Wowpedia

We have moved to Warcraft Wiki. Click here for information and the new URL.

READ MORE

Wowpedia
 
(migrated change from wowwiki, added load screen tips)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
  +
{{Patchbox
{{for|rune lore|rune magic}}
 
  +
| Patchname =
[[Image:Death Knight portrait with runes.png|thumb|The [[death knight]] character portrait, displaying his six runes. Shows empty [[runic power]] bar located below the [[health]] bar.]]
 
  +
| Image =
  +
| Caption =
  +
| Release = 2010-10-12
  +
| Version = 13164
  +
| toc =
  +
| Highlights =
  +
*New streaming launcher
  +
*UI and class mechanics revamp
  +
| api = 1
  +
| Prev = 3.3.5a
  +
| Current = 4.0.1
  +
| Next = 4.0.1a
  +
}}
   
  +
==Stat Changes==
The '''rune system''' is the resource system used by [[death knight]]s, much as [[mana]], [[energy]], or [[rage]] are used by other classes or [[Focus (pet)|focus]] used by hunters' pets. The death knight's rune system consists of two very distinct but complementary resources: [[runes]] and [[runic power]]. Some of the death knight's spells and abilities require spending runes; others require his or her having generated through battle a certain level of runic power. Every death knight who has not recently been in combat enters a fresh combat situation possessing six expendable runes but no runic power. Only by spending some of these runes (each of which regenerates after ten seconds) on battle spells may the death knight thereby acquire and incrementally build up for a short time runic power, which in turn he or she may draw on for other spells. The death knight's rune system thus combines characteristics of those classes relying for combat powers on depleting-but-renewable resources — such as mana (mages, warlocks) and energy (rogues) — with those classes relying for combat powers on resources generated solely through battle itself, such as rage (warriors).
 
  +
===Stat Changes===
  +
Stamina - Due to the assigning of Strength, Agility, and Intellect, non-plate wearers have more Stamina than before. Health pools are now much closer between plate-wearers and other classes.
   
  +
Spirit - This stat should only be found on healing gear. Non-healing casters have other systems in place to regenerate mana.
==Runes==
 
The death knight has access to three different types of runes: [[Image:Blood.png]] Blood, [[Image:Frost.png]] Frost, and [[Image:Unholy.png]] Unholy.
 
   
  +
Intellect - Intellect now grants Spell Power and increases your Critical Strike chance with spells.
These three types of runes are also the names of the death knight's three respective [[Death knight talents|talent trees]].
 
   
  +
Haste - Haste should now be more attractive for melee classes by allowing them to recover resources such as rage, energy, and runes more quickly. Our intention is for Haste to let you "do stuff" more often.
Before casting any spells, the death knight has three pairs, totaling six runes. Different abilities and spells consume different types and amounts of runes and, when used, will place the corresponding rune on a 10 second cooldown (9 seconds if in Unholy Presence, having [[Improved Unholy Presence]]). Some abilities are able to refresh certain runes; [[Empower Rune Weapon]] will refresh all of them.
 
   
  +
Parry - Parry provides the same avoidance as Dodge, and you'll receive a percentage of your strength as Parry Rating.
There is also a fourth type of rune, which acts as any of the main rune types, the [[Image:Death.png]] Death Rune.
 
   
  +
Mastery - This is a new stat that will allow players to become better at whatever makes their chosen talent tree cool or unique. It's directly tied to talents, so what you gain from improving this stat is entirely dependent upon your class and the talent specialization you choose. We’ll talk more about specific Mastery benefits in the future.
The death rune can be created by using the skill [[Blood Tap]] or through the following talent upgrades:
 
   
  +
Armor - The amount of bonus Armor received per stat point on items has been drastically reduced, and Armor is no longer given by Agility. In addition, Armor now better mitigates differences among Armor types so that protection from mail, leather, and cloth is much closer to that of plate.
*Within the Blood tree, the talent [[Death Rune Mastery]] will give you a 33-100% chance to convert a Frost and Unholy Rune into a Death Rune after landing a hit with Death Stike or Obliterate. When procced, this will give you two Death Runes.
 
*The Frost tree talent [[Blood of the North]] gives you a 30-100% chance after hitting with Blood Strike or Pestilence that a Blood Rune will become a Death Rune when it activates.
 
*The Unholy tree talent [[Reaping]] provides a 33-100% chance to convert a Blood Rune into a Death Rune after hitting with Blood Strike or Blood Boil.
 
   
  +
Resilience - This now only affects damage done by players and their pets. It will not impact crit chance, crit damage, mana drains, or other such effects.
===Notes===
 
*Ten seconds may sound like a lot, but it actually isn't. If you only use abilities that require only 1 rune, you will have approx. 2 seconds left when using up all runes, sometimes even less if you've acquired death runes, and after that you also have a good amount of runic power accumulated.
 
   
  +
===Removed From Items===
*When a death rune temporarily replaces your frost, blood, or unholy runes it will be used as a last resort if no main rune is available for the ability you want to use. Death runes are not used in the order you receive them; death runes which replace blood runes will be used before death runes which replace frost or unholy runes, and death runes which replace unholy runes will be used before death runes which replace frost runes.
 
  +
Attack Power - This stat is rarely present on items, although it is derived from other stats. Strength and Agility, which are present on items, grant the appropriate amount of Attack Power (generally 2 Attack Power per point of Strength or Agility) depending upon which stat a particular class favors.
   
