Posts with tag ptr-patch-notes

Patch 4.3 PTR: Official patch notes

by Mathew McCurley Sep 27th 2011 at 7:00PM

Hey everyone! The official patch 4.3 release patch notes are now up! Check them out over here. These are old and outdated now.

Testing is upon us, and patch 4.3 is in the wild. New official patch notes have come out and are available for your viewing pleasure. Most of the notable changes include the melee buffs promised, coming in the form of melee attack power buffs from already established raid buffs, as well as the Vengeance changes promised in Ghostcrawler's big blog post about threat changes and tank redesign.

Jump on in, feet first, for the first official patch notes of 4.3.

Filed under: Cataclysm

Patch 4.2 PTR updates for June 6

by Mathew McCurley Jun 6th 2011 at 8:00PM

Patch 4.2 PTR has been updated with a few new numbers on some spells and some minor rewording. Of note, hunters are getting a Black Arrow buff, mages are getting a minor Arcane Blast damage nerf, and Brazie's Sunflower is now updated to let you know that it, indeed, sings.

A new staff, Sho'ravon, Greatstaff of Annihilation, has been found as a drop from Ragnaros. Looks like Sho'ravon is every other caster's consolation prize for not getting Dragonwrath.

Hit the jump for all the changes.

Filed under: Blizzard, News items

Patch 4.2 PTR patch notes updated for May 31

by Alex Ziebart May 31st 2011 at 10:00PM

Blizzard has updated the patch notes for the patch 4.2 PTR today, with some notable additions!

The defensive pet stance will now only cause the player's pet to attack enemies that attack the pet or the master.
Hunters can tame eight new rare beasts, each with a specific "taming challenge."
Party/raid interface profiles can now be saved, letting you easily switch for different encounters and roles.
Mages: Arcane Blast damage done has been reduced by 5%.
Warlocks: Soul Fire is now available at level 20, down from level 54.

For the full update, follow along the cut below.

Filed under: News items, Cataclysm

Arcane Brilliance: Patch 4.1 PTR for mages, (very) early edition

by Christian Belt Feb 26th 2011 at 4:00PM

Every week, WoW Insider brings you Arcane Brilliance for arcane, fire and frost mages. This week, we discuss the upcoming patch 4.1, which hit the PTR in the wee hours of Thursday here in the North Americas, sending WoW bloggers everywhere into an early morning, sleep-deprived fit of feverish typing, followed by a deep and possibly fatal sugar and caffeine coma. For those who were lost, we mourn you -- but not for long because we gots deadlines, yo.

So yeah. In case you've been stranded in some Mesopotamian nation or another without internet access for the past few days, we've got a new patch on the PTR. It's not the most earth-shattering patch we've seen, but for some reason I'm just inordinately excited about it. I woke up this morning with dreams of raptors, tiger/panthers, and armored bears fresh in my mind. I was quite sad when Zul'Gurub vanished from the game, but every time I flew over that part of Stranglethorn Vale and saw that the ancient troll city was still there, empty and tigerless, I felt a surge of hope that until the structures themselves vanished, the instance wasn't truly gone.

Just the idea that Blizzard is willing to take old raids and turn them into heroic 5-mans for me to churn through in my daily valor point farming efforts is a cause for celebration. Though old 5-mans get new life whenever you level a new alt through the old content, no single part of the game falls into misuse more completely than obsolete endgame content. To see some of it repurposed in such a relevant way, well ... I'm just giddy. Like a schoolgirl, only male and 30ish. Similar outfits, though. Cough.

So there's a lot there to look forward to, you may be saying, but what about mages? I come here to read about magecraft and also to hear about how warlocks drink their own urine. Where's the info on the parts of the patch that are specific to me? I hear you, reader who I just made up. Read on, and we'll talk all about the few but significant mage changes we can expect in patch 4.1.

Filed under: Mage, Analysis / Opinion, (Mage) Arcane Brilliance

Arcane Brilliance: News and notes for mages from PTR patch 4.0.6

by Christian Belt Jan 15th 2011 at 5:00PM

Every week, WoW Insider brings you Arcane Brilliance for arcane, fire and frost mages. This week, a magical journey awaits ... a fantastic voyage through a mystical realm. I speak, of course, of the Public Test Realm, and the wondrous patch notes that dwell therein.

