Cataclysm Beta, the Q&A megathread

[zYN]

Hi all!

With the NDA lifted, we're free to discuss the Cataclysm alpha/beta (whatever you want to call it). Some of us have been playing it for a while now and we'd be more than happy to share tons of stuff with you. We just don't know where to even begin!

Feel free to ask anything you've been wondering about the expansion at all. We're going to do our best to try and answer.

(Note: Detailed class-related questions will get their own threads shortly. Feel free to post questions about classes too though until they get their own thread; answers to these aren't guaranteed however.)


P.S. We've also got a few REALLY (yes, it really is caps-worthy!) cool things planned out. We'll let you know shortly in the news section! Hell, I'm even excited about it myself. Hopefully (if we can just get it sorted), we'll be including a competition too!


Few screenshots for fun:

[meth]

Sounds like great times are coming for those who like and support the guild :) Having been in the Alpha myself I'd like to ask you about your opinion about the Goblin starting town, where you spend the first 5-6 levels.

For those who haven't seen it so far: It is a very technocratic place due to the Goblins being engineers and thus is very very different from the rest of the WoW world look & feel. It is some kind of steampunk / more modern place.

I personally enjoyed it while it lasted but as soon as I left wondered what it was all about and if it really fit into the world or was just a playground for the Blizzard designers to do some stuff that wouldn't fit anywhere else in the world.

What do you think about it?

Screenshots can be found here: http://www.mmo-champion.com/content/1655

[Verxz]

I have to ask: Is that car goblin mount? :D

[meth]

I have to ask: Is that car goblin mount? :D

It is a temporary "mount" that you get in the starter area and that, in the Alpha at least, lasted until you were finished in that zone.

[tuutti]

Added cataclysm gallery: http://paragon-wow.com/gallery/13/

[zYN]

What do you think about it?

I haven't actually finished the zone yet. I've been meaning to for a long while now already, but I've always found something more interesting to do. There's some ok quests and I do kind of dig the humor in it - I'll finish it first before I pass any real judgement. 8]

I did absolutely love the Worgen starting zone though. The quests etc were pretty awesome, I haven't had as much fun leveling a fresh character since I rolled a DK. There's an actual story there, even. Only frustrations were pretty much due to really severe bugs (ie, not being able to continue any quests after getting instakilled by a bug), but those aren't going to last for long (if they even exist anymore).


Still, on the coolness scale? Goblins >>>>>>> Worgen. By far. 8]

[meth]

Yeah but does it feel "right" for you in WoW? I agree, the Worgen starting area is awesome. I had tons of fun there as well. Really great feeling.

[Dragoonahn]

Hello,

I have a couple Lock questions, since I won't be in on the beta, just curious.

How is the new Soul Shard system? Does it make life easier, or is it more complicated with how it actually functions? Any details on this subject would be appreciated.

Also, in your opinion will Aff still be the best leveling spec? Or will there be a new one. I suspect Demo may be strong now for leveling with the new changes, but wondering what you think.

I appreciate the response.

Thanks!!

[zYN]

How is the new Soul Shard system? Does it make life easier, or is it more complicated with how it actually functions? Any details on this subject would be appreciated.

Also, in your opinion will Aff still be the best leveling spec?

Soul shard system is, in a word, awesome. You have no idea how much I hated the old shard system. Or actually, you might, as you play a lock as well. The most awesome thing about it is that you don't have to keep draining for shards. Summoning pets, creating healthstones etc don't need any.


The new shard mechanics:
Shard UI, displaying the 3 shards:

->




Basically, you can boost a number of spells with Soulburn. It's not hard to use, really, it's just something you'll need to try out a few times and learn. I'll write the detailed info on the boosted spells and what they do (currently) if you want it and edit this post.

You can also quickly regain shards (and some health) with Soul Harvest, which is a new baseline skill.


Another very interesting change is that the curse system got revamped - damaging curses are now Banes (of Agony and of Doom) and can overlap with Curse of Weakness and Curse of Elements for example.

The reason I mentioned that change (which is quite nice already) is that there's a new goddamn awesome talent called Bane of Havoc. It's a 21-pointer in Destruction tree. You can cast it on a target, and 15% of the damage you do is also dealt to the Baned target. You can cleave with it (imagine Twins in ToC) or you can cast it on a boss mob when AoE'ing (imagine Anub'Arak, Lich King etc).


And yes, at the moment Affliction (in my opinion, of course) is an excellent leveling spec. I'd choose it over the others.

[Dragoonahn]

The reason I mentioned that change (which is quite nice already) is that there's a new goddamn awesome talent called Bane of Havoc. It's a 21-pointer in Destruction tree. You can cast it on a target, and 15% of the damage you do is also dealt to the Baned target. You can cleave with it (imagine Twins in ToC) or you can cast it on a boss mob when AoE'ing (imagine Anub'Arak, Lich King etc).


And yes, at the moment Affliction (in my opinion, of course) is an excellent leveling spec. I'd choose it over the others.

Thanks so much!

I never really minded the soul shard system too much during a raid, as I rolled Aff and always had like 25-30 shards on me. It did suck when I was Destro or Demo though. But it will be nice not having to find a dummy to farm shards off before a raid. lol

I had read up on Soulburn and it sounds cool, but I also thought it may add a new level of complexity to a rotation. (Basically another CD to be watching) But it sounds like it's not that bad.

Bane of Havoc sounds amazing. Unfortunately, I prefer Affliction. But I guess I'll be switching specs on a per fight basis anyway. And you're right, that would have been mighty handy on Anub. =)

Thanks again for the info, I appreciate it.