Where Is the Symbol of Kings for Paladin in "WOW"?
In the massively multiplayer online role-playing game "World of Warcraft" (usually shortened as "WoW"), certain spells require specific reagents in order to be used. Paladins, originally a class exclusive to alliance characters, used an item called "Symbol of Kings" in order to cast their "greater blessing" spells, strengthened versions of their short-term "blessing" spells, which enhance certain strengths of their allies.
Other People Are Reading
-
Original Blessings
-
In the early days of original "WoW" (also called "WoW Classic" and "Vanilla WoW"), paladins could cast blessings on any alliance character. Blessings, part of a group of spells that enhance a character's abilities (referred to as "buffs"), last five minutes before fading. The duration was long enough for paladin players to maintain the spells on themselves and members of a five-player group without much bother. However, problems arose during 40-player raids when paladins had to cast blessings upon up to 39 other players every five minutes, or more if any character was to die in battle, often spending more time buffing than anything else. This lead to raiding paladins being labeled as "buff bots."
Patch 1.9
-
Blizzard's "World of Warcraft" game patch 1.9 included an extensive review of paladin spells and talents. Among the changes included was the extension of blessing spells up to 10 minutes and the addition of "greater blessings," high-level versions of the regular blessing spells, which last 15 minutes and were automatically cast on all party members of the same class (such as druids or rogues) as the targeted character. Casting a greater blessing required that the paladin have the item "Symbol of Kings" in his inventory, with each greater blessing using one of these items. The Symbol of Kings was added to the items sold by every "Reagent Vendor" in alliance and neutral territories. They were sold in stacks of 20 and stackable in character bags up to 100.
-
Burning Crusade
-
The first "WoW" expansion, "World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade," gave horde players the option of playing a paladin through the addition of the Blood Elf race. Adding paladins to the horde lead to Blizzard including Symbol of Kings across all "Reagent Vendor" and some "General Merchant" NPCs. The greater blessing durations were also extended to 30 minutes.
Cataclysm
-
With the extensive revamping of every class, spell and attribute in the game that came with "World of Warcraft: Cataclysm," paladin "greater" blessings were removed along with the requirement of using Symbol of Kings for casting. Regular blessings were streamlined into only two variations ("Might" and "Kings"). These spells were expanded to an hour duration and raid-wide casting, meaning a blessing used on any target included in a party or raid casts the spell on all other members.
-
