First off, thanks to those of you who participated in our previous poll. We had over 350 participants and it was a close race up until the last day, where it was One-Handed Maces that made its final surge towards the finish line. A great finish, which leads us into our next evaluation in our progression towards patch 4.3 and Transmogrification: One-Handed Maces:
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| Differentiation Analysis: One-Handed Maces (v1.0) |
The goal of our evaluations is to determine just how much visual parity there is among weaponry in the World of Warcraft, and where the niches lie that players can leverage as a means to visually differentiate themselves from their peers with Transmogrification in 4.3.
The chart you see to the left (click for larger image) represents every Epic, Rare and Uncommon One-Handed Mace model currently available in-game that can be transmogrified.
We have already removed a few items that Blizzard has deemed ineligible, so if you're looking for the Spider Splatter Mace, which is a great-looking frying pan complete with eggs, unfortunately Blizzard isn't going to let you humiliate Deathwing with it. Nor will they enable you to PvP with models of fish, such as the Rockhide Strongfish. In addition, some models may be categorized as being more "unique" than you believe they are. This is likely due to the fact that some of the recycled skins don't actually have any stats. And from what we gather, an item must have stats on it in order to be eligible for transmogrification.
Read on for our initial conclusions, our visual positioning analysis, the editors' picks and our map key to identify and link to the items reviewed here.
If you're familiar with the way we segment the models in this chart, feel free to jump to the next header and our initial conclusions.
For those of you who are new to Disenchanting Azeroth and our methodologies, we refer to the chart above as our Differentiation Analysis. We arrange each individual model (not each skin) horizontally by the expansion in which it was introduced to the game, and vertically by the number of weapons the model is recycled with a different skin. The more it is recycled, the lower we rank it because it likely means players have already seen too much of it. The less it is recycled, the more unique it is and thus the higher we rank it. The models in the first row retain exclusive rights to the model, as there is nothing else currently attainable in-game to match it, not even a Heroic recoloring of the skin. This is also a visual analysis of design language and form so the varying skins of color and texture available for each recycled model are not represented here.
Our Initial Conclusions
The horizontal axis here is a continuum of STATIC forms (rectilinear, sharp transitions) to FLUID forms (organic, smooth transitions). Basically, weapons on the left appear more stoic and angular and those on the right appear more organic and curved.
The goal here isn't to determine the exact placement of each individual weapon, rather it is to identify deltas between them as a means to draw some conclusions and inform our recommendations. For the sake of argument, we're also going to take Blizzard's "truly unique" One-Handed Maces from the top horizontal row in our Differentiation Analysis and cross reference them with this Visual Positioning matrix. This will let us know if the models that have maintained their exclusivity over time can actually stand out in the crowd (click for larger image).
Red ellipses identify a One-Handed Mace from the "truly unique" models that looks too much like the other weapons around it. In other words, the value of being an exclusive model doesn't do it much good if its aesthetic is too similar to its peers. A great example here is the Shockwave Truncheon (24, 52), an epic drop from Murmur in the Shadow Labyrinth (Heroic). There are just too many other maces that visually compete with it for it to stand out in a crowd.
Green ellipses identify a One-Handed Mace from the "truly unique" models that is far enough from the mass of parity that it should be able to maintain its identity. Equip one of these, and you're more likely to stand out among your peers. A great example here is Fool's Bane (48, 25) an epic drop from Terestian Illhoof in Karazhan. It's extroverted enough to separate it from the central pack, but not enough to land it in the one above it.
Our Final Conclusions
The chart you see to the left (click for larger image) represents every Epic, Rare and Uncommon One-Handed Mace model currently available in-game that can be transmogrified.
We have already removed a few items that Blizzard has deemed ineligible, so if you're looking for the Spider Splatter Mace, which is a great-looking frying pan complete with eggs, unfortunately Blizzard isn't going to let you humiliate Deathwing with it. Nor will they enable you to PvP with models of fish, such as the Rockhide Strongfish. In addition, some models may be categorized as being more "unique" than you believe they are. This is likely due to the fact that some of the recycled skins don't actually have any stats. And from what we gather, an item must have stats on it in order to be eligible for transmogrification.
