Arcane Brilliance: The end of an era
by Dominic Hobbs 
Apr 11th 2010 at 3:00PM
Welcome, mages, to this most unusual and unexpected issue of Arcane Brilliance. I'm sure many of you have noticed that your beloved Mr. Pants is not here today, and you're wondering what "that warlock guy" is doing writing AB. Well, it seems that Blizz has decided to put an end to the rivalry between mages and warlocks with an audacious change to the make-up of casters within WoW.
No doubt some have already read the blue posts that have made it into the recent Cataclysm class change threads so this post will come as no shock to you -- but for those that have not, my aim today is to not only repeat their words but also try to analyse their impact, as we see it here at WoW.com. So take the jump after the break and we'll learn more about the merging of the mage and warlock classes.
The post that started this flow of information (that quickly became a flood) was this one on the warlock changes thread:
Zarhym - Cataclysm Class Preview - WarlockOn the continued acquisition of 'mage-like' spells by warlocks, we are aware that this meets with disapproval by some warlocks. However we have a very specific goal in mind for the future of the class and see this as a necessary part of it. I think when you see the whole thing you'll agree it's really pretty cool.
Obviously this threw up many posts of speculation, questions and not a little concern. Not only from warlocks but also many mage players who shared many of the concerns of the warlocks, though from a different viewpoint. I can only assume that the sheer weight of opinions led to the following announcement being issued:
Zarhym - Cataclysm Class Preview - WarlockAs we continue to develop this game we find many new and exciting avenues to explore, not only new areas, such as Outlands and Northrend but new classes such as Death Knights and others we have on the drawing-board. Unfortunately it becomes increasingly difficult to introduce more complexity to an already highly complex game, especially as we endeavour to ensure that our game is balanced and accessible to new players.
As well as developing new and interesting game elements we have also learned what has not worked so well within our original design. In particular we have concerns about the class balance for casters.
There has been an ongoing rivalry between the mage and warlock communities and we see a lot of this is due to the glaring similarities between the two classes. There is also a high level of confusion for new players as to which of these pure spell-caster classes they should select. As more game-play balancing changes have been made this division has further blurred. Not only have warlocks gained many mage-like spells but there is increasing call within the mage community for permanent pets.
In delivering the mage-like spells to warlocks we have noticed that before long in Cataclysm there will be no clear role for mages. As such we will be merging the classes into one.
Exact details of how this will happen will be provided soon.
As well as developing new and interesting game elements we have also learned what has not worked so well within our original design. In particular we have concerns about the class balance for casters.
There has been an ongoing rivalry between the mage and warlock communities and we see a lot of this is due to the glaring similarities between the two classes. There is also a high level of confusion for new players as to which of these pure spell-caster classes they should select. As more game-play balancing changes have been made this division has further blurred. Not only have warlocks gained many mage-like spells but there is increasing call within the mage community for permanent pets.
In delivering the mage-like spells to warlocks we have noticed that before long in Cataclysm there will be no clear role for mages. As such we will be merging the classes into one.
Exact details of how this will happen will be provided soon.
This was pretty amazing news indeed, but I for one agree that the homogenization of the classes has led to some confusion. I am also pretty excited by how this change could open the door for further classes to be introduced.
The WoW.com leads have let me know that an un-named source within the Blizzard dev team has confirmed that last weeks Arcane Brilliance did in fact help push forward this decision. The title image was so evocative of mage-voidwalker concept art that they felt the community was finally ready to accept the changes.
Anyway, we can't really draw many conclusions from this first announcement but thankfully they already had the info we were looking for and it didn't take long to be posted. So now lets look at the details.
Zarhym - Cataclysm Class Preview - WarlockWe want to get as much information as we have available to you as quickly as we can so here's the first of a series of posts that will start to explain the details of how we see this change coming about.
From the release of patch 4.0 the mage class will cease to be within the game. Existing mage players will be converted to warlocks and have access to all the spells, talents and abilities of that class.
In order to accommodate all races that can currently support the mage class, warlocks will subsequently be able to select from the Troll and Draenei races.
Mage utility spells such as portals and conjured food will be available to be learned from the warlock trainers.
Many of the talents from the arcane and frost trees will be transferred to the imp minion. Imps will have a similar talent selection tool to hunter pets.
