4.2 Dungeon Journal Preview

4.2 Dungeon Journal Preview

In patch 4.2, Rage of the Firelands, we'll be introducing the Dungeon Journal, a new system that players can use to learn more about specific dungeons, the bosses within those dungeons, their abilities, and the rewards they offer.

While in a dungeon, hitting "M" (the default key for Map) will open the Dungeon Journal. A new button will also be available in the navigation tray, so that the Dungeon Journal can be accessed from anywhere in-game. There won’t be any "gating" or limitations placed on what content a player can see in the Dungeon Journal. All boss/dungeon/raid information will be available to all players regardless of level, gear, or content experience.

The dungeon/raid map will display each boss in their respective locations, marked by unique icons.

Players can access boss information by clicking on boss icons on the map, or by clicking on the boss’s name in the associated tab of the dungeon/raid map page. General loot information for the dungeon/raid can also be accessed from the dungeon/raid main page by clicking on the Loot tab. This will show all loot dropped (from bosses and trash) in the instance, of a certain quality.

Boss abilities will be available via the boss’s page, either by clicking on the map or by going through the Dungeon tab. The Dungeon tab on the boss’s page will list out all major spells, abilities, and phases for that encounter.

Players will be able to glean useful insight in to the mechanics of boss encounters by first reading the Dungeon Journal. Our goal is to give a solid foundation for taking on the boss, a general sense of how the encounter will play out, and some context to the abilities, without taking the place of creating independent strategies.

In patch 4.2, you'll be able to use the Dungeon Journal to help conquer every dungeon and raid that was introduced with World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, including those in Firelands. We want the Dungeon Journal to include as many dungeons, bosses, and encounters as possible, and we hope to add more in the future. Have fun storming the castle!

 

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Comments (813)

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Cool
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Nastiest
Spirestone
Nastiest
6/23/2011
awesome. So this will make Atlas go away. Chipping away at the add-ons
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Lotusenta
Mug'thol
Lotusenta
6/23/2011
@Nastiest: No it doesn't. There is still the reputation rewards, world drops, and other items that you wouldn't be able to get from the Dungeon Journal.
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Thorindal
Proudmoore
Thorindal
6/23/2011
@Nastiest: The dungeon journal is currently only for Cataclysm content...so Atlas Loot will still be needed for Northrend, Outland and Vanilla raids/dungeons
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Drlocktapus
Daggerspine
Drlocktapus
6/23/2011
nice
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Thorindal
Proudmoore
Thorindal
6/23/2011
I can't believe people are actually complaining. I think this is great. I love being able to find out what boss drops what loot in an encouter. Alt-tabbing out all the time is a pain. I think this is great and it's a step in the right direction. Also, this will make new dungeons a little less painful when they first hit. My god...there were so many cry babies when people first started running cataclysm heroics.
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Swiftafflict
Shadowmoon
Swiftafflict
6/23/2011
@Thorindal: Agreed. It sounds like a fun and complete idea to help people out. It also means I don't miss any ready checks because I'm on WoWhead looking at drops >.>
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Sanctitie
Smolderthorn
Sanctitie
6/23/2011
@Thorindal: wts atlas loot addon, 5g per pst. also have youtube vids for boss strats, pst for price.
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Thorindal
Proudmoore
Thorindal
6/23/2011
@Sanctitie: Trust me... you'll still be going to youtube to get your strategies. The dungeon journal only tells you what spells or types of damage the boss will do. It's not going to tell you to run over and hide behind the curtain for 5 seconds and then run out and stand by the giant worm and fire. I'm just constantly amazed that people can complain about new and improved features.
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Kokko
Durotan
Kokko
6/23/2011
This just means there is less cause to experiment on your own and more cause to ridicule a person for not knowing every minuscule detail about each facet of the game; which is nothing but annoying to everyone else.

It's only going to fuel the self-righteous children who only care about insulting others: "Oh god, you're such an idiot. Why didnt you read the every website ever made in order to perfect this one single boss?".

I vote neigh
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Thorindal
Proudmoore
Thorindal
6/23/2011
@Kokko: These self-righteous children who insult other are going to do it regardless. Insecure people put others down so they can feel good about themselves. That's not going to change no matter what new features implement.
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Sourshaman
Darkspear
Sourshaman
6/23/2011
This is actually very useful! Now I can drop the biggest add-on I have and speed up my comp, seeing as how atlas loot is one of the largest add-ons! more FPS FTW!!!
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Meowbeast
Kil'jaeden
Meowbeast
6/23/2011
I think this is a good thing. Right now before a fight, I would look up on wowhead and can watch videos with a strat or read comments...which basically (usually) gives you every little detail. With this, it seems like it will give just enough information to create your own strats without reading a step-by-step guide.
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Zinhale
Destromath
Zinhale
6/23/2011
OMG IT IS A POKEDEX!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CHOOSE YOU PIKACHU!!!!!!!!! WTG BLIZZ!!!!!!!!!! OMG so exited to look at bosses in 3d!!!!..... ok seriously where is the use of this? another usless tool that will be used once and never again.
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Gioizumi
Quel'Thalas
Gioizumi
6/23/2011
@Zinhale: LOL xD it´s true!
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Varinth
Vek'nilash
Varinth
6/23/2011
@Zinhale: I'll use it for the Drops. It's always good to know who to kill for tank gear. Even though it never dropps untill i get something better through JP/Valor.
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Zinhale
Destromath
Zinhale
6/23/2011
@Varinth: exactly AFTER you get something better. See no real use for it.
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Felstalker
Cairne
Felstalker
6/23/2011
Neato.
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Permastorm
Fenris
Permastorm
6/23/2011
This also looks like a good tool to use for raid leading, in addition to making some addons obsolete. Can't wait to try out this new tool!
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Rorthas
Mal'Ganis
Rorthas
6/23/2011
@Permastorm: Thank you! I've been reading through these comments and I knew there was something I was mentally missing that would make this an awesome tool. As one of the RLs for my guild I have to explain the damn fights a lot and I almost always forget something... now at least I can know the strat and have this open in game as a reminder! <3
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Rinoá
Azuremyst
Rinoá
6/23/2011
it's like an in-game strategy guide.. which can be nice, and other times not. there are no element of surprises anymore :(
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Zauberkunst
Icecrown
Zauberkunst
6/23/2011
@Rinoá:

