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World of Warcraft Hero Classes Coming Soon?

by Ingrid on March 29th, 2007

I admit, I’m a cynic when it comes to a lot of ‘leaked’ rumors from alleged gaming biz insiders. But I don’t mind spreading the rumors and speculating with the rest of them, so here we go.

‘An Interesting Read’ over at Tales of an Addict tells us all about the upcoming hero classes for WoW. Now, talk of hero classes has gone on so long that I’d almost given up on the idea, but it’s a neat one and I think Blizzard agrees so I’m trying to remain optimistic.

A self-proclaimed senior at Concordia University who doubles as a part-time raid tester for Blizzard leaked the following:

Firstly each of the nine base classes can branch out to exactly three hero classes. For example, Druids can branch out to Druid of the Talon (nuking), Druid of the Claw (feral), and Keeper of the Grove (healing), while Paladins can be Champion of the Light (healing), Mountain King (defense, and yes they twisted lore here), and Knight of the Silver Hand (offense). More details on specific hero classes later. As you can see, each of the three hero classes plays to the strengths of that classes’ three talent trees. However the main purpose of Hero Classes is to allow players to tangibly improve their characters at max-level through means other than gear. Since Hero Classes will be released after The Burning Crusade, they will be obtained at level 70. Surprisingly they?ll not only be available to every player, without a quest, but they?ll either be trainable for free at the corresponding class trainer, or require a simple and straightforward quest. Blizzard?s reasoning is that Hero Classes should be a natural progression and reward for all players who have achieved max-level, rather than a grind for only the ?hardcore?.

There?s two catches though: 1) specializing in a Hero Class is like specializing in a profession - you?re stuck with it forever, and 2) you won?t immediately have access to all hero skills. Think of it as starting a new class - you start off with a couple of base abilities, you get a few more from class quests, and the rest come from your class trainer. The same applies to hero classes; picking a Hero Class will start you off with two new hero skills, and the rest will come from hero class training (called ?hero talents?) and hero quests. Here?s the interesting part: hero talents uses Hero Points, rather than currency or regular talent points. Blizzard hasn?t finalized how Hero Points will be earned, but they will most likely be obtained through a combination of experience/honor, and unique items that give you one or more hero points when used. Most likely those items will be given as both quest rewards, and drops off legendary mobs like Illidan and outdoor raid bosses (emphasizing the ?heroism?).

It’s all very interesting, and doesn’t seem particularly farfetched. I’m still unsure how one would gain experience as a level 70 before the next expansion. Or how heroic raiding qualifies as something that’s a ‘natural progression’ and a ‘reward for all players who have acheived max-level rather than a grind for only the hardcore.’

I remain somewhat dubious but I’m open to the idea that this is how it’s going to be.

Hero class titles after the jump.

Balance focused Druid -> Druid of the Talon - think moonkin =P
Feral Druid -> Druid of the Claw
Restoration Druid -> Keeper of the Grove

Beast Mastery Hunter -> Beastmaster
Marksmanship Hunter -> Archer, Rifleman (Dwarf only)
Survival Hunter -> Ranger

Arms Warrior -> Blademaster or Headhunter (Troll only)
Fury Warrior -> Beserker
Protection Warrior -> Guardian

Arcane Mage -> Archmage
Fire Mage -> Pyromancer
Frost Mage -> Ice Sorcerer or Lich (Undead only)

Affliction Warlock -> Bringer of Pain
Demonology Warlock -> Dread Lord
Destruction Warlock -> Blood Mage

Assassination Rogue -> Assassin
Combat Rogue -> Warden
Sublety Rogue -> Shady Thief

Holy Paladin -> Champion of the Light
Protection Paladin -> Mountain King
Retribution Paladin -> Knight of the Silver Hand

Elemental Shaman -> Far Seer
Enhancement Shaman -> Earthshaker
Restoration Shaman -> Shadow Hunter

Discipline Priest -> Archbishop or Priest of the Moon (Night Elf)
Holy Priest -> High Priest
Shadow Priest -> Dark Cleric

Via | Metroblogging Azeroth

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POSTED IN: News, World of Warcraft