Nethaera: "We do have class changes planned for patch 2.4.0."
by Daniel Whitcomb 
Feb 13th 2008 at 2:15PM
In a thread on the General forums, Nethaera's spoken up to clarify a few issues in regards to the current patch and continued testing. She explains that with all of the major classes changes in 2.3.2, they wanted to see how they played out before adding more. However, they do in fact have more class changes planned for the current patch. In addition, she states that the patch notes will be the main thing to watch when figuring out when more of the "progressive patching" takes place. She also clarifies that it is not their intention to create huge "undocumented" changes, and that if there are any currently undocumented, they will go into the patch notes soon.
The news that there are more class changes to come should be welcome for classes that feel that Blizzard hasn't been paying enough attention to them lately, especially Shamans. However, since we don't know for sure what the changes will be, and we were told earlier that there won't be any sweeping changes to classes this patch, we may not want to hold our breaths. Either way, with any luck, we'll see our first batch of progressive changes soon, so we can figure out what to expect when the PTRs close and it all goes live.
Filed under: Patches, Blizzard, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Snailking Feb 13th 2008 2:44PM
Remember Diablo 2? Shaman totems should be like the druid buffs froom D2. You cast them, but they come with you. Still vulnerable to damage, etc. It's not great, but it's better than the way it is now.
Callandra Feb 13th 2008 3:01PM
If everyone with a tiny dagger could dispel any of my buffs, I think that I'd be pretty upset too.
pantear Feb 13th 2008 3:20PM
And thus the reason Priests whine about Inner Fire.
EM Feb 13th 2008 3:23PM
(1) Shaman totems need to have X percentage of the casting shaman's unbuffed HP. I'm not sure what X should be (I'm thinking 20% - remember that they don't have any damage mitigation or avoidance) and it would have to be balanced in testing. I can't even imagine PVPing with a totem-centric shaman, the very notion gives me a headache.
(2) Totems need to follow the shaman around when he moves. And just so it doesn't look silly having a stick roaming around on its own, make it so if the shaman moves out of buff range of the totem, the totem simply teleports to the shaman's new location with no break in effect (for the shaman - teammates will have to continue to stay close to the totem for effect). Farming and questing with shamans is a colossal pain in the neck because of the totems' immobility (which basically negates the mobility benefit shamans get from having so many insta-cast spells).
That's all. Just those two changes and I'd actually play my benched shaman alt.
Algorithm Feb 13th 2008 3:34PM
What I find hilarious is that shamans, the purge monkeys that they are, are complaining about having their buffs dispelled. Do you know how much harder to dispatch a totem is that clicking purge on what you ALREADY have targeted? It doesn't have anything to do with the health of the totems. It takes cast time, mobility, global cooldown etc.
(note: author of this post does not consider shamans purge monkeys, term used for display purposes only)
Algorithm Feb 13th 2008 3:39PM
*Do you know how much harder to dispatch a totem is thaN clicking purge on what you ALREADY have targeted?
(Please note: I like shamans, but this constant whining is making mages look like troopers)
What is it with WoWInsider all of the sudden as the champion of poor shamans?
What about other classes? Warlocks are always talking about that thing problem doohiky with corruption and how it is their forgotten DoT! And rogues are all like "mobility issues are a built in downside to my class, Blizzard fix this!"
Frostwolf Feb 13th 2008 3:40PM
Shamans do need love immediately. I'm leveling one right now and I'm beginning to understand the QQing... He's 66 right now.
Fizzl Feb 13th 2008 2:58PM
Secret News from inside blizzard, Mages are becoming the 4th tank class!
Algorithm Feb 13th 2008 3:25PM
LIES! LIES AND TREACHERY!
I did hear they'll be getting a 50 yard fireball and arcane spells will now burn mana.
OK, that's complete BS, but I would be pretty happy about it :P
Unfor Feb 13th 2008 3:35PM
Christ....what do u guys want next? You want shield and defense abilities so you can tank? If all the shammy QQ/ wishes come into effect....there would be no need for other classes. Totems are fine the way they are.
censorman Feb 13th 2008 4:05PM
1 - you don't play a shaman. read a book. git sum educated.
