Patch 4.2: Eight raid bosses confirmed [updated]
by Fox Van Allen 
Apr 29th 2011 at 2:25PM
That it?
Yes, Firelands is the raid in 4.2, and 7 is the total number of bosses.
We think 7 is our current ideal for number of bosses in a raid. (We launched Cataclysm with two full raids of 4-6 bosses each.) We're also spending a lot of time making the Firelands bosses as awesome as possible - - creating unique models, animations, effects, sounds, etc. etc. Previously a lot of bosses were larger versions of existing models, which was fine, but that tradeoff is made somewhere. We shift to making fewer but more epic boss fights and there's a tradeoff somewhere. We're concentrating our efforts into a smaller number of fights so that each fight is bigger and better, they're still obviously going to be extremely challenging, but once it is on farm you're not having to spend two, three, maybe four nights just to clear it because the raid is so huge.
We think 7 is our current ideal for number of bosses in a raid. (We launched Cataclysm with two full raids of 4-6 bosses each.) We're also spending a lot of time making the Firelands bosses as awesome as possible - - creating unique models, animations, effects, sounds, etc. etc. Previously a lot of bosses were larger versions of existing models, which was fine, but that tradeoff is made somewhere. We shift to making fewer but more epic boss fights and there's a tradeoff somewhere. We're concentrating our efforts into a smaller number of fights so that each fight is bigger and better, they're still obviously going to be extremely challenging, but once it is on farm you're not having to spend two, three, maybe four nights just to clear it because the raid is so huge.
Bashiok goes on to give further insight on the content development process as it applies to new raids, suggesting that future raid patches will be much like this one in content and scope:
That it?
Our ideal situation would, of course, be to launch as many raids as possible with this current ideal number of around 7 bosses, but that's not something we're ever going to promise. We'd love to be able to produce unlimited amounts of content anywhere, not just raids, for that matter. We think one raid per patch with around 7 bosses is a super solid experience, though, especially with how much effort is going into Firelands. We don't think anyone is going to be disappointed.
On a side note, the whole daily quest thing hasn't sparked much excitement yet, but with the preview going live here in a few hours (and BlizzCast 16) hopefully we can impress how awesome that's going to be, too.
Again, there's a pretty aggressive development cycle for 4.2, so it's not going to be very long before we're on the PTR, and not very long (comparatively) before release.
On a side note, the whole daily quest thing hasn't sparked much excitement yet, but with the preview going live here in a few hours (and BlizzCast 16) hopefully we can impress how awesome that's going to be, too.
Again, there's a pretty aggressive development cycle for 4.2, so it's not going to be very long before we're on the PTR, and not very long (comparatively) before release.
While more content is always nice, I'm quite enthusiastic about the "seven raid boss per patch" sweet spot design. The super-raid design of patch 3.3 was a little much -- by including so much content into one raid, it often took two to three nights of play to achieve a full clear. And best of all, I love the idea of using original models -- the design of Marrowgar was awesome, but finding the same model in Halls of Origination ... well, it just felt a little cheap.
[EDIT: Updated to reflect there will be 8 raid bosses: 6 in Firelands, plus Rag and 1 in Baradin Hold.]
The news is already rolling out for the upcoming WoW Patch 4.2! Preview the new Firelands raid, marvel at the new legendary staff, and get the inside scoop on the new quest hubs. Plus, new Tier 12 armor!Filed under: Raiding
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sagretti Apr 29th 2011 2:32PM
There needs to be a correction there. There are 7 bosses in the Firelands, not counting the Baradin Hold boss.
Boz Apr 29th 2011 2:59PM
Thou shalt count to seven, no more, no less. Seven shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be seven. Eight shalt thou not count, neither count thou six, excepting that thou then proceed to seven. Nine is right out.
Hellsiege Apr 30th 2011 12:37AM
I would die laughing, if one of the bosses was a little rabbit. Would we actually get the "holy hand grenade" to beat it?
Chrisvolta Apr 29th 2011 2:32PM
love it
Paul Apr 29th 2011 2:34PM
Yeah later on in the thread Bashiok said this,
Comment by a poster:
True, except it's just one more boss, not two. :( There are only 6 in Firelands, the 7th boss is the new BH boss.
