Dual Specs Q&A
saedo — Thu, 02/12/2009 - 11:31
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/underdev/dualspec.html
Talent Dual Spec Q&A with Ghostcrawler
With the next content patch, we will be introducing a number of additions and changes to the game. One new feature in the works is the ability to set up two separate sets of talents, or "dual spec". While the complete feature may not be immediately available in the Public Test Realms (PTR) and specifics are still liable to change, we wanted to go over some questions with Senior Game Designer Greg "Ghostcrawler" Street to find out more.
Nethaera: What is dual speccing?
Ghostcrawler: Dual speccing is the ability to save two separate talent specs, glyphs, and action bars.
Nethaera: Why are we allowing players to dual spec after all this time?
Ghostcrawler: We really felt like this was a great way to increase the flexibility available to players and encourage them to take part in more aspects of the game. To use just one example, some players like to participate in both raids and Arenas, which is awesome behavior that we want to promote. But, there are some talents which are more useful in one part of the game than another. Currently, players have to pay respec costs and go through the process of setting up the desired talent spec and action bars whenever they switch.
The new system makes this a much more logical process, saving on time and cost and allowing players to easily move from one aspect of the game to another.
Nethaera: Who will be able to use it?
Ghostcrawler: Players who have reached the maximum level will be able to set up dual specs.
Nethaera: Why do players need to be max level in order to do this?
Ghostcrawler: We didn’t want to burden lower-level players with extra complexity as they’re working to level up and learn their class. But if the feature proves popular we might consider expanding it.
Nethaera: How will you be able to set up a dual spec?
Ghostcrawler: Players will be able to visit their trainer and pay a one-time fee to be able to use it.
Nethaera: How do you switch between specs?
Ghostcrawler: Players will be able to switch between their talent specs by visiting any Lexicon of Power provided they’ve paid for the ability to have a secondary spec. Lexicons of Power will be available in major cities, and inscribers will also be able to create a new item that summons one. Anyone can purchase this item, but it requires a ritual of several players to summon it for use by the party. It’s similar to a repair bot in that it will exist in the world for a short duration. It’s important to keep in mind that you will not be able to switch specs while in combat or Arenas. While you won’t be able to switch your spec without the Lexicon, you will still be able to look at your secondary spec whenever you want to.
Nethaera: Will solo players have the ability to switch their specs outside of the cities or will they still need to visit a Lexicon of Power?
Ghostcrawler: Solo players will still need to go into the city to visit the Lexicon of Power to switch their talent spec or will need to get together with other players to summon one in.
Nethaera: Is the item that allows you to summon a Lexicon of Power reusable, or is it used up?
Ghostcrawler: We haven’t made a final decision on that yet, and will be evaluating how it works on the PTR.
Nethaera: Can I respec only one of my talent sets, or will I need to respec them both if I reset one?
Ghostcrawler: When you reset your talents, it will look at the spec you currently have in use as the talent set you want to change.
Nethaera: Will you be able to switch gear easily to match your spec?
Ghostcrawler: At the same time we implement dual specs, we will also be setting up a gear system. The feature is called “Gear Manager.” It can also be used to just swap weapons or trinkets or put on that tuxedo to strut around town. It will not automatically switch your gear when you change your talent spec, but it will allow for an easy gear change between them. The feature may not be fully functional immediately in the PTR, but we’ll have more information to share about it before too much longer.
Nethaera: What about hunters? Often their pet talents are set up to match the talents of the hunter. Will they be able to switch their pet specs as well?
Ghostcrawler: We will wipe the pet talents. However we are going to remove the respec cost for pet talents so that players won’t feel like they need to jump through an additional hoop to respec their pet. In addition, we are going to provide hunters a new core ability to let them remotely access their stable on a long cooldown. This way if their exotic pet heads off to the stable, they will be able to get a different pet. We hope to be able to discuss this new spell in more detail when we get a little further along.
Nethaera: Will you be able to change your Glyphs as well?
Ghostcrawler: Glyphs will be tied to each talent spec so that if you switch between them, so too will the Glyphs. You’ll notice the UI will have changed a little bit so that the Glyph panes show up alongside the Talent panes now that they are associated.
Nethaera: What about hotbars? Will players be able to save them for the talent spec they’re running?
Ghostcrawler: Yes, you will be able to save hotbars and use them with your talent specs. It just saves your bars at the same time as it saves the glyphs and talents. If you want to switch to your other action bar, you will need to change specs.
Nethaera: Is there a way for players to choose their talents without them being saved? Currently, once you spend your talent point, it’s spent unless you pay the respec cost again.
