Changes: Hero class

Revision as of 03:29, 22 October 2020

A hero class is a character class derived from the base classes, but with exclusive perks. These perks can include a unique starting experience, customization options, resources, class mounts, a higher starting level, and other flavor mechanics. There are currently two hero classes, the death knight and the demon hunter. The concept of a hero class is derived from the "heroes" in Warcraft III.

The term "hero class" is commonly misunderstood to mean that the class is more powerful than other classes. The term instead signifies a unique playstyle and experience,^[1] as well as denoting a class of heroes which start at an already "heroic" or "veteran" level, with an experience and gear to match.^[2]

Hero classes

Death knight

Main article: Death knight

The first hero class, the death knight was announced at BlizzCon 2007 and was released with Wrath of the Lich King. They start in a unique, phased starting experience set in Acherus: The Ebon Hold. The death knight can be a tank or damage dealer. They do not use shields while tanking, they instead usetwo-handed weapons and heal after losing Health. Death knights also use melee and non-melee magic abilities.

Characteristics

Death knights start at level 8.
Their resource consists in runic power and runes to power their abilities.
Their class mounts are the Acherus Deathcharger and the [Winged Steed of the Ebon Blade].
Their [Runeforging] ability allows death knights to enchant their weapons.
Death knights quickly obtain a full set of Rare gear in their starting area.
Because they start the game at such a high level, death knights are automatically given all flight paths for the original continents.
It was originally required to already possess at least one level 55 or higher character and to have purchased the Wrath of the Lich King expansion in order to be able to create a death knight. Players were also only able to create one death knight per realm. These restrictions have since been completely removed as of Patch 6.1.

Demon hunter

Main article: Demon hunter

This section concerns content related to Legion.

The second hero class, the demon hunter was announced at gamescom 2015 with the reveal of World of Warcraft: Legion.^[3] Their starting experience is set in Mardum, the Shattered Abyss. A leather-wearing melee class, demon hunters fulfill DPS and tanking roles, using flips, dives and agile attacks to evade damage while defeating foes using one-handed weapons and magical abilities.

Characteristics

Demon hunters start at level 8.
Their resource consists in Fury to power their abilities.
Their class mount is the Felsaber.

Development

World of Warcraft

This section concerns content related to the original World of Warcraft.

All the hero units of Warcraft III were originally supposed to become hero classes in World of Warcraft. Hero classes were still listed in 2005 on the "Under Development" page of the original website.^[4] When a character hit level 40, it could start specializing in skills to become the same kind of hero. However, as Blizzard developed talent trees, they dropped the idea as they believed that the trees would provide enough customization. For example, a night elven warrior could specialize into wielding two one-handed weapons and essentially be a demon hunter, while a dwarven warrior could fulfill the fantasy of a mountain king,^[5]^[6] or a undead warrior could become a death knight.^[7]

It was stated at the time by Nethaera that current plans were to introduce one new hero class per expansion set.^[8]

Wrath of the Lich King

This section concerns content related to Wrath of the Lich King.

Many ideas were considered for the Wrath hero class,^[9] which were narrowed down to four front-runners.

Runemasters were a type of enchanters who wrote runes on their bodies to give them different physical powers. However, a lot of the features of the runemaster were given to the death knights and, later, the monks.^[10] Some of the ideas for the necromancer class were also incorporated into the death knight instead, which was chosen as the hero class.^[11] The monk was later added as a regular, non-hero class in Mists of Pandaria.

Bard

Main article: Bard (April Fools)

The Bard hero class was announced on April 1st, 2008, as a Blizzard April Fools' Day hoax.

