Soul shard resource system implementation

I can't answer Q&As like this all the time or even very often. I probably won't be able to keep coming back to this thread to answer follow up questions. Understand that when I do answer some questions and it drives expectations that everyone is entitled to have *their* questions answers, things get complicated. Sorry for all of the caveats, but I've kind of learned what to expect.

Q u o t e:
1. Will it be implemented in Cataclsysm or faded in through patches considering the seemingly huge gap in content?

Cataclysm.

Q u o t e:
2. Even with the new system will warlocks be given a secondary defense to fall back on, on a long CD should fear become useless?

You mean like Demonic Circle? :)

Q u o t e:
3. Are there plans to link the system to a warlock pet? I know fel domination is one of them, but popping soul shards for more power for the pet are being considered? Example- Refreshing CD's?

Sure. We don't have a lot of details we can share yet.

Q u o t e:
4. What is going to happen to those spells that required soul shards?

They won't. Some of them may change though. Perhaps the un-enhanced version will be weaker than the current shard version. Stuff like summoning (people and demons) just won't cost shards.

Q u o t e:
5. Are there plans to change hellfire to an AoE knockback snare like a secondary defense warlocks can fall back on or will it be outright removed?

No, there are no plans.

Q u o t e:
6. Are there plans to extend Inferno's duration similar to before where we have to enslave him, but with no capping prohibitions?

As I opined recently, IN-FER-NO probably just needs a different mechanic. The trade-off for getting the demon can just be the cooldown.

Q u o t e:
7. Are there plans to reduce slot problems with curses? Like CoT and CoEx being merged?

Yes to the general question, no to the specific example.

Q u o t e:
8. Are there plans to add dispel resistance to curses through talents?

Probably not. We'd rather tone down the potency of dispels in general, not require everyone to stack more defenses for them.

Q u o t e:
9. Will CoD be modified to be castable on players? If so will you modify the damage/duration/CD on it or will it remain the same?

We haven't talked about it.

Q u o t e:
10. Do you plan on fixing the debuff problems to pets. The fact the duration on debuffs remain the same until the pet is out on the field while buffs continue their duration course regardless of the pet being summoned or not?

This isn't really a soul shard question is it? That is more of a technical limitation and not a design goal. The answer has more to do with prioritization than intent.

Q u o t e:
11. Will soul link be removed from the demon should it despawn/dimiss?

Don't know yet.

Q u o t e:
12. What are the plans for drain soul in the new shard system?

Don't know yet. One idea is an emergency backup system for long fights or situations where you screw up. Ideally we don't need this though so we haven't resolved it.

Q u o t e:
13. Are there plans to make enslave demon a little more viable for PvP and example is the doomguard and inferno?

If you're talking about warlocks stealing each other's demons, I'm not sure that will lead to those demons getting more use. It might make you giggle when you steal one though.

Q u o t e:
11) Will the soul shard system allow you to empower our primary nukes chaos bolt/soul fire for increased damage on a short cd?

Yes. The example we used at Blizzcon was some kind of duration-limited or "your next spell" limitation. We haven't set this in stone yet.

Q u o t e:
12) What will happen to soul fire? Will it still require a shard to use? Could it find more acceptance in our normal rotation considering its potentially our most powerful nuke

It won't require a shard. It might require a shard to make it something you want to cast though (imagine a PoM - Pyro).

Q u o t e:
13) How will the soul shard change work in regards to different trees?

No idea yet. The talent trees aren't done. One thing we threw out at Blizzcon was maybe Demo gets an extra shard, but that's just hand-waving at this point.

Q u o t e:
I don't see there being much choice during a boss fight when a warlock uses the abilities that are enhanced by shard usage.

It'll be just like glyphs and talent trees. There will be required spells to use alongside required shard usage.

I don't see how someone can "mess up" when you only have a few shards.

The fight starts. You use your 3 shards. Then adds come. Or characters start to die and the fight lasts longer than you thought. And you're sitting there with no shards.

It's a little bit like asking "Why would a mage need Evocation? They should have enough mana for the fight."

Q u o t e:
Generally, is the goal to make Soul Burned spells directly more powerful or instant, or will there be some versatility baked in for other abilities? For example: Soul Burning Howl of Terror to make it a horror effect so it works better on Warriors, rather than simply increasing the duration of the fear effect.

It's cooler if not every spell works the same way. We use the example of "makes this instant" a lot, because it's easy for players to understand both why that would be powerful and also situational. If you get 3 shards and use all 3 on Conflagrate or Chaos Bolt every time, then the system isn't adding as much as it potentially could.

Q u o t e:
so we're basically getting runes.

great...

uh....