As World of Warcraft: Forever's beta nears its October 21 conclusion, Blizzard has introduced substantial modifications to the game's racial abilities. These changes are particularly noteworthy as racial traits in WoW Classic, and by extension Forever, hold more significance than in the modern World of Warcraft, often influencing class and playstyle choices.
Reworking Weapon Synergies
A major shift involves the removal of weapon-specific buffs for humans, dwarves, and orcs. Previously, Orcs favored axes, humans swords and maces, and dwarves guns, granting them increased weapon skill for better hit and damage. In Forever's beta, these weapon skill bonuses have been replaced. Orcs now receive a flat 1% critical strike chance, humans a 2% critical strike chance, and dwarves a 2% increased critical damage and healing at all times, irrespective of their equipped weapons. This alteration aims to provide players with more flexibility in weapon selection.
Enhancing Underutilized Abilities
Several racial abilities that were considered underwhelming have also been improved. Tauren's Plainsrunning, which offered a stacking movement speed buff while on foot, now includes a 3% mounted movement speed buff that stacks with other mount bonuses, extending its utility beyond the leveling phase. Tauren also see a reduced cooldown for their herb-gathering Cultivation skill and their area-of-effect stun, War Stomp. Dwarf racial abilities have been updated, with Find Treasure now offering a chance to discover additional items in chests.
Adjustments to Other Races and Classes
Skyborne, the newest playable race, have seen their Haste bonus increased to 3% and can now cast Skysight and Read Leyline while moving. Leyline spawn locations have also been expanded. Undead's Touch of the Grave has been adjusted for more consistent procs and cooldowns. Gnomes' Eureka passive is now an eight-second buff with no charges. Night elf and troll racial changes are more minor, with Quickness now stacking with other movement speed buffs and an increase to Troll's Regeneration health regeneration.
Conversely, some abilities have been nerfed. Orcs' Blood Fury racial cooldown has been increased to three minutes, and their Shatter Curse passive now dispels Curses and Banes instead of granting immunity, with a reduced magic damage reduction from 15% to 5%.
Beyond racial abilities, the patch notes detail numerous class adjustments. Mages gain a new spell, Frost Blast, and several Arcane and Frost talents have been redesigned. Paladins see changes to their blessings and judgment abilities, while Priests have adjustments to Devouring Plague and Shadow Word: Death. Rogues have tweaks to poisons and energy mechanics, and Shamans receive adjustments to totems and elemental spells. Warlocks and Warriors also have several talent and ability changes, including adjustments to reach and damage bonuses.
Broader Game Updates
The beta patch also includes bug fixes, improved graphics options like 'Bloom Intensity' control, and an added 'Auto Attack/Auto Shot' setting. Hunter auto shots now require a brief moment of stillness before firing, aligning with earlier versions of World of Warcraft. Pet mechanics have also been addressed. The game will also feature a new tutorial experience for new players. Player versus Player marks of honor now stack higher, and various UI elements, including unit frames and the minimap, have been updated. Auction house functionality has been enhanced with an equippable level column and better display of item stats.
These extensive changes to racial abilities and classes aim to shape player decisions and enhance gameplay balance as World of Warcraft: Forever prepares for its official launch on November 4.