Blizzcon 2007: Class Discussion Panel
At Blizzcon 2007, two class discussion panels were held to discuss the current state of each class, what to expect in the future and to take questions and answers from people like us, the players. Below is a summary of topics covered and the slides used during the presentation.
The base information on classes is that Blizzard wanted to focus on traditional RPG classes with hero class possibilities. They wanted each class to be distinct and completely unique which means that more classes are not always better. They also had the goal of making it possible to solo to max level and have a viable role in a five man group as well as be competitive in PVP. Most importantly, though, they wanted each class to be fun.
In order to give some kind of depth, they added the idea of talent points that came from Diablo 2 roots. Players would have a limited pool of points and originally multiple iterations of talent trees were tested until they decided on the final version we see now: The tiered-tree approach.
Classes need to be balanced in order for the game to be fun. To do so, talent and gear specs need to be balanced and offspecs need to be viable. To do so, it is known that itemization has to be added for offspecs and much has been added with more to come. Itemization has also been adjusted for damage over time and heals over time. In addition, better itemization helped solved the downranking healing problem.
In general, a player needs to have group, raid, solo, and pvp balance, however, the game must feel cohesive. Currently, a major problem that is being addressed is that not all talents are optimized for all specs. For example, currently protection warriors are being looked at to see how they can be more successful in pvp. The one thing about balance, though, is that it is always changing and too much can shock the system. Players don't need to feel as though they are playing a new character after some talent or balance changes have happened.
Druids
The biggest change to druids since launch is the fact that bears tanking and cats dpsing are actual viable specs. However, there are still problems in the druid tree, for example - its hard to get a good combination of feral and balance talents. The bottom line about druids, though, is that they are always a healer and each tree will have some way of helping the heals. Druids will soon be able to decurse and depoison in treeform.
Hunter
The biggest problem with hunters initially is that they would feign death for everything. To fix this, Blizzard made the change to allow traps in combat. They have also improved pet scaling to help increase hunter dps and added misdirection for group and raid utility. No further hunter information was given.
Mage
The mage is the "AOE DPS King". Mages are designed to be the masters at AOE dps. They were also given water elemental, spell steal and invisibility to help them stand out and have more utility. No further mage information was given.
Paladin
The biggest addition to paladins is making them horde playable. Each paladin spec should be a viable spec, however the Retribution paladin is currently in very bad shape and is being looked at. Ret Pally itemization is also being adjusted for the future. Paladins will soon be viable raid dps.
Priest
The priest has been updated with shadow priest viability, but some of the biggest issues of the holy priest currently lie in the "holy trinity" (LOL Well, Improved Death, and Circle of Healing). Priests need adjustments in the healing department and we can expect to see those happen. LOL Well and Circle of Healing will hopefully be made more attractive as skills. Also, discipline is being looked at to be made a more viable full spec.
Shaman
The biggest problem with shaman is that they need to meld with the paladin. They need to maintain their uniqueness, however. Totems and Blessings need to be able to complement each other. The biggest problem with Shaman is scaling. Scaling is being addressed currently. It is extremely likely that Shaman may be getting some form of crowd control during the 70 to 80 level up. No further shaman information was given.
Rogue
Rogues are designed to be the best single target DPS, however they don't bring enough utility. Blizzard is looking to change this and have already taken steps by adding in Improved Sap. They are also looking at swords vs. maces vs. daggers in order to make some adjustments there. As far as PVP is concerned, the stunlock issue was addressed with the health changes in TBC, but is still being observed.
Warlock
Warlocks have had huge pet scaling in the demonology tree. However, since the beginning Blizzard has had a very hard time trying to balance Fear and the warlock's reliance on Fear. Blizzard will be looking to make more adjustments to fear. Warlocks are the best dueling class in the game, however WoW is not a dueling game.
Warrior
What makes warriors unique is the rage mechanic. Two major problems with warriors, however, is that they are the best at what they do (as long as they are constantly respeccing). Meaning that they are the best tank, the best dps, etc as long as they spec. There isn't a good solid in between spec. This is being looked at. They are also trying to deal with the warrior "rogue in plate" problem. This will also be adjusted.
Hero Classes
Blizzard discussed their thought processes on hero classes. Below is some information on how the ideas of hero classes came about.
They wanted them to be based off of the Warcraft 3 Hero classes. They wanted the heroes to be playable and have an epic feel. In order to achieve this, a few ideas were discussed.
- Forking Classes - Different trees. This takes away from the philosophy of having distinct definitive classes. Therefore this was not the route taken.
- Multiclassing - This idea waters down the individuality of each class/spec and was not taken.
- Class Morphing (Changing) - This idea didn't work well because they didn't want the player to lose their original character, especially if a player just wanted to try out the new class and decided they didn't like it and wanted to go back to their old class.
- New Class Balance - The class has to be able to add to the game, yet too many new hero classes could be disastrous to game play and balance, so only one hero class is being added right now - the Death Knight.
