On the subject of playing rogue at level 19.
(yes there will be a tl;dr section below)
I have been playing low level pvp on my rogue for quite a while.
When the patch came i was all super excited and cheerful - in fact
i am still that way. (super excited about some changes and i cant wait
to have pet battles -.-)
1) Spell/Ability Cleanup
=> I do like it. Finally some of the clutter has been gotten rid of.
I like that hemortage autoatically replaces Sinister Strike on sub,...
Loosing a few abilities is totally okay with me. Especially the ones i
that are rarely used due to better alternatives being present.
2) Mobility / Spec choice.
=> Rogues where always a highly mobile class. This is one of the reasons why
i particluarly enjoy playing them. In the past i felt forced to spec sub
due to Shadowstep being there. The extra mobility did really prevent me from
using any other spec. - i know, but in comparision to other classes such as
hunters i really felt the need.
In that regard - GREAT JOB. Having more fun chosing a spec makes me a happy
soon to be panda, i guess.
Loosing sprint however is a bit of a significant loss. Various Activities below
level 20 (when mounts are introduced, and please leave it that way
) such as
questing or playing pvp have a certain requirement for mobility.
I could roll with the regular running speed potions like most classes,
or get my boots enchanted to move around the battleground/city/questing area.
Still, i do get the feeling that the class really lacks the sprint ability or
some other sort of "movment enhancer".
The alternative aproach would be something like a "Slow" effect.
If i can not catch up with it, can i perhaps have a chance to slow it down?
Just thinking creativly here.
3) Croud Control
=> Entering a pvp type of situation relies on 3 things in my mind:
. Space - You have to know our terrain and move / play accordingly
. Preassure - If used correctly it will cause the enemy team to switch
targets and force them to respond to it.
. Croud Control - The ablity to temporarily hinder an opponent to perfor
as planned.
Croud control has various angles for me. Its more than just sheep this,
sap the other one.
Lets take a look at a battleground situation. Rogue vs healer
we push on the healer, to cause the enemy team to shift prorities and the
healer (down to 50% now) requires to heal himself. he will attept to cast,
i use kick to interrupt him. After another 20% of his healthpool are drained,
he can cast again. A quick gauge would buy me the reqired time to have my energy
regenerate a bit, i could use thistle tea to push it even past the point where it was.
and then continue my assault. Maybe kick will be ready again by now.
If i know the opponent has a certain lack of skill and uses something called
"fake casting" - i may start with gauge to prevent triggering my kick CD.
Why did i bring up that particular story? This is how pvp feels at the moment
from my point of view. Even if i get lucky and land a few critical strikes,
with the new pvp changes, it is extremely hard to perform on par against
an oponent with equal skill.
i do not want my class to be faceroll! - Still the lack of cc really makes
me think three times before using kick instead of twice.
Yes, i have sap, but in comparison to other croud control abilities such as
the mages polimorph that can be used infight, it feels a bit - underpowered.
4)Level 15 Talents
I actually like them. I do feel they are quite well balanced.
Feeling free to pick the "flavor" i enjoy is awesome.
5) On Opponents
There will be no QQ from me over the way Holy Shock or pendance works
at the moment. Knowing it will be adressed.
Pure Damage classes - i feel sort of even against them. Not much to say really.
Hybrid Classes/Healers - Tricky, my experience feels like wielding sausages instead
of daggers.
The missing Gauge ability hits me really hard on any type of healer. Worse on
classes where i have the feeling, i played well get themm down to 30% and within a GCD to 1 1/2 GCD
they are back to full hp.
Catching up with fast moving classes such as druids,... is a bit draining
especially when you where used to it. I find myself pressing the keybind where sprint used to be.
5) Useless/Vanity Abilities
Yes they exist below 20. I do understand the concept of introducing abilities slowly
in order not to confuse players that are new to the class and so that we can master
our character bit by bit instead of being overwhelmed.
In that regard i am thankful that Lock picking was moved up a few levels in one of the
past patches.
Pickpocket is another spell i rarely use. In Pve at this level i feel like its not worth
my time to sneak up to someone and rob him of his posessions. Especially when i risk that
he catches me in the act. Especially since i only get a few copper.
In pvp it is useless, just like it should. (i admit it would feel epic to be able
to pick pocket a darkmoon artifact every now and then).
6) TL;DR
As a rogue i feel happy with 50% of the changes and a bit sad about the other half.
The loss of what feels like all my mobility is a bit a shocker at first, but can be
gotten over. Bringing back Sprint would be a big plus.
Sometimes my bar feels a bit empty when i lack alternatives for a specific situation.
Gauge being gone really hurt us a bit.
In coparison to other classes there is some work to be done, in order to avoid Cookie cutter
specs/classes but as this is getting adressed here, i have gained some confidence that it will
be better soon (tm).
