Blizzard previews new Arenas
by Mike Schramm 
Nov 6th 2008 at 12:30PM
The Ring of Valor is a new space in Orgrimmar -- it features an elevator that rises up to a starting position that leaves players in close proximity, and then there is a set of fire obstacles and two moving pillars that can be used to as many tactical advantages that you can come up with. The other space, the Dalaran Sewers, also mixes in a few line-of-sight tricks, including a periodic waterfall that blocks LoS and a raised platform in the middle that can only be reached via two sets of stairs on diagonal sides.
Personally, I think the new mechanics are exciting, but then again I've played maybe four Arena matches in my life -- word I'm getting from most of the Arena players I know is that these changes add a little too much RNG to the maps (considering the all the obstacles are timed, they're not really random, but that's just what I think). What say you, Arena players?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Virtual selves, Blizzard, PvP, Guides, Wrath of the Lich King, Arena
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Lazaros Nov 6th 2008 12:36PM
These arena's are acutally live atm
Optimuze Nov 6th 2008 12:34PM
How are these Arenas going to be for Hunters?
Freedomfighter Nov 7th 2008 7:16PM
Hunters have been fine. I did arenas with a hunter in 2v2 for S3 and S4 and it went fine. Hunters have plenty of viable comps.
2v2
H/druid
H/priest
3v3
H/lock/druid
H/priest/druid
5v5
4 dps
or some weird euro like nihilim did
Netherscourge Nov 6th 2008 12:35PM
Just what Hunters need... more LoS-based Arena's making us even more useless...
We're already bottom-feeders Blizzard... but did you really have to rub it in even more?
Sheesh...
Max Nov 6th 2008 12:38PM
You think HUNTERS have it bad?
try playing a mage.
at least you can get an instant shot off. we have to fucking sit still and CAST for 2.5 seconds
Manatank Nov 6th 2008 12:40PM
I think you are doing it wrong.
Fold Nov 6th 2008 12:41PM
You can't be serious .... Mages are one of the most powerful classes right now.
Max Nov 6th 2008 12:43PM
lol. I get your point. But when it comes down to getting off the all-too-crucial shatter, mages are completely useless without a skilled rogue on their team.
Fold Nov 6th 2008 12:39PM
another confirmation that they're live already...
The Org arena is horrible for stealthers, since they can mount out of the gate and be right on top of you in seconds to bring you out of stealth. Might as well give the other team the win before the match is even played.
Vernard Nov 6th 2008 12:42PM
OH goody like we aint already tired of druids running around pillars casting hots like crazy while our abilitys say "Cant see the target"
some of us have a casting bar blizzard
Max Nov 6th 2008 12:44PM
exactly.
Fold Nov 6th 2008 12:45PM
I haven't played the Dalaran arena yet, but in the Org map it's much much harder for a druid (or any class) to "pillar hump." The pillar retracts into the floor periodically leaving you no LOS defense.
Bootsanator Nov 6th 2008 12:43PM
First thing I notice on the official page.......I thought emotes didn't work in arena, was i wrong?
mbenitez1992 Nov 6th 2008 1:08PM
As far as I've seen normal emotes do but all custom emotes come as '-name- makes strange gestures' even to fellow hordies. All /say and /yell will come out as '-name- yells something to his teammates' or something. This was introduced to stop verbal abuse.
Netherscourge Nov 6th 2008 12:48PM
Hide-and-Go-Seek arenas kill Hunters PvP viability.
So now we can add "Elevator Jumping" to the "Pillar Humping" shenanigans...
native Nov 6th 2008 12:52PM
I'm really looking forward to getting involved in Arena competition once Blizzard gets the classes all balanced.
:)
Adesworth Nov 6th 2008 12:59PM
I wish I had your confidence.
Candina@WH Nov 6th 2008 1:02PM
adesworth, I believe that was... um.. sarcasm. :-)
Balius Nov 6th 2008 12:55PM
Honestly, I think arenas in general are broken, but that these new ones are less broken than the current arenas. Yeah, you're going to have LOS issues, but unless the arena is a completely open circle 30 yards across, that's going to be an issue no matter what. At least in the Org arena, the pillars disappear, changing the fight so you aren't just playing ring-around-the-pillar.
Náttálfur Nov 6th 2008 1:03PM
make 1 just a circle 35 radius wide. = )