Blizzard Entertainment has announced a major update in World of Warcraft with the release of patch 11.1.7, titled Legacy of Arathor, which will introduce a built-in Rotation Assist tool to the game.

As game director Ion Hazzikostas mentioned in the WoWCast episode on April 30, this feature will help players better master class combat rotations without the need for third-party addons like Hekili.

The new Rotation Assist system will offer two modes: the first will highlight the next recommended ability, and the second will allow players to execute the rotation with a single button, albeit with a slightly increased global cooldown (GCD). The tool is not aimed at optimal performance but is designed to raise the minimum skill level and improve overall class understanding, especially in casual or level-based content.

Blizzard's Long-Term Goal — Reducing Addon Dependency

According to Hazzikostas, this update is part of a broader Blizzard initiative to reduce players' reliance on third-party modifications, particularly in competitive content like Mythic+ or high-level raids. The company acknowledges that many players feel "restricted" without tools like Hekili, WeakAuras, DBM, or Details, so Blizzard is gradually integrating similar functionality into the game itself.

This direction opens up new possibilities for rethinking combat encounter design. Developers are exploring options to reduce raid difficulty, which currently heavily relies on external alert and coordination tools.

Hazzikostas noted that the main goal of future updates is "disarmament," hinting at a future where combat mechanics will be less dependent on addons and more reliant on clear visual and audio cues provided by the game's interface.

New Interface Improvements in World of Warcraft

Patch 11.1.7 will build on changes introduced in version 11.1.5, including the Cooldown Manager tool — an accessibility feature for tracking key ability cooldowns without third-party mods. Despite limited customization options, this tool was the first step towards modernizing the UI in WoW.

In the future, Blizzard plans to integrate features inspired by popular mods:

• DBM/BigWigs: visual and audio alerts for raid dangers
• Details: tracking damage and performance in-game
• Enhanced nameplates: better visualization of enemies and allies

Priority audio and visual signals are also planned, particularly for critical interrupts in Mythic+.

The addition of Rotation Assist has sparked heated discussion in the WoW community. Some see it positively as a step towards inclusivity, especially for newcomers and casual players. Others believe it lowers the game's difficulty, comparing the new feature to "auto-play."

Furthermore, the upcoming update has fueled rumors about the potential preparation for World of Warcraft's launch on consoles, where addon usage would be significantly limited. Built-in critical modifications in the game could become a necessary step in this direction of game development and expansion to other platforms.