World of Warcraft Forever is just a day away, and now that the beta has concluded Blizzard has released its patch notes for the release build of the game.
A bulk of the patch notes focus on class changes where, among other things, Blizzard rolled back some Shaman abilities like Lava Burst to focus the Elemental spec identity on lightning ability. And that's just one of dozens of class changes. Blizzard's goal with these class changes was to distill Forever's combat into its own identity. According to the developer notes, "some of this round of changes reflects areas where we were likely hasty in turning to Burning Crusade- or Wrath-era solutions rather than carving out new ones that better fit into the Forever combat model."
This will likely be the only major class tuning that Blizzard is going to touch before raids open next month, which is perfectly in line with how the company typically launches WoW games and expansions. The developers want to gather data on how people are playing before it changes how anything is balanced, which only makes sense.
However, Blizzard will still tweak classes to fix bugs, according to the developer notes. "With the exception of bugs and serious outliers, we don’t plan on making big tuning changes between now and the opening of the raids next month," the developer said. "Once we have sufficient data from players leveling past 30 and engaging in a wide range of content, we expect that we will do a large tuning pass based on our data."
But apart from the mass of class changes, World of Warcraft Forever's controller support has "entered a complete functional state," and gamepads can now be used in every facet of the MMO. Xbox even put out its own blog post talking about Forever's controller support, claiming that it "reimagines the way we play." WoW Forever's beta supported controllers, but that support was only in an alpha stage, and had its own limitations and bugs. Hopefully this "complete functional state" means Blizzard has figured those issues out.
I, for one, plan to download WoW Forever on an Xbox Ally X, so that I can grind while I watch TV. But because Forever's controller UI looks so similar to Final Fantasy XIV's controller interface, I can't help but wonder if this controller support is just a precursor for a full Xbox Series X release. We'll just have to wait and see what happens there.
Finally, the patch notes do detail some nerfs coming to racial abilities. Dwarves and Orcs both straight up had one of their passive abilities removed from the game, while many other races had their passives nerfed. For instance, Humans' Ruthless ability now increases critical strike chance by 1%, rather than 2%. But, hey, at least Trolls get a longer duration on Berserking , their mini-bloodlust.
Only time will tell how balance is going to fall in WoW Forever, but we won't have to wait long to see how it plays out. World of Warcraft Forever comes out tomorrow, November 4, at 3pm PST / 6pm EST, and if the beta was any indication, a lot of people are going to rush in to really push WoW's servers to their breaking point. And I'll be right there to watch it happen.
Throw will now correctly use the 0.5 second windup timer (was incorrectly using the throwing weapon’s attack speed).
Legacy Reward - Replica Ironforge Air Rifle can now correctly be used on allies that also have one equipped.Duration of the quitter debuff reduced to 40 seconds (was 5 minutes).Duration of the stun reduced to 2.5 seconds (was 3 seconds).
Duration of the quitter debuff reduced to 40 seconds (was 5 minutes).
Duration of the stun reduced to 2.5 seconds (was 3 seconds).
All Races now have the correct amount of base stats. For example, Tauren Warriors now start with the correct +5 strength relative to Human Warriors (was incorrectly +2). This fix was also applied to High Order and Windshaper Skyborne base stats.
Roots that occur from Procs now correctly have Diminishing Returns. Includes Frostbite, Entrapment, Improved Wing Clip, Counterattack, and Improved Hamstring.
Developer’s notes: Over the course of Beta, we came to the realization that trying to hold ourselves roughly to Classic power budgets for each class meant that every new element we added needed to come at the expense of something else. Those reductions left some iconic abilities feeling lackluster, and closed the door to other potentially exciting design options.
So over the last two weeks, we’ve raised damage on classes across the game, and have increased the health of higher level creatures to compensate. This additional “headroom” has allowed us to tune things to a place that we hope feels better overall. Beyond that, some of this round of changes reflects areas where we were likely hasty in turning to Burning Crusade- or Wrath-era solutions rather than carving out new ones that better fit into the Forever combat model.
Our aim in class design is not perfect numerical equality, but rather for every class to feel valuable to the groups they join, with powerful, unforgettable moments brought on by mastering them. In Forever this is accomplished by doubling down on the strengths and differences that make each class unique, rather than overly unifying them.
Developers’ notes: We’ve used the data and feedback gathered during Beta testing to get everything tuned to a reasonable place. However, the only true test of that tuning is the game itself. With the exception of bugs and serious outliers, we don’t plan on making big tuning changes between now and the opening of the raids next month.
Once we have sufficient data from players leveling past 30 and engaging in a wide range of content, we expect that we will do a large tuning pass based on our data. And this is all merely a starting point for the classes in Forever, which will continue to evolve over the course of the months and years ahead just as they did following the original launch in 2004.
