Last Friday Blizzard opened up the Player Test Realm again to test the next patch - 3.3.3. The main changes revolve around changes to the Battlegrounds introducing a random battleground feature - you can view the patch notes over at Wowhead.
So this begs the question - is it worth playing on the test realm (or the beta for Cataclysm) if you only have limited time?
I've downloaded the PTR once in the past - but haven't since - mainly because I had a lack of hard drive space (until I got my new machine). However I haven't downloaded it since I upgraded for the simple reason that anything that I do on there does not advance my characters and it feels like the time is wasted (and the downloading is a big chunk of my monthly download quota). This is really the downside of playing on the PTR - which interestingly Allods Online is bucking the trend of saying that they are not going to wipe characters after their beta.
However I think there are some positive reasons for playing on the test realm - mostly because of the ability to copy pre-made characters to the realm. One thing to note is that the pre-made characters are not always available. So some reasons:
- See the end-game.
The advantage of pre-made characters is that they come (as you can see in the screenshot above) with free epics! In order to test out the latest content, players are provided with the appropriate gear to test the encounters. Players on the test realm are on there to see the latest content so it should be easy enough to find a group to join (not everyone is part of a progression guild learning the fights before they go live) - and since it is normally only one boss a day, you should have the time to take part even if all you have is an hour.
The limitation here is that the bosses are only available at set times, for set periods, which never happen at any time I can make (either the middle of the night or the middle of a work day - but I am 15 hours ahead of Blizzard most of the time).
- Try out new classes
With the pre-made characters you have the opportunity to try out the classes you don't play at max level. You can experiment and see if you like the class (obviously with the time constraints). The one warning here is that it is likely to be a huge learning curve to jump in straight at level 80 - so take what you learn with a grain of salt - there is a reason for going through the levelling process!
For example I'm tempted to try out bear tanking, and I would like to see what level 80 Shamans are like - to see if I really should bother taking my baby (horde) shaman all the way.
- Experiment with your characters
You can copy your existing characters across to the PTR. This means that you can play around with your gear, specs and different play styles. For example I could switch out Keluin's int gems for spell power gems and see how I go running a Flash of Light setup, or pull together all my Retribution gear and see how good it is now - all without any real cost apart from my play time. One thing to note is that you only get as much money as your character has on transfer (at least this was the case with the beta - I may be wrong about the PTR - though you do get free epics as stated previous) - so if you are poor like me (but yay for my epic flier) you can be limited in your funds to experiment with. However (as Jen pointed out in the comments) you do get free gems and enchants to play with.
- Keeping the Scouts Happy
If there are significant changes coming to your class, or that will in some way affect you it can help to be prepared and experience the changes before they finally come into play. This feeds back into the previous point - allowing you to optimise your setup without having to waste your 'real' money.
- The nerd factor
Doing something before everyone else is cool - in a nerdy way (which I totally endorse). So if you like that sort of buzz - go for it! Speaking of nerds - I recommend you read Miss Medicina's post: Where Nerd and Geek Meet.
- Make the game you want
The whole point of the PTR is to ensure that the game is in the best state it can be when it comes across to the live servers. The PTR is the place to pick up the bugs, and also where Blizzard is looking for feedback regarding the changes. If you want to make the game how you want it to be, then you really do need to be involved in the PTR and give thought out and valuable criticism before it goes live. It is much harder to roll back the changes once they go live - so it is better to catch them early.
Would you play on the test realm? Is there any other reason for or against playing?
I downloaded the PTR for the last big patch - the one with the new LFG - because I was dying to know how it would work. I copied my character and ran a random dungeon (FoS, I wasn't very impressed), then made 3 more pre-made characters thinking, like you, to experiment with gems and specs or to try out new classes at 80.
ReplyDeleteI didn't spend more than 2h total there. I have the same lack of patience to experiment even with a shitload of free gems and enchants. Learning a new class at 80 is a pain. The simple act of sorting through armor sets was hell! (I rolled a druid... 3xPVE + 3xPVP = shitloads of gear.)
To conclude, this particular PTR doesn't seem exciting enough to deserve the attention. Random BGs will be exactly like random dungeons, so /yawn. If you actually think you'll do all the things you've listed, it will be fun... otherwise, just make sure downloading and setting up the PTR is worth playing 3 hours and stopping.
I think the only reason I would take part in this PTR is to experiment with PvP builds. Playing a hybrid both specs are taken up with PvE roles - so it would be interesting to see the benefits of gearing and speccing for PvP.
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten to add in the time it takes to download and install in my considerations too. Certainly it is something that can be done while you are doing other things so it doesn't have to eat into your playing time - but it can potentially be a huge time sink for something that just doesn't end up being worth it.
Oh and thanks for reminding me about the free gems and enchants. I had forgotten that side of it. Time to edit!
I went through this issue back when Wrath hit Beta Testing. I was one of the lucky ones who got invited to test it out.
ReplyDeleteThen it hit me.... do I use my limited play time in the Beta, or do I play on my main, who at that point didnt even have epic flying yet?
As the lag was so aweful in the starting zones, I decided to check out the DK staring area, stopping before the final event, and heading back to my main.
Del