If you didn't see this coming, you haven't been paying attention: as of
Mists of Pandaria and patch 5.0
, the ranged slot is being dismantled. Relics are going extinct, hunter ranged weapons will become their
only weapons, and wands? Those are main-hand weapons now, too. To be extra clear:
-
Relics are going away
-
Wands become main hand weapons (and will function as wands do now)
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Hunters can only equip ranged weapons (and hunter minimum range is going away)
This is something we've expected for a long time here at WoW Insider, as it's a topic Ghostcrawler discussed at BlizzCon '10. It's a removal of superfluous stat sticks and that's a good thing. None of us will miss our librams with +10 to Character Sheet Clutter and absolutely no visual, no real effect, and no purpose.
The news is out -- we'll be playing Mists of Pandaria! Find out what's in store with an all-new talent system, peek over our shoulder at our Pandaren hands-on, and get ready to battle your companion pets against others. It's all here right at WoW Insider!
Tags: blizzcon-11, blizzcon-2011, mists-of-pandaria, mop, ranged-slot, relic, relics, wand, wands
Filed under: BlizzCon
Oct 21st 2011 at 7:30PM 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
Marshal Oct 21st 2011 7:33PM
Finally, range limit is indeed gone.
And I hope they allow us to sheathe our bow/guns/crossbows on our backs to compensate for the lack of main weapon. Would be a shame to just have us with only armor.
Juzelle Oct 22nd 2011 5:52AM
"I hope they allow us to sheathe our bow/guns/crossbows on our backs to compensate for the lack of main weapon"
Agreed. as a hunter that rarely enables her cloak graphic, running around with nothing displayed on your back leaves you feeling a little naked. It's going to be extra strange without a big fat ole' stat stick/spear on my back.
It'd be nice if they compensated for that empty space with like... say.. an ammo satchel or a quiver of arrows matched to whatever weapon you were using. Some little graphic doodad to hang out back there, etc.
Natsumi Oct 22nd 2011 10:58AM
Damn, Blizzard ruined my question for Ghostcrawler! But, way to call it for me, huh?
http://wow.joystiq.com/2011/10/20/scattered-shots-a-very-hunter-blizzcon/3#comments
"How about this one:
Is there any thought going into making Bows, Crossbows, and Guns Main Hand weapons and replacing the ranged slot with a relic slot. Warriors and Rogues could just have the Throw Skill and get a Relic Slot, and Wands could be exactly like Relics but modify the Shoot skill's damage type as well. This would eliminate the need to itemize guns/bows/crossbows/throwing weapons for different classes and free up itemization on bosses for the important stuff. Hunter Melee abilities would be removed with the exception of Wingclip, as those abilities are completely useless anyway."
Martinel Oct 21st 2011 7:33PM
Any idea on whether rogues/warriors will be able to equip the guns and bows they have now in the main hand, or will we see a depressing line of red text on our shiny things?
Scott Oct 21st 2011 7:37PM
Red text.
Fawatam Oct 21st 2011 7:38PM
I'm going to guess that warrior/rogue will simply be unable to equip bows/guns/xbows, etc. Similar to how we lost the ability to equip ammo in the last expansion.
Hih Oct 21st 2011 7:39PM
They'll be throwing their weapons, so it'll be red text.
InvincibleGod Oct 21st 2011 7:34PM
Rogues and Warrior's, get your Legendary Bow achievement now before it's too late!
Stella Oct 21st 2011 7:34PM
Are there going to be spells based on a percentage of wand damage the way melee classes have spells based off of weapon damage?
blancester Oct 21st 2011 7:45PM
Treat it like a one handed sword or dagger for casters.
nieboh Oct 22nd 2011 2:43AM
"Treat it like a one handed sword or dagger for casters." I guess this is more or less the case. I was thinking that it essentially meant we could never choose a sword or dagger over a wand if we ever wanted to actually use the wand...but I guess that's a non-issue. It's been a very long time since I activated my wand (and no "that's what she said" comments, please).
Revnah Oct 21st 2011 7:34PM
The real biggie here is Hunter's minimum range being removed. I might just have to dig out my old hunter and hit some battlegrounds with her! :-D
MightyMuffin Oct 21st 2011 7:35PM
My hunter will be estatic. As will Frostheim, I think. I wonder what other epic things will happen to hunters...I mean, its a given hunters will be the focus here. (/sarcasm)
Artificial Oct 21st 2011 8:24PM
Dig out Frostheim's pic of Greg Street saying, "The first thing we consider with each change is, how will this make hunters more awesome?" (Or something to that effect.) Proof positive that it's truth!
Morgatho Oct 21st 2011 7:36PM
well this sucks, I spent weeks farming up old weapons to use got Xmoging that matches my hunters armor set up to now see them as useless. Also I can’t equip my Thunderfury I’m working on!!! LAAAAAAAAMMMMMEEEE!!!!!!!!! 2+ years farming the left binding down the poop shoot.
thedoctor2031 Oct 21st 2011 7:46PM
I hope they change this and make it so you have to pick one or the other (not that hunters would ever USE a melee weapon, but it would stop us from losing our hard earned loot.)
blancester Oct 21st 2011 7:49PM
I would not see wy they would not let you to still be able to equip swords, axes and etc.
They would just not have the benefit they would if you had your range weapon.
blancester Oct 21st 2011 7:52PM
@Self
Whoops, Ignore what I said.
Do keep up hope, they might take range only equip away. Keep in mind Beta is beta!
Snuzzle Oct 22nd 2011 5:08AM
I hope they still let us equip them in our weapon slot even if they aren't our main weapon. Just let me walk around town and show off my original Zin Rok sword. :(
Juzelle Oct 22nd 2011 5:56AM
and here I was excited to wear my Rhok'delar stave on my back forever. NOPE! :/