Cracks starting to show?

[Merusk]

Indeed they do.  Ran BWL with a group on my rogue and was convinced we were all going to die to Darkflame because half the group didn't have ony cloaks. (Something still required when my DK ran it).  Oh.. gee, only 40k guess not.  I also spent some time explaining that players had to be decursed, etc on Chromaggus or else they'd turn into dragonthings and eat us all.. Chromaggus didn't even live long enough to spit out one debuff.   

[SurfD]

Indeed they do.  Ran BWL with a group on my rogue and was convinced we were all going to die to Darkflame because half the group didn't have ony cloaks. (Something still required when my DK ran it).  Oh.. gee, only 40k guess not.  I also spent some time explaining that players had to be decursed, etc on Chromaggus or else they'd turn into dragonthings and eat us all.. Chromaggus didn't even live long enough to spit out one debuff.   

I have always wondered, if you let a hunter tame chromaggus, does that count as "defeating" the boss and let you pass on to Neff?  Cause if so, chromag would be the fastest boss in the place (Lust, tame beast, 10 seconds later, done)

[K9]

It does count as a defeat and the gate opens. I ran BWL with a couple of buddies just before cata (after 4.0.1 I guess?) and we had no problems 3-manning the place, including taming Chromaggus.

[Merusk]

How'd that work? I thought Maggy was flagged as a boss, meaning he'd always be 3+ levels higher than the highest person in the raid.  That makes him untameable.

[K9]

I don't know how it works, all I know is that it did. *shrug*

[Ashamanchill]

My friend and I (a Resto/Elemental Shaman and  Feral druid) ran BWL AND AQ 40 jus after cataclysm came out. Those are two raids full of mechanics I never want to see again. The whole raid slowed? Fuck you blizzard. Mind Control Bullshit? Suck a dick ghostcrawler! Punting through the air into different mobs? NO!   

After seeing these I appreciated the newer raid mechanics a hell of a lot more.

[WindupAtheist]

I realize that I am a bitter and jaded MMO veteran, so let me ask this publicly in hopes that someone inclined to defend the game will take up the challenge: Outside of the revamped leveling content, what's the best-received part of Cataclysm?

[Maledict]

I realize that I am a bitter and jaded MMO veteran, so let me ask this publicly in hopes that someone inclined to defend the game will take up the challenge: Outside of the revamped leveling content, what's the best-received part of Cataclysm?

The raiding content. Whilst the levelling content is superb for the most part, and improved on both previous expansions, the raiding content for Cataclysm is some of their best work. For once the initial raiding content is pitched at the right difficulty (not too hard like TBC, not too easy like Naxx). Classes work and are generally balanced for normal modes just fine. The dungeons themselves are excellent, harking back to Ulduar and Sunwell in their level of quality, variety and fun. All in all, they are some of the best raiding fights I have seen.

There's also a great difference in feel between the instances, which is what they were going for - each of the raid dungeons has a very different art work, style and feel to it. Nefarion is full of sly humour and jokes, Cho'gall is gibbering insane promising blood and death, whilst Al'akir is noble and arrogant challenging you to combat. It's that level of polish and detail that makes great fights into fantastic raids.

[Shrike]

I realize that I am a bitter and jaded MMO veteran, so let me ask this publicly in hopes that someone inclined to defend the game will take up the challenge: Outside of the revamped leveling content, what's the best-received part of Cataclysm?

I'll agree: the raiding.

From what little I saw before my schedule got me benched, it was outstanding and fun as hell. Even fights that would normally be considered tank'n'spank, there's always something going on to punish tunnel vision on meters or (in my case) cooldown timers. I've only seen bits of BWD, but the Omnitron Defense Posse was simply a blast. Haven't had that much fun in...man, not sure how long.

The pisser is--despite wanting to keep "guilds together" with guild faction and whatall-- the tightened difficulities of everyfuckingthing else in the game has me beginning a new guild search. After five years. Simple lack of any sort of advancement outside of the piddling VP of daily heroics (which still suck hugely) has me completely stalled. Still pissed about this.

[Ironwood]

 

[Rendakor]

Being able to play as Goblins is also very cool. I've already race changed one of my toons, and if I ever get around to leveling my rogue he's probably getting changed too.

