Expansion themes are following a pattern.

[gcsmith]

Every expansion since Cataclysm has hinted at the expansion AFTER the next.

Look at the final villains.


Mists of Pandaria: Garrosh Hellscream. Began his arc in Cataclysm, and kicked off Warlords.

Warlords of Draenor: Archimonde. Foreshadowed by Wrathion in Mists of Pandaria, kicks off Legion.

Legion: Argus. Foreshadowed by Wrathion in Mists, kicks off... Shadowlands?

Battle for Azeroth: N'zoth: Foreshadowed all the way back in Cataclysm with the Twilight's Hammer.... But also the Sha in Mists and Shadowmoon Valley in Warlords.

Shadowlands: All of this foreshadowing started two expansions ago, in Legion, with Sylvanas becoming Warchief and being a grade-A mustache twirler. And Argus' death knocking the Arbiter out cold.

10.0: Wont be a direct sequel to whatever happens to us in the beginning of Shadowlands.... But from Battle for Azeroth! The sword in Silithus, the Old Gods. Maybe with the Void being so terrified of Sylvanas, the Jailer's entire purpose could be revealed to end the war of Light and Shadow?

Void vs Light expansion confirmed!!!!!!

I think it's obvious that the sword story isn't finished. Why would that sword remain there, all we did was drain it of any corrupted energies, doesn't mean it's not a hugely powerful artifact someone might want to claim.

[Teriz]

I think it's obvious that the sword story isn't finished. Why would that sword remain there, all we did was drain it of any corrupted energies, doesn't mean it's not a hugely powerful artifact someone might want to claim.

Also was the war over Azerite ever resolved? I could imagine that Azerite is still a massively sought after commodity.

[username993720]

Every expansion since Cataclysm has hinted at the expansion AFTER the next.

Look at the final villains.


Mists of Pandaria: Garrosh Hellscream. Began his arc in Cataclysm, and kicked off Warlords.

Warlords of Draenor: Archimonde. Foreshadowed by Wrathion in Mists of Pandaria, kicks off Legion.

Legion: Argus. Foreshadowed by Wrathion in Mists, kicks off... Shadowlands?

Battle for Azeroth: N'zoth: Foreshadowed all the way back in Cataclysm with the Twilight's Hammer.... But also the Sha in Mists and Shadowmoon Valley in Warlords.

Shadowlands: All of this foreshadowing started two expansions ago, in Legion, with Sylvanas becoming Warchief and being a grade-A mustache twirler. And Argus' death knocking the Arbiter out cold.

10.0: Wont be a direct sequel to whatever happens to us in the beginning of Shadowlands.... But from Battle for Azeroth! The sword in Silithus, the Old Gods. Maybe with the Void being so terrified of Sylvanas, the Jailer's entire purpose could be revealed to end the war of Light and Shadow?

Void vs Light expansion confirmed!!!!!!

No shit. I did a thread about it:
https://www.mmo-champion.com/threads...ure-expansions

[AngerFork]

I would look towards the night warrior who just got a fancy new model as being more impactful going into next expansion than the Jailer. The Jailer probly ends up in chains and a bygone character at the end of SL, but there isn't a way to really know. I am just thinking right now they are going to amp up the storyline around Tyrande going forward, though.

If they keep the Tyrande storyline going, I definitely agree overall. The Jailer does seem somewhat likely to potentially be gone at the end of SL while Tyrande is more likely to see future expansions. The reason I opted for him instead of her is that I feel like they are somewhat taking her through a redemption/cleansing arc instead and that she'll go back to just being a Night Elf when that is done. I hope not, she could take us into a fantastic Elune expansion, but I just feel that's the direction they have been guiding her story of late.

[Varx]

Wait till the end of 9.1 and the events of 9.2 to try to really figure out what 10.0 will be.

Based on what's happened so far, I'm betting on dragon isles. Ysera having a big return cinematic, Bolvar being covered in the fires of life from the red dragonflight points at Dragon Isles for me. It's too soon for a light/void expansion after SL.

We need a cosmic sorbet to set up light/void.

Taking into account that Yrel will probably be the face of the light side and the fact that she's stuck on AU Draenor, we need a way to bring her to us.

Nozzy, goes crazy in the dragon isles and summons Yrel at teh end of 10.3 and boom... There's your 11.0 light/void exp set in K'aresh.

Xala'tath will probably be team void with Azshara playing both sides. Would be funny as Yrel is essentially a LFD now and Xala'tath has a velf body, both AR's from Draenies and Belves. More TBC call backs? Especially if K'aresh is the setting.

[Jotaux]

I don't get why people are obsessed with this idea, that the "red soul" that shut down/broke/knocked out/whatever the Arbiter is Argus, when a far more likely candidate for that soul's owner is the boss we had just killed, N'Zoth. Argus wasn't even killed, he was defeated. N'Zoth is dead.

It's unlikely it was Nzoth because why would Sylvanas care about maximizing casualties if they weren't going to the maw before N'zoth died.