Bashiok:
Incorrect. 6 + Rag.
Noselacri Apr 29th 2011 2:36PM
"Previously a lot of bosses were larger versions of existing models, which was fine, but that tradeoff is made somewhere. We shift to making fewer but more epic boss fights and there's a tradeoff somewhere."
Bad writing is bad.
veil Apr 29th 2011 3:29PM
overused meme is overused
Diceman72 Apr 29th 2011 3:57PM
Not to mention that "bad writing is bad" is...bad writing.
exogenesis. Apr 29th 2011 2:38PM
I can't help but be surprised that so much information is coming out on this already - we've barely even wet our feet in the 4.1.0 paddling pool! - but I am very excited. Now that my shaman has evacuated the sinking ship that was her former guild and joined a proper, serious raiding guild, I can actually start to look forward to Firelands.
I'm presuming there will be 4.1.__s at some point? Or is 4.2 just going to pounce on us relatively quickly?
stephen2553 Apr 29th 2011 2:47PM
I wouldnt be surprised to see this up on PTR very soon, Blizz just wanted to get raiders more time to finish what we currently have before adding on a new raid but with so much content it would seem that it would be on PTR for awhile
MattKrotzer Apr 29th 2011 2:49PM
As 4.2 was originally supposed to be part of 4.1, I wouldn't be surprised to see it come rather quickly now that 4.1 is live.
Aticus Apr 29th 2011 4:53PM
I would be surprised to see it drop near the week of the Fire Festival.
Aticus Apr 29th 2011 4:54PM
I wouldn't **
mrjthekid Apr 29th 2011 2:54PM
My only (possible) concern is how bloated boss loot tables could become. Otherwise quick and easy would be fine by me, but that might be due to a slight case of burnout. Only time will tell.
Revynn Apr 29th 2011 3:37PM
Since I disenchanted 3 copies of the cloth legs from Magmaw this week . . . I'd be okay with bigger loot tables.
mheatleyadams Apr 29th 2011 2:56PM
Ah, was wondering where the 8th was from. So, new season of Arena soon if another wing of BH is opening up eh?
Blacksen Apr 29th 2011 2:58PM
I can't help but get the feeling we're getting shortchanged here. I'm sure Firelands will be great, but averaging 1 boss per month is unsatisfactory. This sluggish development pace is killing the game - there's just not enough to do at 85. I've killed Sinestra, and all I have to look forward to is a single instance?
They're making a tradeoff for "more epic encounters" by providing unique trash and boss models. I would gladly trade those models for just more content.
All signs point to "this will be a disaster," including comments such as "you shouldn't need to raid more than a couple nights a week to progress" - I raid 3 nights/week and have progressed just fine.
Jason Apr 29th 2011 3:14PM
The doomsayer Blacksen is here.....This will be more then enough content..i doubt your crap lil guild will down them in the time frame that your stupid lil brain has come up with...They do not have to make a ton of bosses its pretty much that simple...sunwell had less bosses and it took a long time to kill those bosses even with gating people still didnt have bosses down.
Imnick Apr 29th 2011 3:20PM
I think it's mainly also to do with the frankly massive amount of solo content they are also adding
60+ daily quests, a bunch of non-daily quests, TWO new zones including the inside of the raid instance
That manpower has to come from somewhere. It was either one instance now or two instance in 2-4 months
Docp Apr 29th 2011 3:32PM
@Jason
Yeah, but Sunwell was incredibly difficult, as in guilds with BT on farm were being destroyed in there, Sunwell was basically an entire raid on hard mode and that's why it took so long to clear out. This raid will have a normal mode and that probably won't take long to clear for a reasonably competent guild.
Thing you have to remember is that TOC and Sunwell were filler content, not exactly all that planned but designed to give us something to do until the real content (wrath and 3.3) is ready. It seems scary that they're now considering those raids close to their ideal than the real meaty raids I know and love.
Of course the pay off is that supposedly they'll have a more aggressive patching structure and so if it's only 4-5 months until the next raid then I'll be happy with that, of course they did say that Wrath was going to have an aggressive patching structure and then we ended with 3.3 for over a year.