Read on for our initial conclusions, our visual positioning analysis, the editors' picks and our map key to identify and link to the items reviewed here.
If you're familiar with the way we segment the models in this chart, feel free to jump to the next header and our initial conclusions.
For those of you who are new to Disenchanting Azeroth and our methodologies, we refer to the chart above as our Differentiation Analysis. We arrange each individual model (not each skin) horizontally by the expansion in which it was introduced to the game, and vertically by the number of weapons the model is recycled with a different skin. The more it is recycled, the lower we rank it because it likely means players have already seen too much of it. The less it is recycled, the more unique it is and thus the higher we rank it. The models in the first row retain exclusive rights to the model, as there is nothing else currently attainable in-game to match it, not even a Heroic recoloring of the skin. This is also a visual analysis of design language and form so the varying skins of color and texture available for each recycled model are not represented here.
Our Initial Conclusions
- The value of "exclusivity" since The Burning Crusade has lessened. Sixteen (16) "truly unique" models have retained exclusive rights to their geometry over time. This segmentation was cut by 75% going into Wrath of the Lich King, as Blizzard opted to spread the love around a bit more, maintaining their overall pace of models developed for the new content, but increasing models that shared their wireframe and reducing the "truly unique" models down to four (4). So if your gut was feeling like you've seen a given model more than once, you'd be right because there are only a few exceptions. This dispersing of model designs across the game is likely one of the root causes of what players today refer to as "everything looking similar."
- Cataclysm is not likely to match previous numbers. At this stage of Cataclysm, the number of individual models from Wrath of the Lich King nearly doubles that of current content. If Deathwing is coming in patch 4.3 and the end of the current expansion is upon us, the odds that we'll see a sudden surge in new One-Handed Mace designs are unlikely. That being said, Blizzard could certainly alter their approach and not only surprise players with a bounty in 4.3, but also release additional content post-4.3 with more models. Time will tell.
So is our differentiation analysis enough to determine what you should be using for a One-Handed Mace to stand out from your peers? In short, no. Which brings us to our next exercise, a qualitative, visual analysis of all of the models represented above. If you're familiar with the way we segment this matrix, feel free to jump to the next header and our final conclusions.
For those of you who are new to Disenchanting Azeroth and our methodologies, we refer to the chart below as our Visual Positioning Analysis (click for larger image). We use this matrix as a means to provide a visual landscape to what is currently attainable in-game for Transmogrification.
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| Visual Positioning Analysis: One-Handed Swords (v1.0) |
The vertical axis here is a continuum of INTROVERTED forms (singular geometry, quiet) to EXTROVERTED forms (multiple, intersecting geometry, loud). Basically, weapons at the bottom of the matrix are visually much quieter than those at the top.
The horizontal axis here is a continuum of STATIC forms (rectilinear, sharp transitions) to FLUID forms (organic, smooth transitions). Basically, weapons on the left appear more stoic and angular and those on the right appear more organic and curved.
The goal here isn't to determine the exact placement of each individual weapon, rather it is to identify deltas between them as a means to draw some conclusions and inform our recommendations. For the sake of argument, we're also going to take Blizzard's "truly unique" One-Handed Maces from the top horizontal row in our Differentiation Analysis and cross reference them with this Visual Positioning matrix. This will let us know if the models that have maintained their exclusivity over time can actually stand out in the crowd (click for larger image).
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| Visual Positioning: "Truly Unique" Models |
Green ellipses identify a One-Handed Mace from the "truly unique" models that is far enough from the mass of parity that it should be able to maintain its identity. Equip one of these, and you're more likely to stand out among your peers. A great example here is Fool's Bane (48, 25) an epic drop from Terestian Illhoof in Karazhan. It's extroverted enough to separate it from the central pack, but not enough to land it in the one above it.
Our Final Conclusions
- This plethora of models does not cater well to personalization. There are over 100 individual models depicted here, and the majority of them land in the central vicinity of the matrix. This is due, in part, to the intersecting nature of a mace in that we're not likely to find an extremely introverted design because it's intersecting geometry by design. That being said, it would be nice to see a bit more overall diversification in the landscape.
