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Warcraft Mobile Game Livestream Reveal - May 3rd, 2022 

by
Lumy
Published on 2022-04-28 05:15 PM

Warcraft Mobile Game Livestream Reveal - May 3rd, 2022
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
The Warcraft® universe continues to capture imaginations across the globe with enlightening experiences and immersive gameplay, that are the foundation for World of Warcraft and Hearthstone. We are happy to present a new mobile game for the heroes of Azeroth looking to play on the go, and we can’t wait to get it into your hands.

Mark your calendars and set your alarms as we unveil the next rewarding mobile experience designed from the ground up for mobile devices—you won’t want to miss it.

Date and Time

May 3 at 10:00 a.m. PDT / 19:00 CEST

Where to Watch

reveal.blizzard.com

We’re excited to share Warcraft experiences and counting down for the big reveal—keep checking reveal.warcraft.com.
111 Comments

Activision Blizzard Stockholders Approve Proposed Microsoft Transaction 

by
Lumy
Published on 2022-04-28 04:45 PM

Activision Blizzard Stockholders Approve Proposed Microsoft Transaction
Originally Posted by Activision Blizzard
Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) announced that its stockholders approved Microsoft Corporation’s (Nasdaq: MSFT) proposal to acquire Activision Blizzard at the Activision Blizzard Special Meeting of Stockholders held earlier today. More than 98% of the shares voted at the Special Meeting were voted in favor of the proposed transaction with Microsoft.

On January 18, 2022, Microsoft announced plans to acquire Activision Blizzard for $95.00 per share in an all-cash transaction. Subject to customary closing conditions and the completion of regulatory review, the proposed transaction is expected to close in Microsoft’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.

“Today’s overwhelmingly supportive vote by our stockholders confirms our shared belief that, combined with Microsoft, we will be even better positioned to create great value for our players, even greater opportunities for our employees, and to continue our focus on becoming an inspiring example of a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive workplace,” said Bobby Kotick, CEO, Activision Blizzard.

The complete results of the Special Meeting will be reported in a Form 8-K to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by early next week, after certification by Activision Blizzard’s Inspector of Election.
37 Comments

PvP Concerns in Dragonflight - Talent Tree, Solo Shuffle, War Mode, Trinket Set Bonus 

by
Lumy
Published on 2022-04-28 01:35 AM

PvP Concerns in Dragonflight - Talent Tree, Solo Shuffle, War Mode, Trinket Set Bonus
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
Will interrupt be on the talent tree forcing people to lose one extra point towards being viable in PvP? Will we lose a ton of passives for filler on the talent trees?
We can understand players trepidation about what abilities will and will not end up in the talent tree. It’s something we’re currently iterating on a great deal. But players will receive 1 talent point for each level between level 10 and 60, 26 class points and 25 spec points for a total of 51 points. Frankly, it’s hard to really put concerns to rest through a forum post. We’re working to get some talent trees in front of the community as quickly as we can so we can work together to iterate on what designs provide compelling choices and player agency balanced with familiarity.

How will ranked Solo Shuffle work? Is it actually happening?
It would be good to clarify that when we’re talking about Solo Queue Rated PvP in 10.0, we are talking specifically about Rated Solo Shuffle. The feature will function in the same way it does as the brawl, with 6 rounds and rotating teams, queueable in the ranked Arena queueing tab. The team is working through some of the intricacies of rewards in the game mode as we want it to have it’s own prestigious reward, although players will certaintly be able to attain Elite gear – more info to come in the future.

Will the Pvp talents be the same or different (Seems to be two different answers from two different people from different interviews) for Dragonflight?
The PvP talent system will exist in its current form – an available pool of talents that players can pick 3 from, with the talents being accessible in all types of PvP content (warmode and instanced). That being said, we expect the new talent system to have a lot of interesting choices for PvP players in how to customize their characters between different types of PvP content and compositions.

Will the Pvp talent trees include stuff that has been removed from PvP talents/Talent trees?
Not exactly sure what is meant here, so I’ll have to ask you for more clarification.

Will people not in warmode get access to PvP talent trees at all or will it be Warmode enabled only?
I believe this was answered above.

