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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsThe Queue: Pandaria is open on the beta
by Adam Holisky 
Mar 29th 2012 at 11:00AM
Fun times on the beta after last night's patch. Pandaria, which is the level 85-to-90 zones, is open for play (well, at least the Jade Forest is, which is all I can directly confirm). I have to say it was quite fun to run around and kill some boars while learning the new warlock mechanics.
I love being able to be in demon form a bunch. That's going to make a helluva interesting raid mechanic.
Logan asked:
How do you start the new level 85 content in the Mists beta?
Eventually, there'll be a ship or something to take you out there. For now, talk to the pandaren near the main bank and AH in your capital city. They'll teleport you over.
Laim asked:
Do we know, lore wise, how or why the mists around Pandaria have gone away?
We don't, exactly. As Pyromelter pointed out from the March Press Tour FAQ:
Nick asked:Sometime in the wake of the Cataclysm, the mists abruptly vanished. Alliance and Horde naval fleets, engaged in skirmishes around the world thanks to the new Warchief's aggression, suddenly found a new continent where once charts showed open seas. With both factions escalating their feud into a global conflict, the war for Azeroth shifts in a new direction.
Why did the mists collapse at this crucial moment in world history? The answers revolve around the will of the last emperor, and lie at the heart of this strange new continent...
is there any way to change your pose on the armory? mine looks horrendous!
There used to be controls to do that on the armory page, but Blizzard took them away for one reason or another. We've been told they're bringing them back, but no ETA.
Mark asked:
Doesn't this beta feel like an extension of tbe press release? I have yet to hear of anyone else in beta but the fansites. Not even friends and family.
There are more than just press and fan sites in it. I know several people who are unaffiliated players who have gotten beta invites. That said, the first wave was very, very small -- and you're right, a lot of press and fan sites did get in, but by no means are we alone.
If I had to guess, I'd wager the next waves will be happening soon, so just hold tight and everyone will eventually get in.
Datgrl asked:
Based on your past experience, how does this beta compare to BC or Wrath? Does it feel more finished? Are there fewer glitches? What is better about how this beta was handled than in the past? What do you think Blizz could do to improve it? Are beta testers given a method to provide feedback or is it just a topic in the official forums?
I had the chance to play through some of the Jade Forest this morning, and it all feels pretty well done. There are some noticeable issues with almost all the classes still, but that's to be expected in any beta environment. The world itself, though, seems remarkably complete.
I have to add, running around on the ground instead of flying really brings you into the world more. There's much more of a connection to what you're going to do and how you're going to do it, rather than just plopping down and killing whatever boars you need to.
Feedback can be provided in-game or on the forums. We'll have a Beta Testing 101 up on that aspect soon.
Have questions about the World of Warcraft? The WoW Insider crew is here with The Queue, our daily Q&A column. Leave your questions in the comments, and we'll do our best to answer 'em!
Filed under: The Queue
Reader Comments (Page 6 of 8)
Shinae Mar 29th 2012 12:12PM
http://wow.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/the-queue-professor-oak/comments/35543190/
Nathanyel Mar 29th 2012 11:43AM
Is the ranged slot gone yet? I've seen a stream with a rogue, and could glimpse at the ranged slot missing, but I've also heard contradicting statements that Blizzard may backpeddle on that change.
Also, ranged weapons, e.g. http://mop.wowhead.com/item=81693 have way less stats than 2H weapons http://mop.wowhead.com/item=81576 of the same iLvl.
Pyromelter Mar 29th 2012 11:51AM
I wouldn't be surprised if they backtrack on the ranged slot thing. First, it makes the main hand/2 hand options way overboard with primary stats, second, it's another slot for people to try to get loot to max out their toon, and finally, there's at least some use for the ranged slot for some non-hunter classes. You can still wand things to conserve mana while leveling, for example, or if you want to pull one mob from range with a warrior.
I could also see where the increase in 1h and 2h weapons might cause some scaling issues with dual-wield classes (especially TG warriors).
It still is just a stat-stick type slot for relic users though, so who knows? I still don't agree with the change to the relic slots where they made them just stat sticks, instead of giving some sort of gameplay bonus, which IIRC would be like additional damage on one of your spells that you would use in your rotation.
razion Mar 29th 2012 11:53AM
No offense, but where did you hear these contradicting statements? There certainly hasn't been any blatant news covering such an impending change, and I'm sure any such mention anywhere would put up all sorts of news flags and would be mentioned immediately. If a Blue has said anything to the contrary against what we already know about Mists, I certainly haven't seen anything. In any case, from what current information I have available, the latest news regarding ranged slots, they are indeed being removed for all classes besides hunters. Wands and such are being made into main hand weapons (and although I remember hearing that they wanted to do something with relics/librams and the like, I haven't personally heard anything new on the subject, meaning if there is anything it's likely further down the road. I would expect such relic items to be gone, much like Spell Pen gear), and I believe hunters were mentioned at keeping main/offhand melee slots in additon to their ranged slots for cosmetic item holding purposes (and this may be true of other classes, and I believe it may have been mentioned to keep it purely cosmetic so people like warriors and rogues who got their hands on a Thori'dal or a hunter who got a melee legendary could still carry it around).
kgavrin Mar 29th 2012 12:10PM
I've been wondering the same myself, especially with the way some of the items that were datamined came out.
