Dragonflight Alpha/Beta General Discussion

[Marlamin]

It's hard for me to make an educated guess because I'm not familiar enough with the strings and how they normally name or organize animations, but even when I try to guess this is what stumps me. What would need enter and leaving animations for time of day and weather?

Full list of animations as of last build for more context: https://github.com/Marlamin/wow.tool...er/mv/anims.js

[Kiivar86]

I miss us trying to make sense of fake Chinese riddle leaks

Oh god I don't, those things infuriated me in how obtuse they were.

Someone was doing that for the upcoming Pokemon game too and just...gah, I wanted to tear my hair out.

That's just me though, I get why others like it. But gimme these fake leaks over them any dya.

Also good lord this thing expanded by like 15 pages overnight.

[Palapop]

Here's a side by side:




Considering how much the logo aesthetics clash with the expansion name, we could've done so from the get go.

A shame really, it is a very pretty logo.

erm....

am I the only 1 who sees a BLOOD ELF SPELLBREAKER?



That "upper thing" is not part of Naaru. It's a head with helmet on.
You can clearly see the helmet lines, eyes, nose, mouth...

And below that something that looks like elvish balista.

Honestly- this thing/head/helmet is something that would PERFECTLY FIT TO last 6 month subscription mount -


Heck, even the helmet "theme" matches. And the color scheme of the logo AND the mounts eyes/chest armor/wings effect (the stary dust it leaves behind).

If this logo is true- then you can thank me for solving the expansion for you.

save this post and you'll see I was right when they reveal it.


edit:

even that "gem" in helmet matches both the 6 months sub mount and the helmet on logo.

[Palapop]

Pareidolia. That's all that is.

Wouldn't call it that way tbh. I just appointed similarities between that logo and things we already have in game (WHICH WAS PROVEN TO BE "leak/tease" towards following mayor patch/expansion)

[Chickat]

My guess is we see a 10.0, microsoft closes its deal, new management wants a cross platform game, WoW 2 development is kicked off in ernest, while the team on main WoW is left to finish the story so far, maybe the next expansion sees features cut, who knows. WoW 2 gets announced 2024, for 2026 launch, cross platform, new sub model, probably integrated into gamepass somehow. they pull a destiny and make is so some of your stuff gets ported forward

MMOs take longer than 2-3 years to build. Earliest we will ever see a wow 2 is 2028. They should take extra time and launch it on the 30th anniversary of warcraft 3. Around 2030ish. Minimum 3 more wow expansions imo.

[Jokubas]

Full list of animations as of last build for more context:

Oh thanks! It'll take some time to get used to the naming scheme still, but with the information I can at least start trying to make an educated guess.

[Revamp Man]

Ok bad picture angle but here are some dragon horns and I’m too lazy to do the whole image compare stuff

[ryanmahaffe]

Surprised this one wasn't posted yet. They say it's from some discord group.

Would be hilarious if WoW decides to make an "EOD" expansion after Guild Wars 2 releases their End Of Dragons expansions.

Note: Not saying they copied, just saying it would be funny.

[Slowpoke is a Gamer]

Figure out what Living World is instead.

This really is the biggest damn headscratcher for me.

The Elwynn buildings are pretty self-explanitory, Living World much less so.

Is it stuff for Titan Azeroth? Is it relating to Lifelands or the Emerald Dream? Is it relating to some kind of dynamically-changing game world? I can't figure it out because the former doesn't explain why weather is involved, the middle doesn't explain why it needs transitions, and the latter seems way too technically-complex for a 2004 game.

[Kiivar86]

Would be hilarious if WoW decides to make an "EOD" expansion after Guild Wars 2 releases their End Of Dragons expansions.

Note: Not saying they copied, just saying it would be funny.

It'd be the start of a pattern after Shadowlands/Shadowbringers.

[Slowpoke is a Gamer]

It'd be the start of a pattern after Shadowlands/Shadowbringers.

Dragon Walkers.

[Revamp Man]

Surprised this one wasn't posted yet. They say it's from some discord group.

