Since I went to blizzcon, I was given a key to the beta. I was able to copy my Rogue and Druid over and just started playing yesterday. (The download was 2 gigs, ouch!)
Well pictures speaks a thousand words and a video has plenty of those so let’s check this out:
1. Since I’m bad at leveling I’m still 70 at the time I made the video. At 71 with relentless strike, the build would be much stronger.
2. Mainly trying to show 51 subtlety with daggers as a viable spec, the other 2 51 points are still broken so not much to show there… I believe the ability to get 45 Energy Backstab/Ambush made a huge difference. (keep in mind I don’t have relentless strike or ruthlessness yet)

Here’s the spec used in video: http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?talent=f0xfZZAMcshhR0xstuVo

Tags: Videos · Rogue

-  Shatter Shield  ( Trained )

Instantly shields you, absorbing 2000 Physical damage. Lasts 1 min. When the shield is destroyed, all enemies within 10 yards are frozen for 8 sec.
(1200 Mana, Instant, 30 sec CD)

I’m not sure this will make it out of beta the way it is . Most likely i see the CD going to 2 to 3 min. Seems over powered on a 30 second cd. Amazing ability for mages freezing every target in 10 yards and absorbing 2k damage.

- Deep Freeze  ( Frost Talent )

Stuns the target for 5 sec. Only usable on Frozen targets.
(1 Rank, 1.5 sec, 30 sec Cooldown)

This is 51 point talent in the frost tree. Stunning the target gives mages yet another cc. I just dont see many going that far. I’m sure most will pick up improved counterspell, improved blink and presence of mind in the arcane tree.

- Improved Water Elemental  ( frost talent )

Increases the duration of your Summon Water Elemental spell by 5/10/15 sec and increases the total health and mana of your water elemental by 10/20/30%.

Not sure how any mage can pass this up longer life equals more damage. Looks like 95 percent of all the mages will still be frost mages in wotlk. I just dont see anything in the other trees to make the switch worth it.

Tags: PvP · News

Each day i will try to write an article on upcoming changes in Wotlk to each class, and how i think the new ability or new talent can help this class in pvp.  Everyone jump in on the discussion and  put your two cents in . Remember of course all of this can change as its just beta. The abilities and talents i discuss are the ones i see as game changing to the class.

Shaman

 - Hex     (Trained ability)

Transforms the enemy into a random critter, reducing the target’s movement speed by 75%. While moving, the hexed target cannot attack or cast spells. Only one target can be hexed at a time. Only works on Humanoids and Beasts.
(0.5 sec Cast, 1 min Cooldown, 20 yd Range)

Wow a crowd control for shamans i dont see how this can do anything but help shamans.

- Astral Shift     (elemental talent) 

When stunned, feared or silenced you shift into the Astral Plane reducing all damage taken by 10/20/30% for the duration of the stun, fear or silence effect.

Taking less damage can only help your survivability.

- Thunder Storm    (elemental talent)

You call down a bolt of lightning, energizing you and damaging nearby enemies within 10 yards. Restores 5% mana to you and deals 595 to 679 Nature damage to all nearby enemies, knocking them back 20 yards.
Instant, 45 sec cooldown

This is at the bottom of the elemental talent tree but gives them another escape. Knocking all nearby enemies 20 yards will give them the extra second they need to get away.

- Ancestral Awakening  (Restoration Talent)

When you critically heal with your Healing Wave or Lesser Healing Wave, you summon an Ancestral spirit to aid you, instantly healing the lowest health friendly party or raid target within 40 yards for 20/40/60% of the amount healed.

This  kinda gives shamans an instant heal but in order for it to fire well they have to have a crit. heal .

- Tidal Waves  (Restoration talent)

You have a 20/40/60/80/100% chance after you cast Chain Heal to lower the cast time of your next two Lesser Healing Wave or Healing Wave spells by 30%, and your Healing Wave and Lesser Healing Wave spells gain an additional 25% of your bonus healing effects.

Interesting

- Spirit Link  (Restoration Talent)You link the friendly target with up to two nearby friendly targets, causing 50% of any damage taken to be distributed to the linked targets. If any target takes a blow greater than 30% of their health, or shared damage would reduce a target’s health below 20%, the link is broken. You can only have one link active at a time

I’m not sure what to think about this one yet .

Tags: PvP · News

Orz (  Hafu, glickzz, Rhaegyn) is the Grand Champions of MLG Orlando. They took down Frag Dominant Duelists 3 games to 1.

Final Results 

1. Orz  ($12000 and 3 Hp Blackbird gaming pc’s)

2. Frag Dominant Duelists ($6000)

3. Evil Geniuses ($3000)

4. Got Game West ($1500)

Tags: PvP · News

MoB Gaming (3) - Insurrection (0)

Evil Geniuses (3) - See You in the Hot Tub (0)

Orz (3) - SK Gaming (0)

Frag Dominant Duelists (3) - Got Game East (1)

Insurrection (3) - SK Gaming (1)

Orz (3) - MoB Gaming (1)

Got Game West (3) - Pandemic (0)

Evil Geniuses (3) - Frag Dominant Duelists (2)

Orz (3) - Got Game West (0)

Pandemic (3) - No Mods No Chance (1)

Day 2 

Sunday July 13th ( All Times are Eastern )
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Warm-Up
9:00AM  - Coverage begins
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Losers Round 6
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Winners Finals
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Losers Finals
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Finals

Tags: PvP · News