PTR 3.3: Build 10623 Gets Rid Of (Some) Reputation Farming

Yea, We Finally Broke Out The Angry Baby Picture On Project Lore

I’ll admit that farming reputation on your alts just for some added enchants - head and shoulders (knees and toes) - can be rather annoying, but it makes sense.  After all, the various factions, Ebon Blade, Hodir, Oracles, etc, don’t have any idea that Solidsagart is actually Solidsamm’s long lost draenei sister (from another mother).  So when I read on MMO-Champion that arcanums have become heirloom items in the latest build I balked.

Early on in the history of WoW Blizzard stated that the game begins at level 80.  Since then the company has constantly reinforced this idea, speeding up leveling, introducing the Heirloom Item category, dropping mount prices, and more.  Why then, did the developer decide to take out part of the end game - yes, I am referring to rep grinding as part of the end game - for our alts?  Is it just because many mains have run out of things to spend their badges on?

It’s unfortunate that Blizzard is toying with the idea of removing a staple of the end game, and a damn fine way to gain a ton of gold.  I concede that it’s an annoying mechanic, but it doesn’t need to be abandoned, nor should it.  Just shorten the process for alts like everything else.

Here’s a solution that fits with character development, the whole idea of reputation and lowers the pain.  Have the alternates introduce themselves as friends/brothers/sisters/lovers of the main character.  By doing so, the secondary toons would jump to the level below the referrer (ie Exalted on your main gives you Revered on your alt).  Yes, it’ll take some extra coding, likely tap in to the account bound code, but it wouldn’t upset people as much, negate previous work, but still reduce the workload of players.

To me, heirloom items are meant to be replaced when you hit level 80, not equipped as part of your raid ensemble.  Of course this could mean that Blizzard is working on new head and shoulder enchants…

Am I being too particular?  Is it hypocritical of me to use heirloom items to hit level 80, but to be upset with heirloom items at level 80?  Do you welcome the change, should it go live, or are you disgruntled by the disruption to character progression as well?