Mages and Rogues jump in Arena stats, while Hunters fall behind
by Mike Schramm 
Jun 5th 2008 at 4:30PM
Of course, these are stats, and what these stats actually mean is up to you (and more importantly, up to Blizzard -- this is just a sign of who's getting which rankings at which levels, and this could be the result of many different things, so there's no reason to expect buffs or nerfs based on just this information). Still, it's a pretty clear look at just who's winning out there, for whatever reason -- the stats say Mages have done well the past few months, while Hunters continue to struggle inside the Arenas.
[via WoR]
Filed under: Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Analysis / Opinion, Ranking, Odds and ends, PvP, Arena
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mario Jun 5th 2008 5:50PM
Hunters have so much they can dump out at their disposal. Buffs are not needed. The problem with representation in arenas is that hunters are probably a populated class, more people the more good or bad players. With a class like a hunter, bad players will most likely choose it. We can take shaman for example. Their population the lowest (last time I checked, I may be wrong) and as you can see, their representation is rather high.
adam3039 Jun 5th 2008 5:52PM
Hunter PVP is broken. Nuff said. (Im not a hunter)
Hybrys Jun 5th 2008 5:56PM
Except for the fact that these charts are based solely on high end composition, if you read it. Hunters are not viable in high ends compared to other classes.
Michael Jun 5th 2008 5:53PM
My opinion: let hunters wear plate.
(and reduce the Intimidation cool-down to 3 sec, maybe?)
John Jun 5th 2008 6:00PM
As A hunter i think that is just BS. There is no reason for a hunter to wear plate, and lore wise, if a hunter wears plate, why not all classes?
I don't think hunters are broken in PVP, I admit my rating has never been over the 1500 starting rating, and i usually sit around the high 1400's. Hunter is easymode in PvE, why not be one of the hardest to PvP well?
My biggest complaint in arenas is LoS issues...nothing worse than a damnable tree running circles around a pillar, HoT'ing that damnable 'Loc DoT'ing as they dance the may pole.
adam3039 Jun 5th 2008 6:15PM
No matter how badass you are at playing your hunter, everyone knows there are obvious problems. And I'm not talking about "Lawl BM hunter, 1 button". MM has obvious mana issues, ESPECIALLY in arena, even with the buff to AotV. Its not that "hunters should have to work hard at pvp", but they should atleast stand a chance
Chris Jun 5th 2008 5:52PM
The bigger story is the complete lack of Paladin representation. Just a PvE class...I suppose.
Come on blizz - help a Paladin out! Just one HoT!!!
Super_Duck Jun 5th 2008 7:11PM
Atleast you are good in one bracket (5v5)
pheral Jun 6th 2008 3:07PM
You're kidding, right? Are we looking at the same graph?
And you are still begging for lifebloom?!
Chris Jun 6th 2008 3:42PM
Uh, Resto Druids are the very definition of OP in PvP.
Paladins have to deal with line of sight issues, and mobility. Run a 2v2 against a lock/resto druid with a paladin and some dps - watch them run the merry-go-round.
STereo Jun 5th 2008 6:08PM
How much proof do you need that hunter pvp is broken. Clearly those who argue against the needed buffs are doing it to protect their own OP status. Four seasons of being cheated out of arena play for hunters. And Blizzard still does nothing.
pheral Jun 6th 2008 3:25PM
Are we really on season five already? Oh wait, we aren't... I really think you are doing something wrong with your hunter to think they are THAT broken. Also, keep in mind that these stats show the members of the classes that are representing in arena. I see a ton of hunters in BGs. I rarely come across any in arena. I think a lot of them just sit back and wait for stats like this to come out so they can claim to have a reason for not playing. A lot of hunters suck, let's face it. I'm not saying it is balanced, but it is far from the hopeless scenario that you are painting.
Pifoah Jun 5th 2008 6:16PM
I'm a hunter. I don't QQ over this. All classes and specs are good at something. Hunters breeze through leveling and questing and in raids can put out great dps without being super geared. We have a lot at our disposal for pvp, but mainly for BG's (tracking, ranged dmg, aspects, traps, and more).
If we are underrepresented in high end arena, it doesn't mean our pvp is broken (hunters do VERY well in BG's), it just means we aren't great in arena. And you know what? That's OK!! We can't expect to get everything we want. someone asked for us to wear plate. Next we'll ask for a HoT, three concurrent pets, and a res.
Hunters are great for other things. If your goal is arena, don't play a hunter, OR pioneer a unique style that works (there are hunters out there who do very well).
Ikarus Jun 6th 2008 2:47PM
I completely agree with Pifoah. Hunters (If played well) can own in the BG's. If we make them stronger because they are lagging in the arena's how will that effect BG's, world PvP etc? Too many ppl use the terms "Arena" and "PvP" interchangeably. Yes, arena equals PvP, but PvP does not equal arena.
pheral Jun 6th 2008 3:16PM
I have had the most fun in arena playing Ring of Blood. I only play 2v2s, but that seems to be the only stage where I can really run around to some extent in order to get use from my class. Hopefully some new arena layouts will help, but I couldn't say that there are no balance issues. As stated, the class is a blast in BGs. I don't think their arena ability should be sacrificed due to them being versatile in battlegrounds though.
The hardest part is seing all of the insane suggestions people have to "balance" the class such as giving us plate, or doing away with mana. I trust blizzard knows their stats and are working on balancing the class. In the meantime I just treat it as an uphill battle. I mean, hey, back in the day there was a deadzone between melee and ranged. Remember how annoying THAT was?!
knid Jun 5th 2008 6:30PM
The chart posted in the above doesn't really show a very good representation on what the numbers mean. Going back to the example with mages, the representation is still very low. A 100% increase in the high mage ratings has brought them to a 15.7% of the expected representation in the 2v2 bracket when the expected number is 100%. Warlocks have dropped 33% in their 2v2 representation but the actual representation is 94%. In other words, there is still approximately three times as many warlocks as mages in the 2v2 bracket.
The true test of the balancing changes would be to see if the class in question starts approaching the 90-110% zone on expected population. Warlocks and priests appear to be fairly balanced in the 2v2 arenas. Warriors, druids and rogues are well over represented. Mages, shamans, hunters, and paladins are significntly underrepresented.
Going back to the mage example, one would need to have closer to 1500% increase to bring them into line with the expected numbers rather than the 100%. Effectively, the change is insignificant.
drew Jun 5th 2008 6:48PM
Your right. The graph shown on the post shows some growth since April, but you really need to look at the June numbers alone to see that despite good growth numbers for mages they still fair horribly in the 2v2 brack.
Heleth Jun 5th 2008 6:59PM
It only helps if you see the charts together.
Gryphon Hall Jun 5th 2008 10:07PM
Please make hunter DoTs better... that's all I ask. Poisoned arrows should be as feared in arena as warlocks cursing everyone.
pheral Jun 6th 2008 3:29PM
Resillience being the anti-dot, I don't see this suggestion getting much play.