- A few of the most unique items are going to be difficult to obtain. The three stages of Dragonstrike (75, 15) craftable by Blacksmiths who obtained the patterns prior to Cataclysm, are likely to be exceptionally rare. In addition, the Hammer of Purified Flame (65, 30) requires a Battered Hilt to obtain, and can only be acquired once.
- The door continues to remain open for the Emerald Dream. We've pointed out in our previous model reviews how the majority of landscape to the right in the matrix is untouched. There is a great deal of opportunity here for the Blizzard art team to shift the visual style of weaponry such as One-Handed Maces away from the existing parity and into more organic and fluid designs. We believe this is another sign of potential opportunity that an upcoming expansion will, indeed, be the Emerald Dream.
We hope you've enjoyed our review of One-Handed Maces. If your goal is to truly take advantage of Transmogrification in patch 4.3 and stand out among your peers, we encourage you to reference these charts. For those players desiring a kickstart to their selection, we've included our editors' picks below based on our analysis. And remember, a map key identifying all of the models reviewed here, as well as links to WoWhead and the actual items, can be located below our editors' picks. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more content here at Disenechanting Azeroth.
See you soon!
-Keelhaul
The following models are in no particular order:
1) Sand Polished Hammer, potential drop from Ossirian the Unscarred in the Ruins of Ahn Qiraj. Though it shares its model with two other items, the alternatives may be difficult for players to acquire. There are a few other enlarged hammers in the vicinity of this one, but we like how this maintains a unique identity with the chain and asymmetrical head. Sure, the hammer off Kil'Jaeden is going to be rare, but the reality is it's not much different from other hammer models available, whereas this model is going to be more of a sustainable eye-catcher.
2) Infection Repulser, a potential drop from Grobbulus and Gluth in Naxxramas. This model was resurrected with Naxxramas and remains the only means by which you can currently acquire the look. We've included it as part of our editors' picks because it's staying true to its rectilinear form. Where other models carry a slightly worn look, this maintains crisp, sharp edges and corners. It is this aesthetic quality that will enable this model to sustain its visual appeal over time. Throw in some cobwebs and the iconography and it's easy to reconsider this item as a real beauty.
3) Dragonstrike, the third stage of a weapon craftable by Blacksmiths who learned the pattern pre-Cataclysm. This weapon remains the most extrovert/fluid One-Handed Mace available in-game, and as such has carved out a real niche for itself. A highly desirable item, and incredibly frustrating if you never learned the pattern.
4) Brutal Gladiator's Bonecracker, a PvP item the jury is still out on. We'll provide an update soon as to whether or not this item is, in fact, still available in-game. According to WoWhead, it is. With so many hammer-style maces available, we knew we were going to have a few land in our editors' picks. As such, we wanted to make sure those we selected were not only differentiated enough from the masses, but also unique enough from each other here. The Bonecracker/Pummeler model is a great combination of two different visual themes throttled into one. Sure to stand out in a crowd not only because of its size, but also due to its organically-stuffed crystal shards clustered into the head.
5) Fool's Bane, a potential drop from Terestian Illhoof in Karazhan. We predict a resurgence of this model for a few reasons. One, it's in a raid that is relatively easy to clear. Two, it's the only model in-game of its kind. Three, the model is unique enough from a visual standpoint that it is likely to maintain its identity over time and enable a player to carve out a real niche for themselves. It's a great entry point for those looking to Transmogrify their One-Handed Maces.
6) Torch of Holy Fire, potential drop from Kel'Thuzad in Naxxramas. It's easy to forget what some of the models from recent content actually look like, since so many of them are often lost amidst the ever-growing particles of the latest weapon enchants. We've been in discussions here regarding that very issue with the Torch, as most of us recall the glow healers usually placed on it, rather than what the model actually looked like - which is a shame because the form really does have a lot to offer.