[Malakili]

I realize that I am a bitter and jaded MMO veteran, so let me ask this publicly in hopes that someone inclined to defend the game will take up the challenge: Outside of the revamped leveling content, what's the best-received part of Cataclysm?

I've found that my abilities activating some other kind of secondary effect on another ability makes combat a bit better.  Not a drastic thing, but its a "general" thing that applies across the three characters I've tried playing.

Oh, I also REALLY like the combination of flying in Azeroth and Archaeology.   It gives the game a more worldly feel that it has had in years for me, though this may wear out after I've done it a bunch.

[Minvaren]

No no, go on, let's hear it...   

[Typhon]

Here's my guess: he's  because they (Blizzard) put the best part of this expansion behind the suckiest cock-block.  You've got to EARN the right to see these raids!

[Paelos]

I'd say the best part is probably the levelling tweaks. I'd NEVER considered rolling an alt in 5 years, and even I have a mage in the 40s now with no plans of stopping.

The raiding is what it is. The hardcore types are happy with it, I think the average raider finds it frustrating to get people on the same page.

[Ingmar]

Here's my guess: he's  because they (Blizzard) put the best part of this expansion behind the suckiest cock-block.  You've got to EARN the right to see these raids!

The suckiest cock-block IMO is actually guild faction, even though it isn't really blocking much. It just goes way too goddamn slow.

[K9]

Here's my guess: he's  because they (Blizzard) put the best part of this expansion behind the suckiest cock-block.  You've got to EARN the right to see these raids!

Nah, they should really bring back attunements.

[Morfiend]

I don't know what it is about Cataclysm. I got my DK to 85, and geared out in mostly heroic stuff. Got my paladin to 82 or 83. Played a Worgen up to level 30ish. And boom, and cannot bring myself to log in again. Just feels no fun. Even in Wrath, when there was nothing to do, the game felt fun. Now it just feels like a chore. Maybe I am WoWed out finally. Gearing up again, and grinding daily quests for rep, again. The fun is gone for me.

Pity really.

[Rasix]

I don't know what it is about Cataclysm. I got my DK to 85, and geared out in mostly heroic stuff. Got my paladin to 82 or 83. Played a Worgen up to level 30ish. And boom, and cannot bring myself to log in again. Just feels no fun. Even in Wrath, when there was nothing to do, the game felt fun. Now it just feels like a chore. Maybe I am WoWed out finally. Gearing up again, and grinding daily quests for rep, again. The fun is gone for me.

Pity really.

Hitting Outland with my gobbie killed it for me.  I really should try the Cata 80-85 material with one of my 4 80s because I'm sure I'd love it.  But I want to do that material with my goblin.   Just not in the mood to slog through crap I don't like.  And after Outland, I'd have 10 levels of WOLK to do for the 5th time. BLEAAAAAAAAAAAARG.  Oh well.

Could just be WoWed out, like I suspect you are.  I'll likely come back and love it when <insert new MMO here> manages to thoroughly disappoint me.

edit:  I wish they sold "Skip the old expansion" tickets. I'd pay $25 not to play them again.  They're such a jarring experience now.

[Ingmar]

At this point with Outland I grind through random dungeons and BGs mostly rather than do the quests there (other than enough hellfire to upgrade my gear to the newer standard), just tired of em.

[ghost]

Hah.  I haven't been able to level a DK to 80 or even 70 because of Outlands and WOTLK.  I don't know why they just don't leave the max level at cap and let the expansions give more options for leveling to max.  People only really care about the raids with these expansions anyway really.

[Sjofn]

Well, I will tell you that after you claw through Outlands again, WotLK feels pretty awesome. Yeah, you did it a lot, but it isn't shitty. Outlands is just really old and busted at this point.

[Rendakor]

Hah.  I haven't been able to level a DK to 80 or even 70 because of Outlands and WOTLK.  I don't know why they just don't leave the max level at cap and let the expansions give more options for leveling to max.  People only really care about the raids with these expansions anyway really.

I happen to like expansions which increase the level cap. The gear reset puts everyone back on a level playing field, and you get to use your old character for new questing content. Just adding new options to level to max sucks for people either a) not interested in alts or b) who already filled all their character slots.

