2009
06.18

Here we go again. The PTR for patch 3.2 should be coming up at anytime now and everyone’s favorite floating skull, Zarhym, has posted a list of the initial changes planed for this epic event. Won’t you join me while I highlight and discuss some of the changes that will affect us my, stabby brethren and sistern? It will be ever so much fun, I promise. Oh yeah, also, remember that these are the initial notes and are always subject to complete change and/or removal.

Axe Specialization (Orc): The weapon bonus from this effect now applies to fist weapons in addition to axes.

This is a nice buff to Orc rogues. You still smell bad though.

After much quiet contemplation, rogues now possess the ability to learn how to use one-handed axes.

What? Why? I mean, I guess it’s nice to have another weapon choice but I just don’t see the reasoning behind this. Don’t get me wrong though, if there are some decent Axe drops, you can be damn sure I’ll be using them, especially because of:

Sword Specialization: This talent is now called Hack and Slash and applies to axes as well as swords.

Ok, so they wanted to add another weapon to combine with Sword Spec like they did with Close Quarters combat for Fists/Daggers and Axes were really the only choice. Looks like Axe/Sword will be the new Fist/Dagger? I’d bet money on that.

Shadow Dance: Cooldown reduced to 1 minute. Now lasts 6 seconds, down from 10 seconds.

Glyph of Shadow Dance: Now increases the duration of Shadow Dance by 2 seconds, down from 4 seconds.

I’m thinking Blizz wants to see more Shadow Dance rogue’s in the Arenas. The lower cooldown definitely gives the ability less of a kill them this first time or you’re outta luck sense about it. I like the idea of Shadow Dance and a deep subtly rogue but I think more changes need to be made to the tree as a whole before we see the end of Mut/Prep domination

So, overall? I’m pretty meh about things as far as rogues are concerned. There just aren’t a whole lot of changes but that’s ok and to be honest, expected. Rogues as a whole are in a really good place right now. We’re topping damage meters and we’re dominating in the arena. Life is good, I guess I should just suck it up and enjoy my new Axe.

7 comments so far

Add Your Comment
  1. Wait, axes? I don’t see how it fits, but hey something new.

  2. I always wanted rogues to be able to use axes, this makes me happy
    some of the other general stuff, maybe not so much

  3. I don’t understand why it was axes. Personally, I’d rather have seen staves and polearms. Not because they’re at all *good* as weapons for a dual-wielding class, but because there’s plenty of history behind rogue sorts using long weapons.

    For that matter, I’d like to have Bucklers back, too. :D

  4. I think axes are being introduced to us so that these suckers can be itemized, equipped and not regarded as a niche weapon. With the attempt to make frost dk’s dual wield for dps, that makes Shamans, Rogues, Death knights and Hunters the classes who will actually pick up a 1 handed axe at the end game now. Plus more weapon itemization is never a bad thing in this rogue’s eyes =]

  5. Well said Zaltu.

    While axes are a bit of a surprise, I like more weapon choices in my spec.

    The rest is true as well – we’re mostly fine, on top of damage when we should, and with 2 out of 3 talent trees doing very well.

  6. What do you think about the Resiliance change? I mean I think this is the biggest problem for Rogues in 3.2. You have low survivability anyway and with this you will need to survive longer to be able to kill your opponent(s).

    I would be really interested in your thoughts about this.

  7. ” *Bug fixes: Honor Among Thieves: Periodic critical strikes now grant combo points for rogues with this talent. ”

    I wonder…have they brought part of the nerf back for HaT player in 3.2?

    Lathias
    Bloodhoof

CommentLuv Enabled