What’s up with 2.4?

February 21, 2008 No comments

Hello there. I have been reading and researching a lot on the changes that patch 2.4 will bring recently.

I’m writing this post, because I want to share some of my thoughts and rambling with you.

The combat log has undergone improvements that allow more robust combat filtering including the ability to define custom colors for enemies and friends as well as combat filtering for self and others.

Well, we had seen a preview of the new combat log at BlizzCon 2007, so this does not come unexpected. But I’m very happy to see it released before WotLK. We will see how this turns out, but I can see myself finally using the combat log after all.
The combined forces of Shattrath have launched an attack on the Isle of Quel’Danas, to confront Kael’thas and the Legion at the Sunwell and surrounding areas. Players will now be able to gain reputation with the Shattered Sun Offensive and participate in a new set of daily quests.
Very nice. A whole new zone. Looks very impressive so far, and daily quests, especially a lot in one place, is a huge plus in my book.
Spirit-Based Mana Regeneration: This system has been adjusted so that as your intellect rises, you will regenerate more mana per point of spirit.
I have done a bit of digging on various theorycrafting sites and got my hands on the new generalized formula:

MP5 = 5 * ( 0.001 + ( SQRT( Intellect ) * Spirit * 0.009327 ) )

This is massive. The change results in a lot more mana regeneration than before if you are not totally gimping your intellect or your spirit.

I suppose this has been done to make some room for spell haste on healing items. I think we have to see how this works out, but you can consider me intrigued.
Diminishing returns on honor for kills is being eliminated. Honor will now be instantly calculated, and available for player use.
Since most honor is gained from dailies and mission objectives in the battlegrounds, I suppose this is the next logical step to streamline the whole honor system. A nice change for sure.
Enchanting recipe to shatter a Void Crystal into two Large Prismatic Shards.
Finally!!!OneEleven…
At long last a usage for all the Void Crystals our guild has gathered by disenchanting unwanted Karazhan gear.
New Fishing Daily Quests! Visit the mysterious old man fishing at Silmyr Lake outside of Shattrath City to discover what treasures he has to offer.
I have to admit that I really like fishing. I don’t have a char with max-rank yet, but I’m working on it. The rewards sound very nice so far.
All 25-player raid bosses have had their cash drops increased and now drop Badges of Justice! Additionally all 25- player raid bosses that drop set tokens will now drop an additional token!
We are just beginning to kill Maulgar and are still struggling with Gruul. But it will surely be a nice reward for all players who would have gone away empty-handed before this change. It definitely increases the re-playability of many lower 25 player encounters.
Players will no longer require an attunement quest to enter Hyjal and the Black Temple.
At first I was not sure what to think. Opening those dungeons for public access is surely a large change.
But if you think long and hard, you may realize that this is a good thing. Blizzard seems to go for "Skill before Gear" by going down this path.

Think about it. If you have some truly awesome players with only mediocre equipment, why should they not be able to prevail in the endgame content right of the bat. Why should they have to go though the lower tier dungeons multiple times in order to attune each and every member of their raid group?

This change helps recruitment, raid progress and put’s your "have-been-done-that" below your "want-to-can-do", if you know what I mean.
Loot dropped by Doom Lord Kazzak and Doomwalker has been changed to Bind on Equip. In addition, the cash dropped by these bosses has been significantly increased.
This is another change that favors raid progression and will help to fund some guild banks.