Dragonflight Alpha/Beta General Discussion

[Aeluron Lightsong]

Modern writers seem to confuse character death with narrative development.

"Stakes man. Gotta have stakes." Or something like that. The argument I've seen is well


"Death has to matter" or something like that....despite the fact in said universe characters do often die and their influence is gone.


Edit: This is all presuming this is old information and not out of date.

[Aucald]

So Malfurion bites it, eh?

Meh. After all this time I feel nothing.

I'm more annoyed at Ysera coming back so quickly.

I would much rather see Merithra become Aspect in Ysera's stead, as Kalecgos did when Malygos was killed. Not only would I prefer Malfurion not to be stuffed in the proverbial cooler, but having Ysera snap back to life also cheapens her death in Legion even more than her continued existence in Ardenweald did.

My optimistic hope here is that this turn in the story is placeholder Alpha plot stuff that will get revised in Live. We'll see, I suppose.

[Cheezits]

I assume this narrative decision is based on everyone on social media loving ickle wittle Ysera and not really caring about Malfurion. I haven't heard anyone talk about him for years until he's now "dying".

However, the fact that they thought the gaslit crazy Nelf fanbase could take anything short of a backrub and a foot massage now is bewildering.

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I would much rather see Merithra become Aspect in Ysera's stead, as Kalecgos did when Malygos was killed. Not only would I prefer Malfurion not to be stuffed in the proverbial cooler, but having Ysera snap back to life also cheapens her death in Legion even more than her continued existence in Ardenweald did.

My optimistic hope here is that this turn in the story is placeholder Alpha plot stuff that will get revised in Live. We'll see, I suppose.

Considering this got leaked at all, and there are basically no other story leaks, its probably a sign from some disgruntled devs for people to start kicking up shit and get it changed.

[Berkilak]

"Stakes man. Gotta have stakes." Or something like that.

Characters deaths can definitely punctuate the dramatic potency of a specific narrative development. The icing on the cake, as it were. But there's so much that goes into make that death matter - a "cake" that is entirely icing is not a cake at all.

[Aucald]

Considering this got leaked at all, and there are basically no other story leaks, its probably a sign internally for people to start kicking up shit and get it changed.

Well, there have been lots of story leaks thus far as concerns Dragonflight's ongoing story, from the return of Sabellian/Sablemane to the general story beats of each of the Alpha zones. I'd say this is one of the more important nuggets, though; and I'm all for open criticism of it as it stands. I'd just hazard caution before picking up the torches and pitchforks, though; as the Alpha/Beta story is always subject to alteration without warning. Kind of like how Taran Zhu died during the Dread Wastes leveling content in the MoP Beta, which obviously isn't what happens at all in the Live version.

[Cheezits]

Well, there have been lots of story leaks thus far as concerns Dragonflight's ongoing story, from the return of Sabellian/Sablemane to the general story beats of each of the Alpha zones.

AFAIK, this is the first leak we have of post-Raid content. The quest storyline ends with the Vault opening, so unless the max-level campaign takes place during the raid this is our first real leak of what should be encrypted content.

[Aeluron Lightsong]

I assume this narrative decision is based on everyone on social media loving ickle wittle Ysera and not really caring about Malfurion. I haven't heard anyone talk about him for years until he's now "dying".

Because they don't use him...minus during the war of Thorns for a short period then dropping him fast. Then supposedly offing him 2 years later? IMO its a waste of a character.

Characters deaths can definitely punctuate the dramatic potency of a specific narrative development. The icing on the cake, as it were. But there's so much that goes into make that death matter - a "cake" that is entirely icing is not a cake at all.

And I would say just offing a random character for no reason other than shock value is a waste. Note I'm not part of the "WOE is us"/ "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGE THEY HATE US NELF FANS" crowd. I just don't see a point in wasting characters not that its NEVER happened before.

[Aucald]

AFAIK, this is the first leak we have of post-Raid content. The quest storyline ends with the Vault opening, so unless the max-level campaign takes place during the raid this is our first real leak of what should be encrypted content.

