For those waiting on the chance to test World of Warcraft’s latest patch, you’re in luck. The patch is now available for testing in the game’s Public Test Realm.
There are a whole lot of class adjustments in this patch, but feature wise there are a few noteworthy points to address. There’s a new Quest Hub area called “The Isle of The Thunder King”, two new world bosses and a new raid called “Throne of Thunder”.
Those who wish to take part in the beta can copy their characters over after downloading the Public Test Realm.
World of Warcraft seems like a lifetime ago for me, and personally I’m looking forward to the release of the Marvel Heroes MMO. How many of you are still playing WoW? Will you participating in the upcoming patch’s public beta? Let us know in the comments.
The patch notes are tome-worthy in regards to extensiveness, but I’ll post some of the highlights down below:
New Daily Quest Hub: The Isle of the Thunder King.
- Here players can join the assault to conquer Emperor Lei Shen’s island stronghold, unlock new questlines and daily quest hubs, participate in special events, earn the right to visit the fabled Treasure Room, lay claim to an arsenal of powerful Mogu artifacts for their faction, and more.
- Each faction’s finest are spearheading the assault: the Kirin-Tor Offensive led by Jaina Proudmoore and the Sunreaver Onslaught led by Lor’themar Theron. Earning reputation with these new factions offers heroes the opportunity to receive new quests and reputation rewards, including powerful items and an intimidating new mount.
- After both the Alliance and the Horde have eked out a foothold on the isle, players can choose to perform quests that are PvE or PvP focused. PvP quests will direct players against opposing faction NPCs, but slaying opposing players will grant credit as well.
- As the heroes conquer the Isle, they will unlock the powerful Lightning Forge, which will allow Blacksmiths to forge mighty raid-worthy items, as well as classic weapons from the past.
- Players on the PTR can teleport to the Isle of the Thunder King at the Shado-Pan Garrison in Townlong Steppes on the western shores of Pandaria. While the Isle of the Thunder King will be unlocked progressively by each realm based on participation in the war effort, initially only some of the Isle’s features will be unlocked. Future updates will include the Shipyard and the Main Courtyard. Some features, including the Treasure Room, will not yet be available.
New Raid: Throne of Thunder
- Emperor Lei Shen, the Thunder King, has returned to wreak his vengeance on Pandaria. It falls to the heroes of the Alliance and the Horde to stop the newly resurrected tyrant and his Zandalari allies in the massive new raid: Throne of Thunder.
- Throne of Thunder is a sprawling citadel housing 12 new raid encounters, and players that defeat Emperor Lei Shen in Heroic mode can earn the opportunity to face an additional 13th foe.
- The Raid Finder version of the Throne of Thunder will be divided into 4 different wings.
- Join the Shado-Pan Assault in their singular drive to see Lei Shen, The Thunder King, defeated once and for all, and gain access to impressive Valor reward items. Reputation with this faction can be earned only within the Throne of Thunder raid dungeon.
- Please note: During the 5.2 PTR, this raid dungeon will only be available during a limited testing window. Keep an eye on our PTR Discussion forum for details.
The Legendary Quest Continues:
- Wrathion must know the origin and source of Mogu power, and Azeroth’s mightiest heroes will aid the Black Prince in finding out what it is. The search for information will take players into the depths of the Thunder King’s Palace, and pit them against trials of perseverance and skill. Along the way, they’ll unlock the secrets to a new legendary metagem, Crown of the Heavens.
- Players seeking to re-acquire previous Legendary quest rewards (Such as gems for Sha-touched weapons) can now speak with the Blacktalon Quartermaster, the surly-looking Pandaren standing in the first floor of the Tavern in the Mists.
New World Bosses: Nalak, the Storm Lord and Oondasta
Nalak, the Storm Lord
- After the Isle of the Thunder King has been conquered, the gate guardian of the Thunder King’s citadel will appear: Nalak, the Storm Lord. Players will frequently have the opportunity to test their mettle against him.
Oondasta
- Found in a place that has been lost in time, the great devilsaur lord Oondasta has been outfitted for battle with weaponry and armor by the Zandalari, and awaits players brave enough (or foolhardy enough) to seek him out on the mysterious Isle of Giants found in the seas north of Kun-Lai Summit.
Mage Notes:
- Invocation now removes Evocation’s cooldown, and reduces its channeling time and duration by 50%. A completed Evocation now grants 15% increased damage for 1 minute after an Evocation is completed, instead of 25% increased damage for 40 seconds. Passive mana regeneration is reduced by 50% only while Invoker’s Energy is active.
- Greater invisibility now has a 90 second cooldown (was 2.5 minutes).
- Frostbolt cast by Mirror Images now deals 50% more damage.
- Glyph of Fire Blast has been replaced with Glyph of Inferno Blast. Glyph of Inferno Blast causes damage-over-time effects spread by Inferno Blast to spread to 1 additional target.
Monk Notes:
- New Level 60 Talent: Ring of Peace
- Ring of Peace forms an 8 yard sanctuary around a friendly target for 8 seconds, disabling enemy player auto-attacks in PvP, and causing all enemies (both players and NPCs) in the area of effect to be disarmed for the duration. In addition, enemies that cast a damaging spell while within the area of effect will be silenced for 3 seconds.
- New Windwalker and Brewmaster ability added at level 30: Nimble Brew
- Nimble Brew removes all stun, fear, and root effects, and reduces the duration of those effects if they are reapplied by 60% for 6 seconds. It has a 2 minute cooldown.
- Chi Wave now does 100% more damage and healing, and no longer costs Chi, but now has a 15 second cooldown.
Shaman Notes:
- Chain Lightning will now deal the same damage to subsequent targets as it does to the first.
- Lava Beam’s damage now increases with jumps. Each jump increases the damage by 10%.
- Elemental Mastery now has a 90 second cooldown (was 2 minutes).
- Shamanistic Rage is now available to Elemental Shaman as well as Enhancement Shaman.
- Conductivity no longer requires that the target be within the area of effect of Healing Rain.
- Ancestral Swiftness now increases spell haste by 5% and melee haste by 10%, instead of 5% each.
- Glyph of Purge now adds a 6 second cooldown to Purge.
- Stone Bulwark Totem now absorbs 25% more damage.
The list goes on, but that covers the diversity of notes contained within the patch, including some new features.