According to the announcement, the Bard "can vanquish evil with the power of ROCK!" and wields a two-handed "ax" (that is, an electric guitar). Screenshots revealed a new "Fret Bar" interface (resembling that of the Guitar Hero games) powering the Bard's "Groove" resource system. Blizzard claimed that the Wrath of the Lich King expansion would ship with a Frostmourne-themed "guitar-based keyboard peripheral". Two Talent trees were revealed, including Metal Talents (such as Starstruck, Epic Solo, and Axe Specialization), and Punk Rock Talents (such as Shred, Mosh Pit, and Rock 'N Roll Racing).^[12]

References

^ Official Q&A on Death Knights - "It's also important to keep in mind that even though the death knight is a hero class, that doesn't mean it is more powerful than the other classes, just that it will offer a very different playing experience."
^ Ghostcrawler - The Term "Hero Class" - "Hero class" meant that the DK started at a higher level (and also with a lot of blue gear and so on). We thought it made sense for the DK story because you're treated as a high-level character and veteran of past events. We didn't think that made as much sense for the monk, especially when there were so many low-level pandaren running around, and the (perhaps flimsy) justification for non-pandaren monks learning how to be monks from the pandaren. We might very well use hero classes again if it makes sense for a future class though."
^ http://eu.battle.net/wow/en/game/class/demon-hunter
^ Under Development. Blizzard Entertainment.
^ Computer Gaming World, Issue Number: 231 (page 96). Computer Gaming World Museum (2003-10-01).
^ AMA on /r/WoW- Former WoW developers Kevin Jordan (classes and spells), John Staats (dungeons and instants), David Ray (database, Wowedit, tools)
^ Hero Classes Original Idea
^ http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=1778028862&pageNo=1&sid=1#1
^ http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/wow-other-hero-classes-were-considered
^ World of Warcraft Diary
^ http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/community/blizzcast/archive/episode7.html
^ Official website - Bard class ^{[dead link - archived copy]}

[1] Official Q&A on Death Knights - "It's also important to keep in mind that even though the death knight is a hero class, that doesn't mean it is more powerful than the other classes, just that it will offer a very different playing experience."

[monk-2] Ghostcrawler - The Term "Hero Class" - "Hero class" meant that the DK started at a higher level (and also with a lot of blue gear and so on). We thought it made sense for the DK story because you're treated as a high-level character and veteran of past events. We didn't think that made as much sense for the monk, especially when there were so many low-level pandaren running around, and the (perhaps flimsy) justification for non-pandaren monks learning how to be monks from the pandaren. We might very well use hero classes again if it makes sense for a future class though."

[3] ttp://eu.battle.net/wow/en/game/class/demon-hunter

[4] Under Development. Blizzard Entertainment.

[5] Computer Gaming World, Issue Number: 231 (page 96). Computer Gaming World Museum (2003-10-01).

[6] AMA on /r/WoW- Former WoW developers Kevin Jordan (classes and spells), John Staats (dungeons and instants), David Ray (database, Wowedit, tools)

[7] Hero Classes Original Idea

[8] ttp://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=1778028862&pageNo=1&sid=1#1

