World of Warcraft: Forever is set to retain the deliberate combat pacing and unique class mechanics that defined earlier iterations of the MMO, according to developers. The beta's current class complexity is presented as an indicator of Blizzard's commitment to this vision, aiming to avoid the modernization that has simplified gameplay in the contemporary version of World of Warcraft.
Combat in WoW: Forever is designed to be considerably slower than its modern counterpart. Early-game experiences can involve protracted battles, such as a 38-second encounter with a scorpion, due to a limited number of abilities available. This contrasts sharply with current World of Warcraft, where encounters are often resolved in around 10 seconds. The older class design, while simple, offered nuanced interactions. For instance, melee classes could weave abilities between auto-attacks to optimize damage, a tactic that became less relevant as combat speed increased.
Blizzard developers have stated their intention to "err on the side of simpler classes, but with engaging depth." This approach aligns with the game's guiding principle of staying true to the original MMO's "core design, pacing, and tone." The developers indicated that the mechanical complexity observed in the beta classes reflects their intentions for the final product, suggesting that the pace of combat will not be accelerated, nor will weaknesses be addressed by adding new abilities. Players can expect their characters to engage in methodical combat, requiring strategic use of a limited ability set.
This dedication to a methodical approach extends to dungeon and raid design. Blizzard plans for encounters to remain relatively simple, with the primary challenge stemming from player preparation. This includes strategies involving gear sets, consumables, and team composition. While this may echo the extensive pre-raid farming of the past, it offers a distinct gameplay loop.
The developers also anticipate that creative itemization will allow for emergent gameplay possibilities. Players have already discovered items like a sword for mages that deals bonus fire damage to frozen targets, opening up new strategic avenues. This focus on incremental and "horizontal" progression is intended to encourage players to develop multiple characters and maintain engagement with WoW: Forever over the long term.