Sept. 25, 2007

We do love a challenge

The latest patch went live yesterday, finally. Nothing new to note about the patch that wasn’t already brought up in previous TKA updates. Ok, well, a few things. First, make sure to keep an eye on what paladin blessings your pet is getting. According to Hortus:

Most pets are counted as warriors in regard to group buffs.

Which means pets might not be getting the buffs you want them to have, depending on how your paladins buff (like, Blessing of Light). Too, the Relentless Earthstorm Diamond (the meta gem of “choice” for most hunters) now only affects physical “special” attacks/Arcane Shot and not regular ones (Auto Shot). I have not tested this for myself, but it was previously pointed out on the PTR forum/Bug forum, and still has yet to be acknowledged as either newly intentional or as a bug. Not thinking the paladin buff thing will be changed (the blue comment seemed pretty concrete that this is intentional) but if I hear more about the Diamond issue, I’ll make sure to mention it.

Sept. 12, 2007

When it rains, it pours

What’s this? What’s this? Another comment about hunter issues? Has anyone checked around them for any obvious signs of the apocalypse? Heard any Horsemen hoofbeats (outside of Naxxramas, of course)? Knowing is half the battle, isn’t it? From Drysc, today:

We have plans to adjust how quickly a hunter’s pet will level if there’s a large gap between it and the hunter’s level. However, it’s still just a plan and not something we’ve implemented and thus are not ready to discuss it.

Now, I confess – I’ve leveled SO many pets up that I have a system now. While it’s not exactly quick, it’s profitable but also mind-numbing, making it easy for me to sympathize with people who don’t want the hassle of the current method. I’m glad pet experience gain is at least being looked at, but I don’t really want to see pets 'instantly’ becoming the Hunter’s level. Many compare Hunter pets with Warlock pets and the comparison, while not apples and oranges, doesn’t really fit the… ugh, ok, I hate to use this word, but LORE of the Hunter. Demons are summoned creatures. Hunter pets are something we’re supposed to bond with over time. So, faster experience gain, sure. Instant? No thanks.

Sept. 3, 2007

Ring if there's anything else you want

Perhaps my Ancient Sinew Wrapped Lamina will now be able to find its way to the graveyard where all overused gear goes to die. Today, from Drysc, in response to a question regarding moving quivers/ammo pouches to its own slot (like the keyring):

Moving them off to their own slot isn’t something we’re looking to do at the moment, but we are looking in to helping with the … lacking quiver/ammo pouch sizes.

All I can say is – FINALLY!

Aug. 23, 2007

We're making a statement

The haste rating change seems official, as its made it into the Test Realm Patch notes.

• Haste: Haste has been rebalanced. It has returned to the ratios from the launch of Burning Crusade. Melee attacks and spell casts will now benefit at identical rates from haste. This change results in a reduction in the benefit of haste for melee attacks and an increase in the benefit for spellcasters.

Full credit to Curse for cornering Tigole at the Leipzig Games Convention and getting some answers about Hunter issues (more than I got out of Blizzcon!):

From there we asked him two questions directly related to Hunters, since the class has been somewhat neglected in recent interviews and discussions. Hunters rejoice; we asked about the possibility of the Woodworking profession being added to create arrows, and he says that it’s an idea that they’re seriously tossing around and it may see the light of day in the future.

Finally, Blizzard realizes that Hunters are a bit weak in arenas, especially in 5v5 when compared to other classes, so they’re toying around with ideas of ways to improve their desirability. One idea is to give them a Mortal Strike-like shot that will reduce healing effectiveness on the target of the shot.

Aug. 16, 2007

Who is the little one, a pet perhaps?

More PTR changes. Because I’m a glass half full type of person, I’ll note first that it seems like the Rift Stalker issue with Auto Shot has been 'fixed’ – so now all our shots work towards Health Link as well as traps and melee as mentioned in the previous update. Not really in the good category but just something to note, as well, is the fact that pets no longer receive 0 happiness when they’re 'full’, it will continue to tick 1 happiness. Just something to watch for in terms of overfeeding.

Now for the glass half empty part. Although I myself never jumped on the Scorpid bandwagon (they just weren’t my style, what can I say), it seems that Scorpid Poison was finally changed so it’s no longer turning out high poison tick numbers. This has been reported from numerous sources, and I jumped onto the PTR to test it myself. With full pet happiness (125%), Beastial Wrath, Bloodlust Broach (278AP for 20 seconds) and Ferocious Inspiration, the maximum I could get it to tick for on multiple trials on one of the Servants in Blasted Lands was 214 per at 5 stacks. Obviously, I wasn’t raid buffed, but this is well shy of the huge numbers it was previously putting out. If you want to look for an upside, Rank 5 Scorpid Poison now lasts 10 seconds and has had its damage upped to 55 (from 44).

Haste Rating, also, has been changed (unsure if this is intentional or not), no official word on that yet. Well, we didn’t get confirmation as intentional on the Scorpid Poison thing either, but honestly, you’re fooling yourself if you’re hoping Blizzard will change it back. Haste on the other hand… as an example, 10 Haste right now gives you 0.95% Haste, on the PTR it’s 0.63% Haste.

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