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by Published on 2022-04-19 05:32 PM

World of Warcraft Dragonflight Story Panel
Teron Gregory and Steve Danuser talked about the lore and story for Dragonflight.

  • The Dragon Isle are the broodlands for all dragonflights.
  • The Sundering during the War of the Ancients split the land and caused the magic of the Dragon Isles to go dormant, causing the dragons to leave the isles.
  • The Titan watchers left behind were supposed to call back the dragons if the elemental energy every recovered. In the cinematic, this is why we see the watcher activate the beacon. The dragons are returning to cultivate their homeland.
  • The expansion will focus on exploring the culture of dragons in Azeroth.
  • The Dragon Isle have changed quite a bit in the past 10,000 years.
  • Most of the dragonflights used their powers for good, but the Black Dragonflight became corrupted.
  • Much of the story will revolve around Wrathion learning to regain the power and respect of his flight. But is he the right leader to take over?
  • This is an opportunity for the dragons to regain their legacy as protectors, but the players must join them to help with the challenges of the Dragon Isles.
  • There is an ancient half-giant elemental race prominent on the Isles that are enemies of the dragons.
  • The Tuskar and their history will feature prominently on the Dragon Isles.
  • There is a race of Centaur that predate the ones in Eastern Kingdom found on the Dragon Isles/
  • Before Deathwing was corrupt, he saw these elemental forces breaking from the aspects, and his first experiments combined draconic power with the mortal races to create the Dracthyr.
  • The main theme of the Dragon Isle is exploration. There will many hidden secrets.
  • The theme of this expansion is reclaiming legacy and rediscovering who you were before everything went awry.
  • It is our turn to help the dragons regain their legacy since they helped us so much.
  • We will explore history that only the dragons know.

by Published on 2022-04-19 03:31 PM

Wrath of the Lich King Classic Coming Later This Year
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
The heroes of the Alliance and Horde have fought against the evils in Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms, against the demons of the Burning Legion in Outland, and against each other—unaware that an imminent threat was looming in the vast and icy continent of Northrend.

The Lich King, Arthas Menethil, sits in the ominous Icecrown Citadel scheming to claim the world as his own—a plan that threatens all life on Azeroth. Heroes of the Alliance and Horde must stand against the malevolent being who dares to declare himself the one true king of Azeroth...and seeks to scour all life from the world.


Later this year, you will again get to explore bone-chilling lands, storm Icecrown Citadel, and halt the Lich King’s baleful efforts. Only the most stalwart can challenge the Lich King and end his reign of terror in this rerelease of the 2008 expansion.

Just like it shook up WoW® during its original release, Wrath of the Lich King Classic™ will thrill both veterans and newcomers with a host of improved features and content to explore:

  • The Grim Frozen North – Heroes will begin their journey in one of two zones in Northrend—Borean Tundra or Howling Fjord—and adventure through some of the most epic vistas and beloved storylines in all of Warcraft before breaching the seat of the Lich King’s power in Icecrown.
  • The Rise of Death Knights – Available to both factions and starting at level 55, Death Knights—World of Warcraft’s first hero class—harness the powers of darkness to help combat the evil that threatens Azeroth. While Death Knights are limited to one per server and require a level 55 character on that server to create, in Wrath Classic, we will be bypassing that requirement for a player’s first Death Knight.
  • New Profession—Inscription – This new profession allows players to scribe mystical glyphs that modify the properties of spells and abilities (cooldowns, damage, etc.), and craft powerful trinkets and off-hand items.
  • Achievements Unlocked – Achievements are coming to WoW Classic, giving players new rewards for their exploits and accomplishments.
  • Dungeons & Raids – Relive seminal 5-player dungeons like Azjol-Nerub and the Culling of Stratholme, and lay siege to Naxxramas as a 25- or 10-player raid—an update of its original iteration as a 40-player raid in pre-expansion World of Warcraft.
  • Included With Existing World of Warcraft Subscriptions – As with previous WoW Classic releases, anyone who subscribes to World of Warcraft can also play Wrath of the Lich King Classic at no additional cost.

