World of Warcraft (en) Forums -> 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3

Vaneras

Blizzard Poster

0. 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 01:29:13 PDT

As many of you already know we've been working on changes designed to improve various aspects of leveling for those making their way to level 60. These improvements, available in patch 2.3 will come in many forms and should significantly contribute to a more fluid and enjoyable leveling experience .

The first notable change was to simply reduce the amount of experience needed each level by approximately 15% between levels 20 and 60. Please note that when the patch is released, characters affected by this change will remain at their current level percentage. For example, if a character had exactly 50% of the current level's total experience before this change went into effect, the character would still have exactly 50% of the current level's total experience; only now fewer points would be needed to level.

Questing plays a very large role in World of Warcraft, especially while leveling and we felt that improvements to this front were necessary as well. Experience gained for completing quests (on average) between levels 30 and 60 is being increased. The increase becomes more substantial as you make your way towards 60. Additionally, many outdoor elite mobs will become non-elites, making many quests which were previously too difficult or required a group much easier and offer the same rewards (in some cases better!). A good example of this change would be Stromgarde Keep in Arathi Highlands, which will become a solo friendly environment when patch 2.3 goes live.

We've also added approximately 60 new quests in Dustwallow Marsh. This should help players who find themselves lacking quests in the 30-40 range. The Steamwheedle Cartel is building the new town of Mudsprocket in south-west Dustwallow Marsh, so you'll have to wait until construction is complete to learn more about these changes.

We're making other improvements to pre-bc leveling dungeons that players will likely find most agreeable. The level range for most every dungeon is being adjusted so that there is a much smaller range between the level of mobs found early in the dungeon to those found towards the end. For example, Shadowfang Keep is currently designed for levels 18-25 which means that right now, players who are towards the bottom of that range (18) will find it nearly impossible to complete the dungeon, while players towards the top of the range (25) will find most of the dungeon trivial. Using our new model (similar to what you'll notice with Burning Crusade leveling dungeons), Shadowfang Keep is being retuned for levels 18-21.

We also want to make running a leveling up dungeon more worth while. In addition to increasing quest experience for dungeon quests, we're also upgrading all pre-bc dungeon boss drops to blue quality items. Some examples are listed below:

Ragefire Chasm
Robe of Evocation old: +3 Stamina, + 4 Intelligence
Robe of Evocation new: +4 Stamina, +5 Intelligence, and +5 Spell Critical Strike Rating

Deadmines
Smite's Reaver old: +2 Strength, +1 Stamina, +1 Spirit, 11.1 dps
Smite's Reaver new: +2 Strength, +3 Stamina, +2 Hit Rating, 14.5 dps

Shadowfang Keep
Robes of Arugal old: +3 Agility, +5 Stamina, +9 Intelligence, +10 Spirit
Robes of Arugal new: +3 Spirit, +5 Stamina, +9 Intelligence, +12 Spell Damage

As you can see there is much in-store for the next major content patch, particularly a number of changes designed to benefit players who are leveling a character. Though we've given you a few examples of the things to come, we think everyone will pleasantly surprised when they see the full extent of the changes discussed above.

Behold! Witness the glory of my epic beer container... More commonly known as The epic Mug of Vaneras : http://epicmug.ytmnd.com/

Acemonster

< Excidium >

1. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 01:33:51 PDT

cant wait!

Zéa

Executus

2. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 01:43:44 PDT

cool

actually, this is probably the best thing since... err... I don't know.

awesome isn't enough. this ROCKS!

[ Post edited by Zéa ]

Naomh

< Ivory Heart >

Draenor

3. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 01:49:17 PDT

Sounds good! Only "problem" in my mind is levelling may end up almost too fast; I always thought it was just right pacewise, when you factor in rested, as I usually can't do every quest I want to due to levelling too fast (not much fun doing quests that have been green for 2-3 levels and are too easy so I end up skipping them then).

