Toeo of Dragonmaw wrote in to ask about a clarification on Hero classes (of which the Death Knight will be the first). What are they, what will they require, and what does it mean to be a Hero class? We are nothing if not helpful, so here's what we know about Hero classes (mostly from BlizzCon).There were a number of ideas floating around about how Blizzard might implement Hero classes (mostly from D&D, in which Prestige classes are the precursor), but what they landed on was an "unlockable class," that's opened up to your account via a quest with a level 80 character-- that quest hasn't been created yet, so we're not sure what it will require*. So, to play as a Death Knight, you get a character of any class to level 80, do the Death Knight quest, and once your character has completed the quest, you can log on, and create a new character (of any race, we're told) that is of the Death Knight class.
That new character then starts at a higher level (anywhere from 55-70, but Blizzard hasn't decided where yet), with starter equipment of the appropriate level (again, Blizzard hasn't decided exactly which equipment yet or how it will work), and then the Death Knight character can work their way up to level 80 as well as a completely different character. Death Knights will have their own Rune resource system, and they will have their own three talent trees, just like all the other classes. It is a completely separate character, unlocked and able to be created when one of your level 80 characters finishes the quest.
*Update: Commenter Avalanche makes a good point: we don't know much about the quest, but we know it will be similar to the Warlock epic mount quest, and that it will not require raiding. Thanks, A.!
Why did Blizzard do it this way, rather than turning your Mage into a Death Knight? Because apparently they said that players felt they were losing something when they simply upgraded-- they want players to play their old character and the Death Knight as well. And what about the lore, and the fact that Death Knights are Scourge-only? And how is it OK that something ingame is conferring the priviledge of creating a new class out of game? Blizzard claims that all will be explained in the quest your character does at level 80-- we'll wait until they finish it to see whether that's true or not. As for why the Death Knights start at a higher level, Blizzard said they didn't want anyone to be walking around as a level 1 Death Knight, killing Kobolds in Northshire. Death Knights (and other Hero classes, supposedly) are meant to start out pretty epic.
Finally, while we're told the Death Knight is the only Hero class that will be included in the Wrath of the Lich King expansion, Blizzard also said that the idea for Hero classes is for the classes from Warcraft III to all become playable.
So that's a 101 on the way Blizzard has chosen to implement Hero classes. I'm kind of disappointed that they didn't choose to upgrade the character-- I would have liked a system that would have upgraded my Mage into an Archmage or my Shaman into a Far Seer. But it's true that this system lets players have their cake and eat it too-- if you want to play a Death Knight, you don't have to have rolled a Paladin or a Warlock, and even after you create the Death Knight, you can still play your original character. As for whether you'd rather play the Death Knight or your old character, we'll have to see when WotLK comes out.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
8-07-2007 @ 4:25PM
Avalanche said...
It should also be noted that Blizzard has stated that the quest chain required to unlock the Death Knight will be similar to the Warlock's epic mount quest, and also that it will not require raiding.
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8-07-2007 @ 4:27PM
Oblivion said...
I'm glad that hero classes don't replace your characters. Doing so could over saturate the game with hero classes. Furthermore, people have spent a lot of time (years for some) on their mains and it would be sad to simply erase a treasured avatar for a class that is potentially not as fun to play.
I'm not really a fan of the Death Knights starting out at a high level. I don't mind the unlockable feature via a quest chain at level 80; however, I still think that Death Knights should be a complete reroll starting from level 1. Starting them at a higher level seems like a programming short cut on Blizzard's end as they don't want to take the time to implement lower level itemization.
I'm sure starting off at a higher level will please all the whiners that complain about WoW's mid-level content, but I'm not personally a fan of the idea.
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8-07-2007 @ 4:30PM
Freehugz said...
Starting at level 1 would suck. Leveling from 1-80 after having at least 1 toon at 80 isn't fun imo
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8-07-2007 @ 4:40PM
pokute said...
I think that the biggest reason for the "unlocking" mechanic is that the Death Knight is not a more "powerful" class, but something different.
As in, if you are trading in one of your leveled characters, the natural expectation is to get something better in return. But Blizzard is not going to make Death Knights more powerful (or at least they might be OP for six months and then nerfed to all hell).
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8-07-2007 @ 4:43PM
Mike Schramm said...
Thryllus, those are all good questions, and I don't know the answers. Blizzard may not yet, either. I got the impression that you could create a Death Knight on another server (as Blizzard said that there would be no more character slots offered). But as for the other two, I have no idea.
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8-07-2007 @ 4:43PM
john said...
well it only seems fitting that they would start out at higher lvls. hey maybe it is a role reversal that isn't directly related to average gameplay. i think it would be cool it like an instance yet you are the dungeon lord / death knight hero class controlling the waves of npc out to stop those pesky adventurers.
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8-07-2007 @ 4:49PM
Thryllus said...
I should also note that I do not recall that Blizzard specifically said that the Death Knight would be unlocked "to your account." In fact, I have wondered on the exact details on this. For instance:
(1) Can you unlock the Death Knight with a Horde character and create an Alliance Death Knight?
(2) Can you create a Death Knight on a different server from where you completed the quest? What about brand new servers?
(3) What if you delete the character that finished the unlocking quest?
These are questions I would love to have answers to.
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8-07-2007 @ 4:54PM
Fetters said...
The thing I am most disappointed about is only one hero class comes right with the expansion.
I'm glad they will add more than one over time, but I think it would've been nice to have at least 2 so that you have a *tad* more variety, rather than a million death knights.
I originally had mixed feelings about starting at a high level, but the more I think about it, the better it seems. gogo starting at level 58!
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8-07-2007 @ 5:03PM
Combatc87 said...
