Game Changes: A Comedic Assessment
TL;DR
- Remove stone system
- Bring on SoloQ!
- Make the timer optional
- Individual death penalties
- Cover slots for leavers
- “Flex” mode for DPS-dominant parties
So, after indulging in a hearty conversation online about our beloved game and its descending quality, one can’t help but wonder why the Delves have gotten so popular. I mean, it’s like discovering your grandma’s fruitcake recipe is all the rage while you’ve been busy eating gourmet chocolate!
Players are gobbling up rewards in the Depths/Abysses like kids in a candy store, while Mythic+7 just sits forlornly at the door—like the last kid picked for dodgeball. The Míticas+ Blazon system sort of works, but it’s about as clear as a muddy pond!
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: “People have lives, they can’t be wasting time managing groups.” This is a valid point, but I’m here to tell you, folks, back in my day—oh, here it comes—WotLK was a simpler time when casual players could still enjoy heroic mazes! Now? Nope! Getting the best gear feels like trying to win the lottery while stuck in traffic.
The Delves may be fine and dandy as parallel content, but if I’m looking to auto-escalate my way through dungeons, there’s Diablo IV for that—where combat is more fun than a barrel of monkeys on roller skates!
What sets WoW apart? It’s the group content, baby! It’s time we bring back 5-player dungeons that are actually relevant for the casual masses. The traditional norm and heroic dungeons now feel like paperweights. Blizzard, are you listening? If we don’t bring some excitement back, we might as well start knitting!
Suggestions for Improvement
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Remove stone system:
Listen, this isn’t a geology class! Just let us start at a +2, and if we succeed, uplevel us to a +4. Simple! Rating caps? Sure, we can work with that—like sharing ice cream but without the calories, right?
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SoloQ:
It’s 2024, not 1924! Let’s get with the program. Press a button, dive into a +2, and farm away. If you’ve done it 80% of your time as DPS, applying for group content shouldn’t feel like you’re searching for a date on Tinder—swiping left and right endlessly!
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Make the timer optional:
What’s the rush? Time-based dungeons should be for those who like a bit of thrill, while the rest of us can chill. Getting stuck in endless dungeons can feel like waiting for your dinner when you’re starving!
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Deaths penalize individually:
Let’s give each player their own life count—like a game of lives in Monopoly! You start with a couple and earn more as you progress. Boom! You die? No glorious rescue, you have to redo the dungeon. But nail it perfectly? Gear and goodies galore—who doesn’t love that?!
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Cover slots left empty:
Life happens, folks! If someone bails, let’s not start from square one. With SoloQ, just pop in someone new. Think of it as inviting a new friend to the party who just happens to have arrived mid-Beyoncé!
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“Flex” mode for high DPS demand:
Have too many damage dealers on your team? Time for auto-scaling the difficulties! It’s all about synergy! Just dial down the difficulty so we can keep the party alive and kicking.
So there you have it, folks! If Blizzard can take just a smidgen of these suggestions—who knows, we might just see Dungeons Made Great Again! Let’s keep the enthusiasm alive, and who knows, maybe we will all be laughing all the way to the loot boxes!
TLDR;
- Remove the stone system entirely, allowing for seamless progression:
- Implement a SoloQ feature for easier matchmaking:
- Make timers optional for more relaxed gameplay:
- Introduce individual death penalties for added challenge:
- Allow players to fill empty slots when someone leaves:
- Enhance the “Flex” mode for high DPS demands:
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In light of the ongoing discussions, I have taken a moment to ponder the transformation of the game and specifically why the Delves have surged in popularity.
Players often advance to Level 8 in the Depths or Abysses where they can unlock powerful rewards. Consequently, this leads many to perceive that the activities preceding Mythic+7, which are already quite challenging, lack meaningful value. Mythic+7 isn’t the most effective entry point for new players; several may find themselves hitting a wall rather than steadily progressing through the earlier Mythic+ tiers. While the Míticas+ Blazon equipment system accomplishes nearly all of the development team’s goals, it falls short in terms of clarity and engagement…
It’s common to hear the argument that “People have jobs and personal lives, so they prefer a casual approach and can’t or don’t want to spend time managing group content.”
This point seems entirely valid regarding raids, yet I remember a time during WotLK when being casual didn’t equate to a struggle. Back then, 5-player heroic dungeons provided excellent gear outside of raids without demanding excessive effort. That system fostered a great gaming experience with friends and allies.
The Delves serve as adequate side content, but when I seek an experience centered around fast-paced, auto-scaled instances to overcome challenges there’s always Diablo IV, boasting a more exhilarating combat system.
