wow Even More Fantastical Settings Coming in Shadowlands, Endgame Loot and More: Ion Hazzikostas PC Gamer Article

[Starym 3,800]

 

PC Gamer has an article looking at the current state of Shadowlands and also got a couple of questions in with Game Director Ion Hazzikostas, as he talked about the next steps in the expansion and the current situation as well.

First off, the article delves into what's happening with Shadowlands' endgame, from Torghast being problematic to community reactions to the expansion in general, with an overall positive conclusion that things are looking up.

Then comes the Ion interview part, where he talks about the setting itself and how it's one of the most ambitious and exciting parts of the expansion, and also clearly implying we're going to be seeing even crazier things in future patches:

Quote

As we look ahead to 2021, we're thrilled to be able to build further on those foundations to tell epic stories that interconnect the different powers of the Shadowlands, heroes and villains of Azeroth, and the inner workings of Death itself. This year will see players delve deeper into the mysteries of the Shadowlands, including settings even more fantastical than what we've seen so far.

Then it's on to the meat of the expansions, the systems and how Blizzard will be responding to the feedback so far, with the response being somewhat vague, but definitely addressing the issue of loot scarcity:

Quote

We significantly reduced the rate at which players earn item rewards, but at the same time also stripped away randomness and tried to give everyone more clear goals to pursue and control over their progress towards them. When it comes to PvP itemization specifically, we're really happy with how that's playing out, but we think we can do more to make the experience of running dungeons and raids feel more satisfying when you don't get a specific item you were hoping for.

The above does somewhat sound like we may be getting a Valor Point-type system back or at least some back luck protection system for M+ and raids, but that's all just assumptions at this point.

Head on over to PC Gamer for the full article.

[Whiterhino 31]

thatd be a lot better

[Prophet001 598]

I like the gearing as it is personally.

I don't really like FFXIV at all and that system is like 100% currency based for all practical purposes. There are some drops in dungeons but they're mostly useless.

[Lunestro 23]

5 hours ago, Starym said:

The above does somewhat sound like we may be getting a Valor Point-type system back or at least some back luck protection system for M+ and raids, but that's all just assumptions at this point.

 

How does it even remotely imply we may be getting a Valor Point system?  While this certainly may be something they are considering, this sort of conjecture is why some 'news sites' or the like can be notorious for giving out the wrong or misguided information, even if it is just an assumption.  The statement this refers to simply says they feel 'they can do more' and that can be any number of things.

 

I love Icy Veins and I check in on it several times a day, but sometimes I feel like some sites just write lazy filler to make their article appear more fulfilled.

 

 

[Hypersonic 119]

The actual drop rates are totally ruined Shadowlands for me. I hate it like I don't know.. long time ago was not such bad to play if you have only small amount of time. Thanks but I'll not farming 1-1 item for weeks. It's impossible to keep the speed with the playerbase who have tons of hours to play. I have 1 hour or sometimes even less to play per day so now I spend that to farming old content rather than M+, what I loved so much until now. But no reward - no fun.

Edited January 15, 2021 by Hypersonic
spelling

[Arcling 898]

Doesn't feel as gearing is as slow as he says. There is also quite huge jump between various item levels. Certainly something should be done about class balance. Combat is now way too short. Some specs being able to kill other players in one 2-3 sec burst isn't a sign of a good class balance or itemization. 

[Luname 21]

I think that SWTOR is the game that really nailed it for its progression system with the new Onslaught expansion.

Anything you do at max level will reward you with gear that is progressively better and better. Looting mobs, doing dungeons/flashpoints , raids/operations and pvp will drop gear that is anywhere from equal to four ilvl above your own until a maximum gear rating of 306, until which you switch to an horizontal progression system.

A very nice system for those who have less free time on hand and can only play for a few hours.

Edited January 15, 2021 by Luname

[Asahhealer 2]

Yeah the drop rate is low for sure. Done 4 M+ and entire normal castle clear and 3 heroic bosses this week and world boss and not one piece of loot. Not end of world but could use some loot protection 

[Alexizonfire 7]

4 hours ago, Luname said:

I think that SWTOR is the game that really nailed it for its progression system with the new Onslaught expansion.