[Varx]

I don't get why people are obsessed with this idea, that the "red soul" that shut down/broke/knocked out/whatever the Arbiter is Argus, when a far more likely candidate for that soul's owner is the boss we had just killed, N'Zoth. Argus wasn't even killed, he was defeated. N'Zoth is dead.

Because Blzz confirmed the wheel of death broke during legion. We know it wasn't the start of legion since Ursol went to Ardenwield. The only other significant event is the defeat of Argus.

Now these shenanigans with the Nethrazim reinforce this theory since they are agents of death and mostlikely sabotaged Argus and redirected him to the Arbiter. 9.1 pretty much confirm this during the cinematic where the dreadlords rescue Sire Den. Mal'ganis narrates that the Legion, Scourge, and ARGUS were all pawns in the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t8v59BdhzI

Plus what struck the arbiter looks like it was the same shade of red that Argus showed in mythic.

[Hamburger]

It could potentially be Mirror Guldan or Elisande as well. Guldan would depend on if the top of the spire counted as fel

[azka]

That is because Blizzard wanted to connect the storyline together. Blizzard stated this themselves because Vanilla, TBC, and WotLK were not connected. It won't work to confirm what you say though because you are stretching it to the extreme instead of letting the hints in the current expansion lead to the future one.

I liked that they were disconnected. What I think I like more about the old expansions is that it has so many self-contained stories and a main story in the background.
I'm a NE! Oh, and my home tree is corrupted. Oh, these Satyrs are the worst! OMG, the big bear spirit made me a bear! Wait! Do I need to go to Auberdine? But what about the Satyrs? Oh, the Orcs are taking down our trees! Damn Orcs! Wait, what is this huge Lovecraftian skull? And what are these guys that are prying on it?

You didn't know what to expect next. But now, now we are just expecting a lame continuation of Sylvanas's storyline, and everything is tied around that.

[shoc]

They said the Arbiter had been out of commission for a while so N'zoth wouldn't make much sense But it is blizz so who knows

The Nathrezim already revealed that Argus shutting down the Arbiter was their doing.

It was obvious before the reveal, but seems some people really don't like seeing their headcanons die lol.

[Varx]

It could potentially be Mirror Guldan or Elisande as well. Guldan would depend on if the top of the spire counted as fel

AU guldan and Elisande are nobodies. There's no way their deaths blue screened the Arbiter. It has to be Argus. Mal'ganis pretty much gave it away in that vid I linked.

[Konteil]

[QUOTE=AngerFork;53248671]I'd argue you are looking at the wrong aspect here. I don't feel the pattern is in the final villains, but rather in the main consistent villain of each expansion. Here's how I see the pattern.

Mists: Garrosh Hellscream. Came into prevalence in Cata, was constantly a thorn in everyone's side through MoP, kicked off Warlords by escaping and going to AU Draenor.
Warlords: Gul'dan. Returned to the game in Warlords, was a constant pain throughout the expansion. Kicked off Legion by porting into the Vault of the Wardens.
Legion: While he was not in the forefront, much of the plot involved Sargeras and the quest to give him a new body. He was often plot-adjacent until he stabbed Azeroth and kicked off BfA.
BfA: Sylvanas was basically displayed as the constant enemy, even though there were quests to be loyal to her. Her actions with the Helm of Domination kicked off Shadowlands.
Shadowlands: At this point, the Jailer still seems to be the main villain. If this theory holds true, then something he does at the end will be what kicks off 10.0. Given his claims that "Death comes for your world," I have to wonder if he'll try to attack Azeroth head-on and cause her more damage leading into 10.0.


Jailer breaks out and finishes shoving the sword into azeroth and cracks open some other titan facility or teh remains of the old black empire of nerubians. who knows. could happen.

[gcsmith]

Wait till the end of 9.1 and the events of 9.2 to try to really figure out what 10.0 will be.

Based on what's happened so far, I'm betting on dragon isles. Ysera having a big return cinematic, Bolvar being covered in the fires of life from the red dragonflight points at Dragon Isles for me. It's too soon for a light/void expansion after SL.

We need a cosmic sorbet to set up light/void.

Taking into account that Yrel will probably be the face of the light side and the fact that she's stuck on AU Draenor, we need a way to bring her to us.

Nozzy, goes crazy in the dragon isles and summons Yrel at teh end of 10.3 and boom... There's your 11.0 light/void exp set in K'aresh.

Xala'tath will probably be team void with Azshara playing both sides. Would be funny as Yrel is essentially a LFD now and Xala'tath has a velf body, both AR's from Draenies and Belves. More TBC call backs? Especially if K'aresh is the setting.

My expectation that a light vs void expansion will need protags and antags of each cosmic force. So we will likely see a friendly old god or something.

[Varx]

My expectation that a light vs void expansion will need protags and antags of each cosmic force. So we will likely see a friendly old god or something.

