Patch 3.3 PTR: Limited attempts to clear Icecrown
by Matt Low 
Nov 15th 2009 at 9:00AM
You know how in Trial of the Grand Crusader, you only get 50 attempts before the instance is shut down for your raid group? It seems like a similar mechanic is being implemented in here for Icecrown. When I was in it, I noticed we had 3000 of 3000 attempts remaining. I don't think this is the final number. Remember, this is on a test server so the chances are probable that it's just a placeholder figure.
Some ideas
- 150 - 200 attempts: In Trial of the Grand Crusader, we had 50 attempts to use against 5 bosses. Assuming it's going to be a similar ratio of attempts to bosses, I think we'll see a range between 150 - 200 attempts.
- Heroic mode only: We saw this counter on normal mode. But could it just be for the heroic enabled bosses that count towards the meter? Either that, or it could be that any boss attempts on normal or heroic will count toward it.
- Rewards and achievements: Lastly, I suspect we'll see some possible item rewards and achievements based on the amount of attempts we have remaining. Right now there aren't any but we could be seeing some added later on.
Patch 3.3 is the last major patch of Wrath of the Lich King. With the new Icecrown Citadel 5-man dungeons and 10/25-man raid arriving soon, patch 3.3 will deal the final blow to Arthas. WoW.com's Guide to Patch 3.3 will keep you updated with all the latest patch news.Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Andrew R. Nov 15th 2009 9:04AM
Maybe they're going for realism? If you can't take down Arthas after X attempts you and your party must retreat to repair, heal from their wounds and rest before going after him again.
Mynarc Nov 15th 2009 10:33AM
and by failing x amount of times you've just given the lich king about "x times 10" or "x times 25" new epic geared bodies to play with and therefore take over the world with
Jamie Nov 15th 2009 9:09AM
Hmmm... 3000 is a fairly large number, but our lead mathematicians & scientist have deduced the number is indeed UNDER 9000!!!!!111!!1!1111eleven.
Whether this is the end of the world or not has yet to be seen.
johnshelley92 Nov 15th 2009 2:37PM
Im sorry you got voted down...I thought that was really funny lol :D
Tyr Nov 15th 2009 9:14AM
Wonder how it fits in with this achievement: http://ptr.wowhead.com/?achievement=4526
ROB13 Nov 15th 2009 9:26AM
I'm pretty sure that's for Halls of Reflection.
CiM Nov 15th 2009 9:20AM
Limited attempts has had an interesting effect in delaying "world first"-type kills/achievements. Which is probably fair enough and adds an extra layer of challenge for the super hardcore. But limited attempts tied in to loot rewards is an awful, awful mechanic: your raid may be good enough to eventually "beat" heroic mode, but if you don't beat it easily enough then sorry you don't deserve the good rewards. I fail to see how that makes sense.
Valt Nov 15th 2009 9:53AM
I dont think hardcores even like this idea. Hardcores are the ones that go "lol toc heroic attempts" and call limited attempts just cheap way to make raiding slower or "harder". Hardcores are the ones that soulstone every member in raid because they hate the "gimmick" as they call it. They stack warlocks, druids and all that stuff. Hardcores are not necessarily hardcore because they would be uber skilled oneshotters. Most of them are hardcore because they go thro trial and error all day long till they perfect strategy, either thro brute force or sheer cleverness(mages spellstealing buffs from trash to beat hodir hardmode etc)
p.s Dont get me wrong. thats not my opinion but merely things "hardcores" seem to throw out on forums and internet in general about toc heroic. It might change for IC because its more of real raid. I have to agree that putting limited attemps to raid that has 5 bosses and takes 30 mins normally is bit "gimmick".. but thats only thing I agree on.
Mr. Tastix Nov 15th 2009 11:26AM
Hardcore is taking 40 Paladins and LOSING.
Deadly. Off. Topic. Nov 16th 2009 10:42AM
I hardly think it would hold back those guilds that are top of the line right now since all they do is raid 24/7. This seems like something that would hold up those who aren't top of the line.
astronautcowboy3 Nov 15th 2009 9:20AM
I'm including to believe this will count down the number of chances we have to reach Bolvar before it's turned. Whether we can defeat the Lich King after that happens is even more uncertain, but it's not uncommon for games to have non-cannon endings. Even WoW (like the supposed "official" outcomes of the BGs).
sephirah Nov 15th 2009 9:34AM
Hmm... placeholder anyone?
Maybe Blizzard didn't want to limit the attempts on the PTR and put a large number for them?
Matticus Nov 15th 2009 12:28PM
Yeah, that's my theory too. I'm pretty sure 3000's a placeholder number.
Vyndrian of Moon Guard Nov 15th 2009 9:42AM
The limited number of attempts from ToC is the worst reward system in the game. I really hope it doesn't make it into Icecrown in any form.
Bubsa Nov 15th 2009 9:37AM
Probably why those Armored Frostwyrms popped up on the PTR
Clear ICC with X amount of attempts remaining, shiny new 310%.
Ethan Nov 15th 2009 10:26AM
3000 sure sounds like a lot, but what if it's shared with the ENTIRE SERVER?
Valt Nov 15th 2009 11:12AM
Or maybe it goes down every time person(and possible some cases helpful npc) dies. In 25man raid 3k would mean 120 deaths per person and if theres 11 bosses thats about.. 10 deaths per try per person. "We cant let Lich King have too many of our people into his grasp"
... nah it must be placeholder.
Malfural Nov 15th 2009 11:08AM
Looks like they're making sure to make placeholder numbers big enough that people don't confuse it for the truth. I wonder if GC chose 3000?
Barinthos Nov 15th 2009 11:25AM
Then he should have used another meme and made it 9001.
Malfural Nov 15th 2009 1:01PM
Yeah, I was thinking that 9001 would have been a good number to use too.
Also, does the number actually go down in the ptr? If so, someone should try to get it to 0.