Dragonflight Alpha/Beta General Discussion

[Das Thora]

I honestly expect them to merge green/red and/or blue/bronze together.
But I could see something like having green be a ranged DPS like said and red be a healer.

If they do a class skin system next xpac all this could be moot and they could just have 3-4 specs to cover each role and you get to pick your dragonflight as a class skin.

It just doesn't make much sense to me to merge dragonflights. Has there ever been much crossover between them?

[Nightshade711]

It just doesn't make much sense to me to merge dragonflights. Has there ever been much crossover between them?

Outside of chromatic dragons not really, but if we’re talking about a dragonsworn they could realistically be empowered by two dragonflights at the same time.

But I could see how it’d be weird

[maplesyrupgl]

Evoker doesn't make any sense to me. They already have lore names for dragon or time-related classes. If they didn't rename Demon Hunters to avoid having two classes with the word Hunter in the name then they have no reason to rename Dragonsworn or Chronomancer/Timewalker.

To be fair, Dragonsworn is old lore from the RPG which is no longer canon, and its never really been relevant to the game. And the other options are too time-specific.

Evoker is snappier in my opinion. I could absolutely see it being real. The class that "evokes" the aspects.

[Das Thora]

Outside of chromatic dragons not really, but if we’re talking about a dragonsworn they could realistically be empowered by two dragonflights at the same time.

But I could see how it’d be weird

I guess maybe if the dragonsworn/evoker class is trained by Chromatus's faction (if it turns out to be the main enemy, which would explain Dragonflight being singular) and then breaks away at the end of the intro experience maybe.

[delphiskye]

hey anyone notice sw facelift? in the past few days?

[Das Thora]

To be fair, Dragonsworn is old lore from the RPG which is no longer canon, and its never really been relevant to the game. And the other options are too time-specific.

Evoker is snappier in my opinion. I could absolutely see it being real. The class that "evokes" the aspects.

After Kul Tiras City was named Boralus, I think dismissing the RPG as non-canon is a bit too quick. I think it's better to say anything in the RPG is not canon yet, until Blizzard thinks it's a good idea to add to the game. Hell, Tortollans are from Hearthstone.

[Zankai27]

Sorry, just saw this. Here you go;

Damn that's kinda sick; I especially love the dragon wing visuals, and that attack that causes the spectral dragon to come down on the enemies. Kinda reminiscent (sort of, but not totally) of Dragoon's Mirage Dive in FFXIV.

Definitely want some of that on a dragon class in WoW.

[Khaza-R]

To be fair, Dragonsworn is old lore from the RPG which is no longer canon, and its never really been relevant to the game. And the other options are too time-specific.

Evoker is snappier in my opinion. I could absolutely see it being real. The class that "evokes" the aspects.

I agree but just to play the devil's advocate here. The 9.2.5 Blood Elf quest includes an obscure character only found in the outdated TCG. So possible they've been combing through old sources of lore for developing 10.0.

[D4NNYB0Y]

Source? The ones that i follow did not mention anything interesting so far.

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When did this happen? https://twitter.com/TheRedShirtGuy/s...51596619440130

Read pages 2061 - 2064 for the full context. Reading between the lines it sounds like the class name is Evoker and one of the specs will be Chronomancy.

Kind of strange IMO since I would think Invoker would be more appropriate in this context. Evoker is a Wizard subclass in DnD specializing in Evocation (offensive) magic. Plus Invoke is a keyword in the Hearthstone dragon expansion specifically relating to invoking the powers of Galakrond.

Maybe Evoker will be themed as a Sorcerer similar to a DnD Dragonblood Sorcerer?
@Scaleface and @feniela any new info before bedtime?

[Teriz]

Just to play devil's advocate with the Evoker leaks, and forgive me if I missed some posts thinking along these lines, but what if 'race is more like Pandaren and class is more like DH' means the class doesn't fit the race or the setting, but rather the force we're fighting (IE the Legion for Demon Hunters, as opposed to having some Broken Isles/Nightborne class)? Could mean the Evoker is tied to the big bad who might not be dragon themed (or is maybe using the dragons).

If I were a betting person, I would say the "Pandaren" side of this is a neutral race like Drakonids, and the class is a dragon class based on Alexstraza. The Drakonids would be neutral like Pandaren, and be a dragon race alongside the dragon class. Just like the Pandaren race were brought in alongside their Pandaren-based class.

The DH angle is the dragon class being a hero class, and also giving its allowed races horns, scales, claws, glowing eyes, etc. just like Demon Hunters do. Also being able to turn into dragons like Demon Hunters turn into demons.

