You all know that Blizzard recently launchedIntroduced the new arena system for WoW: Burning Crusade Classic. These are the most important changes to the original TBC system:
- The 2008 PvP system will be used for the matchmaking rating system.
- All teams begin at rating 0 rather than rating 1.500
- Most items purchased from arena vendors require a rating before they can be purchased. This is true even in Season 1. Only exceptions are gloves, throwing weapon, shield hand objects (shields not included), and wand. Rating requirements vary from 1,550 to 2,200.
- You don't even need (!) If you wish to purchase Arena gear from previous seasons, you will need Arena rating. This will not be available until Season 2.
- Arena Points will be awarded at the weekly ID reset. The amount of points you receive depends on which team has earned the most points.
- Arena Points can only be earned if your team has played at least 10 games per week. Your character must also have participated in at minimum 30% of those games. Your personal rating cannot be less than 150 rating points from your team rating.
WoW: TBC Classic- The drawbacks of the new arena system
The new system will have a negative impact on the gameplay for many players, especially in the first season of PvP of TBC Classic. At least, that's what streamers/youtubers (including a game designer) are currently claiming. These are some of the criticisms:
- The path from rating 0 through 1,550+ is more difficult and more expensive than the one from 1,500 to 1,550+. This is why Shadowlands currently has a 1,376 rating. Seventy percent are below 1,500.
- Many PvE-focused players would like to play a few Arena matches every week under the old system in order to slowly earn one item. However, they won't be able to do that because a) they don’t have time and b) they don’t have the skills/experience to do that.
- A player who fails to achieve a 1,550+ rating in season one can't buy gloves, throwing weapon, shield items (shields not included), or wand. The question is: Why play arena in season 1?
WoW: TBC Classic- If you don’t reach certain ratings, your Arena points will not be removed in season 1. Source: buffed
- There are many other PvP items, aside from the epic set of weapons and weapons. For honor and battleground tokens, you can buy ring, necklaces and capes as well as special jewels and bracers. Shoes, blue sets, and their weapon counterparts. Arena matches do not award Honor points.
- This will also have a negative effect on the higher scoring areas, as players and teams may not be as active in low scoring areas due to a lack of rewards or motivation.
- This is doubly regrettable, as the first season could have been a great chance to get casual and professional players, PvP veterans, and newbies alike, excited for the Arena. This is because toughening won't play a large role in the beginning. After a few IDs, most players have completed all PvE challenges from Phase 1. Arena PvP could have sweetened Phase 2.
- Arena will have a greater importance in Season 1 than ever, with epic raid drops and craftable blacksmithing weapons being more important than ever. It will take many players a while to stock up on PvP gear across the board. However, players who have epic PvP arena gear should have an advantage over the rest.
- Arena boosting will be a dominant theme due to the high scoring requirements. It won't help that the requirements players must meet in order to be eligible for season-long rewards are very strict. There are three Arena brackets, each with its own ratings. Players who want to achieve very high ratings in one class often have multiple accounts or characters in that class. This allows them to practice new strategies without affecting the rating of the team/character they are playing for.
- If you want to play well and earn a 2,050+ rating you will keep running into boosters who already have Season 1 weapons. This is where frustration is bound to occur.
- The situation will change in later seasons as all players will have easy access to arena items from earlier seasons. However, Seasons 3 and 4 are already under fire for allowing items from Season 3 to be given to players who have not met the minimum rating requirement in TBC Classic Season 4. Because only a few players were able to earn them, this means that items with a high reputation value would be worn by everyone in TBC Classic Season 4. As entry-level equipment, the Season 1 and Season 2 counterparts would be sufficient.
What do you think about the new Arena system? Are you seeing any positive effects from the changes? Are you looking forward TBC Classic PvP or not? Comment below.