Will double PvP trinket set bonus be the same or change again?
We’re happy with how this bonus has worked out. It provides a big boost to players early as they first acquire gear and it has tuning knobs to adjust throughput and stamina separately. It’s possible that it will change but we’re pretty happy with it for now.
17 Comments

Patch 9.2.5 PTR - Build 43412 

by
Lumy
Published on 2022-04-27 10:38 PM

Patch 9.2.5 PTR - Build 43412
Build 43412 will be deployed to the PTR realms soon.

  • Mythic+ Season 4 Keystone Affix is now called Disguised.
  • There's a new title reward "Cryptic Hero" for players that end Mythic+ Season 3 in the top 0.1% of their faction.
  • Dungeon Teleports have been added for Grimrail Depot, Iron Docks, Operation: Mechagon and Return to Karazhan.
  • Shadowlands Raid Teleports have been added as a reward for completing all three Fated raids on Mythic difficulty in Shadowlands Season 4.


9.2.5 PTR Development Notes - April 28, 2022
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
Hello everyone! Here are the notes for this week’s PTR update:

Achievements

  • All Covenant Sanctum feature achievements are now visible and count towards your character’s total achievement points, regardless of which covenant your character currently belongs to. Nonetheless, all characters must belong to a Covenant to earn that Covenant’s specific achievements.

Items and Rewards

  • Reward boxes from Callings now contain twice as many Grateful Offerings, still scaling with your covenant sanctum’s Anima Conductor level.
  • The Zereth Mortis weekly quest “Patterns Within Patterns” now awards Grateful Offerings.

New Music
We have datamined new music which appears to be a part of "Lament of the Highborne"/Blood Elf music, which could be used for the Blood Elf questline in 9.2.5.



New Items
Five new items have been added in this build.

LevelTypeSlotNameModel Viewer
1JunkPuzzling Cartel Dinar
1Two-handed MaceTwo HandLavaforge Monolith
 Modelviewer
233One-handed SwordOne HandLamenting Blade
 Modelviewer
233StaffTwo HandChoral Staff
 Modelviewer
233DaggerOne HandOverture's Shiv
 Modelviewer


Achievement Changes
Originally Posted by MMO-Champion
Covenant Sanctums
Expansion Features
  • Re-Re-Re-Renowned Reach Renown level 80 with each of the four Covenants. 10 points.Account Wide.

Dungeons
Feats of Strength

Shadowlands Raid
Dungeons & Raids



Spell Changes
Originally Posted by MMO-Champion
Item Set Bonuses
Monk (Forums, Talent Calculator)
  • Keg of the Heavens Keg Smash deals an additional 50% 50% additional damage, heals you for 66% of damage dealt, and grants 66% of damage dealt as maximum health for 10 sec. stacking up to 10 times.

Hunter (Forums, Talent Calculator)
  • Bestial Wrath Sends you and your pet into a rage, instantly dealing [ 67% of Attack Power + 1.3% of Spell Power ] Physical damage to its target, and increasing all damage you both deal by 25% for 15 sec. Removes Fear and Horrify all crowd control effects from your pet. Bestial Wrath's remaining cooldown is reduced by 12 sec each time you use Barbed Shot. 10 yd range. Instant.

Beast Mastery
  • Bestial Wrath Sends you and your pet into a rage, instantly dealing [ 67% of Attack Power + 1.3% of Spell Power ] Physical damage to its target, and increasing all damage you both deal by 25% for 15 sec. Removes Fear and Horrify all crowd control effects from your pet. Bestial Wrath's remaining cooldown is reduced by 12 sec each time you use Barbed Shot. Hunter - Beast Mastery Spec. Hunter - Beast Mastery Spec. 100 yd range. Instant. 1.5 min cooldown.

Mage (Forums, Talent Calculator)
  • Arcane Intellect Infuses the target with brilliance, increasing their Intellect by 5% for 60 min. If the target is in your party or raid, all party and raid members will be affected. 4% of Base Mana. 40 yd range. Instant.

Paladin (Forums, Talent Calculator)
Holy
  • Divine Favor Your next Holy Light or Flash of Light is increased by 50% 40%, casts 30% faster, and is unable to be interrupted. PvP Talent. PvP Talent. Instant. 30 sec cooldown. Requires Paladin. Requires level 10.

