Mists of Pandaria Classic Patch 5.5.3 Development Notes
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker
/ Official Forums
)
Welcome to the public test realm (PTR) for Mists of Pandaria Classic: The Thunder King.
Patch 5.5.3 will introduce updates including a zone, Thunderforging, two new world bosses, and a 12-encounter raid. This patch continues the legendary questline, introduces a few scenarios, updates to the Challenge Mode system, and new updates to Celestial Dungeons.
Available Features
New Zone: Isle of Thunder
The Thunder King has awakened, and a new threat to all of Azeroth has emerged. Each faction is spearheading an assault to conquer the Thunder King’s stronghold: Isle of Thunder.
Enemies
Zandalari forces have begun appearing around the shores of Pandaria.
World Bosses
Oondasta’s roar can be heard across all of Pandaria. The Isle of Giants awaits brave adventurers ready to face this terrifying beast, who may be more powerful than you recall.
Taking Over The Farm
Players who have reached Exalted with The Tillers should report back to Farmer Yoon to take over the Sunsong Ranch.
Quests
Warlocks can undertake a solo adventure to change the color of their Fire spells to appear Fel Green.
Further progress along the Wrathion legendary questline is now available.
Raids
Throne of Thunder offers 12 unique encounters and challenges.
Throne of Thunder will be available to test:
We’re eager to receive your bug reports and feedback.
New Changes in Patch 5.5.3
Thunderforging
In original Throne of Thunder, item upgrades were removed and Thunderforging was added. This resulted in:
We don’t want to remove Thunderforging as a concept but we do want to reduced frustrations with the system. To meet our goals:
At maximum power, the Valor/Justice upgrade on a non-Thunderforged item makes it exactly equivalent to the strength of its Thunderforged counterpart. Thunderforged items are essentially an item dropping with two free upgrades already applied. This should:
Challenge Modes
There is now a new challenge for Challenge Modes, the Platinum medal. This medal exists above Gold, and its structure is similar to Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Platinum rewards Valor and some additional rewards for each instance completed within the time limit.
Its target time can shift each season depending on many factors. The current times for each dungeon are:
Similar to Challenge Conqueror: Gold, there will be achievements associated with the Platinum medals.
Each dungeon now has a Platinum achievement that rewards a unique toy themed around that dungeon. These toys are only usable inside Challenge Modes, and each may be used inside any Challenge Mode:
Platinum Coins
Beginning in 5.5.3, the Challenge Conqueror achievements will award Platinum Coins, a new currency. This currency allows you to purchase some new Transmog items, Toys, Mounts, and Tabards.
Leaderboard
Players who maintain a Realm Best time when the season ends will be granted the following rewards based on the season:
Continue reading...
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker
/ Official Forums
)
Welcome to the public test realm (PTR) for Mists of Pandaria Classic: The Thunder King.
Patch 5.5.3 will introduce updates including a zone, Thunderforging, two new world bosses, and a 12-encounter raid. This patch continues the legendary questline, introduces a few scenarios, updates to the Challenge Mode system, and new updates to Celestial Dungeons.
Available Features
New Zone: Isle of Thunder
The Thunder King has awakened, and a new threat to all of Azeroth has emerged. Each faction is spearheading an assault to conquer the Thunder King’s stronghold: Isle of Thunder.
- Players will work together to unlock each stage of the island by participating in new dailies, a campaign quest, and scenarios.
- Players can start this war effort and find themselves in the Isle of Thunder by visiting the Shado-Pan Garrison in Townlong Steppes – the western shore of Pandaria.
- Treasure can be found throughout the island as well. Lucky players will find the Keys to the Palace of Lei Shen and unlock hoards of wealth that once belonged to the first emperor.
- For PTR, we will unlock the Island stages every few days to help accelerate testing needs.
Enemies
Zandalari forces have begun appearing around the shores of Pandaria.
- Zandalari Warbringers are elite mobs that might require 5 players to take on.
- Zandalari Scouts can be handled by 1 or 2 players.
- Direhorns are now in the game. Lucky hunters can tame them once they figure out the secret technique.
- Spectral Porcupines are now in Pandaria. These Spirit Beasts can be tamed by the most skilled Beast Mastery Hunters that track them down successfully.
World Bosses
Oondasta’s roar can be heard across all of Pandaria. The Isle of Giants awaits brave adventurers ready to face this terrifying beast, who may be more powerful than you recall.
- Oondasta will only be available to test for limited periods of time.
- Come fight a T-rex with the developers: a Play with the Blues event to help test Oondasta will take place on November 7 at 3:00 p.m. PST (00:01 CET on 8 November).
- You’ll have an opportunity to conquer the gate guardian Nalak when the Isle of Thunder transitions to its final stage.
Taking Over The Farm
Players who have reached Exalted with The Tillers should report back to Farmer Yoon to take over the Sunsong Ranch.
- You must have also unlocked 16 plots of land.
