One of the more interesting statements was hearing that Hemorrhage isn’t intended for use a primary attack.  I’m really curious why it shouldn’t be considered a primary attack like Sinister Strike and Backstab and enhanced slightly to work better in that role.

I think Ghostcrawler did an okay job responding and I did like his last words in the thread which I agree with.

We wouldn’t ship the game with non-viable specs. But this being Blizzard we always think there are ways to improve every aspect of the game.

I also predict that it’s entirely likely that the concerns we are all going to be talking about in a month are not the same list of concerns that players are bringing up now. The game has a penchant for going off in directions nobody expects.

Ghostcrawler announced the end of Combat’s dominance on raid DPS charts today.  In his post on Upcoming boss armor change, he gave us a clear indication how Blizzard intends for our talent trees to perform:

As I have posted a couple of times recently, we decided to raise the armor of level 83 raid bosses by 10% to correct for some DPS difference between casters and melee + hunters. I wanted to address the issue head on with the rogues.

We have done a lot of testing recently, and concluded that even with this change, Assassination rogues are likely the top dps spec in the game against single bosses that don’t move around a lot (like Patchwerk). This isn’t a bad place for them to be. They pay a small price both for being melee (where more damage tends to occur) and for lacking the ability to respec into a non-damage build. We don’t think they will be as far above hybrids as they have been before — as I’ve posted before, it’s very important that hybrid classes do higher DPS now that their buffs do not stack.

Combat builds, especially swords, is competitive but probably behind Assassination. This is something we’d like to address, especially if it turns out to be a major difference between the specs. Additional armor does hurt Combat, but also remember it’s just raid bosses and not other players (or trash or heroic bosses).

Subtlety, sadly, is just much harder to test since so much of their damage relies on other players. Our preliminary evidence is that they generate plenty of combo points from Honor Among Thieves, but this might mean their personal DPS when not in a group suffers. This is something we’re still testing.

I will add that some players have wondered if Honor Among Thieves is bugged since the cp can occur more often than 1 sec. In this case, the tooltip is just unclear. When Jimmy the Shaman crits, he cannot “send you” a combo point more often than 1 per sec. But if you have lots of players critting all the time, you can build them up quickly. So Honor is (here it comes) working as intended.

I’d hate to be in Ghostcrawler’s position.  Everything he says is dissected and analyzed.  Blizzard should pick up on this.  We want more information.  We want more access to developers and information.

When I first read this, I was pretty dismayed.  IMO, Combat has always been the first and only choice to achieve top-end DPS for Rogues in raids.  I’m sure Ghostcrawler didn’t mean it this way, but I felt like he just said that Combat Swords Rogues are going to be grouped with Feral Druids, DPS Warriors and Hunter pets.  His paragraph about Assassination makes me think that he thinks only Assassination pays a price for being in melee and lack the ability to repec into a non-damage build.  But all Rogues suffer from this; every Rogue attempts to move behind the opponent, if their abilities require it or not.

I’m getting the impression, however, that Combat builds will still excel on trash and heroics bosses.  This is small consolation as the real prize in raids is dropping raid bosses for their epics.

With the new changes to Threat dynamics, Combat rogues will have it easier with their less-spiky-than-Assassination damage.  I suspect there will be a lot of Combat Rogues who switch to Assassination that are going to end up dead.  With Cold Blood, lots of crits from Puncturing Wounds, Malice, Master Poisoner, and Turn the Tables, Assassination Rogues are going to see a lot of big numbers.  Time to remap your Feint.

I feel like I’m going to miss the speed I feel with Combat.  I’ve got fast swords and I know main-hand Daggers are about 70% the speed of main-hand swords.  But I’m worried about my other attacks.  Sinister Strike requires only 40 energy vs Mutilate’s 60.  Even if the Energy regeneration rate of both trees were equal, wouldn’t that imply 50% slower primary Combo Point building attacks?  Will Assassination’s Vigor and Focused Attacks make up for Combat’s Vitality, Combat Potency and Adrenaline Rush? I can’t see how they could.

I’ve always considered Assassination to be the tree for Combo Points and Combat the tree for Energy.  I’m almost curious what Assassination is going to spend its Combat Points on?  Cut to the Chase is going to save Combo Points going towards Slice and Dice.  Assassination will likely be spending their Combo Points on Rupture and Envenom.  It’s going to be a completely different playstyle in my opinion.