[Rasix]

Well, I will tell you that after you claw through Outlands again, WotLK feels pretty awesome. Yeah, you did it a lot, but it isn't shitty. Outlands is just really old and busted at this point.

Yah, I may keep the sub around for when I'm done with my "don't liquify the crew"/"stay loyal to big-butt girlfriend" dudeShep ME2 run through.

[Sjofn]

Stop calling Ashley fat! 

[ghost]

Hah.  I haven't been able to level a DK to 80 or even 70 because of Outlands and WOTLK.  I don't know why they just don't leave the max level at cap and let the expansions give more options for leveling to max.  People only really care about the raids with these expansions anyway really.

I happen to like expansions which increase the level cap. The gear reset puts everyone back on a level playing field, and you get to use your old character for new questing content. Just adding new options to level to max sucks for people either a) not interested in alts or b) who already filled all their character slots.

Hmm.  Couldn't you just do a gear re-set of some sort?  I hate leveling so much.  There has to be a better way. 

[Ingmar]

I love love love leveling, don't take it away from me. I'm just tired of Outland specifically.

[Rasix]

Stop calling Ashley fat! 

Not fat, just an ample posterior.  Her suit doesn't do much for her front, but all of the sudden BOOM, there's her butt.  Come to think of it, the guy in charge of ME2's cut scenes is definitely an ass man.  There's just so many prolonged butt shots.

Now if she'd only stop reciting that f'ing poetry.

[ghost]

I love love love leveling, don't take it away from me. I'm just tired of Outland specifically.

Yeah, that's why I was thinking maybe Outlands or WOTLK, not both.  

I wasn't saying take it away, maybe just tone it down a bit.  An option might be to have offline leveling for alts once you've gotten an 85 or maybe 2 85s.

[Setanta]

I love love love leveling, don't take it away from me. I'm just tired of Outland specifically.

Yeah, that's why I was thinking maybe Outlands or WOTLK, not both.  

I wasn't saying take it away, maybe just tone it down a bit.  An option might be to have offline leveling for alts once you've gotten an 85 or maybe 2 85s.

I'm a big fan of the idea of getting 10% faster leveling per capped character.

Seriously, do Blizzard think we like grinding through this shit time and time again? Oh wait.

[Minvaren]

Isn't one of the guild perks (presuming you've got enough people) a noticeable bonus to xp?  Add heirlooms and rest xp, and you can level insanely fast.

But then we get into DK territory - everyone button-spammed from 55 to 80, and noone learned to play before doing heroics.  Will the same happen again if the leveling curve shortens too dramatically?

[Sjofn]

Instead of a bunch of bullshit bandaid "level faster zomg" fixes, they need to redo Outlands like they did to the old world. I level faster than I want to in the old world, in fact, because it's new and well done. Then you get hit in the face with old and creaky Outland and it's depressing.


EDIT: I do like leveling over and over again. I don't think people like me are particularly rare, either. I don't need it to go even faster, I just need it to not be a totally shitty detour that doesn't even make sense any more.

[ghost]

Instead of a bunch of bullshit bandaid "level faster zomg" fixes, they need to redo Outlands like they did to the old world. I level faster than I want to in the old world, in fact, because it's new and well done. Then you get hit in the face with old and creaky Outland and it's depressing.


EDIT: I do like leveling over and over again. I don't think people like me are particularly rare, either. I don't need it to go even faster, I just need it to not be a totally shitty detour that doesn't even make sense any more.

Maybe that's true about leveling and more people like it than I though.  I would be totally cool with your suggestion with redoing Outlands. 

[Rendakor]

They should re-do Outland and massively tone down the levels, so that you see more than 1-2 zones. Maybe let you go to Hellfire at 50 if you're so inclined (or alternatively, bump Netherstorm and SMV to allow you to get to 80), giving you 20 possible levels to do there.

[Sjofn]

Mm, the best way to do it, I think, is to make the zones overlap more, and make it so you can get through that band of levels in, say, three zones (and if they redid the whole place, people would definitely stay until 70 at the very least). Part of WotLK's charm for me was being able to skip entire zones, because it means there would be zones I hadn't done to death for my next pass through them.