Some of the mage trainers have embraced the change and will be serving as warlock trainers going forward, while others have given up altogether and will no longer talk to players.
We will endeavor to ensure all the remaining 'cool' mage spells are passed to warlocks so those players being transferred will feel more at home.
Mages will continue to play a role as NPCs in the game but this merging will allow us room to introduce further new player character classes in the future.
From the release of patch 4.0 the mage class will cease to be within the game. Existing mage players will be converted to warlocks and have access to all the spells, talents and abilities of that class.
In order to accommodate all races that can currently support the mage class, warlocks will subsequently be able to select from the Troll and Draenei races.
Mage utility spells such as portals and conjured food will be available to be learned from the warlock trainers.
Many of the talents from the arcane and frost trees will be transferred to the imp minion. Imps will have a similar talent selection tool to hunter pets.
Some of the mage trainers have embraced the change and will be serving as warlock trainers going forward, while others have given up altogether and will no longer talk to players.
We will endeavor to ensure all the remaining 'cool' mage spells are passed to warlocks so those players being transferred will feel more at home.
Mages will continue to play a role as NPCs in the game but this merging will allow us room to introduce further new player character classes in the future.
So as we can see the mage class will no longer exist within Cataclysm and so there will be little obvious need for the Arcane Brilliance column. While this is something we are still discussing here at WoW.com, it is possible that it will live on to cover the exciting changes being made to imps. I have heard that while Christian Belt was a little too emotional at the news to give any clear (or at least coherent) indication, he is interested in continuing with us fulfilling the roll of Imp columnist.
I appreciate that this news will be of some consternation to both mages and warlocks and while we're looking at what will probably be a fairly bumpy road ahead I can assure you that we will do all we can to ease the transition. We already have a series of Blood Pact articles that will explain the use of the various demons you will need to get to grips with. Alongside those articles you will also find information on other topics that many mages haven't had need to address before -- such as threat management on bosses, which is important when you can do enough damage to actually run the risk of over-aggroing the tank.While I'm sure there will be those who feel this is the worst thing to happen to the game we must all learn to embrace changes like this. In the same way that the changes to the old-world will be removing tired and under-used areas of the game -- generating many a nostalgic trip to Desolace and the like -- this change should be seen as invigorating. WoW players are an adaptive bunch on the whole and before long I'm sure we'll look back on the 'quaint' two-caster system in the same way we do at the time before mage-tables and summoning-wardrobes.
A note from the Managing Editor of WoW.com: For those of you not in on the Hobbs/Belt rivalry, this post is a playful jab from our resident Warlock columnist at the regular Mage columnist. Zarhym did not actually say anything quoted above. Mr. Belt will be hijacking this week's Warlock column to respond and will return to writing Arcane Brillance next week.
Every week, Arcane Brilliance teleports you inside the wonderful world of mages and then hurls a Fireball in your face. Check out our recent look at how much I hate damage meters or our lengthy series of mage leveling guides. Until next week, keep the mage-train a-rollin'.Filed under: Mage, Humor, (Mage) Arcane Brilliance
Reader Comments (Page 12 of 18)
LOrd V Apr 11th 2010 5:19PM
scared me shitless was like wtf with the mage updates when you are gonna do away with the class
Sintraedrien Apr 11th 2010 5:22PM
What is this? I don't even
Scarhorn Apr 11th 2010 5:30PM
I'm torn here.
On one hand, it's funny to see the huge Chinese Fire drill this started with people who only half read everything or aren't the sharpest soul shard in the bag. I often wonder if some online store sells panties with the wad already in them just for people like that.
On the other hand, the execution was awful. This would have been a perfect April Fool's post, but it's ten days late. It would have been funny, if not terribly well timed, the day of the mage post when everybody was sitting spamming refresh like it's Lightning Bolt on a BC Elemental Shaman just waiting to find out what Blizzard was going to do with their class.
My other main gripe is that they didn't release the warlock parody post at the same time, thus lessening some of the massive QQ I see in these posts. I'd rather see mages and locks making fun of each other rather than one class crying into the beers the other just sneaked behind the bar to spike with eyedrops.
Anyway, not the best joke in the world, but still not deserving all the hate either.
Having no sense of humor is not a crime, you may go.