So, with Assassination becoming the new top-end raid boss damage tree and so much defensive abilities in Combat, did Rogue’s Combat tree just become our Survival tree ala Hunters?  If we wanted three distinct trees, I think we might finally have them: Assassination for Raids, Combat for Soloing and Subtlety for PvP.

I’m going to try Assassination 54/7/0, er, this 54/7/0 tonight.  I’m not sure where I’m going to find some daggers.  I’m sure I have a pair lying around somewhere.

Koraa promised us some more damage in Combat and Blizzard delivered.  The following was reported by MMO Champion in their list of changes in the 9014 beta build.

Vitality increases your Energy regeneration rate by 8/16/25%. (Up from 3/6/10%).  This is 2.5 times the Energy regeneration before.  Combined with Combat Potency and Adrenaline Rush, Combat Rogues are going to swimming in Energy which I’m very excited for.

Blade Twisting has been changed to not only grant damaging melee attack a 10% chance to Daze your target for 4 sec, but also now increases the damage dealt by Sinister Strike and Backstab by 5/10%. 

Aggression was also moved down in the tree and boosted by 50% from 10% at maximum purchase to 15% for 5 talent points. 

So, with Blade Twisting (+10%), Aggression (+15%), and Surprise Attacks (+10%), Rogues can boost Sinister Strike damage up to almost 140% of normal.  Combined with the Energy regeneration and Improved Sinister Strike, we should see a large increase in our sustained DPS through Combat.

These changes are very promising but I still hope to see if the developers address Killing Spree as well to make it more in line with the sustained damage theme of Combat. 

Either I’d like to see Killing Spree improved somehow, or Hunger for Blood and Killing Spree switch places.  This would make a lot more sense than where either ability sits in their current states.  Killing Spree fits more with the Mutilate dual weapon attack and the burst damage of the Assassination tree, and Hunger for Blood seems like it would fit better into the theme of Combat with its damage boost.

I’ve decided to rename any of my future community spotlights and highlights to “Rogues Gallery”.  For those that have heard the phrase, but aren’t completely familiar with the meaning, Wikipedia has a definition that sums up exactly what I want these posts to be: “a compilation of descriptions, methods of operation, hiding places, and names of criminals and their associates.”  With Rogues, of course, being the “criminals” in question. 

If you feel like a post, a blog or someone should be included in a future Rogue Gallery post, please contact me!

Whispers from the Shadows

AKA Blog Posts You Should Read!

• MMO-Champion has the latest undocumented Rogue changes from beta patch 8962!
• Thoughts for Food posted her opinion about the changes and I pretty much feel exactly the same way.  However, one thing to note is that the Glyph of Sinister Strike change is a nerf, as it previous gave 101% chance on a critical Sinister Strike to grant a combo point!
• BBR posted about Rogue Tanking with a serious look at what it might take to have a tank as a Rogue by getting your avoidance above 100%.
• Azande wrote a response to Matticus’ 12 Reasons post entitled 12 Reasons Why Rogues are the Best Lovers. 

New Safehouses Locations

AKA Blogs You Should be Reading!

• One HoT Rogue covers both Rogue and Druid topics, which also happens to be the same as my two mains.  Although just starting out, Aedos is fun to read and as she’s just returned from a break, I’m looking forward to reading more from her.
• Gweedo moved to his new Wordpress address.  Give him a visit in his new snazzy digs!
• Paused State is Azande’s blog where he talks about his Rogue and Rogues in general.  His post on Random Rogue tips included a lot of great tips for beginners as well as several things I wasn’t aware of.
• Thoughts for Food is Nhani’s companion blog for webcomic Beyond the Tree.  However, she has included a lot of Rogue commentary and her 3DSMax rendering of in-game models are just plain awesome.
• Andy Salisbury’s A Rogue’s Eye View has a lot of information about instances from Wrath as well as a lot of Rogue and WoW commentary. His post about leveling Pick Lock from 1 to 350 is something you should definitely check out if you still don’t have your Pick Lock maxed out.
• Lastly, RogueRouge is a blog by two Undead Rogues, Akrios and Nition, with a heavy emphasis on videos and PvP!  They also have a Guides section covering macros, UI, races and more.