Comparing all of the logos to make it easier to figure out how fake it is

[Chickat]

Completely agree, launch content and first 3 raids did mitigate it a bit by having only some of Nighthold being demonic but mostly Nightborne and the Nightmare and Trial of Valor having nothing demonic. So it wasn't black and green from 6.2 all the way to 7.3 but in the last two patches it definitely was overdone.

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Oh I didn't know it was removed, that sucks. Would also be cool if we got dungeon, raid and bg zones as part of the outdoor where it fits, an uninstanced version that talks more of the lore.
Wonder if they retconned Strand with the BG removal or if in lore the path still leads there. But I guess I was asking if the actual titan vault there had a name besides the one given for the BG.

I would honesty have preferred 7.3 to have been The broken shore with a larger 7.2. 7.2 could have had thal'dranath with illidan awaking here. Vashj naga and Guldan. Manaroth on charge of the demons on 7.1. Guldan dies and illidan is brought back to life. 7.3 happens. Broken shore but perhaps expanded to be made a little bigger. Kiljaeden final boss. Saving a full argus for an expansion.

8.0 would be Nazjatar as a continent with neptulon as a boss of the first tier along with ozumat. Central palace zone in the game but inaccessible until 8.2. We fight azshara here and Nzoth releases. 8.3 new mega zone nyalotha. 2 to 3 zones like Argus. More build up and less rushed Nzoth.

I don't know how we lead into shadowlands from this. Maybe we skip bfa and Bolvar succumbs to the jailers domination. Somehow that leads us into the shadowlands with Sylvanas as a character in tact. She is the hero. Helps both horde and alliance. Won't follow the jailer because she will never be dominated again.

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Neat, totally missed this. Hmmm!

What if the next expansion is just called wow azeroth lol.

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erm.... how?

where did you even get this pic?

I mean- the only "strange" thing about it is that I've never seen this "format/style" of EK.

OTher than that? Clouds? What? They are keeping Dragon Isles hidden?

Where in the eastern kingdoms is that?

[AOL Instant Messenger]

I would honesty have preferred 7.3 to have been The broken shore with a larger 7.2. 7.2 could have had thal'dranath with illidan awaking here. Vashj naga and Guldan. Manaroth on charge of the demons on 7.1. Guldan dies and illidan is brought back to life. 7.3 happens. Broken shore but perhaps expanded to be made a little bigger. Kiljaeden final boss. Saving a full argus for an expansion.

I honestly always thought Legion's final boss should've been the Avatar of Sargeras at its full power.

[Hitei]

This really is the biggest damn headscratcher for me.

The Elwynn buildings are pretty self-explanitory, Living World much less so.

Is it stuff for Titan Azeroth? Is it relating to Lifelands or the Emerald Dream? Is it relating to some kind of dynamically-changing game world? I can't figure it out because the former doesn't explain why weather is involved, the middle doesn't explain why it needs transitions, and the latter seems way too technically-complex for a 2004 game.

Tinfoil hat theory:

They don't attach to anything at all, and are the Iron Horde texture of 10.0, intentionally left in as a coded message for the expansion. (Time of Day) (Proximity) and (Weather[Fly])

So... World of Warcraft: Dawn of Distant Winds

[Chickat]

I'd like to point out the tweet where they ask what peons dream about...

Oh my god. It is the emerald dream isn't it. It could be really good, but if it's more grand cosmic I'm going to be disappointed. Maybe it's og azeroth. The continent before the sundering. But more naturey.

[Hitei]

Oh my god. It is the emerald dream isn't it. It could be really good, but if it's more grand cosmic I'm going to be disappointed. Maybe it's og azeroth. The continent before the sundering. But more naturey.

Peons dream of working, they even put it in the poll. If anything I'd say that + the pictures of desolace would be in favor of a revamp, not an ED expansion.

[Kiivar86]

Stupid as shit take. They've certainly taken some influence from XIV just like XIV takes influence from WoW but saying Shadowlands a term that's existed in Warcraft lore for almost 20 years was to copy XIV is dumb.