Ghostcrawler: With the dual spec feature, we are going to allow players who respec to configure all their talents before they get saved. They will be able to allocate the points, then choose if they want to use that as their spec, rather than needing to carefully diagram out their talents ahead of time. This will allow players a little more freedom when deciding on the talents they want to pick and avoid costly mistakes.
Nethaera: Will players be confined to only setting up two specs?
Ghostcrawler: We will be launching the feature with just two specs, but depending on how we feel it works out, we might consider additional specs in the future.
Nethaera: When can players expect to try out dual specs?
Ghostcrawler: Players will be able to try out the dual spec system on the Public Test Realms when they are made available. This has been a pretty big project with a lot of people working toward making it a reality in the game. We’ll definitely be watching the feedback and looking for ways of making sure the system works the way we all envisioned it to.


respeccing
forshurley — Sat, 02/14/2009 - 15:54i know i spend 100-200gold a week respecing so this will be awsome.
I can't wait till this is
Adwarflol — Thu, 02/12/2009 - 15:08I can't wait till this is implemented, but I might have to hold off on my motorcycle if it's going to be costly ;P
Yay, no more
Felsteel — Thu, 02/12/2009 - 13:52Yay, no more ret,boom,ele/enhan, all saying im dps i cant tank/heal. going to force hybrids to really be true hybrids. also will give them even MORE utility in raid, low on ranged that night, np, druids/shamans respec on the fly bam there is your ranged. Dont need that 2nd/3rd OT for this fight, NP just respec fury/ret and presto, meat grinders to go. Greatness, maybe blizz can get something right.
For the right price I'm
Dragon — Sat, 02/14/2009 - 12:49For the right price I'm always willing to respec
Still going to only have one
Fjork — Thu, 02/12/2009 - 14:50Still going to only have one main spec for a long time.
For example, I've been 'building' my ret-set on the side since I dinged 80, but almost every single dps/plate drop has gone to a DK, dps warrior, or ret pally. I think I have managed to pickup three heroic drops. Frankly my ret gear is 'about' Heroic ready, but I'm not even sure I would call it that.
Yes, I could build a set through crafted and badge gear, but all of my badges and cash are being spent on my tank gear.
The one major bonus though will be the ability to finish a heroic, hit Dalaran, then go ret for my dailies to get alot more of them done in an efficient manner.
I have the feeling that
Shinso — Thu, 02/12/2009 - 13:22I have the feeling that buying the ability to dual spec is gonna cost like 5-10k
that will be lame if thats
Knoppix (not verified) — Thu, 02/12/2009 - 15:09that will be lame if thats what they do...
well that is out of my range.
jaibyrd — Thu, 02/12/2009 - 13:38well that is out of my range. sadly
Shinso. I hate you. But I'm
Fjork — Thu, 02/12/2009 - 13:33Shinso.
I hate you.
But I'm scared to think you are right.
..........
"Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... Epic Flyer........ Dual-Spec.......... "
I can't decide!!!!!!
Better just start saving gold now.......
For those of us who can't
jaibyrd — Thu, 02/12/2009 - 13:17For those of us who can't afford to respec to do pvp this sounds great! I cheer for it and hope the bugs get worked out ( I'm sure there are bugs) Or even to have a healy/dmg ability.l..I..I might...might just try out dps if that is the case. (This is not a promise though)
mods
moriella — Thu, 02/12/2009 - 13:02This is gonna take alot of retooling on many of the mods that we use, hope they get it done quickly
Yes this could be a total
Knoppix (not verified) — Thu, 02/12/2009 - 13:04Yes this could be a total disaster for some hotbar mods. Let's hope Bartender4 makes it work quickly.
I thnk Bartender4 would have
Cdhabro — Fri, 02/13/2009 - 17:50I thnk Bartender4 would have it a bit easier then most... from my understanding all Bartender does is allows you access to view and customize Blizz built in bars. A little other customizability but thats the majority.
Can't wait. Now I need to
Fjork — Thu, 02/12/2009 - 12:03Can't wait. Now I need to get Fjork's Tailoring up so I can have the bigger bags to hold all mah gearz!
Sounds really good if it
Knoppix (not verified) — Thu, 02/12/2009 - 11:40Sounds really good if it doesnt have a ton of bugs. I like the fact that you can change you spec until you hit save. I have made a few mistakes by clicking on a talent when my cat thought it was a good idead to nudge my hand.
Agree 100%. That gets
Vulk — Thu, 02/12/2009 - 13:16Agree 100%. That gets annoying... click click click FUCK, gota pay 50g to restart.