wow 9.0.5 PTR: Upcoming Changes to the Ashran, Isle of Conquest, and Wintergrasp Epic Battlegrounds

[Staff 1,488]

 

Here come a LOT of changes to Epic Battlegrounds, as Blizzard explain Ashran, Isle of Conquest, and Wintergrasp tweaks:

Epic BG Changes (source)

In next week’s Public Test Realm update, we’ll be making several adjustments to the Ashran, Isle of Conquest, and Wintergrasp epic battlegrounds.

Ashran

We’ve increased the player count again to make the battleground feel more epic. We also wanted to even out the Horde and Alliance sides of the map, especially at the start. The Tower Mages have had their difficulty lowered as they were a bit too impactful to the battleground. Additionally, we’ve reduced the cost to summon Fangraal and Kronus to help teams push the mid-lane more often.

• Maximum player count per faction is now 35 (was 30).
• Starting reinforcements are now 175 (was 150).
• To allow both factions to have easier access to Star Root Tubers and Song Flowers, both these tasty treats will now spawn alongside each other in the Dark Woods and Root Den.
• Artifact Fragment cost to summon Kronus and Fangraal reduced to 1500 (was 3000).
• Horde and Alliance tower mages are now worth 30 Reinforcements when slain (was 50).
• Horde and Alliance tower mages have had their spells adjusted:
  • Rylai Crestfall – Alliance Tower Mage
    • Northrend Winds now deals 15% of the target’s maximum health in Frost damage (was 200% Weapon damage).
    • Frostbolt now deals 8% of the target’s maximum health in Frost damage (was 100% Weapon damage).
    • Frostbolt Volley now deals 15% of the target’s maximum health in Frost damage (was 150% Weapon damage).
    • No longer casts Mass Polymorph.
  • Jeron Emberfall – Horde Tower Mage
    • Fireball now deals 8% of the target’s maximum health in Fire damage (was scaling damage).
    • Combustion Nova now deals 15% of the target’s maximum health in Fire damage (was scaling damage).
    • Ignite now deals 1% of the target’s maximum health in Fire damage (was scaling damage).
    • Living Bomb initial spell now deals 5% of the target’s maximum health in Fire damage (was scaling damage).
    • Living Bomb explosion now deals 15% of the target’s maximum health in Fire damage (was scaling damage).
    • Magma Blast cast by Jeron’s summoned Lava Fury now deals 5% of the target’s maximum health in Fire damage (was 200% Weapon damage).

Isle of Conquest

• These changes are intended to discourage base-rushing and have all control points be important, not just Hangar.
• Glaive Thrower health has been increased by 40%.
• Alliance and Horde Commander health increased by 50%.
• Demolisher health increased by 25%.
• Catapult health increased by 100%.
• The amount of siege damage required to break down keep walls has been increased by 20%.

Wintergrasp

• Wintergrasp has been very defense-favored, so we’ve made the following adjustments to even out both sides of the playing field.
• Broken Temple and Sunken Ring Workshops are now controlled by the attacking team when the battle starts.
• Wintergrasp Wall, Wintergrasp Fortress Wall, and Wintergrasp Fortress Gate health has been reduced by 20%.
• Destroying Towers reduces match time by 8 minutes (was 5 minutes).
• Siege Engine’s Steam Rush ability deals 20-35% of a player’s health (was 30-45%).
• Demolisher’s Hurl Boulder ability deals 20-25% of a player’s health (was 36%).
• After 5 minutes, all players in the battleground who do not have a rank (including players who join late) will now be granted the rank of Corporal.

Thank you for your feedback! If you get a chance to check out the changes on the PTR, please let us know what you think in the PTR General Discussion forum.

[TimmyET 11]

Why don't they realize they need to change the geography of isle of conquest?  The alliance can get to the dock flag, and the hangar flag before the horde can, it's much easier to cap something when your entire team is sitting on top of it.

[Migol 433]

What the hell are they smoking?

Glaive throwers get a buff?   They think the Hangar is the problem?    Holy crap.

[Arcling 898]

Increasing number of players for Ashran? This battleground is a lagfest as it is. Wintergrasp needs complete redesign. Currently, if you are on defense it's almost certain win, if on attack - defeat. It simply takes too much coordination for simple pug to win on attack.

[Razekiel 11]

"not just Hangar" - Wow..... Just wow..... This ladies and gents is an another clear sign that Blizzard devs have no bright clue AT ALL about what the hell is going on in the game.

[siema87 6]

When I heard there are changes for wintergrasp I thought they finally listened. Some changes are good but they buffed defending side by shortening the battle by 9 min... really ? Also buffs for glaives... every Isle of conq is like if you take docks and def glaives = easy win. Do they even know what's happening in their game or just throwing dice what to buff. Like wth...