Shifting Perspectives: Hopes for balance PvP in Cataclysm

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-21-2010 @ 5:43PM

Robert said...

Moonkin are a kiting class in pvp, basically like hunters. Unfortunately, the only damaging spells they can cast on the run are moonfire and insect swarm (and starfall, technically, but... starfall kiting in pvp generally doesn't work so well).

As of right now, the only instant cast spell we have that slows our kite is typhoon. We have roots, but it has a cast time, which significantly limits its use in pvp. As a result, we spend most of our time running away and once every twenty seconds or so we can chain cast some wraths off.

Instant-cast roots in cataclysm is what will make or break moonkin pvp. The mushrooms, in their current state, are going to have fairly limited use, unless the roots can buy the moonkin enough time to get away that they can feel free to cast something with a cast time.

10-02-2010 @ 9:50AM

Greg said...

Kiting is exceptionally effective in PVP right now. And the rated battleground landscape will only improve it's status.

Rogues, warriors, death knights, and even paladins of ten complain about being kited while slowly dying to dots just like moonfire and insect swarm. In arenas, boomkins are one of the only classes in the game who can do significant damage to the other team while completely on the run via starfall and force of nature (treants). The cooldown on these abilities does make them situational (opening for quick pressure, or finishing when the healer is stressed), but they are still excellent kiting damage spells. And once the moonkin is free- then comes the roots and starfall (starfall since the arcane lockout just leads to wrath spam, equally devastating).

In the rated landscape druids will bring these abilities, and more, to bear with an entire team. Much of the article here focuses on the druids balance versus other classes in one on one situations. Solar beam is not the greatest ability when combined with the same druid's roots. But, in a BG, with all the snares of an entire team at his/her disposal and a little coordination, the boomkin's aoe silence can become devastating to casters who tend to group up. Shadowfury, frost nova, solar beam, all combined with warsong gulch or the limited mobility flag area in eye of the storm equals flag carrier bliss.

In group combat sense of rated battlegrounds, I think boomkins are going to be quite powerful. They may never be as good at one on one kiting as a hunter, mage, or resto druid, but their mobility and offense as well as ability to heal will make them a cataclysm force with which to be reckoned.

10-02-2010 @ 9:31AM

Lissanna said...

The glyph for instant roots now gives roots a 10 second cooldown.

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