Cataclysm

[Simond]

So why don't they change the old ugly models?  Because they all remember the model change in EQ, and how well that went.  They know there are people like me who get a perverse satisfaction out of being retarded.  They know that if they took that away from me, I would hit them with the power of a thousand suns.

Don't change them.  Add more which aren't hideous.

If they want to bring the animations up to the standard of the new races - winking, facial expressions and all - they will pretty much have to change them at least a little.

EDIT: But this - if they did it - would likely not be a wholesale redesign like EQ or DAOC where the entire look and feel of the models change, I wouldn't think.

• Upgrade all existing player models to goblin/worgen standards.
• Add a "Use old player models?" toggle list like EQ had.

Gissa job, Blizzard.

[Draegan]

So I just saw a screen of some level 80 green quest rewards from Cata.

 

Obviously NDA territory.

[Merusk]

So I just saw a screen of some level 80 green quest rewards from Cata.

 

Obviously NDA territory.

Meh, it's going to be another BC-era "Fuck, why did I bust my hump getting epix I'm replacing in 2 levels.*"  That's obvious because the baseline for the player base is Uld25/ ToC10 level gear due to badges.  No surprises here.   


* If your answer is ever anything beyond "so you could kill the latest raid boss and you had fun doing so" then you really shouldn't be 'busting your hump' to do so. 

[Simond]

"Two levels" is a little generous if the leaks are correct. Try "First questline of first Cataclysm zone". 

[Fordel]

Keep in mind that Blizzard never wants to see our crit and haste levels ever reaching what they are currently on Live. So all the new itemization reflects that.

[Merusk]

"Two levels" is a little generous if the leaks are correct. Try "First questline of first Cataclysm zone". 

To replace the ICC stuff or the badge stuff?  I wouldn't apply "busted my hump to get" to badge stuff at all.  I was thinking replacing ICC stuff within two levels.. which will cause all kinds of tears.  Delicious, delicious tears.

[Mattemeo]

Now listen, you're a nice kid. I like you. But you need to understand, this whole bearded dwarf lady thing? That shit is fucked up. This isn't just WUA being a dick because that's what he does. This is WUA seriously and calmly telling you that yes, outside of the very rare occasional jokester, you would be the only female dwarf in WoW.

To be honest, I'm only playing. I like the idea of Dwarves being a stand-apart species with little sexual dimorphism, but I know I'm in a minority and it'll never happen in WoW. Mostly I'm just picking spurious holes in the reasons for the ultra-low Fem-Dorf population. I'm still somewhat staggered that after 5 years, the only thing that's really changed for the original races is the addition of a haircut or two. I don't want them to change the looks particularly (like the expansion that remodelled the entirety of DAoC - total anathema to me, they literally forced the visual charm of the game out), I just want more options than there are now. Who wouldn't want some new... less livid female Dwarf or not-actually-a-bag-lady Troll options to choose from?

That being said, I am now seriously of the mind to try and draw an attractive Dwarf Woman with a beard. Just to prove it could be done. 

[ajax34i]

Shrug, it's why I'm not raiding anymore, Nax 25 gear will be sufficient.  They're introducing too many equipment and stat changes for the old gear to not be replaceable.

Re: dwarves, a lot of the beard and face choices for the males make them look old, and Blizzard could do the same for the females.  Make them look like kind grandmothers or something.   Smiling or neutral expressions help, too, as does a more realistic body shape (people don't keep the hourglass after their 60's).

[Sjofn]

Counterpoint: EQ female dwarf models has a couple of face selections with beards. I think I saw maybe one ever past level five.

I think mine got past level 5, but I don't really remember. Of course, mine had big, beautiful sideburns, not a full-on beard.

[Fordel]

Old people faces fall into the same situation ugly people faces do. Never used by 99.4% of the population.

[caladein]

From: http://forums.wow-europe.com/thread.html?topicId=13200229268&sid=1


Looks good all around, especially the Tailoring/Blacksmithing/Leatherworking changes.  Also, finally a Dense bandage... after years of waiting.

[Hutch]

Engineering
Engineering is still being designed, but expect new unpredictable gadgets to use on yourself or enemies be nerfed to the ground.

Toys, explosives, and even a new vanity pet or two. Oh, and powerful mechanical bows and crossbows in addition to guns.

[Sjofn]

I'm glad they're at least aware some classes have totally shitty minor glyphs.

[Hawkbit]

I hope engineering drops the specialization like bs/lw/tailoring.  Doubt it, because it's the only one that matters to me... but I still hope.

[Evildrider]

I hope engineering drops the specialization like bs/lw/tailoring.  Doubt it, because it's the only one that matters to me... but I still hope.

I hope as well.  As it is, engineering is worthless for me.

[Hawkbit]

I wouldn't say it's worthless for me, I use Jeeves/mailbox/wormhole all the damn time.  It's not like you need a profession to make money anymore with all the easy peasy daily quests.  Still haven't done the Mechano hog yet.  Not sure I'm up for the grind.