Additionally, we want to provide a better experience for our new and existing Classic players with the following changes:

  • Level 70 Boost – The level cap will be increased to 80, and we’re introducing a Level 70 Boost so those who didn’t play Burning Crusade Classic but wish to play Wrath with their friends or explore Northrend can do so right away. This boost will be available one per account and can be used on any class except Death Knights.
  • No Dungeon Finder – Players rediscovering Wrath of the Lich King Classic won’t find the Looking for Dungeon feature originally added in Patch 3.3.5. We’ve heard from our Classic community that the importance of social bonds is a big part of what makes Classic their game of choice, and we agree.
  • Personal Arena Rating– Throughout Burning Crusade Classic, our PvP community has made it clear that they’d prefer the flexibility of rating being personal rather than tied to a fixed team, so we will be removing Arena Teams in Wrath Classic.
  • Barber Shop Improvements – In the years since the Barber Shop was first added in Wrath, World of Warcraft has added additional customization options, including some that originally were only available as paid services. We’re going to incorporate all of those improvements in Wrath Classic rather than reverting to the authentic 2008 behavior.

We’re excited to be able to bring this classic adventure to you, so don’t forget to sign up for the Beta. And, for the latest information and updates, keep checking WorldofWarcraft.com, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

We look forward to seeing you in Northrend!
by Published on 2022-04-19 02:11 AM

Shadowlands Season 4 - Defeat Weekly Fated Raids for Higher Item Level Loot
Shadowlands Season 4 introduces a new affix system that adds mechanical challenges into Castle Nathria, Sanctum of Domination, and Sepulcher of the First Ones. Every week, raid bosses will be empowered with a special affix "Fated" and drop higher item level loot.



Fated Items and Rewards
This week's build (Build 43254) adds two new caches Cache of Fated Treasures (Fated) and Cache of Fated Treasures (Fated Heroic), which could be the quest rewards from the weekly Timewalking Dungeon Event or Shadowlands Dungeon Event in Season 4.

Previously builds also added Fated related items that can be combined to upgrade Fated gear to Heroic or Mythic quality.
  • Confounding Antique Cypher - Combine 20 Confounding Antique Cyphers to create the Cosmic Creation Impetus, which can be used to improve Fated raid items to Heroic quality.
  • Cosmic Creation Impetus - Realize the potential in a Fated raid item, upgrading it to Heroic quality.
  • Confounding Ancient Cypher - Combine 20 Confounding Ancient Cyphers to create the Sacred Creation Impetus, which can be used to improve Fated raid items to Mythic quality.
  • Sacred Creation Impetus - Fulfil the destiny of a Fated raid item, upgrading it to Mythic quality.


Fated Powers
Originally Posted by MMO-Champion
Fated Power: Chaotic Essence

Fated Power: Chaotic Essence - Summons a Chaotic Essence which casts Chaotic Destruction, inflicting 800 Cosmic damage to all players if successful.

Upon interaction, the essence becomes hostile and instead continuously manifests Chaotic Motes. These motes channel 2 Cosmic damage into targeted players every 0.5 sec. for 3 sec. When defeated each mote splits into additional motes.

After 15 sec the Chaotic Essence dissipates, granting all players 2% increased damage done, 2% increased healing done, and 2% absorbs done for 30 sec. This effect stacks for each Chaotic Mote slain.


Fated Power: Protoform Barrier

Fated Power: Protoform Barrier - Protects the caster, reducing damage taken by 5% for 15 sec. This effect stacks every 1 sec.

Upon removal this barrier manifests as an attackable enemy, sharing a 1,400 absorb shield with all other enemies for 15 sec.

Upon expiration the barrier shatters, inflicting 80 Cosmic damage to all players.

If broken this effect backfires, inflicting all damage done to each enemy during the barrier as Cosmic damage, and additionally grants all players 10%-20% increased damage done for 20 sec.


Fated Power: Reconfiguration Emitter

Fated Power: Reconfiguration Emitter - Taints a player, inflicting 15 Cosmic damage every 1 sec. for 15 sec.

Upon removal this power manifests as an attackable enemy, which continuously casts. Successful casts inflict 40 Cosmic damage to all players.

While present the caster grants all players 5% increased damage done, 15% increased damage taken, and 15% increased healing done. This effect is disabled while the caster is unable to act.


Fated Power: Replicating Essence

Fated Power: Replicating Essence - Ensnares afflicted players, reducing movement speed by 15% and inflicting 15 Cosmic damage every 1 sec. for 5 sec.

Upon removal this essence patterns inself as 2 |4attackable enemy:attackable enemies;, which continuously channels 2 Cosmic damage every 0.5 sec. into targeted players for 4 sec.

Upon defeat grants all players 10% increased damage done and 10% increased healing and absorbs done for 10 sec.