Priest (Forums, Talent Calculator)
Holy
  • Miracle Worker Holy Word: Serenity now has 2 charges and a 20% 10% reduced cooldown. PvP Talent. PvP Talent. Requires Priest. Requires level 10.

Shaman (Forums, Talent Calculator)
  • Frost Shock Elemental, Restoration, Initial: Chills the target with frost, causing [ 63% of Spell Power ] Frost damage and reducing the target's movement speed by 50% for 6 sec. Enhancement: Chills the target with frost, causing [ 63% of Spell Power ] Frost damage and reducing the target's movement speed by 50% for 6 sec. Frost Shock shares a cooldown with Flame Shock. 1% of Base Mana. 40 yd range. Instant.

Runeforge Legendary Abilities
Hunter (Forums, Talent Calculator)
  • Wildfire Cluster Wildfire Bomb drops an additional cluster of bombs around the target, each exploding for [ 33% of Attack Power ] Fire damage.Damage is reduced beyond 8 targets.

Warlock (Forums, Talent Calculator)
  • Implosive Potential Implosion grants 1% haste for 12 sec for each Imp exploded. When this damages at least 3 targets, instead gain 5% haste per Imp.A maximum of 15 exploded Imps can grant this benefit.

Anima Powers
Shaman (Forums, Talent Calculator)
  • Consumed by Flame Secrets of Living Flame prevents you from accessing Frost magic. Frost Shock Elemental, Restoration, Initial: Chills the target with frost, causing [ 63% of Spell Power ] Frost damage and reducing the target's movement speed by 50% for 6 sec. Enhancement: Chills the target with frost, causing [ 63% of Spell Power ] Frost damage and reducing the target's movement speed by 50% for 6 sec. Frost Shock shares a cooldown with Flame Shock. Instant. Instant.

Item Effects
  • Budget K'thir Disguise Instant. Call forth a friend from the deep to rest atop your head. Instant.
  • Earpieces of Tranquil Focus Name changed from "Noise-Cancelling Earplugs" to "Earpieces of Tranquil Focus". Put in the earplugs, blocking out the vocal exclamations Put on the earpieces, tuning out the musical and vocal projections of those around you. Instant. 5 min cooldown.
  • Pulsating Riftshard Places a Rift Portal in front of you that charges for 3 sec sec before unleashing a blast of 0 Cosmic damage split between enemies in a line. The portal plunders reality itself, granting you a shield for 20 sec which absorbs 0 damage. Damage and absorption are increased for each enemy struck, up to 5 enemies. Instant. 60 sec cooldown.
  • Resonant Rage When Pocopoc possesses a Coreless Vombata, it has a chance to cast an 8 sec sec Bloodlust on kill. This effect will last for 15 min. Only works in Shadowlands outdoor areas or Oribos. 3 sec cast.
  • Star Slam 2 Become a starcatcher! Use again to Knockback nearby starcatchers. Instant. 3 sec cooldown.
  • Summon Elemental Familiar Summons a random Fire, Water, or Earth familiar. Familiars of different types have a tendency to fight each other Unlimited range. 2 sec cast. 5 min cooldown.
  • Throw Fling a star to a starcatcher Become a star flinger! Use again to fling a star to starcatchers! 20-60 yd range. Instant. 3 sec cooldown.
  • Toxicialic Inflict up to 6% max health damage to up to 5 enemies within 40 yards every 5 sec. Elite enemies suffer reduced damage. This effect will last for 15 min. Only works in Shadowlands outdoor areas or Oribos. 3 sec cast.

