wow Patch 7.3: Netherlight Crucible Clarifications

[Stan 5,020]

Another round of questions about the Netherlight Crucible has been recently answered by Blizzard.

To catch up, Netherlight Crucible is new way to customize relics in Patch 7.3. We made a preview of the new feature here and Blizzard started answering questions after the latest developer Q/A with Game Director Ion Hazzikostas.

In the second round, we find out that we'll be able to unlock access to the Netherlight Crucible approximately 15 days (Week #3) after 7.3 release. The only requirements are having a level 110 character and the Now You're Cooking with Netherlight achievement. The Netherlight Crucible fixes issues with Relic availability, previewing a relic makes it untradeable and stockpiling relics before 7.3 won't give any real advantage.

Blizzard (Source)

Q: What are the requirements to access the Netherlight Crucible?

A: Our intent at this stage of development is for there to only be two requirements: your character is level 110, and you have the account-wide achievement "Now You're Cooking with Netherlight." That achievement is given as part of the final chapters of the 7.3 story campaign, which is planned to open week 3 of the patch (so 15 days after release).

We've been able to isolate a couple of bugs - partly due to responses to this thread, so thank you! - that are currently on the PTR preventing access to the Netherlight Crucible unless you have a rank in Concordance of the Legionfall. That's an unintended restriction, which we're working on fixing for a future PTR update.

Q: Why are you adding this system? What’s with the RNG?

A: The Netherlight Crucible (aside from being an important part of the 7.3 storyline) is intended to help with an issue with Relic availability that players have been reporting for some time now. As Ion explained during our last Q&A, there are technical issues with the way Relics were built that limit which bonus traits can be available from raids. This has caused a number of raiders to feel as though their best bet is to run Mythic Keystone dungeons constantly in the hopes of having a Relic with their ideal bonus trait drop (and Titanforge for a high item level).

Those who were following development of Patch 7.2 may recall an earlier take on an improvement for this issue, where we experimented with adding a single, randomized second bonus trait to Relics. Ultimately, we decided that was the wrong approach, and wanted a system that put a little more control in players’ hands. So, while the Netherlight Crucible does still have an element of randomness, it presents you with several options to choose from.
To be clear: we believe that having some element of randomness is important. Our goal was not to simply allow players to choose the precise bonus traits they wanted (you already do that, more or less, when spending Artifact Power). We still want there to be those exciting moments where a Relic gives you a great outcome. The Netherlight Crucible is intended to make Relics more valuable on average, not to make all Relics be equal value. 

Q: Will I be able to trade Relics with other players to see who gets the best options at the Crucible?

A: No. Previewing a Relic at the Netherlight Crucible will bind it to your character and remove the ability to trade it. This is because those trait options don’t actually exist on the Relic until you attune it to the Crucible, in a process similar to enchanting a piece of gear. It also prevents raid teams from feeling like they need to send everyone who might be interested in a Relic back to the Vindicaar before continuing.

Q: Will the Netherlight Crucible work on Relics acquired prior to 7.3 release?

A: Yes. However, keep in mind that it will take some time (likely several weeks) to unlock the later stages of the Netherlight Crucible, where the additional bonus traits come in. We don’t expect that stockpiling Relics prior to 7.3 will give any real advantage in practice.

Q: Doesn’t this just mean I’ll want my best two traits on each Relic now?

A: For the hardcore min/maxer, yes, there will still be a “best” outcome for your Relic configuration. However, there are now more Relics that can achieve that state (as Relics with your second-best trait can now roll your best trait at the Crucible), and you’ll encounter fewer “bad” Relics along the way.

Q: Why do I have to go back to the Netherlight Crucible to upgrade my Relic? Didn’t you want to get away from mechanics like that?

A: Players often compare this to the old Reforging system, and our dislike of having to visit a vendor after each and every upgrade. That hasn’t changed. The Netherlight Crucible only affects Relics – you won’t need to visit the Crucible every time you pick up a new pair of boots.

[PatrickHenry 293]

Im wondering if the loot tables consist of like 60/40 relics/loot anymore

 

[Valks 2,373]

On 8/14/2017 at 6:30 PM, PatrickHenry said:

Im wondering if the loot tables consist of like 60/40 relics/loot anymore

 

Relics are the way forward - who needs new gear?

[PatrickHenry 293]

2 hours ago, Blainie said:

Relics are the way forward - who needs new gear?

Truth - who needs new gear when you can put all the gear and drops to random stats and make everyone grind to their hearts content.

[Valks 2,373]

On 8/18/2017 at 3:58 PM, PatrickHenry said:

Truth - who needs new gear when you can put all the gear and drops to random stats and make everyone grind to their hearts content.

In the distance, chants of "diablo" are echoing as enraged fans run towards Blizzard's HQ.