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Comment by lunamoonraker

The problem with this trait is that it is close to being really useful but then actually isn't as it is currently implemented, after some testing in actual fishing situations.

Reduces enemy detection by 5 yards while fishing

The Effect is:

Apply Aura: Mod Aggro Range of Mobs Against You
Value: -5

This is the same spell identification number currently used in game and confirms at least that it is a range reduction debuff on the mob i.e. I assume their detection rank is reduced by -5.

Given that we have scaling now the relative values should be equal before any buff/ debuffs.

Also does it change the detection mechanic being a frontal cone in front of the NPC or is the 5 yards in any direction (if the player is to the side or in front)? It is hard to test the distance detection reduction as it is.

Also when we fish we are stationary but this does not innately render the player any less detectable.

Beyond this, the chief weakness is that, however it works mechanically, the effect (indicated by the player becoming translucent) is from cast > strike of the bobber splash. As soon as that occurs the buff is dropped and the player is immediately detectable.

This means the effect is really of little practical use as the player can't remain stationary and fish with hostile NPCs around them. it will work only for the sort duration of the waiting period of the fishing then they are detectable until they cast again which takes a few seconds (if you click and recast too fast you don't get the catch in the inventory).

Given the uncertainty of the actual effect plus the simple fact it drops off on striking, means it is only useful if an NPC approaches the player for a short time and moves away out of normal detection range before the strike. Which is really very limited in usefulness.

A permanent stealth while the artifact rod is equipped would be too strong and that is understandable it isn't.

A decent compromise would be for it to let the buff run on for say 5 seconds after the strike to allow the fisher to catch the fish, then recast and remain in this stealth mode. It then drops off once the player moves or doesn't recast within the set time.

The trait despite being one of the major traits is not useful as it is. Providing a continued stealth effect while stationary and fishing would make it useful but not too strong. It would still remain a form of stealth and capable of detection normally via proximity as it is not an invisibility.

In the end the player still has to position themselves for fishing which means mostly moving from pool to pool but could work for stationary fishing and give another option in areas where even lower level NPCs can interrupt the fishing as a nuisance factor.

Edit: Checking on the new PTR 7.1 Build 22578 it works in the same way.

Comment by Doey

While describing this talent and the "better luck next time" one, was mentioning how this "tree" seems much less useful than the walk on water + fish form tree. (my logic for why the "Better Luck Next Time" should unlock the ability to fish up legendary boots)

He pointed out that while after the cast finishes you instantly lose the way of the flounder, you do still get to finish that cast.

At the very least, right now it is a "your current cast isn't interrupted by a nearby mob that walked over".

If it was truely a "Way of the Flounder", I think it would be Start Cast > Get Buff > Keep fishing/casting > Move > Lose Buff.
So when you start fishing you "hide", but as soon as you start moving to a new spot you become visible.

Comment by GraysonCarlyle

This appears to have been changed recently so that the buff lingers for a couple seconds after you catch a fish, giving you time to cast again while it is still up.

Comment by SGIonly

Hey everyone, so if you are like me and based on many of the comments here you are you hate the way this spell makes you invisible.

As some of you may have found, since the removal of legion artifact powers there is no way in game to remove this trait once it has been learned.

I've even ticketed blizard 3 times asking them to remove this trait or straight up delete my underlight angler and reset the quest but every time I was met with the usual 'we dont offer this service we're really sorry but you are a valued player blah blah blah'

After attempting a simple /cancelaura macro for the trait the issue you'll find is that while fishing & the 'Way of the Flounder' buff appear at the same time there is a slight delay between the two. This means that you need to have a wait function in your macro to remove the debuff.

I actually mangled this script together from one found on reddit and just changed the delay and buff time while tweaking the spell name and adding the simple fishing components.

So below you'll find a fishing macro that 1. casts the fishing spell. and 2. cancels the way of the flounder buff with a wait intervall of 0.15 seconds

#showtooltip Fishing
/cast Fishing
/run C_Timer.After(0.15, function() for i = 1, 40 do local name = UnitBuff("player", i) if name == 'Way of the Flounder' then CancelUnitBuff("player", i) end end end)

Hope this helps all you fellow fishers out there because Blizzard themselves didnt,

- Your local angler SGI

Comment by SergeKarov

RECOMMENDATION: Download the AddOn called Unbuff if you chose the slot called Way of the Flounder.
It helped me eliminate that annoying buff that comes out every time I use the rod. :)

Links WeakAuras Export

Way of the Flounder

Way of the Flounder
100 yd range
Instant

Reduce enemy detection range by 5 yards while fishing.

Buff

Spell Details

Duration

30 seconds

School

Physical

Mechanic

n/a

Dispel type

n/a

GCD category

n/a

Cost

None

Range

100 yards (Vision)

Cast time

Instant

Cooldown

n/a

GCD

0 seconds

Effect

Apply Aura: Mod Aggro Range of Mobs Against You
Value: -5
PVP Multiplier: 1

Flags

Do Not Display Range
Do Not Display Duration
Don't close loot window

Way of the Flounder

Buff

Spell Details

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