[kaid]

It may not be the best min max profession but I have enjoyed my engineering gnome. Hell just being an engineer gives you a lot of convience. Being able to use the AH in dalaran alone was almost worth it and then I get things like jeeves, mailboxes, cool mounts. I also have gotten good usage of the parachute cloak enchant and the rocket goves/rocket boots.

[sickrubik]

It may not be the best min max profession but I have enjoyed my engineering gnome. Hell just being an engineer gives you a lot of convience. Being able to use the AH in dalaran alone was almost worth it and then I get things like jeeves, mailboxes, cool mounts. I also have gotten good usage of the parachute cloak enchant and the rocket goves/rocket boots.

Depending on class, it can be a min/max profession.

[Musashi]

It's awesome for a huntard.  Plus the rocket boots are a great oh shit button for getting away from slimes.

[Ingmar]

Closed beta is coming soon, make sure you're set to opt-in to beta:

https://www.battle.net/account/management/beta-profile.xml

[caladein]

I love Engineering on my Paladin.  Jeeves/MOLL-E/Wormhole are all awesome.  Having an AH in Dalaran is great.  The Enchants and extra Health/Mana from Injectors all add up too, especially if you're a tank.  Even small things like the Gnomish X-Ray Specs which actually fix the "load-in and some people are naked bug" when you equip/unequip them.

Hell, even the bag is useful as it can store all Eternals, and my potions, and my gadgets.

[Lakov_Sanite]

I don't get the appeal of beta testing an mmo personally.  Sure for the extreme catass it's good to know mob locations etc but do you really want to play and grind in an unfinished product that you know for a fact you're going to buy?

[Evildrider]

Betas, for expansions like cataclym, I like to get into so I can learn the new character systems and profession stuff.  I don't really like to do the actual "content" as I know I'm gonna be doing more then my share of it when it goes live. 

[caladein]

Yeah, from a Systems perspective it's quite useful.  Also, if I'm honest, I'm going to play it 4-5 times anyway in varying configurations over the next few years, why not have a "first" early and with some small chance of positively affecting the product either in general or for my friends.

[Malakili]

I don't get the appeal of beta testing an mmo personally.  Sure for the extreme catass it's good to know mob locations etc but do you really want to play and grind in an unfinished product that you know for a fact you're going to buy?

Most people just use it as an early free trial, lets be realistic.  For WoW fans, who are probably going to buy it anyway, its just a form of bragging right among your friends/guildies. "Hah, I've seen X and its aweome!" 

[Ironwood]

That's lame.

[Merusk]

I like beta for watching the systems changes and the bugs.  Oh the glorious, GLORIOUS bugs.   In the WOTLK beta there was this recurring bug with the DK's 2h Weapon Spec that was sheer glee.   When you have the talent and equip a weapon, it gives you a straight 4% boost  the damage capabilities of the weapon.  You can watch the numbers on your character sheet jump after equipping.

Well, several times in beta that boost wouldn't go away after unequipping your weapon.  You could stack it an infinite number of times and do stupidly high damage on a single swing.   You level pretty damn fast when you can run around one-shotting elites in a dungeon, and there was nary a fel-reaver in sight that day.  Such fun.

[Rasix]

Like last beta: I'll likely get in (late), install the client, and never play it.

[Sjofn]

The way these go for me is Ingmar gets in, installs the client, and then I play the fuck out of it (I actually like testing this shit, I am weird I guess). Then I get an invite months later, and barely play it at all because I will be able to play it soon and I don't want to get sick of it before it exists for realz.

So basically, I make Ingmar look like a dilligent tester (as far as they know, Ingmar is the one who did the DK starter zone eleventy billion times, not me) and myself look like someone who wanted a free trial. 

[Simond]

For the Horde!



(Official pic, so no broken).
There's some rumoured storylines for Horde and Alliance floating about as well. Horde-side is awesome, Alliance-side is hilariously awesome.  

[Fordel]

I'm sure they involve burning down more of my NE towns. 

[WindupAtheist]

I'd bitch about the Alliance getting the shaft, but after my last round of trying to enjoy PVP as Alliance I think they should all find themselves camped into nothing but the wreckage of Stormwind with a big sign in front of them reading "Hey at least you farmed a lot of mid-field kills, you keyboard-turning cybersexing faggots."

[Ironwood]

 

[AcidCat]

I don't get the appeal of beta testing an mmo personally.  Sure for the extreme catass it's good to know mob locations etc but do you really want to play and grind in an unfinished product that you know for a fact you're going to buy?

Yeah, aside from the open beta for vanilla back in the day, I haven't been interested in checking out the betas for the xpacs. Why spoil all the fun and discovery? Seems pointless to me.

[Fabricated]

I'd bitch about the Alliance getting the shaft, but after my last round of trying to enjoy PVP as Alliance I think they should all find themselves camped into nothing but the wreckage of Stormwind with a big sign in front of them reading "Hey at least you farmed a lot of mid-field kills, you keyboard-turning cybersexing faggots."

Well to the Alliance's credit I think they own the southern half of the Barrens, and nearly all of the reclaimed Eastern+Western Plaguelands.