Raid & Dungeon Abilities
  • Blazing Ember Pit Inflicts 4 Inflicts 8 Fire damage every 1 sec. Standing in a pit of blazing embers tends to hurt. You should probably move. Unlimited range. Instant.
  • Chaotic Destruction 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 25 sec. This effect stacks for each Chaotic Mote slain. Unlimited range. 30 sec cast.
  • Conflagration Blazing Tricksters are wreathed in intense flames, burning any targets who come too close to them. Burned targets are disoriented and suffer 2 3 Fire damage every sec. for 2.5 sec. Instant.
  • Creation Spark Name changed from "[PH] Hot Potato" to "Creation Spark". Unlimited range. Instant. Charges a player, inflicting 3 Cosmic damage every 1 sec. for 30 sec. This effect stacks. Upon removal this charge jettisons Creation Sparks to nearby locations, infusing players within 0 yards of the impact location, increasing the flow of time by 15%, increasing casting, attack speed, cooldown recharge rate, and periodic tick rates and additionally increasing movement speed by 25% for 30 sec. Unlimited range. Instant.
  • Debilitating Ray Channels a beam of debilitating energy, inflicting 12 7 Shadow damage every 2 sec. and decreasing movement speed and damage dealt. Instant.
  • Fated Infusion: Creation Spark Name changed from "[PH] Hot Potato" to "Fated Infusion: Creation Spark". Unlimited range. Instant. Charges a player, inflicting 3 Cosmic damage every 1 sec. for 30 sec. This effect stacks. Upon removal this charge jettisons Creation Sparks to nearby locations, infusing players within 0 yards of the impact location, increasing the flow of time by 15%, increasing casting, attack speed, cooldown recharge rate, and periodic tick rates and additionally increasing movement speed by 25% for 30 sec. Unlimited range. Instant.
  • Fated Infusion: Reconfiguration Emitter Name changed from "Reconfiguration Emitter" to "Fated Infusion: Reconfiguration Emitter". Taints a player, inflicting 15 Cosmic damage every 1 sec. for 15 sec. Upon removal this power manifests as Manifests an attackable enemy, which continuously casts. Successful casts inflict 40 This enemy remains immune to damage until the first successful cast or interrupt. Successful casts inflict 30 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. Upon defeat this enemy infuses all players with power based on the energy level of the emitter, increasing mastery by up to 10, critical strike chance by up to 10%, versatility by up to 10%, and avoidance by up to 8. Unlimited range. Instant.
  • Fated Infusion: Replicating Essence Name changed from "Replicating Essence" to "Fated Infusion: Replicating Essence".
  • Flame Spit Spits a line of flame, inflicting 7 6 damage every 1 sec. Instant.
  • Inhale Inflicts 39 Inflicts 38 Physical damage to those who are caught in the maw. 300 yd range. Instant.
  • Protoform Barrier Protects the caster, reducing damage taken by 5% for 15 sec. This effect stacks every 1 Empowers the caster, inflicting 1 Cosmic damage to all players every 3 sec. Upon removal this barrier manifests as an attackable enemy, sharing a one attackable enemy, casting a shared 1,400 absorb shield with all other enemies for 15 sec. Upon expiration the barrier shatters, inflicting 80 Cosmic damage to all players A second unit manifests that also can be healed to reduce the shared shield. Upon expiration the barrier explodes, inflicting 50 Cosmic damage and an additional 5 Cosmic damage every 1 sec. to all players for 8 sec. 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. Unlimited range. Instant. up to 25% increased damage done, 25% healing done, and 25% increased absorbs done for 40 sec. Unlimited range. Instant.
  • Reconfiguration Emitter Taints a player, inflicting 15 Cosmic damage every 1 sec. for 15 sec. Upon removal this power manifests as Manifests an attackable enemy, which continuously casts. Successful casts inflict 40 This enemy remains immune to damage until the first successful cast or interrupt. Successful casts inflict 30 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. Upon defeat this enemy infuses all players with power based on the energy level of the emitter, increasing mastery by up to 10, critical strike chance by up to 10%, versatility by up to 10%, and avoidance by up to 8. Unlimited range. Instant.
  • Reconfiguration Emitter Taints a player, inflicting 15 Cosmic damage every 1 sec. for 15 sec. Upon removal this power manifests as Manifests an attackable enemy, which continuously casts. Successful casts inflict 40 This enemy remains immune to damage until the first successful cast or interrupt. Successful casts inflict 30 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 Upon defeat this enemy infuses all players with power based on the energy level of the emitter, increasing mastery by up to 10, critical strike chance by up to 10%, versatility by up to 10%, and avoidance by up to 8. Unlimited range. 5 sec cast.
  • Vileblood Serum Poison erupts from the target's skin, creating puddles that inflict 7 6 Nature damage every 1.5 sec. 40 yd range. Instant.



