Dragonflight Alpha/Beta General Discussion

[AngerFork]

As I said in the other thread, it makes sense from a development standpoint. They're dumping tons of cutomization options into the race and there's no point giving those options to 20 different races when pretty much everyone is just going to be an elf or human anyway.

I'm a bit surprised that they don't allow at least for Female Blood Elves or Male Humans, or stuff like that. At least not that they've indicated, I'm well aware it's still early & there's more customization that may yet come. But as is, it feels like a really weird distinction to make.

It'll at least be kind of cool to have a Horde Human in some respect with this.

[Teriz]

I'm a bit surprised that they don't allow at least for Female Blood Elves or Male Humans, or stuff like that. At least not that they've indicated, I'm well aware it's still early & there's more customization that may yet come. But as is, it feels like a really weird distinction to make.

It'll at least be kind of cool to have a Horde Human in some respect with this.

I believe they're going to include Female elves and male humans to the mix. It can't be much more effort if they've already done the other genders from those races.

Again, makes perfect sense if the most popular dragons are Alexstraza, Wrathion, Kalecgos, and Nozdormu. The only odd ball out is Chromie and Ysera (since you can't be NE).

[Berkilak]

I'm a bit surprised that they don't allow at least for Female Blood Elves or Male Humans, or stuff like that. At least not that they've indicated, I'm well aware it's still early & there's more customization that may yet come. But as is, it feels like a really weird distinction to make.

It'll at least be kind of cool to have a Horde Human in some respect with this.

Ultimately, the point is that these aren't Humans or Blood Elves. They're simply a draconic imitation of what they see as typical humanoid forms.

It's like calling Odo here a Bajoran or Human:



He's neither. It's just an approximation of a humanoid form so he could better relate to and work with those Humans and Blood Elves. Yes, he might also work with Klingons, Vorta, Jem'hadar, Cardassians and others still, but he doesn't need to emulate them all specifically.

[Vakir]

I see it as a bit more of an issue than with Druid because Druid still is in humanoid form full time for one of their spec and even in other specs has diversity of form because they may shift for mobility, utility, etc.

It might get old by comparison but that's probably less likely to happen if they make the abilities sufficiently interesting visually.

[Santandame]

Surely the flight aspect of Evokers is going to be broken in PvP?

[ercarp]

Give dracthyr appearance of any race with additional cosmetics would kill any other content like revamp killed max level content in Cata.

I don't think so, at least not with the way they've chosen to implement this race. Slapping horns, new hair color options, some scale tattoos, and a bit of jewelry on the other existing races isn't such a massive shift of resources that it would noticeably affect other parts of the game.

They don't have to make any new character models or rigs, which take the most time.

And by the way, WoD actually did that. WoD made 24 new character models with completely new animations when they updated the old models. Granted, WoD did suffer from massive content droughts so maybe in that scenario it actually did have an effect on the expansion's development.

But again, we're not asking for something crazy like that. What we're asking for is something private servers are able to implement in basically a week.

This entire race is just a mix of different reused assets so just slap them on the other races too. It shouldn't be that difficult.

[rhorle]

It might get old by comparison but that's probably less likely to happen if they make the abilities sufficiently interesting visually.

Maybe. Do most people change their transmog often though? I've used the same basic look since Legion that I've modified to include the Shadowlands pre-order set just to use it since I paid for it. I think it is more an issue that is on paper but not really a problem when put into practice because most just play with their same look or don't even notice it after a while when doing day to day tasks.

[Teriz]

I see it as a bit more of an issue than with Druid because Druid still is in humanoid form full time for one of their spec and even in other specs has diversity of form because they may shift for mobility, utility, etc.

It might get old by comparison but that's probably less likely to happen if they make the abilities sufficiently interesting visually.

From what Blizzard has shown, Dracthyr can wear some unique race-specific armor if they so choose.

Surely the flight aspect of Evokers is going to be broken in PvP?

It'll probably be disabled.

[rhorle]

From what Blizzard has shown, Dracthyr can wear some unique race-specific armor if they so choose.

I am wondering if they have extended the Dragon Rider customization to Dracthyr. Blizzard claims to have millions of possible combinations for your mount so tech like that might be able to be extended to Dracthyr and eventually Druids to change up a form.

[Wangming]

Surely the flight aspect of Evokers is going to be broken in PvP?

I'm pretty sure it won't be able to fly during combat or it would trivialize even pve content. Hmm, that doesn't help with capture the flag, does it? Maybe no flying in party? But that would fuck up questing together with friends, one of the key aspects of an MMO.

See, this is why I was opposed to the idea of dragon races from the start. It hits these stupid roadblocks.

[Hugnomo]

There could easily be a story reason since Dracthyr are not full dragons and experiments.

