onetimesilence Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing. -Wernher von Braun

New WoW Patch 3.0.2 – Take Two

Before you read this, be sure to check out my previous post New WoW Patch 3.0.2

...continued discussion of the changes that I have noticed while playing the new patch, Echoes of Doom.

22. The energy bars for Health and Mana do not skip, hop, and jump any more. They progress in real time. Nice and smooth.

23. The Achievements have caused some gameplay differences in players already. I was in Silvermoon last night working on some Inscription and Enchants, when all-of-a-sudden, 30 Alliance players ran by me and up the ramp into the Silvermoon throneroom...  !!!

Apparently, the achievements have now caused players to actually care enough to do things like this. Sounds fun. And now you get some type of credit for it. Before this, you could go in and wipe out the rulers of each city and no one would ever know.  Well, I decided to check out the action.  So I ran in with my level 30 Mage and just ran by. I took some screenshots as I went through the mess.  When I stopped I looked back and wash being targeted, so I logged out... instantly.  (now read below)

This is my suggestion to all who will listen (controversy may arise). Set up a special area of town where you can instant log out. Otherwise, people will use this technique to escape deaths in PvP.  Since Blizzard has opened a door to in-capitol city PvP, then they should address this cowardly escape.  Set ZZZ in Inns and in capitol cities... but only allow instant logout in the Inn or when when completely away from combat.

Otherwise...  I'm a priest. [/cast PowerWord: Shield] <absorb><absorb> [/cackle] [Logout] - no honor for you!

24. Items that used to have separate stats for spell damage and spell healing now have a combined stat called Spell Power. I noticed this as a little alkward on some of the items that I wear.  For instance, my Shadow Council Chain of the Physician no longer only heals a bunch, but now is usuable for DPS. So the name doesn't quite fit anymore in my opinion.

25: Pets now have a Talent point window as well. Located on a tab on the right-hand side of the Talents (N) window.  I took a look at three of my pets, and they each had their own spec. I assume because of the animal class they were.  Cunning, Ferocity, Tenacity. I decided to look up the different pet classes and found a list of Pets at WoWHead for you to look through. Note that each class has a special ability all to it's own. And hunters no longer have to go tame a specific pet class to learn how to teach the skill to their other pets. Thank goodness.  /cheer

26. My general thought on my Shadow Priest since the patch:  where is my mana??? but then again, my DPS seems to be up a lot!  Some specific notes on the Shadow Spec tree that I have noticed:

• The Spirit Tap talent only takes 3 points now, instead of 5.
• Shadow Weaving only works using my spells. So my warlock friend no longer helps me in the sense. But it's only 3 points now for 100%.
• Mind Melt. I'm thinking that this replaced Shadow Resilience. This is what got me thinking. They are helping bring the CRIT to the Shadow Priest.  I personally set up my Priest with as much CRIT power as possible. Maybe it will pay of now. But then again, I am about to hit level 70. So all my gear is about to change!