Strings Changes
Originally Posted by MMO-Champion
  • ERR_CANT_TARGET_UNFRIENDLY_IN_OVERWORLD (New) - You can't target this player outside of an instance
  • LIMITED_CURRENCY_PURCHASE (New) - This item costs %s. After this, you'll only be able to spend %d more %s.|n|n Are you sure you want to exchange %s for this item?
  • LIMITED_CURRENCY_PURCHASE_FINAL (New) - This is your final %s to spend. After this, the %s merchants will leave.|n|n Are you sure you want to exchange %s for this item?
  • SOCIAL_CONTRACT_ACCEPT_BUTTON (New) - Accept
  • SOCIAL_CONTRACT_DECLINE_BUTTON (New) - Exit Game
  • SOCIAL_CONTRACT_TEXT1 (New) - |cffffffffHail, traveler, and welcome to the World of Warcraft!|r|n|n|cffffd200Azeroth is a living world full of people like you - other players with different backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and histories who have all come together to play World of Warcraft. Every player deserves to have a world that they feel safe in, so please take a minute to read our Social Contract.|r|n|n|n|cffffffffWhile in Azeroth, do your best to:|r|n|n
  • SOCIAL_CONTRACT_TEXT2 (New) - |cffffd200- Connect with other players and make friends! Being courteous in group content can help you and your teammates have the best time possible. Sending a friendly hello message can help set your group up for success.|n|n- Play as a team with your fellow players - whether in dungeons, raids, battlegrounds, arenas, or out questing in the world. Do your best to support your team through your communication and behaviors so that you can all celebrate your success together.|n|n- Assist other players that you encounter in the world. Maybe they need some help defeating a tough monster, or maybe they could use a little healing!|n|n- Help answer questions others have in chat channels like General or Trade. We were all newbies once - one person offering some help can go a long way!|n|n
  • SOCIAL_CONTRACT_TEXT3 (New) - We recognize that the Internet is not always a safe haven. With that in mind, please note that the following behaviors are not accepted in Azeroth:|n|n- Hate speech, including negative comments that target another player's identity, including aspects like race, gender, or ability|n|n- Harassment, threats, or abusive / derogatory language and behaviors|n|n- Spamming, advertising, or other disruptive behaviors|n|nIf you harm your fellow adventurers with any of the above behaviors, you are subject to punishment up to and including suspension of your account.|n|nIt's a big world out there, with all sorts of people in it. So please try to be respectful of each other, and if you ever feel like somebody is acting against this code, please report those behaviors so that our team can look into it. Together, you can help us make the World of Warcraft a safe home away from home for everyone.|r
  • SOCIAL_CONTRACT_TITLE_BAR (New) - Social Contract
  • VAS_TOKEN_TOOLTIP_STATUS_NO_CHARACTERS (New) - You don't have any eligible characters on this realm.
  • VAS_TOKEN_TOOLTIP_STATUS_REVIEW (New) - Your order is being processed. Please check back later.



Garrison Mission Changes
Originally Posted by MMO-Champion
9.2 Encounter - Zereth Mortis
  • Corrupted Builders Name changed from "Corrupted Builders." to "Corrupted Builders". Level 60. Item Level 800. 5 Followers. Cost: 50 Resources. Duration: 10 hrs. What once build built the world now destroys it. See if you can slow their destructive advance.. Rewards: 500 XP
  • Not so Slow Moving Target Level 60. Item Level 800. 5 Followers. Cost: 50 Resources. Duration: 10 hrs. The local gastropds have been accelrated gastropods have been accelerated and pack a punch. Deal with them.. Rewards: 500 XP



Misc Changes
Originally Posted by MMO-Champion
Battle Masters
  • All Arenas - Level: 20-60. Players: 5. 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. Map: Enigma Chamber.
  • Enigma Arena - Brawl. Level: 60. Players: 6. Rated players: 6. Map: Enigma Arena. Chamber.

Character Titles
  • %s the [PH] Season 4 Title (New)
  • %s, Hero of Fate (New)

Group Finder Activities
Dungeons
  • Grimrail Depot (Mythic Keystone) - Name changed from "Grimrail Depot (Challenge)" to "Grimrail Depot (Mythic Keystone)".
  • Iron Docks (Mythic Keystone) - Name changed from "Iron Docks (Challenge)" to "Iron Docks (Mythic Keystone)".