[9] ttp://www.eurogamer.net/articles/wow-other-hero-classes-were-considered

[10] World of Warcraft Diary

[11] ttp://us.blizzard.com/en-us/community/blizzcast/archive/episode7.html

[12] Official website - Bard class ^{[dead link - archived copy]}

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-A '''hero class''' is a character [[class]] derived from the base classes, but with exclusive perks. Examples of these perks include a higher starting level, better starting gear, unique abilities, and class [[mount]]s. Hero classes may also have other distinguishing features; the only current hero class, the [[death knight]], uses as its [[resource]] the [[rune system]], which is unique to that class. Prerequisites are required to "unlock" the hero class for play. The concept of a hero class is derived from the [[Warcraft III heroes|"heroes" in ''Warcraft III'']].
+A '''hero class''' is a character [[class]] derived from the base classes, but with exclusive perks. These perks can include a unique [[starting zone|starting experience]], customization options, [[resource]]s, [[class mount]]s, a higher starting level, and other flavor mechanics. There are currently two hero classes, the [[death knight]] and the [[demon hunter]]. The concept of a hero class is derived from the [[Warcraft III heroes|"heroes" in ''Warcraft III'']].
+The term "hero class" is commonly misunderstood to mean that the class is more powerful than other classes. The term instead signifies a unique playstyle and experience,<ref>[http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/wrath/features/deathknight/interview.xml Official Q&A on Death Knights] - ''"It's also important to keep in mind that even though the death knight is a hero class, that doesn't mean it is more powerful than the other classes, just that it will offer a very different playing experience."''</ref> as well as denoting a class of heroes which start at an already "heroic" or "veteran" level, with an experience and gear to match.<ref name="monk">[http://wow.joystiq.com/2012/09/06/would-you-want-to-see-another-hero-class/#continued Ghostcrawler - The Term "Hero Class"] - ''"Hero class" meant that the DK started at a higher level (and also with a lot of blue gear and so on). We thought it made sense for the DK story because you're treated as a high-level character and veteran of past events. We didn't think that made as much sense for the monk, especially when there were so many low-level pandaren running around, and the (perhaps flimsy) justification for non-pandaren monks learning how to be monks from the pandaren. We might very well use hero classes again if it makes sense for a future class though."''</ref>
-At Gamescom 2015, Blizzard announced the [[demon hunter]] as ''World of Warcraft'''s second hero class, to be added to the game with ''[[World of Warcraft: Legion]]''.
-==Blizzard's Meaning of "Hero Class"==
+==Hero classes==
+===Death knight===
-When Blizzard said "Hero Class" they never had any intention of saying a class is more powerful as if you were a hero. It just means a class is more unique in play style. The word hero often seems to confuse players to think the opposite of what Blizzard defined it as.
+{{Main|Death knight}}
+The first hero class, the [[death knight]] was announced at [[BlizzCon 2007]] and was released with ''[[Wrath of the Lich King]]''. They start in a unique, phased [[Death knight starting experience|starting experience]] set in [[Acherus: The Ebon Hold]]. The death knight can be a [[tank]] or [[damage (role)|damage dealer]]. They do not use [[shield]]s while tanking, they instead use[[two-handed]] weapons and heal after losing Health. Death knights also use melee and non-melee magic abilities.
+====Characteristics====
-<blockquote>''"It's also important to keep in mind that even though the death knight is a hero class, that doesn't mean it is more powerful than the other classes, just that it will offer a very different playing experience."''</blockquote>
-:— Quoted from the official Q&A on Death Knights.<ref>http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/wrath/features/deathknight/interview.xml</ref>
-<blockquote>''"Hero class" meant that the DK started at higher level (and also with a lot of blue gear and so on). We thought it made sense for the DK story because you're treated as a high-level character and veteran of past events. We didn't think that made as much sense for the monk, especially when there were so many low-level pandaren running around, and the (perhaps flimsy) justification for non-pandaren monks learning how to be monks from the pandaren. We might very well use hero classes again if it makes sense for a future class though."''</blockquote>
-:— Ghostcrawler - The Term "Hero Class".<ref>[http://wow.joystiq.com/2012/09/06/would-you-want-to-see-another-hero-class/#continued Ghostcrawler - The Term "Hero Class"]</ref>
-==Death knight==
-{{main|Death knight}}