Well we got Turalyon, Alleria, Locus Walker as potential protagonists. Antagonists are Yrel, the Light Mother, the Scarlet Crusade, and Xalatath potentially. Would love to see all 4 azerothian old gods together, especially since we never got to meet Ysharaaj.

[gcsmith]

Well we got Turalyon, Alleria, Locus Walker as potential protagonists. Antagonists are Yrel, the Light Mother, the Scarlet Crusade, and Xalatath potentially. Would love to see all 4 azerothian old gods together, especially since we never got to meet Ysharaaj.

I'd like to see a helpful old god, if only because we've had oppressive Naaru (as opposed to the friendlier A'dal) and there's nothing that means an old god has to be evil. They're chaotic, but that doesn't mean they can't want to help.

[Varx]

I'd like to see a helpful old god, if only because we've had oppressive Naaru (as opposed to the friendlier A'dal) and there's nothing that means an old god has to be evil. They're chaotic, but that doesn't mean they can't want to help.

I can't imagine how that would take form. All old gods are creations of the void lords, their sole intention is to corrupted a world soul and manifest into the physical universe. Dont know how they would be good for us.

Don't think there is a parallel between that and Adal and Xera's behaviors. There hasn't been a situation where Adal could have been oppressive, but seeing as how he's a being of pure light I don't think he'd be above it. Perhaps given that Adal has interacted with mortals a lot more he might have developed a different mindset than other Naarus, but that's yet to be seen.

An old god would probably only help if it fit their cosmic agenda, and their agenda doesn't really work out for us.

Adal, Xera, Zrali, etc all have the same agenda, peace in the light no matter what.

[Ealyssa]

I thought it was commonly accepted that the soul that broke the Arbiter was Xavius' ?

Demons don't go to the shadowlands…
Only mortals go there once dead. Superior being return to their plans of existence (except wild gods, because fuck logic. They do a small spa session in ardenweald before returning to life)

[pewpmeiser]

Every expansion since Cataclysm has hinted at the expansion AFTER the next.

Look at the final villains.


Mists of Pandaria: Garrosh Hellscream. Began his arc in Cataclysm, and kicked off Warlords.

Warlords of Draenor: Archimonde. Foreshadowed by Wrathion in Mists of Pandaria, kicks off Legion.

Legion: Argus. Foreshadowed by Wrathion in Mists, kicks off... Shadowlands?

Battle for Azeroth: N'zoth: Foreshadowed all the way back in Cataclysm with the Twilight's Hammer.... But also the Sha in Mists and Shadowmoon Valley in Warlords.

Shadowlands: All of this foreshadowing started two expansions ago, in Legion, with Sylvanas becoming Warchief and being a grade-A mustache twirler. And Argus' death knocking the Arbiter out cold.

10.0: Wont be a direct sequel to whatever happens to us in the beginning of Shadowlands.... But from Battle for Azeroth! The sword in Silithus, the Old Gods. Maybe with the Void being so terrified of Sylvanas, the Jailer's entire purpose could be revealed to end the war of Light and Shadow?

Void vs Light expansion confirmed!!!!!!

10.0 is Dragon Isles.

[Utrrabbit]

Every expansion since Cataclysm has hinted at the expansion AFTER the next.

Look at the final villains.


Mists of Pandaria: Garrosh Hellscream. Began his arc in Cataclysm, and kicked off Warlords.

Warlords of Draenor: Archimonde. Foreshadowed by Wrathion in Mists of Pandaria, kicks off Legion.

Legion: Argus. Foreshadowed by Wrathion in Mists, kicks off... Shadowlands?

Battle for Azeroth: N'zoth: Foreshadowed all the way back in Cataclysm with the Twilight's Hammer.... But also the Sha in Mists and Shadowmoon Valley in Warlords.

Shadowlands: All of this foreshadowing started two expansions ago, in Legion, with Sylvanas becoming Warchief and being a grade-A mustache twirler. And Argus' death knocking the Arbiter out cold.

10.0: Wont be a direct sequel to whatever happens to us in the beginning of Shadowlands.... But from Battle for Azeroth! The sword in Silithus, the Old Gods. Maybe with the Void being so terrified of Sylvanas, the Jailer's entire purpose could be revealed to end the war of Light and Shadow?

Void vs Light expansion confirmed!!!!!!

Tl;dr It is almost as if they have a storyline in place.

Not sure if you know this but generally they have the expansion stories figured out years before the expansion hits. They are usually 2 or 3 expansions a head in terms of storyline.

[Xennethia]

After escaping the Shadowlands, the Jailer will pull Sargeras's sword from Azeroth and flee to find Xalatath in the cosmos - Turns out the jailer is super big on Azeroth. Meanwhile we're going to have to jump into the hole left behind and cleanse Azeroth's woooooons! We're going to get all the underground Nerubian stuff initially shown in WotLK, and 11.0 will be us exploring the wound enough to find the other side of Azeroth, and finally start to answer why ships never come back when they sail away anbd what it's all about. After all, Blizz had been teasing that Azeroth isn't flat for a long time.