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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsPatch 4.3 PTR Video: New spell effects for shaman, warlocks, druids
by Mathew McCurley 
Sep 29th 2011 at 1:00PM
[Edit]: Video was re-shot for some better angles/views of the spells. Sorry about that, guys and gals.
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 4 of 4)
Ctmcstomperq Sep 29th 2011 2:21PM
The Wrath change is bad. It needs to be bigger, more orange and more noticable. I'm, right now, going to suggest that they change Wrath to be a ray type spell, like Mind Flay, and make it look like a solar prominence.
Wysp Sep 29th 2011 2:55PM
What's wrong with green for Wrath? Poison is green, poison is nature damage, some of the most deadly poisons in the world are made by mother nature. It would also be fine for it to be thorns or razor leaf effect.
The yellow/white effect makes it look like Holy Bolt. Big bummer there.
paragorillabear Sep 29th 2011 3:10PM
I always thought Shadowbolt was one of the coolest looking spell effects in the game. Why change it?
And I must say I'm not a big fan of this new effect; it seems too fast -- doesn't look like the person being hit would have time to see that shadowy skull coming at them -- overall, I always thought slow whooshing of Shadowbolt was one of the coolest things about it. Now it looks like some kinda sonic boom.
Matthew Sep 29th 2011 4:22PM
The sound effect was awesome, I hope its not changed.
Clockw0rk Sep 29th 2011 3:25PM
I'm going to join in the group scowl at Wrath.
:/
The other two changes look alright though.
Mathew McCurley Sep 29th 2011 3:26PM
I re-shot the video with better angles/farther away shots. It's uploading now.
Matthew Sep 29th 2011 4:25PM
Looks like your shaman wasn't hit capped ;) Nice work on the new angles though
TonyKP Sep 29th 2011 3:31PM
Love Shadowbolt and Lightning Bolt. Hate Holy Tinkerbell, er, I mean Wrath.
Sinderion Sep 29th 2011 3:41PM
More about chain lightning than lightning bolt, but:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaJlKMWdCtY
snarkygoldfish Sep 29th 2011 3:49PM
Hooray Lightning Bolt!
I know it is silly, and not dps effective, but I do admit there were times I would cast off chain lightning instead of LB because CL just had more OOMPF and effect to it. LB was just always so dinky and ineffective looking. XD
Awesome Sep 29th 2011 4:21PM
the lightning bolt is probably the best out of all of them, finally feels badass. As for Shadow Bolt, it almost looks TOO cool, (with what the laughing skull, dark trails, and now, purple to green bubble trail thing), but wth is going on with wrath? I prefer the crappy old version to this crappier new version...
zombiefraser Sep 29th 2011 4:27PM
I am going to say it, because i havent seen it posted yet. But the shaman lighting bolt looks like the sith inquistor frow swtor. I am not trying to troll, but they look similar
Nebalee Sep 29th 2011 4:40PM
I think the projectiles are all quite nice, but the trails behind them look rather shabby... just the same static unanimated piece of texture copied along a sting fading in and out :-/
Baek Sep 29th 2011 4:51PM
I made three separate videos on my youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/thehnoskos
I got a bit of a closer look at the lightningbolt graphic on the hands (which, according to my Shaman friend was changed). The Warlock Shadowbolt looks pretty good but is essentially a shadow version of Chaos Bolt (and that's not a bad thing) and Druid Wrath looks unfinished. I like the graphic on the hands for Druids but it just needs... more... It reminds me of Priests Prayer of Mending trail.
Ametrine Sep 29th 2011 5:51PM
Wrath went from pew-pew to P.U.-puny.
Nature's Fury to Fairy Fart.
Scunosi Sep 29th 2011 6:57PM
That Wrath seems a little pitiful. I can appreciate the pre-cast growth in the caster's hands, but all that gained size seems to disappear when it's actually thrown. I was kinda expecting Blizzard to just use the old beta Starsurge animation, you know the big green blob with the leaves and stuff coming off of it? I actually kinda liked that one.
This also makes me wonder if they'll get around to updating Hurricane any time soon, that's got to be one of the worst spells in game now after all these updates. Of course, if no one ever uses it anyway maybe they won't bother.
Berna Sep 29th 2011 7:05PM
I *like* the new Wrath!
Jordan Sep 29th 2011 9:06PM
Updating the core spell graphics is a great idea for two reasons:
1) the average computer of today can accommodate more complicated graphical effects, so spells should be updated every few years accordingly
2) it is a simple, non-gimmicky way to put a lot of freshness back into the game. Plus it's just cool.
Complaint/Suggestion:
1) What about mage core abilities? Hasn't frostbolt been the same since the dawn of time? Holy/Shadow priests?
2) While the glowing-hand effect of druid wrath spell is cool, the actual projectile is underwhelming.
Gerhute Sep 30th 2011 3:01PM
Maybe instead of the fairy fart version of wrath, they could make it a bit bigger than the old version, something like Lava Burst, but leafy-green instead of fiery. Or make it a leafy-green substance that climbs up at your enemy out of the ground itself. Or just give back the old version. Anything but fairy farts.