[PROPOSAL] Sidereal Essence for Fragment of Val'anyr: An Innovative Catch-Up Mechanic

WoW Classic Mists of Pandaria Classic Discussion
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Greetings,

As we eagerly anticipate the introduction of the new currency, Sidereal Essence, set to be dropped by the last boss in Heroic Dungeons, I have been ruminating on the myriad ways this could be utilized to augment our gameplay experience. Particularly, I wanted to discuss an exciting possibility - using Sidereal Essence to acquire Fragments of Val’anyr.

For those unacquainted, Val’anyr, Hammer of Ancient Kings, is a legendary weapon created by collecting 30 Fragments of Val’anyr, primarily found in Ulduar. It is an item that many covet but few possess, due to the WoW Tokens required to collect the necessary fragments from GDKP. Hence, why not consider the opportunity to trade Sidereal Essence for Fragments of Val’anyr?

I propose an exchange rate of 10 Sidereal Essence for 1 Fragment. This would mean that a player would require 300 Sidereal Essence to obtain the coveted Val’anyr.

Let’s delve into the reasons this could be beneficial:

Accessibility: This system would make the legendary Val’anyr more accessible to a broader range of players, without trivializing the effort needed to obtain it. Additionally, with fewer groups going into Ulduar after today, it will be even more challenging to obtain the fragments.

Player Incentive: The prospect of earning fragments towards Val’anyr would incentivize more players to engage in heroic dungeon content consistently, improving dungeon activity and player participation.

Catch-Up Mechanic: This proposed system aligns perfectly with the Sidereal Essence’s purpose as a catch-up mechanic, allowing players to obtain gear from a previous raid tier.

Respecting Player Time and Effort: A 10:1 ratio of Sidereal Essence to Fragment of Val’anyr means players will still need to invest significant time and effort into obtaining the legendary weapon, preserving its prestige and the sense of achievement when it’s finally earned.

Engagement Longevity: Since Sidereal Essence drops only from the final boss in Heroic Dungeons, this encourages full dungeon completion and not just part runs, leading to a healthier gameplay loop.

I do believe that with this, you should still need to complete Ulduar in order to be able to create the legendary.

This proposition, in my perspective, reinforces the spirit of WoW - exploration, accomplishment, and teamwork. While still maintaining the grandeur and value of Val’anyr, it allows the legendary weapon to be within reach of more players, making the world of Azeroth a tad bit more magical and inviting.

What are your thoughts, fellow adventurers?

Remember, we are the heroes of our own story.

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grabs popcorn this topic can’t be controversial at all.

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No. This is what made me hate retail. If you make it this easy to get then everyone will expect every healer to have it. Just like on retail where you need to have all the legendaries to be accepted in a group.

Even on your 4th alt.

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not cheap at all. lemme grab hard bis legendary from heroics.

/s

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They already expect all healers to have it though.

None of our healers do as we don’t do 25 man.

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It’s a legendary and they already made it so easily available that all healers will have it for ICC… what else do you need?

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I am cognizant of the fact that players who have invested substantial resources in WoW tokens may perceive this proposal as inequitable. They might feel that their effort and dedication to acquire the hammer could be undermined. It is undeniable that those who currently wield the mighty Val’anyr have rightfully earned their recognition as powerhouses within our community. Their achievements are a testament to their commitment and resilience, and this proposal does not aim to detract from that.

However, I would like to draw attention to the ever-evolving nature of WoW’s landscape. With each new phase comes a natural shift in focus and importance. Consider, for instance, my warrior who proudly bears Sulfuras. It was once a formidable symbol of power and prestige, but with the advent of the TBC & Wrath expansions, its significance has gradually faded into the annals of our Azerothian history. It’s a natural evolution in the game that past achievements become less prominent as new content and challenges arise.