Upon reaching full power, this essence replicates itself into 2 |4additional copy:additional copies;, exhausting itself preventing additional replication and no longer grants players any beneficial effects upon defeat. Exhausted Essences continuously channels 5 Cosmic damage every 1 sec. into multiple targeted players for 4 sec.
by Published on 2022-04-19 01:47 AM

Patch 9.2 Hotfixes - April 18, 2022
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
Classes

  • Druid
    • Balance
      • (2) Set Bonus: Celestial Pillar should only be able to be cast while within Wrath range, otherwise it will default to a target that is within range that is in combat with the player.
      • (2) Set Bonus: Fixed an issue where Celestial Pillar would spawn on allies.
  • Hunter
    • Survival
      • [With realm restarts] Wildfire Cluster (Runecarving Power) explosions now deals reduced damage when striking beyond 8 targets.
  • Warlock
    • Destruction
      • [With realm restarts] Inferno (Talent) now has a reduced chance for Rain of Fire to generate Soul Shard Fragments when it deals damage beyond 5 targets.

Developer Note: With this week’s weekly maintenance, we're reducing the damage of Survival Hunters and Destruction Warlocks against high target counts. In both cases, we were very deliberate in making changes that would not affect either spec below 5 or 8 targets. We were seeing situations where these specs had become dominant due to builds that emerged from 9.2. In the case of Survival Hunters, we still feel that the Wildfire Cluster will serve as an excellent Legendary choice in AoE situations but we are throttling its damage in a manner similar to other AOE abilities. For Destruction, we are focusing on the synergy between Inferno and Rain of Fire that leads to a dramatic increase in damage with target count due to resource generation.

Items and Rewards

by Published on 2022-04-18 11:13 PM

Patch 9.2.5 PTR - Build 43254
Build 43254 is now live on the PTR!


9.2.5 PTR Development Notes - April 18, 2022
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
Player Versus Player

  • Enigma Arena has been temporarily disabled.
  • Death Knight
    • Anti-Magic Zone’s spell damage reduction increased to 50% (was 20%) in PvP Combat.
    • Dome of Ancient Shadow (PvP Talent) has been removed.
  • Warlock
    • Affliction
      • New PvP Talent: Shadowfall – Gain the Nightfall talent with 100% increased chance to gain its effect. If you already have this talent, you may select another in the same row.

Professions
  • Increased the experience points earned when crafting Specialized Armor and Jewelry for creating Runecarving items by 400%.
    • Developers’ note: In order to allow more players to engage with the crafting system late in the expansion, as well as finish their legendary leveling for a reasonable cost, we are increasing the XP gained by rank so it only takes three crafts per rank to reach the next rank.

New Items
Here are some of the new items added in this build. Check out of the full list on the WoWDB PTR site.

LevelTypeSlotNameModel Viewer
1JunkGently Shaken Gift
1JunkWinter Veil Gift
1OtherNoise-Cancelling Earplugs
278OtherCache of Fated Treasures
291OtherCache of Fated Treasures
1QuestSheet of Music Place Holder
1QuestFalling Star Flinger
1QuestFalling Star Catcher
17PolearmTwo HandFallen Knight's Ranseur
 Modelviewer


Achievement Changes
Originally Posted by MMO-Champion
Covenant Sanctums
Expansion Features

Events
Feats of Strength

Feats of Strength
  • Back from the Beyond (New) Leave the Shadowlands better than it was when you entered by completing the following achievements. Title Reward: Veilstrider. Account Wide.

Shadowlands
Exploration

Quests

Shadowlands Dungeon
Dungeons & Raids



Spell Changes
Originally Posted by MMO-Champion
Shaman (Forums, Talent Calculator)
  • Windlash A massive gust of air that deals 100 Physical damage. 30 yd range. Instant. Requires One-Handed Axes, One-Handed Maces, Fist Weapons. 30 yd range. Instant.
  • Windlash Off-Hand A massive gust of air that deals 100 Physical damage. 30 yd range. Instant. Requires One-Handed Axes, One-Handed Maces, Fist Weapons. 30 yd range. Instant.