7) Stinger of Ayamiss, a potential drop from Ayamiss the Hunter in the Ruins of Ahn'Qiraj. The models out of AQ in some cases really are some of the most unique in-game in terms of how well they stand out from the crowd. That being said, they are likely to force players into "love" or "hate" camps since items like the Stinger are so visually different from everything else available. Dare to be different.
8) Mace of the Sacrificed, a potential drop from Daakara in the updated dungeon of Zul'Aman. We're not super hot on recommending weapons from current content, for fear of being perceived by some players as simply wearing the item for stat purposes. That being said, it's a sacrificed goblin head on a stick, c'mon. With plenty of skulls adorning so many items in-game, One-Handed Maces included, at least Daakara had the fashion foresight to use the proper oils on this little goblin to preserve his melon.
9) Hammer of Purified Flame, an optional reward from the Battered Hilt questline. From what we can ascertain, this was an optional reward for non sword-wielding players turning in the Battered Hilt. If that's the case, how many players A) Actually acquired the item, B) Still have the item, or C) Have a Battered Hilt on hand to begin the questline. Long story short, this could be exceptionally rare. Combine that with the fact that it performed quite well in our Visual Positioning exercise, and you've got a potential ringer for Transmogrification.
10) Hammer of Judgement, a potential drop from trash mobs in the Battle of Mount Hyjal in the Caverns of Time. In our editors' picks for obvious reasons, since it is visually quite unique. It shares its model with the Hammer of Atonement, which we reviewed as part of our analysis, but we elected to go with the Judgement version for our editors' picks because its color scheme is a real eye-catcher. Similar in theme to some weapons we identified in our staves article, the floating elements in this model really help set it apart. This is an ideal weapon to which you can assemble a matching outfit.
And if you must: Lifeforce Hammer, a BoE craftable by Blacksmiths with the Wrath of the Lich King pattern. If you're a player that finds the majority of weapons in the central region desirable, then might we suggest this little beauty. At least with this One-Handed Mace, you have some nice, fluid elements amidst just as many stoic, linear elements. From a form standpoint it's not enough to make it truly pop, but its detailing and elegant handle certainly set it apart from those immediately surrounding it.
Map Key (Currently populating, refresh 5min)
130. Mace of the Sacrificed
129. Mace of Calculated Loss
128. Efficiency Spell Mace
127. Ko'gun, Hammer of the Firelord
126. Mace of Acrid Death
125. Twilight's Hammer
124. Shatterskull Bonecrusher
123. Hammer of Sparks
122. Andoros, Fist of the Dragon King
121. Lightforged Elementium Hammer
120. Death Pyre Mace
119. Dathrohan's Mace
118. Gurgthock's Garish Gorebat
117. Downfall Hammer
116. Vicious Gladiator's Bonecracker
115. Dragonscorn Mace
114. Ruthless Gladiator's Bonecracker
113. Angerfang Mace
112. Barrel Opener
111. The Impossible Dream
110. Torch Of Holy Fire
109. Hammer Of Purified Flame
108. Hammer of the Astral Plane
107. Hateful Gladiator's Bonecracker
106. Blackhorn Bludgeon
105. Totemic Purification Rod
104. Tankard O' Terror
103. The Grinder
102. Mariel's Sorrow
101. Ice Spire Scepter
100. Titansteel Bonecrusher
99. Aesuga, Hand of the Ardent Champion
98. Angry Dread
97. Aledar's Battlestar
96. Black Icicle
95. Lifeforce Hammer
94. Pulse Baton
93. Guiding Star
92. Bloodthirsty Gladiator's Gavel
91. Bloodcrush Cudgel
90. Royal Scepter of Terenas II
89. Mace of the Earthborn Chieftain
88. Argent Resolve
87. Dragonjaw Mauler
