Cortyn from MeinMMO is only “somewhat” satisfied with the new Corruption Vendor in WoW. Because there are restrictions that no one needs.
For a few days now, the World of Warcraft Corruption Vendor is active. Players can choose and buy the most sought-after Corruption effects of their choice. However, the system has a catch again – one that is pure harassment.
I, Cortyn from MeinMMO, have no idea why Blizzard has brought another half-baked system that will cause frustration once again.
Basically, the new Corruption system is close to what players wanted – even if, for example, streamer Asmongold criticizes the approach. Being able to save for certain Corruption effects is a good way to balance out bad luck and achieve a long-term goal. Those who have only gotten “bad” Corruption effects can now save Echoes of Ny’alotha and then buy exactly the Corruption that suits their character.
But there’s a catch. One that is completely unnecessary.
Limited offer is ridiculous
MOTHER only sells a handful of Corruption effects. Of a total of 52 different Corruption powers, she always has only 6 available. Her offer changes twice weekly – on Wednesday during the reset and on Saturday evening when N’Zoth’s attacks change. Even though MOTHER’s offer is probably not random but follows a fixed sequence, this means in plain text: It can take up to 31 days before exactly the Corruption effect a player needs is available.
That’s why the system leads to frustration: The system creates several possible situations in which players are left empty-handed and have to wait unnecessarily long for their rewards.
Example 1: The desired Corruption is available right from the start. A player has little opportunity to farm Echoes of Ny’alotha within the first 4 days to buy the effect. This means that they likely have to wait another month to equip themselves as they would like – even though they might have the necessary resources after a week.
Example 2: A player has already acquired the resources to buy their Corruption after just a few days. However, it only becomes available after several weeks. That’s unnecessary waiting time.
Example 3: A player has no time to play during the 3 days when their Corruption effects are offered. In this case, it takes another 4 weeks before they can equip their character as they would like.
Just to clarify: This is not about throwing anything “at the players” or giving it away “for free”. The effort to unlock the Corruption effects is collecting Echoes of Ny’alotha. But the desired effect being available only 10% of the time is simply harassment.
Why is Blizzard doing this? I don’t know why Blizzard chose this solution. Maybe out of concern that all players would stock up on their Corruption after two weeks and then stop playing. Maybe because they hope this element of “surprise” brings joy to the players when the desired Corruption is finally available.
However, I believe that frustration once again outweighs the benefit. If it were up to me, MOTHER would sell all Corruption effects permanently. Because then many players would have what they have wished for months: More control over their personal progress without being tied to a (completely unnecessary) schedule from Blizzard.
This “Player Agency” is something that will be emphasized in the next expansion Shadowlands. It would have been a nice gesture if this had already been the case with this system.
Or how do you see the whole thing?
