Summary
World of WarcraftPatch 11.1 introduces a significant visual update for Shamans, with Lightning Bolt, Crash Lightning, and several other abilities all receiving facelifts. While many classes have new or updated ability visuals in theWorld of Warcraftpatch, Shamans received more attention than most – but fans aren’t sold on all the improved particle effects.
Undermined,World of WarcraftPatch 11.1, is currently available on the Public Test Realm, giving players a first look at what is to come in the update. Beyond the new zone, instances, and other activities and rewards, every class in the game is getting some balance adjustments, including asignificant rework to the Hunter class inWorld of Warcraft.
Many of these classes are also receiving new visual effects for several of their abilities – and among them, Shamans got the lion’s share. Lightning Bolt, Crash Lightning, and Fire Nova got complete visual overhauls, while Frost Shock got both new VFX and sounds while used with Ice Strike. What’s more, Ghost Wolf now scales with character models and is slightly more transparent, while the Glyph of Spirit Raptors now works with the Flowing Spirits talent.WoWcontent creator Doffen made two handy videos showing side-by-side comparisons of these and many other visual updates coming in the patch.
New visual, instantaneous summon
New animation for Worgen
New visual
Army of the Damned
New spell effects for Magus of the Dead
Death Knight (Rider of the Apocalypse
Darion Mograine’s Death and Decay
Scales with character model, more transparent
New casting and projectile effects
New visual on targets
New visual and sounds when used with Ice Strike
Faster projectile
New visual, now leaps at target
New visual to account for no pet
Spell Reflect
However, not all Shaman fans are completely sold on the VFX overhaul coming in Patch 11.1. Though most agree the updates to Crash Lightning, Fire Nova, and other abilities are awesome, some say the Lightning Bolt animation needs improvement. While the channeling effect is a significant improvement, many were sad to see Blizzard go back to the projectile lightning ball visual used byShamans inWorld of Warcraft Classic, rather than the unique, instantaneous bolt connecting the caster and target implemented inCataclysm.
By and large, players approve of the rest of the visual updates coming in Patch 11.1. Hopefully, Blizzard can eventually add new Glyphs that allow fans to use some of the more popular original VFX, similarly to what it did with theShaman Ascendance forms added inWorld of WarcraftPatch 11.0.5.
Beyond makeovers to existing abilities, Patch 11.1 adds several new skills toWorld of Warcraft. Primordial Storm for Shamans, Symbiotic Relationship for Druids, and Slicing Winds – the firstEmpowered spell inWorld of Warcraftoutside the Evoker class, Earthen racial abilities, or Plunderstorm – for Windwalker Monks are just a few of the new talents characters can take. Players can look forward to experimenting with these new skills, as well as the improved VFX for the old ones, in the nextWorld of Warcraftupdate, likely on or around February 25.
World of Warcraft: The War Within
WHERE TO PLAY
In this opening chapter of The Worldsoul Saga, you’ll journey through never-before-seen subterranean worlds filled with hidden wonders and lurking perils, down to the dark depths of the Nerubian empire, where the inscrutable Harbinger of the Void has gathered her arachnid forces to bring Azeroth to its knees.