Death Knight
The Death Knight will have three talent trees and new spells and abilities will be added for the death knight. The death knight will be looked at being primarily a tank or dps character. The Death Knight will wear plate and will tank with a two handed weapon or dual wield. Death Knights will not likely use shields.
And finally, Horde will be getting fear ward.
Permalink
Blizzcon 2007: Class Discussion Panel
At Blizzcon 2007, two class discussion panels were held to discuss the current state of each class, what to expect in the future and to take questions and answers from people like us, the players. Below is a summary of topics covered and the slides used during the presentation.
The base information on classes is that Blizzard wanted to focus on traditional RPG classes with hero class possibilities. They wanted each class to be distinct and completely unique which means that more classes are not always better. They also had the goal of making it possible to solo to max level and have a viable role in a five man group as well as be competitive in PVP. Most importantly, though, they wanted each class to be fun.
In order to give some kind of depth, they added the idea of talent points that came from Diablo 2 roots. Players would have a limited pool of points and originally multiple iterations of talent trees were tested until they decided on the final version we see now: The tiered-tree approach.
Classes need to be balanced in order for the game to be fun. To do so, talent and gear specs need to be balanced and offspecs need to be viable. To do so, it is known that itemization has to be added for offspecs and much has been added with more to come. Itemization has also been adjusted for damage over time and heals over time. In addition, better itemization helped solved the downranking healing problem.
In general, a player needs to have group, raid, solo, and pvp balance, however, the game must feel cohesive. Currently, a major problem that is being addressed is that not all talents are optimized for all specs. For example, currently protection warriors are being looked at to see how they can be more successful in pvp. The one thing about balance, though, is that it is always changing and too much can shock the system. Players don't need to feel as though they are playing a new character after some talent or balance changes have happened.
Druids
The biggest change to druids since launch is the fact that bears tanking and cats dpsing are actual viable specs. However, there are still problems in the druid tree, for example - its hard to get a good combination of feral and balance talents. The bottom line about druids, though, is that they are always a healer and each tree will have some way of helping the heals. Druids will soon be able to decurse and depoison in treeform.
Hunter
The biggest problem with hunters initially is that they would feign death for everything. To fix this, Blizzard made the change to allow traps in combat. They have also improved pet scaling to help increase hunter dps and added misdirection for group and raid utility. No further hunter information was given.
Mage
The mage is the "AOE DPS King". Mages are designed to be the masters at AOE dps. They were also given water elemental, spell steal and invisibility to help them stand out and have more utility. No further mage information was given.
Paladin
The biggest addition to paladins is making them horde playable. Each paladin spec should be a viable spec, however the Retribution paladin is currently in very bad shape and is being looked at. Ret Pally itemization is also being adjusted for the future. Paladins will soon be viable raid dps.
Priest
The priest has been updated with shadow priest viability, but some of the biggest issues of the holy priest currently lie in the "holy trinity" (LOL Well, Improved Death, and Circle of Healing). Priests need adjustments in the healing department and we can expect to see those happen. LOL Well and Circle of Healing will hopefully be made more attractive as skills. Also, discipline is being looked at to be made a more viable full spec.
Shaman
The biggest problem with shaman is that they need to meld with the paladin. They need to maintain their uniqueness, however. Totems and Blessings need to be able to complement each other. The biggest problem with Shaman is scaling. Scaling is being addressed currently. It is extremely likely that Shaman may be getting some form of crowd control during the 70 to 80 level up. No further shaman information was given.
Rogue
Rogues are designed to be the best single target DPS, however they don't bring enough utility. Blizzard is looking to change this and have already taken steps by adding in Improved Sap. They are also looking at swords vs. maces vs. daggers in order to make some adjustments there. As far as PVP is concerned, the stunlock issue was addressed with the health changes in TBC, but is still being observed.
Warlock
Warlocks have had huge pet scaling in the demonology tree. However, since the beginning Blizzard has had a very hard time trying to balance Fear and the warlock's reliance on Fear. Blizzard will be looking to make more adjustments to fear. Warlocks are the best dueling class in the game, however WoW is not a dueling game.
Warrior
What makes warriors unique is the rage mechanic. Two major problems with warriors, however, is that they are the best at what they do (as long as they are constantly respeccing). Meaning that they are the best tank, the best dps, etc as long as they spec. There isn't a good solid in between spec. This is being looked at. They are also trying to deal with the warrior "rogue in plate" problem. This will also be adjusted.
Hero Classes
Blizzard discussed their thought processes on hero classes. Below is some information on how the ideas of hero classes came about.
They wanted them to be based off of the Warcraft 3 Hero classes. They wanted the heroes to be playable and have an epic feel. In order to achieve this, a few ideas were discussed.
Death Knight
The Death Knight will have three talent trees and new spells and abilities will be added for the death knight. The death knight will be looked at being primarily a tank or dps character. The Death Knight will wear plate and will tank with a two handed weapon or dual wield. Death Knights will not likely use shields.
And finally, Horde will be getting fear ward.
Permalink