Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsRaid finder coming in patch 4.3
by Adam Holisky 
Aug 17th 2011 at 11:20AM
According to an interview with Kotaku:
Finally, Chilton and Chris Metzen, vice president of creative development at Blizzard, explained a new feature coming with the patch called "Raid Finder". The Raid Finder essentially operates like a dungeon finder, automating the search for fellow players on the hunt for a good raiding party. It will be built into the game's updated user interface when the patch hits, they said.
The Kotaku article doesn't call it a "cross-realm" raid finder, but I think it's safe to assume that it will be -- otherwise, it'll just be like the one that's in game now (you remember that one, right?). There's no more details on the interface or accompanying restrictions on the new raid finding, but expect that information to be discovered or announced soon.
Brace yourselves for what could be some of most exciting updates to the game recently with patch 4.3. Look at what's ahead: new item storage options, cross-realm raiding, cosmetic armor skinning and your chance to battle the mighty Deathwing -- from astride his back! Filed under: News items
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 5)
puffcake Aug 17th 2011 2:05PM
I will certainly try it, since I work during my guild's scheduled raid times, but I'm just hesitant of the potential BS that will ensue, on a much grander scale no less.
Frank Aug 17th 2011 3:37PM
LOL, TANK QUEUES
Franktank Aug 17th 2011 3:39PM
Is it wrong for me to suggest "Call to Arms" for tanks? :D
Marius W. Aug 17th 2011 4:32PM
I can see how this would work and why they changed raid ID's to the player and not the raid group. This way you can re-queue and the system will match you up with other players who are also on the same boss. I can see it taking forever in the queue as there are a lot of variables at play. Not only will the system try to match similarly geared players but then out of that pool it will match on that weeks boss kills for each player. Then by class.
With the amount of non 'tank and spank' raid bosses, I can see this being a huge disaster unless they nerf all bosses into the ground. Majority of players out there do not understand to not stand in the fire.
Luotian Aug 17th 2011 5:24PM
It isn't a time issue on the days I have off. Those are off. The problem is that the time doesn't coincide with anyone I know raiding, and there are literally no PuGs outside of BH going on on my server. I sat for twelve hours a couple of weeks ago and saw not a one.
talduras Aug 17th 2011 6:03PM
Raid Finder? This'll be like turning the Russian Roulette that is Dungeon Finder to raid format... Except with far less empty chambers in the gun. :(
hpavc Aug 18th 2011 4:38AM
Wish they would fix the existing UI a bit first
GTRPrime Aug 18th 2011 6:49AM
Flog and Sog the pessimists! This is going to be kickass
lol Aug 18th 2011 4:42PM
Blizz,make the fight against deathwing everywhere!
Like he goes through the twilight highlands,then to wetlands, ect.
That would be very cool.
w_o_w.addict Aug 18th 2011 12:32PM
I would rather get myself killed and chopped up by Dexter, dumped into the Biscayne Bay to become shark food than sign up for a cross-realm raid finder. Being stuck in a group of asswipes for 3-4 hours is like a nightmare that I can't wake up from.
ownleewun Aug 18th 2011 2:18PM
Ok, now how will this work. will the mechanic of raid id be obsolete. I mean getting saved to a raid with cross realm toons? has this crossed anyone's minds. Will it allow guilds to grind out raids.?
ownleewun Aug 18th 2011 2:20PM
as for skill in raiding I hope they have ilvl requirements like they do for zanadalari raids...and to somehow differentiate pvp gear ilvls.....plz (prays) also. allow for kicking to be initiated if not immediately if someone notices a toon w/ pvp gear.
Badgelooter Aug 18th 2011 5:32PM
Having been in both situations (regular raid spot and time-crunched pugger), I think this idea has potential. While I feel for the player who can't afford to spend the time to see new content when it's relevant, part of the challenge of the game involves working together to overcome difficult encounters. For *some* content, this means a group of skilled, prepared players who know that their group will not fall apart because of a few setbacks.
Am I an elitist? I don't think so, but I do expect people to have some clue of what they are doing with their toon before they queue for a run. I'm happy to explain a fight mechanic to someone who misses the meteor slowing streaking toward them, or stands in the wrong spot, but I don't think I should have to explain what heal to toss or what spell to use to interrupt a caster or any other basic class mechanic. I've been in some excellent PuGs via the LFD tool. I've also seen hunter gemming Spirit because it helps their focus regen. I've seen PvIdon'tknowhat specs. I've seen a Combat Rogue using Backstab to generate CP the entire fight, shaman who cast Healing Surge until they're out of mana and then wonder what went wrong, and warlocks who don't seem to understand that DoTs acutally help your damage, even though they don't see the big pretty numbers.
