World of Warcraft to Add Major UI Updates in Patch 11.1.7

Blizzard is continuing its push to reduce player reliance on add-ons with Patch 11.1.7: Legacy of Arathor, and 📢 Game Director Ion Hazzikostas has confirmed that more user interface (UI) improvements are on the way. Among them is the introduction of a Rotation Assist feature—designed to help players better understand class mechanics and combat flow, especially when trying a new spec or role.

Rotation Assist Feature Aims to Simplify Class Learning

One of the patch’s headline additions is the Rotation Assist, inspired by the popular add-on Hekili. This tool will:

• ✅ Suggest actions during combat based on the player’s chosen class or specialization.
• 🎮 Help newcomers by consolidating core abilities into a single-button rotation.
• ⏱️ Apply a slightly longer global cooldown for balance.

This feature will be especially useful for players unfamiliar with certain specs or returning to the game after a long break.

Cooldown Manager Paved the Way in Patch 11.1.5

Patch 11.1.5: Nightfall laid the groundwork for add-on replacement with tools like the Cooldown Manager. It tracks key abilities (like Avenging Wrath for Paladins or Time Warp for Mages), offering essential visibility without the need for WeakAuras.

⚠️ However, the current version lacks customization—players still can't select which icons appear or where to position them on screen. These limitations may be addressed in future updates.

Add-Ons Under the Microscope: Devs Want Core Features In-Game

In a recent WoWCast (April 30) interview with creators Dratnos and Maximum, Hazzikostas shared insights into Blizzard’s evolving stance on add-ons:

• 📉 Add-ons like DBM, BigWigs, and Details have heavily influenced raid and Mythic+ design.
• 🔍 Some mechanics have become over-reliant on add-on alerts, creating a skill gap between casual and competitive players.
• ⚙️ Blizzard is considering bringing more of those mod functionalities into the base game, giving all players a fairer shot—while keeping cosmetic add-ons fully intact.

When Is Patch 11.1.7 Coming?

According to WoW's 2025 content roadmap, Legacy of Arathor is scheduled to launch later this spring. With Children’s Week already underway, players won’t have to wait long to try out the next wave of quality-of-life improvements.