Will there be a new class next expansion?

[Teriz]

I know many don't like the idea of a new class entering WoW due to "balance". However, given that we've had two expansions in a row with a new race, the need to improve the lore of existing races, and the incoming vanilla remodels, I don't think new races are in the cards for the next expansion. Thus, I believe we got a new class incoming for next expansion.

Do you agree with that, or do you feel that Blizzard is going to introduce more races into WoW for the third expansion in a row?

And before anyone says "neither", Blizzard releases either a new class or a new race (or both) in every expansion. I seriously doubt the next expansion will be any different.

[snackfeat]

im guessing the updated models will be the "feature" of next expansion and that will be the reason for no new race. the reason for no new class is just no

[wych]

No.

New character models

Changes to current classes that are either incredibly similar spec wise (Hunter, Rogue) or quite dull to play (Paladin)

[Teriz]

im guessing the updated models will be the "feature" of next expansion and that will be the reason for no new race. the reason for no new class is just no

No.

New character models

Changes to current classes that are either incredibly similar spec wise (Hunter, Rogue) or quite dull to play (Paladin)

I doubt that the next expansion feature will be something we've known about for over 2 years.

[Talen]

A new class?

No. Far from impossible, but I don't think so.

A new race? More likely - I'd say no, but I can't think of any better marketing point other than a race or class. And no, revamped model's won't cut it.

EJL

[Wazooty]

Impossible to say. While I would like a new class, it would also make choosing my main that much harder.

Also, I feel like I see a new one of these threads every day.

[Teriz]

A new class?

No. Far from impossible, but I don't think so.

A new race? More likely - I'd say no, but I can't think of any better marketing point other than a race or class. And no, revamped model's won't cut it.

EJL

I just can't see Blizzard release 2 new races when they've released a new race for every expansion since Cataclysm.

Also, the remaining choices are pretty lackluster. I have a feeling that the model revamps will cut it in the race department.

Think about it; Releasing a 2 new races alongside model revamps will be pointless. The vanilla model revamps will overshadow all the work that went into the new races (or vice-versa). I don't think Blizzard is going to do that.

[Ealyssa]

BC got a new class for each faction and a new continent
Wolk got a new class and a new continent
Cata got no class and no continent
MoP got a new class and a new continent

IMO blizzard really got what made cata so shity compared to everything else. They will give us a new continent AND a new class. And it will be so until they come with something reallllllly amazing to fill the need of novelty (a forth spec for everyone, a truely awesome path of the tiran, dunno. But no new class and/or no real class innovation outside of 2-3 new spells will never happen again like it did in cata)

For the new race imo it will depend if they can deliver updated models for release. If yes no new race(s), but if they are late (we hear about this since early cata no ? Vaporware style) they'll throw us something (a new race. Or even maybe lazy option of alliance high elves and horde draenei).

Wait&see @ blizzcon

[Xiphan]

I think they'll have been too busy remaking the old character models to have had the time to also create any new race models, but I don't think model update alone will be enough of a feature to carry an expansion, since they're probably not so much a new thing in many people's eyes as they are an expected update. So I think maybe a class or something equally big might be a good idea to pad out the expansion's features list and bring something genuinely new to the game.

I think it kind of depends on the expansion set too though.

[Teriz]

I think they'll have been too busy remaking the old character models to have had the time to also create any new race models, but I don't think model update alone will be enough of a feature to carry an expansion, since they're probably not so much a new thing in many people's eyes as they are an expected update. So I think maybe a class or something equally big might be a good idea to pad out the expansion's features list and bring something genuinely new to the game.

I think it kind of depends on the expansion set too though.

I agree. Vanilla model revamp is quite a bit more vital for the game than just another pair of races. Also, it would be a nice feature for the 10th anniversary of the game.

[Jokubas]

New character models

I'm not saying you'll be wrong, but new character models are not equivalent to new races or classes. Updated character models are nice and I've been wishing for them for years, but they don't actually offer anything new, which is part of the whole point of adding new races and classes.

As for the topic question, I can't say. Obviously, adding new classes is a difficult thing to do, and flooding the game with them would probably not be a good idea, but there are still some really solid ideas out there that I think would really add to the game. And before someone says it (although it will not stop them) this is no pattern to their content schedule. We had race, class, race, race & class. It's never come back around. We could get nothing this time, or everything!