Various talents no longer have a penalty to their chance to trigger when casting spells of a low rank.This penalty does still apply to Blizzard. Blizzard continues to have a reduced chance to trigger Arcane Concentration, Frostbite, and Fingers of Frost when casting a rank learned more than 12 levels lower than the caster’s current level.
This penalty does still apply to Blizzard. Blizzard continues to have a reduced chance to trigger Arcane Concentration, Frostbite, and Fingers of Frost when casting a rank learned more than 12 levels lower than the caster’s current level.
Learning new spells will no longer cause them to be automatically added to your action bars.
Training costs on have been adjusted for all classes.Most abilities learned at the same level have the same cost to train, with the exception of Priest race-specific abilities.Total cost to train class abilities from 1-60 is now between 206 and 207 gold for all classes.Warlocks costs are reduced by the expected costs of buying Grimoires for their pets.
Most abilities learned at the same level have the same cost to train, with the exception of Priest race-specific abilities.
Total cost to train class abilities from 1-60 is now between 206 and 207 gold for all classes.
Warlocks costs are reduced by the expected costs of buying Grimoires for their pets.
DruidLacerate is now a Feral talent and not learned by all Druids.Ferocious Bite has a new Rank 1 at level 24. All the existing ranks were re-labeled one rank higher.Bear Form and Dire Bear Form: Threat bonus increased from 50% to 115%. This is to compensate for Blessing of Salvation being removed.Poised: New passive ability learned at level 32. “When you are not in combat and have your maximum Energy, you will gain Poised. Poised reduces the Energy cost of your next Energy ability by 10.”Shred: Weapon damage percent increased to 200% from 155%.Claw: Weapon damage percent increased to 140% from 110%.Ravage: Weapon damage percent increased from 350% to 435%.Rip: Base points and attack power scaling increased by about 25%.Rake: Base points and attack power scaling increased by about 25%.Ferocious Bite: Base points and attack power scaling increased by about 25%.Pounce: Base points and attack power scaling increased by about 25%.Starfire: Base damage points increased by about 40%.BalanceGenesis: Now increases periodic damage and healing by 2/4/6/8/10%, up from 1/2/3/4/5%.Moonkin Form: The critical strike bonus from this talent is again an increase to all types of critical strikes and is again exclusive with Leader of the Pack.FeralHeart of the Wild: The talent has moved to the Restoration tree, swapping with Furor.Lacerate: This is now a 1-point talent on row 4, replacing Primal Bite. Lacerate has two new ranks added to accomodate being learned earlier.Predatory Discipline: This is a new 1-point talent on row 4 in column 3, replacing Shifting Power. “Your Ferocious Bite ability no longer converts extra Energy into damage but still deals extra damage based on your excess Energy.” It has no pre-requisite talents.Predatory Strikes: Moved to column 1 (was column 3).Leader of the Pack: The critical strike bonus from this talent is again an increase to all types of critical strikes and is again exclusive with Moonkin Aura.Natural Instinct: Moved to column 4 (was column 1).Rend and Tear: Moved to column 1 (was column 3). Damage bonus increased to 3/6/9/12/15% (was 2/4/6/8/10%).Berserk talent removed.Primal Bite: Replaces Berserk as a 1-point talent on row 7, column 2, with Leader of the Pack as a pre-requisite. Number of ranks reduced to 3.Shifting Power: Now a 1-point talent on row 7, with Predatory Discipline as a pre-requisite. Like row 4, we now have two different 31-point talents for Feral , one focused on Bear gameplay and one focused on Cat gameplay.RestorationFuror: This talent has moved to the Feral tree, swapping with Heart of the Wild.Naturalist: Now increases all damage by 2/4/6/8/10%, up from 1/2/3/4/5%. Now also reduces the cast time of Wild Growth by 0.1/0.2/0.3/0.4/0.5 seconds.Reflection: This talent has moved to row 2 from row 3, swapping with Subtlety.Subtlety: This talent has moved to row 3 from row 2, swapping with Reflection.Gift of the Earthmother: This talent has been removed.Bloom: New 1-point talent in 3rd row, replacing Gift of the Earthmother. “When your Rejuvenation or Regrowth spell expires due to its duration, the target is instantly healed for an amount equal to 100% of your Spirit. If either spell expires due to being dispelled, the target is healed for 50% of your Spirit instead.”Swiftmend: Now requires the Rejuvenation or Regrowth effect on the target to be one placed by the casting Druid.Wild Growth: Now has a base casting time of 3 seconds.
Lacerate is now a Feral talent and not learned by all Druids.
Ferocious Bite has a new Rank 1 at level 24. All the existing ranks were re-labeled one rank higher.