Holidays
  • Fated Raids: Castle Nathria (New) - This week, bosses in Castle Nathria are empowered with increased difficulty and a special affix. Loot drops are upgraded to a higher item level.
  • Fated Raids: Sanctum of Domination (New) - This week, bosses in Sanctum of Domination are empowered with increased difficulty and a special affix. Loot drops are upgraded to a higher item level.
  • Fated Raids: Sepulcher of the First Ones (New) - This week, bosses in Sepulcher of the First Ones are empowered with increased difficulty and a special affix. Loot drops are upgraded to a higher item level.

Keystone Affixes
  • Disguised - Name changed from "Reclaimed" to "Disguised".

LFG Dungeons
Unknown
  • An Audience with Arrogance (New) - Denathrius eagerly awaits the heroes in his tower for the final confrontation to decide the fate of Revendreth. Map: Castle Nathria. Roles: 1-2 tank/4-5 healer/13-18 damage.
  • Blood from Stone (New) - Denathrius's Stone Legion Generals lie in wait, preparing a trap that will destroy the rebellion once and for all. Map: Castle Nathria. Roles: 1-2 tank/4-5 healer/13-18 damage.
  • Cornerstone of Creation (New) - Lihuvim fights a losing battle against domination. Unless saved, the keeper's power will become the Jailer's. Map: Sepulcher of the First Ones. Roles: 1-2 tank/4-5 healer/13-18 damage.
  • Domination's Grasp (New) - Zovaal's greatest followers have destroyed millions of civilations. Will they now unmake the universe? Map: Sepulcher of the First Ones. Roles: 1-2 tank/4-5 healer/13-18 damage.
  • Ephemeral Plains (New) - The essence of creation is being devoured. If left unchecked, reality will collapse. Map: Sepulcher of the First Ones. Roles: 1-2 tank/4-5 healer/13-18 damage.
  • Reliquary of Opulence (New) - With the aristocracy reveling in victory, heroes must crash their party and dismantle their power base. Map: Castle Nathria. Roles: 1-2 tank/4-5 healer/13-18 damage.
  • Shackles of Fate (New) - The soul river ends at the tower's peak. Destroy those feeding off it to free the countless souls deprived of their afterlife. Map: Sanctum of Domination. Roles: 1-2 tank/4-5 healer/13-18 damage.
  • The Dark Bastille (New) - Screams of the tormented fuel the Jailer's army. End their suffering and deprive the Maw of its most precious resource. Map: Sanctum of Domination. Roles: 1-2 tank/4-5 healer/13-18 damage.
  • The Grand Design (New) - The Jailer sits on the cusp of ultimate victory. Unless stopped, the cosmos will succumb to his power. Map: Sepulcher of the First Ones. Roles: 1-2 tank/4-5 healer/13-18 damage.
  • The Jailer's Vanguard (New) - The Jailer's vanguard stands ready to repel any attack. Their lines must be broken to breach the Jailer's sanctum. Map: Sanctum of Domination. Roles: 1-2 tank/4-5 healer/13-18 damage.
  • The Leeching Vaults (New) - Like an open wound, anima bleeds from Castle Nathria's vaults. The hemorrhaging must be stopped before Revendreth is drained. Map: Castle Nathria. Roles: 1-2 tank/4-5 healer/13-18 damage.
  • The Reckoning (New) - Atop the Tower, Sylvanas Windrunner awaits. Here, the final confrontation for the fate of the cosmos will take place. Map: Sanctum of Domination. Roles: 1-2 tank/4-5 healer/13-18 damage.

Map Areas
Enigma Arena
  • Enigma Arena - Music: ZONE_925_PVP_EnigmaArena.

Enigma Chamber
  • Enigma Chamber - Music: ZONE_925_PVP_EnigmaArena.

Mounts
Ground Mounts
  • Vicious Warstalker - Ground Mount. Vicious Warstalker. "Trample the Alliance to dust while riding a majestic protoform wolf! For the Horde!" Source: PH PvP: Shadowlands: Season 4 Rated Arena and Rated Battleground Season Reward
  • Vicious Warstalker - Ground Mount. Vicious Warstalker. "Trample the Horde to dust while riding a majestic protoform wolf! For the Alliance!" Source: PH PvP: Shadowlands: Season 4 Rated Arena and Rated Battleground Season Reward
11 Comments

World of Warcraft: Dragonflight - Developer Twitter Space 

by
chaud
Published on 2022-04-27 04:15 PM

World of Warcraft: Dragonflight - Developer Twitter Space
The Twitter Space conversation took place today. We've recapped some of the points below.