But I wanted to highlight some of the changes group by types of changes:

Poisons

• Anesthetic Poison now also dispels one Enrage effect on the target.
• Crippling Poison reduced to 1 rank, slowing movement by 70%.
• Damaging poisons now scale with attack power.
• Envenom now also increases your chance to apply poisons by 25% for 2-6 seconds (based on combo points).
• Improved Poisons (Assassination) now increases chance to apply poisons by 5/10/15/20/25%.
• Mind-Numbing Poison reduced to 1 rank, slowing casting speed by 60%.
• Poisons skill removed. All finished poisons are available on vendors rather than created by the rogue.
• Precision (Combat) now also increases chance to hit with poison attacks by 1/2/3/4/5%.
• Vile Poisons (Assassination) reduced to 3 ranks, now increases damage of poisons and Envenom by 7/14/20% and increases dispel resistance by 10/20/30%.
• Wounding Poison no longer stacks, reduces healing by 50%.

Removal of Reagents

• Pick Lock and Disarm Trap no longer require Thieve’s Tools.
• Poisons skill removed. All finished poisons are available on vendors rather than created by the rogue.
• Vanish no longer requires the reagent Flash Powder.

Ability Changes

• Cloak of Shadows cooldown increased to 1.5 min.
• Envenom now also increases your chance to apply poisons by 25% for 2-6 seconds (based on combo points).
• Evasion, Sprint and Vanish cooldowns reduced to 3 min.
• Gouge is now only 1 rank and causes damage based on attack power.
• Kick is now only 1 rank and no longer causes damage.
• Mutilate (Assassination) no longer requires you be behind the target.

Moving or Removal of Talents

• Dagger Specialization (Combat) renamed Close Quarters Combat, moved to tier 3, now increases critical strike chance with Daggers and Fist Weapons by 1/2/3/4/5%.
• Dual Wield Specialization (Combat) moved to tier 1.
• Elusiveness (Subtlety) moved to Tier 3, now reduces cooldown of Vanish and Blind by 30/60 sec and Cloak of Shadows by 15/30 sec.
• Fist Weapon Specialization (Combat) removed.
• Improved Ambush (Subtlety) moved to Tier 4, reduced to 2 ranks for 25/50%.
• Improved Sprint (Combat) moved to Tier 4.
• Initiative (Subtlety) moved to Tier 4, increased to 33/66/100% chance.
• Lightning Reflexes (Combat) moved to tier 4.
• Murder (Assassination) moved to tier 6, increases damage by 2/4%.
• Relentless Strikes (Assassination) moved to Tier 1 Subtlety, made 5 ranks for 4/8/12/16/20% chance.
• Serrated Blades (Subtlety) moved to Tier 3.
• Vigor (Assassination) moved to Tier 3.