Which, in my view, also makes this reveal a bit more sketchy than the rest.

[Cheezits]

On an arguably more interesting note, the Decay Gnoll dungeon boss pulls a Xymok and runs away from her fight. Heavy implications that Decay will be the theme of a future patch and may tie into whatever was going on with Galakrond turning gross and Death-y.

https://twitter.com/portergauge/stat...PxwQlPZamMASyA

[Cosmicpreds]

Unless people are trolling on the subreddit, it appears the sacrifice required for Ysera's return ... is to exchange places with Malfurion.

Lol RiP Bozo! Did fuck all since Cata.

[Cheezits]

Also, if there is a Decay patch, that may be why we need Ysera back: it could take place in the Dream and they wanted a dragon character to be the main guide.

[Aeluron Lightsong]

Lol RiP Bozo! Did fuck all since Cata.

Better then randomly offed but........still kinda a waste.

[Feali]

Also, if there is a Decay patch, that may be why we need Ysera back: it could take place in the Dream and they wanted a dragon character to be the main guide.

Well... I mean there has to be some kind of reason why they bring her back. Can't just be fan service because no one is asking for this.

[Auxis]

Are there any new ability/spell ranks in the spellbook for 60-70? Or is it pretty much a 'the talent points are the reward' kinda deal this expansion?

[huth]

Are there any new ability/spell ranks in the spellbook for 60-70? Or is it pretty much a 'the talent points are the reward' kinda deal this expansion?

The talent system should be replacing that entirely. Past level 10, you mostly only get out of combat utility stuff like buffs or rezzes from leveling directly.

[Tartys]

I would much rather see Merithra become Aspect in Ysera's stead, as Kalecgos did when Malygos was killed. Not only would I prefer Malfurion not to be stuffed in the proverbial cooler, but having Ysera snap back to life also cheapens her death in Legion even more than her continued existence in Ardenweald did.

My optimistic hope here is that this turn in the story is placeholder Alpha plot stuff that will get revised in Live. We'll see, I suppose.

I agree about Ysera and Meritha.

Ysera might have appeared in some form to her daughter in the Emerald Dream, thus making the Dream a sort of link between Andervald and Azeroth.

She basically remained dead in Azeroth but a presence in the Emerald Dream. So in that way the story mortifies both Ysera death and her daughter's life (even if by now we dotn know whats happen to her and why Tyrande call back Ysera).

About Malfurion, poor fellow never really had a role in this game... will we notice its absence?

[Kiriastrasza]

Looks like Tinker has finally been fully incorporated into the engineering profession, Sorry to the guys who wanted it.



Credit to Soulsobreezy for the image.

[Cosmicpreds]

That...makes sense...

[Aucald]

Looks like Tinker has finally been fully incorporated into the engineering profession, Sorry to the guys who wanted it.

https://i.imgur.com/MlScB6S.png

Credit to Soulsobreezy for the image.

Tinkers have been a part of Engineering for a long time now, with items like the rocket boosters or goblin hang glider you can apply to certain pieces. Don't know if that necessarily supplants the proposed Tinker class, though.

[Teriz]

Looks like Tinker has finally been fully incorporated into the engineering profession, Sorry to the guys who wanted it.



Credit to Soulsobreezy for the image.

Eh, I woudn't say that incorporates the Tinker concept.

Keep in mind, we know Dark Rangers were incorporated into Hunters because the Hunter class got specific Dark Ranger items, and abilities like Black Arrow, and Wailing Arrow, and because Dark Rangers themselves were considered Hunters.

In this case, Engineering is still missing specific abilities associated with the concept, like Rock-it turret, Deth Lazor, and Robo Goblin. Also, the image you linked above appears more along the lines of the verb Tinker as opposed to the noun.

As I stated before, if there is a technology-based class, it won't be called Tinker. It'd probably be called something along the lines of Mechanic or Machinist, and incorporate races beyond just Goblins and Gnomes.