I came across an interesting thread on the official forums, talking about CC in World of Warcraft, and its impact on PvP(and in some cases even PvE). When is enough really enough? Crowd control, or 'CC' for short, is very powerful if used properly. I'm sure we've all been on the receiving end of it - and yes - we've been on the giving end of it before too. You can admit it, I sure do, and I have to say it was fun. I played a rogue; I stunlocked casters - sometimes even Warriors - until they were lying face down in the dirt. And I liked it.
But that doesn't mean it's right; that doesn't mean there's a need for it in its diluted nature that we see in the game. World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade added even more Crowd Control to the fray, as well, with the introduction of Cyclone - a "banish" type spell that works on Humanoids. Crowd Control was never really overbearing in Outdoor PvP, or heck, even in the Battlegrounds. It was frustrating at times, but nothing you couldn't overcome. Along come Arenas; Cyclone is an incredibly powerful - probably too much so - spell for Arena matches. It renders one of your teammates completely useless for its duration. The caveat to it, and the biggest 'problem' with it, is the fact that it cannot be removed by any means. You can't Dispel it with your Priest, you can't Cleanse it with your Paladin, you can't break out of it with Immunity abilities or spells, and you can't even remove it with your PvP trinket.
On top of that, Paladins received a talent that can snare up to three targets, as well as Seal of Justice's Judgement effect limiting movement speed to that of normal running - completely negating any movement buffs - be it a mount, an aspect, or even an enchant on your items.
The biggest negative draw for the Arenas is the fact that the originally planned reduction in Crowd Control duration was pulled, so CC spells last as long in the fast-paced, typically one-to-two minute fight Arenas, as they do anywhere else in a PvP encounter. It has gotten to the point where Crowd Control spells win PvP encounters; this should not be the case. Not anywhere near the case, infact. CC should lend itself to PvP, helping guide you to a victory, not ultimately ensuring it. Every class now has at least one form - most multiple forms - of Crowd Control abilities and spells. Whether they snare you, disorient you, or completely remove control of your character through fears, stuns, mind controls, or banishes, they're there. And it doesn't look like they're going away any time soon; at least not in a capacity to bring CC back to what it's meant to be - part of the victory - not the victory.
So what do you think? Is Crowd Control getting out of hand? Has it already been out of hand? Or are people just frustrated that they were the victim of a stunlock, a fear bomb, or that they got "cyclowned"? Inquiring minds want to know; feel free to leave your comments below.
