Development Notes for Wrath Classic 3.4.3 PTR - WotLK Classic (9/7)

The Wrath Classic Patch 3.4.3 PTR: Discovering the Random Dungeon Finder Tool

The Wrath Classic Patch 3.4.3 PTR brings exciting new updates to the game, including the implementation of the Random Dungeon Finder Tool. This feature allows players to easily find and join random dungeons, enhancing the overall gaming experience. Alongside this, Defense Protocol Gamma has also gone live, offering players the opportunity to test both features simultaneously. In this blog post, we'll take an in-depth look at these new additions and discuss their impact on gameplay.

• Random Dungeon Finder

The first iteration of the Wrath Classic random dungeon finder is now available for testing. With this tool, players can choose individual dungeons or opt for Normal Dungeons, Heroics, Defense Protocol Alpha, Defense Protocol Beta, and Defense Protocol Gamma. We encourage players to use the random dungeon finder to queue for Defense Protocol Gamma dungeons and share their feedback.

During this testing phase, the item-level requirement for grouping in Titan Rune Gamma dungeons using the RDF is temporarily set at 200. This change aims to streamline testing by providing template characters and upgrade vendors.

Although this feature is still in development, there are a few known issues and incomplete functions that need further attention:

• The premade group finder section of the tool is yet to be implemented and is currently missing from the interface. We plan to include it in a future PTR update.
• The rewards for daily dungeon completion are still being finalized. Presently, all these activities award 2 Emblems of Triumph and gold.
• When queuing for Defense Protocol Alpha, Beta, or Gamma, players must occasionally click the Mysterious Device object to activate the respective protocol. In the final release, our intention is for the desired additional difficulty to be automatically activated upon entering the instance.
• Group chat inside groups formed via RDF currently uses Battleground chat instead of Instance or Party chat. At the moment, players need to type /bg to communicate with their group members.
• When the dungeon queue pops and the pre-dungeon ready check appears, the "ready" check marks do not fill in for each group member as they accept the queue. This is a visual bug that will be resolved in a future PTR update.
• There is a 15-minute requeue timer after completing a Random Dungeon.

We encourage players to utilize the bug reporter to report any other issues they encounter with the Random Dungeon Finder.

Titan Rune Dungeons: Defense Protocol Gamma

Another exciting addition to the Wrath Classic Patch 3.4.3 PTR is the new Defense Protocol Gamma mode. Players can access this mode either through the random dungeon finder or by manually traveling to dungeons and activating the mysterious device inside. To activate Defense Protocol Gamma, select the corresponding option from the device's menu.

In Defense Protocol Gamma, creature damage and health have been significantly increased across all Wrath Classic dungeon "families." Additionally, a unified mechanic complements the existing mechanics from Defense Protocol Beta. When entering a dungeon with Defense Protocol Gamma enabled, an agent of the Argent Tournament, specific to each faction, will offer players a selection of additional beneficial buffs to aid them in the dungeon. We encourage players to experiment with these powerful abilities and share their thoughts.

• Rewards

In Defense Protocol Gamma dungeons, every boss will drop a Defiler's Scourgestone currency. Players can use this currency to purchase item level 245 Trial of the Crusader 25-player raid rewards from Korralin Hoperender in the alliance area of Dalaran or Kolara Dreamsmasher in the Horde area.

The developers' notes regarding this change state that dropping one currency from each boss, rather than a single currency from the final boss, promotes clearing more of the dungeon and discourages boss skips, which can cause friction in groups, particularly in Random Dungeon Finder groups. Additionally, the Ulduar drops from Defense Protocol Beta remain in place in Defense Protocol Gamma, and no additional rewards have been added at this time.

In the final release, players can expect to earn 5 Emblems of Frost per day from completing Defense Protocol Gamma dungeons. However, this is still a work in progress, and Emblems of Frost are not yet awarded for Heroics or Titan Rune Dungeons. We plan to address this in our next PTR build. Please note that these rewards and values may be subject to change.

Defense Protocol Alpha Adjustments

We have made an adjustment to reduce the total health of creatures in Defense Protocol Alpha by approximately 25% across the board. Additionally, creatures in Halls of Lightning and Halls of Stone now deal less damage, providing a more balanced and enjoyable experience for players.

• Additional Known Issues

While the Wrath Classic Patch 3.4.3 PTR brings exciting new features, there are still a few known issues that need attention:

• Achievements related to Defense Protocol Gamma have not yet been implemented.
• The Emblem of Frost rewards for daily completion of a Titan Rune Dungeon are also not fully implemented. Players will eventually be able to earn up to 5 Emblems of Frost per day for completing a Titan Rune Dungeon, similar to how it currently works in the Call of the Crusade update with Triumph Emblems.
• Players may occasionally become permanently stuck in combat when in Utgarde Keep.
• The Macro interface is currently broken, presenting multiple visual and functional issues, and causing interface errors. We apologize for the inconvenience.

As these issues are identified and addressed, we appreciate players' patience and encourage the continued use of bug reporter to report any additional problems.

Final Thoughts

The Wrath Classic Patch 3.4.3 PTR introduces the highly anticipated Random Dungeon Finder Tool and Defense Protocol Gamma. These additions aim to improve players' gaming experiences and offer new challenges and rewards. As the PTR progresses, we look forward to gathering player feedback and making necessary adjustments to ensure a smooth and enjoyable gameplay experience for all. Stay tuned for further updates and keep exploring the World of Warcraft! And don't forget to check our awesome services that cater to all your WotLK needs!