The Global Cooldown

The pre-patch has hit and numerous changes have been made to the game. One of those changes is an increase in the number of abilities/actions being added to the global cooldown (GCD) list. I believe so far that this is a good change, even from just a few hours on the pre-patch; to feel the effects and ponder their significance. Let's discuss.

The most evident effect of adding more actions to the GCD list is the change in gameplay pace. Specifically the slowing down of combat actions, such as offensive abilities and buffs. In my case, for example, the Fury Warrior ability Recklessness has added to the GCD. Whereas prior to 8.0 this buff could be cast at any time during combat, unhindered by cool downs, it now requires me to find a specific slot in my rotation to cast it. At first this felt quite alien. 

Although that feeling soon faded for me. In fact I very quickly grew fond of the alteration for it allowed me to exchange multiple instant combat actions, that felt rather un-special, to more strategic noticeable actions. I quite like the idea of seeing my ability brew and take affect before the next comes crashing down. It also means that I would be able to make more sense of, in PVP, what my enemy was doing so that I could react accordingly. Strategically. Being able to see the impact of more abilities rather than a spaghetti mess of actions is something I deem positive. 

Yes, it 'slows down' how much you can do in an instant and I imagine it does (currently) slow the game pace down from start to finish of any encounter, however isn't the point of a each and every fight; to enjoy and feel that your action process i.e. order/choice of abilities cast, is important?

For as long as I can remember, many buffs, such as Recklessness, could be used in conjunction with multiple other abilities and pots (usually in the form of a macro) to form a huge spike in damage or healing. Especially when pulling a boss or engaging with an enemy in PVP. It became the norm to have a pre-set macros with abilities that would all be cast simultaneously to maximise the desired effect, be it damage, healing or survivability. Which would then be used again at pre-timed points of the fight, such as burn phases. To an extent I do agree that macros like these have their place, but I do feel they take away from the fun of actually playing the game. Let me explain my thoughts behind this further.

Swift one shot macro anyone?

If the whole reason for making a macro is to be as efficient as possible to defeat a boss and ultimately enjoy the game, because casting all of those 'special' abilities individually would be too slow, then there seems to be a bigger problem. Despite what your goals are, shouldn't every aspect of the game, especially the core features i.e. casting spells, form an enjoyable and strategic part of it? That is where I believe these GCD design changes are intended to affect. 

Personally, I really enjoy fast and reactionary gameplay, but where it's appropriate. Not condensing combat into tiny windows of burst, following by a standard monotonous rotation. I feel that having that pause give as action more intent and allows the next to be considered more carefully. This also means mistakes are more evident! After all, isn't that at the heart of RPGs like WoW. I'm not for one moment suggesting that the game veers towards turn based combat, far from it, but it would be nice to really appreciate each action we do in game more than we do currently. Not just button mashing until the bar hits zero. It may lay space more more interesting boss fights, given that more attention can be spared for movement and such...

What do you think about this change?

Thanksgiving for the Gnome Clone?

Short update (pardon the pun, keep reading).

With a very special holiday just around the corner, at least for our friends in the US, Amerence, a fellow moderator of Blog Azeroth, has cleverly put together a community event. Alongside this, there has been ongoing activity and reports of mischievous happenings on within the Warcraft world. One of which is the invasion of the 'Gnome Clones'. 

The last encounter.. and The New Venture

Still being in the initial 'honeymoon' period of my WoW career, I remember a number of wonders which caught my eye..

I began my journey in 'vanilla', the original version of the game. In which, the first PVP system existed. However it wasn't until level twenty/thirty-ish that I discovered this portion of the game. Heck, I didn't even have a clue about Battlegrounds. The only experience I encountered, that side of the game, was from endless Horde assaults on Sentinel Hill, Westfall.

Into Warsong Gulch I went. Being so long ago, I cannot remember much. Not enough to say whether I spent more time dead, than alive. Although, despite the lack of memory, I do recall one moment. The moment in which I acquired something, very special. Grasping, what was to be, the spark. This was the honourable rank of - Private.

New Mind-Sets and BLIZZCON!

Did the Eye-Candy draw you?

Now, since the release of my last two posts, the results have been pretty dramatic. Yes one was featured on WoW Insider, 'Your Character and You', which I am totally thrilled about, but there's more. Taking a look at the responses I have received, in combination with the fact that my thought processors have gone into overdrive, the mood and view since my 'WoW Blues' have shifted considerably.

Among all this, Blizzcon is finally kicking off tomorrow! Or tonight for some lucky venturers! A substantial amount have been fortunate enough to make a tripe the Anaheim, California, for a weekend of Blizzard galore. (Unless your already situated somewhat locally, of course). 

With a number parties kicking off in nearby hotels and bars over the next three nights, including tonight, this is not a convention to miss. However, for some of us, myself included, have sadly not been able to make the long trip. 

Though, hold your horses. Virtual Ticket - hallelujah! For more on this including my upcoming involvement in the event, and what may be in store for you, hold put until the end of the post (or feel free to scroll, if you must).

Your Character and You

Motivated by the comments..

A fascinating piece of Fan Art just added to the World of Warcraft site gallery. Always a viewing pleasure.

Now, tell me. What does your character mean to you? When you first made the choice of what race, and secondly class, to play (or in reverse maybe), what journey did you have in mind ahead of you? For myself, and many, it was the start of an adventure. Or maybe you hadn't really given it much thought, just went in head first.

Though it wasn't until recently that this got me thinking. After you get really stuck into that character, whether it be high end PVE raiding or PVP, you may have an urge to do the same on another class/race combination. Mean, of course you have, at least at some point along the line. But, there's a but, are there lingering factors which keep you at bay, from bringing forth a new character into Azeroth? At least with the intent to mimic the activities which are already being played out on your 'main toon'.