Kel'Thuzad Shadow Fissure Range Issue In Naxxramas

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into a critical issue within the Kel'Thuzad encounter in the Naxxramas raid. Specifically, we're talking about the infamous Shadow Fissure ability and its seemingly excessive explosion range. This issue has been raised in the AzerothCore community, and we're here to break down the details, discuss the implications, and explore potential solutions. So, let's get started!

Current Behavior: Shadow Fissure's Overextended Reach

Currently, during the intense battle against Kel'Thuzad, the Shadow Fissure spell appears to have an explosion range that's wider than it should be. This means players are getting hit by the ability even when they are seemingly outside the visual circle indicating the area of effect. This discrepancy between the visual representation and the actual hit range is causing frustration and making the encounter significantly more challenging than intended. Let's be real, no one likes getting hit by something they thought they dodged!

To put it simply, the Shadow Fissure ability is a key mechanic in the Kel'Thuzad fight. It requires precise positioning and quick reflexes from raid members to avoid taking massive damage. When the explosion range is larger than expected, it throws off player calculations and makes it incredibly difficult to consistently dodge the fissures. This can lead to unnecessary wipes and a generally unpleasant raiding experience. Imagine thinking you're safe, only to be blasted by shadow magic – not cool, right?

We understand that these types of issues can be super frustrating, especially when you're trying to down a challenging boss like Kel'Thuzad. That's why it's so important to bring these problems to light and discuss them as a community. By clearly defining the problem, providing evidence, and suggesting solutions, we can work together to make the game more enjoyable for everyone. Plus, nailing those tight mechanics is part of what makes raiding so rewarding, but it's gotta be fair!

Evidence of the Issue

To illustrate the problem, a user has provided visual evidence showcasing the Shadow Fissure's wide explosion range. This evidence clearly demonstrates that the ability is hitting targets outside of the circle, confirming the issue. Seeing is believing, and in this case, the visual evidence makes a strong case for the need for a fix. The video linked provides a clear demonstration of the issue, making it easier for developers and other players to understand the scope of the problem. This is incredibly helpful for getting the issue addressed effectively.

Expected Behavior: Shadow Fissure Accuracy

The Shadow Fissure should accurately reflect its area of effect. The explosion should only hit targets within the visual circle, allowing players to reliably dodge the ability by positioning themselves outside of the indicated range. This is crucial for maintaining the intended difficulty of the encounter and ensuring a fair challenge for players. The goal is for players to feel that they are being hit by the ability because they made a mistake, not because the ability is functioning incorrectly. A clear and consistent area of effect is paramount for this.

Think about it, guys: if the visuals don't match the reality, it's like playing a game with hidden rules. It's not fun, and it's definitely not fair. The expected behavior is that the game should be predictable and consistent, allowing players to learn the mechanics and improve their gameplay. When abilities like Shadow Fissure work as intended, the fight becomes a test of skill and coordination, not a test of luck or tolerance for wonky mechanics.

Source: Retail Accuracy as the Benchmark

As a reference, the retail version of World of Warcraft is considered the benchmark for how Shadow Fissure should function. In the retail version, the explosion range is contained within the visual circle, ensuring that players can reliably dodge the ability. This consistency is what players expect and what makes the encounter fair and challenging. Referencing the retail version helps to ensure that the fix aligns with the original design intent of the encounter.

Steps to Reproduce the Problem: Testing Shadow Fissure

Here's how you can reproduce the issue and see it for yourself:

1. You don't actually need to engage Kel'Thuzad to test this. You can use the .cast 27810 command on a player you're dueling or even on someone from the opposite faction. This makes testing the ability much easier and more accessible.

By following these steps, you can easily observe the Shadow Fissure's behavior and confirm the issue with the explosion range. This is a great way to contribute to the discussion and provide further evidence for the need for a fix. The more people who can reproduce the issue, the more likely it is to be addressed quickly and effectively. Plus, it's always good to see these things firsthand!

Additional Notes and Context

Currently, there's no additional information or response included in the original report. This highlights the importance of community discussion and collaboration in addressing issues like this. By sharing our experiences and insights, we can help to paint a more complete picture of the problem and work towards a solution. Have you experienced this issue yourself? Share your thoughts and observations in the comments below!

AC Rev. Hash/Commit: Identifying the Build

The specific AzerothCore revision hash/commit associated with this issue is 4c5c930. This information is crucial for developers as it helps them pinpoint the exact version of the codebase where the issue is present. This allows for more efficient debugging and ensures that the fix is applied to the correct version of the game.

Operating System: Windows 11

The operating system used by the reporter is Windows 11. While this might not be directly related to the issue itself, it's always helpful to provide as much context as possible. In some cases, operating system-specific issues can arise, so this information could be valuable for developers during the troubleshooting process.

Custom Changes or Modules: Stock AzerothCore

The reporter confirmed that there were no custom changes or modules in use. This means that the issue is present in the core AzerothCore codebase, making it more likely to be a widespread problem affecting many players. This also simplifies the debugging process as developers can focus on the core code without having to consider potential conflicts with custom modifications.

Community Discussion and Next Steps

So, what do you guys think? Have you encountered this issue with Shadow Fissure in your Naxxramas runs? Do you have any insights or suggestions for a potential fix? Let's discuss this in the comments below! By working together, we can help improve the accuracy and fairness of the Kel'Thuzad encounter and make the raiding experience even better. Remember, a strong community makes for a strong game! Let's keep the conversation going and help make AzerothCore the best it can be.