Talents Changes

• Blade Twisting (Combat) now cause all damaging melee attacks to have a 10% chance to daze for 4/8 seconds movement speed reduced by 70%.
• Camouflage (Subtlety) reduced to 3 ranks for 5/10/15% speed and 2/4/6 secs off the cooldown of Stealth.
• Dagger Specialization (Combat) renamed Close Quarters Combat, moved to tier 3, now increases critical strike chance with Daggers and Fist Weapons by 1/2/3/4/5%.
• Deadened Nerves (Assassination) reduced to 3 ranks, now reduces all damage taken by 2/4/6%.
• Deflection (Combat) reduced to 3 ranks, increasing parry by 2/4/6%.
• Disarm Trap range increased to 20 yards, cast time reduced, now requires stealth.
• Elusiveness (Subtlety) moved to Tier 3, now reduces cooldown of Vanish and Blind by 30/60 sec and Cloak of Shadows by 15/30 sec.
• Endurance (Combat) now reduces cooldown of Evasion and Sprint by 30/60 secs.
• Find Weakness (Assassination) is now a passive talent, reduced to 3 ranks, increases damage of offensive abilities by 3/6/9%.
• Fleet Footed (Assassination) now reduces duration of movement impairing effects by 25/50% rather than increasing resist chance.
• Improved Ambush (Subtlety) moved to Tier 4, reduced to 2 ranks for 25/50%.
• Improved Eviscerate (Assassination) now increases damage by 7/14/20%.
• Improved Expose Armor (Assassination) now reduces the energy cost by 5/10, no longer increases duration.
• Improved Poisons (Assassination) now increases chance to apply poisons by 5/10/15/20/25%.
• Improved Slice and Dice (Combat) reduced to 2 ranks, increases duration by 25/50%.
• Initiative (Subtlety) moved to Tier 4, increased to 33/66/100% chance.
• Lethality (Assassination) now also affects Riposte.
• Mace Specialization (Combat) no longer stuns enemiesnow ignores 3/6/9/12/15% of target’s armor.
• Master of Deception (Subtlety) reduced to 3 ranks.
• Mutilate (Assassination) no longer requires you be behind the target.
• Murder (Assassination) moved to tier 6, increases damage by 2/4%.
• Nerves of Steel (Combat) now reduces damage taken while Stunned or Feared by 15/30%.
• Opportunity (Subtlety) reduced to 2 ranks for 10/20%.
• Precision (Combat) now also increases chance to hit with poison attacks by 1/2/3/4/5%.
• Premeditation (Subtlety) duration increased to 20 seconds, cooldown reduced to 20 seconds.
• Preparation (Subtlety) no longer refreshes the cooldown of Premeditation.
• Relentless Strikes (Assassination) moved to Tier 1 Subtlety, made 5 ranks for 4/8/12/16/20% chance.
• Riposte (Combat) now slows the target’s melee attacks by 20% instead of disarming them, awards one combo point.
• Setup (Subtlety) chance to gain a combo point increased to 33/66/100%.
• Shadowstep (Subtlety) is no longer usable while rooted.
• Surprise Attacks (Combat) now also increases Hemorrhage damage.
• Vile Poisons (Assassination) reduced to 3 ranks, now increases damage of poisons and Envenom by 7/14/20% and increases dispel resistance by 10/20/30%.

MMO-Champion has the new Bonescythe armor from WotLK Naxx 25-man. It’s very different than the old Naxx 25-Man Bonescythe (even without the sepia filter).

In addition, below is a comparison of how this new 25-man armor (5 pieces of Valorous Bonescythe + itemLevel 213 Boots, Belt and Wrist) matches up against the Slayer armor from Sunwell Plateau (all 8 pieces). I’m pretty impressed myself. I really should have compared it against SSC gear, but I was curious more how it would affect top end raiders.

Take note the difference in socket number and that in WotLK, gems are available for Haste, Expertise and Armor Penetration.

Valorous Bonescythe stats obtained from MMO-Champion
Slayer Armor from WowHead
Level 70 and 80 Combat Ratings from wotlkwiki.info

Rogue Update (Part 2), posted from the Lich King Rogue Forums by Blizzard employee, Gamnin. 

Hello again,

Here’s a quick update on some additional changes we’ve made over the weekend. Most of these, but not all, will be in the next beta build.

Awesome, I’ve been wondering when we’ll start to see some of these.  BTW, Murder Spree (soon to be renamed Killing Spree) is working and it is pretty awesome.

General
• Cloak of Shadows cooldown changed to 1.5 min.

Boo!  This makes me sad, but probably a lot of casters very happy. As one of our current  defenses, I hate to see this get nerfed.  But wait, read on, there’s more about Cloak of Shadows below in the changes to the talent Elusiveness.

• Disarm Trap range increased to 20 yds, cast time reduced to 1 sec, now requires stealth.

Oh!  Oh! Oh!  Does this mean we are going to see some more traps like we did in the first instance of TBC and then never again!?  Although a great skill for the Rogue feel of the class, I never have felt that Blizzard has actually made this skill worth mapping to a button.  Please make this ability automatic or easier to use.

• (NEW – Level 75) Tricks of the Trade: The current party or raid member becomes the target of your Tricks of the Trade. The threat caused by your next attack and all actions taken for 6 sec afterwards will be transferred to the target. In addition, all damage caused by the target is increased by 15% during this time. 30 sec cooldown. (Surprise! :) Yes, this is the new group/raid utility ability. We haven’t put any stacking protection on it yet but we’ll need one type of solution or other to prevent the need for 5 rogue Trick rotations. Note also that you cannot use this ability on yourself.)

Woot!  I’m glad to hear about the interest in making it so we don’t have to set up rotations, but I’m not holding my breath.

Assassination
• Vigor moved to Tier 3.
• Relentless Strikes moved to Subtlety Tier 1, made 5 ranks for 4/8/12/16/20%
chance.