With a whole load of extra stuff and an incentive to not skip half the instances... spoilt for choice is the phrase that comes to mind! Not that that's a bad thing; I'd rather have the choice than not enough to do, even if it means I have to level extra alts to experience everything while still at a suitable level ;-)

Love the sound of the gear upgrades btw - I always thought Robe of Arugal was a great robe in its old form, so if even that's getting upgraded, I guess there's going to be a lot of sweet stuff in instances now! Time to put a halt on levelling my alts until 2.3...

"The Werner Connection"

Zix

< GCHQ >

Thunderhorn

4. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 01:53:10 PDT

Wow might even get my bloodelf pala alt to get to 70 ;) nice going .. been hitting that bump of boredom there so this is very nice!

Lemmu

Twisting Nether

5. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 01:58:19 PDT

Great news! Gonna love these changes.

Eyeal

Argent Dawn

6. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 02:00:05 PDT

Q u o t e:
The first notable change was to simply reduce the amount of experience needed each level by approximately 15% between levels 20 and 60.

Despite a few people whining about how unfair it is to veteran players; as a veteran player, I have to welcome these changes, including the one above. I am currently power leveling this character, and at certain points it becomes an utterly dull grind. I've noticed that on at least three occassions I have needed to grind mobs non-stop purely because I would be between 15 and 30 % away from ding, and there are no suitable quests or the amount of XP given by them is negligible compared to the time required for running around.

In summary, XP changes = good thing.

Q u o t e:
For example, if a character had exactly 50% of the current level's total experience before this change went into effect, the character would still have exactly 50% of the current level's total experience; only now fewer points would be needed to level.

Please clarify this. As 50% and amount of points are somewhat different. Eg. Level X takes 100,000 to ding. I have 50,000 == 50%. Blizzard change it to require 80,000. I've lost 10,000 points? <Insert whine fest from nubcakes here> ;-) Or, as I suspect, will I still have 50,000 and thus gained a little advantage?

Q u o t e:
Additionally, many outdoor elite mobs will become non-elites, making many quests which were previously too difficult or required a group much easier and offer the same rewards (in some cases better!). A good example of this change would be Stromgarde Keep in Arathi Highlands, which will become a solo friendly environment when patch 2.3 goes live.

Mixed feelings about this. Stromgarde needed attention, yes. What about other places - some places might be too hard for a nub, but for a newbie with skill they might be a fun challenge? Could you give another example location or quest, or mob? (Not in Arathi.)

Q u o t e:
We've also added approximately 60 new quests in Dustwallow Marsh. This should help players who find themselves lacking quests in the 30-40 range. The Steamwheedle Cartel is building the new town of Mudsprocket in south-west Dustwallow Marsh, so you'll have to wait until construction is complete to learn more about these changes.

This is an awesome addition - and I hope is the start of Blizzard addressing the need for new L1-60 content. Kudos. :-)

Q u o t e:
We also want to make running a leveling up dungeon more worth while. In addition to increasing quest experience for dungeon quests, we're also upgrading all pre-bc dungeon boss drops to blue quality items. Some examples are listed below:

Dungeon changes look good. I hope it's the start and not the finale. ;-)

Eyeal Bebak "Oh yes, I will.."
"Your ability to form a complete sentence is a plus."

Dellenar

< Dragonblood >

Shadowsong

7. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 02:09:28 PDT

Q u o t e:
Please clarify this. As 50% and amount of points are somewhat different. Eg. Level X takes 100,000 to ding. I have 50,000 == 50%. Blizzard change it to require 80,000. I've lost 10,000 points? <Insert whine fest from nubcakes here> ;-) Or, as I suspect, will I still have 50,000 and thus gained a little advantage?

The way I read it was that if you have 50,000/100,000 xp for a level before the change, this will change to 40,000/80,000 xp after the change. You're not really losing any XP, since you require less to reach the next level.

