Patch 4.2: Crystallized Firestone makes gear heroic
by Matthew Rossi 
Jun 1st 2011 at 3:00PM
What's interesting about this system is that it affects items that don't even drop in the Firelands, especially the difficult-to-upgrade relics like the Hardheart Relic that makes my shaman scream "Me want!" like a caveman. Since relics are usually a valor point purchase, this makes them difficult (if not impossible) to upgrade, in comparison to other items. In general, this whole system is currently only in place to upgrade 21 items, but with some of those items being weapons or armor pieces, we may see more soon. It makes me remember Sunmotes and the Sunwell Plateau's exchange system. Crystallized Firestone definitely seems like the next iteration.
Also new on the test realms: The Avengers of Hyjal have a new strength DPS trinket. Looks like new itemization is being implemented as we speak.
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 new quest hubs -- plus new Tier 12 armor!Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, News items, Raiding, Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ghola Jun 1st 2011 3:28PM
Sweet! More hard to get drops I'll never see.
devilsei Jun 1st 2011 4:01PM
What...?
Re-read the post bub, the item allows you to convert some items into their Heroic counterpart.
(cutaia) Jun 1st 2011 4:14PM
To be fair, he could be talking about the firestone itself, which, if you never do heroic Firelands...you'll indeed never see drop.
noel mcleod Jun 7th 2011 8:25AM
My sentiments exactly, yet another mechanic that ONLY rewards those fortunate enough to have the BIG blocks of time free to raid. For those of us who play a lot in 30-minute bites, Blizz is STILL telling us to go play something else. Used to be a random BG fit my available playtime beautifully, but since Cata even that is pretty much ruined.
This WASN'T true in Wrath, where I could tank a dungeon reliable in 30 minutes. (and I did, over 200 of them tanked according to my stats pages ...).
Matrillik Jun 28th 2011 6:26PM
Why would someone even do the heroics if they weren't receiving rewards that other less committed players couldn't get? There's a difference between trying to turn off casual players and creating incentive for hardcore players. Open your eyes, Blizz has spent this entire expansion so far creating all sorts of unnecessary things for casual players to do. They even made 5 man heroics hard so you can't just run through them.
TyphonTook Jul 1st 2011 12:52AM
And they nerfed the whole last tier of norm raids into the ground, just for casuals who have less time. This includes stat nerfs, and in some cases entire boss mechanics removed. Yeah, Blizz is telling you to go play something else. Like, not Firelands. But the last tier, that they just made accessible.
And no, this isn't Wrath. It's not pathetically easy.
WaterRouge Jun 1st 2011 3:35PM
Did I just see Matthew Rossi say "my shaman" ?!
Matthew Rossi Jun 1st 2011 3:40PM
Matthew Rossi has played a shaman since BC. He even used to write Totem Talk.
Kuro Jun 1st 2011 3:41PM
Of course he has an Ehancement shaman.... and 49 Warriors.
Sterb Jun 1st 2011 3:41PM
... He used to be the shaman columnist (honestly not a good fit).
WaterRouge Jun 1st 2011 3:56PM
I knew you had a shaman but I didn't know you were still keeping up with it with gearing and such! Color me surprised.
The Dewd Jun 1st 2011 4:33PM
Matthew Rossi is so cool he only speaks of himself in the third person.
I, on the other hand, get threatened by my wife with a smacking when I do that. :(
Kurash Jun 1st 2011 6:44PM
So The Dewd does not abide? :(
Mr. Crow Jun 1st 2011 4:23PM
This is an interesting design. Having Crystallized Firestones act as something that can upgrade pre-T12 gear allows people to gear up more quickly by completing heroic modes without having heroic modes drop more gear.
Of course, it'll be interesting to see how effective this is. Will it be possible to defeat a Heroic T12 encounter without already being in at least Normal T12 gear? Is this change intended to help people upgrade from N/HT11 to HT12, or from NT12 to HT12?
(cutaia) Jun 1st 2011 4:26PM
To clarify, this will not upgrade T11-level gear to 391s. This will only upgrade certain level 378 gear to that level.
Basically, there will be a list of Valor point items (not the current Valor items, which will then be justice items) and Firelands normal mode drops. These will be the items you'll be able to upgrade. :)
Mr. Crow Jun 1st 2011 4:29PM
@ (cutaia)
Ahh, that makes a lot more sense.
Definitely an encouragement to try HT12, because someone will get an upgrade to an item slot they might not have as a tier-piece for or have an accessible replacement as a boss-drop.
The Dewd Jun 1st 2011 4:38PM
It's BoP so it's going to be for someone on the run only. This means there will be endless fretting about what people leading PUGs or GDKP groups will do with them - and/or ninjaing.
It seems that this is a VERY STRONG incentive from Blizzard for groups to not needlessly wipe on certain heroic mode bosses for upgrades when they can get a crystallized firestone for upgrades from an "easier" boss instead. I could also it it being used as a "consolation prize" to the poor guy who hasn't gotten an upgrade in a couple of weeks.
Now the real question is (not that I'll be doing Firelands Heroic), how many will drop in 10/25?
Mr. Crow Jun 1st 2011 4:43PM
@The Dewd: There'll be endless fretting about what to do with the Firestones, sure, but I don't think we should expect HT12 fights to be puggable for a good long time. By then, it'll no longer be relevant content, and then the upgrade itself won't really be meaningful.
As for GDKP -- my raids have used loot council rulings for the last three years instead of DKP systems, so I wouldn't have any input there.
Maes Jun 1st 2011 5:01PM
The real question is what will they apply to? I'd assume they only apply to valor point items and perhaps rep items. If they apply to drops, or are used in place of drops gearing will go far too quickly (first boss kill u get a few BiS weapons? I hope not) If its limited to VP items and rep that will be amazing for.... pretty much every ranged slot (short of hunters) and trinkets.
bleuchz Jun 1st 2011 5:44PM
This seems like it would be an awesome solution to the "Ulduar" style of hardmodes. Give hardmode fights the same loot table, but drop an item like this as well. This way not every boss needs a hardmode and Blizz won't have to worry about the way it makes the loot table for them. I am really, really hopeful this is a test for a system along those lines.