We do not know what version will be launched for Wrath -most likely 3.3.5.
So, 3.3.5 pre patch for Wrath raises an important question about which crafted items will be available ESPECIALLY GLYPHS!
If Glyphs are time/phase gated like live, classes will be facing 3.3.5 balance WITHOUT Glyphs that where available by 3.3.5.
Here is one example but others exist:
Warlock: Original Phase 1 did not have Glyph of Quick Decay among others. This was not too big of a deal as Destruction was the highest PvE damage spec. Due to balance issues Destro was nurfed hard for PvE, BUT glyphs where added that made Affliction PvE competitive.
Now, launching with 3.3.5 WITHOUT Glyphs that where added latter in the game will lead to Warlock being mid to lower table damage dealer! And Warlocks are not alone in this situation.
Recommendation: Pre patch/Wrath launch 3.3.5 with all Glyphs that where available during original 3.3.5.
PS: I recall a blue post back in the day about Destruction balance, which said Blizz didn’t have the time and resources to work on Destruction as its usually a pre launch balance thing SO they will just lower its PvE dmg below Affliction for most raid fights.
Now we have time to balance and Destro Chaos Bolt was such a fun design, would be
awesome if players get to raid with it today!
We simply don’t know as in TBC they time gated crafted items while launching not time gating patches.
Thing about Glyphs is they dramatically change game play/mechanics/prio and performance.
The other thing is Destro PvE nurf that was due to PvP reasons and that would require a huge class balance run that can not happen during live game play. The opportunity to balance Chaos Bolt/Destro is available now if they choose to take it.
Destro is so much fun and I really hope it is addressed during PTR so the spec is competitive to affliction 3.3.5 and all the way from Naxx to ICC.
So this is just a stealth changes thread for you to ask for game changes that deviate from the goals of the project because you want demo to be S tier instead of C in Wrath? What should concern people is the addition of the Dungeon Finder, that’s a far more important issue than trying to ask for changes (which really you shouldn’t) to make your spec stronger.
Won’t happen, since Warlock was very well designed in the sense that each spec had a purpose. Affliction was the pve dps spec, Demonology was the support spec and Destruction was the bursty pvp spec.
It would be unfair to make all warlock specs competitive for pve and viable in pvp at the same time, since no other class had that towards the end of Wrath.
Destruction warlock was never ment to be a PvE spec in wotlk, and that’s why it never really was, it is purely a PvP spec such is a frost mage. Also, glyph of quick decay was introduced in patch 3.3.0 , not 3.3.5.
Destruction was maybe the highest pve damage spec in your guild only. Even without the corruption glyph, affliction was doing more dps, and demo was also doing fairly decent especially at phase 1
tbc with dragonsbreath last talent fire mage? wotlk mm hunter with a silencing shot as talent? Those talents arent an explicit reason of a class is made to pvp or pve with. THe classes got design based on what they missed or what would be cool.
TBC destro was a pve specc but had shadowfury as last talent. if its just for pvp you dont pick it. That doesnt mean destro in tbc was seen as pvp specc.
Arcane mage has last talent that is pure PvP utility. Seen many Arcane Mages in arena? How about raids? When’s the last time you saw a non-Arcane mage in raid? Probably early T4 is my gueess. And you may see some firemages in SWP BiS, maybe.
Why, as Trss said, fire arguably also has a PvP last talent, though you can use it in PvE AoE rotation too.
What we are waiting to hear during this month is PTR announcement which is expected in May,