Expansion Progress
  • The expansion is quite far along, Alpha is coming soon.

New Expansion
  • Every WoW expansion is a fresh start, a chance to come back and be on a level playing field with everyone else.
  • If there is something about World of Warcraft that captured your imagination years ago that you haven't felt was fulfilled in the last few years, Dragonflight's return to core high fantasy, exploration, and discovering the story as you go meeting characters along the way, is a great chance to get back in and check it out.
  • This expansion is an opportunity to dive back in to the classic fantasy themes that made us all fall in love with games like this in the first place.

Quality of Life Changes
  • The team is moving on from borrowed power and is going to focus on evergreen systems like talents and professions. This was a decision that they made before Shadowlands even launched.
  • The feedback let the team know how bad it felt to walk away from borrowed power. Losing your artifacts or legendary items started an expansion on a sour note.
  • Knowing that what you earned over an expansion would be gone felt bad even during an expansion.
  • The team wants to allow players to play the game how they want, not having to do parts of the game they don't enjoy to get at the parts that they do enjoy.
  • The team is thinking about how alts and catch-up mechanisms will work in a way that they haven't done before.
  • Nearly everything except obtaining gear should be account wide.
  • Playing through a linear narrative should be optional after the first time that you do it.
  • Having to improve your Dragonriding skill on multiple characters wouldn't be a satisfying experience.
  • Constantly asking how something will feel the second time through, or if you are coming along months down the line.
  • If your dragon can fly for longer, further, and has extra abilities, the team doesn't want to make you re-earn those things on your alts. The same stands for cosmetic customizations.
  • Outside of things that grant power, if you do something once as a player, you should be able to repeat it on another character if you want to, but you shouldn't have to.
  • The goal is to be alt friendly from the start, not something that is added in future updates.
  • No suffering for months and then adjusting for feedback, they know people will be playing alts from week one.

Dracthyr Starting Zone
  • You come into a mystery, awakening after being in stasis for a long time. Stasis has wreaked havoc on your memory, so all that you know is that you are in a barrack, with friends that are in trouble.
  • You help awaken your friends and then try to figure out what has been happening, what caused this.
  • You realize that you've been asleep for a very long time.
  • It's a journey of discovery, figuring out what happened to you and Neltharion.
  • You find out that you were made to be a solider, to protect against a threat that was coming. You'll find out what the threat was and that it is also awakening again.
  • It'll be fun to see how the dragons react to you, even Alexstrasza didn't know that you existed.
  • The Dracthyr starting zone will be used for more than just a starting zone. Everyone will eventually experience it.

Reputation System
  • The reputation system hasn't really changed since 2004. There are bars you fill up, you go find a quartermaster for the rewards.
  • Covenants in Shadowlands played out well in Shadowlands, with a nice Renown UI that showed your progression.
  • There are some "Major Factions" that we'll encounter, with a clearer and more elegant reward progression.
  • Each of the Major Factions stand on their own. Unlike the Covenants, you can switch around and focus on any of them as you'd like to.
  • Covenants were more time gated but these factions will be much more flexible. Covenants were your power progression, so it had to be gated.
  • Some rewards will be account wide, such as unlocking a cosmetic or access to an outdoor zone, but not items that give you power.

Mission Table
  • There are no current plans for a mission table.

Story
  • There is an epic ending that involves characters that we'll adventure along during the expansion.
  • The team wants player to feel a sense of optimism and hope for the dragons. You will care about who you are adventuring alongside and the lands.
  • Thematically this expansion is about the dragons, the threats they face, the goals they have, what we are doing to help them, and what other dragons are doing to stop them.

Mythic+
  • Shadowlands and Battle for Azeroth dungeons are off limits for Mythic+, Mists had some that had great Challenge modes.
  • The team is open to tweaking dungeons to give them modern gameplay needed for Mythic+
  • Every Mythic+ season should be a fresh experience, just like raiders get a fresh experience with new raids.
  • Unlikely, but possible, to go back to use Classic dungeons for Mythic+. They don't hold up with visuals or mechanics. The team probably draws the line at Mists of Pandaria onwards. Anything older would need significant reworking.