Now if they do with Azerothwalker yeah that would also be dumb. Or even End of Dragonwalkers to double dip on the dumb.

For what its worth I don't subscribe to the belief myself. I've rolled my eyes at people saying that they're copying FFXIV (I saw someone make the claim regarding Ardenweald and how there's some celtic-influenced faerie zone and like...that's not exactly unique there, people...). Just thought it amusing to bring up though, what with the EoD thing.

(Also I actually am kind of into the Empire of Dragons logo thing. Still don't believe it but who knows)

[Chickat]

I think Torghast is not so bad.

But since its like a giant undead prison and you are exploring from floor to floor.

After few runs you kinda know what to expect.

Maybe they should add more "surprises" since in so many floors you could find anything there.

Maybe like few areas which could look like from stormwind, or burning legion, or old gods, etc etc.

Like most of the floors would be undead but just some parts of it would be surprise and different.

Or maybe enemies from SL zones, like black kyrians etc.

Since whole Maw is kind of chaotic like Maelstrom whirlpool etc ... anything can happen there.

Basically something De Other Side Dungeon.

Honestly, I want to see them add something like Kobolds and Catacombs into WoW. There was a fake leak a few expansions ago where one of the features was Delves or something like that. Torghast mixed with Island expeditions and normal scenarios/dungeons. Start out with no armor, and a grey weapon. Delve deeper into a randomly generated dungeon. Each floor the mobs get harder, but gear drops. Get greens, blues, epics, and eventually around floor 20 or 30 legendaries with powers on them. Also short time buffs etc. Lots more enemy variety too. Could be any kind of mob in a Delve. Murlocs in a water cave area, goblins, ogres, dragons, alliance or horde themed rooms, a necromancers hideout etc. It could be amazing.

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I could see them re-using renown as kind of seasonal battlepass system. That would be super cool actually.

I could see a battle pass, but it would have to be 3-6 months long passes. Monthly passes wouldn't work. 5 or 10 dollars every half of a tier maybe?

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Legendary system in SL don't work cause it was designed for Legion RNG system. When you can choose your legendary, you pick bis and forget about it. Chosing non-optimal covenant at least give you access to other cosmetics and content, but non optimal legos goes to waste.

Soulbind/conduits are just better artifact system. Your "relics" don't get destroyed, you don't have to farm separate tree on separate specs, hell you don't have to farm to unlock these traits all... that's problem with this system and Renown. When stuff fall from the sky on you, you don't feel rewarded at all. Whole point of these mini traits in Legion was have something to earn in max level. But 9.1 was improved compared to 9.0, at least you had to do something lasting more than 5 minutes to increase your Renown.

But world quest system is way better. Yeah, quests are longer, but you don't have to spam them. Only 1 type of emissary require wq (and only 3), there is also "do whatever" emissary, "do elite wq/dungeon", "complete 3 rares/treausures" and Torghast one. Without AP you have no reason to spam them outside calling.

Since rep is mostly for cosmetic stuff, there is no problem with profession grind. If you play regularly, you will get it in month-two with very little time investment, even before flying. If you don't play regularly... why you need maxed out profession ASAP or even at all? You should know at this point completionist game is not for impatient people, never was, never will.

As for stuff from SL that game should carry on (or with little changes), are:

- level squish, imo game should just be squished every expac
- leveling/Chromie time
- in general making WoW new player friendly on start (next step should be improving new player experience for fresh 60s)
- class design, going back to more class wide skills was good idea
- more options for 50-60 leveling (+ Chromie time should be introduced in second season for alts)
- clean endgame path with lot of skips for alts, just compare SL to mess that was BfA on this field; also not abandoning and introducing new system every single patch (beside "proto" tier sets in 9.1 and actual tier sets in 9.2)
- Korthia rare and gearing system
- Great Vault (could be improved more, maybe some way to straight up buy piece of gear after you unlocked
- PVP gearing from S2
- M+ difficulty from S2 (but there are way too much M+ levels)
- emissary system (but bring back whistle and picking emissary automatically)
- lot of cosmetic stuff and rares in main continent as well, not just TI style patch zones
- format of story progression - but we need way more story chapters; again, just like in BfA and Legion spliting story content among different choices is bad idea that leave less content for main

