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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsWarlock's green fire is not coming at release in MoP, no timetable
by Adam Holisky 
Mar 27th 2012 at 10:00AM
This is no doubt a disappointment for many, especially for warlocks when combined with the news from last night that a demonology tanking spec isn't in the cards. It is, however, important to keep in mind that Blizzard still has done a lot with the warlock class, and all is not lost. There's a ton of changes to the way each spec will be played, and the talent revamp only has a few holdovers from current-day methodology.
The full blue post clarifying this situation after the break.
Wryxian -- Warlock green fire
So we've obtained some additional insight about what exactly lies behind the use of the word "hope" in regard to our efforts to achieve green fire for warlocks. Essentially, we want this updated information out so that we can better manage expectations, especially as the announcement created such a flurry of excitement.
Unfortunately, dear warlocks, those of you who retained a modicum of skepticism were right to, as it would seem that the chance of green fire for warlocks is even less as likely as the wording of the original information indicated.
Since spell effects are not as simple to change around as - for example - druid forms are, we need some additional technology implemented in order to allow the use of red or green fire to be a player choice and not a permanent change that is put in place for all warlocks.
Also, technology aside, we want to do the introduction of something like green fire in the right way. Implementing it in "a quest" doesn't really explain our stance here. We want something as substantial as this change to be an epic accomplishment for you.
So though we have definitely heard your thoughts on the matter, and we've explained what we want to do from our side, green fire will not be available with the launch of Mists of Pandaria. And we haven't a timeframe to commit to, or communicate about, at this stage.
It is with regret that we were unable to clarify these details more when we first mentioned our intent - "our hope" - and we wish we hadn't caused such excitement and raised expectations for those that didn't instantly take the news with an "I'll believe it when I see it" pinch of salt. It seems, as many of us said at the time here and on Twitter and fansites, the proof of the (green fire) pudding really was in the eating.
Unfortunately, dear warlocks, those of you who retained a modicum of skepticism were right to, as it would seem that the chance of green fire for warlocks is even less as likely as the wording of the original information indicated.
Since spell effects are not as simple to change around as - for example - druid forms are, we need some additional technology implemented in order to allow the use of red or green fire to be a player choice and not a permanent change that is put in place for all warlocks.
Also, technology aside, we want to do the introduction of something like green fire in the right way. Implementing it in "a quest" doesn't really explain our stance here. We want something as substantial as this change to be an epic accomplishment for you.
So though we have definitely heard your thoughts on the matter, and we've explained what we want to do from our side, green fire will not be available with the launch of Mists of Pandaria. And we haven't a timeframe to commit to, or communicate about, at this stage.
It is with regret that we were unable to clarify these details more when we first mentioned our intent - "our hope" - and we wish we hadn't caused such excitement and raised expectations for those that didn't instantly take the news with an "I'll believe it when I see it" pinch of salt. It seems, as many of us said at the time here and on Twitter and fansites, the proof of the (green fire) pudding really was in the eating.
It's open warfare between Alliance and Horde in Mists of Pandaria, World of Warcraft's next expansion. Jump into five new levels with new talents and class mechanics, try the new monk class, and create a pandaren character to ally with either Horde or Alliance. Look for expansion basics in our Mists FAQ, or dig into our spring press event coverage for more details!Filed under: Warlock, Mists of Pandaria
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 5)
erik Mar 27th 2012 12:01PM
This should not be too much of a surprise. I thank you for posting why it will not happen. But, still. To locks , who seen Druids get some bad ass glyphs , it seems simple to change a bolt. I wasnt' really pumped about the tanking issue but it would have been cool for solo-ing content. Anyways , instead of a green fire , I would rather have a cool green after affect. Like my lock has like a green fire aura or the person who gets hit has a little tint of it. Then i'd understand the hold up.
Daedalus Mar 27th 2012 1:23PM
We're getting some bad-ass glyphs of our own, you know. Given the choice between green fire and a horse that runs on water, I think I know which one I'd rather get first.
erik Mar 27th 2012 2:09PM
A glyph that adds wings to my fel steed would be awesome.
Daedalus Mar 27th 2012 3:19PM
No arguments here; the only thing better than a flaming Nightmare that runs on water is a flaming Nightmare that runs on water and flies.
I'm just saying that so far, I'm about 10 times more excited about my class in MoP than I was for Cat and Wrath combined, and I'm not going to quibble over the little stuff if Blizzard holds to their plan of making Warlocks more awesome all-around.
Teleri Mar 27th 2012 12:03PM
As a hunter, I am throughly enjoying this, grabs popcorn and drops on the sofa
William Mar 27th 2012 12:28PM
people have been asking for green fire for years. either fucking put it in or just give up with the idea that warlocks shoot green fire.