86. Bonebreaker Scepter
85. Crimson Cranium Crusher
84. Gutbuster
83. Lockjaw
82. Bloodthirsty Gladiator's Bonecracker
81. Beguiling Scepter
80. Cudgel of Saronite Justice
79. Brass-Bound Cudgel
78. Adamant Mallet
77. Coilfang Hammer of Renewal
76. Gavel of Naaru Blessings
75. Hammer of Sanctification
74. Truncheon of Five Hells
73. Glorious Scepter
72. Mallet of the Tides
71. Bloodskull Destroyer
70. Fool's Bane
69. Lightfathom Scepter
68. Shockwave Truncheon
67. Crystal Spire of Karabor
66. Shard of the Virtuous
65. Rod of the Sun King
64. Drakefist Hammer
63. Dragonmaw
62. Dragonstrike
61. Light's Justice
60. Hammer of Atonement
59. Brutal Gladiator's Gavel
58. Brutal Gladiator's Bonecracker
57. Swiftsteel Bludgeon
56. Cudgel of Consecration
55. Archon's Gavel
54. Silvermoon War-Mace
53. Will of the Fallen Exarch
52. Battle-Mace of the High Priestess
51. Blackout Truncheon
50. Battlemace of the Order
49. Blackfathom Mace
48. Hurley's Tankard
47. Amani Scepter of Rites
46. Torch of Austen
45. Stinger of Ayamiss
44. Maexxna's Femur
43. Infection Repulser
42. Supposed Mace
41. Tethis' Skull
40. Cookie's Tenderizer
39. Wirt's Third Leg
38. Preserver's Cudgel
37. Spineshatter
36. The Ancient Scepter of Sue-Min
35. Gurubashi Punisher
34. Hand of Edward the Odd
33. Blessed Qiraji War Hammer
32. Chopped Off Ancient Limb
31. Engineer's Hammer
30. Deadwood Sledge
29. Might of Hakkar
28. Face Smasher
27. Scepter of the False Prophet
26. Hammer of the Vesper
25. Grand Marshal's Punisher
24. High Warlord's Battle Mace
23. Aurastone Hammer
22. Anvilmar Hammer
21. Stonesplinter Mace
20. Bashguuder
19. Shovel of Mercy
18. The Jaw Breaker
17. Weighted Sap
16. Hand of Righteousness
15. Bonesnapper
14. Skorn's Hammer
13. Energetic Rod
12. Baron's Scepter
11. Looming Gavel
10. Anubisath Warhammer
9. Skeletal Club
8. Hammer of Revitalization
7. Ebony Boneclub
6. Fight Club
5. Runic Hammer
4. Hammer of the Northern Wind
3. Crested Scepter
2. Persuader
1. Cookie's Meat Mallet
130. Mace of the Sacrificed
129. Mace of Calculated Loss
128. Efficiency Spell Mace
127. Ko'gun, Hammer of the Firelord
126. Mace of Acrid Death
125. Twilight's Hammer
124. Shatterskull Bonecrusher
123. Hammer of Sparks
122. Andoros, Fist of the Dragon King
121. Lightforged Elementium Hammer
120. Death Pyre Mace
119. Dathrohan's Mace
118. Gurgthock's Garish Gorebat
117. Downfall Hammer
116. Vicious Gladiator's Bonecracker
115. Dragonscorn Mace
114. Ruthless Gladiator's Bonecracker
113. Angerfang Mace
112. Barrel Opener
111. The Impossible Dream
110. Torch Of Holy Fire
109. Hammer Of Purified Flame
108. Hammer of the Astral Plane
107. Hateful Gladiator's Bonecracker
106. Blackhorn Bludgeon
105. Totemic Purification Rod
104. Tankard O' Terror
103. The Grinder
102. Mariel's Sorrow
101. Ice Spire Scepter
100. Titansteel Bonecrusher
99. Aesuga, Hand of the Ardent Champion
98. Angry Dread
97. Aledar's Battlestar
96. Black Icicle
95. Lifeforce Hammer
94. Pulse Baton
93. Guiding Star
92. Bloodthirsty Gladiator's Gavel
91. Bloodcrush Cudgel
90. Royal Scepter of Terenas II
89. Mace of the Earthborn Chieftain
88. Argent Resolve
87. Dragonjaw Mauler
86. Bonebreaker Scepter
85. Crimson Cranium Crusher
84. Gutbuster
83. Lockjaw
82. Bloodthirsty Gladiator's Bonecracker
81. Beguiling Scepter
80. Cudgel of Saronite Justice
79. Brass-Bound Cudgel
78. Adamant Mallet
77. Coilfang Hammer of Renewal
76. Gavel of Naaru Blessings
75. Hammer of Sanctification
74. Truncheon of Five Hells
73. Glorious Scepter
72. Mallet of the Tides
71. Bloodskull Destroyer
70. Fool's Bane
69. Lightfathom Scepter
68. Shockwave Truncheon
67. Crystal Spire of Karabor
66. Shard of the Virtuous
65. Rod of the Sun King
64. Drakefist Hammer
63. Dragonmaw
62. Dragonstrike
61. Light's Justice
60. Hammer of Atonement
