What to Expect in Patch 3.2
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Heartbourne on Friday, April 10, 2009 - 51 Comments Tags: Alterac Valley, azshara crater, battlegrounds, icecrown, patch 3.1, patch 3.2
Heartbourne on Friday, April 10, 2009 - 51 Comments Tags: Alterac Valley, azshara crater, battlegrounds, icecrown, patch 3.1, patch 3.2 
With patch 3.1 expected to hit live realms in the next 2-3 weeks, its time to start speculating about patch 3.2! We know that patch 3.3 or 3.4 (probably 3.4) will introduce Icecrown Citadel, but it is uncertain what the other two patches are to contain. Patch 3.3 is known to progress the Ashbringer storyline, but its unclear if this will be Icecrown Citadel or not.Not every "point" release has brought with it new raid or even new dungeon content. Zarhym did say that patch 3.2 would contain a new dungeon back in October in an interview with Curse, but he could have meant battleground. While most patches have released new PvE content, patches as late as 2.2 have not contained new PvE content. Patch 2.2 added in-game voice chat, Brewfest, and Hallow's End, as well as UI and feature additions. Expecting 4 PvE content patches for Wrath might not be completely accurate.
There are many potential old-world zones that could be used for new raids. Grim Batol has a rich history with the dragons, which could easily work into the Wrath storyline. Neltharion is hiding somewhere out there, and Grim Batol may be that place. Alternatively, Uldum (in Tanaris) could be the logical progression to Ulduar, as there are many loose threads in the story involving Uldum. Hyjal is still not a finished zone, nor is Gilneas, and there are yet some unnamed zones on the map. Blizzard has stated that they want to keep the old world relevant, as they did in patch 2.4 by bringing players back to the Sunwell, and I don't think its unlikely that one of these zones will be added in either patch 3.2, 3.3, or 3.4. However, I think its likely that 3.2 will not contain a new major raid zone.
There are several reasons why I think this. We have been teased with a new battleground that is on the scale of Alterac Valley, and AV marks have been re-added to the requirement for For Great Honor/Concerted Efforts. The battleground has been described as "epic", on the scale of AV. Additionally, they say they are "revamping" the battleground system to reward skill in PvP more than they have. Additionally, Arena has been receiving a lot of attention with rating reworking changes to open it up to new players and the tournament. Blizzard may be trying to draw players to PvP. Hardcore PvP certainly brings WoW into the spotlight as a competitive game and may prolong its lifespan.
Thus, I predict 3.2 will largely be a PvP patch. Wintergrasp will be overhauled and rethought with the lessons learned since the release of Wrath, battleground rewards will be reworked, and the new battleground will be introduced. This would fit in with the theme of Horde vs. Alliance that Blizzard is attempting to re-kindle with things like the post-Wrathgate events and whatnot. To satisfy PvE players, I bet they open up another short raid in the Chamber of the Aspects. There are 5 portals there, and we don't really know whats going in those. Its likely that Blizzard will reserve one or two of them for the next expansion to keep players coming to Northrend (maybe the green portal if its Emerald Dream themed), but I doubt we won't see more open soon. Maybe the blue portal will open in response to the end of the Nexus war.
One battleground that has faded into obscurity is Azshara Crater. It was originally alluded to all the back in patch 1.3 (released March 7th, 2005) and is brought up now and again. The terrain is in the game files and appears to be Tauren vs. Night Elf themed. The entrances are already made on the Forlorn Ridge. The Tauren have not been the key faction in any battleground, and the blood elves may also be interested in Azshara. Perhaps the zone will be further developed and the battleground added. The battleground is known to be on the scale of AV and since there was already so much development on it, perhaps it will be implemented. Blizzard had lots of problems balancing AV for a long time, but now that they claim they are satisfied with game legnth and win ratio of the factions, it may be time to see another "epic" battleground.
What would you like to see in patch 3.2? More raids, more dungeons, or more PvP?
Reader Comments (51)
I'd love to see them do something with Grim Batol and Uldum, since they've been sitting there more or less taking up space. They could also do something with the portals in the southern part of Winterspring (Hyjal and one other).
As far as an Azshara Crater battleground, an AV-like battleground would be nice, but I think something along the lines of a King of the Hill battle would be better. Give it a 20 or 30 minute time limit with bases near the "hill" to give closer respawns. Whichever side has the hill the longest wins. It makes it different from the other battlegrounds while still making it competitive and fun for other players.
That reminds me of something i was talking about with my friend from guild couple days ago. I'd love to see blizzard do heroics option for those low lv instance. Deadmines for 80? Sure!
A nice big PvP bg would be nice, or something similar to WG, either way that'd be much better than the mind numbing crap we have, but they also need at least mabye to little raids to balance it out nicely, like single boss ones.
Also, pve gear from pvp, yeah like in the old days yeah know? That'd be sweet, I would love to see that again. Also my theroy for raids is this
3.2- Big old Gundrak temple raid. To finish the king trolls and mabye some lore with the lich king again. 10 or 25man.
3.3- Something like Uldum, or Frim batol, anything to finish the Ulduar lore or Black dragon flight mabye. Both would be 10mans and mabye something like the intorduction of 30mans? Hehe don't know what it'll matter with 5 more peps, but still.
3.4- Not icecrown yeah in my opinion, its to soon. Something like A whole in raid "land" like Hyjal.
3.5- Hmm Icecrown mabye in this one, but still theres much more they could realse before hand for the lore. (so any give or take in this patch.
Everything past 3.6 i'm not to worried about. Haha.
GTFO and gimme some raids.. all the current northrend raid content is bullshizeasy.. seriously..
AMG immortal in no time these days..