  +
Block Rating - Block has been redesigned to scale better. Blocked attacks will simply hit for 30% less damage. Block Rating is no longer given out directly as a stat. Instead, Mastery for Protection paladins and Protection warriors increases the chance to block.
==Runic power==
 
Runic power is an extra resource that builds up as the death knight uses his or her abilities, displayed as an empty bar that fills up with a light sky blue color similar to [[rage]] under the death knight's [[health]] bar. Generally, offensive single rune abilities generate 10 runic power and offensive multi-rune abilities generate 15 runic power. Additionally, [[Empower Rune Weapon]] and [[Horn of Winter]] generate runic power without costing runes. Talents can improve the runic power generation of some abilities and allow runic power to be generated in other ways. Death knights start with maximum 100 runic power but that can be increased up to 130 through [[Runic Power Mastery]]. As with rage, runic power gradually diminishes when not in combat.
 
   
  +
Spell Power - Spell Power is no longer present on most items. Instead, as mentioned above, Intellect now grants Spell Power. One exception is that caster weapons still have Spell Power. This allows us to make weapons proportionately more powerful for casters in the same way they are for melee classes.
==Rune abilities by cost==
 
===Single rune abilities===
 
{| class=darktable
 
! Rune !! [[Image:Blood.png]] Blood || [[Image:Frost.png]] Frost || [[Image:Unholy.png]] Unholy
 
|- valign="center"
 
! Universal
 
|
 
*{{ability|Blood Boil}}
 
*{{ability|Blood Presence}}
 
*{{ability|Blood Strike}}
 
*{{ability|Pestilence}}
 
*{{ability|Strangulate}}
 
|
 
*{{ability|Chains of Ice}}
 
*{{ability|Frost Presence}}
 
*{{ability|Icy Touch}}
 
*{{ability|Path of Frost}}
 
|
 
*{{ability|Death Gate}}
 
*{{ability|Plague Strike}}
 
*{{ability|Unholy Presence}}
 
|- valign="center"
 
! Talented
 
|
 
*{{ability|Heart Strike}}
 
*{{ability|Mark of Blood}}
 
*{{ability|Rune Tap}}
 
*{{ability|Vampiric Blood}}
 
|
 
*{{ability|Unbreakable Armor}}
 
|
 
*{{ability|Anti-Magic Zone}}
 
*{{ability|Bone Shield}}
 
*{{ability|Ghoul Frenzy}}
 
|}
 
   
  +
Armor Penetration - This stat is no longer present on items. Armor Penetration still exists in talents and abilities.
===Multi-rune abilities===
 
{| class=darktable
 
! Cost !!colspan=2| [[Image:Frost.png]] Frost + [[Image:Unholy.png]] Unholy || [[Image:Blood.png]] Blood + [[Image:Frost.png]] Frost + [[Image:Unholy.png]] Unholy
 
|-
 
! Talented !! No !! Yes !! No
 
|- valign="center"
 
!Abilities
 
|
 
*{{ability|Death Strike}}
 
*{{ability|Obliterate}}
 
|
 
*{{ability|Howling Blast}} (Frost)
 
*{{ability|Scourge Strike}} (Unholy)
 
|
 
*{{ability|Army of the Dead}}
 
*{{ability|Death and Decay (death knight ability)|Death and Decay}}
 
|}
 
   
  +
Shield Block Value - There are some effects that increase the Block value by a percentage, but this does not exist as a stat.
==Cataclysm changes==
 
Cost changes to existing abilities:
 
*Death and Decay: 1 Unholy
 
*Howling Blast: 1 Frost
 
*Scourge Strike: 1 Unholy
 
New abilities:
 
*{{ability|Necrotic Strike}}: 1 Unholy.
 
*{{ability|Pillar of Frost}}: 1 Frost.
 
   
==Runic power abilities==
 
{| class=darktable
 
! Untalented || Blood || Frost || Unholy
 
|-
 
|
 
*{{ability|Anti-Magic Shell}}
 
*{{ability|Death Coil (death knight ability)}}
 
*{{ability|Death Pact}}
 
*{{ability|Icebound Fortitude}}
 
*{{ability|Mind Freeze}}
 
*{{ability|Rune Strike}}
 
|
 
*{{ability|Dancing Rune Weapon}}
 
|
 
*{{ability|Frost Strike}}
 
*{{ability|Hungering Cold}}
 
|
 
*{{ability|Corpse Explosion}}
 
*{{ability|Summon Gargoyle}}
 
|}
 
   
==Origin and idea==
+
===Removed From the Game===
  +
MP5 - This stat no longer exists in the game. Holy paladins and Restoration shaman have been redesigned to benefit from Spirit.
Developers said at [[BlizzCon 2007]] that they didn't want the new class to use the traditional resource systems because they wanted the death knight to have a different style of play. They stated their intention was for the death knight to use a mixture of spells ''and'' melee in close combat. Because of this, a system that didn't specifically rely on either mana or rage was more appropriate.
 
   
  +
Defense - Defense is now removed from the game. Tanking classes will become uncrittable versus creatures by shifting into Defensive Stance, Blood Presence, or Bear Form, or by using Righteous Fury.
This is how the original icons looked: [[Image:Blood-old.gif]] [[Image:Frost-old.gif]] [[Image:Unholy-old.gif]]
 
   
  +
Spell Ranks - Spell ranks now cease to exist. All spells have one rank and will scale appropriately by caster level. The levels at which you can learn certain spells have been changed in order to fill in some of the gaps, and there are many new spells to learn along the way as well.
During the 2008 [[WWI]], it was noted that the original runes were replaced because they were too complex to show them refreshing inside the character's portrait bar.
 
