**** tenacity, am I right?

Most of the chaps that read this blog have praised me on attempting a balanced perspective and not complaining massively about issues in this game. Today I give them the big middle finger and a nod of apology as I'd simply like to say that tenacity might be the single most frustrating mechanic in WoW to date.

Imagine, if you will, not being (insert random generic gamer insult here). Take that vision of yourself and give it a haircut, shave that scruff, remove the cans of soda from the desk and take out the trash. Replace the trash with a stack of BFR .50 Smith and Wesson Magnums and condoms. Replace the cans of soda with M67 grenades. Replace the computer with the M1 Abrams tank and replace the desk with the trigger for the cannon and some condoms. Now replace your mother/roommates with some hot chicks and some condoms and you have a good idea of what Wintergrasp tenacity does for you.

Wintergrasp tenacity effectively gives players all of the tools stated above to bring to a PvP experience against a number of 5 year olds during the smooth musings of the Secret of Nimh at nap time. The problem is that these players are still fumbling to figure out what the hell a condom is and despite their bleak and sad performance issues can merely come out on top without a true understanding of how to use everything in front of them simply by plowing headlong into the situation. The rest of us are left feeling confused, horribly amused, sad and ashamed when we wake up. Tenacity is the definition of an incorrectly assumed implementation that was designed to balance the field in the wrong way.

Blizzard seem to be following the trend of working for balance over fun. Rather than designing specific bonus siege weapons, powerful NPCs or other tactical equipment they simply tossed the smalled force effective raid boss status in the hopes that it will bring these players in line. What has been forgotten in the mix is that certain classes make massive use of the skill based purely upon what they can do with their spec. A warrior with 10 stacks of tenacity getting stunned is worth many lulz when you're on the outside looking in, but when that green sword of the bandit hits you for half of Jesus, there's a problem.

WE GET IT

Yes, these players can be CC'd. Yes, these players can be mana burned. That being said the obvious argument is the best argument in that it's difficult to do either when the Mighty Keyboard Turner swings that "skill" your way.

It's still fun, though, and I can't deny that. Nonetheless there's nothing more frustrating than knowing that there is no "outplay." There is no faster reaction. There is no clear definition of a better player in the encounters. Everyone pines for skill based engagements but this buff only serves to undermine that very desire.

Anyway I can complain about a minor and well documented issue, but it's nothing game breaking. I can't fault players for getting the buff and I wonder how epicly fun it must be to have received it. All in all it just looks like a bandaid fix to the issue that asks players not to be mobile for fear of being left stranded and completely and utterly destroyed. It asks players not to force the engagement but rather wait for it to come to them and hope they can zerg hard enough to live. To me that seems to ruin the very essence of PvP when any thought is removed in favor of "force it down." Yes, other battlegrounds do the same, but this one seems to reward it in spades.

Here's to hoping for a better mechanic in the future, even if this one isn't all that bad.

AND YES MAYBE I DID GET ****** UP BY THE MIGHT KEYBOARD TURNER AND DIDN'T LIKE IT.