My biggest problem with the hero classes is all my alts that I have that are mid leveled. Sure, I can drop a lowbie alt for a Death Knight, but what about when they add, say, the Blademaster as a hero class? Then what about my mid leveled warrior? I spent all that time playing him only to delete him because I can start a similar character at a higher level.
Blizzard should let everyone keep their 10 character slots, and add a sorted tab in the character select screen allowing you to switch the list over to your Hero page and keep the Heroes separate from the regulars.
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8-07-2007 @ 5:10PM
Lori said...
@5 "Blizzard said that there would be no more character slots offered"
This statement was met with a loud expression of dismay from the audience and the reply was "point taken". Betcha the number of character slots will be expanded.
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8-07-2007 @ 5:14PM
Riptidez said...
To me it feels like they are balancing the "I already made it to level 80, I can't imagine leveling another alt to 80!" contingent with the "if you don't experience the lower levels you won't know how to play the class" people. Hopefully what they do is make this a PVE-only class (doubtful) so there won't be 1000 rounds of nerfs/buffs to deal with the pvp-whiners.
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8-07-2007 @ 5:17PM
Juliah said...
I surely hope they open an additional character slot. It is in their best interest to do so: even if it is account activated so that if you're full on one server you could go to another, you're going to want to play with your guild mates.
Please add another character slot, Blizzard. Heck, add two. I have one of every single class, and it'd be nice to have a little breathing room.
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8-07-2007 @ 5:30PM
Indigo said...
Gnome death knight.
Death knight with pink pigtails.
Yup. That's what I'm doin.
Who's with me?!
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8-07-2007 @ 5:44PM
Shippy said...
@2
Why *should* they implement low level itemization for a class only available once you hit level 80? If you haven't figured out how to play by then (and most people will have several characters by then even people starting right...now)I could care less if there's a green level 18 Sword of the Death knight +3Strength +3 Shadow damage, is that really a big deal for you? So much so you think they're just being lazy? (One thing Blizzard is NOT, is lazy, they don't release anything unless they think it's good and done) I would wager the majority of the players value end game experience over anything else, regardless of what it is, it's more fun to do it at the max-level.
Even if you love leveling, that's not what the Deathknight is for, they said they don't want to see level 3 Deathknights for the very fact they're not iconic at that level.
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8-07-2007 @ 5:44PM
Shippy said...
@9
Agree 100% I'm faced with deleting a character at this point, and not a bank :)
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8-07-2007 @ 5:50PM
Bill G said...
I'm not sure whether I think the "get a new hero character" is better than the "replace an existing character" is a better mechanic, but I guarantee it'll lead to *far* more Death Knights.
If getting a Death Knight meant giving up another, high level, character the appeal would be substantially less.
As proposed, a long quest chain gets you a new relatively high level character, I think the game will be *flooded* with Death Knights.
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8-07-2007 @ 5:58PM
robot rock said...
If they actually cared about adding new mid level content then starting your new DK at level 1 wouldn't be half as bad.
But they don't care about casuals or people who are just starting....
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8-07-2007 @ 6:08PM
Furtive said...
I pretty much agree with their explanation that it wouldn't make a lot of sense to have a level 1 death knight running around. Being able to start off with a bunch of decent gear and skills is worthy of being a hero class with out being overpowered and ruining the balance of the game the way jedi's broke SWG. I'm very happy with the approach blizzard is taking with this and I think anyone sensible would be too.
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8-07-2007 @ 6:10PM
Baluki said...
They had better add a few more character slots. At least one. I've got a character for all nine classes, plus an Alliance-side AH alt (that I've never used). I wouldn't feel bad about deleting my AH alt, but we really need more slots. Make it whatever the number of classes is at the time, plus 2. I'd like to transfer my Enhancement shaman over from another server (I have an Elemental too).
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Personally, I think they should make Death Knights start at 55, and make their starting zone WPL. The plaguelands would be a great place for their class quests, and it makes sense that you'd see them there.
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I don't see how they can add all or even MOST of the WC3 heroes to the game. Most of them have had most/all of their abilities go to the existing classes.
Paladin - In game, all spells used
Archmage - Mage, all spells used/adapted
Mountain King - Warrior, spells mostly used/adapted
Blood Mage - Mage/Warlock, spells used except Summon Phoenix
Blademaster - Rogue (kinda), spells mostly unused
Far Seer - Shaman, 2 spells used
Tauren Chieftain - Shaman/Tauren, spells mostly used
Shadow Hunter - Shaman, 2 spells unused
Demon Hunter - Rogue (kinda), spells mostly unused
Keeper of the Grove - Druid, all spells used
Priestess of the Moon - Hunter, spells mostly used
Warden - Rogue, spells mostly used
Death Knight - Warrior/Warlock, spells mostly unused
Dread Lord - Warlock, spells mostly used
Lich - Mage/Warlock, spells mostly used
Crypt Lord - ??, spells mostly unused
Naga Sea Witch - Hunter, spells mostly used
Dark Ranger - Hunter, spells mostly used
Pandaren Brewmaster - Warrior, spells mostly unused
Beastmaster - Hunter, spells mostly used
Pit Lord - Warlock, spells used
Goblin Tinker - Engineer, spells unused
Firelord - ??, spells mostly unused
Goblin Alchemist - Alchemist, spells unused
The only ones that are REALLY different from what we can already play are Blademaster, Crypt Lord, Brewmaster, Tinker, Firelord, and Alchemist. Personally, I'd love to see the Brewmaster and Tinker.
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8-07-2007 @ 6:13PM
Baluki said...
Oh, and Demon Hunter is another that there isn't much of an analog for.
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