Similarly, as we move forward, it is only fair to question if the current status of Val’anyr should remain unchanged. By introducing a new pathway to acquire the fragments via Sidereal Essence, we are not devaluing previous accomplishments. Rather, we’re providing more opportunities for players to engage with the rich lore and rewards that each phase offers, while keeping pace with the evolving game world.

The essence of World of Warcraft lies in its dynamism and its capacity to provide fresh experiences for all players, whether they’re veterans or newcomers. To hold onto the prestige of a previous era at the expense of inclusivity and ongoing engagement could risk stagnating our beloved game’s growth and evolution.

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Except…you won’t be allowed to run H++ unless you have a GS equivalent to being full Uld25 BiS.

((So I already expect to see people with “LF Healer, must have Val for invite” in the group note.))

Basically, if you ain’t raiding Ulduar. You ain’t gettin into H++, anyways.

((For reference, folks are already requiring GS 4.1k to run H+. Which puts you at around every slot being better than i200. Meaning you need like nothing from H+. …Which was the whole point of H+; catch you up to the current phase, gear-wise, so you could start raiding the current phase.))

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Hello Illutiankade,

Thank you for your thoughtful response and bringing to light an important aspect of the game mechanics. You are correct that currently, to access H++ dungeons, a player is encouraged to have a gear score (GS) equivalent to being full Ulduar 25 (Best in Slot). And I do see your concern that players might be denied the opportunity to run these dungeons, due to high gear score requirements set by others.

However, I believe my previous proposition about incorporating a Random Dungeon Finder (RDF) in the game could address this issue. As you may have noticed in my previous forum post titled “(The Innumerable Pros of Adding a Random Dungeon Finder to WoTLK)”

The Innumerable Pros of Adding a Random Dungeon Finder to WoW", an RDF could set GS requirements that allow access to certain dungeons like Heroic, Heroic +, and Heroic ++.

Importantly, these would be community-set standards, providing a more balanced entry-point for all players, rather than relying on the whims of individual party leaders. In this way, an RDF system would not only enhance group creation but also promote a more inclusive and fair environment for all adventurers.

So, while the current requirements might seem prohibitive, the integration of an RDF, alongside the exchange of Sidereal Essence for Fragments of Val’anyr, could foster an encouraging landscape where both new and veteran players can engage with all aspects of the game.

Thank you again for your perspective, and I look forward to more constructive conversations as we navigate the ever-evolving world of Azeroth.

Gratefully,
Redz

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Technically you might need specific BIS items or slots, even if your overall average is there. But I agree, after the first 2 weeks I stopped running H+ almost entirely other than the occasional run for a guildie and expect H++ will go similarly.

My raiding toons just don’t need it, and alts I don’t mind running the instance, but negotiating getting into a group just isn’t enjoyable for me. It’s too much like my job, and unlike my job it doesn’t actually pay.

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This guy is trolling. Look at the manner in which he writes and expresses himself - a bunch of superfluous language that doesn’t mean much. I’m a lawyer so its fairly easy to spot individuals who intend to dazzle the reader with their cleverness and good grammar.

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Just put legendaries in the cash shop. We have jobs and kids now! What does Blizz expect us to do in an MMORPG? Actually play the game? No one has time for that!

/sarcasm

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Honestly, this looks like it was written by ChatGPT to me.

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Sidereal is for 10 man loot… Not legendaries.

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The catchup mechanic they already guarantees valy to come in a very reasonable timeframe.

Exclusivity is a good thing. Trying to be inviting to everyone and of every playstyle is what lead to retail. If you don’t want to raid you don’t get Valy. Do it or don’t, the end.

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Look like you put some thought into this and thats cool, but no.

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Still disappointed they didn’t put the yogg tentacle in the sidereal shop.

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No and stop smoking crack

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They specifically did not move Val fragments to 10m. Sidereal Essence is for 10m loot. You’re not getting Val’anyr from dungeons, sorry.

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You can literally get this mace in max 6 weeks now… what more do you need? Shadowmourne splinters from dailies?