Blizzard is testing the Azerite armor in the Alpha of Battle for Azeroth. However, many WoW fans find the feature rather modest so far.

In the current version of the Alpha of Battle for Azeroth, Blizzard is testing the first items of the Azerite armor. This is one of the major features of the latest expansion of World of Warcraft and is intended to enable a completely new way of progression.

To summarize briefly: All players receive the “Heart of Azeroth” in Battle for Azeroth – a piece of jewelry for which they collect Azerite to level it up. Depending on the level of the Heart of Azeroth, additional abilities can then be unlocked in specific equipment slots (chest, shoulders, pants).

In the first preview of this feature, fans have, however, not said anything good about the system – and that is understandable.

Azerite is one of the 5 major innovations of Battle for Azeroth – we show you the others here!

Fixed selection forces into specific specializations

At the lowest level, every Azerite armor has four possible upgrades. One for each specialization and a neutral one that benefits in every specialization. So if you play a Retribution Paladin, you will probably choose the trait that increases damage of Retribution abilities.

Here comes the first problem: The selection is permanent. If the player changes their specialization, for example from Retribution to Holy, they still retain the bonus for the Retribution ability – which they cannot use. The upgrade becomes useless in this case.

The upgrades at the next levels are also very specific:

• For example, mages can deal additional physical damage when enemies are below 30% health.
• Alternatively, a permanent bonus on mastery and leech can be chosen.
• Or would you prefer a proc that randomly increases one of the secondary attributes for a few seconds?

Those wanting to choose the optimum here will have to do a lot of theorycrafting or run their character through several simulations again.

Intuitive looks different.

The YouTube channel Thete Gaming has presented a small preview of the abilities:

Azerite armor, the all-in-one – just without eggs, wool, milk, or meat

The biggest criticism is that the Azerite armor wants to be too much at once. No wonder, as you not only have to gather the artifact weapons from Legion, but also the legendary items and the Netherlight Crucible from Patch 7.3. All these mechanics and bonuses are more or less integrated into the Azerite armor.

This leads to many problems. Players need to have multiple sets of chest, shoulder, and leg armor ready to be optimally prepared for every situation. Is a fight requiring a lot of area damage? Then I take the Azerite armor with the small area damage spell. Is a fight entering a critical “Enrage” phase? Then I need bonus damage in the last 30% of the fight.

Those wanting to get the most out of their class will therefore need three, four, or even five sets – and that only for one specialization. For those who also like to switch roles, the number of necessary items increases even further.

If the system comes in its current form, the inventory slots of the characters will likely be filled again with second, third, and fourth equipment.

However, it must be noted that Azerite armor is still in a very early testing phase and the system is not fully implemented yet. So far, there is only one item per class, and the design is – presumably – still far from final.

What is your opinion on Azerite armor? A cool feature that will somewhat offset the loss of artifact weapons? Or do you see it like the critics and fear that it will become an endless grind that no longer allows secondary specializations?

By the way, there’s also some bad news: Zandalari trolls will not be an allied race at the launch of BfA!

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Bad news for all troll fans. The Zandalari trolls in World of Warcraft will still be a long way off.

The allied races are one of the biggest innovations of the upcoming expansion Battle for Azeroth. While Alliance and Horde are making their way through Kul Tiras and Zandalar, more and more races are joining the factions of World of Warcraft. At the announcement at BlizzCon 2017, a total of 6 allied races were introduced. Four of them are already playable if you are a pre-order customer and meet the requirements:

• Lightforged Draenei (Alliance)
• Void Elves (Alliance)
• Highmountain Tauren (Horde)
• Nightborne (Horde)

The Dark Iron Dwarves (Alliance) and Zandalari trolls (Horde) were also announced months ago. But all troll fans must now be very brave:

Zandalari trolls will not be available after the launch of Battle for Azeroth.

Zandalari trolls will come “over the course of the expansion”

By completing the “War Campaign,” the Alliance and Horde can unlock the Dark Iron Dwarves (Alliance) and the Mag’har Orcs (Horde) with Patch 8.0.

Zandalari trolls will only be unlocked “over the course of the expansion” – so presumably with Patch 8.1 or 8.2, namely then when the faction actually integrates into the Horde’s storyline.

The same goes for the humans of Kul Tiras. They will also only come in a later patch – but everyone expected that.

Troll fans are disappointed. They were very much looking forward to finally being able to play the Zandalari trolls, especially the cool druid forms had already captured the hearts of the players.

Are you also disappointed by Blizzard’s decision to push the trolls a little further back? Or can you easily do without them because the Mag’har Orcs make up for it?

We have all the information about Battle for Azeroth on our comprehensive overview page!

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The prestige system of World of Warcraft is being revamped. Those with many twinks can rejoice!

With Legion, the current expansion of World of Warcraft, the developers fundamentally revised the PvP system. All characters have nearly the same chance in PvP situations, and equipment has only a minor influence. PvP equipment and associated sets still exist, but they are no longer primarily tied to the earning of honor.

Furthermore, honor has become a kind of second “experience” that fills a bar, at the end of which either artifact power or gold awaits. Every 50 levels, there is the possibility of unlocking a new “prestige” rank. This comes with a special reward, such as a mount, a special pet, or a new template for the artifact weapon.

For those who only play a single character, the system was optimal. With each new prestige rank, there was a fresh reward and always something new. It was different for players with multiple characters. They constantly had to deal with the same rewards “enjoyed” – because when you receive the same pet for the 5th time, you don’t feel particularly rewarded by this system.

Prestige is expanded to the entire account

Blizzard has heard this criticism and plans drastic changes for Battle for Azeroth.

With Battle for Azeroth, the system will be revised. Players will then have a cross-account prestige rank.

But that is not the only change. The developers are taking inspiration from Overwatch and want to establish a similar level system. Whenever players level up, a random reward such as a new weapon or another piece of equipment awaits.

Whether the previously achieved prestige ranks of all your characters will be added together or simply the highest rank will be taken as the starting position is still unknown.

Please note that Blizzard has not yet provided exact details. How the system ultimately works and whether it will even be implemented in the live version remains to be seen.

What do you think of these changes to the PvP system? A good or a bad idea? Does it suit you and your playstyle?

Battle for Azeroth has a release date, by the way. Have you already taken vacation?

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