So as player that pretty much only have played WotLK extensively, there's plenty of question marks in regards to TBC. Although I have leveled up to 60 on a vanilla private server (AS A WARRIOR), so I'm well aware of how ruthless the leveling experience can be (though I've heard that TBC is slightly more forgiving).
So a part from the obvious level cap increase (or decrease depending from which xpac you're coming from) I really just want general information which differs from WotLK. For an exmaple I've heard that the heroic instances; a part from requiring a specific key they don't necessarily drop better loot than the normals do. Just the occasional epic and nether vortex from the last boss?
The more information the better! Anything that was different in comparison to WotLK I wanna hear about it!
The whole leveling process in TBC is way more similar to vanilla rather than Wotlk. However, the biggest struggle you're gonna encounter so far is the 1-58 lvl range, but after you enter enter Outland locations the droppable items will constantly contain spelldmg/attackpower which will drastically increase the your potency against the mobs. Having x5 rates for xp will just neglect all the difficulties during leveling process, specially during 58-70, so be composed, it won't be punishing by any means.
In terms of pvp, during Wotlk, i'd say the most important thing was adding more haste to casters and having interrupts free of GCD, having faster duels/arenas. Also it's worth mentioning there were quite a lot of new spells/mechanics added in Wotlk then will not be a part of TBC (illusions, teleport, bladestorm etc.)
Speaking of heroics/normal dungeons you got it almost right (as far as i remember the epics were guaranteed from the last boss, could be wrong tho), can't say whether it was good or not, it was just how the game was designed.
- Most buffs are only party wide so raid grps need to be arranged in TBC.
- Using lower spell ranks for certain heals makes healing more mana efficient in TBC.
- Mana classes run faster oom than in Wotlk.
- PvP is less bursty and more of a mana fight than in Wotlk.
- there are no push backs in TBC.
- hunter need more distance to the target to be able to shoot.
Levelling in TBC is similar to Vanilla, a Warrior is gonna be pretty painful (aside from the vastly increased XP rates here). Heroic versions of max level dungeons just have a few extra items and drop primal nethers, require revered rep to unlock. Heroic versions of lower level dungeons (like Ramparts) have completely new loot tables.
Big difference is in class strength, in WOTLK the classes are super strong meaning dungeon clearing is about using AOE dps, tanks using stuns and cycling cooldowns to survive, dps blasting through trash. In TBC the tanks are more like paper and have terrible threat generation beyond 1 target (Paladins better in this regard), so CC is preferred meaning hybrid dps specs are less desired (aka DPS Warriors, Enhance Shamans etc), while mages are highly sought after.
And as mentioned buffs are party wide, meaning for example if you want Windfury totem in a raid the shaman needs to be in the specific 5man group within that raid. But a lot of this just comes from Vanilla anyway which you already played. The main difference with Heroics is just that they offer very little room for error, much harder than anything you would have done in Vanilla/WOTLK dungeon wise.
Did yall even try the PTR before talking on HOW painful the leveling is ? After 23hrs playtime as a rogue i was lvl 65. If you call that painful alright. I imagine mages/hunters will be twice as fast.
Major difference is viable specs. From what i saw in phase 2, people just pick their WOTLK specs and kinda backport them to TBC. Thing is those few talents missing is what made them viable/cookie cutter in WOTLK, and are a total gimp in TBC. So please oh please search for 2.4.3 specs.
From the battlegrounds I've tested, I'd say pvp is at a much slower pace with greater emphasis on CC. Several classes are missing key abilities that put them on par with their peer classes in wotlk. No dispersion, hex, disengage, crappy deterrence, and other abilities as well.
Slow gcd
Very slow casts
Running out of mana
Casters need to drink every 30 seconds
Less space for outplay compared to wotlk
No cc, mobility and burst abilities for most classes
Melees do not control their damage since its 80% white attacks and rng procs
This pyramide pretty much sums it up
Good thing, sacred cleansing and dks were not there in TBC
Slow gcd
Very slow casts
Running out of mana
Casters need to drink every 30 seconds
Less space for outplay compared to wotlk
No cc, mobility and burst abilities for most classes
Melees do not control their damage since its 80% white attacks and rng procs
This pyramide pretty much sums it up
Good thing, sacred cleansing and dks were not there in TBC
God you so ignorant it's disgusting. Half of what you said just isn't correct, sorry wotlk baby go home you don't know anything.
retpal, feral, ench, hunter, warrior,rogue are all ResidentSleeper classes without key abilities that make gameplay unique in wotlk
holypal and rsham - no utility, no instant heals
mage, spriest - 30 seconds and oom@cya classes
RSham has no utility? They have plenty of utility. They have no CC, but come with purge, interrupts and movement. Priest have CC but no movement.
Paladins have utility too. The only healer that is "way out there" is restodruid, which has everything.
But TBC is a lot more about making classes synergize, because not every class has everything. So Ret/Rsham is #1 capable, a good Feral/Disc is definitely gladiator capable- Enh/Rdruid is #1 capable, etc.
It's all about finding a class that brings something to the table that your own class lacks. You can't solo **** or carry easily in TBC.
Burning Crusade Feels a little better in the world pvp. The tall mountains and LFG kinda did away with that. Dungeons really aren't too far and over-all exploration is much more colorful and less cold :?
PVP is indeed slower, but it's not as OP combo super speed CD's as LK. LK always reminded me of the unfun blur of it all. Dungeons WILL stand out in HC's atleast for awhile until you get them down. I imagine there will be a ton of people trying to rambo or rush the group etc..
Raids were great, but sometimes karazhan raids can spiral out of control in a really negative way, particularly around "Ballroom" 2nd boss.
Gruuls/Mag Trips through the waterfall to SSC, TK was a little boring but, very difficult etc etc.. all pretty nice raid content, progressive.
The factions and dailies are not as plentiful in TBC, but there is still plenty of reputation to be had.
***Hanging out in Shattrath with everyone is FAR superior than Dalaran. Just being able to play seamlessly into 1 of 3 different zones without restriction zone.
+ The fact that there will likely be people dueling outside 2 parts of the city, which is also nice. Fishing is nearby too (on the ground lol)
There typically isn't as much Height distancing in the locations, but there is enough and some obvious mountain ranges, they just aren't Storm Peaks.
-When you get your flying mount, you can fly across the nether (aka you fall off, you die) it's endless void/ nothingness :) , but through it, is the fastest way from hellfire pen, netherstorm, shadowmoon valley.