2 - totems are fine.
3 - Ele needs a CC escape,
4 - Enh could use a cc-esque slow. FS and EB are a joke if you are trying to MELEE someone. Enh needs a speed UP or a significant target slowing mechanic.
5 - Resto is great, but could use a faster heal so we can 5v5. if we don't get it, oh well. (blizz said not all trees are pvp viable. Resto is great 2v2 and decent 3v3, but a joke in 5v5. Find me a 2000+ team with 2 resto shaman or resto shaman without a REAL healer backing him up.)
When I beat other classes it's not cause I rolled my face across the keyboard like a lock/rogue/huntard. If a shaman beats you, it's cause you suck.
Good_Idea Feb 13th 2008 7:14PM
20 yard immobile buffs that can be destroyed faster than I can make them (at no mana cost) with a single pet/wand macro are not cool. Sorry.
^^ That's just to start.
Naix Feb 13th 2008 3:35PM
Dear Blizzard,
Please fix the Disc tree for Priests. It blows. Thanks and have a great day.
Love
Everyone who rolled a Priest cause Paladins were alliance only at the time.
Unfor Feb 13th 2008 3:42PM
This place is becoming more and more like a soapbox for some of it's writers. No longer a solid point of authority and breaking news, insider tidbits and basically a good place to come to find out more about the game we all know and love. Credibility...it leaks from this place as each day passes.
Is there anyone in charge of this ship? Who overseas and edits this crap before it's released?
Algorithm Feb 13th 2008 4:38PM
WoW Insider is like Warcraft from the eyes of a horde shaman. :)
Here are the pro-shaman posts in 2008. I challenge you to find as many for ANY other class. "How Would They Fix Shamans?" "Shamans Disappointed Again in 2.4" "what if shaman were given a mana drain totem somewhere in the next ten levels?"
The horde thing I get. Every good horde loves his faction. But the shaman thing baffles me.
theRaptor Feb 13th 2008 8:39PM
You are obviously a new reader and don't listen to the podcast. The writers are supposed to have an opinion and provide analysis, or else why wouldn't you just go to elitistjerks.com/worldofraids.com for bland regurgitation of patch notes and blue posts?
I think you don't get the distinction between columnist and journalist.
Chingao Feb 13th 2008 4:15PM
Shamans. Hmm. Does any class see a shaman and think, oh crap.. better keep my distance. LOL. Nope, cuz they aint feared.
I'm thinking, they need some fear. What's a shaman about? Nature and Totems. Well you know what, how about if you see a shaman and he's surrounded by, hmm, totems, you say to yourself, DANGER.
I'm for making totems tougher and having them buff a shaman a bit more than the party. I'm thinking if a shaman is surrounded by all 4 natures, he should be a force to be reckoned with. Now, get him/her out of his 4 poles and they are easier to contend with. Just dont get caught inside or its lights out.. hahah... Kinda like a ToW on steroids. I know, its sounds lame, but makes sense to a point dont it?
The bad side to this of course, is Shamans will be tied to immovable totems.. but that is always a problem.. It all ties back to totems, right now their like tissue paper, weak but helps remove snot.
Lucas Feb 13th 2008 4:19PM
T6 2 Piece set is to give a bunch of extra spell crit (ele set) if all totems are out.
This should be passive, we should get bonuses for using our class to the most.
RogueJedi86 Feb 13th 2008 4:48PM
Well Shaman Totems do have to be immobile, otherwise they're just Paladin Auras with different abilities.
amasen Feb 13th 2008 7:28PM
Actually in competitive arena Shaman are the number 1 kill target in almost all teams. Their burst damage and group utility are insane.
Windfury + a full s3 warrior = 2 shotted squishy
Bloodlust that isn't dispelled = impossible to out-heal burst damage.
Totems are fine. If they add health totems, shaman will become the new druid of 2v2...
However, shaman do need a way to get out of CC/snares. Possibly a low CD totem :D