MoP - Boss frames missing since patch

WoW Classic WoW Classic Bug Report
1

MoP classic
Character:Leuce -Pagle - dwarf hunter
Since the patch and edit mode was added boss frames are gone from MoP with the stock UI. I even did a full UI reset (deleting cache, interface and wtf folders) just to be sure it wasn’t a corrupted UI on my end.

Had to edit to add, as I could not reply.

This really bugged, so did some testing…

Boss Frame Issue – MoP Classic

This was tested after a full UI reset (deleted Interface, WTF, and Cache folders; no addons installed after).

Testing was performed during combat on Stone Guard (10-player Mogu’shan Vaults).

In combat

/run print(UnitExists("boss1"))

Result: true

/run print(Boss1TargetFrame.unit)

Result: boss1

/run print(Boss1TargetFrame:IsShown())

Result: false

/run print(Boss1TargetFrame:IsVisible())

Result: false
Meaning: frame exists and is correctly assigned but never becomes visible during combat.

/target boss1

Result: successfully targeted one of the Stone Guardians
Meaning: boss unit is fully functional and interactable.

/run Boss1TargetFrame:Show()

Result: ADDON_ACTION_BLOCKED (in combat)
Meaning: frame cannot be forced visible due to combat lockdown.

Out of combat

/run print(Boss1TargetFrame:GetScale())

Result: 1

/run print(Boss1TargetFrame:GetAlpha())

Result: 1

/run print(Boss1TargetFrame:GetParent():GetName())

Result: UIParent

/run UIParentLoadAddOn("Blizzard_BossFrames")

Result: Couldn’t load Blizzard_BossFrames: Missing

Additional system state

/run print(C_EncounterJournal and "C_EJ loaded")

Result: C_EJ loaded

/run print(EncounterJournal and "EJ loaded")

Result: nil

Summary

Boss units and targeting function correctly, and the boss frame is properly created and bound to boss1. However, the frame never becomes visible in combat despite valid alpha, scale, and parent values.

This suggests a failure in the boss frame visibility/activation logic rather than a unit or frame-binding issue.

Given that the Classic UI Edit Mode system was first introduced for TBC Anniversary (which does not include boss frames), it got me thinking that MoP Classic may have inherited an Edit Mode implementation that does not properly initialize or toggle boss frame visibility, even though the underlying boss unit system is functioning normally?

7 Likes
2

Experiencing the same issue, not going to even try to add to the OP’s excellent post. Ended up adding a Weak Aura to be able to see the frames. Hopefully that’s temporary. Others in my guild don’t seem to be having the same problem, but I believe they all use a UI addon (I’m not a big addon guy).

3

I think I might of found something that might help the devs find a fix for this.

I noticed on galakras - when the fight is finished the default UI populates the boss frames of the now defeated encounters relevent friendly NPCs (jaina/lothermar). Its oversized and clipping the border of the screen but its there under those circumstances.
Continuing onto Iron Juggernaut the 1st NPC slot tracks the debuffs of ironjugger but on Lothermar health status - the 2nd and 3rd NPCs depopulate after sometime - and Boss Frame 1 switches from Lothermar to Iron Juggernaut about 30s into the fight. The boss frame clear again when in combat with trash after the encounter.

And if you are dead or die in celestial’s - the boss frames show up.

So, theory is, for default boss frames to show currently - You seem to get boss frames IF

  1. The encounter is active.
  2. You are not in a state of combat. (dead before engaging OR weird RP persisting encounter activity when fight is over)

2a. The Boss frames remain active if the next pull from that state of having boss frames is a boss encounter.

It’s jank on what currently triggers it to work. Hopefully someone see this and is able to make a fix.

4

Hi. Facing the same issue. Boss frames are useful for some encounters like protectors, when we need to do quick target changes. Any updates for this? Please uncle Blizzard :c