wow Patch 7.3 PTR Dev Notes: Build 24473

[Stan 5,240]

In Patch 7.3, we're taking the fight directly to Argus and the first build is now available for testing on PTR. Blizzard has published development notes for the initial 7.3 PTR build. A new area's available for testing and casters received animation updates.

We'll keep you updated with news as they become available.

Blizzard (Source)

“Sometimes the hand of fate must be forced…”

Welcome to the Patch 7.3 Public Test Realm! After the events on the Broken Shore and inside the Tomb of Sargeras raid (no spoilers!), it’s time to take the fight directly to the Legion’s home world of Argus. We’re really excited about this update, and are looking forward to hearing your thoughts and feedback as we head into public testing.

Most (but not all) of the new stuff in 7.3 takes place on Argus—and as you might expect, this is hostile territory. Demons patrol every crag of Argus’s shattered surface, and sometimes it seems as if the planet itself is out to get you. This will be a very story-driven update, but we’re also designing areas with sandbox elements intended to be enjoyed even after you complete the main quest, with gameplay and challenges on the planet’s surface reminiscent of past endgame areas such as the Molten Front, the Isle of Thunder, and the Timeless Isle. 

One of the first things you’ll encounter to help you navigate the Legion’s home turf is the Vindicaar: a vessel that will serve as your mobile base of operations—and one of your few safe havens—on Argus. Aside from giving you direct access to a number of 7.3’s new features, the Vindicaar will also be your primary method of transport behind enemy lines. Argus is a no-fly zone, similar to the Timeless Isle, so to help make sure it’s still easy to get around, the Vindicaar will give you access to an extensive network of teleportation hubs (similar to flight paths, but without the travel time).

There are three main areas to explore on the planet, the first of which is available for testing on the PTR today!

Also in this first build are the first couple of chapters of the 7.3 storyline, and some new and improved casting animations for Restoration Druids, Elemental and Restoration Shaman, Discipline and Holy Priests, and all three Mage specializations (and yes, that includes Arcane Missiles). As with previous patches, player feedback is very important to us as we work to update these animations, so we’re really looking forward to hearing what you think.

(Note: Shadow Priest animation updates are also on the way for 7.3, but aren’t working yet in this build. In fact, some spells are likely to have no animations at all right now. That’s only temporary while we finish getting the new animations ready for PTR testing.)

Other major content that’s contained in Patch 7.3 but not yet complete in this build includes:

• Further chapters of the Argus storyline, including many cinematic story moments
• New World Quests
• Professions updates, including epic gems
• The Netherlight Crucible, which allows you to upgrade your Artifact to unlock a new way to customize your Relics
• New dungeon: Seat of the Triumvirate
• New raid: Antorus, the Burning Throne (though as with other Legion raids, it won’t be released immediately with 7.3)
• Invasion Points, a new type of replayable content that let you fight the Legion on multiple different worlds
• Several other improvements and updates to existing features

As the PTR process continues, we’ll provide updates with each build on what’s new. Thanks, and happy testing!

[PatrickHenry 293]

13 hours ago, Stan said:

The Netherlight Crucible, which allows you to upgrade your Artifact to unlock a new way to customize your Relics

....you... have my attention...

[Rotonga 0]

I am speaking from my own perspective but I think Blizzard is moving too fast on patches and will burn out the game too fast. WoW won't be around for very long if they keep pushing out content this fast, it concerns me seeing that I have been playing this since vanilla.

Unless there is something I am not reading somewhere that mentions more lore that they can build off of.

[Stan 5,240]

7 minutes ago, Wainse said:

I am speaking from my own perspective but I think Blizzard is moving too fast on patches and will burn out the game too fast. WoW won't be around for very long if they keep pushing out content this fast, it concerns me seeing that I have been playing this since vanilla.

Unless there is something I am not reading somewhere that mentions more lore that they can build off of.

I'm interested to hear your suggestions. Players always cringe on both ends of the spectrum. It's either content drought and "there's nothing to do" or there's too much content and "they feel overwhelmed". Nothing in between. Do you feel like 6 months between raids isn't enough?

[PatrickHenry 293]

On 7/4/2017 at 7:29 AM, Stan said:

Do you feel like 6 months between raids isn't enough?

As always, trying to appease everyone just never works out, but I feel they've donea  hell of a job.  This being second expansion in heroic raiding, it's been more than enough time between.  We had NH normal on farm and only the rare hiccup on Heroic for a month+ before tomb came out.  We had even carry groups being completely overgeared and sharding many of the drops.