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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsThe Queue: Yes, kittens again
by Michael Sacco 
Oct 1st 2010 at 2:00PM
Don't like kittens? Too bad, I've got a room full of them, plus enough pictures of them to wallpaper the Taj Mahal.
Nyold asked:
I have a question about mastery system. A lot of the description says something like "each point of mastery increases the damage by an additional 2%." Does this mean each mastery RATING found in gear, or is there another conversion from mastery rating to mastery skill (kinda like how crit rating and crit percentage is)?
Mastery works like most other ratings in that there's a conversion from the points you have on gear (rating) to the effect you see on your character window (skill). The formula varies from spec to spec.
Xues asked:
I might have missed this, but how are talent points going to be distributed when leveling? Every two levels?
You get a trainable ability every even level up to 80, after which you get one every odd level. You get a talent point every odd level up to 79, after which you get one every level.
Rioriel asked:
I have a question regarding CE pets and codes that came up in a guildie Twitter conversation. If I were to pre-order the Collector's Edition and -- concerned that it would arrive late -- also pick up a normal copy on release day from which I use the activation code on Battle.net so I can start Cataclysm ASAP, am I able to input the CE code at a later date to receive the CE pet ... like an upgrade?
Hope you can clear that up for me, or any readers who experienced a similar situation with TBC or Wrath. -- Rioriel, The Sha'tar (EU)
Yes, you can call Blizzard billing to upgrade your account from a standard one to Collector's Edition.
Terethall asked:
Is the Scepter of the Shifting Sands quest line still in the game? I'm guessing it isn't, what with Azuregos moving around and what-not.
It doesn't look like it is, but there's still time for Blizzard to change stuff, if it decides to, before Cataclysm launches.
Clint Rice asked:
Has Blizzard said anything about providing vanilla owners anything to make up for the loss of everything it has taken away from them? As it stands right now, a level 60 player on a vanilla account can have a character that can at least get the 51-point talent in a particular tree. They also have the choice of several level 60 raids to run; they lost two with Wrath (Ony and Naxx) and they will be losing another come Cataclysm (ZG). I understand that Blizzard wants to sell expansions and make money on those sales, but right now it seems to just be slowly breaking a game that people paid money for and continue to pay for on a monthly basis. I understand that the old world is almost completely re-done, but at the same time, Blizzard seems to be taking the Sony route and removing features that you paid for after the fact.
Yes -- you get an entirely new 1-60 experience in vanilla regardless of whether you're buying Cataclysm or not, so it's easier and more fun to hit that six-year-old, obselete-for-three-expansions level cap.
Have questions about the World of Warcraft? The WoW Insider 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!Filed under: The Queue
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 12)
Vogie Oct 1st 2010 2:47PM
What about people who buy WoW without 3 expansions? Or even the WoW/BC Battlechest?
WoW's an Expensive game to jump into head first, because that initial cost is large.
Not everyone who plays has been playing forever. For us, it's like a Cost over time, with occasional crits whenever an expansion comes out.
Zheo Oct 1st 2010 3:02PM
@Vogie
I see your point. They should introduce a system where you can direct download WoW and pay an inflated monthly price (i.e. $1-$5 more a month) to pay off the initial download cost, like financing. Really, we're paying a subscription anyways. Set it up so if you cancel the subscription the remaining balance gets charged to the credit card.
A lot of players have expressed this concern in that the initial cost is prohibitive from joining.
Ted Oct 1st 2010 5:54PM
@Vogie the thing is this guy isn't talking about being a new player, this is someone who's been playing for what sounds like a very long time.
@Zheo, that's a really good idea. make it $20/month for the first year (with a contract? maybe with a termination fee equal to the balance of the extra amount?). For an extra $60 they could get all of the needed games at $20 each, which is frankly what they should be selling for at this point.
Noyou Oct 1st 2010 2:05PM
Wait. It's only one kitten this time. Ha now-
Awww. But it's sooo cute. Wait- what is it doing to me! /melt
Belfonisis Oct 1st 2010 2:05PM
"Yes -- you get an entirely new 1-60 experience in vanilla regardless of whether you're buying Cataclysm or not, so it's easier and more fun to hit that six-year-old, obselete-for-three-expansions level cap."
ZING! >.>
Imnick Oct 1st 2010 2:14PM
Why is he complaining about getting the new zones... but not about how he got the new 51 point talents from Wrath?
V Magius Oct 1st 2010 3:24PM
@Imnick
He's complaining because in the past you had enough points at 60 to get the 41-point talent and 70 to get the 51-point talent, making you a bit OP. Testing with the new talent trees, it is impossible to get the 31-point talent at 60.
I'm not really caring. The game will be designed around level 85. If this were the first expansion, I could understand the complaint. After three, you really can't be surprised at the drastic changes. Each expansion has given us a complete overhaul of the system before. You made a choice to leave your character stuck at 60 while the rest of the game moved on.
Darasen Oct 1st 2010 3:42PM
Why is he complaining about getting the new zones... but not about how he got the new 51 point talents from Wrath?...
I think you're missing the point a bit here. In Vanilla he reached the end of the talent tree at 60 (obviously) in BC and Wrath he could as well. Now for the first time a lvl 60 is unable to reach the end of a talent tree. This is made worse by being locked into a talent tree until it has 32 points in it disallowing some one from picking the most effective talents he could from the points available.
Unrelated: The Sacco response seemed a bit terse yet I have not seen the outcry the (well deserved) /facepalm response received. I find that a bit odd.
