September 14th, 2008 | |
Posted in Gaming, wow
So, patch 3.0.2 has gone into testing on the Public Test Realm (PTR). Patch 3.0.2 is what has become known as the Wrath Pre-Patch. It’s intended to bring those with WoW original and Burning Crusade up to the baseline of Wrath content.
Basically, any changes that affect everyone, regardless of if they own Wrath of the Lich King or not, are included.
Pretty much the only things not included are the Wrath zones and quests and levels 71-80 (and corresponding skills).
The biggest changes are the various class talent trees and skills, for most classes the trees have been rearranged and rejigged quite substantially. Some classes also get new skills, such as the druid with their much sought after regular ressurection skill, Revive.
A big change for casters is the removal of +damage and +healing, combining them into a single Spell Power stat. This change also changes a lot of gear, and potentially provides some gear overlap and choice where previously there was none.
Most of the old world map changes have taken effect too, Dalaran is no longer under it’s protective bubble in Alterac Mountains, only a HUGE crater remains now it has “flown” to Northrend. Naxxramas has vacated it’s Plaguelands home, Stormwind Harbour has appeared along with the new zeppelin towers for Horde.
Barbershops have appeared in various capital cities and you can now learn Inscription (the new “Wrath” profession) and take it to 375 skill.
A lot of the miscellaneous changes have also taken effect. The Achievements, Token and new Vanity Pet/Mount systems are in. The latter two are designed to save bag and bank space, the Token pane eliminates carrying PvP marks/Raid Badges and similar, simply showing how many you have and giving you that bag space back. The new Vanity Pet/Mount system has you learn how to summon pets and mounts when you use the old item. Meaning you can throw the item away once learnt. You simply click the relevant pet/mount from a new tab on your character sheet.
As well as these Quality of Life changes, we also have a new dynamic shadow system implemented, this looks fantastic, especially when you’ve been used to nothing more than blob shadows. It makes the world much more alive, but equally ups the power required to display it. Luckily you can disable them if your PC can’t take the strain.
It’s perhaps the biggest patch WoW has ever had due to a lot of the fundamental class changes and system alterations. Because of this it will perhaps also bring with it a lot of question from folks not understanding where things have moved to, where their marks have gone etc.
It’s also to my mind, the most exciting patch since I’ve been playing WoW, as it signifies that Wrath of the Lich King isn’t all that far away. It will be interesting to experience the new expansion from day one, rather than after the buzz has died down.
Also, to me, Northrend is much more interesting than Outland. I can’t wait!
Tags:
Northrend,
Patch 3.0.2,
wotlk,
wow 
With around 6 weeks to go until 
