Dragonflight Alpha/Beta General Discussion

[Dracullus]

While I totally agree that they nailed the marketing for WoD and Legion, I am not sure about BfA. Was it that good? I really cannot remember. Or do you mean the Warbringer videos as part of the marketing etc.? If so yes, those did a great job in introducing us to crucial parts of the expansion. I just checked them again and Jaina has more views tham Azshara and Sylvanas combined (granted, the Jaina Warbringer was fantastic).

Also stuff like Old Soldier, multiple TV commercials, etc. First 3 weeks were great (especially with 'faction' alt, when I started Alliance toon week later it felt like second launch, sadly that likely only minority experienced that), only bad things were Sylvanas (surprise, surprise.. ) and Azerite armor.

Funny that I just realized that Horde launch experience for BfA is more or less I would want from 'grounded' 10.0 - with more zones of course. Story was simple, but epic and interesting, Zul was pretty good villain and G'huun fit as big monster to slain at the end.

Too often shitty BfA systems make people forgot about good setting, just like shitty SL story make people forgot about good design (beside deadwood soulbind system).

Btw, obviously Jaina has double views. It's song you know, use your imagination.

[Dioporco]

This weeks campaign quest implied that the Devourers are part of the cosmos, basically there to delete old files but something went wrong. I have the feeling the "external 7th force" is more akin to the Tyranids - coming from the outer cosmos, not something that already exists.

On another topic, Rygelon says that "there is no universe in which you prevail" would that mean that there is in fact a wider warcraft multiverse as opposed to simple timelines that vanish if they don't interact with the prime timeline?

I rather invest my life savings in NFT than having a MULTIVERSE WOW since the WOD experiment was insane dogshit,


But Devourers came from the In-Between so if the Twisting Nether "connects" Worlds in the Universe/Dark Beyond, the In-Between could be the "empty" space between "planes/dimension/realities"

So basically current lore team is trying to do another 1:1 replica of metzen cosmology but on the "above" level




Azeroth/Universe : Shadowlands

Twisting Nether : In Between

Void Lords : Devourers

Sargeras : Zovaal

Titans : Eternal Ones

[Kokolums]

So basically current lore team is trying to do another 1:1 replica of metzen cosmology but on the "above" level

Its more like ... there is no "gatekeeper" of the Wow lore. There is no-one to protect the integrity of the story. When that is absent, what almost always happens is a new guy comes in as head writer and sets out to demolish all the lore that existed before he got there and establish his own inventions as THE lore. Kind of like how in sports, when a new head coach and GM take over a team, they usually clean house simply because they want their own guys in there, regardless of wether they are better or not, because it is better for their CV. If they keep the old team together and they succeed, people will question it and say "well should we give the new coach and GM credit? or should we credit the prior management team that brought the old guys in? So, clean house, to maximize credit.

Same thing with a video game writing team. If no gatekeeper is watching the henhouse, people like Danuser will come in and destroy all old lore to maximize the odds he will get credit for a winning story, which helps Danusers CV and career.

[Polybius]

Also stuff like Old Soldier, multiple TV commercials, etc. First 3 weeks were great (especially with 'faction' alt, when I started Alliance toon week later it felt like second launch, sadly that likely only minority experienced that), only bad things were Sylvanas (surprise, surprise.. ) and Azerite armor.

Funny that I just realized that Horde launch experience for BfA is more or less I would want from 'grounded' 10.0 - with more zones of course. Story was simple, but epic and interesting, Zul was pretty good villain and G'huun fit as big monster to slain at the end.

Too often shitty BfA systems make people forgot about good setting, just like shitty SL story make people forgot about good design (beside deadwood soulbind system).

Btw, obviously Jaina has double views. It's song you know, use your imagination.

I feel this sentiment. Azerite armor and the simplicity of classes killed it for me. The settings were grounded and I’d level through BfA again.

[Foolicious]

This weeks campaign quest implied that the Devourers are part of the cosmos, basically there to delete old files but something went wrong. I have the feeling the "external 7th force" is more akin to the Tyranids - coming from the outer cosmos, not something that already exists.

On another topic, Rygelon says that "there is no universe in which you prevail" would that mean that there is in fact a wider warcraft multiverse as opposed to simple timelines that vanish if they don't interact with the prime timeline?

What went wrong is most likely that they invaded zereth mortis. In one of the quests we learn that they started to appear after zovaal ripped out a part of zereth mortis and the metal of his chains somehow allows them to open portals to get more devours in. So the automa know about the devours and they know they aren't able to reach them under normal circumstances.
Which btw. makes me wonder why the jailer needed all the sigils when he was able to reach zereth mortis without them before.

And yes rygelon implies that there is more than one universe but he also says that its impossible for us to win and then we kill him and zovaal so what does he really know? I personally hope they stay away from this.

[Soulwind]

to maximize the odds he will get credit for a winning story

Well, he's maximizing the odds of being blamed for writing a shitty story for a franchise that never had amazing story-writing to begin with.

