Thursday, May 26, 2011

Tier 11 nerfs, in my 4.2?

Earlier this week Blizzard announced that with the coming of 4.2 and the Firelands, the previous tier of content would be receiving substantial changes. Essentially a 20% nerf in most abilities and health all around, it was later clarified that this was for normal modes only. As always, when things are made easier, a great cloud of mixed emotions was stirred up. Many people were displeased that content would be easily completed now, even if outdated. The question as always, is why?

Out with the old…

These type of changes are not new to the model Blizzard is implementing for raiding. Every new tier of content since the start of Wrath (arguably since Sunwell even) has essentially eliminated the previous tier from being relevant. The gear from the new is generally far superior to that of the old. Aside from achievements and “fun runs” there is little reason to run the old anymore. The majority of guilds no doubt stopped running Naxx when Ulduar hit the scene, because there was no point (aside from mind numbingly frustrating Immortal wipes).

Tier 10 brought us the Icecrown Citadel raid, which introduced a new method of making things easier. In time, an incremental, zone wide buff was given to players that capped out at 30%. This increased  health,damage and healing with each increase, making things easier for people. It was not direct nerfs like Ulduar had received back in its heyday, but it still made things easier. With how difficult ICC was without the buff (to the common player base at least) many of us would not have been able to experience ICC to its fullest without it. I can safely say my guild would not have defeated Heroic Lich King without it…and considering there were so few who did kill him without the buff, I am okay with that. Granted, ICC was still relevant at the time but the buff made things more accessible.

Tier 11 has been a challenging tier of content. Blizzard did not hold back and gave people what they wanted. This has led to mixed results. Some people like a challenge, while others are stuck because certain fights are simply unforgiving. Even those that completed the content have called it quits due to burnout. Blizzard losing 600k accounts since the launch of Cataclysm may not be a huge coincidence. Why would they want to continue something that hurts their business? Casuals or not, Blizzard works for the majority, and one would assume the majority would actually like to see and experience the content.

…but in with the old?

The outcries at the nerfs for tier 11 are confusing, mainly because it will not be relevant to most raiders once Firelands arrives. From a majority perspective (at least the majority Blizzard is aiming at) the changes will allow those that are lagging behind to catch up. Current Valor Point items will be easier to obtain once they are purchasable through Justice Points. The Troll heroics will bridge any gaps between fresh 85s and the want to raid with those toons. Allowing people to run Tier 11 raids easier will simply add to the loot pile, making the catch up a little faster, and allowing people to take the next leap into the Firelands.

This also may give new life to PuG raids. Although it will differ per server, PuGing a raid these days is no easy task. The “return” of PuG raids may also breathe new life into both the game and your server. Speaking from personal experience, there is not much life on my current server from a major raiding perspective; the only thing people seem to be able to do is Baradin Hold and a few miscellaneous bosses from the rest of the content. More PuGs (even as bad as they can be) may reignite the raiding flame for some, which can then also lead to new potential recruits for you, the more serious raiding guild.

One other item to note is that the new Legendary has hinted at requiring the completion of Tier 11 content. There have not been any other details from what I have seen so this could be simply guild related, or just having the Defender of a Shattered World title will be enough. The changes should allow guilds an easier chance at the Legendary, or at the very least to flag the quest line, since I imagine it will require some time in Firelands to complete.

In the end…does it even matter?

Despite the complaints, I do not see the changes being a problem. It may end up being a good thing to be honest. Anyone that may call it quits in anger to this decision probably had a foot out the door already. Keep in mind that all the changes are for Normal mode only, the Heroic modes will be unchanged (for now at least) and probably still frustratingly hard for some. Firelands may also let others finally finish up Heroic Tier 11 (Hai 2 u Sinestra) with the increase of gear, or farm more Valor Points since 7 bosses may not meet the weekly cap.

But hey, at least melee are still getting screwed, amirite!?

Because making a Linkin Park reference was probably a low blow…

~Szayel

1 comment:

  1. So silent around here, hope you didn't give up on blogging already! It started out well, hope you find some motivation to come back :)

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