[KyleEverett]

There was one leak saying "High Elves" are coming. My guess is they saw Drakonid "humanoid" customization. I think it'll just be High and Night Elves DH skins but adjusted. So no Illidan horns, and the scale skin options will be colorable by flight. If they go that route I hope you get to chose to be in Mortal or Drakonid form in combat.

[Zankai27]

To be fair, Dragonsworn is old lore from the RPG which is no longer canon, and its never really been relevant to the game. And the other options are too time-specific.

Evoker is snappier in my opinion. I could absolutely see it being real. The class that "evokes" the aspects.

Boralus as the capital of Kul Tiras is from the RPGs; hell, Tandred Proudmoore, one of Jaina's dead-ass brothers, was one of the things Metzen decanonized long ago, only to have him come roaring back for full-ass canon status in 8.0;

They're clearly looking to the RPG books for some inspiration now, so I can see Dragonsworn showing up as easily as anything. I definitely would prefer Dragon be in the class name to make it easier to explain to people, but I won't complain if what they're "Evoking" is the power of the Dragonflights, provided it does turn out this way.

I'm just happy for any dragon-themed class, and a new class in general at this point. 7 years is a long time for people who like new flavors of ice cream.

Read pages 2061 - 2064 for the full context. Reading between the lines it sounds like the class name is Evoker and one of the specs will be Chronomancy.

Kind of strange IMO since I would think Invoker would be more appropriate in this context. Evoker is a Wizard subclass in DnD specializing in Evocation (offensive) magic. Plus Invoke is a keyword in the Hearthstone dragon expansion specifically relating to invoking the powers of Galakrond.

Maybe Evoker will be themed as a Sorcerer similar to a DnD Dragonblood Sorcerer?
@Scaleface and @feniela any new info before bedtime?

In fairness, you can Evoke the powers of something as easy as you Invoke it; (Evoke literally meaning "to call forth"), but Scale's first language might not be English, so who knows if that's what its English name'll be.

[D4NNYB0Y]

If I were a betting person, I would say the "Pandaren" side of this is a neutral race like Drakonids, and the class is a dragon class based on Alexstraza. The Drakonids would be neutral like Pandaren, and be a dragon race alongside the dragon class. Just like the Pandaren race were brought in alongside their Pandaren-based class.

The DH angle is the dragon class being a hero class, and also giving its allowed races horns, scales, claws, glowing eyes, etc. just like Demon Hunters do. Also being able to turn into dragons like Demon Hunters turn into demons.

I think you're reading too much into the art. Even if it is box art and the class is dragon themed it doesn't need to be based solely on Alex's kit. Arthas was the inspiration for DKs, and their kit goes far beyond his powers and themes in WC3. Same for Monks and DHs honestly.

I do not think we are going to get dragon customizations for existing races either. I agree I think we are going to get a humanoid dragon race, like the Draconids or Dragonborn from DnD. This class may even be restricted to them.

I think the DH angle is either this is going to be a 2 spec class, this class is going to infringe on the design space of Mages, or both.

[Das Thora]

I hope we get a city that feels like an actual city, rather than just another big open tower like Oribos, which is what comes to mind when I think Dragon City seeing Wyrmrest Temple.

[Teriz]

Boralus as the capital of Kul Tiras is from the RPGs; hell, Tandred Proudmoore, one of Jaina's dead-ass brothers, was one of the things Metzen decanonized long ago, only to have him come roaring back for full-ass canon status in 8.0;

They're clearly looking to the RPG books for some inspiration now, so I can see Dragonsworn showing up as easily as anything. I definitely would prefer Dragon be in the class name to make it easier to explain to people, but I won't complain if what they're "Evoking" is the power of the Dragonflights, provided it does turn out this way.

Yeah, I'm firmly in the camp of the class name being Dragonsworn/borne/something. Evoker doesn't fit a class based on Alexstraza that is constantly shifting in and out of dragon form, and is canonically a dragon. I'm not aware of any aspect or draconic members of their flights ever being called Evokers or Invokers.

I'm just happy for any dragon-themed class, and a new class in general at this point. 7 years is a long time for people who like new flavors of ice cream.

No argument there.

[AngerFork]

I think if they do a dragon class its going to deviate from the popular fan concepts and be something prismatic focused.

Healing spec that uses Red, Green, Bronze
DPS spec thats Blue, Black and Red
Tank spec thats Black, Bronze and Green

Or maybe each one uses all five flights to some degree. Either way, I think an expansion called Dragonflight is going to be about uniting the flights.