Yeah I know. They can create lore around it. Still feels like a bit of a cop out.

[Teriz]

I am wondering if they have extended the Dragon Rider customization to Dracthyr. Blizzard claims to have millions of possible combinations for your mount so tech like that might be able to be extended to Dracthyr and eventually Druids to change up a form.

It's possible. They were definitely raving about all the customization options your Dracthyr would have.

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I'm pretty sure it won't be able to fly during combat or it would trivialize even pve content. Hmm, that doesn't help with capture the flag, does it? Maybe no flying in party? But that would fuck up questing together with friends, one of the key aspects of an MMO.

See, this is why I was opposed to the idea of dragon races from the start. It hits these stupid roadblocks.

Blizzard has already shown that they can indeed fly during combat. It's more like a hover that goes way higher that you can control.

[psiko74]

So when do we think DF will be released? 2022 or 2023?

[Cheezits]

Dracthyr “combat flying” is just hovering. No more busted than DHs being able to cross CTF fields in fifteen seconds with the tank leap + gliding.

[AngerFork]

I believe they're going to include Female elves and male humans to the mix. It can't be much more effort if they've already done the other genders from those races.

Again, makes perfect sense if the most popular dragons are Alexstraza, Wrathion, Kalecgos, and Nozdormu. The only odd ball out is Chromie and Ysera (since you can't be NE).

If we get those other two models, it'll at least feel better to be sure. I'd still prefer more...mentally, if I were a dragon I'd probably hide as a Vulpera or Goblin, but having four models rather than two from different races to choose a visage from would IMO at least feel a bit better.

Ultimately, the point is that these aren't Humans or Blood Elves. They're simply a draconic imitation of what they see as typical humanoid forms.

It's like calling Odo here a Bajoran or Human:

He's neither. It's just an approximation of a humanoid form so he could better relate to and work with those Humans and Blood Elves. Yes, he might also work with Klingons, Vorta, Jem'hadar, Cardassians and others still, but he doesn't need to emulate them all specifically.

I see that to a certain extent. The human & elven forms definitely would be among the best options for diplomacy, though it also will be interesting to see in the starting zone why those forms were chosen specifically.

So when do we think DF will be released? 2022 or 2023?

2023. It feels like there's still a bit to go from what we saw & they sound like they are seeking more feedback this time, so I'm expecting a longer PTR.

[Eurhetemec]

I believe they're going to include Female elves and male humans to the mix. It can't be much more effort if they've already done the other genders from those races.

Again, makes perfect sense if the most popular dragons are Alexstraza, Wrathion, Kalecgos, and Nozdormu. The only odd ball out is Chromie and Ysera (since you can't be NE).

I think it's extremely likely we'll see more. It's not like Blizzard said "THAT'S IT!". But I think it's also silly to get mad if it doesn't happen before release (not saying you are, others are). A bulky option (not forcing all dragons to be bulky) would be much more desirable for my money. Esp. as we'll be in dragon form a ton of the time.

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So when do we think DF will be released? 2022 or 2023?

Q1 2023 was the rumour and given how far along it looks I'd be very surprised if it was any sooner than that.

[Teriz]

If we get those other two models, it'll at least feel better to be sure. I'd still prefer more...mentally, if I were a dragon I'd probably hide as a Vulpera or Goblin, but having four models rather than two from different races to choose a visage from would IMO at least feel a bit better.

Yeah, I'd love to be running around in Goblin form, then suddenly turn into a dragon to smite fools, but alas, it is not meant to be.

Again, I don't like their decision, but I understand why they did it.

And I love Wrathion anyway, so I'm looking forward to being an approximation of one of my favorite characters.

[Cheezits]

They won’t add another form to Dracthyr. The reason it is the way it is is because complaints about dimorphism and wanting to make a gender neutral race. Guys going for the big bulky form will defeat the point.

I can see them adding one or two more visage forms and some extra classes though.

[psiko74]

I think it's extremely likely we'll see more. It's not like Blizzard said "THAT'S IT!". But I think it's also silly to get mad if it doesn't happen before release (not saying you are, others are). A bulky option (not forcing all dragons to be bulky) would be much more desirable for my money. Esp. as we'll be in dragon form a ton of the time.

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Q1 2023 was the rumour and given how far along it looks I'd be very surprised if it was any sooner than that.

Is Blizz adding in any content in Shadowlands to hold us over?

[Teriz]

They won’t add another form to Dracthyr. The reason it is the way it is is because complaints about dimorphism and wanting to make a gender neutral race. Guys going for the big bulky form will defeat the point.

I can see them adding one or two more visage forms and some extra classes though.

I disagree. What they'll do is make the bulky option available regardless of the gender you pick.

You could be correct though, which would be a very short-sighted decision on Blizzard's part.