Clint Rice Oct 1st 2010 4:52PM
I have both BC and WotLK. I wasn't really complaining, just asking a question that I couldn't personally find any information about. I also appreciate Michael Sacco's response, regardless of whether it was tongue in cheek or not. I just find it odd that Blizzard is disregarding the fact that there are paying customers out there that are getting the shaft with this expansion. It would be one thing to tell people they can't get new content unless they pay for an upgrade, but another to take something away from people to force them to pay you additional money to get it back. On the flip side of my original question I posted, I think the entry fee of buying a game and 3 expansions just to get into a game is probably cost prohibitive to many that might normally get on the monthly payment treadmill. I have a couple of friends that I have been trying to convince to give it a try but they all balk at having to pay almost $100 to start playing before they start paying $15 a month. Not really complaining myself as I have paid for them and enjoyed the game over the last 5 years but dont agree with the direction that Blizzard is going in regarding loyal paying customers.
WastedFire Oct 1st 2010 6:13PM
"another to take something away from people to force them to pay you additional money to get it back"
What exactly are they taking away and making you pay to get back ? The 1-60 level areas don't require Cataclysm to use. If anything they are giving a completely new leveling experience and streamlined questing to individuals who haven't purchased any expansion. You can argue that the nostalgia of the old zones may have had some monetary component, but honestly Blizzard has made a point of pointing out for 3 expansions now that they have no interest in going backwards and keeping everyone's rose tinted glasses clean. Change is a part of everything and I really don't see what compensation is required because some people can't adjust to it.
windstalker668 Oct 1st 2010 6:20PM
The problem is that the game is not designed around those people. As much as it sucks for them, the reality is that MMO's are evolving and changing and if you don't want to evolve and change with them, you fall to the wayside. Also, 60 is no longer a "cap". It used to be significant, now it is no more important than a level like 52 or 73. Why should they be treated special when there is nothing special about them? If you are arguing that it costs too much, then why are you paying every month to continue playing a game that at that point is no more than a single player console game? It really doesn't make sense and to consider Blizzard as some money monger-ers because it causes people to buy more of there games is silly. Of course Blizzard wants people to buy there games, that is how they make a living, if everyone stayed at level 60 and no one bought the expansions, what would be the point of an MMO?
jbodar Oct 1st 2010 10:36PM
@clint
Blizzard needs to add Wrath to the Battle chest, so you buy that + Cata and you're good. I'd say that new players should take advantage of the free trial first before spending ANY money.
I still don't think that Vanilla-only players should be compensated or placated in any way for losing access to raids, considering the upgdate given to Old Azeroth.
Clint Rice Oct 1st 2010 10:59PM
@jbodar
I agree with you on the thought that adding WotLK to the battle chest would go a long way towards allowing new players to jump right in. Ultimately they want everyone to play to lvl cap and buy each expansion, but as it stands right now that divide from initial investment to seasoned player is getting a bit large.
And you may be right to say that Blizzard doesn't owe them anything, but I would think it better service to the customer to at least give them something. Would it have really been so hard to allow the lvl 60 version of Onyxia to stay in game? They have the technology to do it as can be shown by VC and SFK being available to low levels and then separately tuned for lvl 85s on Heroic come Cataclysm.
DeathBahamutXXX Oct 1st 2010 2:08PM
I am curious about the new guild leveling/acheivement/reward system. Say I am in a guild that earns the Phoenix mount and I have the requirements to learn it. Say something happens like the GM AFKs for months and people leave for greener pastures or I get booted or quit the guild. Will I still have the ability to use the mount and other things I have earned or will those be removed or will it be more like if I drop a proffesion like enchanting and it prevents me from equiping/using the item because I no longer meet the requirements?
Skarn Oct 1st 2010 2:28PM
If you have the reward on your character, like the Dark Phoenix mount, you can always use it even if dropped from the guild. If it is something associated with the guild, like increased mats from a gathering skill, then you lose that ability if you are no longer in the guild.
DeathBahamutXXX Oct 1st 2010 11:29PM
I hope it is that way. My friend was on the beta last night and has a BoA cloak - He gquit his guild and then the item deactivated saying he didn't meet the rep requirement - he says when they let him back in he could use the item again. I thought a blue said that the BoA stuff we could keep and use without a guild.
The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] Oct 1st 2010 2:08PM
Reposting from being one of the dead last commenters yesterday;
There's one question that's been on my mind ever since 3.3 came out, will we be able to obtain Shadowmourne or at least Shadow's Edge in Cataclysm? If we can, will we also still be able to get the fancy box of lore trinkets that drop when you kill the LK with it?
Vladeon Oct 1st 2010 2:16PM
Considering obtaining shadowmourne is part of the guild achievement formerly known as "we are legendary" (I refuse to call it by it's lesser, new name), then I'd say yes, it is still obtainable in cataclysm seeing as you'll have to obtain the listed legendary items after cataclysm hits in order to get the achievement.
Lyinar Oct 1st 2010 2:47PM
Actually, I'm pretty sure they've clarified that the "have all the legendaries in the guild somewhere" guild acheivement is one of the few that actually counts stuff done pre-Cataclysm. I think it's specifically on *having* instead of *acquiring*.
Vladeon Oct 1st 2010 3:39PM
@Lyinar
I guess I must've missed that but you're right as per: http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/753071-We-Are-Legendary-achievement?highlight=legendary+guild+achievement
but seeing as Shadowmourne is still a part of the achievement, I find it difficult to believe that they would create an achievement that will only be obtained by a very small percentage of guilds in cataclysm, namely those that have already obtained shadowmourne.
I would be extremely surprised if shadowmourne wasn't obtainable in cataclysm seeing as it will still be very difficult to get.