Namus Apr 11th 2010 5:32PM
lol this is the war of the worlds all over again!
Tsukuri Apr 11th 2010 5:33PM
Since i'm such a mage lover at heart this column made a soul shard drop out of me... (i.e. i died a little inside). I'm hurt :(
RedGuard Apr 11th 2010 5:38PM
Posts like this are a good way of filtering out who is a troll and who is a good commenter. =P
When I first read through it, I was like, "NO WAY! ... WHAT?!?!" And then I read the comments and went /facepalm.
Good one Hobbs!
nobloodyname Apr 11th 2010 5:40PM
Goodness me, lighten up ya muppets!
It was as much a comment on Blizzard's blurring of the warlock class as anything else.
kurojushi Apr 11th 2010 5:59PM
10 days late my friend.
themightysven Apr 11th 2010 5:45PM
now, if Warlocks could summon Shivarra, they might be worth playing ;P
Darasen Apr 11th 2010 5:46PM
I found this to be rather funny myself. It seems that those crying are people who take themselves and a video game far, far too seriously. I'd bet the most complainers post damage meter results after every battle and swear by gear score.
kunukia Apr 11th 2010 5:47PM
I...what? checks date. No not April first, I am so confuzzled.
Is this a joke? I have a gnome warlock, a Gnome mage, and an undead warlock...does this mean my mage will become a 'lock? Seriously?
This must be a joke...
kunukia Apr 11th 2010 5:49PM
OK, I guess it is a joke...
Heart rate returning to normal...
RedGuard Apr 11th 2010 5:54PM
Read the comments. Critically think about it. It's a joke. :P
kunukia Apr 11th 2010 5:58PM
There will be no critical thinking here!!
Sharvis Apr 11th 2010 5:51PM
This was how I reacted to this article:
Without reading much, the beginning made me think Belt was leaving the WoW.com staff and I was like "NUUUUUUU!!!"
Then I read about the warlock/mage combination and thought "No, this isn't right, it can't be! It's not April Fool's anymore!" I frantically clicked the sources and searched the blue posts of the thread. I check blue posts often and I had never read any of these! I started to reason it had to be a joke regardless of the timing.
I'm mightily impressed, you had me going there, even if my first reaction wasn't the joke's goal. :P
Oh and: *shakes fist*
Nekhbah Apr 11th 2010 5:56PM
Damnit Hobbs, you had me. I literally had a sinking feeling in my stomach. I shouldn't have believed it, not for a second, but I did.
Right up until I decided to click the source link, read the later posts in the thread, and realise that this was all elaborate Warlock trickery, executed by a horrible, horrible man.
Curse you, Hobbs! Curse you, Warlocks! Archmage Pants shall avenge us!
laurence.hill Apr 11th 2010 5:55PM
Old April's fool Joke maybe.... Why release a mage preview at all then?
Schrammwasbetter Apr 11th 2010 6:10PM
That's too bad you decided to an article like this now, at a time when fresh news on the game is dropping. You guys have been slipping a lot lately over the last several months (your podcast, for example, is terrible now) and this was enough for me to certainly put MMO Champion as my main place to go for WoW stuff. Adios, dudes and dudettes. Let the downrating begin, but you've still heard what I had to say about it. Peace.
malfas Apr 11th 2010 6:16PM
Well done, Hobbs. 10/10
It's actually more effective to not do it on April 1st, because had they done this on April Fools it would have been easily dismissed and the mage tears less savory. Doing this as most mages are waiting for Belt's analysis was genius. I'm sure Belt will post his mage analysis, plus he may be getting payback on the Blood Pact column. So you guys will get two Belt columns this week for the price of some of you getting trolled hard.
Olicon Apr 11th 2010 6:16PM
This doesn't bode well for the future of Azeroth. I see a new plot coming up!!!!!
Remember what happened the last time massive amount of Arcane users got seduced into the dark path? I think that ended up in a rather fine mess that we're still sorting out right now.
Seriously though, this is an uberly cool move on Bliz. The lore had always stated that the warlocks are mages that fell to corruptions and allure of the dark power. Now YOU get to choose if you will stay magely, or get those cool demons to pay with.
I hope this doesn't mean no green fire though..
By the way..so what about mage's class preview? Are those talents still going to make it into the new warlocks?