I agree with the idea of there being a "gatekeeper", but I think it should be more of a bible than an actual person. A set of rules, characters and events that can't be altered, and must always be used as a base for anything new. Which is kind of what Chronicles was meant to be, for the whole week that it was canon.
With something like that in place, Blizzard could have several writers working at the same time, each would have their favorite races and characters, and that's fine, as they would challenge each other and organically build better stories.
Having one or a few individuals in charge of the whole story doesn't work for something as sprawling as an MMO, in which multiple stories should always evolve at the same time.

I think there are two big issues with their writing, and I think they must come from management/marketing, because even bad writers know better: Anything new must be unexpected and surprising, which means stories can't follow a natural, if predictable logic. And everything must always be bigger, if players are defeating gods one expansion, they have to face the gods of those gods next, which is not sustainable, nor fitting for most fantasy tropes.

[Polybius]

New confirmed expansion leak from friend, O'ros. O'ros tell me on Exodar, he confirm it is such.

World of Warcraft: O'ros

Feature: Level 120 cap. O'ros want to double it up again for good measure, make level same as before. It's no worries.

Class combination:

Draenei with knife
Draenei with pistol

Zones: Exodar

System: O'ros coins. Create coin and give to O'ros, provider for Draenei.

Plot: O'ros have big plans, but not tell anybody on Exodar. I consult O'ros. O'ros say he not such good fan of Shedowlands and bring hero back, so hero come back.

Hero go to Exodar to find O'ros. Hero will grind for coin around Exodar, maybe ride Elekk for fun. Once coins are ready, give to O'ros. This is the end.

Will O’ros meet T’paartos?

[Vladier]

Will O’ros meet T’paartos?

It's kind of hard for O'Ros to meet anyone, given the events of Legion.

[Vakir]

World of Warcraft: Rise of Galakrond

No Draenei with knives nor pistols

OK, but what if...



We cracked the next class.

[Catastrophy349]

OK, but what if...



We cracked the next class.

So, you want a FFXIV Gunblade class?

[Kokolums]

Well, he's maximizing the odds of being blamed for writing a shitty story for a franchise that never had amazing story-writing to begin with.

The way the game is played is you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. So the optimal strategy for Danuser's career is to destroy all old WoW lore and replace it with his own stuff. Even if 90% of its poor, 10% might be really good. Danuser adds that 10% to his CV to advance his career. Leaving ANYTHING untouched is just a missed opportunity to advance his career. That's why a gatekeeper is needed to protect WoW lore.

[Polybius]

It's kind of hard for O'Ros to meet anyone, given the events of Legion.

;(

Maybe some day in the Shadowlands, maybe.

[Vakir]

So, you want a FFXIV Gunblade class?

Huh, I didn't make that connection.

I guess my brain just went to "Big Boss makes everything better."

[Shadochi]

Hope 10.0 new landmass is a Large continent like WoD, MoP, Wrath, TBC. And not just a small one with many islands, zones split across 2 landmasses or disjointed zones.

I just looked back on some WOD zones and maps and it feels much better having that size of continent and style. And then throughout patch keep updating the main landmass with new areas like MoP or 6.2.

Broken Isles were technically for launch one continent but the layout and size wasn't really continent size since a good portion of the zones were broken into islands and just felt smaller than WoD zones (no open areas like in WoD).

[Varx]

Guys I figured it out... Put your tin foils hats on.

This past week's campaign quests dropped a huge hint that I don't think has been talked about that much.

During the vision the Oracle gives us, she speaks in 4 different languages. Titanic, Demonic, Shath'yar, and Draconic.

What's the significance here?

Titanic is the language of Order, Demonic is the language of disorder, Shath'yar is void...

Which leaves us with Draconic.

Why would the Oracle speak in Draconic in conjunction with other cosmic languages?

Well I know why...

Draconic is the language of the cosmic force of life.

How do I know this, well none other than our very own Elune.

Shadowlands confirmed Elune is a member of the pantheon of life.

Her sister is the winter queen, a member of the pantheon of death, together they represent the cycle of life and death.

How does this mean that Draconic is the language of life?? Elune ain't a dragon.

Well, if you look at the recent lore since Legion, Elune has been shown to have many Cosmic relationships with the other cosmic forces.

Her sister is with death.

It's heavily implied she helped create the Naruu, (beings of light and void) when the tears of Elune reignited Xera's core. Khadgar himself found a time hinting at Elune creating the Naruu.

And the Pillars of creation, artifacts of titanic origin, having been named after the Titans, has one that is named after her, the tears of Elune.

On top of that, Eonar's soul found refuge in a planet called Elunaria, as shown in Antorus.

I believe the Titans didn't act alone when ordering primal Azeroth, they had help from Elune. I would be surprised if the White lady has a titan facility that holds the corpse of Ysaraj, But anyway, back to dragons.

So it's clear the Titans and Elune have a close relationship.

But didn't the Titans empower the Aspects after defeating Galakrond? That's true, except one thing, they weren't the only ones present.

That's right, Elune was present during this event.

A celestial event known as The Embrace, happened the day the Titans empowered the Aspects. It is when Azeroth's two moons line up.

The book of fairy tails talks about this.

