Hardcore PTR update, SoM & WoTLK server transfers

On the final day of July, we’ve had a lot of progress with the Hardcore PTR, as well as WoW Classic Patch 1.14.4.

For Patch 1.14.4, a [Preparation] phase was added to the beginning of each battleground match so players may buff and get ready at no mana cost.

As for the Hardcore PTR, a new [Coward] debuff was added:

We plan to test a “Coward!” debuff for players who flee a Duel to the Death. We’re adding bespoke logic to this debuff, to help ensure that you cannot gain it while under the effects of crowd control.

This debuff is meant to be incredibly punishing.

• We’re also planning to increase the total duel area for Duels to the Death.

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We’re making several adjustments to Guild Death Messages.

• Death alerts will be customized or disabled in the configuration options for chat windows.

• Guild deaths will display the creature that killed the character and the zone or area they died in.
• We’re working on new, unique sounds for Duel to the Death challenges, Guild Deaths, and Level 60 server announcements.
• We’re going to test making PvP Trinkets from Rank 2 of the Honor system available on Hardcore realms, from a vendor for a moderate gold cost, without requiring ranking.

You can read the full post at Coming with Future PTR Updates.

Other than that, a couple of important server transfer notices, most notably that SoM realms have now been removed as of 07/28:

Season of Mastery realms have remained available for login since we first closed off gameplay months ago.

They will be removed from the realm list in-game on Friday, July 28.

If you still have a character that you wish to move for free from a Season of Mastery realm, please do so immediately.

Season of Mastery realms will become permanently unavailable on July 28.

Thank you!

And finally, a Wrath Classic server update. As of today, Monday, July 31st, free transfers are opening back up:

And that wraps up the updates for July! Let’s see what August will bring to the table!