Funny thing, the other day I went to go farm the Azure Whelpling.. and came across forlorn ridge, and I was like what the heck is this place, I don't see any NPCs or quest related stuff.. interesting now that it might be a future bg.
i have a couple things to say i just spent the last 2 hours studying the lore and i got tell you i dont understand a damn thing i never heard of grim batol before in the wow guides map of the whole azeroth i found a weird place i could not find on the game map it was called gilneas i even tryd to get get to it a few times but them fitigue whould not let me so i just left it be then a few weeks ago i was exploring for my achievement and i ran into a gate which i now know is the wall isolating gilneas nice to finaly have an explanetion from waht remains of lorderon fom the first day i steped into stormwind and gaised upon the what lookeds like a portal with a closed gate infront of it i wondered what the hell is taht every time i pass i ask my the same question hopefully i wont asking for much longer.i wa under teh impression that they are saving arthas for last he is prity much the top dog who every one is trying to put to sleep and usauly you save the best for lasti think its way to early to talk about a new expanchion we heard about the WOTLK more tahn a year in advance for now ia mexcited about the dual spec 2-3 weeks away instead the patches following the next one which god knows how far they are i dont know how conftibe i whould be going into an area crawling with 80s which will happen especialy on pvp server terisifal allready has an instaance thats atrects high thirtys inot a level1+ area here is what whould be cool is more time traveling go back to sacond third or even as far as 1st war witness the lich lich kings rise with your own 2 eyes more evens like the mount hyjal help destoy destroy altrack
or why no do something really fun and diffrent sso far wwe only wnet back in time how aboout we look into the future the emareld dreams are misterous maybe you can shine some light on taht
im actually REALLY interested in Gilneas! although nothing will probably be done with it i can hope.
My big question is they had shown the nerubians (forgive if I did not spell correctly) had dug to far in the old kingdom and brought forth the forgotten ones. What is blizzard planning on doing with this. No chance that Harold Volajb(once again forgive spelling) is the leader of that race. Blizzard may do a raid or instance with this unconclusive story line in a future patch.
Ever since I leveled my mage in Silverpine, I have always wanted to see what was behind that stupid Greymane Wall. I've tried to find holes in it so many times lol. (no holes though) I would also like to see the huge temple of Zul'Drak opened up; that would be a really cool instance (at first I thought that was was Gundrak was, not the silly little underground chamber that it actually is).
I'd love to see Blizz first finally fix the Battleground system before any new PVE content is released a new battleground would also be EPIC but not unless they fix the BG system.
I'd love to see Blizz work on ways to make OLD world instances scale to high level toons. Such as the way Battlegrounds scale. this would give those looking for new things to do and a way to get better gear or just a way of revisiting the OLD world instances without actually losing interest because it's so easy to run through.
New and more dificult instances and Raids would be nice too. But they should be released in icriments so people can look forward to playing through till the next expansion release.
I'd also love to see a way of using all these achievment points we all keep accumulating.
oh god, pvp, they should just be done with it, its so broken and unbalanced. GAAWD HELPZ US ALLZ
In WOTLK trailer they promised us new denies.
if you do put a new BG can alliance get this seriously horde win every thing that said i think they should focus this expenchion on mysterious places like grim batol uldum take uldaman to the next level the titan lore is very confusing but very intresting their are planty of things to do for the next expanchion and 10 more after start with the broken islands which one of us hasnt wondered about these pieces of land on the map how epic whould it be to exualy be able to raid sargeras tomb '
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how cool whould it be to exualy go in to the eye of the
maelstorm explore the lost cvilazation who said we have stop at azerorth i am whats stoping you from goin even furder to other continets other worlds other planets even the sky truly is the limit
@Kimeghale
See AQ20 and AQ40 in Silithus.
What would I like to see? All of the above... I would really like to see Azshara Crater finished though. I just recently got back into BGs and PvP in general after over a year of refusing to participate, and I'm really enjoying it... barring shades of the things that made me stop in the first place. All things being equal though I am much more of a PvE oriented player though, so I'd prefer solid PvE content, probably in the form of instances or a raid. Old Gods...
They told us that 3.1 would introduce Argent Tournerment, wich you were to Build
They also pointed out that 3.2 would have the finished Argent Tournerment, and would be the arena to "Test" Who is worthy of attacking The lich king, (i'd say it'l be a Attument)
@ alex, The damage /HP of mobs isnt a big deal and most bosses unique trick is a stun , agro wipe or summon adds.
the issue arrizes when you deal with loot, the realistic way of doing this is a currency (badges).
the problem is your entire gear would have to be gained like this, however is it not the fairest way?
a second alternative may be to make every item in the "heroic" vanilla instances scale like the BOA gear, but thats allot of work for a developer who just wants coffie =P
Then you get a heap of issues like overwhelming the lfg system with too many instances and too few people queing for all of them. what about having level 80's stood waiting in low level questing zones, it can set you back enougth when a booster steemrolls through. what about old raids do you add a heroic for those, is DM scaled for 10 or 5 men or do you go to a heroic heroic ramps?
such a gr8 idea and your not the only one who would love to see it, just a shame in order to do it you would need to completely change so many mechanics.
The best thing they could do is to make raid instaces in old world in such places like Grim Batol and others, and the 2nd - an ability to ride flying mounts there. Well a great work on landscape of old zones and completing unnamed ones, but it would be awsome!
come on the problem isnt the difficulty of the dungeons do you really wanto do a place done 100 times a 100 times harder maybe if thier were some new content
would be great with heroic mode for old low level instances, by gear and drops, superior or new emblems would be great, for example, "100 emblems" that gives you choice between new epics, that would make old WoW more attractive :)
I would like to see some new races, like maybe teh gnolls or centaurs, or even a new faction like, imagine:
Alliance Horde Burning legion/scourge
Patch notes are released!
I saw it in WoWWiki. :D