Things for change/remove:

- obviously, patch system, they don't have reinvent wheel, Legion is there; even some stuff we thought were mistakes (very fast 7.1) were great in big picture, end of expac drought wasn't too long anyway and pushing patch after patch early Legion was huge reputation boost
- Torghast style content require lot of changes, but first step should be removing it from any player power stuff
- just enable flying on X.X.5 patches for all, in SL it would be 9.0.5 for main lands, 9.1.5 Maw+Korthia, 9.2.5 Zereth Mortis.
- meaningful choice is good, but 12 CHOICES ARE ENOUGH; I don't think game should be alt friendly to the point you can maintain all classes on same level, it should be very easy to catch up to start of season (and some more catch ups halfway through tier), and that's it; but inside your class there should be total freedom, no bullshit like punishing players for switching specs via azerite respec, conduit power or covenants in general.
- legendaries, I think we should go back to MoP/WoD system, but 1) with more interesting questline (I would like to see combination of story chapters from campaign, quest items from dungeons, raids, some farming, some PVP); 2) unique lego for every class (of course many steps skipable on alt); I just don't see point of legendary diarrhea from Legion and SL, some cool effects could be used by raid gear.
- no idea what to do with "borrowed power", it was managed poorly, but there are no good alternatives (..yet) that would work in long run
- don't shy away from connecting new story to old nostalgia, Legion had way less shame than SL (with literally brining back dead popular character) and effect was way better. Arthas is so underused it's almost a crime.

Every major patch should have a Suramar worth of content. 10-15 story chapters. .5 patches should still have 4 or 5 added as well. For a total of like 40-50 by the end of the expansion. Each chapter is 2-5 quests.

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"As the fight against the Lich King continues" *One frame of the Lich King staring at the camera*


Says it all really

As the fight for the universe comes to a head, soon a new chapter on Azeroth will unfold. The camera pans to modern-looking zones, but something is familiar about them. Shots get increasingly familiar, until 15-20 seconds later, World revamp appears, and shows Stormwind and Orgrimmar updated, Gadgetzan is now half the size of Tanaris, Teldrassil is healing, a few leaves are regrowing on it, jumps to Hyjal, a new night elf city, skips to Lordaeron being rebuilt, jumps to the rebuilding of Gilneas, etc. Imagine my dudes. Imagine the feeling if that happened.

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Oh gosh this thread has moved a lot, reminds me of old hype threads when I would wake up after a couple hours of sleep and have 20+ pages to go through xD

I had like 25 lol. Im about 9 away from getting to the end now. You know, just me time traveling as usual.

[Hitei]

As the fight for the universe comes to a head, soon a new chapter on Azeroth will unfold. The camera pans to modern-looking zones, but something is familiar about them. Shots get increasingly familiar, until 15-20 seconds later, World revamp appears, and shows Stormwind and Orgrimmar updated, Gadgetzan is now half the size of Tanaris, Teldrassil is healing, a few leaves are regrowing on it, jumps to Hyjal, a new night elf city, skips to Lordaeron being rebuilt, jumps to the rebuilding of Gilneas, etc. Imagine my dudes. Imagine the feeling if that happened.

Teldrassil is a burned out husk with most of its branches gone. If it becomes anything it should be a small eerie zone off the coast, made up of bits of the burned out trunk to climb and scattered branches nearby, full of lingering spirits and eternally clouded by a thick smoky haze. Only a handful of found item quests (pick up a singed book or half-melted blade and take it to someone back in civilization for a bit of story and some neat transmog), and then a few farmable rare cosmetics off the various mobs, maybe a smoldering undead nightsaber mount or something.

It should definitely not ever be a nice zone or actual tree ever again, totally undercutting the event.