I’m well aware that what I’m about to suggest might be met with skepticism and even disdain, but bear with me as I advocate for a potentially unpopular opinion: future raids in WoW Classic should have a delayed release in Phases 2, 3, 4, and so forth.
My primary argument stems from the essence of the Season of Discovery that we find ourselves in within WoW Classic. Raids represent the pinnacle of endgame content, and wouldn’t it be ideal for a significant portion of the player base to experience the thrill of discovering a raid for themselves? Unfortunately, in Phase 1, it felt like the top 0.1% of players raced to uncover the intricacies of the raid within two days of its release, laying bare all the fights, mechanics, and strategies for everyone else long before the average player even reached level 10. Consequently, Blackfathom Deeps (BFD) became just another raid that required players to study up on mechanics and know the fights before venturing into the instance, akin to every other raid in existence.
The potential benefit of a delayed release is compelling. Imagine if the delay were set at 1-2 weeks. In that first lockout, a far larger player base would be entering the raid entirely blind, navigating through encounters and mechanics with no predetermined strategy, creating their own path rather than relying on the blueprints already established by top raiders.
This presents a unique opportunity for Blizzard, particularly in the absence of a Public Test Realm (PTR), where raids remain entirely unknown until their live release. The allure of thousands of players venturing into the raid without a hint of what to expect is a prospect too enticing to overlook.
Moreover, the moment the top 0.01% starts sharing their raid exploits, a sense of exclusion can set in, compelling others to hasten their journey to endgame, foregoing the enjoyment of the leveling process. The pressure to rush to the raid intensifies, leading many to seek the most efficient leveling strategies, rune locations, and more via online searches.
While it’s true that a delayed release won’t prevent players from eventually googling raid strategies, it serves as a one-time measure during this specific phase, encouraging players to uncover these secrets on their own. The overarching theme of the Season of Discovery aligns with this concept, striving to foster a community-driven exploration rather than relying on external guides.
A couple of important clarifications:
1, This isn’t a disgruntled post from someone claiming entitlement at a lower level. I’ve already raided BFD as a Warlock tank, so this isn’t a plea for special treatment based on my current progress.
2, The proposal doesn’t completely eradicate the issue of players googling the raid after the delayed release. However, this is a temporary phase lasting only a few months, intended to encourage independent exploration.
3, Let’s focus on debating the premise of thousands of players engaging in a collective, blind raid discovery versus a handful revealing it to everyone else. Engage in a constructive debate rather than resorting to personal attacks. Open dialogue is valuable, and differing opinions are expected and respected.
In conclusion, this proposition seeks to enhance the Season of Discovery, fostering an environment where players unravel the mysteries of raids collectively and in real-time, rather than relying on pre-established strategies. While not a universal solution, it aims to align with the spirit of the season, making it more about discovery and less about a hurried rush to Google for answers.
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