When I posted 2 days ago about a hypothetical situation where you could request anything from Blizzard for the Mage class, I had a rough I idea on some of the suggestions I would get. Other’s however caught me off guard which makes me grateful that I have this blog to not only speak out my thoughts about the class, but also gain such insightful feedback from others about Mages. I really do have great readers. And I come to you my readers once again for a follow up.
So we know what you want from the Mage class, but our "developer" who has the power to make this hypothetical situation happens needs something in return…You didn’t think this genie could just grand you those wishes without rubbing the lamp a bit did you? What he needs to know, before he grants your magey desires is…
"What do you like best about the class? Why did you roll a mage and (presumably) stay a mage? What makes you hold on to your beloved class when there is such negativity involved with the very mention of the word Mage?"
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Want to know seriously what got me started on mages a long time ago, even though mine is mostly shelved except on beta? Teleporting. I was tired of walking / flying everywhere.
I have always prefered Mage type characters in other games…. my 1st two WoW toons were a hunter and then a druid.. mainly because I was playing on my own.
When I finally got the chance to play with my mates full time, well I could afford to be a bit squishy, and dangerous.
Gnomeaggedons last blog post..It’s the things you don’t notice that really matter
1. What I like best about the mage class? BIG crits.
* But Destro Warlocks have even bigger ones
2. Why did I roll a mage? Didn’t know anything about WoW when I started (~3years ago) and I’ve always played a mage in roleplaying games. I had (blindly) assumed the mage would be the best damage dealer in the game, at least at higher levels. In many games that I’ve played, including previous Blizzard games such as Diablo (LoD), mages may start out a bit weak but at higher levels were unmatched for sheer DPS and especially against packs of mobs.
* Alas, as we all know, such is not the case in WoW
3. Well basically, I didn’t – which is why I currently have four level 70 chars.
* However of all four, I still enjoy nuking with my mage the most. But I am also sadly aware of his shortcomings and of his lack of survivability, compared e.g. to my druid or hunter.
** I agree with Aylii, teleporting is (and was) one of the major “fun factors” of the class. Too bad we’ll no longer be unique with this ability come inscription, due to scrolls. One less reason for anyone to play a mage…
Solidstates last blog post..Clams now stack!
i have always played a magic-using type character, starting from my early D&D days in the 70s, so rolling a mage in WoW was a no-brainer for me. i was new to the game, and wanted to start on some (i hoped) familiar ground.
what keeps me playing a mage? well, now that i’m nearing 70, i’m happy as a clam to be hurling huge amounts of fire that do serious damage. i wish i did MORE sometimes, because it’s the only thing that keeps me alive in some cases, but i’m hoping that’s going to be addressed in WOTLK.
: )
and i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE porting. and sheeping. and counterspelling.
Raiding has never been a primary, or even secondary, focus for me in WoW. Hence, a lot of the changes revolving around nerfs, etc, to that area don’t affect me nearly as much as a substantial amount of other mages.
it’s like if your neighbour’s cat gets run over. You’re sad and all, it was a cute cat, but it wasn’t your cat.
I like the fact that mages, in general, require more in the skill department to do excel than other classes. Talking from a PvP standpoint, it’s a very difficult class to play, with almost no margin for error.
And despite that, if you do excel, you can get a lot of people calling for nerfs.
I rolled a mage ’cause a friend of mine did, and said it was fun.
I stick with my mage for no other reason than I am quite attached to Euripedes. Not so much his mageyness anymore, but him, as a character. I’ve spent hundreds and hundreds of hours on this guy, I ain’t abandoning him now.
Euripedess last blog post..Ahoy Thar!
What do you like best about the class? I find them easy to play compared to my healer. Much lower pressure in groups. I love the sound the sheeps make! AOE is really quite fun. Im a big AOE fan.
Why did you roll a mage and (presumably) stay a mage? The ability to teleport always impressed me. That is what pulled me in initially. Later the AOE ability became fun in solo play.
What makes you hold on to your beloved class when there is such negativity involved with the very mention of the word Mage?” I actually was not aware of any negativity. I find most groups will take a mage over a lock for more reliable CC. Locks do have greater damage but they have quite a few short comings, not least of all the whole evil thing. Im mostly happy with my class. I am very disappointed to hear that the special mage ability will be unnecessary now.
@Tiger6 All great answers. I hope that I didn’t discourage you any in the class by coming off as gloom and doom for Mages. In fact I do agree with you that Mages are still considered CC kings as most mobs faced in instances can be controlled by polymorph. I think a more accurate description of what end game mages are feeling sour about is the feeling of being reduced to a mindless polymorph / food dispenser / taxi. Those are the only things we seem to be the kings of any more and that just doesn’t make for fun game play.
Mages are a great soloing class (especially Frost spec) being self-sufficient on things like transportation, refreshment and damage makes leveling fast and painless.
I agree that yes we aren’t the kings of DPS anymore (again especially as a Frost spec). That said we can still make good DPS impact in a raid with skill and intelligence in spec-ing and gearing (intelligence, go figure:).
I also like the utility aspect of the mage class brings to a raid. Again: food, water, teleportation, sheeping, remove curse… All things that would be greatly missed.
I must say I am excited about the new Frost talents (did you gather I’m a Frost spec;). There has been a lot of complaint about the RNG aspect of the talents. I’ve played a bit on the PTR (sadly no beta key here) and I think the RNG aspects make this class require more skill, thus becoming more rewarding.
Actually I see the Mage class from a lore perspective being deeply rooted in randomness and utility. Mages are constantly experimenting in the arts. Would be great to add spell side-affects (both positive and quirky) and give a root for Mages to explore highly unique spells (similar to what I hoped inscription would have become).
Also, I want the “You shall not pass spell” when you’re in a raid and you want to save your mates from a wipe… Like a giant wall of ice separating your raid team and the boss!
Done rambling…Sariusly…
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