Lightning Bolt, Shadow Bolt, and Wrath, three staple spells for the shaman, warlock, and druid classes respectively, all have new animations on the Public Test Realm. You can check out the new spell animations in the video above. Lighting Bolt's effect now leaves a blue trail and has more oomph than just the small blue ball that was fired from the shaman beforehand. Shadow Bolt's skull-headed projectile now leaves a greenish wake. Wrath looks completely different, eschewing the green lightning bolt effect for a more nature-based zap.
The Shadow Bolt change is very subtle and I might not have noticed it at all. The Wrath change is nice, I suppose, makes it look like it's from the sun instead of poisonous. The Lightning Bolt change, however, is really great and finally actually looks like something menacing! I may have used Chain Lightning on my enh shaman whenever it wasn't an important/hard fight, just because it looks so much better.
I saw a vid last night that shows what a pair of shaman using chain lightning looks like when there's no cooldown. It's gonna be like Tesla Coils Gone Wild!
I completely agree. "Nature" spells in WoW are "supposed" to be green. The new wrath I know is supposed to evoke a more solar connection, but they're going to need to do something more to get that. The current incarnation looks like a holy spark.
I really hope that wrath effect isn't completely there on the PTR. I am saddened they didn't use my idea of making the green bolt into a translucent bird-like animated bolt - ala Malfurion and Cenarius's ranged attacks in WC3
Nice changes, but hte videos could be better by having 2 people doing them, 1 casting and 1 filming, then we could see all the efect, as I cant see the skull in the shadow bolt
Sep 29th 2011 at 1:00PM 
Brace yourselves for what could be some of most exciting updates to the game recently with patch 4.3. Review the official patch notes, and then dig into 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!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Gendou Sep 29th 2011 1:03PM
Very interesting changes... especially the 'green fire' effect on Shadowbolt.
Hollow Leviathan Sep 29th 2011 1:03PM
The Shadow Bolt change is very subtle and I might not have noticed it at all. The Wrath change is nice, I suppose, makes it look like it's from the sun instead of poisonous. The Lightning Bolt change, however, is really great and finally actually looks like something menacing! I may have used Chain Lightning on my enh shaman whenever it wasn't an important/hard fight, just because it looks so much better.
Glaras Sep 29th 2011 1:08PM
I saw a vid last night that shows what a pair of shaman using chain lightning looks like when there's no cooldown. It's gonna be like Tesla Coils Gone Wild!
ninjivitis Sep 29th 2011 2:30PM
Haha, I do the exact same thing with my shaman. The current Lightning Bolt looks so puny. The spell name should have been Tiny Spark.
Wildcard Sep 29th 2011 1:04PM
As usual, the druids get screwed on cool looking effects. Looks like it's more of a holy power than a nature power.
Glaras Sep 29th 2011 1:06PM
I completely agree. "Nature" spells in WoW are "supposed" to be green. The new wrath I know is supposed to evoke a more solar connection, but they're going to need to do something more to get that. The current incarnation looks like a holy spark.
Martin Sep 29th 2011 1:17PM
Efflorescence is one of the coolest effects in the game.
Though I tend to agree that the Wrath change is kinda weaksauce.
othragon Sep 29th 2011 1:18PM
The "solar" connection makes no sense since it doesn't even grant you solar power.
Matthew Sep 29th 2011 1:21PM
Agree 100%. It looks like rust dust. Nature = GREEN. Solar stuff is more arcane than nature anyway.
It could have been thorny dark green (not fel green) looking stuff, but instead its like throwing coffee grounds.
Silversol Sep 29th 2011 2:41PM
It looks more like 'faerie fire bolt'
Tribunal Sep 29th 2011 3:23PM
It needs more substance period, regardless of color. The lack of the central ball/skull/whatever just makes it look like a little "poof" of magic.
Although I'll agree that I personally favored the green so far.
I think they could make a nice green central ball with gold effects (to pay homage to eclipse) as a wonderful and awesome looking compromise.
Brasson Sep 29th 2011 3:25PM
The good news: We still have Moonfire.
I hope Wrath isn't finished.
Felix_NZ Sep 29th 2011 4:01PM
I really hope that wrath effect isn't completely there on the PTR. I am saddened they didn't use my idea of making the green bolt into a translucent bird-like animated bolt - ala Malfurion and Cenarius's ranged attacks in WC3
TweakyDig Sep 29th 2011 1:04PM
I like the Shaman and Warlock change...but what the hell did they do to Wrath? I'm going to miss that little green ball of awesome. :(
MrDrew Sep 29th 2011 2:35PM
I have come to love my little green ball of energy :(
Zenotho Sep 29th 2011 4:56PM
Tough to see - could we possibly see them from maximum range?
Zenotho Sep 29th 2011 4:58PM
Activated-comment fail... thanks for the reshoot Mat!
radda Sep 29th 2011 1:04PM
The new Wrath doesn't look nature-y at all. I am disappoint.
Zaet Sep 29th 2011 1:06PM
Nice changes, but hte videos could be better by having 2 people doing them, 1 casting and 1 filming, then we could see all the efect, as I cant see the skull in the shadow bolt
xvkarbear Sep 29th 2011 1:08PM
Druids look like they're gathering a ball of sunshine in their hand and shooting it. With little poofs of sun smoke trailing after it.
I guess it's to help solidify the whole sun = nature moon = arcane, but I'm still not fond of it.
Especially since Lightning Bolt and Shadowbolt look so awesome. Wrath looks underwhelming.
I do like how the sunlight seems to build up in the druid's hands though. but it's not a feature you see when you're in moonkin form.