Dracthyr
  • Dracthyr are an intellect class.
  • Initial thoughts on weapon types will be what Shamans can use, minus shields, plus swords.
  • Unlikely to have Mage Tower access, at least initially.
  • They'll be able to run Torghast.
  • No Artifact weapons or Class Hall. Chromie Time only goes so far.
  • The Art team has added an amazing array of customizations for both forms. There's a blog post in the works by the artists to talk through the options in more detail.
  • They aren't from a single race or Dragonflight, more of a combination of the best from all of them.
  • When you awaken, you are in your draconic form. There will come a point in the story where you'll venture out into the larger world, and you'll have to tap into the mortality within to present their visage form.
  • A Tank spec is unlikely. This is a spellcaster class at its core.
  • The team won't close the door on a third spec, but tank is unlikely. Previous Hero classes have had Tank options, so that's pretty well covered.

Chromie Time
  • Chromie Time is working well overall. The intent is to roll Shadowlands into it.
  • Battle for Azeroth remains the default experience for new players, but that may be updated down the line.
  • Shadowlands is a challenging story concept for new players.

Story
  • Wrathion and other Aspects have built a lot of story over time that will be present in the Dragon Isles.
  • In Patch 9.2.5 something takes place in Tirisfal Glades, and may let us catch up with Calia Menethil, get an update on the Forsaken, and more.
  • When the team adds new character customizations, such as the Patch 8.1 customizations, they are added when there is a story opportunity.

Dragonriding
  • Flight as it has existed is swimming through the air. No momentum, physics, or gravity.
  • Flying has the potential to shrink the world, eliminate danger, reduce exploration.
  • Long term, convivence is paramount, so the team let people unlock flying after some amount of time in the expansion.
  • At launch, this time around they wanted to do something new and exciting, rather than just being stuck on the ground.
  • In the first or second leveling zone, first day of the expansion, you gain the trust of a dragon companion that you can call upon. They initially have limited stamina and experience.
  • There is a stamina bar that is depleted through gaining stamina or doing moves.
  • Standard flying is still the long term plan for Dragonflight.
  • The Dragonriding we have seen in the videos so far will be fairly early in the experience. It won't start out lame and have you work to make it feel good.
  • TBD how you'll advance your Dragonriding skill. They don't want to tie it to one specific type of content, as that is limiting.
  • Long term, allowing Dragonriding outside of Dragon Isles is a possibility. In the near term, this is an expansion specific feature, taking place in an environment built for it. Player feedback is key.

Cross-Faction Play
  • The armistice signed at the end of Battle for Azeroth was the starting point for cross-faction play. Players will be reminded that this is a cooperative venture.
  • Everything isn't forgotten between the Alliance and Horde, there is still resentfulness and distrust.
  • We'll get to see some characters working together that would be previously unthinkable. In the past you wouldn't see these rivals working side by side to a shared goal.
  • In some ways, this is less about the narrative adapting to the new mechanic, but the mechanic adapting to the narrative from the past. Situational cooperation to overcome common threats has a history throughout Warcraft.
  • Cross-faction guilds could happen, but there are a significant number of technical challenges.
  • Community feedback and engineering progress will determine how any cross-faction play will go.

Systems
  • Borrowed power going away.
  • The team didn't carry forward most of the Shadowlands systems. There is gear, outdoor progression, and universal currencies that help to further your power progression.
  • The outdoor world experience needs to stand on its own for players that enjoy only that part of the game.
  • Some version of the Great Vault is being carried forward, with some small tweaks. It felt like a clear improvement from the single item chest.

Story
  • Tuskarr would be too powerful as an Allied Race!
  • Alexstrasza has seen a lot of carnage done to dragons by both mortals and dragons. She is optimistic but will acknowledge hard feelings towards previous actions. She may something specific to Death Knights. Conditional quest text when there is history relevant to a character is nice to have.
  • The World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: Northrend book is coming with lots of cool stuff.
  • When working on the Northrend book, the team met with some Inuit people to see how they could add some story in a way that would be respectful and feel good.
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