Buzan

< Oxygen >

Aerie Peak

8. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 02:10:45 PDT

Q u o t e:
Please clarify this. As 50% and amount of points are somewhat different. Eg. Level X takes 100,000 to ding. I have 50,000 == 50%. Blizzard change it to require 80,000. I've lost 10,000 points? <Insert whine fest from nubcakes here> ;-) Or, as I suspect, will I still have 50,000 and thus gained a little advantage?

You will "lose" 10,000 exp but you shouldn't see it that way because your still at 50% where you was before the change.

Q u o t e:
Mixed feelings about this. Stromgarde needed attention, yes. What about other places - some places might be too hard for a nub, but for a newbie with skill they might be a fun challenge? Could you give another example location or quest, or mob? (Not in Arathi.)

Orges in Alterac Mountains i believe will be another example.

Zarathushtra

< Saoirse >

Kilrogg

9. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 02:15:11 PDT

Best news ever imo, loving the looks of the item changes, can't wait to see a full list.

Oh and to this guy

Q u o t e:
Please clarify this. As 50% and amount of points are somewhat different. Eg. Level X takes 100,000 to ding. I have 50,000 == 50%. Blizzard change it to require 80,000. I've lost 10,000 points? <Insert whine fest from nubcakes here> ;-) Or, as I suspect, will I still have 50,000 and thus gained a little advantage?

To use your same numbers (100k needed with a 20% decrease, though it is in fact 15%) you will stay at 50% of the required amount, which is now 40k. But instead of seeing this as "losing" 10k xp, you will in fact need only 40k to level, instead of the 50k you did initially, so it still works to your advantage.
They can't really have you keeping the xp you have as its value, because what would happen if you had 90k/100k xp?

Eyeal

Argent Dawn

10. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 02:18:35 PDT

Q u o t e:
But instead of seeing this as "losing" 10k xp, you will in fact need only 40k to level, instead of the 50k you did initially, so it still works to your advantage.

I know it will still work to your advatange, but any hard skinned veteran of this game knows how much the nubcakes whine about it, and if they see their XP decrease by 10,000, no matter how much you or I try to assure them it's still balanced, they won't hear of it. Hence, much easier to have a blue clarify. ;-)

Q u o t e:
They can't really have you keeping the xp you have as its value, because what would happen if you had 90k/100k xp?

Interesting proposal. Insta-ding on login? ;) You make a good point.

Eyeal Bebak "Oh yes, I will.."
"Your ability to form a complete sentence is a plus."

Zarathushtra

< Saoirse >

Kilrogg

11. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 02:21:10 PDT

Q u o t e:
...but any hard skinned veteran of this game knows how much the nubcakes whine about it, and if they see their XP decrease by 10,000, no matter how much you or I try to assure them it's still balanced, they won't hear of it.

Touché ;-)

And while we're on the topic of people whining, imagine the cries of twinks in that insta-ding scenario...

[ Post edited by Zarathushtra ]

Necros

Laughing Skull

12. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 02:25:06 PDT

15%...

15% less... well I know it's something but seriously it's hardly anything, I am really upset that you've pulled out another lame change like this.

Time after time you state "BIG CHANGES COMING REGARDING XX" and then when you get around to releasing the precise details it ends up as "XX changed by misc negligable amount that while technically is still a change, it's pretty much not worth even mentioning."

get some balls and make some big changes, Blizzard's scaredy cat nature of changing the game a little at a time is what's left warlocks consistently the best class for PvE DPS and PvP all brackets for over a year now.

People have who have been to 70 and decide to change character really need some motivation to repeat the same stale content they have several times over just to level up, or they will be moving to a title that better accomodates their needs.

Gratch

Kilrogg

13. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 02:25:14 PDT

Q u o t e:

And while we're on the topic of people whining, imagine the cries of twinks in that insta-ding scenario...

That thought alone makes me want to start a petition to get Blizz to implement the "insta-ding" scenario :D

Gratch

Kilrogg

14. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 02:27:17 PDT

Q u o t e:
15%...