-At Blizzcon 2007, [[Blizzard Entertainment|Blizzard]] announced that the death knight hero class was to be a new addition in the [[World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King|Wrath of the Lich King]] expansion pack. Nethaera posted on the Wrath of the Lich King forums that the current plans are to introduce one new hero class per expansion set.<ref>http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=1778028862&pageNo=1&sid=1#1</ref> Death knights do not have a [[mana]], [[rage]], or [[energy]] bar; instead they have a [[runic power]] bar and use [[Rune system|runes]].
-The death knight can have two roles: tanking and damage dealing (or DPS). They do not use shields while tanking, instead using two-handed weapons or dual-wielding one-handed weapons. Non-melee magic abilities can also play a role during combat.
-===Prerequisites===
-To create a death knight, the player must already have at least one level 55 (or higher) character and the Wrath of the Lich King expansion pack (now included as part of the basic World of Warcraft package). Originally only one death knight could be created per realm, but this was lifted with [[Patch 5.3]]. Death knight creation is limited to realms that have been open for 90 days or for players who have a level 55 character on the realm.
-===Unique perks===
 <!-- All classes have unique skills and talents, but this section should highlight the "hero class" differences, not ALL differences between this and every other class in the game... -->
-*Death knights start at level 55.
+*Death knights start at level 8.
+*Their [[resource]] consists in [[runic power]] and [[Rune system|runes]] to power their abilities.
-*Death knights had no [[race]] restrictions, until ''[[Mists of Pandaria]]'', when [[pandaren]] were introduced.
+*Their [[class mount]]s are the [[Acherus Deathcharger (ability)|Acherus Deathcharger]] and the [[Winged Steed of the Ebon Blade]].
-*Death knights quickly obtain a full set of {{quality|rare}} gear right in their [[starting area]].
+*Their [[runeforging]] ability allows death knights to enchant their weapons.
-*Because they start the game at such a high level, they are given the flight paths for the original continents.
+*Death knights quickly obtain a full set of {{quality|Rare}} gear in their [[starting area]].
-*Their [[Runeforging]] ability allows death knights to enchant their own weapons.
+*Because they start the game at such a high level, death knights are automatically given all flight paths for the original continents.
-*Only death knights can obtain the [[Acherus Deathcharger (ability)|Acherus Deathcharger]] and [[Winged Steed of the Ebon Blade]] mounts.
+*It was originally required to already possess at least one level 55 or higher character and to have purchased the ''Wrath of the Lich King'' expansion in order to be able to create a death knight. Players were also only able to create one death knight per realm. These restrictions have since been completely removed as of [[Patch 6.1]].
-==Demon hunter==
+===Demon hunter===
 {{Main|Demon hunter}}
 {{Legion-section}}
-The demon hunter is the second hero class to be introduced, due in the upcoming ''[[World of Warcraft: Legion]]'' expansion.<ref>http://eu.battle.net/wow/en/game/class/demon-hunter</ref>
+The second hero class, the [[demon hunter]] was announced at [[Gamescom#2015|gamescom 2015]] with the reveal of ''[[World of Warcraft: Legion]]''.<ref>http://eu.battle.net/wow/en/game/class/demon-hunter</ref> Their [[Demon hunter starting experience|starting experience]] is set in [[Mardum, the Shattered Abyss]]. A leather-wearing melee class, demon hunters fulfill DPS and tanking roles, using flips, dives and agile attacks to evade damage while defeating foes using one-handed weapons and magical abilities.
-==Bard==
-{{main|Bard}}
-The Bard hero class was announced on April 1st 2008, as a Blizzard [[Wikipedia:April Fools' Day|April Fools' Day]] hoax.
-According to the announcement, the Bard "can vanquish evil with the power of ROCK!" and wields a two-handed "axe" (that is, an electric guitar). Screenshots revealed a new "Fret Bar" interface (resembling that of the ''[[Wikipedia:Guitar Hero (series)|Guitar Hero]]'' games) powering the Bard's "Groove" resource system. Blizzard claimed that the ''Wrath of the Lich King'' expansion would ship with a [[Frostmourne]]-themed "guitar-based keyboard peripheral".
+====Characteristics====
-Two [[Talent tree]]s were revealed, including Metal Talents (such as ''Starstruck'', ''Epic Solo'', and ''Axe Specialization''), and Punk Rock Talents (such as ''Shred'', ''Mosh Pit'', and ''Rock 'N Roll Racing'').
+*Demon hunters start at level 8.
+*Their [[resource]] consists in [[Fury]] to power their abilities.
+*Their [[class mount]] is the [[Felsaber (mount)|Felsaber]].
+==Development==
-Original announcement: http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/wrath/features/bard/bardclass.xml
+===World of Warcraft===
+{{wow-section}}