The main thing is, Blizzard is never going to just add a class just because. They're only going to make a new class when they both have a really good idea and it's thematically appropriate. If the next expansion is a Burning Legion expansion, a new class would be something like Demon Hunter. If the expansion was Titan themed, they might add something like Tinker. If the next expansion is South Seas, I can't imagine a new class at all, unless they either invent something new or there's a major subtheme to the expansion that connects well with a concept like that Dragonsworn class.

I'd have to at least know the name of the next expansion to begin making a reasonable guess as to whether a new class is likely or not, otherwise I might as well just be flipping a coin.

As for races, as is obvious, I really want to see ogres. However, as some have pointed out, the work they've been doing on all the existing races means that we're probably going to take a break from new races again, as they wouldn't want to make their new model pile even bigger.

[Deleted]

I'll let you know when I consult my psychic or go out for lunch with Ghostcrawler.

[Skayth]

while a new class will change their "Add a new class every other expansion" but I still think its unlikely

The sell point will probably be a new race models and at least a new race if not 2.
I do hope subspecies come, and that would be another sell point.

[Teriz]

I'm not saying you'll be wrong, but new character models are not equivalent to new races or classes. Updated character models are nice and I've been wishing for them for years, but they don't actually offer anything new, which is part of the whole point of adding new races and classes.

Actually I recently did a poll to see if people were more interested in new races or vanilla remodels. The remodels won by a pretty hefty margin. It doesn't help that if they did release new models alongside the 2 new races, it would be kind of pointless, since most would gravitate to the new models over the new races. Humans are the most popular race by a wide margin. If they get remodels, most are going to be rolling that. Including new players.

I also don't believe that having 2 classes in back to back expansions would be flooding the game with classes. However, 5 new races in 3 expansions would certainly be flooding the game with races.

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while a new class will change their "Add a new class every other expansion" but I still think its unlikely

The sell point will probably be a new race models and at least a new race if not 2.
I do hope subspecies come, and that would be another sell point.

You'll probably get subraces in the model revamp. I can't imagine they would have them in there.

Which is why I don't think 2 new races are likely. That's a lot of resources dedicated to getting the 8 old models looking new again.

[Northem]

Realistically I doubt that Blizzard has time/desire to create another new class for the next expansion. I do not see it possible ...

But yes, I would like it to much. In fact depending on the thematic of the next expansion, the chances of a new class are varied:

South Seas: tinker
Emerald Dream: dragonsworn
Burning Legion: demon hunter
etc ...

[SL1200]

They need to pay some attention to the classes that are already in the game. Hunters have been broken this entire expansion. Fix what we got, before you add new classes please.

[Chickat]

Im going to say no. I would expect a demon hunter during a legion xpac, but im actually hoping its Azshara with neutral naga no class and all classes cleaned up. The xpac after that can be legion with demon hunter.

[Drilnos]

They could do anything. However, the only expansion they failed to increase class options for was Cataclysm, which is why I voted yes. Adding a new class is the surest way to inject new gameplay into the game, and new gameplay attracts old players back to the game. As far as new race models are concerned, they don't share any time at all with class design/development, and class balance problems have been extant since 2004 and it hasn't stopped them from adding new ones.

If they add a new race, however, dollars to donuts it's going to be another mercenary race. As a test of the concept, Pandaren have been an unmitigated success, and designing only one race frees up time to work on the model revamps.

[akris15]

Doubtful because there is a strong indication that they are going to promote new character models for all vanilla races and an outside chance for the bc ones. This would mean there is a chance for new races but also a very outside chance for sub races (ie broken Draenei, red orcs, dark iron dwarves, ect) That would shine as well as a new race to the general public. With all this possible excitement it would be ashame and honestly a waste of resources to overshadow this promotion with a new class. In addition the other pure class (Mage, rogue and hunter) are all visually starting to show age. Mages badly need a mechanical overall even though they good damage today it's for the wrong reasons and ask any Mage and they can tell you how poor the mechanics are of the class right now. Rogues and hunter are defently in an identity crisis right now. These three specs together will take more time than what was probably required to build up vs the warlock revamp with the new monk class of mop.

[Jtree]

They could do anything. However, the only expansion they failed to increase class options for was Cataclysm, which is why I voted yes.

We did get a large number of new race/class combos in Cataclysm. Thus, Blizzard has added something to classes in every expansion.

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They could do anything. However, the only expansion they failed to increase class options for was Cataclysm, which is why I voted yes.

We did get a large number of new race/class combos in Cataclysm. Thus, Blizzard has added something to classes in every expansion.