WoW: New optional one button spell rotation to simplify combat announced

Speaking with WoW content creator Dratnos and Team Liquid guild leader Maximum in a recent WoWCast, game director Ion Hazzikostas said Blizzard is introducing a new "accessibility" feature called Rotation Assist with World of Warcraft patch 11.1.7.

Similar to the popular third-party WoW add-on, Hekili Priority Helper, Rotation Assist will highlight the next ability for the player to cast for optimal damage. However, Rotation Assist goes one step further by including an optional toggle that will automate the casting process at the press of a button, allowing you to complete optimal rotations for your class without memorizing them.

There is a penalty associated with using a fully automated rotation, namely longer cooldowns for abilities, making your character do less damage to opponents than a player using manual rotation.

Hazzikostas said (via Gamespot) that the option was being added "for people who maybe, honestly, aren't interested in the gameplay of mastering their spec. They want to explore Azeroth and experience the story, and mechanics get in the way of that sometimes."

Hazzikostas said the intent was to give players "tools to go through" the game's progression "naturally." He added that the team is "looking at all the places," that compel players to download third-party add-ons to stay competitive.

"Our sense is that for many players, the feeling that they have to download and use certain add-ons in order to play the game competitively, isn't really part of what's attractive about the game or healthy in the long run," Hazzikostas said.

Blizzard doesn't want casual players "feeling pressured by their groups."

"Just the natural demands of competition and not wanting to lose out to someone who is using more advantages, that's going to be the healthier route in the long run," Hazzikostas added.