Elemental
  • Elemental Shaman Elemental Shaman baseline passive Increases damage/healing by 5%: Chain Lightning, Earth Shock, Earthen Rage, Earthquake, Echoing Shock, Elemental Blast, Flame Shock, Flametongue Attack, Frost Shock, Icefury, Lava Burst, Lightning Bolt, Lightning Shield, Liquid Magma Totem, Maelstrom, Static Discharge, Stormstrike, Stormstrike Off-Hand, Thunderstorm, Windfury Attack, Windstrike, Windstrike Off-Hand Increases periodic damage/healing by 5%: Chain Lightning, Earth Shock, Earthen Rage, Earthquake, Echoing Shock, Elemental Blast, Flame Shock, Flametongue Attack, Frost Shock, Icefury, Lava Burst, Lightning Bolt, Lightning Shield, Liquid Magma Totem, Maelstrom, Static Discharge, Stormstrike, Stormstrike Off-Hand, Thunderstorm, Windfury Attack, Windstrike, Windstrike Off-Hand Increases damage/healing by 13%: Healing Surge and Swelling Waves Increases damage/healing by 68%: Earth Shield Shaman - Elemental Spec. Shaman - Elemental Spec.

Warlock (Forums, Talent Calculator)
Affliction
  • Nightfall Corruption damage has a chance to cause your next Shadow Bolt to be instant and Drain Soul to deal 50% increased damage. Affliction Warlock - Level 15 Talent. Affliction Warlock - Level 15 Talent.
  • Shadowfall Gain the Nightfall talent with 100% increased chance to cause your next Shadow Bolt to be instant gain its effect. If you already have this talent, you may select another in the same row. PvP Talent. PvP Talent. Requires Warlock. Requires level 10.

Anima Powers
Shaman (Forums, Talent Calculator)

Item Effects
  • Decrypting Ancient Cyphers Combine 20 Confounding Antique Cyphers to create the Cosmic Creation Impetus, which can be used to improve Empowered Fated raid items to Heroic quality. 2 sec cast.
  • Decrypting Ancient Cyphers Combine 20 Confounding Ancient Cyphers to create the Sacred Creation Impetus, which can be used to improve Empowered Fated raid items to Mythic quality. 2 sec cast.
  • Healialic Restores 1% Restores 2% of max health to raid or party members within 30 yards every 1 2 sec. This effect will last for 15 min. Only works in Shadowlands outdoor areas or Oribos. 3 sec cast.
  • Illdari Bane Increases spell power against Demons by 185. Instant. 0.
  • Mark of the Chosen Has a 2% chance when struck in combat of increasing all stats by 25 your primary stat by 0 for 60 sec. Rank 1. Rank 1.
  • Noise-Cancelling Earplugs Instant. Put in the earplugs, blocking out the vocal exclamations of those around you. Instant. 5 min cooldown.
  • pscar test trinket Realize the potential in an Empowered a Fated raid item, upgrading it to Heroic quality. Instant.
  • pscar test trinket 2 Fulfil the destiny of an Empowered a Fated raid item, upgrading it to Mythic quality. Instant.
  • Star Flinger (New) Instant. 3 sec cooldown.
  • Star Slam 2 (New) Knockback nearby starcatchers. Instant. 3 sec cooldown.
  • Starcatcher Name changed from "Sticky Hands" to "Starcatcher". Instant. 12 sec cooldown. 3 sec cooldown.
  • Throw Toss to a friend, or onto a burning building. 15-60 yd range. Instant. Fling a star to a starcatcher! 20-60 yd range. Instant. 3 sec cooldown.

