Dragonflight Patch 10.1 PTR - Zaralek Caverns Zone Preview

Image 15 is interesting. One of Neltharion's experiments and controlling his Void magic, perhaps?
But then there are the fire giants whose name escapes my mind right now, using purple lava spheres, so maybe they made it?
But it just looks extraordinarily huge, which leans me more towards Neltharion.

Looks good so far. I genuinely hope this place is massive. Even if it's just vertical empty space, I'm conscious that with the average home pc being far superior now to Cata, view distance will make this feel small because you will always see the perimeter walls in comparison to deepholm.

Just tested it on PTR and the zone feels kinda small tbh

Originally Posted by Seasz

Just tested it on PTR and the zone feels kinda small tbh

big sadge

Originally Posted by RahEndymion

Looks good so far. I genuinely hope this place is massive. Even if it's just vertical empty space, I'm conscious that with the average home pc being far superior now to Cata, view distance will make this feel small because you will always see the perimeter walls in comparison to deepholm.

In comparison of other patch zones, it's massive. In comparison of Dragon Isles zones, it's kinda smaller, but still big enough for dragonriding to be fun to use.

The environment looks bleak. They can create all manner of glowing mushrooms in different shapes and sizes, crystals, water streams, phosphorescent stuff, magical effects... Image search for "Baldur's Gate 3 Underdark panoramas".

From the screenshots it seems very reminiscent of Deepholme. Death wing did have a thing for cozy holes in the ground.

Originally Posted by Linkedblade

From the screenshots it seems very reminiscent of Deepholme. Death wing did have a thing for cozy holes in the ground.

Since he was the Earth-Warder it kind of makes sense.

Originally Posted by Seasz

Just tested it on PTR and the zone feels kinda small tbh

I've been down there too and I don't agree. Even while dragon flying it takes a bit to traverse the zone from one end to the other. SOmeone else in here said that it;s smaller than main DF zones, but larger than the usual patch zone, and that seems accurate to me.

As to how it feels, I was worried that I'd hate the samey environment and kinda dull brownness, but I found something interesting: it's kinda dull while flying with only major landmarks standing out, but when you land and do stuff on the ground, there's actually a ton of detail and mix of colour (even if parts of the zone are mostly their main colour). But the details really make a difference. And there's a TON of detail. This zone was made with the same care the normal DF zones were, it feels like, and not some rushed and sloppy Patch zone (coughKorthiacough).

Originally Posted by Auxis

Image 15 is interesting. One of Neltharion's experiments and controlling his Void magic, perhaps?
But then there are the fire giants whose name escapes my mind right now, using purple lava spheres, so maybe they made it?
But it just looks extraordinarily huge, which leans me more towards Neltharion.

it is one of his shadowflame experiments I am pretty sure.

- - - Updated - - -

Originally Posted by Seasz

Just tested it on PTR and the zone feels kinda small tbh

Everything feels small cause of dragon flying makes traveling 3x faster then before, but it is literallly HUGE.

when devs have to make new zone into literal cave just so players cannot complain about inability to fly

Originally Posted by kamuimac

when devs have to make new zone into literal cave just so players cannot complain about inability to fly

But you can fly there, right away. Ah, I see what kind of poster you are.

developer #1 : "Hey guys I know we just released this new xpac centered around dragons, flight & speed but let's make the first major patch an underground zone! yeah that make sense! and, and, even better, everyone is friends now!! hugs for all!"

developer #2 : "Should we Change the game name to World of Lovecraft?"

developer #3 : "Run it by the powers that be, tell them TikTok will love it!!"
*high fives all around the room*
...this is what happened to a once phenom

Originally Posted by Sariengrey

developer #1 : "Hey guys I know we just released this new xpac centered around dragons, flight & speed but let's make the first major patch an underground zone! yeah that make sense! and, and, even better, everyone is friends now!! hugs for all!"

developer #2 : "Should we Change the game name to World of Lovecraft?"

developer #3 : "Run it by the powers that be, tell them TikTok will love it!!"
*high fives all around the room*
...this is what happened to a once phenom

Do you write this kind of fanfic a lot?

Originally Posted by Cucumberer

Do you write this kind of fanfic a lot?

in his defense the game has become incredibly soft and disney like. i am pretty sure i saw a rat mount or mouse or something with disney eyes....not really looking for that type of experience in wow, i am here to kill shit not see disney character

Originally Posted by Seasz

Just tested it on PTR and the zone feels kinda small tbh

I agree. While it's still early, it also feels very "flat" in terms of terrain and even vertically cramped in many places. Also, the new race is absolutely a silly one, constantly talking about "sniffies". Reminds me of the childish "scritches" stuff every time animals are mentioned online.

Will normal flying finally come in 10.1?