With Patch 8.2 there are new features in the dungeons of World of Warcraft again. This is meant to keep the gameplay fresh and the experience varied.
With the upcoming Patch 8.2 Rise of Azshara, a new season will begin in World of Warcraft. This means not just new changes in PvP but also in the PvE of Blizzard’s MMORPG. Each season comes with a new affix that particularly influences dungeons in the “Mythic+” area, which is basically the “endgame” for small groups.
In Patch 8.2, the affix will be “Beguiling” – translated roughly as “charming” or “deceptive”.
This is Beguiling, the new affix: In an interview with Forbes, Game Director Ion Hazzikostas spoke about Beguiling and explained what the affix will generally do. He said:
Beguiling represents the servants of Azshara who invade the dungeons of Zandalar and Kul Tiras. There are three different types of servants that will be present in some groups in different configurations from week to week.
One has shadow powers, another one arcane, and one is more icy. They have fun, different effects that change the way you handle pulls. They will ensure that certain groups, which players have typically skipped in the last 5 months, will be tackled again.
Powerful auras for enemies: The colleagues from wowhead have sifted through the game data and already found some effects that could fit the three servants and seem to hit the mark when it comes to names.
- Queen’s Decree: Recoil – The servant grants all allies (i.e., enemies of the players) a buff that reflects 200% of the damage taken.
- Queen’s Decree: Hiding – The servant casts for 8 seconds and then deals 50% of their health points as damage to all enemies in line of sight.
- Queen’s Decree: Unstoppable – The servant makes all allies unstoppable, preventing them from being controlled. This also includes interrupts and stuns.
The corresponding abilities would ensure that players will have to employ a new tactic with almost all mob groups with such a servant, focusing on either the servant or keeping them occupied in some way.
Buffs for players: However, further hints were found in the game data. It seems that defeating the servants of Azshara is particularly rewarding as they provide buffs to players upon their demise.
For instance, a stackable buff named “Gift of the Queen” was found. It decreases the player’s maximum health by 5% but also increases the damage dealt by 5%.
Affix creates new paths and tactics: Overall, the affix Beguiling seems to ensure that players relive old dungeons and think more about which path to take. The servants could prove particularly tenacious or enticing when they provide good buffs.
Please keep in mind that this information is still based on data mining and related theories. Whether the affix truly works exactly like that remains to be seen.
Do you find the seasonal affixes good and meaningful? Or would you prefer the dungeons to remain constant and not change every week due to affixes?