We as players have also witnessed the embrace in-game back in cataclysm. The blue dragon flight had to choose their new aspect. Kalecgos was empowered as the new aspect during this event.

If it was only the Titans who empowered the aspects, why is it that Kalec became a fully empowered aspect with a lunar event?

I believe the Embrace is what allowed such an empowerment to happen in the first place. It made proto drake's into dragons (creatures of life) empowered with the essence of Titans. Elunaria had dragons flying around, showing that dragons may not be exclusive to Azeroth.

Wouldnt be the first time cosmic beings have affinities with other cosmic forces.

Eonar, a titan, has a strong affinity for life.

The winter queen and Elune, both tied to their opposite force.

Sargeras, empowered by fel

Naruu, able to change between light and void.

Dread lords, created by death, became demons and creatures of light and void.

So ultimately, the power of the titan pantheon may be coursing through the aspects, but they are children of life. Which is why they speak Draconic, and why the Oracle spoke in Draconic to us.

This means that the dragon isles are in fact 10.0.

There's datamined collectors items hitting at green dragons.

But also this...

Our friend broker Ferim believe that each cosmic force has a Zereth and they're all connected. The Oracle spoke of other cosmic lantin words.

Ordos, tumult, lumen, vitae, mortis, and Umbra.

Ferim also believes that zovaals actions may have caused a rift in each Zereth in his attempt to dominate them all to unify the cosmos, as he said in his death scene.

All it would take is a little pressure applied from an outside force.

Well guess what other cosmic force is trying to stir shit up? That's right the void.

But wait didn't we defeat all the old gods? Yes that's true. But some of you may remember a little void flower at the end of the emerald nightmare raid. The dream was restored, but if you notice the spirit of Ysera slowly walking to a cave, you'll notice their is a void flower inside.

If you're a shadow priest Xalatath will comment on it.

The void has leverage against in the emerald dream still. The emerald dream is connected to the cosmic realm of life via Azeroth and in turn connected to Zereth mortis, which again the actions of zovaals have caused a rift.

This means the void lords will capitalize on this in an attempt to corrupt the world soul, as they've been trying to.

Now, given that dragons are creatures of life. It's safe to assume the dragon isles probably have some sort of significance with life and the emerald dream perhaps, supported by the collector's items that were datamined.

This is why we have to journey to the isles, to stop the void from from corrupting the soul.

And guess who the void has working for them?

None other than sinestra, a dragon herself, completely corrupted by the void. It's confirmed during the shaman order hall that her spirit is in the great dark beyond.

Sinestra will most likely return as the Draconic herald of the void lords. To exploit the lingering corruption left in the dream through the power of the dragon isles and the consequences of zovaals.

Oof that was a lot. I typed this on my phone so mind an grammatical and spelling errors.

[Foolicious]

Hope 10.0 new landmass is a Large continent like WoD, MoP, Wrath, TBC. And not just a small one with many islands, zones split across 2 landmasses or disjointed zones.

I just looked back on some WOD zones and maps and it feels much better having that size of continent and style. And then throughout patch keep updating the main landmass with new areas like MoP or 6.2.

Broken Isles were technically for launch one continent but the layout and size wasn't really continent size since a good portion of the zones were broken into islands and just felt smaller than WoD zones (no open areas like in WoD).

Broken isles had a weird design. it was build uphill with small rocks or cliffs cutting of areas which made it very small once you could fly and realized all the areas are mushed into a very small space.
But to be honest ill take everything thats not shadowlands. six completely disconnected zones, two only acessible via portal and one you can't use flypaths nor flying are annoying as hell.

[Foreign Exchange Ztudent]

Whoever sent Rygelon sure seems to've wanted to leave an impression on the Adventurers.

I don't know what is going on in the wider cosmos. If there are more than one Cycle involved and the greater beings have reset the universe several millions of times and then when Azeroth manifested itself in their Cycle structure she managed to escape and hence why the Progenitors are okay with her being damaged and made almost lifeless. But, again the whole "abusing Azeroth" point of the new canon doesn't make much sense to me beyond it being hatred or revenge for escaping the Greater Progenitors above The First Ones.

Again what Rygelon says isn't new, it is again another clear statement that should be taken as another step in the direction of trying to make this clear to the audience. Even if I still don't believe they are gonna do anything about it.

Besides, the new Cosmos canon is as it currently stands indecipherable and incomplete.

[Catastrophy349]

We already know what Blizzard's 9th expansion to World of Warcraft will be about. It's

[Vakir]

@Varx

I think you're on point with it. That's where most of the evidence points and the most obvious rep for dragons with the most beef with the Void short of maybe Alleria and the Light reps would be Wrathion.

I appreciate you not making the ratio of "Ren'dorei" to every other word in your post being 1:1 more than anything else.

We already know what Blizzard's 9th expansion to World of Warcraft will be about. It's

Ahhhh, so it's the same as the Krabby Patty Secret Formula. Of course the theme is

[AOL Instant Messenger]

We already know what Blizzard's 9th expansion to World of Warcraft will be about. It's

They got him.