   
  +
Weapon Skill - This stat will be removed from the game completely. Classes will start with all the weapon skills they need to know and will not need to improve them.
This is how the replacement icons looked: [[Image:Blood-temp.png]] [[Image:Frost-temp.png]] [[Image:Unholy-temp.png]] [[Image:Death-temp.png]]
 
   
== Gallery ==
 
<gallery>
 
Runes1.jpg|An outdated [[death knight]] character portrait, displaying a combination of six runes and the currently accumulated runic power.
 
Runes2.jpg|The three different (now obsolete) rune types as revealed at [[BlizzCon 2007]].
 
Betaframe.jpg|The death knight character portrait as seen in the ''[[Wrath of the Lich King]]'' beta.
 
</gallery>
 
   
  +
===What Else You Should Know===
== Patch changes ==
 
  +
Combat ratings - Ratings are much harder to "cap out" at maximum gear levels. Ratings are steeper in Cataclysm, and creatures in later tiers of content will be harder to hit or crit, similar to how level-83 mobs are harder to hit or crit than level-80 mobs.
* {{patched|date=2009-06-02|bluenote=Runic Power costs will no longer be lowered by abilities intended to lower mana costs.|link=http://blue.mmo-champion.com/23/16474158165-recent-ingame-fixes--41609.html}}
 
   
  +
Reforging - This new itemization customization feature allows you to partially change the stats on an item. You can reduce the value of an existing stat on an item, and add an equivalent amount of another stat that was not already present on the item. This makes it far easier to reach important thresholds like the Hit Rating and Expertise Rating caps.<ref>http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=27187850231&sid=1</ref>
   
  +
== Player Versus Player ==
[[es:Sistema de runas]]
 
  +
* [[Battleground]]s will no longer close when both sides are below the minimum player requirement.
[[Category:Death knights]]
 
  +
[[Category:Resource systems]]
 
  +
== Achievements ==
[[Category:Wrath of the Lich King]]
 