Bear Form and Dire Bear Form: Threat bonus increased from 50% to 115%. This is to compensate for Blessing of Salvation being removed.
Poised: New passive ability learned at level 32. “When you are not in combat and have your maximum Energy, you will gain Poised. Poised reduces the Energy cost of your next Energy ability by 10.”
Shred: Weapon damage percent increased to 200% from 155%.
Claw: Weapon damage percent increased to 140% from 110%.
Ravage: Weapon damage percent increased from 350% to 435%.
Rip: Base points and attack power scaling increased by about 25%.
Rake: Base points and attack power scaling increased by about 25%.
Ferocious Bite: Base points and attack power scaling increased by about 25%.
Pounce: Base points and attack power scaling increased by about 25%.
Starfire: Base damage points increased by about 40%.
BalanceGenesis: Now increases periodic damage and healing by 2/4/6/8/10%, up from 1/2/3/4/5%.Moonkin Form: The critical strike bonus from this talent is again an increase to all types of critical strikes and is again exclusive with Leader of the Pack.
Genesis: Now increases periodic damage and healing by 2/4/6/8/10%, up from 1/2/3/4/5%.
Moonkin Form: The critical strike bonus from this talent is again an increase to all types of critical strikes and is again exclusive with Leader of the Pack.
FeralHeart of the Wild: The talent has moved to the Restoration tree, swapping with Furor.Lacerate: This is now a 1-point talent on row 4, replacing Primal Bite. Lacerate has two new ranks added to accomodate being learned earlier.Predatory Discipline: This is a new 1-point talent on row 4 in column 3, replacing Shifting Power. “Your Ferocious Bite ability no longer converts extra Energy into damage but still deals extra damage based on your excess Energy.” It has no pre-requisite talents.Predatory Strikes: Moved to column 1 (was column 3).Leader of the Pack: The critical strike bonus from this talent is again an increase to all types of critical strikes and is again exclusive with Moonkin Aura.Natural Instinct: Moved to column 4 (was column 1).Rend and Tear: Moved to column 1 (was column 3). Damage bonus increased to 3/6/9/12/15% (was 2/4/6/8/10%).Berserk talent removed.Primal Bite: Replaces Berserk as a 1-point talent on row 7, column 2, with Leader of the Pack as a pre-requisite. Number of ranks reduced to 3.Shifting Power: Now a 1-point talent on row 7, with Predatory Discipline as a pre-requisite. Like row 4, we now have two different 31-point talents for Feral , one focused on Bear gameplay and one focused on Cat gameplay.
Heart of the Wild: The talent has moved to the Restoration tree, swapping with Furor.
Lacerate: This is now a 1-point talent on row 4, replacing Primal Bite. Lacerate has two new ranks added to accomodate being learned earlier.
Predatory Discipline: This is a new 1-point talent on row 4 in column 3, replacing Shifting Power. “Your Ferocious Bite ability no longer converts extra Energy into damage but still deals extra damage based on your excess Energy.” It has no pre-requisite talents.
Predatory Strikes: Moved to column 1 (was column 3).
Leader of the Pack: The critical strike bonus from this talent is again an increase to all types of critical strikes and is again exclusive with Moonkin Aura.
Natural Instinct: Moved to column 4 (was column 1).
Rend and Tear: Moved to column 1 (was column 3). Damage bonus increased to 3/6/9/12/15% (was 2/4/6/8/10%).
Primal Bite: Replaces Berserk as a 1-point talent on row 7, column 2, with Leader of the Pack as a pre-requisite. Number of ranks reduced to 3.
Shifting Power: Now a 1-point talent on row 7, with Predatory Discipline as a pre-requisite. Like row 4, we now have two different 31-point talents for Feral , one focused on Bear gameplay and one focused on Cat gameplay.
RestorationFuror: This talent has moved to the Feral tree, swapping with Heart of the Wild.Naturalist: Now increases all damage by 2/4/6/8/10%, up from 1/2/3/4/5%. Now also reduces the cast time of Wild Growth by 0.1/0.2/0.3/0.4/0.5 seconds.Reflection: This talent has moved to row 2 from row 3, swapping with Subtlety.Subtlety: This talent has moved to row 3 from row 2, swapping with Reflection.Gift of the Earthmother: This talent has been removed.Bloom: New 1-point talent in 3rd row, replacing Gift of the Earthmother. “When your Rejuvenation or Regrowth spell expires due to its duration, the target is instantly healed for an amount equal to 100% of your Spirit. If either spell expires due to being dispelled, the target is healed for 50% of your Spirit instead.”Swiftmend: Now requires the Rejuvenation or Regrowth effect on the target to be one placed by the casting Druid.Wild Growth: Now has a base casting time of 3 seconds.
