Bets on the next hero released?

[Raugnaut]

Mahda? If actually hint with butterflies from blizzcon trailer is actually true.

And where is rumors about Stukov? I wanna know. :P

In a "Find Valeera" post a bit back, if you looked closely, you could see a few Infested Cocoons that Infestors spray out. So its either an Infestor hero, OR its Stukov.

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I doubt he'll be a specialist, he'll be a mage most probably with sustained damage.

It really depends on what aspects of Kel'Thuzad they bring out. Note that Kel'Thuzad was both a Lich AND a Necromancer, although his Lich side is his more represented side. Liches generally sling about a lot of shadow and frost spells, and they have Necromancy - But raising Skeletons would be unlikely considering that we have Xul for that. If its based on his WC3 abilities, we will have a heavy-damaging AoE (Death and Decay), CCs (Frost Nova), Defensive (Frost Armor), and Mana sustain (DArk Pact), but its unlikely they will use all this as it would become similar to Jaina. But eh - Exactly WHAT Kel'Thuzad will be is up in the air entirely.

[Straamibuu]

Perhaps Kel'Thuzad will be a ranged version of Murky, able to respawn from his phylactery placed somewhere on the map?

[Raugnaut]

Perhaps Kel'Thuzad will be a ranged version of Murky, able to respawn from his phylactery placed somewhere on the map?

I think it is highly unlikely that Blizzard will release another hero like Murky anytime soon, considering how Murky currently is.

[Stormcall]

As long as it's not another WC hero I'll be happy.

[RH92]

It really depends on what aspects of Kel'Thuzad they bring out. Note that Kel'Thuzad was both a Lich AND a Necromancer, although his Lich side is his more represented side. Liches generally sling about a lot of shadow and frost spells, and they have Necromancy - But raising Skeletons would be unlikely considering that we have Xul for that. If its based on his WC3 abilities, we will have a heavy-damaging AoE (Death and Decay), CCs (Frost Nova), Defensive (Frost Armor), and Mana sustain (DArk Pact), but its unlikely they will use all this as it would become similar to Jaina. But eh - Exactly WHAT Kel'Thuzad will be is up in the air entirely.

I personally can see Kel'thuzad as utility support. When you are looking for inspiration across all Liches in Warcraft, they focus a lot on debilitating enemies, empowering allies, summoning/raising minions and using Frost Magic as the main offensive power. They just don't feel like front line spell casters murdering waves of enemies.

For example Kel'thuzad himself has ability Detonate Mana which does AoE damage equal to mana drained. Or Lady Deathwhisper has ability Dark Empowerment which makes spells deal AoE damage, I don't think this would work in HotS, but they could make it to speed up cooldowns and give ability power as we lack supporting abilities that focus on improving ability based Heroes (Not only Mages, but Alarak too for example), maybe also increase Healing! Then you can give him some Frost damaging ability that maybe can give some benefit (Frost Armor?) to allies and debuff on enemies, I don't know.

His Heroics are also not hard to make up, Death and Decay is basically a massive percentage based AoE damage ability. As a second Heroic, they could easily steal Warcraft III Death Knight heroic, Animate Dead. You place a mark on friendly target and when he dies, he is raised for X seconds immune to all damage.

And his trait? Well, I think it would be cool if he had his phylactery. Not like Murky egg though, he just drops it when he dies and if the phylactery is not destroyed in time, he will be resurrected again.

[Straamibuu]

I feel being a Lich the phylactery has to come into it somehow, but if it's not pre placed (Murky style)... then if it drops where he dies, and he can res there, the other Team could exploit this and just surround it and let him res -> murder him -> get free XP.

It could drop, and either reduce his res timer just by existing, or create death and decay around it and reducing the res time based on damage (Leoric style). Only difference in all cases is that it kinda needs to be immoveable.

Or perhaps it could be Abathur like and be a pickup that others can carry around and allow some basic actions until he resses.

[RH92]

I feel being a Lich the phylactery has to come into it somehow, but if it's not pre placed (Murky style)... then if it drops where he dies, and he can res there, the other Team could exploit this and just surround it and let him res -> murder him -> get free XP.

It could drop, and either reduce his res timer just by existing, or create death and decay around it and reducing the res time based on damage (Leoric style). Only difference in all cases is that it kinda needs to be immoveable.

Or perhaps it could be Abathur like and be a pickup that others can carry around and allow some basic actions until he resses.

I think he should just give experience when phylactery is destroyed, just give it a cooldown for balance reasons and you can't be griefed.

Also I like your idea of interaction, where one of your team mates could pick up your phylactery and carry you to safety while you are resurrecting. Maybe an active part of the ability could be option to give to others. For example you give it to Dehaka who is in top lane while you are in bottom lane, you die and you will resurrect in top or in failed team fight that Dehaka could just burrow away and save you both.

I think it will be a hilarious mini game, to save Kel'thuzad.

[De Lupe]

I think he should just give experience when phylactery is destroyed, just give it a cooldown for balance reasons and you can't be griefed.

Also I like your idea of interaction, where one of your team mates could pick up your phylactery and carry you to safety while you are resurrecting. Maybe a active part of the ability could be option to give to others. For example you give it to Dehaka who is in top lane while you are in bottom lane, you die and you will resurrect in top or in failed team fight that Dehaka could just burrow away and save you.

I can't help but laugh at the picture in my head of KT dying and his teammates run away while he's screaming to not get left behind. "One of you assholes come pick me up dammit! DON'T LEAVE ME!"

[RH92]

I can't help but laugh at the picture in my head of KT dying and his teammates run away while he's screaming to not get left behind. "One of you assholes come pick me up dammit! DON'T LEAVE ME!"

Yeah, it would totally make for funny games.

I like the idea you can't place it on a spot like Murky's egg, as if you weren't sure it is safe there so you better trust yourself or your allies. I mean, who would leave their remains on some random spot?

[Kellorion]

Im thinking its Lucio