Kamrom Mar 27th 2012 12:39PM
Im still kinda glad they dispel rumors before hand now. I mean, I would cosntantly irritate people on the forums by reading the lich king box to them. You know the part, where it promised what amounted to Flying PvP. At least they arent literally printing lies anymore. They shouldnt have in the first place but I give them credit for you know, not doing that again.
Tauren Fan Mar 27th 2012 12:39PM
Are people really downvoting this comment? I assume it's sarcastic and it got a good laugh out of it, even if that wasn't Bynde's intention.
Bynde Mar 27th 2012 2:55PM
lol. Yes I was being sarcastic. I didn't notice but was it really 'downvoted' into oblivion? It's gone now, but that's pretty flippin' funny. For those Very Serious Players here...I was making fun of how everytime something someone doesn't like what Blizz announces, someone will say it's a 'wow-killer'.
Apparently that was lost on the Very Serious Players here. So let me reiterate... Of course having no 'green fire' will not kill WoW. That's absurd.
Kung Fu Pandas will "kill WoW".
Activate Frowny-Faced Downvotes now.
Gaurisk Mar 27th 2012 1:20PM
What they say:
"Also, technology aside, we want to do the introduction of something like green fire in the right way. Implementing it in "a quest" doesn't really explain our stance here. We want something as substantial as this change to be an epic accomplishment for you."
What I read when they say that:
"We'd like to make you do raiding achievements for it, but four consecutive quarters of subscription decline in an expansion about guild levels showed us that you're resistant to social engineering."
icepyro Mar 27th 2012 2:11PM
As an IT person, I would just like to give a personal shout out to Imnick for having the patience and persistence to properly explain the situation from a technical point of view.
There is the matter of the new Glyph of Bladed Judgment, but its NYI, so now I wonder of its status.
nosoup4u76 Mar 27th 2012 2:21PM
The mascara-tainted tears of all the warlocks on here are like candy to me, and I'm not even a mage.
People, stop assuming that Blizzard saying "we'd like to do x or y" means that it's coming with the next patch cycle.
Disregarding my first sentence, between this news and the clarification about the glyph and it's been a bad day for Locks. You all have my sympathy cause your class has received a collective punch to the gut in the last 12 hours.
Blayze Mar 27th 2012 2:59PM
"Hey Warlocks!"
"What?"
"No."
"No what?"
"Everything."
incoming00 Mar 27th 2012 3:32PM
from what i read, it appears that blizz just doesnt want to make the fire green for cosmetic purposes. could they introduce a new spell school exclusive to warlocks? shadowflame is already a dual spell school, but instead of being shadow and fire, it can instead be its own class, shadowfire, which in turn could be green fire. but, if they do that, then they might as well do spellstorm, shadowfrost, and frostfire their own spell schools as well, and that would be 10 individual spell schools (not including physical). with spell resistance being removed in MoP, i can see this being easier to do.
kdiddy Mar 27th 2012 3:44PM
I don't think its as much the system as it is those that live within it. Should Blizzard be able to throw out ideas they have for the future? Absolutely. Can they expect the large numbers of out of touch players to sit on thier hands when one of thier ideas doesn't come to fruition in the near future or (gasp) at all. Absolutely not. It's a shame when "we want to do x" turns into "we are doing x immediately", but those are the times. This is especially true before a new expansion drops. I think things would stay cooler if they managed expectations a little better. They should explain what all is involved with implementing said change/idea, instead of making a vauge statement and having to back track. Maybe that way more people would have a better grasp on what they should expect.
Arrohon Mar 27th 2012 4:11PM
So... what first? Fire or incubus?
runzwithscissorz Mar 27th 2012 4:23PM
I just wanna be able to insta-cast shadow bolt while moving.
Ysonia Mar 27th 2012 5:54PM
But...why *not* just give all warlocks green fire? We don't use elemental fire, we use fel fire. I think it will be weird to have a fel imp that has green fire spells, and we're still using the old style fire spells. My 2c.
jorge_av Mar 27th 2012 6:05PM
"This obviously takes time, and that time is better put to other things for now." Using that idea, then really nothing would ever get done in this game. There is always something going on that needs attention. Yet somehow they managed flying in the old world, druid bears and cats got new skins, dwarf shaman get their own totems.
Yeah, doing anything takes time. But that excuse, "This obviously takes time, and that time is better put to other things for now." Is a very weak argument.
Green fire will get done when it gets done. If they do intend to implement it via quests, great, I would love it if we get a great questline to replace our mount questline. I will be pissed however if it takes them multiple patches or expansions and then just lets us toggle an option.
Cameroo Mar 27th 2012 7:22PM
Well, as long as it's on the bucket list of things to do I'm ok with it being delayed. I hadn't really played my warlock in ages anyways and the prospect of the new types of demons to control feels a lot more interesting to me then this. :)