  +
* New Feat of Strength added: {{achievement|Friends In Even Higher Places}}.
  +
* {{Achievement|Master of Arms}} and {{Achievement|Did Somebody Order a Knuckle Sandwich?}} converted to Feat of Strength.
  +
* In Dungeons & Raids section of achievements all Lich King Heroics have been put to Lich King Dungeon tab.
  +
  +
== Talents ==
  +
* A total of 36 points at level 80 (down from 71).
  +
* Each tree only requires 31 points to reach the last tier (down from 41).
  +
* You must now select only one tree. Once you do, you are given a primary ability for that spec, and two or three attributes specific for that spec. At level 80, you are given a [[Mastery]] trait also specific for the spec you chose, learned at your trainer.
  +
* You cannot put points into any other tree until you have put 31 into your first tree.
  +
==Experience==
  +
The experience needed to level from 1-40 have been reduced by a significant amount.
  +
  +
== Classes ==
  +
{{main|Patch 4.0.1 (class changes)}}
  +
* The price of dual specialization is reduced from 1000 gold to 100 gold.
  +
* [[Health regeneration]] uses a new formula. Outside of combat, all classes seem to regenerate 0.75% of their maximum health per second before the effects of abilities.
  +
* [[Mana regeneration]] uses a new formula.
  +
* Class [[buffs]] can no longer be applied to player-controlled [[pets]].
  +
* Class buffs and their raid-wide counterparts have been consolidated into a single spell. When the target of the buff is within your party or raid (including yourself), the buff applies to the entire raid. Reagents are no longer required for these abilities.
  +
  +
==Mounts==
  +
* All mounts now scale with riding skill - level 20 60% mounts will now move at 100% speed with epic riding.
  +
* The [[X-53 Touring Rocket]] can now also be used as a ground mount.
  +
* Players can now instantly transition in Dalaran with mounts that have both a ground and flying speed without remounting.
  +
* If a player upgrades the riding skill while riding a mount that can scale to the new skill, it is applied instantly. For example, learning Expert Riding in Outland while riding a [[Celestial Steed]] immediately enables flying without remounting.
  +
  +
==Dungeons==
  +
* Though not displayed in the Dungeon Finder Interface Screen, completing a Random Lich King Heroic Dungeon using the Dungeon Finder will award 23 [[Justice Point|Justice Points]], in addition to the 16 [[Justice Point|Justice Points]] earned for each boss killed.
  +
* Completing a weekly raid quest will be rewarded with 137 Justice Points.
  +
* After a hotfix, The [[Essence-Infused Moonstone]] is no longer needed to summon [[Anzu]]; he will now always be present in Heroic [[Sethekk Halls]].
  +
  +
==Professions==
  +
* [[Herbalism]] and [[Mining]] give [[XP]]. The higher level the char is, the lower the received XP will be. This uses rest XP so you will get double XP while you have sufficient rest stored up.
  +
* Tiffany Cartier no longer exchanges Titanium Powder for Dalaran Jewelcrafter's Tokens; you now turn them in at Timothy Jones via a repeatable quest.
  +
* Master [[Riding]] is available from Northrend [[Riding trainers]] at a cost of {{cost|5000}}, allowing all flying mounts to scale to 310% speed. Characters that already had a 310% speed flying mount pre-4.0.1 are given this skill automatically and free of charge. ''Note that reputation discounts apply to the trainers in the Northrend starting areas!''
  +
** The exception is the the {{loot|epic|Reins of the Violet Proto-Drake}} from the [[meta-achievement|meta]] [[World Events achievements|world events achievement]] {{achievement|What A Long, Strange Trip It's Been}}. While still technically a 280% mount due to Patch 4.0.1, this mount will award 310% speed to characters who do not have it for free, due to a hotfix.
  +
** The speed of nearly all mounts scales with riding skill. Exceptions include the [[Sea Turtle (mount)|Sea Turtle]] mount.
  +
* [[Cold Weather Flying]] is now available to all characters at level 68 for {{cost|500}}.
  +
* [[Flexweave Underlay]], [[Springy Arachnoweave]], and [[Nitro Boosts]] no longer increase spell power, agility, and crit rating respectively, but can now be used alongside other enchants.
  +
* [[Leatherworking]] Specializations have been removed
  +
* [[Tailoring]] Specializations have been removed; specialty cloth is now always made in single units.
  +
* There is now just one kind and tier of [[Vellum]]. Old Weapon and Armor Vellums are converted to a [[Ruined Vellum]], which can be used to create the new all-purpose [[Enchanting Vellum]].
  +
* [[Alchemy]] [[Transmute]] cooldowns have been redesigned. Completing the transmute will now cause a cooldown that is fixed to reset at 00:00 server time, limiting you to one cooldown per day.
  +
* Many profession trainers in capitals now train professions up to Grand Master. Accounts without expansions will still be unable to access the professions associated with those expansions.
  +
  +
==Items==
  +
* Some former Guardian Elixirs are now Battle Elixirs.
  +
* The effect of most scrolls are now considered Battle Elixirs, and will overwrite existing Battle Elixirs. The effect of scrolls of stamina and protection are considered Guardian Elixirs.
  +
* Most books that formerly taught class spells are now poor-quality items with no function. Exceptions include {{item|Tome of Dalaran Brilliance}} and {{item|Tome of Polymorph: Black Cat}}.
  +
* {{loot|heirloom|Tome of Cold Weather Flight}} has been removed.
  +
* Some glyph items have been replaced with {{item|Charred Glyph}}s, non-functional, poor-quality items.
  +
* Some glyphs have been replaced or renamed.
  +
* Numerous item stat changes:
  +
** [[Armor Penetration Rating]], [[Block Rating]] and [[Defense Rating]] have been replaced with other stats.
  +
** [[MP5]] has been replaced with [[spirit]].
  +
** [[Spell power]] on most non-weapon equipment has been replaced with [[intellect]].
  +
* Wrathful Gladiator gear, with the exception of shoulders and T2 weapons and the tabard, can be purchased for honour, with no Battleground or Arena rating required (although the tooltip says that it is requires)
  +
* [[Pristine Black Diamond]] now has a sell price of 50s
  +
* [[Drums of the Wild]] have changed from a [[Gift of the Wild]] buff to a health and mana regeneration buff.
  +
* {{Loot|uncommon|Cache of the Ley-Guardian}} now contains 32 Justice Points instead of 2 Emblems of Triumph.
  +
* [[Relic]]s now have stats rather than modifying certain class abilities.
  +
* Some relics now have sockets. (This includes old-world relics that predated the [[Jewelcrafting]] profession.)
  +
* Several changes were made to gems, mainly hit rating, intellect, and dodge rating moved to blue, red, and yellow (previously yellow, yellow, and red) respectively.
  +
* The gold cap has been increased to 1,000,000 gold.
  +
* The original {{loot|epic|Elementium Ore}} has been renamed to {{loot|epic|Elementium Ignot}}, to make way for the new ore that will be added in 4.0.3.
  +
* The original {{loot|legendary|Elementium Bar}} has been renamed to {{loot|legendary|Hardened Elementium Bar}}, to make way for the new bar that will be added in 4.0.3.
  +
* {{loot|rare|MOLL-E}} now binds when used.
  +
  +
==Quests==
  +
* <s>The [[Horde]] and [[Alliance]] versions of the pre-''Cataclysm'' event quest chain are now available, starting with [[Earthen Ring]] emissaries in faction capitals.</s>
  +
* If you must kill a mob or talk to an NPC, the name of the mob will be visible over their head regardless of user settings. User setting will return once quest is completed.
  +
* {{Questlong|Neutral|70|Spirits of Auchindoun}} no longer grants any bonus honor.
  +
* The {{Questlong|Neutral|70|Morthis Whisperwing}} quest chain for druid [[Swift Flight Form]] completely removed.
  +
