Neirai the Forgiven
Christian Guilds List Manager
So, 5.01, otherwise known as the "MOP Talents Patch," is coming "soon" -- I'd estimate 2 or 3 weeks, depending on how stable it is.
MOP's Talents bring a new system to the game. You will immediately realize this, when your talents are completely gone and you need to choose one of three options in five tiers of powers.
Never fear, because your old talents will all still be in effect. At least, for the most part. Instead of you plugging in your talents, Blizzard is instead doing the work for you, giving you the best possible choices for your class and spec. You just get 5 new "bonus" powers, chosen from a pool of a possible 15.
Now, some of us preferred to play popular but not "optimal" talent builds. If that's you, you will still be able to play those builds by using a glyph that will change your build so that it does what you want. This is actually a great upgrade, since those glyphs are also balanced to make these sub-builds equivalent in power to the optimal builds.
As a goal, the new talent system will allow you to make unique talent choices based on what you like without torpedoing your ability to play your class at an optimal level.
In addition, 5.01 has some ramifications for certain classes, as well as PVP:
PVP
5.01's Talent system should revitalize PVP by adding a level of unpredictability to your enemies. In Cata, a fire mage is a fire mage is a fire mage. In 5.01, Fire Mages could be sporting Presence of Mind or Scorch; Living Bomb or Frost Bomb. Knowing your enemy's capabilities will be that much harder, and playing your class will be that much more fun. Will you take a popular build or go for the element of surprise?
Mages
Just in case you missed it, above, 5.01 Mages will no longer be specialized to one damage type or another. Arcane mages will no longer stick to two Arcane spells and ignore all those red and blue things. Fire mages will embrace arcane and frost, and Frost mages will dabble in the hot things again.
This may take a little to get used to, but if you played a mage back in the day, it should feel familiar.
Shamans and Paladins
Shamans and Paladins will no longer be the all-purpose purveyors of raid buffs that they used to be. Most Paladin Auras and Shaman Totems will no longer be unlimited-duration raid buffs. Instead, they will be limited-duration raid cooldowns. Some of these are pretty awesome, but they won't be up all the time anymore.
I'm going to need to learn how to use them again.
Warlocks
Warlocks, beware! You aren't going to recognize your class anymore!
Warlocks have by far the most changes in 5.01. Each spec is going to be very different; each will have its own resources and feel.
Affliction -- Affliction will still use the Soul Shard mechanic, but it will also focus on DOTs and have a brand new Channel Power that doubles the speed at which DOTs tick!
Destruction -- Destruction will have powerful new Embers that will set the Warlock on fire. These Embers will drastically increase the Warlock's damage output. And damage the Warlock. Heavily. Destruction will now be a balancing act -- how much damage can you put out before you kill yourself?
Finally, Demonology -- Demo locks will now have a rage bar as well as a mana bar-- using spells will increase your rage bar, and you will use that bar to power your Demon form. In theory, a good Demo Lock should be able to stay in-form for a long time-- maybe even all the time.
MOP's Talents bring a new system to the game. You will immediately realize this, when your talents are completely gone and you need to choose one of three options in five tiers of powers.
Never fear, because your old talents will all still be in effect. At least, for the most part. Instead of you plugging in your talents, Blizzard is instead doing the work for you, giving you the best possible choices for your class and spec. You just get 5 new "bonus" powers, chosen from a pool of a possible 15.
Now, some of us preferred to play popular but not "optimal" talent builds. If that's you, you will still be able to play those builds by using a glyph that will change your build so that it does what you want. This is actually a great upgrade, since those glyphs are also balanced to make these sub-builds equivalent in power to the optimal builds.
As a goal, the new talent system will allow you to make unique talent choices based on what you like without torpedoing your ability to play your class at an optimal level.
In addition, 5.01 has some ramifications for certain classes, as well as PVP:
PVP
5.01's Talent system should revitalize PVP by adding a level of unpredictability to your enemies. In Cata, a fire mage is a fire mage is a fire mage. In 5.01, Fire Mages could be sporting Presence of Mind or Scorch; Living Bomb or Frost Bomb. Knowing your enemy's capabilities will be that much harder, and playing your class will be that much more fun. Will you take a popular build or go for the element of surprise?
Mages
Just in case you missed it, above, 5.01 Mages will no longer be specialized to one damage type or another. Arcane mages will no longer stick to two Arcane spells and ignore all those red and blue things. Fire mages will embrace arcane and frost, and Frost mages will dabble in the hot things again.
This may take a little to get used to, but if you played a mage back in the day, it should feel familiar.
Shamans and Paladins
Shamans and Paladins will no longer be the all-purpose purveyors of raid buffs that they used to be. Most Paladin Auras and Shaman Totems will no longer be unlimited-duration raid buffs. Instead, they will be limited-duration raid cooldowns. Some of these are pretty awesome, but they won't be up all the time anymore.
I'm going to need to learn how to use them again.
Warlocks
Warlocks, beware! You aren't going to recognize your class anymore!
Warlocks have by far the most changes in 5.01. Each spec is going to be very different; each will have its own resources and feel.
Affliction -- Affliction will still use the Soul Shard mechanic, but it will also focus on DOTs and have a brand new Channel Power that doubles the speed at which DOTs tick!
Destruction -- Destruction will have powerful new Embers that will set the Warlock on fire. These Embers will drastically increase the Warlock's damage output. And damage the Warlock. Heavily. Destruction will now be a balancing act -- how much damage can you put out before you kill yourself?
Finally, Demonology -- Demo locks will now have a rage bar as well as a mana bar-- using spells will increase your rage bar, and you will use that bar to power your Demon form. In theory, a good Demo Lock should be able to stay in-form for a long time-- maybe even all the time.