Tier9 please change before release

We do not have plans to change the models in the manner you're suggesting before 3.2 is released. Developing item artwork takes a great deal of time. We informed players a little while ago that we will be doing tier-9 sets a little bit different this time around, where Horde and Alliance set pieces will be completely unique. We never stated that we would develop 20 completely different sets of gear for one raid tier.

So, rather than have one set per class (the same for the Horde and the Alliance), there will be one set per gear type (cloth, leather, etc.) with different color distinctions for each class that will be completely unique between the Horde and the Alliance.

Q u o t e:
"We informed players a little while ago that we will be doing tier-9 sets a little bit different this time around, where Horde and Alliance set pieces will be completely unique."

Where is the complete uniqueness you talk about? Havin different colored models? Come on...the masses can be blind, but now your pissin down their backs and tellin em its raining...

No, you misunderstand me. The models that are colored differently are for the Alliance cloth wearers. The Horde cloth sets will be completely different.

I often pray for rain by the way.

Q u o t e:
No offense Zaryhm, but this does look VERY lazy by your(meaning blizzard) part.



Season 7 is a reskinned S6 which was a reskinned S5.



Tier 9 just shows how lazy you guys have gotten

The Arena sets aren't simply re-skinned. We explained from the very beginning that the concept behind Arena gear in Wrath of the Lich King would be to start off with very simple designs and slowly add more detail to the sets over time to show who the more seasoned players are.

Designing separate sets for each faction and then recoloring each gear type for X number of classes took more development time than the standard 10-set tier cycle we've been doing. To call it lazy is simply to state your disagreement with the direction we've taken for tier-9 in a... well, lazy way.

Q u o t e:
I actually predicted this a couple of minutes ago in another thread, you didn't actually mean "Unique" sets for horde and alliance you mean,

"well we could not be bothered to make a unique cool looking set for each class so instead we are making 3 different sets with almost indistinguishable variations and a bad color scheme for each class, we are gonna say Horde and Alliance will have unique sets as a cover for our blatant lazyness".

It's cool that you predicted something incorrect and then, after reading my responses in this thread, incorrectly congratulated yourself for a false prediction.

Q u o t e:
I'm noticing all the blue posts sound snide and defensive.... they must know that what blizz is doing with this armor is sub par and lazy

No, I just wish the preview had happened differently so at least examples of one type of gear, say cloth, were available for the Horde and Alliance. It's difficult enough to wade through the instant vitriol flowing freely 'round these parts within minutes of a preview -- almost the natural reaction for some when they see blue words -- but when some players still seem to believe there are 4 set models each with 6 different color schemes, it makes having a discussion about things difficult.

I offer that to show I can be publicly critical of things we do. Had pictures of at least one or two gear types been available for both the Horde and Alliance to show some contrast, I don't think the immediate negative reaction would've been as strong.

Having said that, I'm not upset, disappointed or underwhelmed by all of the druid art, Arena gear and tier-9 sets going into patch 3.2, among many other features. Please refrain from asserting what my true feelings are based on the tone with which you read my text.

Q u o t e:


I gotta be honest: I find what the horde look like compared to me quite irrelevant. I don't really play with them much, and when I do, I'm wearing my pvp gear, you can be sure. To me, this is about standing next to my Death Knight friend and being a Blue Plate Wearer, vs his Grey Plate Wearer. I think it's a mistake to dismiss many of these posts as instinctual vitriol.

Here's a little secret for anyone reading this who knows me: I'm playing this game today because one day about 3 years ago in Ironforge I saw a Paladin in Judgement and I thought it was one of the coolest things I had ever seen in a video game. Tier 2 motivated me to hit 60, to learn what raiding was, and to drop my two hander and learn to heal. I. hate. healing. Don't underestimate the power and emotion attached to the tier sets. They're genuine emotion, and while proper words may fail people on these forums, it doesn't make their sentiments invalid.

So the tier sets are different between horde and alliance. Great. It is clear from the preview that the Mage, Priest and Warlock gear of alliance are the same model reskinned. I think that's enough information to start painting more of the picture, and for people to begin to be upset.

We are getting a patch where the new tier of content is 5 bosses. Where tier 9 is spread out across armor class. "Not one, but Two Jormungars" taking on the status it has is telling. It's easy to understand why some people feel underwhelmed, or let down, or disappointed. Dismissing it as reflexive seems wrong, and out of touch.

I understand where you're coming from and appreciate the way you've expressed yourself in this post.