* {{Questlong|Horde|10|Cleanup on Isle E.}} has replaced {{questlong|Horde|10|Zalazane}}.
  +
* Some quests previously offered by [[Thrall]] are now offered by Garrosh Hellscream.
  +
* {{Questlong|Horde|62|Messenger to Thrall}} and {{Questlong|Horde|63|Envoy to the Mag'har}} have been removed.
  +
* Several quests in Nagrand have been reduced in order to complete, such as the Beast killing quests; and of course the poop quest too.
  +
  +
==Reputation==
  +
* The [[Gnomeregan Exiles]] faction has been renamed to [[Gnomeregan (faction)|Gnomeregan]].
  +
* The most current factions are now listed at the top of the Reputation window. For example, a level 80 character in Northrend will have WotLK rep first, then BC, then Classic factions.
  +
  +
==User interface==
  +
* The World Map button has moved to the upper-right corner of the minimap rather than around the edge of it.
  +
* The Social button has been moved to the upper-left of the chat window.
  +
* On the Character Select Screen, characters now perform an attack animation appropriate to their class (spell casting or melee) every 30 seconds.
  +
* Character stats are on a separate display that must be revealed on the right of the character screen.
  +
* Buttons for popup windows (talents, PvP, dungeon finder, etc.) now display the level at which they become available.
  +
* The graphics settings window has been revamped.
  +
* Zone names displayed when moving between zones are now closer to the top of the screen.
  +
* On the border of the [[Minimap]] a yellow arrow points to the closest quest area. In the Objectives frame the number of that quest has a yellow (instead brown) background.
  +
* While dead a red arrow points in the direction of your corpse on the border of the [[Minimap]].
  +
* While dead there is a return to Graveyard button at the top of user screen.
  +
* If [[quest item]]s can be looted, they will be displayed with a yellow border in the [[Loot#Looting_while_solo|loot window]].<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K9kFgI4FqY&feature=player_embedded</ref>
  +
* You can now activate multiple tracking abilities (Class Trainer, Auctioneer, Mailbox, etc.) including NPC and multiple profession tracking (Track Humanoids, Find Minerals, etc.) simultaneously and the minimap uses appropriate icons to distinguish them from each other; however, it still uses generic yellow dots for [[Find Minerals]], [[Find Herbs]], and [[Find Fish]].
  +
* Mounts and companion pets have been moved to the spellbook.
  +
* Tooltips of mobs and objects displays quest progression of partymembers when in a party and the quest has been shared.
  +
* The character screen now displays the character's talent specialization if one exists.
  +
* The background behind the character on the character screen is now greyed.
  +
* New Guild UI and cap of 1000 members have been implemented.
  +
* If you unsheathe your weapons while dancing, they no longer get re-sheathed.
  +
* If you have FPS enabled, it is now displayed on the world map (in a different position than on the main interface)
  +
* AddOns can no longer get access to Real Names as the UI merely provides a [[UI escape sequences|UI Escape Sequence]] which is rendered as the correct name when displayed.
  +
* The [[Kalu'ak]] boat crew now have their voices follow them around when they speak.
  +
* Gryphons (the Alliance flight path type) now have their voice remain stationary.
  +
* All guards and NPC participants at the Tourney now frequently beat their mounts resulting in much noise.
  +
* Consolidate Buffs is now the default setting and has been turned on for you in your preferences. You can turn it back off of course.
  +
* A throttle has been added to all public chat channels, limiting players to two messages every few seconds. Players will receive an error message instructing them to wait before <s>spamming</s> sending additional chat in that channel. Other forms of chat (such as Say, Party, Yell, and Guild) remain unchanged.
  +
* Links can now be used in all chat channels.
  +
* Updated generic portraits are used for Night Elf, Gnome, and Troll party/raid members who are out of visual range.
  +
* The new raid frame interface allows players to select their role within the raid (the leader/assistants can also set it for them). An option Interface allows players to be grouped together by roles.
  +
* The new raid frame interface allows colored markers to be placed on the ground.
  +
* When placing a [[raid target icon]] on a target, a line will now be displayed in raid chat indicating who placed which icon on what target.
  +
* The "report problem" button is gone from the Help Request window. In its place is an informational page on Account Security. You can no longer report issues to the Game Masters without speaking with one unless you are offline when your ticket reaches the top of the queue.
  +
* New loading screen tips have been added.
  +
  +
==Game Engine==
  +
*PowerPC is no longer supported
  +
*It is now impossible for Windows 98 & Windows 2000 users to install World of Warcraft (unsupported since 3.0.2, however could still play on them)
  +
**It is officially "impossible" to install on Windows 2000, however there is a way to do it unofficially. (This has not been tested on Windows 98!) The game itself isn't incompatible with Windows 2000, just the Launcher requires a small piece of code that Windows 2000 lacks, so loading the game isn't a problem once you get past installation. http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic155005.html has walkthroughs on a few different ways to make it work with Windows 2000. The Wrapper DLL fix is the only one I have tested and succeeded in installing with.
  +
*The Launcher will now prevent you from accessing the login screen without an active Internet connection. It can still be accessed by bypassing the Launcher.
  +
*Cinematics are no longer included in the digital download. They can still be installed from the CDs/DVDs.
  +
  +
==World environment==
  +
===General===
  +
* The [[Elemental Invasion]] world event is in the game files, but will presumably be activated at a later date.
  +
* Earthquakes have increased in frequency as well as intensity, sometimes causing dust to fall from buildings. Horde and Alliance leaders are meeting to discuss the matter.
  +
  +
===NPCs===
  +
* [[Magni Bronzebeard]] has new armor and weapons.
  +
* [[Garrosh Hellscream]] has a new, unique model.
  +
  +
===Dun Morogh===
  +
* [[Operation: Gnomeregan]] has been removed. The outside of [[Gnomeregan]] is now being prepared for the gnomes' relocation.
  +
  +
===Durotar===
  +
* [[Zalazane's Fall]] has been removed. [[Zalazane]] and his minions have been removed, and the [[Echo Isles]] are now being prepared for the trolls' relocation.
  +
  +
===Orgrimmar===
  +
* [[Vol'jin]], Garrosh Hellscream, and [[Eitrigg]] meet with [[Thrall]] in [[Grommash Hold]] to discuss about recent problems and new leadership.
  +
  +
===Stormwind City===
  +
* [[Archbishop Benedictus]] has a new wardrobe, and is now level 80 elite (up from level 60 elite).
  +
* The Alliance leaders have gathered in the [[Stormwind Keep]] [[Throne Room]], discussing the recent earthquakes.
  +
* [[Gavan Grayfeather]], a [[Wildhammer]] shaman has been added to the Throne Room. He stands behind the Alliance leaders, listening.
  +
  +
===Thunder Bluff===
  +
* [[Cairne Bloodhoof]] now wears two large totems on his back.
  +
* [[Aponi Brightmane]] is now level 80 (up from level 55) and has Paladin abilities.
  +
* [[Tahu Sagewind]] is now level 80 (up from level 55) and has a new outfit.
  +
  +
===Flight Paths===
  +
* Most flight paths no longer go through as many locations
  +
  +
===Water===
  +
* Flying mounts can land on water, and the character can dismount and re-mount again as long as they do not move.This may be a bug.
  +
  +
==References==
  +
<references/>
  +
  +
{{patches}}