Quests
Warlocks can undertake a solo adventure to change the color of their Fire spells to appear Fel Green.
- Obtain a Codex of Xerrath in order to get started.
Further progress along the Wrathion legendary questline is now available.
Raids
Throne of Thunder offers 12 unique encounters and challenges.
- Please note: Ra-den will require raids to defeat him within 30 pulls.
- Elders Lin and Liao will offer Mogu Runes of Fate for Lesser Charms of Good Fortune.
- Mogu Runes of Fate allow players to bonus roll for loot in Throne of Thunder, Nalak, and Oondasta.
Throne of Thunder will be available to test:
- November 4 (10:00 a.m. PST / 19:00 CET) - November 7 (8:00 a.m. PST / 17:00 CET)
- November 14 (10:00 a.m. PST / 19:00 CET) - November 17 (8:00 a.m PST / 17:00 CET)
We’re eager to receive your bug reports and feedback.
New Changes in Patch 5.5.3
Thunderforging
In original Throne of Thunder, item upgrades were removed and Thunderforging was added. This resulted in:
- Players relied on RNG (getting the drop) on top of RNG (rolling Thunderforged) for BiS loot.
- Player bonus rolls became more frustrating, because you could roll a non-Thunderforged item, or be encouraged to use bonus rolls on a boss you have the non-Thunderforged item from, while trying to get the Thunderforged version.
We don’t want to remove Thunderforging as a concept but we do want to reduced frustrations with the system. To meet our goals:
- Thunderforged Normal and Heroic items drop and are 6 item levels higher than their non-Thunderforged versions (same as in original MoP).
- Thunderforged Normal and Heroic items cannot be upgraded in item level during Throne of Thunder (same as in original MoP).
- Non-Thunderforged Normal and Heroic items can now be upgraded twice, for a 3 item level increase each time, for a total of a 6 item level increase from upgrading (new to MoP Classic).
At maximum power, the Valor/Justice upgrade on a non-Thunderforged item makes it exactly equivalent to the strength of its Thunderforged counterpart. Thunderforged items are essentially an item dropping with two free upgrades already applied. This should:
- Reduce the randomness.
- Decrease frustrations with Thunderforged item drops.
- Keep bonus rolls feeling good.
- Keep non-Thunderforged items from feeling like they are less useful or unexciting.
- Keep Thunderforged items feeling valuable, without feeling too valuable.
Challenge Modes
There is now a new challenge for Challenge Modes, the Platinum medal. This medal exists above Gold, and its structure is similar to Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Platinum rewards Valor and some additional rewards for each instance completed within the time limit.
Its target time can shift each season depending on many factors. The current times for each dungeon are:
- Temple of the Jade Serpent: 10:15
- Stormstout Brewery: 8:15
- Gate of the Setting Sun: 8:00
- Shado-Pan Monastery: 14:00
- Siege of Niuzao Temple: 12:15
- Mogu’shan Palace: 8:15
- Scholomance: 10:15
- Scarlet Halls: 8:00
- Scarlet Monastery: 9:00
Similar to Challenge Conqueror: Gold, there will be achievements associated with the Platinum medals.
- Challenge Conqueror: Platinum (Season 1)
- Challenge Conqueror: Platinum (Season 2)
- Challenge Conqueror: Platinum (Season 3)
- Realm First! Challenge Conqueror: Platinum (Season 2)
- Realm First! Challenge Conqueror: Platinum (Season 3)
Each dungeon now has a Platinum achievement that rewards a unique toy themed around that dungeon. These toys are only usable inside Challenge Modes, and each may be used inside any Challenge Mode:
- Temple of the Jade Serpent: Platinum Boots of Expeditious Retreat
- Stormstout Brewery: Platinum “Little Ale”
- Gate of the Setting Sun: Platinum Rod of Ambershaping
- Shado-Pan Monastery: Platinum Potion of Invisibility
- Siege of Niuzao Temple: Platinum Amber
- Mogu’shan Palace: Platinum Battle Horn
- Scholomance: Platinum VIal of Polyformic Acid
- Scarlet Halls: Platinum Battle Banner
- Scarlet Monastery: Platinum Sacrificial Dagger
Platinum Coins
Beginning in 5.5.3, the Challenge Conqueror achievements will award Platinum Coins, a new currency. This currency allows you to purchase some new Transmog items, Toys, Mounts, and Tabards.
- These items are available to purchase in Shrine of the Two Moons, and Shrine of Seven Stars.
- Any timed Platinum runs will award an additional Platinum coin.
Leaderboard
Players who maintain a Realm Best time when the season ends will be granted the following rewards based on the season:
- Season 1
- Title: The Mistwalker,
- Mount: Reins of the Celestial Serpent
- Season 2
- Title: Mistborne
- Mount: Reins of the Celestial Tiger
- Season 3
- Title: Heir to the Mist
- Details about additional rewards for Season 3 to come at a later date.
Continue reading...