15% less... well I know it's something but seriously it's hardly anything, I am really upset that you've pulled out another lame change like this.

15% is 15%. If it's negligible, how about Blizz nerf you armour, or health, or dps by 15%. It wouldn't make a difference as "it's hardly anything" ....

EDIT: 15% is a decent change. If it was more then levelling would be too quick and we'd have even more high levels with no idea how to properly play their class.

[ Post edited by Gratch ]

Dkartma

Earthen Ring

15. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 02:29:32 PDT

Thumbs up!

Excellent thing to have. Can't wait for it.

Q u o t e:
Q u o t e:
15%...

15% less... well I know it's something but seriously it's hardly anything, I am really upset that you've pulled out another lame change like this.

Time after time you state "BIG CHANGES COMING REGARDING XX" and then when you get around to releasing the precise details it ends up as "XX changed by misc negligable amount that while technically is still a change, it's pretty much not worth even mentioning."

get some balls and make some big changes, Blizzard's scaredy cat nature of changing the game a little at a time is what's left warlocks consistently the best class for PvE DPS and PvP all brackets for over a year now.

People have who have been to 70 and decide to change character really need some motivation to repeat the same stale content they have several times over just to level up, or they will be moving to a title that better accomodates their needs.

15% alone would be almost nothing. 15% + Quest XP reward increase + changes to grouped outdoor content is significant though.

You require less XP to ding, and Quest reward more XP that they do currently. Also, I do love Outdoor group quests really, but the sheer amount of time that you needed to actually find a group is sometimes insane. I almost always end up having to be boosted into those places, which removes the challenge.

[ Post edited by Dkartma ]

Legate

< Ravaging Savages >

Earthen Ring

16. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 02:30:51 PDT

First off, as an avid alt-leveller, I am very happy with this change.

Secondly, and I don't wish to sound greedy here, but I am curious as to whether money dropped and rewarded will also be increased? Bearing in mind we will spend less time killing mobs, looting money and vendor trash. Or will money acquisition remain comparable to the old level rate?

This is not so much a problem for we who have 70s but for the newer player, perhaps this may prove frustrating?

Lich King Loyalist.

Eyeal

Argent Dawn

17. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 02:31:54 PDT

Q u o t e:
15% less... well I know it's something but seriously it's hardly anything, I am really upset that you've pulled out another lame change like this.

15% per level. 40 levels of 15% = 600% decrease in total XP required to hit 60.

Plus the additional XP gained from completing quests, making grinding less of a requirement and dinging faster than simply 15%. And then add on to that 60 new quests for the 30-40 range, ability to complete previously difficult quests, buffed weapons and armor...

"Hardly anything." :-)

Eyeal Bebak "Oh yes, I will.."
"Your ability to form a complete sentence is a plus."

Inagan

< Definition >

Aggramar

18. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 02:31:55 PDT

Sounds good, specially for an altaholic like me but I'm curious, would the changes in the 58-60 bracket make it so that 58-60 is actually faster in Azeroth than Outlands? (Altough I highly doubt that, it's worth asking)

Zarathushtra

< Saoirse >

Kilrogg

19. Re: 08/10 Leveling Improvements for Patch 2.3 08/10/2007 02:38:42 PDT

Q u o t e:
15%...

15% less... well I know it's something but seriously it's hardly anything, I am really upset that you've pulled out another lame change like this.

The 15% drop in experience needed will be aided by the other changes, for example:

Q u o t e:
Experience gained for completing quests (on average) between levels 30 and 60 is being increased. The increase becomes more substantial as you make your way towards 60. Additionally, many outdoor elite mobs will become non-elites, making many quests which were previously too difficult or required a group much easier and offer the same rewards (in some cases better!).

So now not only do you need 15% less experience to level, but your xp-gain from quests will be increased, and becoming more noticably increased the in the higher levels, when most people really start feeling the drag.

Also, with the new itemisation changes, we'll all be much better equipped to kill things faster. And killing things faster = faster levelling.

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