Kind of weird the Calia quest isn't mentioned at all? Maybe the encryption made us all think it was a bigger than it really is.
I agree, I think it's going to be a big deal. In the Twitter Space interview between Steve Danuser/Ion Hazzikostas and Taliesin, the Tirisfal stuff in 9.2.5 was actually a topic of conversation. After asking about major characters in Dragonflight, Taliesin then specifically asked Danuser about whether we'd see more of Calia Menethil. Danuser's reply was as follows:
"Well, how to say this without... uh... some of you who have been watching the datamines of our 9.2.5 patch know that there is something that takes place in Tirisfal Glades, and some of that may allow us to catch up with Calia Menethil and delve into some storylines that affect the Forsaken and others who have been touched by the magic of death, and what it's done to their culture. So, there's definitely some stuff coming up that will be of interest."
Taliesin then point-blank asked what is keeping us from having Dark Ranger customizations. Danuser's (shortened) reply:
"Well, you know, generally when we put out new character customizations... we like to do it when it's thematic for a particular case. Obviously we don't do it every time, it's a rare and special thing, but when there is the right opportunity, that is absolutely something we'd consider. And let's not go into any more details than that."
From that, it seems very much like Danuser is walking on eggshells trying not to spoil anything. If there weren't eggshells to walk on, I'd have expected something more dismissive, tbh.
Pretty much. As I said in another thread, they're essentially drakes standing on their hind legs with all the powers of the dragons. They're also supposedly taller than Tauren, which tells me that Blizzard views length as a bigger issue than height.
That said, they're going to be one of the top WoW classes for years to come. Count on it.
Can't wait for next week. We'll get Terran Gregory cinematic goodness as well. Hope we get to see Calia's amazing model in a cinematic. And we already know we're gonna get something with Tyrande and the seed.
Urgh, I wish it was next week already!![]()
Don't forget about Anduin and Sylvanas, they still have some stuff coming as well. All of that as in-game cinematics though, there's no pre-rendered cinematics/video files in 9.2.5 (unless they got extremely good at hiding those, which is highly unlikely as their file size would still stand out).
Yeah Anduin and Sylvanas too, I was forgetting! Thank you
As much as I love the pre rendered flashy ones, they've gotten so good at the in game ones I'll be very happy with them too. Also, they seem to use higher fidelity models for protagonists (Sylvanas, Anduin, Tyrande) and I love getting a peak at those and their detailed animations.
A quick rundown of what we actually know about the encrypted files:
- There are 2 encrypted splash screens for when the patch goes live, one for characters at 60 and another for characters below level 60. The splash screen for when season 4 hits is not encrypted. The splash screen is usually reserved for major features of a patch.
- There are are some projected textures involving Calia & an updated version of Tirisfal Glades after the Battle for Lordaeron. They aren't related to any known quests so its safe to assume they are assets for an encrypted quest.
- From DNI notes we know there is a an encrypted quest referred to as "Legacy of the Dark Rangers," "The Dark Rangers Pupil" and another involving Sylvanas in the Beastwarrens.
- Like for the encrypted quest "Judgement," there are some new Tyrande animations likely intended for one of these quests.
Last edited by Ersula; 2022-05-26 at 06:42 AM.
According to wow.tools, there's a number of mounts encrypted too, and I don't mean the gooey slime saber or pre-order dragon.
Not sure all will be for 9.2.5, though.
Key # - wow.tools tag - patch
378 - unknown mount (9.2.5 added/updated)
377 - unknown mount (9.2.5 added/updated)
398 - unknown serpent mount (9.2.5 added/updated)
342 - not tagged on wow.tools but is in the mount database (added 9.2, updated in 9.2.5)
284 - gronn mount (?) <- been in files since 8.3, last updated seems to be 9.0.1)
My guess all those encrypted mounts are an initial Green Dragon for pre-order that they later expanded to be one recolor for each flight, and then the Gronn mount is the next 6 month subscription bonus.
If it were for pre-order, it would more than likely use the pre-order encryption key as Marlamin has explained. And to clarify, none of these do.
My hopium based off nothing: 378 and 377 are allied race mounts for Darkfallen nelf and belf.
The rest, no clue. Could be 6 month, could be WOTLK Classic tie in, could be store mounts.
Ah yes, that's right. I forgot about an Allied Race would need mounts. And there's definitely going to be a WOTLK Pity mount (Time-Lost Faerie Drake, anyone?)
We saw the Belf Mount in the Hidden need: A stitched-up Darkhound. Anyone want to guess what a Night Elf dark ranger would ride? Some kind of Ghostsaber?