59. Brutal Gladiator's Gavel
58. Brutal Gladiator's Bonecracker
57. Swiftsteel Bludgeon
56. Cudgel of Consecration
55. Archon's Gavel
54. Silvermoon War-Mace
53. Will of the Fallen Exarch
52. Battle-Mace of the High Priestess
51. Blackout Truncheon
50. Battlemace of the Order
49. Blackfathom Mace
48. Hurley's Tankard
47. Amani Scepter of Rites
46. Torch of Austen
45. Stinger of Ayamiss
44. Maexxna's Femur
43. Infection Repulser
42. Supposed Mace
41. Tethis' Skull
40. Cookie's Tenderizer
39. Wirt's Third Leg
38. Preserver's Cudgel
37. Spineshatter
36. The Ancient Scepter of Sue-Min
35. Gurubashi Punisher
34. Hand of Edward the Odd
33. Blessed Qiraji War Hammer
32. Chopped Off Ancient Limb
31. Engineer's Hammer
30. Deadwood Sledge
29. Might of Hakkar
28. Face Smasher
27. Scepter of the False Prophet
26. Hammer of the Vesper
25. Grand Marshal's Punisher
24. High Warlord's Battle Mace
23. Aurastone Hammer
22. Anvilmar Hammer
21. Stonesplinter Mace
20. Bashguuder
19. Shovel of Mercy
18. The Jaw Breaker
17. Weighted Sap
16. Hand of Righteousness
15. Bonesnapper
14. Skorn's Hammer
13. Energetic Rod
12. Baron's Scepter
11. Looming Gavel
10. Anubisath Warhammer
9. Skeletal Club
8. Hammer of Revitalization
7. Ebony Boneclub
6. Fight Club
5. Runic Hammer
4. Hammer of the Northern Wind
3. Crested Scepter
2. Persuader
1. Cookie's Meat Mallet
I personally have my Hammer of the Purified Flame still in my bank and was very pleased to see that it made your top 10, as it is definitely one of my all-time favorite weapons.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work!
"Hammer of Atonement" and "Hammer of Judgement" has the same exact model and animation, I just felt it should be mentioned.
ReplyDeleteAnd the "Shockwave Truncheon" you mention having too many similar models, do have a unique droplet glow to it.
Keep up the good work, I love these visual analysis you make! :)
Grats Benny! Personally the more I look at it, the more I want one, myself.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Turbopipp, Atonement and Judgement share the same model. We reviewed the Atonement model as part of our analysis but wanted to use the Judgement skin of the model for our editors' picks. Thanks for the reminder though, as we forgot to mention that in our pick description that we had switched up the skin.
Thanks for the comments folks!
-Keel
The value of models after The Burning Crusade is diluted. Sixteen (16) "truly unique" models have retained exclusive rights to their geometry over time. This effort was cut by 75% going into Wrath of the Lich King, as Blizzard opted to spread the love around a bit more, increasing models that shared their wireframe and reducing the "truly unique" models down to four (4). So if your gut was feeling like you could generally pick up another version of any particular model in a different part of the game, you'd be right because there are only four exceptions. This visual dilution of model designs across the game is likely one of the root causes of what players today refer to as "everything looking similar."
ReplyDelete(from the article above)
I really disagree with the part "So if your gut was feeling like you could generally pick up another version of any particular model in a different part of the game, you'd be right because there are only four exceptions." It's actually fairly wrong. Some of the weapons as far down as the "Par" section in Wrath of the Lich King only drop in one specific location. For example, "Royal Scepter of Terenas II" drops from the Lich King on 10, 25, 10 heroic, and 25 heroic, but all of them are from the Lich King. In Burning Crusade, there were no 10/25 dual raids or heroic modes, so that is really an unfair and inaccurate comparison to attempt to make.
