"Class Feedback Requested"

Q u o t e:
It has been a long time since Blizzard asked for feedback on every class in their board. Normally, I wouldn't expect the things people ask for or talk about on the forums to have much effect on what the developers do, but they asked for it this time. And they got it; each of those stickies is brimming with responses.

So when can we expect any of the feedback to be acted upon?

I've said this before in other threads, but I'll respond here as well. We have been reading and compiling feedback. If you notice, the feedback is being gathered specifically in that thread for Wrath of the Lich King. We have set those threads up for community feedback in a specific format so it's easier for us to filter it all. We do not intend to respond in them since those threads aren't meant for conversation.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean there isn't a possibility of other class changes being done prior to then based off of the feedback in that thread or other threads on the class forums. We've also said that patch 2.4.0 is a progressive patch. We will be adding changes as we go along in the Test Realms. I can't say how many or how few changes will be done. It will all depend on what results we get from testing.

In the meantime, our focus is on continuing to read and gather feedback and if (or when) we are able to bring back some specific responses to some concerns, we will.

Q u o t e:


Hey, Neth. Why does it seem like actual Shaman problems are never addressed? I'm not being angry here, I am simply curious.

This is a bit of a trick question here. :) I'm not going to say that any class is perfect. I'm not going to say that no class could use tweaks and changes. I'm not even going to say that every possible fix ever dreamed of will be in the 2.4.0 patch.

What I'm going to say is despite appearances, we are working on it all. I can urge people to have patience and there will be many that say they have been. I understand the frustrations people may be feeling, but that doesn't mean we're ignoring anything. Some changes are easy. Some are not quite as simple as they look at first blush.

We're not always going to agree on what should or shouldn't happen for each class, but that doesn't mean we're ignoring what is being said. We'll do what we can to get information to everyone as we go through the test process.

This is a little new in how we're progressing the patch, so we do need people to be as patient as possible as we go through it.

Q u o t e:


If their job is taking jabs at the playerbase, being snide and answering threads about prancing happy monkies, then yes, they do a fantastic job.

Monkeys are primed to take over the world.

If you have feedback on Community Team performance, please feel free to email to [email protected]. Just please don't derail this thread into a commentary on the Community Team.

Q u o t e:


I understand we wont see much till WotLK but Neth, the Arena imbalances are just absurd atm.

Holy Paladins need help badly. So do Shamans. When you look at the representation of players in arenas via some of the gaming sites, 4% of arena players are Paladins and 4% are Shamans.

Between these problems, druids & priests being vastly superior healers, arena selling of teams for points and other things, there needs to be some class balancing ASAP.

Im not asking to be the best, but damn, give Holy Paladins a chance. We are too easily completely shut down in arenas.

I know that Arena concerns come up quite often for more than one class and generally revolves around spec choices. So, I understand what you are saying. I'm not saying I agree or disagree, but want you to know that I do recognize these concerns.

Q u o t e:
So Neth, Back to the original topic:

During the testing of Patch 2.4, you will be adding to the patch notes some additional class changes based on feedback then? We were told several times that 2.4 was to contain some 'major class balancing' to make WoW more of an e-sport. In the current patch notes there is no balancing at all, simply minor bug tweaks. So as the PTR leads more and more towards going live, will we see more class balancing... not simply bug fixes and tiny tweaks, can we see some somewhat serious class/talent changes or alterations?

First, I do know there were some translation errors to a previous article that people have cited many times.

Second, there is more to come in 2.4 including class changes. I can't say how much as of yet because, again, it's based on testing and what results we get out of it. The developers do have things they want to do. As we go along, we should see more additions to the notes. I still can't give you an idea of just how much though. If we are able to give a better projection on our plans, we will though. I know that it's been a question on many people's minds and has come up many times since the initial notes were released for the PTR.

Q u o t e:



Neth,

Would you say that part of the reasons for the lack of some buffs is because of the "OP Factor" that may happen?

For example the shaman. With a couple of not well thought out tweaks they could be a vastly overpowered class. Same with Paladins. Is the reluctance to move ahead now just a "we can't think of anything" move or an "everything we think of might make them OP" kind of delay.

I mean the shaman problems have been pretty apparent for a long time now and have seen a few (appreciated) changes but not really the overall fix that people are looking for.

Just curious if the Devs have just not found a fix that wouldn't be unbalance the shaman. I can't see any other reason that they would hold back changes this long.

I would say that any changes done to any class can have an "OP" factor to them. There are some classes that are inherently strong classes at their core that when altered can cause some heavy balancing shifts if we're not careful. The Development Team does have goals in mind for what they want to accomplish both in 2.4 and for WotLK. What they are doing though is making sure they take great care to take those steps with plenty of testing to give them a better picture of how those changes are going to play out.

You could say that any class has the potential to be tipped too far one way or another. We want all classes to feel right. To be fun. To make people want to keep playing them. We also know that there are people that love their classes and just want more out of them. We're doing what we can to mix all of the above.

Q u o t e:
So if we post class feedback, on the 107th page, will it still be as important as class feedback posted on the first?

Yes. Just post within the format requested and we'll be reading still.

Q u o t e:
What if we edit a chunk of our feedback that's way back on page 7. Is it better to just repost?

I meant to respond and not edit. Sorry about that.

Feel free to edit your feedback and just note that there are updates and date it so we know there is something new.


I could never go into politics. Way too serious and not nearly as fun as being here.