I'd like for them to make the change. Using wands to conserve mana isn't an issue, since they claimed Mages and such would still be allowed to use Wands. Just use a Wand in place of a Main Hand weapon like a Sword or Dagger, and you're fine.
I don't want it to be kept the way it is now, because it's a serious pain for Hunters in PVP. My Hunter is my main PVP character, but whereas other classes might be able to grab a Relic or Wand for 700 HP/CP, Hunters have to pay 3400 for their ranged weapon because it's their main source of damage. HOWEVER... they still have to throw out an additional 3400 for a two-handed melee weapon to get the stat boosts. So my Ret Pally or Mage can spend 4100 HP/CP, but my Hunter has to spend 6800 HP/CP to be on par in terms of gearing. How does that even remotely make sense?
But it's still early in the beta, a lot can (and will) change yet.
Nathanyel Mar 29th 2012 12:17PM
Pyromelter: Wands are still used, as alternative 1h weapons, and rogues&warriors can still equip ranged weapons (most importantly for Thori'dal) and will have a replacement for Throw/Shoot that doesn't require a ranged weapon.
razion: none taken, I didn't believe that either, but I was also in no position (yet) to prove it wrong on my own, so I asked here :P
Skarn Mar 29th 2012 5:45PM
Having seen it for myself, I can confirm that the ranged slot is gone. There are just two weapon slots in Mists Beta instead of the three on Live. When I logged in on my transferred hunter, my bow was in the main hand slot and my staff was in my bags. As with any 2-hand weapon, the off-hand slot remains empty.
I'm sure they just haven't bothered to stat balance everything yet. It's too early to worry about that yet.
Pyromelter Mar 29th 2012 11:45AM
SoR question:
Is it true that a person can only accept one scroll of resurrection in the lifetime of the wow account? I read a comment on that post on wow insider where someone accepted a previous SoR in a past year, and was unable to accept the new SoR because of the restriction of one-per-lifetime, but I haven't been able to independently confirm that on any FAQ or eligibility determination on the official blizzard site.
slim1256 Mar 29th 2012 12:13PM
^ this was asked yesterday in the queue, but probably got overshadowed by all that nerdy book-talk ;)
I'm also curious about the answer to this...
Tanddori Mar 29th 2012 12:51PM
Hey, I resemble that nerdy book talk remark!
Also, thanks for all the suggestions! My Spring / Summer / Fall / Winter / Spring again reading list is once again full.
Drakkenfyre Mar 29th 2012 2:24PM
My cousin has had two SoR done on his account. Once was by me, and then I think he did another one with his gf after the new rewards were announced. The one I sent him was back during Wrath of the Lich King, however. The limitation might have been placed since Cataclysm.
slim1256 Mar 29th 2012 1:50PM
@Tanddori -
The smiley face was because I was all over that book talk yesterday - probably posted in that queue more than I have in a long time, if ever.
I make no bones about embracing my nerditude.
Gossamer Mar 29th 2012 12:01PM
Is anyone able to copy premades yet? I would like to try the 85-90 content, but I wanted to try it horde-side, as I generally play alliance and I hope this will help combat any burn out from the beta. However, it says I don't have any pre-made copies left.
Branco Mar 29th 2012 1:52PM
Can I donwvote you just for the sake of envy? =)
Gossamer Mar 29th 2012 1:54PM
Ha, sorry, I try hard not to rub it in. Yes, feel free. :P
Meighan Mar 29th 2012 12:29PM
QftQ: Is there any kind of logic behind the disparity between average wait time and how long it actually takes to get a group? My hunter always seems to spend longer than average waiting. EG this morning I queued for LFR. Average wait time 12 minutes. 20 minutes later, when I got my group, average wait time was listed as 11. This also frequently affects by hunter but seldom affects my other 85s, even when queueing as dps.
Nick Mar 29th 2012 12:55PM
I'd assume the "average" is the mean time it has taken your role to find a group in the past X amount of time. It will vary of course, if I do my 3 heroics for the week on my paladin I'm not queuing again until Wednesday, so thats another healer out the system. I agree that it's annoyingly inaccurate at predicting queue times.
Infact I'd really like to see hard and fast rules about how the queues are formed.
In a hypothetical situation there may be 2 dps and a healer queuing, seperately. Then a tank and his 3 dps buddies join in as a group. Does the healer join the other group to form a full group (I'd assume so) or has the game already grouped the healer with the 2 dps and they must now wait for a tank and 3rd dps to join the queue?
hicks Mar 29th 2012 2:29PM
They have added some logic in to mix up the classes and armor types in groups to an extent, so it's not tank-priest healer-mage-lock-mage (for instance), so a surplus of hunters (and maybe shaman too) would probably adversely affect queue time.
Puntable Mar 29th 2012 12:30PM
I liked Totalbiscuit's Cata Beta videos and commentary. Is anyone making good Mists Beta videos?
Shinae Mar 29th 2012 1:00PM
Wowcrendor and Jessie Cox (OMFGCata) made a video series of them playing through the Wandering Isle last week. It made me giggle.
CATNAROS!