Cataclysm Talent Changes

Blizzard released Cataclysm Beta – Build 12479 last night and along with it our 31-point talent changes. So starting with this build this how the talent system will work.

• We’ll have a total of 41 talent points.
• Trees will be 31 points deep.
• You’ll receive your first talent point at level 10, and then get one talent point every other level.
• Once you spend your first point, you will be required to spend 31 points in that tree before you can spend points in another tree.
• Depending on which tree you spend your first point you’ll receive abilities associated with that tree.

Here’s a look at what Hunters will get when they choose a talent specialization. (thanks to the folks at MMO-C for their fine data-mining work).

Hunter – Marksmanship

A master archer or sharpshooter who excels in bringing down enemies from afar.

• Aimed Shot
• Marksmanship Hunter (+ ranged hit, pushback reduction)

Hunter – Survival
A rugged tracker who favors using animal venom, explosives and traps as deadly weapons.

• Explosive Shot
• Survival Hunter (+ ranged hit, pushback reduction)

Hunter – Beast Mastery
A master of the wild who can tame a wide variety of beasts to assist him/her in combat.

• Intimidation
• Beastmastery Hunter (+ranged hit, pushback reduction)

So what this means is at level ten, Survival hunters get Explosive Shot, Marksman hunters get Aimed Shot, and Beast Mastery hunters get intimidation. All hunters will get a version of an ability that is similar to the current Focused Aim talent.

Basically what’s happening is we’re getting some of what are now key talents at a very low level, and they won’t cost us talent points. I can’t say that Intimidation is all that exciting, but Explosive Shot and Aimed Shot at level 10 is alright in my book.

I’ll start sifting through trees tomorrow when I’m able to have big pot of coffee at my side.