I agree that isn't ALWAYS the case (Ulduar models appear off like 6 different Ulduar bosses, so I see your point there). I too think TBC artwork is slightly superior but you do not even seem to acknowledge the flaws in comparing the heroic and 10/25 combined raid system with the single raid system of TBC in terms of artwork. It makes TBC look super unique while Wrath/Cataclysm look bland even if there is only one true source for an item in Wrath (The Lich King in my example). If there were no 10-mans or heroic modes (which were new features), half the items you have in the lower categories for Wrath and Cataclysm would be listed as Truly Unique.
I understand why you rate them this way, even if they are only in the game because of new features, they still have multiple skins, but you can't just look at your own chart (and readers will do this too) and say "LOL BLIZZ U SO GENERIC AND LAZY" (I know you say you don't think they are lazy in another article, but I mean the entire act of drawing conclusions from a chart that doesn't acknowledge the normal/heroic and 10/25 changes).
All in all, I love the site and what you do... I just wish some of the conclusions weren't so hasty (the "fuel to the fire for Emerald Dream" thing is a bit out there as well... just because they haven't explored a sector of graphics for 1-handed maces doesn't mean they're going to make a new expansion for it).
Love the comments, Simca, thanks for reading! Since we consistently preach, as professionals, to our clients about not being too hasty to jump to conclusions based on quantitative results, surveys or any sort of graph or chart, I got spooked at first when I read this because we certainly don't want to go too far down that road here with DA. With that said, here is a bit of my own feedback:
ReplyDeleteThe "there are only four exceptions" is actually a typo that will be fixed. Our intention here was to say "a few" rather than four, specifically, so as to simply imply that the majority is valued otherwise. Quick fix.
The wording we've chosen in the same paragraph as above is also misleading, to your point, and the Royal Scepter and Heroic alternates are a perfect example. So in truth, you can't go elsewhere in the game to acquire these models. We'll adjust the wording, thanks for the catch!
As for our methodology of contrasting TBC models with Wrath/Cata models being flawed due to the difference in raiding structure (10/25/Heroic), we mildly disagree for two reasons. First there is a simple, logistical baseline to the start of our analysis. Starting with the absolute nature of a single model that does not share its geometry with anything else in-game is a great place from which to draw down your pyramid. It's ground zero. For the sake of argument, though, if we staked a claim that models from Wrath and Cata were just as unique as those from TBC and Vanilla, yet they were available as a second skin from a Heroic, then our readers would call us out on the statistical difference between "shared with none" and "shared with one", especially when the focus of the article is on transmogrification and readers are going to be evaluating the number of skin options they can consider per model. It makes TBC models look super unique compared with Wrath/Cata in our chart because technically they are. Fortunately we don't base our final conclusions and recommendations solely on what we reveal in the first chart you're referring to (Differentiation). If we did, we would be no different than any other resource that elected to simply data mine the models from a technical standpoint.
ReplyDeleteOur conclusion that the models post-TBC are diluted, we feel is still accurate though it could probably use some clarification. Our point is since the change post-TBC, there is more dilution of the visual designs than there was previously. To your point, if Blizzard's 10/25/Heroic structure was ubiquitous, values would be reset. But if we're hypothesizing, we can also assume if Blizzard had elected to make the Heroic models exclusive, the value we're referring to would have been maintained. We recognized that the point could be argued either way, so in the end we elected to evaluate the landscape as it currently stands. We feel this is a logical claim to make, and are comfortable supporting our argument. Perhaps we stated our claim a bit more broadly than we should have, so I'll consider tweaking the language a bit.