Raid & Dungeon Abilities
  • Deconstructing Energy Lihuvim causes protoform energy to collapse around several players, inflicting 10 Cosmic damage every 1 sec for 6 sec. Limited to 1 target. 300 yd range. Instant. 8 sec cooldown. 14 sec global cooldown.
  • Reconfiguration Emitter Name changed from "[PH] Interruptible Add" to "Reconfiguration Emitter". [PH] Interruptible Add Unlimited range. Instant. Taints a player, inflicting 15 Cosmic damage every 1 sec. for 15 sec. Upon removal this power manifests as an attackable enemy, which continuously casts. Successful casts inflict 40 Cosmic damage to all players. While present the caster grants all players 5% increased damage done, 15% increased damage taken, and 15% increased healing done. This effect is disabled while the caster is unable to act. Unlimited range. Instant.
  • Reconfiguration Emitter Name changed from "[PH] Interruptible Add" to "Reconfiguration Emitter". Unlimited range. Instant. Taints a player, inflicting 15 Cosmic damage every 1 sec. for 15 sec. Upon removal this power manifests as an attackable enemy, which continuously casts. Successful casts inflict 40 Cosmic damage to all players. While present the caster grants all players 5% increased damage done, 15% increased damage taken, and 15% increased healing done. This effect is disabled while the caster is unable to act. Unlimited range. Instant.
  • Reconfiguration Emitter Name changed from "[PH] Interruptible Add" to "Reconfiguration Emitter". [PH] Interruptible Add Unlimited range. Instant. Taints a player, inflicting 15 Cosmic damage every 1 sec. for 15 sec. Upon removal this power manifests as an attackable enemy, which continuously casts. Successful casts inflict 40 Cosmic damage to all players. While present the caster grants all players 5% increased damage done, 15% increased damage taken, and 15% increased healing done. This effect is disabled while the caster is unable to act. Unlimited range. Instant.
  • Reconfiguration Emitter Name changed from "[PH] Interruptible Add" to "Reconfiguration Emitter". $@spelldesc Taints a player, inflicting 15 Cosmic damage every 1 sec. for 15 sec. Upon removal this power manifests as an attackable enemy, which continuously casts. Successful casts inflict 40 Cosmic damage to all players. While present the caster grants all players 5% increased damage done, 15% increased damage taken, and 15% increased healing done. This effect is disabled while the caster is unable to act Unlimited range. Instant.
  • Replicating Essence (New) Ensnares afflicted players, reducing movement speed by 15% and inflicting 15 Cosmic damage every 1 sec. for 5 sec. Upon removal this essence patterns inself as 2 |4attackable enemy:attackable enemies;, which continuously channels 2 Cosmic damage every 0.5 sec. into targeted players for 4 sec. Upon defeat grants all players 2% increased damage done and 2% increased healing and absorbs done for 10 sec. Upon reaching full power, this essence replicates itself into 2 |4additional copy:additional copies;, exhausting itself preventing additional replication and no longer grants players any beneficial effects upon defeat. Exhausted Essences continuously channels 5 Cosmic damage every 1 sec. into multiple targeted players for 4 sec. Unlimited range. Instant.



Strings Changes
Originally Posted by MMO-Champion
  • ERR_LFG_NO_CROSS_FACTION_PARTIES - Cross faction parties are not allowed to queue for this instance. groups can't queue for this instance
  • ERR_MEETING_STONE_CANT_TARGET_UNFRIENDLY_IN_OVERWORLD (New) - You can't target this player outside of an instance
  • TRANSFER_ABORT_NOT_CROSS_FACTION_COMPATIBLE - This instance is not available to cross faction parties. isn't available for cross-faction groups



Misc Changes
Originally Posted by MMO-Champion
Battle Masters
  • All Arenas - Brawl. Level: 50-60. Players: 8-15. Rated players: 5. Maps: Ashamane's Fall, Black Rook Hold Arena, Blade's Edge Arena, Dalaran Sewers, Empyrean Domain, Enigma Chamber, Hook Point, Maldraxxus Coliseum, Mugambala, Nagrand Arena, Ruins of Lordaeron, The Robodrome, The Tiger's Peak, Tol'Viron Arena.
  • All Arenas - Level: 20-60. Players: 5. Rated players: 5. Map: Enigma Arena. Maps: Ashamane's Fall, Black Rook Hold Arena, Blade's Edge Arena, Dalaran Sewers, Empyrean Domain, Enigma Chamber, Hook Point, Maldraxxus Coliseum, Mugambala, Nagrand Arena, Ruins of Lordaeron, The Robodrome, The Tiger's Peak, Tol'Viron Arena.
  • Enigma Chamber (New) - Level: 60. Players: 6. Map: Enigma Chamber.
  • Enigma Chamber (New) - Level: 60. Players: 5. Rated players: 5. Map: Enigma Chamber.

Character Titles
  • %s, Maw Walker (New)
  • Veilstrider %s (New)

Group Finder Activities
Questing
  • Shadowlands > Korthia (New) - Area: Korthia.
  • Shadowlands > Zereth Mortis (New) - Area: Zereth Mortis.

Item Name Descriptions
  • Fated - Name changed from "Empowered" to "Fated". [color=#00FF00]Empowered Fated
  • Fated Heroic - Name changed from "Heroic Empowered" to "Fated Heroic". Heroic Empowered Fated Heroic
  • Fated Mythic - Name changed from "Mythic Empowered" to "Fated Mythic". Mythic Empowered Fated Mythic

Map Areas
Enigma Chamber
  • Enigma Chamber (New)

Map Difficulties
  • Enigma Chamber (New)

Maps
Shadowlands
  • Enigma Chamber (New) - Directory: 2547. Type: Arena. Time is always 12:00am.

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