If we do get a new dragon-themed class, I’d imagine there would at least be some base abilities from each flight with the specs specializing in flight-specific magics.

Totally agree on it being uniting the flights, though I’m curious what we’d unite them against. Anxious to see what the plot is.

[Triceron]

I don't believe the userbase can stomach another melee DPS. That sort of style would be better suited for Demon Hunters. Blizzard should definitely consider revamping Havoc and making it more flashy and wild.



The problem is that expansion classes tend to be the same thing as the archetypal heroes they're based on. Chen was on the cover of MoP, and the class was a Pandaren-based martial artist just like Chen, and Blizzard even gave you the ability to look just like him.

If Blizzard is basing a class on Alexstraza and Chromie, then you're going to be a dragon just like Alexstraza and Chromie. Even down to resembling them on a class level. That's just how Blizzard rolls.

Maybe.

But the name lends itself to a mortal capable of 'evoking' the power of the Dragons. That's practically what the term evocation means, calling upon the power of greater beings.

Of course, based on the leaker's track record, it could all be bullshit anyways.

[Zankai27]

I don't really know much about Black Desert or its combat system, but I do like some of the concepts of their characters and weaponry.

I really do like Lancers in ARPG/MMORPGs, and the Lahn looks pretty interesting with its chained crescent-blade weapons.

If we get a Dragon class in WoW, I'd be perfectly happy with them having a Dragoon-flavored Melee spec. I made one myself, but anything that plays even remotely similar to something like Dragoon would be fun and snappy and full of dragon flavor.

Definitely need the other specs to be ranged DPS and healer, we have enough Melee I know, but yeah. Lances are cool as hell.

[Teriz]

I think you're reading too much into the art. Even if it is box art and the class is dragon themed it doesn't need to be based solely on Alex's kit. Arthas was the inspiration for DKs, and their kit goes far beyond his powers and themes in WC3. Same for Monks and DHs honestly.

It wouldn't be only based on Alex's kit, it would also include Chromie and Deathwing's HotS kits as well. Alex's kit would be the foundational base, since her kit allows the shifting between mortal and draconic form. Really little different than the DK, which took abilities from a variety of undead heroes and units, yet formed the core basis of the eventual class.

Also while the eventual DK class went beyond the initial WC3 hero, the WC3 hero formed the basis of the class; Runic weapons, Plate armor, unique mount, auras, Necormantic abilities, etc. The class also received all of the original WC3 hero's abilities.

Same applies to the Monk class. In that case the Brewmaster provided the Monk class it's tanking spec, pandaren lore, armor, weapons, and its brewing sub theme.

And the same applies to Demon Hunters, where the WC3 unit provided the armor, weaponry, core abilities, lore, and various attributes.

In short, the initial unit the class is based on is very important. It forms the base from which the entire class expands from.

I do not think we are going to get dragon customizations for existing races either. I agree I think we are going to get a humanoid dragon race, like the Draconids or Dragonborn from DnD. This class may even be restricted to them.

Why would Blizzard pull concepts from D&D when they have their own concepts that are highly popular? Also why would they create an entirely new class when they pretty much have a class ready to go already that players have already test run and enjoyed?

I think the DH angle is either this is going to be a 2 spec class, this class is going to infringe on the design space of Mages, or both.

And that brings up another question; Why would they create an entirely new concept that infringes on existing classes when the concept they currently have doesn't infringe on any existing classes and has 3 viable spec possibilities?

[D4NNYB0Y]

Yeah, I'm firmly in the camp of the class name being Dragonsworn/borne/something. Evoker doesn't fit a class based on Alexstraza that is constantly shifting in and out of dragon form, and is canonically a dragon. I'm not aware of any aspect or draconic members of their flights ever being called Evokers or Invokers.



No argument there.

I don't think that this is going to be a core mechanic of the class. I think that it is too mechanically similar to DHs. I think this class is going to be a ranged Intelligence based caster first and foremost. I do not think it will have any melee abilities at all. The last 3 new classes were melee based. I think it may even be a cloth class tieing cloth with leather at 4 classes each.

I think the next class we get after this, not necessarily the expac after Dragonflight, will be Tinker and our long awaited mail class. I think they will tie it all together with an Undermine/robot rebellion/Journey to the Center of the Earth/find the World Soul theme. Lots of potential for a tech focus there. Think Deep Rock Galactic but fantasy. It would finally be our underground expansion.