Patch 10.2 Guardians of the Dream Interview with Morgan Day & Patrick Scarborough

As part of the Patch 10.2 reveal, we present you an interview with Assistant Game Director Morgan Day and Senior Game Designer (Rewards) Patrick Scarborough, diving into the exciting new features of the upcoming Guardians of the Dream expansion! This blog post will provide a detailed summary of the key points discussed during the interview.

Gear Progression Changes in Patch 10.2

Morgan Day and Patrick Scarborough expressed their satisfaction with the universal upgrade system introduced in Patch 10.2. They shared their excitement about returning to the game full-time with this new system in place. In comparison to previous content patches, Patch 10.2 offers a faster item level progression with many positive changes.

• The number of upgrades players can make per week has been reduced from 10 in Season 2 to 6 in Season 3.
• The tracks for gear progression have been enhanced to provide a smoother late-patch progression.
• Fragments have been removed, and players will now only need currency to upgrade their gear. This change also benefits bag space for everyone.
• If players reach the cap on a certain type of crest, they will now receive the crest just below it when completing content.

Aberrus & Amirdrassil Raid Tuning

An important aspect connected to the Gear Upgrade system is the tuning of the Aberrus and Amirdrassil raids. Morgan and Patrick acknowledged that players reached a gear saturation point much earlier in previous content patches. However, with a better understanding of the upgrade systems and gear progression, they are confident that the difficulty tuning for the raids will be much smoother in Patch 10.2.

Rare Items in Amirdrassil & Loot Targeting

The developers mentioned that rare items will continue to be present in the Amirdrassil raid. They emphasized the importance of these items in improving the boss farming experience. While they acknowledged that the items were initially too powerful and rare at launch, they have made adjustments to find a balance. Patch 10.2 aims to offer interesting loot options, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

The interview also touched upon the topic of loot targeting. While Shadowlands Season 4 introduced an experimental approach to loot targeting, which received mixed feedback, the feature is not currently planned for Dragonflight Season 3. The developers will continue to explore this mechanic and make changes based on player feedback in Patch 10.2.

Augmentation Evoker & Community Reception

The addition of the Augmentation Evoker spec mid-expansion was well-received by the community. Many players enjoyed the new support playstyle that it introduced. The developers were particularly pleased with the creative ways players utilized Augmentation. They mentioned that they will continue to listen to feedback and make further changes in Patch 10.2.

While the developers did not reveal any plans for additional support classes in Patch 10.2, they acknowledged that there are numerous opportunities for future expansions.

Mythic Raid Size

The topic of mythic raid size was also discussed during the interview. The developers stated that if a change were to be made to mythic raid size, it would most likely occur at an expansion boundary rather than a content patch. They expressed satisfaction with the current flex scaling system, which allows encounters to be suitable for a static size. The 20-player mythic raid size still offers a lot of variety and flexibility for encounter design.

Race & Class Customization Options

The developers always strive to increase race and class diversity, keeping inclusivity in mind. However, there are no new race or class customizations planned for Patch 10.2, except for one notable exception - Moonkin for Druids! This addition aims to provide a similar update to the Warlock pet update in Patch 10.1.5. Players can expect a wide range of new customizations for their Druid characters.

Allied Races

No new allied races will be introduced in Patch 10.2. However, the developers assured players that they always consider allied races when introducing new cultures in each expansion. The feature remains important to them and will continue to be supported when the perfect opportunity arises.

PvP Battlegrounds

A new Brawl called Battleground Blitz will be introduced in Patch 10.2. It offers a solo queue for battlegrounds, reducing the maximum player size and providing a smaller map pool to improve match length. Additionally, the 10.1.7 ping system will aid in coordinating groups during PvP battles.

UI Updates & Changes

In Patch 10.2, there will be improvements in tracking player resources, making it easier for players to stay on top of their game. The developers specifically mentioned their interest in receiving feedback from healers regarding unit frames and in-game tools. They want to ensure that the default UI caters to as many players as possible while also allowing for customization options.

Mount Collection Achievements

No new collection achievements will be introduced in Patch 10.2. The developers stated that the question is not whether there will be new achievements, but rather when and how frequently they will be added. They are considering what goals will feel achievable and for which player base.

Malfurion in Patch 10.2?

Morgan Day confirmed that Malfurion will play a significant role in Patch 10.2 as he holds down the fort for Ysera in Ardenweald. Players can look forward to encountering numerous iconic characters throughout Patch 10.2, with Vyranoth being one of Morgan's personal favorites. Wrathion and Vyranoth will team up to gather new allies, including the Netherwing and the Stormdrakes, in defense of Amirdrassil.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the insights shared by Assistant Game Director Morgan Day and Senior Game Designer Patrick Scarborough provide a glimpse into the exciting changes and additions players can expect to experience in Patch 10.2: Guardians of the Dream. From gear progression improvements to Raid tuning, loot targeting adjustments, and various other enhancements, Patch 10.2 promises to deliver an engaging and immersive gameplay experience. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the release of Patch 10.2!