It seems that Blizzard is preparing to launch a big update in the 20th anniversary patch, including some overdue graphical changes such as icon updates and a recently announced rework to Shaman’s Ascendance.
Seeing the willingness regarding visual reworks, I would like to take the opportunity to highlight some details about Windwalker’s graphical design and a heartfelt request to consider my suggestions.
- Storm, Earth, and Fire. Yes, I know, it’s a iconic Monk ability (albeit emphatically not a Windwalker ability) due to being a direct reference to Chen’s ultimate ability in Warcraft 3. In-universe, however, it’s an outlier. There is no mechanic within Chi manipulation that explains how this ability works. At no other point does a Monk demonstrate the ability to transform their body into a spiritual form, whether it be in cinematics, lore references, or even other spells and abilities. There’s also no relation to the elements of Fire or Earth, and the only link to Air is that we borrowed Al’Akir’s lingering power in Legion, nothing inherent to Chi.
My suggestion: rework SEF’s visual effect. Leave the player model completely unaltered, and change the two spirits to a celestial-energy look. Something like this:https://i.imgur.com/e0wyaqU.png.
(I used a toy for this effect, ideally the spirits would look more akin to raw Chi.)
This would make a name and icon change appropriate as well. My suggestion would be a different reference: Multi-Form Technique. A functional change might be appropriate, such as leaving the player’s damage unaffected (which would help a lot with future bug prevention), and instead making the spirits each deal 10% of the player’s damage. - Invoke Xuen, the White Tiger. I’ve made this suggestion before, but I’ll gladly repeat as many times as needed. Similarly to SEF, there is no clear mechanic within the school of Chi that adequately explains the ability to call forth an effigy of an August Celestial that is capable of unique abilities and acts autonomously. With the player model now free of alterations thanks to SEF’s rework, the stage is set to turn the Invoke spells into empowerment spells, like the name has always suggested they should be (to invoke: to call upon (a deity or spirit) in prayer, as a witness, or for inspiration). I don’t have a visual example for this like for SEF, but imagine the player character glowing white, crackling with blue energy and a tiger stripe pattern superimposed on their chest and arms.
This rework would require some functional changes, but I’ve got you covered for Xuen at least:
Invoke Xuen, the White Tiger
Recall the teachings of Xuen, the White Tiger, causing your chi to lash out for (22.3% of Attack power) as Nature damage every 1.0 sec to your current target and up to 2 additional targets within 10 yards for 20 sec.
- Blackout Kick. Although this spell is generally fine, making the animation run a slight bit faster and making the sound effect more “punchy” would go a long way to improving the feel of this spell. Right now it feels a little like you’re gently brushing your target with your feet, which is a visualization no one needed.
- Spinning Crane Kick. Similar to Blackout Kick, this ability just kind of feels wispy and fluffy. Give it a snappier sound effect at least.
In terms of gameplay, there has been a lot of negative feedback about making Spinning Crane Kick a “proper” channel once again, getting cancelled by any other cast. This is especially irksome because Mistweaver and Brewmaster can still cast through their Spinning Crane Kick just like before TWW. While I’m personally not terribly bothered one way or the other, it is still a good idea to take the feedback seriously and just make Spinning Crane Kick a single gcd ability. If it bothers the developers (arguably justified) that casting through the channel is unintuitive, then change the animation to something that’s more like a single action, a single 360 degree kick. This too would likely prevent more future issues than it causes, and the only real cost (in terms of design) would be a return to pre-TWW and late Legion gameplay. - Conduit of the Celestials. Although the Celestial “assists” are relatively inoffensive due to lasting quite a short time, it would be a huge improvement if the talents followed the example of the frankly incredible icon of the hero tree itself. Make each proc a stylized, simple spell effect themed after a Celestial rather than summoning the entire model of one. For example, Courage of the White Tiger can just be an additional white/blue slash when it procs from Tiger Palm. Strength of the Black Ox can be a gold/gray pulse when you spend it on Blackout Kick. Flight of the Red Crane could be a transparent red glowy arrow firing into its targets. Heart of the Jade Serpent can be a swirl of jade green energy similar to the Conduit spell, wrapping around the player model, or even a toned-down version of Brewmaster’s Weapons of Order effect.
- Shado-Pan.