So..  wait.  In the last Rogue update, Blizzard said “[Relentless Strikes] is ‘too required’ and will be made more accessible.”?  So the solution is to move it up to Tier 1 and make Rogues spend 5 points on it?  Maybe more accessible, but what’s the deal with making us spend 5 talents for it!?

• Murder moved to Tier 6, now increases damage by 2/4%.

Ah.  Thank you, Blizzard.  You’ve allowed me to remove Murder from my talent decision making.  So instead of spending points on Murder to get up to Relentless Strikes, we now get to spend the same points on Relentless Strikes without getting any other benefit along the way?

• (NEW – Tier 7) Overkill: Abilities used while stealthed and for 6 seconds after breaking stealth cost 10 less energy.

Was someone in the Assassination tree complaining about a lack of Energy?  With an already large assortment of Energy talents, Vigor, Relentless Strikes, Quick Recovery and Focused Attacks, is this just intended to be Assassination’s version of Adrenaline Rush?

• Focused Attacks and Turn the Tables have swapped locations.

This makes more sense to me as Focused Attacks will then be in the same Tier as Combat Potency, which also involves Energy recovery.

• Master Poisoner moved to Tier 9, no longer increases chance to hit with poison attacks, now increases the critical hit chance of all attacks made against any target you have poisoned by 1/2/3% and reduces the duration of all Poison effects applied to you by 17/34/50%. (This does not stack with the Paladin talent Heart of the Crusader.)

Sounds like a definite buff. =)

• Hunger for Blood duration increased to 30 seconds.

Duration tripled.  TRIPLED.

Combat
• Precision now also increases chance to hit with poison attacks by 1/2/3/4/5%.

I can’t see the exact reasoning behind this, but I certainly can’t complain.

• Nerves of Steel will now reduce damage taken while stunned or feared by 15/30% rather than reducing duration.

Another talent that Blizzard seems like they aren’t sure what the talent should actually be implemented.

• Improved Sprint moved to Tier 4.

I can’t see what big difference this will make.

• Blade Twisting now slows movement speed by 70%.

It’s about time!  I might actually add Blade Twisting now as before “dazing” your opponent was never that useful.

• Mace Specialization now ignores 3/6/9/12/15% of target’s armor.

Very nice addition to Mace Specialization, but can someone explain to me how maces are better at penetrating armor than, oh say, swords and daggers?

• Throwing Specialization now also has a chance to interrupt target when Fan of Knives is used.

I still don’t see anyone taking Throwing Specialization.  Anyone remember Barbarian’s Throwing Specialization in Diablo II?  Yep, just as useful.

• Unfair Advantage: Whenever you dodge an attack you strike back for 50/100% of your main hand weapon’s damage.

Wow, this sounds cool.  I have a really comical slapfight scene in my head between a Rogue with Unfair Advantage and Evasion and a Warrior with Overpower.  I’m going to put my money on the guy wielding TWO two-handed maces.

• Stay of Execution removed, replaced with Blood Poisoning.
• (NEW – Tier 9) Blood Poisoning: All physical damage caused to enemies you have poisoned is increased by 1/2%.

I like the Blood Poisoning, but I fear the PvP players are going to quite upset at the loss of Stay of Execution.

• Prey on the Weak now increases critical strike damage of all attacks.
• Killing Spree is the new name for Murder Spree and should be working much better very soon.

I like the change from Murder Spree to Killing Spree.  Murder Spree just sounded so judgmental.  Prey on the Weak will be nice to see it applied to all attack finally.

Subtlety
• Shadowstep will no longer be usable while rooted.

Strange that they would apply such a nerf to the mobility of an ability whose main focus is mobility. 

• Elusiveness moved to Tier 3, now reduces cooldown of Cloak of Shadows by 15/30 sec.

Ah, the clever Blizzard tactic of making you pay more talent points to get back the same f!$#ing ability you had in the previous expansion without having to spend any talent points!  Thanks again, Blizzard.  Now I know how Warriors feel.

• Premeditation cooldown reduced to 20 sec.
• Preparation no longer refreshes the cooldown to Premeditation.
• Master of Deception reduced to 3 ranks.
• Opportunity reduces to 2 ranks for 10/20%.
• Camouflage reduced to 3 ranks for 5/10/15% speed and 2/4/6 sec off the cooldown of Stealth.
• Initiative moved to Tier 4, increased to 33/66/100% chance.
• Improved Ambush moved to Tier 4, reduced to 2 ranks for 25/50%.
• Serrated Blades moved to Tier 3.

