WoW sucks for new players.
It does. Primarily, it sucks because of a mix of gear tuning and archaic system design that’s been changed over the game’s lifespan.
After watching a few videos on the subject, I found that the biggest barrier for new players leveling up is gear. Specifically, level 60 is where mob scaling significantly outpaces gear acquisition. Enemies have way more health, and do tons more damage.
Now, getting new gear is the easiest way to overcome this roadblock. The problem comes when:
- There are few if any items on the auction house for your level (since few people are still leveling through that content, acquiring green BoE gear to sell)
- Quest rewards are scarce
- Dungeons are much harder because of the new scaling, and even if you struggle through them - filling in missing slots takes too long, with only a trickle feed of gear drops.
Of course, the most obvious fix would be to “Fix scaling.” I think everyone can agree that scaling needs to be tuned. But this will take a while, and during that time, Blizzard runs the risk of hemorrhaging the new players they are acquiring.
But what if there were another way? An immersive way, that both rewards veteran players, and equips new players to deal with the higher challenge they’ll be facing at level 60+?
Introducing: Class Trainers [Slight Return]
Upon reaching level 60, your character will receive a message from their respective class trainer located at their faction’s capital city (with exceptions for certain classes). The way you receive the message would change depending on your class.
The invitation reads:
- They’ve heard tales of your exploits thus far, and are impressed with how your progress is coming along.
- They’ve commissioned a new gear set (lore-wise, paid for by your faction’s taxes) for you to wear as you face ever-greater challenges. This would only make sense - the “Champions of Azeroth” are the only thing standing between the world and annihilation. Of course our factions are going to try and equip us to deal with the existential threats that wander along on a daily basis.
- They ask that you return to them to pick up your gear set.
- It should be noted to the player that this set will not be as powerful as “The magical items and gear they collect hidden away by Azeroth’s shadows.” (Meaning questing gear/dungeon gear will outpace it somewhat soon, maybe within a couple levels).
This would be an entirely new, class-themed set. So veteran players would also be getting something out of this deal for the characters they’ve already leveled. This would also include a new weapon for your specialization.
Why not pick it up at the class hall? Not every character will have their class hall unlocked yet.
Initially I was thinking that race could play a factor in where you are asked to go for your gear (IE: Zandalari paladins go to Zuldazar), but that would likely take more manpower than is justifiable in implementing.
Now. to improve the immersion factor, here is how each class would receive their message depending on their faction:
Warrior - A courier is sent to hand-deliver your letter. The type of courier depends on your faction; for the Alliance, it’s a human. For the Horde, it’s an orc. (Gotta go with the classics on this one.)
Paladin - A dove arrives bearing a scroll; Alliance paladins are beckoned to the Stormwind Cathedral. Horde paladins are called to Silvermoon city.
Death Knight - A ghoul arrives carrying an inscribed femur bone. Go to Acherus and claim your new set.
Shaman - You receive a vision beckoning you to your class trainer. Alliance Shaman go to The Exodar, Horde players return to Orgrimmar.
(Alternatively, it might be better if Shaman were to go to The Earthen Ring in Nagrand)
Hunter - An eagle drops a letter into your palm. Alliance players go to Stormwind, Horde players go to Orgrimmar.
Evoker - A whelpling flies to you, and tells you that your presence is requested in Valdrakken. Travel there posthaste to be gifted your new armor.
Rogue - Alliance players receive a coded message from SI:7, asking you to travel to their headquarters for your gear. The Horde are called to Orgrimmar’s Cleft of Shadows where they receive their set from The Shattered Hand.
Druid - You are called to Moonglade to receive your set.
Demon Hunter - [[Unsure how they would receive their message]] Go to Legion Dalaran to receive your set.
Monk - You are called to your faction’s respective shrine in Pandaria to receive your set.
Mage - A portal opens up, and a letter floats into your hand. Alliance Mages are called to the Stormwind Wizard’s Sanctum. Horde Mages are beckoned to Undercity’s Magic Quarter.
Priest - A vision from The Holy Light shows your new garments. Alliance Priests travel to the Stormwind Chapel; Horde priests will receive their items from Undercity.
Warlock - An imp bearing a scroll has been sent by your class trainer. Alliance warlocks get their robes in Stormwind; Horde warlocks will get their items from Orgrimmar’s Cleft of Shadows.