There are a multitude of playstyles in this game, and it's set up to cater to lots of types of gamers. The idea of everything for everyone is antithetical to the concept of a raid being a challenge. For every person who does take some time to prepare by researching fights, learning their character, and gathering consumables, there's another who plays a hunter so they can have a pet monkey who flings poo. Accommodating players who don't bother to learn what to do acts as a punishment for those who do care enough to prepare and like the challenge of a boss who can kill you even though you do everything right.
Will every LFR group be fail? No, I'm sure some will have great success and the tool as a whole will provide opportunities for good players who can't otherwise raid to cut their teeth on the latest and greatest the game has to offer. There will be an equal number of skilled players who are stuck with Nooby McFirestander and get a bad taste in their mouths about raiding.
Other potential problems are the distribution of loot and BoE items, provision of consumables, and dealing with dropouts/DCs/idiots in general. What about the raid who constantly kicks their tank/healer because they find it convenient to blame failure on someone else? Do they pop to the top of the line and deprive other players who have been patiently waiting their turn? What happens when I queue, but only have 1 hour to play? I sit and wait for 45 minutes, clear trash for 15, then the group has to wait after I leave.
Samusaran Aug 18th 2011 8:30PM
The raid finder is a good addition to the game.
I understand the comments about maintaining the integrity of the game's challenge and I'm for that. Here's the thing, and it's been a consistent argument from day 1... I'm paying for content, I'm entitled to experience it. The addition of heroic mode and 10/25 raiding has allowed greater access to raids. If this was not done, I and many others would never have had the opportunity to progress and fight (heal, holy pally) the LK. The raid finder will be a tool that gives a larger amount of players access to the content they wish to experience. Like everything else in the game if it can be abused it will be abused, however overall it's a positive.
Elvgren Aug 18th 2011 7:26PM
Given that the Dungeon Finder is such an utter mess built for idiots and asshats to abuse that they have to eliminate threat from the game to pacify the masses they now want to extend that to the raid level?
Who's driving the bus?
Xyer Aug 18th 2011 10:56PM
So next they'll be nerfing raids for all those who cry about how hard they are because their RF groups fail.
Raiding is the only thing that keeps me tied to my server's community because I have to find others there who are capable. If that all goes to auto-que easy mode then guilds and the community are meaningless.
To those complaigning about work schedules, start a group that raids at a time that works for you. I started an early morning raid for my work schedule. Believe it or not but other people need those hours too.
If you wont put in the effort you wont have success in raids. Till they nerf it like everything else anyway. What about ppl that que and don't have voice chat? Try explaining cho'gall in text chat window. This will be a disaster.
Maybe create a LFR x-server list you can put your name on and ppl can fill raids from that.
scottycalder Aug 18th 2011 11:09PM
To the person saying they are 'entitled' to see the end of the game, try telling that to the dozens of game developers who's game I could never beat. I never beat Mike Tyson, I never beat seperoth. I paid for both games and enjoyed them.
I think people feeling 'entitled' is a big problem with everything these days. You are 'entitled' to choose to play or not. Not for anyone else to have to cater specifically to you.
JDawgShiori Aug 19th 2011 4:26AM
I don't really have the time available to commit to a decent raiding guild, but I am interested in seeing new content. I see this as an opportunity to gain some raid experience that otherwise would be unpractical. That said we probably won't see pugs flying through raids until players grossly out gear them, but it will give people like me who want to see some of the content beyond ZA/ZG a chance.
I didn't start tanking in Cataclysm until ZA/ZG and it was ugly the first couple runs, but with the aid of videos and helpful people in PUGs i quickly mastered them. After that 2/3 runs were fairly easy (1/3 generally included people who refused to play nice or do their jobs, but a little good humor and patience generally got us through them.) I see a similar, if somewhat longer and more frustrating experience with raids, but patience and good humor go a long way to making the experience better. More hardcore players will still have their guilds and groups of friends to play with so I don't see this as hurting them, but it will give those of us who don't have the time in our schedules to commit a chance to get a taste of raiding.
Sulomon Aug 19th 2011 7:45AM
I think this is a great idea, why should Raids only be for the elite few?
The people Raiding already wont be affected by this at all, they can just carry on doing what they are doing, just because a feature is there doesnt mean you have to use it? And its going to be a simple way for people new to raiding to get into it.
NYCAccountant Aug 22nd 2011 12:13PM
Here is the BIG problem with this Raid Finder: When there is a firestorm of complaints about the difficulty of the Raid by people who are not geared or skilled enough for them, Blizzard will nerf them.
*** High-Level Raids are the only challenging content left in the entire game.*** Nerf these and there is no point in half of WoW's current players staying with the game.
Rift is just waiting to suck up disenchanted WoW players. Their endgame doesn't compare to WoW's endgame...yet. But give them time.
Raid Finder is a FANTASTIC option for WoW....as long as Blizzard PROMISES to not fool around with the mechanics and either buff Level 85 characters or nerf the Raids. Otherwise, this can kill WoW. No game lasts forever, so a permanent decline is absolutely possible.