Now before we begin, I should make it clear that mages aren't getting anything even remotely earth-shattering in patch 4.0.6. It's not like Blizzard is letting us autofire while moving or anything. But a patch is still a patch. Things are going to change, and though mages have been left largely un-fiddled-around-with (at least in comparison to many other classes), we do have some incoming alterations to be aware of.

So with our expectations in an appropriately subdued state, let's peek beyond the jump for an annotated look at what be happening, yo.

Filed under: Mage, Analysis / Opinion, (Mage) Arcane Brilliance

Patch 4.0.6 PTR: Shaman patch notes

by Joe Perez Jan 11th 2011 at 2:30PM

I'm sure many of you thought that shaman were not getting much attention in patch 4.0.6 -- I know I was among those who thought we dodged a bullet. The absence of any shaman notes on the first official patch notes list would have seemed to reinforce this. Late last night, however, community manager Zarhym posted a list of shaman changes that are making their way into the latest PTR build by this evening.

Since this is still the PTR, these changes may or may not actually make it to the live game. Still, it is interesting to note exactly the type of things that Blizzard is looking at and the steps it is taking to try and balance the game. Cataclysm really did reshape the world -- not just the aesthetics but the mechanics for pretty much everyone and almost everything. With that big of an upheaval, it is expected that there is going to be a period of balancing relatively early in the expansion's cycle, and at just barely a month in, we're already starting to see some significant changes.

Filed under: Shaman, News items

PTR build 13033: Restoration shaman update

by Joe Perez Sep 24th 2010 at 8:00PM

Another PTR build is on the way with patch 13033. With it, there are several tweaks and changes all over the place. Earlier today, we heard about the changes warriors are receiving in the patch -- but what about restoration shaman?

We only get one change this time around, but it is a big one. Back in build 12984, Mana Tide Totem was changed from adding back a percentage of your base mana to increasing your spirit by 200 percent for the totem's duration. This was a fairly significant change that mirrors the shift from MP5 to spirit. It placed the ability firmly in the camp of healers only, and instead of giving us a flat amount back, it increased our mana regeneration based on whatever it was at the time of casting.

The cooldown remained at 5 minutes, which was a bit long, considering the effect. In the latest PTR build, though, the cooldown is being reduced to 3 minutes. This change should also be applied to the Cataclysm beta pretty soon, as well. This is a fantastic change and one that will make us that much stronger in the months to come. An average boss fight right now in Wrath lasts roughly around the 5-minute mark, meaning that you can only use this cooldown once per fight in most cases. After 4.0.1 drops, though, you will be able to use it more than once per boss fight. Pretty sweet deal, if you ask me.

Also consider that in the Cataclysm beta, healer mana is at a premium. Every heal has a right and wrong place, and we consume mana so much more quickly than we have previously. This change allows us to use a very important regeneration cooldown much more often, and so we can keep healing for longer. This will give us a distinct advantage early in the upcoming expansion. Anything that gives us mana back is a good thing. Things that give it back to us faster are even better.

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it; nothing will be the same! In WoW Insider's Guide to Cataclysm, you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion, from brand new races to revamped quests and zones. Visit our Cataclysm news category for the most recent posts having to do with the Cataclysm expansion.

Filed under: Shaman, Cataclysm

Breakfast Topic: What are you most looking forward to in Patch 3.3.3?

by Daniel Whitcomb Feb 20th 2010 at 8:00AM

So just when it looked like things might be getting quiet in the wake of Patch 3.3, Blizzard stirred things up again last night with a release of PTR Patch 3.3.3. There's some pretty big changes coming our way. In addition to various class changes, we've got some other cool stuff too, including an abolishment of battleground marks, a way to get rid of all those annoying Frozen Orbs clogging our banks, new auction house functionality, and a lot more.

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Breakfast Topics

Patch 3.3 PTR: Patch Notes updated

by Adam Holisky Nov 9th 2009 at 5:39PM

The PTR patch notes for Patch 3.3. have been updated. Some of the significant changes:

Oculus appears to have been significantly nerfed. Obviously, this was done to facilitate easier random PUGs using the new cross-server dungeon system.
Divine Intervention: This ability now also removes Exhaustion and Sated from the target. In addition, the cooldown on this ability has been reduced from 20 minutes to 10 minutes. Cannot be used in Arenas.
Lay on Hands: This ability will place Forbearance on the paladin if used on his or herself. It will not place Forbearance on others.
Bug fixes... 158 of them by my count.