Revision as of 21:58, 26 October 2010

Icon-patch-22x22 Patch 4.0.1 (undocumented changes)
Release date 2010-10-12
Initial version 13164
Interface .toc (changes)
Highlights & notes
  • New streaming launcher
  • UI and class mechanics revamp

Patch chronology
Useful links
PatchesPatches category

Stat Changes

Stat Changes

Stamina - Due to the assigning of Strength, Agility, and Intellect, non-plate wearers have more Stamina than before. Health pools are now much closer between plate-wearers and other classes.

Spirit - This stat should only be found on healing gear. Non-healing casters have other systems in place to regenerate mana.

Intellect - Intellect now grants Spell Power and increases your Critical Strike chance with spells.

Haste - Haste should now be more attractive for melee classes by allowing them to recover resources such as rage, energy, and runes more quickly. Our intention is for Haste to let you "do stuff" more often.

Parry - Parry provides the same avoidance as Dodge, and you'll receive a percentage of your strength as Parry Rating.

Mastery - This is a new stat that will allow players to become better at whatever makes their chosen talent tree cool or unique. It's directly tied to talents, so what you gain from improving this stat is entirely dependent upon your class and the talent specialization you choose. We’ll talk more about specific Mastery benefits in the future.

Armor - The amount of bonus Armor received per stat point on items has been drastically reduced, and Armor is no longer given by Agility. In addition, Armor now better mitigates differences among Armor types so that protection from mail, leather, and cloth is much closer to that of plate.

Resilience - This now only affects damage done by players and their pets. It will not impact crit chance, crit damage, mana drains, or other such effects.

Removed From Items

Attack Power - This stat is rarely present on items, although it is derived from other stats. Strength and Agility, which are present on items, grant the appropriate amount of Attack Power (generally 2 Attack Power per point of Strength or Agility) depending upon which stat a particular class favors.

Block Rating - Block has been redesigned to scale better. Blocked attacks will simply hit for 30% less damage. Block Rating is no longer given out directly as a stat. Instead, Mastery for Protection paladins and Protection warriors increases the chance to block.

Spell Power - Spell Power is no longer present on most items. Instead, as mentioned above, Intellect now grants Spell Power. One exception is that caster weapons still have Spell Power. This allows us to make weapons proportionately more powerful for casters in the same way they are for melee classes.

Armor Penetration - This stat is no longer present on items. Armor Penetration still exists in talents and abilities.

Shield Block Value - There are some effects that increase the Block value by a percentage, but this does not exist as a stat.


Removed From the Game

MP5 - This stat no longer exists in the game. Holy paladins and Restoration shaman have been redesigned to benefit from Spirit.

Defense - Defense is now removed from the game. Tanking classes will become uncrittable versus creatures by shifting into Defensive Stance, Blood Presence, or Bear Form, or by using Righteous Fury.

Spell Ranks - Spell ranks now cease to exist. All spells have one rank and will scale appropriately by caster level. The levels at which you can learn certain spells have been changed in order to fill in some of the gaps, and there are many new spells to learn along the way as well.

Weapon Skill - This stat will be removed from the game completely. Classes will start with all the weapon skills they need to know and will not need to improve them.


What Else You Should Know

Combat ratings - Ratings are much harder to "cap out" at maximum gear levels. Ratings are steeper in Cataclysm, and creatures in later tiers of content will be harder to hit or crit, similar to how level-83 mobs are harder to hit or crit than level-80 mobs.

Reforging - This new itemization customization feature allows you to partially change the stats on an item. You can reduce the value of an existing stat on an item, and add an equivalent amount of another stat that was not already present on the item. This makes it far easier to reach important thresholds like the Hit Rating and Expertise Rating caps.[1]

Player Versus Player

  • Battlegrounds will no longer close when both sides are below the minimum player requirement.

Achievements

Talents

  • A total of 36 points at level 80 (down from 71).
  • Each tree only requires 31 points to reach the last tier (down from 41).
  • You must now select only one tree. Once you do, you are given a primary ability for that spec, and two or three attributes specific for that spec. At level 80, you are given a Mastery trait also specific for the spec you chose, learned at your trainer.
  • You cannot put points into any other tree until you have put 31 into your first tree.

Experience

The experience needed to level from 1-40 have been reduced by a significant amount.