Yes...don't use it and you will still be surprised.
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Rakagar
Hydraxis
Rakagar
6/23/2011
It's like Atlas Loot for the drops but with added features like Boss Info, nice. Patch 4.2 seems like it will have some pretty sweet changes.
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Varinth
Vek'nilash
Varinth
6/23/2011
Ah Blizz, making addons pointless 1 patch at a time. I wonder if they'll make a "stalker" as well.
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Chocshòxz
Eredar
Chocshòxz
6/23/2011
@Varinth: This is actually extremely useful for fresh Cata dungeon runners/raiders and any upcoming bosses. You have the option to understand what needs to be done, or go in there and experiment.

I'm not sure if you realize this, but not only amazing players or people with hours upon hours of time on their hands should enjoy the game.
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Darthvadr
Kel'Thuzad
Darthvadr
6/23/2011
Now that I think of it. It would have been cool if Blizzard made this option a quest reward. Something like in Archeology where you have to literally find it.
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Darthvadr
Kel'Thuzad
Darthvadr
6/23/2011
I'm glad it's an option, but I doubt I'll use it much. I like the element of surprise and finding out my own strategic way of over coming a boss battle.
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Mavrosy
Emerald Dream
Mavrosy
6/23/2011
This feature is a pretty darn good idea. The exact same info is already easily gotten from the web, and generally the places that give you that info also have strategy info or links to get strategy info. People have been worried that this is "dumbing down the game", which is a legit concern, but I don't think it applies here. They're just giving us information most people already look up outside the game anyway. People will still have to figure out the actual flow of the encounters themselves or look up the strats, just like they do now. In fact, nothing really changes with this, except the speed at which you can get to useful info.
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Hughheiffer
Trollbane
Hughheiffer
6/23/2011
looks like it will be a good feature
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Eärwen
Ursin
Eärwen
6/23/2011
In some ways I think it's neat but in others I think it's making this game way too easy. If Blizz want people not to get bored don't give them an in game book on it. Let them research the fights the hard way... like we have done now. I really feel like Blizz is making this game too easy because kids are complaining it's too hard. It should be hard - you are meant to use you're mind in this game to figure out how the enemy is going to attack you. At least for me that's how I see it. I can be sure that I will not use that if I don't have to.
@Eärwen: The Dungeon Journal will not play the game for people. It's merely an informational tool provided within the game itself, thus (hopefully) making it more convenient to players of all skill-levels.
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Hughheiffer
Trollbane
Hughheiffer
6/23/2011
@Eärwen: People are still going to need the skill to down a boss, its not going to change how good they play it just gives them the knowledge of what to do durning a fight, if they can complete the task, thats up to the player
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Kokko
Durotan
Kokko
6/23/2011
@Nethaera: That depends on whether "playing the game" means pushing buttons on the keyboard or learning about the world. I see "playing the game" as learning about the world and this feature will take that away. I like screwing up and learning from my mistakes. This Dungeon Journal is more like a cheat sheet to win; but winning is not why I play, it's just the result of many failed attempts and lots of fun.
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Varinth
Vek'nilash
Varinth
6/23/2011
@Eärwen: It's basically DBM and AtlasLoot combined, everyone at 80 and up already has it for the most part, so the only thing it'll change is convenience.
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Vindor
Stormscale
Vindor
6/23/2011
@Eärwen: People still need the skill, gear and experience in the fights to overcome them ...it just gives info on what to expect but you will still need to watch the fight in order to know when and where are those things comming up. It's mere convenience so you don't have to alt-tab for that info.
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Dungeon
Gurubashi
Dungeon
6/23/2011
Dont like it? Dont use it.
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Jesterus
Warsong
Jesterus
6/23/2011
kool
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Jonhybravo
Medivh
Jonhybravo
6/23/2011
Although this is certainly helpful, I wonder how many players are out there that simply won't bother to even go and read the manual to the encounter. But it is certainly a step into the right direction!
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Grinix
Quel'Thalas
Grinix
6/23/2011
NICE!! =)
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Thaenys
Darkspear
Thaenys
6/23/2011
Easy Mode. *cough*