla WoW and you have been through this before. For those of us that have been playing less than a year this is huge.
As far as Cloth getting higher armor value........."Hey you Huntard don't you dare roll on my Cloth Chest piece because the armor is higher than what you currently have, back off"
StGeorge78 Apr 12th 2010 1:46PM
How many times in wrath beta did we offer up feedback and the response was always "it's too late to change that" it's the classic developer excuse - before beta it's too early and during beta it's too late. They only change something if it is their own idea. It's also a legal issue for them to accept feedback from the public
Sharvis Apr 12th 2010 1:46PM
Blizzard could hammer this message in to each and every player via e-mail, patch note, in-game mail, forum post, etc. and it STILL wouldn't be enough. RELAX people. It's not good to stress yourselves out like that anyway.
Soulestream Apr 12th 2010 1:48PM
I think it would great if WOW.com could go back over all the stuff that didn't make it from each beta. Like shamans soul link damage thingy from WOTLK or Elemental Mages from Vanilla.
Antti Apr 12th 2010 1:48PM
This article should be linked in every cata-change article.
The amount of over reaction is ridiculous.
Rubitard Apr 12th 2010 1:51PM
In a way, I wish Blizz would not announce changes like these, if for no other reason than average WoW players has proven themselves incapable of taking the information for what it is. I certainly don't want to see Cata get a poor launch, but I'd not be saddened to see any who've stated that they'll ragequit actually leave the game come the release date. Of course, these cowards will still play and still complain.
Irem Apr 12th 2010 2:35PM
Unfortunately, the overreaction of players to even the most minor of changes is a large part of why they announce stuff like this early. It's to give everyone time to get accustomed to it. That's why they gave out the bit about Blood becoming the DK tanking tree before the rest of the DK changes; a bombshell that big would have overshadowed most of the other announcements. I actually suspect that was why the goblin/worgen Hallow's End masks were found in the data files before Cataclysm was even announced--to sort of parcel out the big announcements, since the major bomb dropped there was that Classic WoW was going to be changing.
The beta's going to be starting soon, and that's why we're hearing this now. When the inevitable leaks occur, people will already know many of the planned major changes to their class, the reasons behind them, and some context. And they'll have several months to either get used to it, or grudgingly admit that maybe the change they found so underwhelming sounds kinda cool now after all.
Seaborn Apr 13th 2010 1:58PM
What they are telling us is....
Anything that sound really neat and interesting....won't come to happen.
Most big changes will take place prior to the ship date anyway. You have to also remember how the blues think. "A hunter will regenerate 6 Focus per second, which is just a tad lower than the way a Rogue regenerates 10 Energy per second."
Ummm..."tad lower", more like almost half.
EnhShammy Apr 12th 2010 2:06PM
I just like to know why is it, That this expansion all about the elements being out of whack by deathwing, and the only class that really deals with it not getting any real love except for resto. (Don't get me wrong healing rain looks sweet) but i play enh, and so far they are taking away one of our strengths the cleansing totem, (witch help me kill a many dk) But I truly think it will hurt shammys very bad in pvp that we will be easy targets ( like A newb keyboard turning) Why not give us some thing cool for the expansion like elemental forms like a druid has animal forms, i guy can dream can't he...
larry.kohlruss Apr 12th 2010 4:18PM
All in all, sounds pretty exciting. It will make the game feel somewhat fresh and new. So we have to learn new talents etc. big deal. It might even be worth while starting a new set of Toons, or at least some new Alts.
3d73giancarlo Apr 12th 2010 4:43PM
I play Druid Resto for long time
I like the future change they decide to make,I like to see how works the new tree form on the paper is sound cool news, and I agree about tree form is a lot of sacrifice in raid and at the same time is a sad tree should be a real green and colored tree of life
The Balance I don't think like the mushroom idea, I was prefer another spell than a mushroom.
Or used in another way like just the spore of mushroom whit the power of confuse or blind for few sec the enemy or poison the enemy.
Lissanna Apr 12th 2010 2:37PM
A group of moonkin got on vent together to discuss the preview changes for moonkin, and mostly came to the conclusion that we don't have enough info to really make conclusions about anything. lol.