World of Warcraft Beta Journal #7

MMORPGDot continues their beta journal for World of Warcraft, with the seventh installment discussing changes with phase 2. An excerpt:

Combat has been changed significantly. Damage is now controlled more directly by your class, level, and attributes than by what weapon you wield. This seems to have resulted in longer fights with creatures at or above your level, and quicker fights with creatures below your level. Shields have been given a chance to block, making them useful even beyond the armor increase. When a creature is above your current level, fights have been made significantly tougher. Even creatures two levels beyond your own are a tough battle and may well result in your death. Chances to hit creatures above your level, as well as spell resists, have been significantly increased. If a creature is enough levels away from your character, you will simply never be able to hit it.