+All the hero units of ''Warcraft III'' were originally supposed to become hero classes in ''World of Warcraft''. Hero classes were still listed in 2005 on the "Under Development" page of the original website.<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050406150743/http://www.worldofwarcraft.com:80/info/underdev/|title=Under Development|publisher=[[Blizzard Entertainment]]}}</ref> When a character hit level 40, it could start specializing in skills to become the same kind of hero. However, as Blizzard developed talent trees, they dropped the idea as they believed that the trees would provide enough customization. For example, a night elven warrior could specialize into wielding two one-handed weapons and essentially be a [[demon hunter]], while a dwarven warrior could fulfill the fantasy of a [[mountain king]],<ref>{{Ref web|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=2003&pub=2&id=231|title=Computer Gaming World, Issue Number: 231 (page 96)|publisher=Computer Gaming World Museum|date=2003-10-01}}</ref><ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/wow/comments/9huows/ama_former_wow_developers_kevin_jordan_classes/ AMA on /r/WoW- Former WoW developers Kevin Jordan (classes and spells), John Staats (dungeons and instants), David Ray (database, Wowedit, tools)]</ref> or a undead warrior could become a death knight.<ref>[https://www.twitch.tv/kevinjordan/clip/ColorfulSoftFlyPJSalt?filter=clips&range=7d&sort=time Hero Classes Original Idea]</ref>
+It was stated at the time by [[Nethaera]] that current plans were to introduce one new hero class per expansion set.<ref>http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=1778028862&pageNo=1&sid=1#1</ref>
-==Pre-World of Warcraft hero classes==
-[[Paladin]]s were a hero class in ''[[Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos]]'' but were changed to a normal class when ''World of Warcraft'' was released. Paladins were also originally considered being made into a hero class in ''WoW''.
+===Wrath of the Lich King===
-==Other possible hero classes==
+{{wrath-section}}
-In Blizzcast 7, it was revealed that while making Wrath of the Lich King, Blizzard considered a number of ideas for the hero class, which they narrowed down to four front runners.  Besides the death knight, they also considered:
+Many ideas were considered for the ''Wrath'' hero class,<ref>http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/wow-other-hero-classes-were-considered</ref> which were narrowed down to four front-runners.
+*[[Death knight]]
 *[[Necromancer]]
 *[[Runemaster]]
-* [[Monk]]
+*[[Monk]]
-Although they did not ultimately choose to implement the class, some of the ideas for the necromancer class were incorporated into the death knight instead.<ref>http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/community/blizzcast/archive/episode7.html</ref>
+Runemasters were a type of enchanters who wrote runes on their bodies to give them different physical powers. However, a lot of the features of the runemaster were given to the death knights and, later, the monks.<ref>[[World of Warcraft Diary]]</ref> Some of the ideas for the necromancer class were also incorporated into the death knight instead, which was chosen as the hero class.<ref>http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/community/blizzcast/archive/episode7.html</ref> The monk was later added as a regular, non-hero class in ''[[World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria|Mists of Pandaria]]''.
+===Bard===
-Note that, during the Blizzcast interview, J. Allen Brack mentions a figure of "29 hero classes that we've got completed".  However, some sources quoting the interview frame this as "Brack ''joked'' that ..."<ref>http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/wow-other-hero-classes-were-considered</ref>, and the interviewer who was face to face with him during the interview laughed after he made the statement.  However, he delivers the statement deadpan, and some people have taken the comment seriously and literally.  In any case, regardless of the actual number, it is clear that Blizzard has a number of ideas beyond the one we've seen implemented so far.
+{{main|Bard (April Fools)}}
+The Bard hero class was announced on April 1st, 2008, as a [[Blizz]]ard {{wp|April Fools' Day|April Fools' Day}} hoax.
+According to the announcement, the Bard "can vanquish evil with the power of ROCK!" and wields a two-handed "ax" (that is, an electric guitar). Screenshots revealed a new "Fret Bar" interface (resembling that of the ''{{Wp|Guitar Hero (series)|Guitar Hero}}'' games) powering the Bard's "Groove" resource system. Blizzard claimed that the ''[[Wrath of the Lich King]]'' expansion would ship with a [[Frostmourne]]-themed "guitar-based keyboard peripheral". Two [[Talent tree]]s were revealed, including Metal Talents (such as ''Starstruck'', ''Epic Solo'', and ''Axe Specialization''), and Punk Rock Talents (such as ''Shred'', ''Mosh Pit'', and ''Rock 'N Roll Racing'').<ref>[http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/wrath/features/bard/bardclass.xml Official website - Bard class] {{dead link|https://web.archive.org/web/20080706134152/https://www.worldofwarcraft.com/wrath/features/bard/bardclass.xml}}</ref>
-The monk was later added as a regular, non-hero class in ''[[World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria]]''.
 ==See also==
-*[[Warcraft III heroes]], the inspiration for hero classes.
+*[[Warcraft III heroes]]
 ==References==

Wowpedia

Changes: Hero class

Revision as of 03:29, 22 October 2020

Contents

Hero classes

Death knight

Characteristics

Demon hunter

Characteristics

Development

World of Warcraft

Wrath of the Lich King

Bard

See also

References