Patch 4.1 - Call to Arms

[Poisonenvy]

Blizzard have announced they intend to introduce a new feature to the Dungeon Finder when patch 4.1 is released. In short, there will be automatic checks in place that will assess if there is a shortage of any particular class (tank/dps/healer) and, if there is, a "reward" will be issued to anyone queuing as that particular class. No doubt some will try to abuse this by queuing as a tank without being a tank, but in order to receive the reward they must complete the instance. There is no limit to the number of times per day you can queue using this system.

The full announcement below:

Quote:

In patch 4.1 we'll be introducing Dungeon Finder: Call to Arms, a new system intended to lower queue times. Call to Arms will automatically detect which class role is currently the least represented in the queue, and offer them additional rewards for entering the Dungeon Finder queue and completing a random level-85 Heroic dungeon.

Any time the Dungeon Finder queue is longer than a few minutes for level-85 Heroics, the Call to Arms system kicks in and determines which role is the least represented. In the case of tanking being the least represented role, the "Call to Arms: Tanks" icon will display in the Dungeon Finder UI menu where class roles are selected, and will also display on the UI when the queue pops and you are selected to enter a dungeon. Regardless of your role, you'll always be able to see which role currently has been Called to Arms, if any.

Call to Arms is meant to lower wait times by offering additional rewards for queuing as the currently least represented role. To be eligible for the additional rewards you must solo queue for a random level-85 Heroic in the role that is currently being Called to Arms, and complete the dungeon by killing the final boss. Every time you hit these requirements (there is no daily limit) you'll receive a goodie bag that will contain some gold, a chance at a rare gem, a chance at a flask/elixir (determined by spec), a good chance of receiving a non-combat pet (including cross faction pets), and a very rare chance at receiving a mount. The pets offered come from a wide variety of sources, and include companions like the Razzashi Hatchling, Cockatiel, and Tiny Sporebat, but the mounts are those specifically only available through dungeons (not raids), like the Reins of the Raven Lord from Sethekk Halls, Swift White Hawkstrider from Magister's Terrace, and Deathcharger's Reins from Stratholme.

This system is meant to address the unacceptable queue times currently being experienced by those that queue for the DPS role at max level. The long queue times are, of course, caused by a very simple lack of representation in the Dungeon Finder by tanks, and to some extent healers. We don't feel the tanking and healing roles have any inherent issues that are causing the representation disparity, except that fulfilling them carries more responsibility. Understandably, players prefer to take on that responsibility in more organized situations than what the Dungeon Finder offers, but perhaps we can bribe them a little. While this system gives tanks and healers something extra, the incentive is being provided so that we can help players in the DPS role get into more dungeons, get better gear, and continue progressing.

While the gold, gems, flasks, and elixirs are OK incentives, we knew we needed something more substantial. We had briefly considered Valor Points and epics, but decided that wouldn't be working toward the goal of helping DPS players progress, and ultimately wouldn't keep tanks and healers in the Dungeon Finder system for very long. We settled on pets and dungeon-found mounts as they’re cosmetic/achievement items that players tend to try to get on their own, so why not change that up and offer them a chance to get some of those elusive pets and mounts in a way that also helps other players? Even if they don't get a pet or mount, or get one they already have, the gold and other goodies still feel rewarding enough that it won't feel like a waste of effort.

We think it's a pretty solid incentive to get tanks and healers queuing, give max-level players another way to collect the pets and mounts they so desire, and above all, to improve wait times for DPS players sitting in queues. In the case of lower level dungeons, it's actually not uncommon for DPS to be the least represented role, and so if this new system works out and we're pleased with the results, we may consider applying this same mechanic to lower level dungeons as well.

source

 

[Sheiabah]

I might get over my allergic reaction to pugs and instances in general with the temptation of a mount or vanity pet...but then again

[Poisonenvy]

hehe, I was thinking the same thing ... at least if there are healer spots coming up with it. Not sure even that could tempt me to tank a pug group

[Poisonenvy]

An update to this item has been announced by Blizzard, which will be welcome news for those who collect with a dps character :

Quote:

We've been following discussions and reading feedback on the Dungeon Finder Call to Arms feature, and appreciate everyone's opinions on the topic. We wanted to share a few items though that supplement the recent announcement:

The additional reward for completing the Dungeon Finder Call to Arms (called the Satchel of Exotic Mysteries) will be Bind on Account; able to be freely sent to other characters on your account once you receive it.