It appears that Blizzard isn't done with the changes to Lay on Hands, which should be particularly noteworthy to Paladins everywhere. I wouldn't be surprised to see LoH go through a few more changes before all is said and done.

The full changes after the break.

Filed under: Patches, News items

Patch 3.3 PTR: Patch notes updated

by Gregg Reece Nov 3rd 2009 at 7:15PM

The official patch notes on the forums have been updated for an incoming PTR build. We've got the addition of arena points to high level battlegrounds as well as class changes for mages, death knights, paladins, shaman, and warlock.

Some of the major points coming out of this iteration of the patch notes include:

Meeting Stones: To use any Meeting Stone, it is only required that the character's minimum level be 15. There is no maximum character level requirement for any Meeting Stone.
All level 71-80 Battleground daily quests will now award 25 Arena points in addition to their current rewards.
Divine Intervention: Cooldown on this ability has been reduced from 20 minutes to 10 minutes. Cannot be used in Arenas.
Army of the Dead: The cooldown on this ability has been reduced from 20 minutes to 10 minutes. Army Ghoul damage dropped by 50%. Cannot be used in Arenas.
Lay on Hands: This ability now places Forbearance on the target and cannot be used on a target with Forbearance.

The new notes after the break.

Filed under: Patches, News items

Patch 3.2 PTR Patch Notes updated

by Adam Holisky Jun 29th 2009 at 8:00PM

The Patch 3.2 PTR Patch Notes from the official sites have been updated this evening. There are a few notable changes, and you can read the full new patch notes after the break.

Some of the key changes include:

Item Level: A new option has been added under Display in the Interface Options to show the item level on item tooltips.
The frame rate for those with Shadow Effects enabled under the Ultra Video settings has been improved.
The Engineering changes previous covered.
Bloodsurge: Notification that Slam has become instant now appears in floating combat text.
Devastate: Weapon damage increased to 60% and bonus per Sunder Armor on the target increased by 20%.
Shield Specialization: Now provides 5 rage on a block, dodge or parry instead of 2 rage on a block.

The full notes after the break!

This post is currently being edited. Thanks for your patience.

Filed under: Patches, News items

Arcane Brilliance: Patch 3.2 for Mages

by Christian Belt Jun 20th 2009 at 5:00PM

Each week Arcane Brilliance sits down to write a column about Mages and all things Mageworthy. Big news this week in Mageville: Patch 3.2 is hitting the PTRs. And we all know what that means -- new Mage cat forms. Finally.

Having had some time to ingest the 3.2 PTR patch notes, I feel I can now speak about them in a calm, rational manner. The PTR (and all of the additional changes that tend to take place therein) is only just beginning, and yet there are already so many nuggets of newness to devour that my news-stomach feels full to the bursting point. The Isle of Conquest... the death of 2v2 Arenas... Engineering becoming cooler... Emblems of Conquest dropping from heroics (?!)... the fact that Blizzard is now shutting all twinks away together in their own battlegrounds, exiled from the general populace, where they can only pwn each other all day long, until one day Kurt Russell is sent in to rescue the president after Air Force One crashes there... there's simply so much to take in that it's been a little bit difficult to process it all.

And yes, once again, looking at those patch notes, I can't help but feel a bit underwhelmed at the 3 lines Mages got. Does every other class really need that much more fixing than us? Really? Still, what's there deserves some analysis. We're not getting much, fellow Mages, but what we are getting is fairly significant. So let's all stop staring at the 72 changes Death Knights and Paladins got for a few minutes and have a little talk about the notes for Mages, such as they are.

One nice thing about the lack of changes we're getting: according to the brand new Mage Q&A, Blizzard thinks we're fine, which of course explains why we're not getting messed around with. More on that next week, after I've had a chance to make my peace with God and get my affairs in order. In fact, Blizzard has long suggested a direct corollary between the amount of changes a class is receiving and the general status of the class. Looking at the patch notes, I can't help but notice the following: Mage changes: 3... Warlock changes: 8. I'm looking at this as statistical proof that Warlocks are almost three times as screwed up as Mages. It's good to see Blizzard accept what I have always known: Mages are way better than Warlocks. Just like I've always said.

