Paladins To Me!
Cataclysm
is as close to a complete “Do Over” as I could
ever imagine. Every aspect of the game will be modified when Cataclysm
launches. Blizzard appears to be reversing...
Paladins To Me!
src="/image/view/73516">
Cataclysm
is as close to a complete “Do Over” as I could
ever imagine. Every aspect of the game will be modified when Cataclysm
launches. Blizzard appears to be reversing its two year trend of adding
more
and more stats and character values such as Defense, Spell Power, Block
Value,
MP5, etc. With the removal of
these ancillary systems, new ways of scaling will be employed through
base
stats (intellect, strength, etc.). We don’t know much as yet,
and what we do
know is likely to change prior to launch, but that doesn’t
mean we can’t do
some window shopping does it!?
As the
world of Azeroth is torn asunder, we really want to
know only one thing; What does this mean to my Paladin? I hear you
friends,
that was my first thought too. Re-vamping of the whole world, great.
Allowing
more classes to be Paladins (i.e. Tauren), I say bring it on.
src="/image/view/73511">
So
far, information is sparse, but there are a few things we
can glean for our beloved class. As one of the only classes not
specifically
discussed (unlike Hunters and Warlocks who got all the love this
time!), we
have to dig around the edges of the different panels and see what we
can scrape
out. There will definitely be class specific changes in areas like the
talent
trees and the new Path of the Titans. For now we’re going to
focus on the
changes to the major roles (DPS, Healer, Tank) we can play, namely all
of them!
Following are some brief discussions about what we know so far. Of
course everything
is subject to change and it will prior to the launch of Cataclysm.
We’re not
ones to shy away from some speculation though are we?
style="">Change can be Good
style="width: 164px; height: 287px;" alt="Worgen"
src="/image/view/73512">
After
reviewing the information it appears that Blizzard Is
not only slimming down the number of stats we’ll have to keep
track of, but
they may be reducing the amount of gear that we will need to carry
around. In
many of the panels they discussed the goal of using talent specs to
change the
effects of armor. This could mean that a tanking helm could turn into a
DPS
helm with a quick dual spec-changeroo. I like this theory a lot and
hope I can
stop carrying around 4 sets of gear (DPS, Holy, Protection, PvP).
style="">Changes for the
Protection Paladins
Tanking
is changing completely in terms of optimal gear and
stats. Defense is out the window along with attack power and as
discussed above
we may be able to make one piece of gear work for many talent builds.
With so
many options of how the new tanking models will evolve it is difficult
to guess
where we will end up. Many times AoE tanking was mentioned so
I’m a bit nervous
of the seeming over-powered nature of Paladin tanks. I also hope we
aren’t
pigeon-holed into trash tanking. The net effect of what I’ve
seen so far makes
me quite optimistic about the changes. Sticking with the simplicity
theory, it
makes sense that shield-bearers are losing block value since the other
two
tanks can’t use that stat. It should simplify gear allocation
a bit between the
three plate-wearing tanks. From the realm of the unknown, we have no
idea how
re-forging and the professions will change the formulas either. There
is so
much to look forward to!
Healing gets an
Overhaul
As
with some of the defense statistics, MP5 and spellpower
are both going away. MP5 was largely ignored by Paladin healing so it
won’t be
missed, but spellpower is an easy benchmark to view and improve.
Instead of
watching these two off-stats we’re back to stacking Intellect
and Spirit (if
needed). At first glance the changes aren’t too game
changing, but the discussions
on haste had my spidey senses tingling. Haste may be one of those
oft-ignored
stats that become critical in the future. One last interesting tidbit
was the
health of healers, it seems the clothy and leather versions are going
to get
additional health. If Paladins can get more health in healing gear
Arenas could
get a whole lot more fun!
[protip]
Armor Penetration, one of the least considered stats, will finally be
taken out of the game and we will no longer need to ignore it.[/protip]
style="">It’s not what we
know, it’s what we don’t know.
We
just got our first taste of the new expansion. Thankfully
it doesn’t taste like Mountan Dew. There are some sweet
changes in store for
us, but so much is unknown. Blizzard doesn’t typically talk
about something
unless they are fairly confident it’s going to happen (save
your Ghost
comments), so I am cautiously optimistic about the changes
we’re seeing so far.
No specific news was delivered about Retribution, but bet your bottom
copper
we’re on the watch for it.
src="/image/view/73513">
Stay
tuned for many months of predictions, guesses, outrage
and joy as we learn more about Cataclysm.
To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our World of Warcraft Game Page.