We have not called Blizzard out as being lazy in this article, and to your point we've even stated in a previous post that we believe quite the opposite. Anyone drawing a conclusion that Blizzard is being lazy based on these charts is only looking at the top row. If you consider the chart in its entirety, Blizzard upped the ante in Wrath and is likely right on pace in Cata. But since our article's angle is on breaking down the models for transmogrification, it's quite fair to point out the change in strategy post-TBC to have fewer exclusive models in-game. Therefore our conclusions from an exclusive-model standpoint we feel are justified. We're not saying it's bad or good, we're just calling it out because it's a relevant point of view for personalization. That being said, we'll comb the article a bit and try to do a bit of weeding of language that could potentially insinuate a broader stroke than we had intended.
Thanks for the fantastic thoughts! -Keel
And lastly, regarding our claim to supporting Emerald Dream, this is really our attempt at looking at the glass is half full, rather than half empty. There really is only one major region that is left uncharted in all of our reviews, and that is to the East (we've made this claim in other articles prior to our One-Handed Mace analysis). There is going to be growth in the game going forward and with new content on the way over the coming years, ideally what you'd like to see is a progression of the aesthetic. So rather than throw warning and caution into our conclusion that Blizzard could potentially reiterate new designs in the same general regions, we've opted to call it out as a potential for opportunity. Where could they take the aesthetic from here? When we read the speculation of the Emerald Dream for the next expansion, and considered the potential aesthetic for such content, it seemed to match with the area for opportunity in our landscape. So why not have a bit of fun and speculate on this point, as we've done so in previous articles?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your responses. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with almost all of your points. As a moderator on MMOC, I do know that what you say is true - you can't really 'win' in this situation. If you group the 10/25/heroic models as truly unique, you probably will get just as many (probably lots more, actually) complaints.
I guess the problem is that to a casual reader, they may not realize the 10/25/heroic change in Wrath/Cataclysm is responsible for the dilution of models. Readers (especially since many already feel Blizzard is responsible for destroying the game) are quick to blame Blizzard when they see apparent differences in art numbers. I feel that a lot of the item similarly is because the models are so shared amongst greens (TBC's model was way better).
Another point would be that for a person seeking to be unique, an item that drops from only one location, even if it had 10/25/heroic duplicates from the same boss, has nearly the same rarity as a Truly Unique.
Perhaps for those two reasons you could include an asterisk or another unobtrustive way of marking the items that are only duplicated on the same boss in 10/25/heroic (like the Royal Scepter). At the bottom you could have a little line that says "* These items have multiple skins but drop from the same location - either in 10/25 or in 10/25 heroic." or something like that.
Thanks again.
Take a look at where our Shields chart (v2.0) is heading, perhaps this is a direction we should hone going forward because it may speak to what you're getting at.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Keel
Just a thought, would it be possible at some point to do features that separate "main hand" from "one-hand?" I actually don't know if there are enough of each for that to be worth it, but I suspect that Blizzard is going to count "main hand" and "one-hand" to be separate slots and therefore not transmogable from one to the other (main hand being caster weapons in maces, daggers and swords and one-hand being, generally, agility weapons).
ReplyDeleteAnyway, regardless of whether or not you do, I really enjoy these features. Thanks!
Some clarification from Blizzard yesterday:
ReplyDelete1) Main hand weapons can only be used to transmogrify Main hand weapons.
2) Off-hand weapons can only be used to transmogrify Off-hand weapons.
3) One handed weapons can be used to transmogrify a Main hand or Off-hand weapon.
With that said, we'll introduce a feature post parsing things like One-Handed Maces to provide some additional direction. Thanks! -Keel
Currently, on the PTR the Spider-splatter mace is available to be xmogged into.
ReplyDeleteSo, I love the interactive map for 2H maces. Why is this not standard for all of them?
ReplyDeleteThese articles are from September of 2011. Unfortunately I only just acquired Dreamweaver, which enables the dynamic maps. I'm hoping to be able to go back and build interactive charts for these classic articles but doing so would also require me to update the charts.
DeleteYou see, when these were built, most of the rules of transmogrification weren't finalized. So a number of my rankings in the differentiation charts need to be updated, which takes a significant amount of time.
I'm hoping to be able to get to these, and may simply have to build the dynamic charts first and then update the changes later. I'll see what I can do.
-Keel