Does anyone else see Cataclysm as The End?

[Fursphere]

I think I will be coming back to WoW in the next few months.

As a solo boxer only. Multiboxing is done for me (LFG Queuing system really sealed the deal)- but WoW with the Cataclysm changes is getting more and more interesting!

[Ualaa]

I would like to see the level 85 instances be a challenge for a group geared in (character) level 85 quest gear. And for this same gear level to have a 0% chance of doing heroic versions of any Cataclysm instance.

Similarly, once a group was basically in mostly level 85 normal dungeon gear, I'd like the heroics to be doable but a challenge. Possibly with some variance, such that normal gear would allow for 81-83 heroics, while gear from those heroics would allow for 83-85 heroics.

Faction from the normal dungeons, to buy the key for heroic is another mechanic to force players to run normals before the heroics begin. I'd prefer to do away with the artificial limit of a key unlocking the content, and to just use the difficulty of the encounter.

Ideally, our groups will need to run normals, for the gear to do heroics. And will need a lot of heroic gear from the easier heroics to run the harder heroics. And maybe have the initial raid on par with the harder heroics. So the first raid zone of the expansion won't be beaten for 6-8 weeks... but players who want a challenge, can play within the 5-man level, much as raids can be 10-man or 25-man.

I like the idea of a challenge. Where, if we notice a debuff and cure it, the encounter is much easier, yet it is still doable (not death in 6 seconds) without the cure. Where a pack of three mobs might be zerged through, as most of the trash is in the current content; but a five pack will require some crowd control, at least until the heroic is outgeared down the road.

It would be nice if you could run the dungeon on a few different modes, rather then just normal and heroic. To borrow the item levels of today... heroic might drop iLV200, but heroic-level2 might drop iLV219, and heroic-level3 could drop iLV232 etc. With more challenge for each heroic setting, rather then the same iLV200 challenge initially rewarding badges for 200, but eventually giving 232 gear for the same challenge. Basically, have the option for the heroic to be as challenging as say the 10-man of the previous best raid.

[Tyval]

all good points and idea Ualaa. I would be on board for pretty much all of that., progression in heroics would add quite a bit of replay value and fun.

I would probably overall like things a bit easier than you , but then I'm still uncertain on my boxing skills hehe.

Tyval

[Fursphere]

Not to be a doom and gloom guy, but the talent preview for Shaman really has me concerned.

We all know that Wrath = Movement gimmicks. Everywhere there was movement gimmicks, and they only got worse as the expansion aged on.

Now the new lvl 85 spell is Spirit Walk that allows Shaman to cast while moving for 10 seconds.

I read this as: "WARNING - EXTREME MOVEMENT GIMMICKS TO FOLLOW"

For everyone boxing, I hope I'm wrong.

[Velassra]

Not to be a doom and gloom guy, but the talent preview for Shaman really has me concerned.

We all know that Wrath = Movement gimmicks. Everywhere there was movement gimmicks, and they only got worse as the expansion aged on.

Now the new lvl 85 spell is Spirit Walk that allows Shaman to cast while moving for 10 seconds.

I read this as: "WARNING - EXTREME MOVEMENT GIMMICKS TO FOLLOW"

For everyone boxing, I hope I'm wrong.

I'm hoping it's more a pvp related thing. Shaman having to stop to heal seemed to be a complaint on forums....so maybe....Hoping anyway.

[Pycno]

I play for World PVP and Battlegrounds, as well as for doing the old content over again (in easy mode). So Cataclysm will probably not change anything for me except give me new areas to play in with a few new abilities. I dont like the idea of leveling up a second team, so Im hoping for mage and priest to remain a potent combination. The priest class review gave a fun ability (Life grip) and a buff (Power Word: Barrier), hopefully there will be something useful for mage as well. Would love an ability to make portals to any location of choice, or instant group teleport to a location. It would be really cool if mastery would improve all base spells, make Mirror Image create more images etc.

[mrmcgee21]

Rofl man you called the movement gimmiks, priest are getting a "life grip" on a 45 sec cd that pulls friendly players to their location. Should be interesting to see in action.

[Nejcha]

It sounds like the are removing some of the face roll. And adding in new face roll. It's not like having to watch all my screens ever slowed me down ^_^

[daviddoran]

I'm looking forward to cata. Heroics are a snore fest, and I just dont bother doing them any more. I'm geared on 6 toons to pug ICC 25 and am content with that. Id love to see cata being a bit more difficult. Hopefully along with that difficulty comes better rewards. As it is now, wow is a grind fest for gear. Easy to get, just time consuming. Hopefully they can fix this.

Also, all of the changes in the last year have diminished the reason many of us started boxing in the first place. No longer is putting a heroic group together such a chore, no more flying out there, summoning the lazies, dealing with DC'ers, etc etc. Other things like random BGs, dual spec, glyphs, etc etc. All of these things make me ask myself why i box in the first place?

I still plan on boxing cata, probably lvl my shamans in BGs to check out that and leave the starting zones to the gankfest that will undoubtedly ensue (pvp server) Being able to fly in azeroth, see the world revamped (i always thought it was weird that id get a quest to kill hogger, and get rewarded for doing so, and then when i run back, he's still there..... I mean I killed the bastard, why is he back?

[jinkobi]

Also, all of the changes in the last year have diminished the reason many of us started boxing in the first place. No longer is putting a heroic group together such a chore, no more flying out there, summoning the lazies, dealing with DC'ers, etc etc. Other things like random BGs, dual spec, glyphs, etc etc. All of these things make me ask myself why i box in the first place?

You're just spoiled my friend... Have you tried to pug using the heroic dungeon finder? If you're anything but a tank/healer you have to wait a long time in the queue. People still DC/go AFK. Nothing has really changed. How dual specs and Glyphs figure into the equation- well you got me there.

Like the person above me mentioned- expect a movement gimmick fest. Seems like Blizz latches onto an idea and just can't let go... IE: Vehicular combat.

Movement gimmicks are the lamest thing to come to WOW in a long time for me personally. A few here and there no big deal... But when it's every fight like the new ICC 5-mans then they can take it and shove it where the sun doesn't shine. First it isn't perfected with many places it's very difficult to see the ground effect... It's just a lame gimmick and people hate it. That includes people who don't multibox-

Really my biggest concerns with the new expansion is the bringing all the classes HP closer together. For PVP that means very long drawn out fights... Fun for maybe the first 5 mins then it gets to the point who has to take a piss first. Ever watch 2 pallies who know what they're doing duel? Yeah that crap can go on forever.

If fighting another player is going to be a longer drawn out battle. Then mobs will be long drawn out fights as well. If they're trying to make it like LOTRO which seems Blizzards damned and determined goal. You will be dead if you attempt to solo more than 2-3 mobs of your same level.

I'll buy Cat and give it a chance. Sure some fundamental changes could be made to the game as it is now. I just really love how the game at this very moment. We're looking at WOW now after 5 years of polishing and they're tossing a lot of that down the drain. My only minor complaint now is that heroics aren't challenging and we're forced to do them every day. Otherwise I love my pally+druids skills/talents/way gear effects them the way it is right now and hate to see it all scrapped for an untested design.