An error existed in the announcement regarding flasks and potions being picked based on your spec. This is not the case. If someone earns a Satchel of Exotic Mysteries, and if it rolls the random chance to provide a potion or flask, it will be a randomly selected. This helps ensure a broad array of available flasks and potions for all characters.

We also wanted to clarify, mounts that have a possibility to be found in a Satchel of Exotic Mysteries are found with the same rarity as if you had slain the dungeon boss that normally drops them.

 

[Jayondaga]

Shame that it only applies if you join the queue on your own as opposed to with another guild member or friend.

[Poisonenvy]

Yeah, that's what I thought. Surely as long as at benefits at least one pugger, then that's the whole point. And I would imagine a lot of tanks are much more likely to do it, if they have at least one friend with them.

[Minaith1989]

I cant say it make sme want to pug either. The amount of abuse I've received whilst trying to keep tanks (who charge head first into mobs without regards for the healerrs shout of "mana") alive as my BE priest has been numerous. But then I shoudlnt be surprised, 'in the fray' characters such as tanks never seem to observe whats happening to their supporting members...

I think its a good and bad idea really. A good ide ain that it may boost potentially needed class numbers but at the same time, if i had a dd that wasnt in need i'd be a little mift at othe rpeople getting beenfits just because they by chance, picked a class that would end up in need. Dunno.

Ahh how I enjoy devils advocate

[Minaith1989]

Also apologies for the numerous typos in that last message. My head is killing me and apparently my brain has lost the ability to type...

[Poisonenvy]

Minaith1989 wrote:

But then I shoudlnt be surprised, 'in the fray' characters such as tanks never seem to observe whats happening to their supporting members...

A good tank should always be aware of what is happening to his team-mates - he should be aware of any mobs that get loose to attack others, and he should be aware of any mana issues, primarily the healers. If the healer doesn't have the mana to heal him, or isn't in range because he needs to regain mana, then the tank dies. That isn't the healers fault ... that's the tanks.

Unfortunately, because it is a fairly rare class to be filled, you will find that there are probably as many bad tanks as good. Luckily we seem to have our fair share of good tanks in the guild

It might also be worth remembering that some of those "bad" tanks may simply be unaware or unused to certain situations. Some could be used to running with specific healers that always have plenty of mana at the right times, some could be simply learning to tank. If I were you, I'd make up a macro to shoot off at the start of each pug group, saying something like:

"Hello .. I'm going to be your healer for this run. Please be aware that occasionally I will need to stop to regain mana. I will warn you, but if a fight starts anyway, you may die. Feel free to make the decision to either kick me now, or be considerate of my mana pool "

Hopefully most people will treat it tongue in cheek, yet also be more considerate. Although you may get kicked out of more, just take a note of their names and /ignore them - then you'll never get them in a group again

 

[Jayondaga]

Have you read the links on the left-hand side of the page? The 'Big Bear Butt' has a few things so say about it. There's also a link (see below) in his/her rant to some other interesting opinions about it.

http://www.mmomeltingpot.com/2011/04/editorial-so-call-to-arms-then/

How knows - maybe it will encourage more players to tank (or try). Could be bad for PUGs in the short term if loads of wannabe tanks queue without knowing how to do it.

We'll see..............

[Poisonenvy]

It would be nice if it did encourage more people to try tanking ... unfortunately the attitude of a lot of puggers will put them off.

Very interesting link too

[Sheiabah]

This comment from one of the ..um commentors to the post have the answer that would encourage me to PUG again:

'...Add an option button for me so that I can select to form a pug with people from my own server only and I would start tanking again. Make player reputation actually mean something again. Make it so that there is a chance I could actually be grouped with the same player again. '

I think the majority of the problem is people are not seeing their appalling behaviour as an issue as they will most likely never be grouped with the same people again...if you were grouping within your realm you might be more encouraged to be civil...

[Jayondaga]

Excellent point of view, which means it'll never happen <sigh>

[Poisonenvy]

Some sort of rating system, I think, was suggested as possible in the future - where you could rate your fellow puggers and those with the similar ratings would get put together.

I don't know if it was just a suggestion, or actually in the pipeline - but something like this could work, although it wouldn't be something that would take effect immediately.

And yes, I'd certainly vote for, and use, an "only on my server" option.

[Reapzie]

[quote="Poisonenvy"]Some sort of rating system, I think, was suggested as possible in the future - where you could rate your fellow puggers and those with the similar ratings would get put together.quote]
Ooh imagine a group of 5, all with the bumhole rating.