Interview with Taliesin and Warcraft Priests - Holy & Discipline Hero Talent Tree: Insights from an Oracle Priest

In a recent group interview with Taliesin, Smallpriest, Clandon, and Saeldur, WowCarry had the opportunity to discuss the Oracle hero talent tree for Holy and Discipline Priests, which will be introduced in The War Within expansion by Blizzard. One of the standout features of this new talent tree is the replacement of Power Infusion with a spell called Premonition, which offers three different buffs for allies on a rotating basis. Let's take an early look at these exciting hero talents and see what Blizzard has in store for players in this upcoming expansion.

The Vision of Oracle

Blizzard has designed the Oracle hero talents with the intent of fulfilling the fantasy of receiving visions of the future and using that knowledge to support and protect allies. The developers wanted to add new gameplay mechanics that empower preemptive spells such as Power Word: Shield and Pain Suppression. To achieve this, the team introduced the spell Premonition, which allows players to peer into the future and grant different buffs to their allies. This unique spin on healing and support mechanics offers a fresh and interesting gameplay experience for Holy and Discipline Priests.

Designing a Unique Hero Talent

Blizzard recognizes that Premonition is a particularly ambitious hero talent concept that may generate mixed reactions among players. The developers are eager to see how the community responds to this new addition and are open to iterating on the feedback they receive. It's essential for the talent to feel intuitive and engaging, so the team is exploring multiple variants of Premonition to ensure the best possible player experience. In terms of visuals, Blizzard plans to collaborate with their VFX artists to create special animations and effects that make the Oracle's spells stand out and add to the overall uniqueness of the class.

Not Just a Support Spec

While Premonition may offer supportive abilities, Blizzard emphasizes that Oracle is not simply a support specialization for Holy and Discipline Priests. The talents provided by this hero tree do not fundamentally change the role of Holy or Discipline Priests; rather, they enhance the healing capabilities with a hint of support flavor. By adding a touch of support mechanics to the kit of these two healing specs, Blizzard aims to provide a fresh experience for players while staying true to the core identity of Priests as healers.

The Premonition Cycle

The current design of Premonition incorporates elements of both randomness and predictability. When the spell is cast for the first time, it randomly transforms into one of three sub-spells. Subsequently, the spell changes every second in a predetermined order. By casting Premonition again, players can activate the currently active sub-spell and choose which buff to apply. This design allows players to have control over the buffs they grant to their allies while still introducing an element of chance and variety.

For example, if Premonition turns into the buff called Solace upon the first cast, it will cycle through the spells Solace, Insight, Glory, and then return to Solace. Pressing the button for the second time will cast the currently active spell, enabling players to select the desired buff for their allies.

The cooldown for Premonition starts with its first cast, lasting for one minute. The entire cycle of sub-spells lasts approximately 12 seconds, providing players with enough time to decide which buff to apply. The spell can be cast on the Priest themselves and synergizes with Twins of the Sun Priestess, ensuring that the Priest receives valuable buffs like Insight when the talent is active.

• Initial Feedback and Variation

Initial feedback from players suggests that Insight's increased magic damage benefits Discipline Priests more than Holy Priests. Blizzard acknowledges this feedback and reiterates that the concept of increasing damage through Premonition can be adjusted in the final design. The developers are not fixed on buffs tied to physical or magic damage, but rather on the general concept of what Premonition aims to achieve.

• The Low Proc Rate RNG

One of the enhancements to Premonition is the Clairvoyance hero talent. It adds a low chance of granting the active buff to the target player and two nearby allies simultaneously. Blizzard acknowledges that they are still fine-tuning the proc rate for this talent. While they want the proc to feel impactful when it does occur, they are cautious of ensuring that it doesn't overshadow other aspects of the Oracle's kit. The goal is to make this talent one of many options available, rather than a core element of the Oracle specialization.

• Versatile Divinations

Another exciting talent within the Oracle hero tree is Versatile Divinations, which introduces two additional buffs to the Premonition cycle. These buffs increase haste and restore mana. While both buffs may appear to be of equal value, Blizzard recognizes the importance of throughput for players while also appreciating the value of clutch mana regeneration. The intention behind these buffs is to allow players to choose which one suits the situation best, providing strategic decision-making opportunities.

Blizzard is also exploring the idea of adding combat hooks similar to Augmentation Evoker for throughput buffs like Glory or Insight. However, the implementation of these hooks will depend on the final design of the talent tree and the specific needs of the Oracle specialization.

Expanding the Spells and Interactions

In their exploration of the Oracle talent tree, Blizzard is considering incorporating Prayer of Mending into the Discipline rotation when utilizing the Oracle talents. On the other hand, Power Word: Shield is not intended to be a regular part of the Holy rotation but rather a bonus to trigger the Grand Reveal talent. The developers remain open to player feedback and are prepared to make adjustments to ensure a balanced and enjoyable experience for both Holy and Discipline Priests.

Enhancing Mobility and Interaction

The Divine Feathers talent aims to increase player interaction within the game. However, Blizzard acknowledges that Priests are one of the least mobile classes and that they rely on speed buffs the most. Therefore, the team wants to ensure that Priests themselves do not miss out on their own Divine Feather speed buff due to accidental sidestepping by other players.

Exploring the Oracle Priest Talent Tree

In conclusion, the introduction of the Oracle hero talent tree for Holy and Discipline Priests in The War Within expansion brings a unique and exciting gameplay experience to these healing specializations. Blizzard's careful consideration of player feedback and their commitment to balancing and refining the talents ensure that players can look forward to a well-rounded and enjoyable gameplay experience. With Premonition at the forefront, Priests will have the opportunity to support their allies through the power of foresight and strategic decision-making, making the Oracle specialization a valuable asset on the battlefield.

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