Nice to see Subtlety get tidied up a bit.

• Wrongfully Accused replaced with Filthy Tricks.
• (NEW – Tier 9) Filthy Tricks: Reduces the cooldown of your Tricks of the Trade and Distract abilities by 5/10 sec.

Tier 9?  Disappointing to have a talent that benefits one of our old raid/group abilities buried so deep into the Subtlety tree.

• Slaughter from the Shadows now also reduces the energy cost of your Hemorrhage ability by 1/2/3/4/5.

Nice.

• Shadow Dance redesigned, now allows the use of Sap, Garrote, Ambush, Cheap Shot, Premeditation, Pickpocket and Disarm Trap regardless of being stealthed. Those abilities all gain a cooldown of 2 sec. Lasts 10 sec.

Awesome.  I was curious as to how they were going to work out the stealth/unstealth/stealth/unstealth deal with latencies and everything.  Sounds like a good time to plan a Premeditation, Garrotte, Ambush, Cheap Shot, Ambush, Rupture macro. =)

Summary

I never though having a form of Misdirect would make me excited, but Tricks of the Trade does actually sound interesting and fun.  Every talent tree seems to be getting some attention, but I’m not completely happy with a lot of the changes. 

I hope that Blizzard gets a lot of feedback on the changes so they can evaluate them properly.  For my part, I’ll be staying with a mostly Combat build.

If you’re in beta, say hi to Parry if you see me on. =)

Also, due to the buff and debuff changes, I’m wondering if it will stack with Ferocious Inspiration or Sanctified Retribution as they also both buff damage by a percentage amount.

Assassination

Skills

• Mutilate no longer requires you to be behind the target.

• Expose Armor: All ranks have had their armor reduction increased.

• Envenom now increases the chance to apply poisons by 25% to targets for 1 sec plus an additional 1 sec per combo point in addition to its current effect.

Talents

• Master Poisoner (Tier 6) text clarified: Reduces the chance your poisons will be resisted by 5% and reduces the duration of all Poison effects applied to you by 25%.

• Fleet Footed (Tier 5) reduces the duration of all movement impairing effects by 15/30%. (Previously 25/50%)

• Improved Expose Armor (Tier 3) now increases the duration of Expose Armor instead of increasing the armor penetration.

• Improved Eviscerate (Tier 1) increases the damage done by Eviscerate by 7/14/20%. (Previously 5/10/15%)

Subtlety

Skills

• *New Skill* Tricks of the Trade (Level 75): The current party or raid member becomes the target of your Tricks of the Trade. The threat caused by your next attack and all actions taken for 6 sec afterwards will be transferred to the target. In addition, all damage caused by the target is increased by 15% during this time.

Talents

• Honor Among Thieves (Tier 9) changed to: When anyone in your group critically hits with a damage or healing spell or ability, you have a 33/66/100% chance to gain a combo point on your current target. This effect cannot occur more than once every second.

• Waylay (Tier 8 ) now reduces targets melee and ranged attack speed by 20% (Previously 30%)

From Gamnin on the Beta forums, Source.

Hello rogues,

We’ve got some updates coming soon for the rogue class and I wanted to duck in and give you a sneak preview of what we’ve been working on as well as our future goals. Below are lists (by no means exhaustive) of some of these changes and goals.

General

- Quality of life improvements: Removal of various reagents (Thieves’ Tools, Flash Powder) as well as a Poisons skill change. We’re removing the Poisons skill and making the finished poisons available on vendors for purchase. This should free up a fair amount of bag space.
- Envenom: Now also increases your chance to apply poisons by 25% for 2-6 seconds (based on combo points).
- Wounding Poison: No longer stacks. The first application now reduces healing by 50%.
- Anesthetic Poison: Now also removes one Enrage effect from the target.
- Evasion, Sprint, Vanish: Cooldown reduced to 3 minutes. (Talents that reduce cooldown take this down to 2 minutes.)
- Cloak of Shadows: Cooldown increased to 2 minutes. (Elusiveness now reduces this cooldown to 1 minute.)
- A new level 75 ability has been designed. This is going to be one of the bigger teases as we’re not quite ready to talk about this one yet. I will say that will add some much needed group utility.
- Fan of Knives: Weapon normalization to equalize effectiveness regardless of weapons carried.

