Patch 4.3: Zarhym clarifies tier 13 drop methods
by Daniel Whitcomb 
Sep 19th 2011 at 8:00PM
- All pieces will drop from multi-class set tokens. Ten-man raids will see a slight buff to drop rates to compensate for the lack of purchasable tier pieces.
- Valor point gear will feature a wider array of gear for a wider array of slots, meant both for people who are having trouble with token drops and for people who don't raid at all.
- There will be three tier 13 sets for each class: Looking For Raid level, normal level, and heroic level. Each will have a different item level, but you'll be able to mix and match pieces from all three sets for your set bonuses as needed.
ZarhymThe way tier 13 pieces will be obtained in the 4.3 raid won't be unlike raids past, meaning players will still need to roll on multi-class set tokens. That said, we'll be tweaking the tier 13 10-player drop rates a little bit (for the better) relative to the 25-player version, given that these tier pieces can't be purchased from vendors for Valor Points.
In addition, due to tier pieces not being offered for Valor Points, another thing you'll see in patch 4.3 is a much wider array of desirable non-set loot (covering more slots than prior patches) available from the vendors, for those players who are unlucky with specific token drops, or who aren't interested in raiding -- although, once you get more details about the Raid Finder, we hope you'll find interest in having a go.
I felt this warranted its own response in a separate thread, but for those who missed it, here's my response to the original thread about tier 13 pieces being raid drops only:
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/3196022133?page=23#456
Quote:
Keep in mind we do intend to allow tier 13 set pieces to drop for those using the upcoming Raid Finder. Similar to the difference between normal and Heroic versions of tier sets, the Raid Finder set will have a lower item level than the normal and Heroic counterparts.
Set pieces from all three difficulty levels can still be mixed and matched for the 2- and 4-piece bonuses.
Keep in mind we do intend to allow tier 13 set pieces to drop for those using the upcoming Raid Finder. Similar to the difference between normal and Heroic versions of tier sets, the Raid Finder set will have a lower item level than the normal and Heroic counterparts.
Set pieces from all three difficulty levels can still be mixed and matched for the 2- and 4-piece bonuses.
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: Blizzard, News items, Raiding
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Wes Sep 19th 2011 8:07PM
Main Question: Does the LFR tool have the same lockout as the normal/heroic? Or is it a seperate lockout akin to early WOTLK with normal/heroic having seperate lockouts?
Moeru Sep 19th 2011 8:09PM
Different
Skarn Sep 19th 2011 8:29PM
Currently it's separate. There is much PTR to be had yet, so it could play out differently.
jfofla Sep 19th 2011 8:42PM
It was my understanding that LFR did not have a lockout at all.
Matt Sep 19th 2011 10:04PM
Is it on the ptr already?
Skarn Sep 19th 2011 10:31PM
@jfofla
Currently, I think so. It's hard to imagine infinite raids sticking, but then again, that is kinda the point of "training" raids. To teach and gear you up.
@Matt
No, it's not on the PTR. Hence the point. If it's not even up yet, there's a long way to go.
Natsumi Sep 20th 2011 1:38AM
@skarn
You are assuming that Blizzard will put 4.3 up on the PTR. I have a sneaking suspicion that Blizz is pulling a fast one on the data miners by releasing all the info on the dungeons/raids/features now and just doing internal testing on the dungeons/raids to give us back that one thing we've been missing since Burning Crusade: the unknown. Since at least Wrath (if not before) all the raids have been testable before release, meaning that once the raids hit live they A) were already beaten and B) had strat vids/guides, killing the mystery for just about everyone. I think the statement that "we'll nerf it after it's beaten the first time so everyone else can experience it" kind of sums up my hypothesis.
nclay Sep 19th 2011 8:08PM
Huh. So no more heroic runners slowly farming up their valor sets. Thats cool I suppose though for this entire expansion I've continually flicked blizzard off for not letting me complete my dungeon justice set without raiding. I still think its insanely stupid to put the two most popular dungeon pieces on the expansions starter raid bosses, especially when getting pug raids (which due to my work schedule is my only option) to actually kill the first boss in barad is near impossible.
Nevermind me though, I'm an appearance nut and for that reason have spent this entire xpansion running around in my pvp sets because at least there I'm not forced to go into areas of the game I've no interest in just to complete my set.
The Pie Pieper Sep 20th 2011 1:27AM
Agree. I was a hard core raid during Wrath and was looking for a much casual time in Cata. What do i get for it? A bunch of gross looking 346/353 items because i'm not the "Hard Corzzz". I really like the ability for those who didn.t raid to still feel like they got some end game gear. So much for Blizz plan to get more gamers to end content.
simictron Sep 20th 2011 11:03AM
Brah, you've got to stop being so shallow.
Sucal Creux Sep 19th 2011 8:14PM
But but but, my precious Valor point gear. Its bad enough how long/much gold it takes to prepare for firelands. But this... this is even worse. Why can I predict even account quits/drops of subs.
murmaiderxx Sep 19th 2011 9:43PM
This is how the game was before WotLK you had to raid for any tier to get them.. In fact I think the point system was not implemented until Quel'Danis (sp I know).
rapsam2003 Sep 20th 2011 12:38AM
Yeah, that's nice. Consider that the Casuals can get in LFR, and any moron who drops is just that, a moron. It's never been this easy for a casual to get in a raid than LFR.
nymrohd Sep 19th 2011 8:16PM
I wonder what he means by a buff for 10man. Will 10man get an extra token from bosses? That would not be a slight buff, it would be rather significant. Or perhaps bosses will have a chance to drop a second token or replace normal loot with a token?
Paul Sep 20th 2011 2:15AM
I'm going to assume it'll be something like;
10 man guaranteed 1 to drop from each boss
25 man guaranteed 2 to drop from 5 selected bosses (not random)
Arrohon Sep 19th 2011 8:17PM
I guess that means they'll finally be able to use all three color schemes for tier gear that they create. Only using 2 of the 3 seems like a waste of time for an already overbusy art team.
DragonFireKai Sep 19th 2011 9:16PM
They have been using all three, this will necesitate a 4th color scheme.
Arrohon Sep 19th 2011 9:28PM
Do tell where I can find the blue pally T12.
A_V Sep 19th 2011 8:19PM
I have one toon that I raid on as dps/heals. On the other side of the server I have one toon that I tank on who doesn't raid. Regardless of not raiding on her, I try to keep as up to date (albiet at a slightly slower rate than my raiding toon) with her gear so as to provide a decently geared tank for folks in the heroics/ZA/ZGs I pug. Making the next set of tier gear completely unobtainable by non-raiders and substituting in a few extra lesser pieces on the side makes me sad.
Arrohon Sep 19th 2011 8:32PM
The Raid Finder is going to make it fairly easy for you to get the gear as it won't be as large of a time commitment. I'd say that the queues will also be instant for you as a tank, but the Raid Finder is 25-man which means that the tank vs dps ratio is increasing much more for DPS's favor. I wonder if the Raid Finder will have Call to Arms....