The essence of what makes WoW remarkable lies in its group-oriented activities. We need to revitalize 5-player content for the casual gaming audience (it’s disheartening that normal and heroic dungeons have become entirely irrelevant today). This is vital if we wish to prevent the game’s decline due to monotony and fatigue stemming from the Delves, especially when players fall into a routine of grinding weekly chests and farming badges.
The core issue is that the Míticas+ seem more tailored for the Mythic Dungeon International (MDI) competitions rather than for the average working parent who often finds themselves unwinding at 9 PM, seeking a fun gaming session before bed.
Blizzard, a recalibration is overdue. Let’s Work Together to Make Dungeons Great Again.
After reflecting on these points, I propose several changes that could revive engaging content for casual players:
Remove the stone system:
The stone system feels counterproductive. Instead, let players kick off with a +2, automatically scaling up to a +4 upon completion, and further to a +6, with logical item level caps and ratings in place. It should be straightforward.
Implement SoloQ
In 2024, the absence of a SoloQ feature feels like a major step backward; this mechanism has been successful in rated Battlegrounds. I want the option to simply join a +2, gather resources, or undertake a Delve without navigating tedious group formation applications. It shouldn’t feel like applying for job openings on LinkedIn every time I want to game.
Our existing rating system enables players to sign up for a +10 if they have completed at least +7, possess a certain rating, and meet item level prerequisites. Would it truly be so difficult to set this up?
Make the timer optional
Opting for a timed run could move players into a competitive bracket. For those of us there for a more casual experience, a timer feels burdensome, especially when we fail to complete the run but have invested significant time.
Implement individual death penalties
Instead of a shared outcome, let death penalties impact players individually. Starting with 2 lives and gaining more for each defeated boss (similar to Delves), players must repeat the dungeon if they die while striving for completion to count toward their chest. This system can become progressively challenging; for instance, in a +10, players might be limited to just 1 life per attempt.
Allow for replacing players who leave:
We shouldn’t penalize those who exit a dungeon abruptly; nobody should face harsh repercussions like they’re serving prison time in El Salvador. If a player exhausts their lives and wishes to depart, they should be allowed to do so without forcing everyone to restart – incorporating SoloQ would allow new members to jump in seamlessly.
This change enables groups to continue their adventure without backtracking, and the new participant will appreciate the chance to enter mid-run.
Facilitate “Flex” mode for high DPS situations:
In scenarios where there are excess DPS roles compared to Tanks or Healers, the SoloQ system should introduce an additional DPS and automatically adjust enemy health to account for the increased damage output. This is a straightforward adjustment, given that such scaling already exists for Normal and Heroic raid encounters.
What are the benefits of implementing an optional timer in dungeons for casual players?
Br/>Time-based pressure only serves to diminish enjoyment for many players. Implementing an optional timer would allow those who enjoy a more leisurely pace to experience dungeons without feeling rushed. Dungeons can be thrilling without the incessant ticking clock! For casual players, a chill session can be just as rewarding as a speedrun.
Introduce individual death penalties
Shifting to personal life counts could inject a fresh challenge into group content. If you die, you’re done for that run—this places the onus on individual performance while also encouraging teamwork. This way, if one player excels consistently, they can reap the rewards, leading to a true sense of progression and skill improvement within the dungeon atmosphere.
Allow filling empty slots
Life is unpredictable. When someone leaves midway through a dungeon, it shouldn’t force a total restart. Let’s incorporate a mechanic where players can join an ongoing run to fill those gaps, much like inviting a friend to an already underway gathering. This flexibility can ease frustrations and keep the group momentum flowing!
Enhance “Flex” mode for high DPS demands
In a scenario where a party has an excess of damage dealers, scaling down the difficulty can maintain challenge while promoting camaraderie and fun. It’s essential in group settings to ensure everyone has a chance to shine without feeling overwhelmed by too much pressure!
So, if Blizzard considers even a mere fraction of these suggestions, we could witness a resurrection of the vibrant dungeon experience we once enjoyed. Let’s inspire excitement and camaraderie among casual players again; let’s shake off the malaise of monotony. Together, we can revitalize what makes WoW a treasure trove of memorable adventures!
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the popularity of Delves highlights a growing preference for efficient, solo play focused on personal progress. However, WoW’s nostalgic spark lies in its shared experiences. With the right adjustments to dungeons, we can balance this demand for casual content alongside the rich tapestry of group challenges, ensuring the game remains welcoming and thrilling for everyone.
