New information makes it clear that there could soon be even more specializations in World of Warcraft . Healing mages or tanking warlocks …
In World of Warcraft, Patch 12.0 is now live, introducing the Pre-Patch of Midnight. This brought some major changes that we have introduced to you here. One new addition is the introduction of a new specialization for demon hunters, the Devourer. However, Blizzard seems to be planning more specializations – a leak has made this clear. A survey asking what individual players think of the proposals has circulated in the past few days.
What is this survey about? From time to time, individuals are selected by Blizzard to participate in surveys. Almost always, they are asked to keep the things mentioned in the survey confidential – but this almost never succeeds. This time, the survey found its way through the WoW subreddit into the public domain.
10 good ideas, but the lich wins
What specializations were considered? During the survey, participants were asked to select one of the following ideas that they found most interesting:
- Tank Shaman: Master of the Earth Element, conjures rocks as physical shields or shatters them against enemies.
- Tank Rogue: Based on parrying and dodging, heals with potions and weakens attackers with poisons.
- Tank Warlock: Wields shield and mace, summons demons to use their life essence as a shield or send against enemies.
- Healer Mage: Uses arcane energy to reverse time and heal wounds. With elemental magic, damage can be prevented before it occurs.
- Healer Hunter: Utilizes melee and ranged attacks to distribute bandages and potions to those in need alongside their companion. Runs across the battlefield to provide first aid while the pet supports.
- Support Priest: Blesses allies with Inner Fire, increasing their combat power. Enemies are punished with divine pain, building divine power that can then be used for strong finishers.
- Support Paladin: Performs holy rituals to channel the Light and grant allies powerful blessings, increasing their strength and resilience in battle.
- Ranged Monk: Overcharges their inner spirit to shoot Chi in the form of lightning and sharp projectiles.
- Ranged Priest (Holy): A spellcaster who uses holy light and raging flames to purify enemies from a distance. Can rise into an angelic form that shoots radiant magic, attacking whole rows of enemies.
- Ranged Death Knight: Unleashes the power of a lich to attack enemies with necrotic magic and frost, tormenting their souls. Summons corrupt phantoms, grasping hands, and chains of ice while outsmarting his own death with a phylactery.
Keep in mind that these are only statements from the survey. This does not mean that these specializations are actually in development or that we will definitely see them. They seem to be merely ideas that are being explored.
Why more specializations? Specializations are significantly easier to create than entirely new classes – for which multiple specializations would have to be provided immediately. In WoW’s history, there has been a recurring desire to explore new paths with existing classes. This was something that was also experimented with in the “Season of Discoveries” of WoW Classic and was well received there.
For Blizzard, it would simply be an easier method to integrate new gameplay possibilities – and perhaps even to bring these in smaller patches instead of only with the release of an entirely new expansion. That was already the case with the Caller when it received a new specialization.