Classes

Main article: Patch 4.0.1 (class changes)
  • The price of dual specialization is reduced from 1000 gold to 100 gold.
  • Health regeneration uses a new formula. Outside of combat, all classes seem to regenerate 0.75% of their maximum health per second before the effects of abilities.
  • Mana regeneration uses a new formula.
  • Class buffs can no longer be applied to player-controlled pets.
  • Class buffs and their raid-wide counterparts have been consolidated into a single spell. When the target of the buff is within your party or raid (including yourself), the buff applies to the entire raid. Reagents are no longer required for these abilities.

Mounts

  • All mounts now scale with riding skill - level 20 60% mounts will now move at 100% speed with epic riding.
  • The Ability mount rocketmount2 [X-53 Touring Rocket] can now also be used as a ground mount.
  • Players can now instantly transition in Dalaran with mounts that have both a ground and flying speed without remounting.
  • If a player upgrades the riding skill while riding a mount that can scale to the new skill, it is applied instantly. For example, learning Expert Riding in Outland while riding a Ability mount celestialhorse [Celestial Steed] immediately enables flying without remounting.

Dungeons

  • Though not displayed in the Dungeon Finder Interface Screen, completing a Random Lich King Heroic Dungeon using the Dungeon Finder will award 23 Justice Points, in addition to the 16 Justice Points earned for each boss killed.
  • Completing a weekly raid quest will be rewarded with 137 Justice Points.
  • After a hotfix, The Inv misc gem pearl 04 [Essence-Infused Moonstone] is no longer needed to summon Anzu; he will now always be present in Heroic Sethekk Halls.

Professions

  • Herbalism and Mining give XP. The higher level the char is, the lower the received XP will be. This uses rest XP so you will get double XP while you have sufficient rest stored up.
  • Tiffany Cartier no longer exchanges Titanium Powder for Dalaran Jewelcrafter's Tokens; you now turn them in at Timothy Jones via a repeatable quest.
  • Master Riding is available from Northrend Riding trainers at a cost of 5000g, allowing all flying mounts to scale to 310% speed. Characters that already had a 310% speed flying mount pre-4.0.1 are given this skill automatically and free of charge. Note that reputation discounts apply to the trainers in the Northrend starting areas!
  • Spell frost arcticwinds [Cold Weather Flying] is now available to all characters at level 68 for 500g.
  • Trade engineering [Flexweave Underlay], Trade engineering [Springy Arachnoweave], and Trade engineering [Nitro Boosts] no longer increase spell power, agility, and crit rating respectively, but can now be used alongside other enchants.
  • Leatherworking Specializations have been removed
  • Tailoring Specializations have been removed; specialty cloth is now always made in single units.
  • There is now just one kind and tier of Vellum. Old Weapon and Armor Vellums are converted to a Inv scroll 07 [Ruined Vellum], which can be used to create the new all-purpose Inv inscription armorscroll01 [Enchanting Vellum].
  • Alchemy Transmute cooldowns have been redesigned. Completing the transmute will now cause a cooldown that is fixed to reset at 00:00 server time, limiting you to one cooldown per day.
  • Many profession trainers in capitals now train professions up to Grand Master. Accounts without expansions will still be unable to access the professions associated with those expansions.

Items

  • Some former Guardian Elixirs are now Battle Elixirs.
  • The effect of most scrolls are now considered Battle Elixirs, and will overwrite existing Battle Elixirs. The effect of scrolls of stamina and protection are considered Guardian Elixirs.
  • Most books that formerly taught class spells are now poor-quality items with no function. Exceptions include Inv misc book 03 [Tome of Dalaran Brilliance] and Inv misc book 07 [Tome of Polymorph: Black Cat].
  • [Tome of Cold Weather Flight] has been removed.
  • Some glyph items have been replaced with Inv ammo firetar [Charred Glyph]s, non-functional, poor-quality items.
  • Some glyphs have been replaced or renamed.
  • Numerous item stat changes:
  • Wrathful Gladiator gear, with the exception of shoulders and T2 weapons and the tabard, can be purchased for honour, with no Battleground or Arena rating required (although the tooltip says that it is requires)
  • Inv misc gem 02 [Pristine Black Diamond] now has a sell price of 50s
  • Inv misc drum 07 [Drums of the Wild] have changed from a Spell nature giftofthewild [Gift of the Wild] buff to a health and mana regeneration buff.
  • [Cache of the Ley-Guardian] now contains 32 Justice Points instead of 2 Emblems of Triumph.
  • Relics now have stats rather than modifying certain class abilities.
  • Some relics now have sockets. (This includes old-world relics that predated the Jewelcrafting profession.)
  • Several changes were made to gems, mainly hit rating, intellect, and dodge rating moved to blue, red, and yellow (previously yellow, yellow, and red) respectively.
  • The gold cap has been increased to 1,000,000 gold.
  • The original [Elementium Ore] has been renamed to [Elementium Ignot], to make way for the new ore that will be added in 4.0.3.
  • The original [Elementium Bar] has been renamed to [Hardened Elementium Bar], to make way for the new bar that will be added in 4.0.3.
  • [MOLL-E] now binds when used.

Quests

  • The Horde and Alliance versions of the pre-Cataclysm event quest chain are now available, starting with Earthen Ring emissaries in faction capitals.
  • If you must kill a mob or talk to an NPC, the name of the mob will be visible over their head regardless of user settings. User setting will return once quest is completed.
  • N [70] Spirits of Auchindoun no longer grants any bonus honor.
  • The N [70] Morthis Whisperwing quest chain for druid Ability druid flightform [Swift Flight Form] completely removed.
  • H [10] Cleanup on Isle E. has replaced H [10] Zalazane.
  • Some quests previously offered by Thrall are now offered by Garrosh Hellscream.
  • H [62] Messenger to Thrall and H [63] Envoy to the Mag'har have been removed.
  • Several quests in Nagrand have been reduced in order to complete, such as the Beast killing quests; and of course the poop quest too.

