I’ve been trying to understand how WoW is going to look once Cataclysm is released. I have the nagging feeling that Azeroth will be populated by mostly Goblins and Worgen. Actually strike that – I think we’re going to live in a world of only goblins. Apart from the fact that goblins have always been very cool and a lot of fun, I can’t help but think that their racial traits are just out of this world, even compared to the Worgen. Lets have a look at the Goblin racials:
* Rocket Jump : Activates your rocket belt to jump forward. 2 minute cooldown, shared with Rocket Barrage.
* Rocket Barrage : Launches your belt rockets at an enemy, dealing X-Y fire damage. (24-30 at level 1; 1654-2020 at level 80). 2 min. cooldown.
* Time is Money : Cash in on a 1% increase to attack and casting speed.
* Best Deals Anywhere : Always receive the best discount regardless of faction standing.
* Pack Hobgoblin : Calls in your personal servant, allowing you bank access for 1 min. 30 minute cooldown.
* Better Living through Chemistry : Alchemy skill increased by 15 (and you gain bonuses for healing/mana potions you made; 25% more mana/hp from potions).
Firstly note that there is no stupid weapon specialization bonus, which often only benefit one class that a race can play. There is the obbligatory profession bonus, but while other races simply get something like a +10 bonus that raises the level cap, Goblins get bonuses on potions they make, 25% in this case. Then there is the usual increase to some sort of attack form, in this case attack and casting speed which will be nice for rogues. The other racials are just insane. Pack Hobgoblin must be the best racial ever. This is so overpowered it is insane. I can only dream of having this on my level 14 priest at the moment. Best Deals anywhere negates the need for levelling reputation as long as you don’t need to buy items or recipies. And rocket barrage and rocket jump just make this the best PvP race out there.
I did some research on the interwebs yesterday as regards to any changes to the existing racial traits in Cataclysm. So far I can find nothing at all. If they leave the other races as they are there is going to be a serious imbalance present. Add to that the fact that the great majority of players will be rolling a new toon so as to experience the new content, (something that was not necesarry in the last two expansionas as there were no changes to the old world), and I can visualise a world of only goblins. Is that such a bad thing? Well, I can see it getting old pretty fast.
If anyone is in the beta and can give us any information regarding changes to existing racial traits, that would be much appreciated.
August 5, 2010 at 7:33 am
Blizzard confirmed that the racial bonuses (bonii?) will be changing for all the races, so you really shouldn’t worry that much.
August 5, 2010 at 7:37 am
Blizzard have confirmed a bunch of stuff for Cataclysm only to cancel it afterwards. And the fact that we are now in beta testing and no information is out there for racial changes is very worrying.
August 5, 2010 at 8:49 am
they will change them. its just not that important at the moment.
racials are not same gamebreaking as things like guildlvling, new profs or whatever…
its not a big deal for now.
but i wouldnt be too surprised if they just kick racials out of the game.
August 5, 2010 at 8:37 am
Maybe you should try and compare these racials to the worgen ones.
I think the “imbalance” of racials are made because Blizzard fear that no one will roll goblin, when they can be werewolves.
August 5, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Blizzard have in fact said that they have tried to make Goblin racials a lot cooler than Worgen or other races for fear that Horde will feel like they lost out on a “cool” race. Without racials, Worgen just feel so much better than Goblins so to redress the balance they have said that racials on Goblins will be “better” than Worgen.
Whether they change other racials is up to speculation right now.
August 5, 2010 at 12:04 pm
I think Blizzard just like to make sure they haven’t spent a lot of effort developing something people aren’t going to use.
Worgen will be popular just because of what they are, goblins maybe not so much. So the obvious thing is to give them overpowered racials.
Of course, once everyone’s invested a lot of effort into levelling them and becomes attached to them, then the nerfs can begin without affecting their popularity too much. Just look at what DKs are now compared to what they were.
That’s assuming the racials are overpowered and nothing much changes with the other races’ racials.
Also, I’m guessing that once Cata launches, what with all the drastic class changes to mechanincs and abilities, racials are going to be the least to worry about regarding balance. At least for a while anyway.
August 5, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Current racials will have to be redesigned. At least these will be too much OP in their current state: 5% intellect (gnome), 3% spirit (human), 5% health (tauren). First two because int and spi will become much more powerful and the last because of stamina inflation.
Also have to point that you can’t use your rocket belt while CCed, so Every-Man-For-Himself still wins over goblin racial.
August 6, 2010 at 7:32 pm
The Tauren racial is already nerfed. They only get an additional 5% of their base (naked) health. They will probably do the same for Gnomes and Humans. It would mean a slight gain for them in comparison to other races.
August 5, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Remember that DKs were terribly overpowered when WotLK came out. Then gradually they were nerfed to the level of the other classes.
Blizzard wants us to play new races/classes. It’s like “SALE!!! NOW +20%” in the shop when new product is introduced.
In a couple of months they will be nerfed to the level of the others.
August 5, 2010 at 3:23 pm
What I would love to know: the lore that explains why EVERY SINGLE GOBLIN IN EXISTENCE is wearing a rocket belt at all times.
August 6, 2010 at 12:52 am
Thsese are only leveling perks, not endgame. Goblins will be a bad choice for raiding, and players will be taunted or excluded for chosing such a race.
August 12, 2010 at 9:48 am
So haste sucks for raiding