Anything you do at max level will reward you with gear that is progressively better and better. Looting mobs, doing dungeons/flashpoints , raids/operations and pvp will drop gear that is anywhere from equal to four ilvl above your own until a maximum gear rating of 306, until which you switch to an horizontal progression system.

A very nice system for those who have less free time on hand and can only play for a few hours.

Kinda like destiny?

Drops increase in level at a slow but steady rate from every activity up to a cap.
Then only some of the more challenging activities give upgrades but still in the same fashion in small increments until eventually you reach max cap on item level then you grind and farm for best stats and perks

 

I could see that kind of system be very rewarding in wow.

[Starym 3,800]

9 hours ago, Lunestro said:

How does it even remotely imply we may be getting a Valor Point system?  While this certainly may be something they are considering, this sort of conjecture is why some 'news sites' or the like can be notorious for giving out the wrong or misguided information, even if it is just an assumption.  The statement this refers to simply says they feel 'they can do more' and that can be any number of things.

 

I love Icy Veins and I check in on it several times a day, but sometimes I feel like some sites just write lazy filler to make their article appear more fulfilled.

Really? "Does somewhat sound like" is a problem for you? How is a clearly marked assumption from the writer count as "wrong information"? Is it just because some people can't tell the difference between a quote from the Game Director and the opinion of the news writer? Cos I can't really help with that.

To me his comments sounds exactly like valor points/bad luck protection, and having played wow since beta and been covering the news for a long tome it qualifies my opinion as relevant. I might be 100% wrong but it's clearly marked as a pure assumption on my part.

There's no need for filler in an article like this, I was just excited by the possibility. Some people want "just the facts thanks" without any additional comments from the writer, personally I don't like those types of posts and so I do it like this. It's meant to provoke discussion on what the comment may mean and it's more constructive (IMO) than just leaving it empty after the quote. I'm genuinely sorry if you don't like the style.

[Lunestro 23]

16 minutes ago, Starym said:

Really? "Does somewhat sound like" is a problem for you? How is a clearly marked assumption from the writer count as "wrong information"? Is it just because some people can't tell the difference between a quote from the Game Director and the opinion of the news writer? Cos I can't really help with that.

To me his comments is sounds exactly like valor points/bad luck protection, and having played wow since beta and been covering the news for a long tome it qualifies my opinion as relevant. I might be 100% wrong but it's clearly marked as a pure assumption on my part.

There's no need for filler in an article like this, I was just excited by the possibility. Some people want "just the facts thanks" without any additional comments from the writer, personally I don't like those types of posts and so I do it like this. It's meant to provoke discussion on what the comment may mean and it's more constructive (IMO) than just leaving it empty after the quote. I'm genuinely sorry if you don't like the style.

I'm truly sorry you are so offended by my feedback.  I stand by what I said and nothing you've said has dissuaded me into thinking differently.  The shortest advice I have is perhaps to seek out the difference between 'speculation' and 'assumption' - anything more would take far too long and would likely only offend you further.  I wish you luck and will just have to agree to disagree.

[Starym 3,800]

21 minutes ago, Lunestro said:

I'm truly sorry you are so offended by my feedback.  I stand by what I said and nothing you've said has dissuaded me into thinking differently.  The shortest advice I have is perhaps to seek out the difference between 'speculation' and 'assumption' - anything more would take far too long and would likely only offend you further.  I wish you luck and will just have to agree to disagree.

Err I'm not offended at all, I just don't agree with the feedback (damn, I'm totally like Blizzard now). Not sure where you saw offense in my reply. As you say, we just fundamentally don't see eye to eye on the issue of news writers adding their opinions/thoughts in an article, and that's fine.

[BirdieXL 0]

8 hours ago, Asahhealer said:

Yeah the drop rate is low for sure. Done 4 M+ and entire normal castle clear and 3 heroic bosses this week and world boss and not one piece of loot. Not end of world but could use some loot protection 

How about 40 M+ runs with only 2 drops.  That's what got me... They really need bad luck protection because right now it stinks.