Reputation

  • The Gnomeregan Exiles faction has been renamed to Gnomeregan.
  • The most current factions are now listed at the top of the Reputation window. For example, a level 80 character in Northrend will have WotLK rep first, then BC, then Classic factions.

User interface

  • The World Map button has moved to the upper-right corner of the minimap rather than around the edge of it.
  • The Social button has been moved to the upper-left of the chat window.
  • On the Character Select Screen, characters now perform an attack animation appropriate to their class (spell casting or melee) every 30 seconds.
  • Character stats are on a separate display that must be revealed on the right of the character screen.
  • Buttons for popup windows (talents, PvP, dungeon finder, etc.) now display the level at which they become available.
  • The graphics settings window has been revamped.
  • Zone names displayed when moving between zones are now closer to the top of the screen.
  • On the border of the Minimap a yellow arrow points to the closest quest area. In the Objectives frame the number of that quest has a yellow (instead brown) background.
  • While dead a red arrow points in the direction of your corpse on the border of the Minimap.
  • While dead there is a return to Graveyard button at the top of user screen.
  • If quest items can be looted, they will be displayed with a yellow border in the loot window.[2]
  • You can now activate multiple tracking abilities (Class Trainer, Auctioneer, Mailbox, etc.) including NPC and multiple profession tracking (Track Humanoids, Find Minerals, etc.) simultaneously and the minimap uses appropriate icons to distinguish them from each other; however, it still uses generic yellow dots for Spell nature earthquake [Find Minerals], Inv misc flower 02 [Find Herbs], and Inv misc fish 02 [Find Fish].
  • Mounts and companion pets have been moved to the spellbook.
  • Tooltips of mobs and objects displays quest progression of partymembers when in a party and the quest has been shared.
  • The character screen now displays the character's talent specialization if one exists.
  • The background behind the character on the character screen is now greyed.
  • New Guild UI and cap of 1000 members have been implemented.
  • If you unsheathe your weapons while dancing, they no longer get re-sheathed.
  • If you have FPS enabled, it is now displayed on the world map (in a different position than on the main interface)
  • AddOns can no longer get access to Real Names as the UI merely provides a UI Escape Sequence which is rendered as the correct name when displayed.
  • The Kalu'ak boat crew now have their voices follow them around when they speak.
  • Gryphons (the Alliance flight path type) now have their voice remain stationary.
  • All guards and NPC participants at the Tourney now frequently beat their mounts resulting in much noise.
  • Consolidate Buffs is now the default setting and has been turned on for you in your preferences. You can turn it back off of course.
  • A throttle has been added to all public chat channels, limiting players to two messages every few seconds. Players will receive an error message instructing them to wait before spamming sending additional chat in that channel. Other forms of chat (such as Say, Party, Yell, and Guild) remain unchanged.
  • Links can now be used in all chat channels.
  • Updated generic portraits are used for Night Elf, Gnome, and Troll party/raid members who are out of visual range.
  • The new raid frame interface allows players to select their role within the raid (the leader/assistants can also set it for them). An option Interface allows players to be grouped together by roles.
  • The new raid frame interface allows colored markers to be placed on the ground.
  • When placing a raid target icon on a target, a line will now be displayed in raid chat indicating who placed which icon on what target.
  • The "report problem" button is gone from the Help Request window. In its place is an informational page on Account Security. You can no longer report issues to the Game Masters without speaking with one unless you are offline when your ticket reaches the top of the queue.
  • New loading screen tips have been added.

Game Engine

  • PowerPC is no longer supported
  • It is now impossible for Windows 98 & Windows 2000 users to install World of Warcraft (unsupported since 3.0.2, however could still play on them)
    • It is officially "impossible" to install on Windows 2000, however there is a way to do it unofficially. (This has not been tested on Windows 98!) The game itself isn't incompatible with Windows 2000, just the Launcher requires a small piece of code that Windows 2000 lacks, so loading the game isn't a problem once you get past installation. http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic155005.html has walkthroughs on a few different ways to make it work with Windows 2000. The Wrapper DLL fix is the only one I have tested and succeeded in installing with.
  • The Launcher will now prevent you from accessing the login screen without an active Internet connection. It can still be accessed by bypassing the Launcher.
  • Cinematics are no longer included in the digital download. They can still be installed from the CDs/DVDs.

World environment

General

  • The Elemental Invasion world event is in the game files, but will presumably be activated at a later date.
  • Earthquakes have increased in frequency as well as intensity, sometimes causing dust to fall from buildings. Horde and Alliance leaders are meeting to discuss the matter.

NPCs

Dun Morogh

Durotar

Orgrimmar

Stormwind City

  • Archbishop Benedictus has a new wardrobe, and is now level 80 elite (up from level 60 elite).
  • The Alliance leaders have gathered in the Stormwind Keep Throne Room, discussing the recent earthquakes.
  • Gavan Grayfeather, a Wildhammer shaman has been added to the Throne Room. He stands behind the Alliance leaders, listening.

Thunder Bluff

Flight Paths

  • Most flight paths no longer go through as many locations

Water

  • Flying mounts can land on water, and the character can dismount and re-mount again as long as they do not move.This may be a bug.

References