Assassination

- Mutilate: No longer requires you be behind the target.
- Relentless Strikes: Talent is too “required” and will be made more accessible. Vigor will replace its spot in the tree and a new talent will be created to fill Vigor’s spot.
- Find Weakness: Made passive to cut down on the number of triggered effects that either don’t affect gameplay or affect it in a negative way.
- Cut to the Chase: No longer requires a critical Eviscerate or Envenom. The finisher just has to land.
- Hunger for Blood: Now removes any harmful physical effect instead of Bleed or Magic effects. Bleed effects will still be removed (as all are physical) as well as effects like Mortal Strike, Aimed Shot, Expose Armor etc…

Combat

- Riposte: Now generates a combo point.
- Mace Specialization: This will grant armor penetration when using a mace. (The warrior talent will as well.)
- Deflection: Reduced to 3 ranks for 2/4/6% parry. This should soften the prereq for Riposte.
- Fist Weapon Specialization: Merged with Dagger Specialization.
- Dagger Specialization: Renamed Close Quarters Combat, moved to tier 3.
- Dual Wield Specialization: Moved to tier 1. Lightning Reflexes swapped locations with it and still needs a little more “oomph”.
- Unfair Advantage and Stay of Execution: Change to more offensive/utility (read mobility) talents. Too much defense on this tier.
- Killing Spree: Weapon normalization to equalize effectiveness regardless of weapons carried.

Subtlety

- More attractive Tier 1 to draw in all types of builds.
- Fewer dagger specific talents to allow additional build options.
- Wrongfully Accused: Reviewed. This talent doesn’t fit well in this location. May be moved lower and/or redesigned.
- Shadow Dance: A bit awkward at the moment. Due for some polish and some design tweaks.

Plenty to do still as you can see. As I mentioned, this isn’t everything we’ve got our eye on but gives you something to discuss and look for in an upcoming beta patch. Please add to the list anything you think needs special attention.

Thanks for reading. I’m going back to work.

On Wednesday, thanks to an anonymous benefactor (and Phae’s persistence), Valenna landed in Valiance Keep on the southern edge of the Borean Tundra on the beta servers.  But of course, someone already stole the name “Valenna” on the server, so in my efforts to find a suitable replacement she was renamed “Parry”.  Let’s just say this really isn’t my favorite choice and has lead to some really confusing combat logs.

So, time on the beta has been hit and miss as there was scheduled maintenance extended late into Wednesday night.  But after my guild’s SSC run failed to get off the ground (or even out of the hanger and on to the runway), I was able to copy over Valenna and work my way through some of the Borean Tundra quests.  And on Thursday night, four of us (Phae, Mr. Phae, Runy and I) ventured into The Nexus.

The quests are impressive and varied, showing off the new phasing technology as well as a slew of new mechanics and effects that are used in them (like the capture quest pictured to the right). The story is interesting and your character feels much more involved and important to world events.

The Nexus was fun.  It was really interesting not knowing what mob did what or what each boss had in store or even what bosses we had to confront.  There were four bosses in The Nexus and it appeared like you can do three of them in any order before you decide to confront the final boss.  We were way overgeared for the place with Runy’s Sunwell gear and our SSC/TK gear.  It was still a blast and I look forward to do it again.

The graphics engine seems to have been changed slightly.  I think the Night Elf eye glow is different and they’ve added some atmosphere effects to different areas such as the fog effect below.Like the Blues have stated, some Rogue abilities are yet to be finished, such as Murder Spree which doesn’t seem to do anything.  And while I thought Sap was broken, it appears that we get our new version that affects more than Humanoids once we reach 71.  Unfair Advantage is working and is a strange talent as it is almost always up.  And while we’ve lost Disarm, we don’t get Dismantle until level 75, so I think it will be a while before I’m able to test it out.

As Phaelia mentioned in her post, the most painful thing has been to rebuild my UI.  After stealing all the addons she had already acquired, I picked up the rest of my essentials from the list she posted of addons that WoW Interface has confirmed to be working with Lich King.  For me, I had to have Outfitter, RatingBuster, ArkInventory and agUnitframes before it even felt like the same game.

Expect more regular updates as I actually have something to blog about now.  ^_^