Filed under: Mage, Patches, Analysis / Opinion, Features, Classes, Talents, Buffs, (Mage) Arcane Brilliance

WoW Insider Show live this evening on Ustream at a special time

by Mike Schramm May 13th 2009 at 3:00PM

Our weekly podcast is broadcasting a special midweek edition this evening -- tonight at 6pm Eastern (so you've got time to listen in before the big Lost finale), we'll be over on the Ustream page doing what we always do: talking about the most popular post of the week. Our good friends and colleagues Amanda Dean and Lesley Smith will be on the show, and Turpster will probably make an appearance as well (given that we can convince him to stay up late enough). We'll be chatting about the latest PTR patch notes, the big changes coming to Wintergrasp, and what Blizzard legal has been up to lately (with both iPhone apps and webcomics). Plus, we'll answer your emails -- you can send us questions, comments, or insights at theshow@wow.com.

Should be fun. Head on over to our Ustream page at May 13, 2009 6:00 PM EDT to listen in live, or just step behind the break on this post to find an embedded feed. And if you can't make it tonight, don't worry, we'll be back at our normal time on Saturday, May 23rd at 3:30pm Eastern in the afternoon for our long-awaited video show. Now that will be a great time.

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Virtual selves, Odds and ends, Raiding, WoW Insider Show

Updated World of Warcraft Patch 3.1.2 PTR Patch Notes

by Adam Holisky May 11th 2009 at 9:40PM

There's new patch notes for patch 3.1.2 on the PTR out this evening. The patch notes are an update to the ones already released, however there are a few notable changes in them. Some of the major changes:

All Lake Wintergrasp daily quests have been changed to a weekly format. The honor and Stone Keeper's Shards rewarded for completing these quests have been increased to compensate.
Juggernaut: Critical strike chance bonus reduced to 25%, down from 100%.
Jewel of the Sewers: You can now fish in all parts of the Dalaran sewers for this quest.
10-player bosses that drop Runed Orbs will also sometimes drop the recipes that use those orbs.

The full patch notes, along with a complete list of changes, after the break.

Filed under: Patches, News items

Arcane Brilliance: I still don't like spirit

by Christian Belt Mar 21st 2009 at 5:00PM

Each week Arcane Brilliance delivers a column about Mages to you, and you, in turn, deliver Mages to the column. Thank you, Mages. Some of you deliver Warlocks to the column. Screw you, Warlocks.

Wow. Just a warning: I got done watching the series finale of Battlestar Galactica like 5 minutes ago, and I cried like a little girl like 12 times throughout. I'll try to keep it together long enough to successfully complete this column, but holy crap. That was some pretty stirring stuff right there. Let it be known that I'm not too big a nerd to completely lose it during the final episode of BSG. Wait...maybe that actually makes me a bigger nerd? I don't know. I'd like to think there are bigger dorks than me out there, and they're probably twittering about plot holes and scientific inaccuracies and how Ron Moore is the antichrist or whatever as we speak. At least I'm not doing that. I'm bawling like a baby, but I'm not nerd-raging about a sci-fi show on the interwebs, right? Now if you'll excuse me, I have to write a column about the latest nerfs to the Mage class in World of Warcraft.

Seriously, patch 3.1 can't come soon enough, as far as I'm concerned. You know why? Because when it arrives, it'll mean Blizzard is finally done nerfing us.

Now, granted, Mages on the live servers are definitely on the good side of the class-balance pendulum right now, so it makes a certain amount of sense, given Blizzard's never-ending quest to make everything in the game identical, that we were going to see a few nerfs. Knowing that doesn't make watching it happen any more fun. It's sort of like having a gangrenous limb amputated, only having to be fully awake throughout the operation, and having it take place bit by bit over the course of several months. For frak's sake, just knock us out and don't wake us 'til it's over. You can find the details on this week's chopping--along with my feelings on it--after the break. Bring some novocain, won't you?

Filed under: Mage, Patches, Analysis / Opinion, Features, Classes, Talents, Buffs, (Mage) Arcane Brilliance

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