Furor: This talent has moved to the Feral tree, swapping with Heart of the Wild.
Naturalist: Now increases all damage by 2/4/6/8/10%, up from 1/2/3/4/5%. Now also reduces the cast time of Wild Growth by 0.1/0.2/0.3/0.4/0.5 seconds.
Reflection: This talent has moved to row 2 from row 3, swapping with Subtlety.
Subtlety: This talent has moved to row 3 from row 2, swapping with Reflection.
Gift of the Earthmother: This talent has been removed.
Bloom: New 1-point talent in 3rd row, replacing Gift of the Earthmother. “When your Rejuvenation or Regrowth spell expires due to its duration, the target is instantly healed for an amount equal to 100% of your Spirit. If either spell expires due to being dispelled, the target is healed for 50% of your Spirit instead.”
Swiftmend: Now requires the Rejuvenation or Regrowth effect on the target to be one placed by the casting Druid.
Wild Growth: Now has a base casting time of 3 seconds.
HunterHunter’s Mark can no longer be applied to a target multiple times by using different ranks of the spell.Fixed an issue where Rank 4 Hunter’s Mark was providing less Ranged Attack Power than Rank 3.Fixed an issue with the wording of the Explosive Trap debuff.All types of Hunter traps now have the same shared 30 second cooldown, instead of separate cooldowns for Fire-based and Frost-based traps.Aimed Shot: Bonus damage on all ranks increased by ~110%.Arcane Shot: Base damage on all ranks increased by ~30% and Attack Power coefficient raised from 0.1 to 0.15.Serpent Sting: Attack Power coefficient per tick increased to 5% from 3%. Base damage on all ranks increased ~20%.Aspect of the Hawk: Ranged Attack Power bonus increased on all ranks. New values: 20, 35, 50, 70, 90, 110 for ranks 1-6.Hunter pets should no longer lose their innate Attack Speed passives when untraining them.Beast MasteryPathfinding: This talent moved from 2nd row to 3rd row.MarksmanshipBarrage: Damage increase raised to 5/10/15% from 3/7/10%.Sniper Shot: Bonus damage on all ranks increased by 100%.Trueshot Aura: Ranged Attack Power bonus increased on all ranks. New values: 20, 35, 50, 75, 100.SurvivalLacerating Strikes: This effect will always overwrite an existing one from the same Hunter, even if the new effect is weaker damage per second.Lightning Reflexes: Agility bonus increased to 3/6/9/12/15% from 2/4/6/8/10%.
Hunter’s Mark can no longer be applied to a target multiple times by using different ranks of the spell.
Fixed an issue where Rank 4 Hunter’s Mark was providing less Ranged Attack Power than Rank 3.
Fixed an issue with the wording of the Explosive Trap debuff.
All types of Hunter traps now have the same shared 30 second cooldown, instead of separate cooldowns for Fire-based and Frost-based traps.
Aimed Shot: Bonus damage on all ranks increased by ~110%.
Arcane Shot: Base damage on all ranks increased by ~30% and Attack Power coefficient raised from 0.1 to 0.15.
Serpent Sting: Attack Power coefficient per tick increased to 5% from 3%. Base damage on all ranks increased ~20%.
Aspect of the Hawk: Ranged Attack Power bonus increased on all ranks. New values: 20, 35, 50, 70, 90, 110 for ranks 1-6.
Hunter pets should no longer lose their innate Attack Speed passives when untraining them.
Beast MasteryPathfinding: This talent moved from 2nd row to 3rd row.
Pathfinding: This talent moved from 2nd row to 3rd row.
MarksmanshipBarrage: Damage increase raised to 5/10/15% from 3/7/10%.Sniper Shot: Bonus damage on all ranks increased by 100%.Trueshot Aura: Ranged Attack Power bonus increased on all ranks. New values: 20, 35, 50, 75, 100.
Barrage: Damage increase raised to 5/10/15% from 3/7/10%.
Sniper Shot: Bonus damage on all ranks increased by 100%.
Trueshot Aura: Ranged Attack Power bonus increased on all ranks. New values: 20, 35, 50, 75, 100.
SurvivalLacerating Strikes: This effect will always overwrite an existing one from the same Hunter, even if the new effect is weaker damage per second.Lightning Reflexes: Agility bonus increased to 3/6/9/12/15% from 2/4/6/8/10%.
Lacerating Strikes: This effect will always overwrite an existing one from the same Hunter, even if the new effect is weaker damage per second.
Lightning Reflexes: Agility bonus increased to 3/6/9/12/15% from 2/4/6/8/10%.
Imbue Iceknife’s visual has been changed to better convey that it is a Root and not a Stun.
Frost Blast: This spell has been removed.