Midnight 12.X Patches & World Soul Saga Speculation Thread

[13last]

But in general, it's simply the importance of having a grand opposing force that works for the story telling. Darkness verus Light is a classic story trope, and it'll add to the Saga. If we're truly looking to eliminate the prescence of Void forever as we have with Fel, then it's assumed that it's polar opposite will have to come out on top. I'm not exactly referring to the whole cosmos chart here with that, but just in literal matters; if the objective is to snuff out darkness, then light will be the result. Maybe a big part of that story is finding out that balance is more important than all? Who knows, but the two are almost universally dealt with in tandem, and I think that'll be used in Midnight.

This is a great point about balance, someone a while back mentioned that all these cosmic forces need each other to exist and that we'll never fully get rid of them, it'll be interesting which way Blizzard takes us, especially if we try to factor in the next 20 years of WoW. Cool speculation about Titans working with the Light, it'd be different but wouldn't be opposed to it if done right. I'm a huge believer of AU Yrel being part of the Light saga if we get one. I'm excited to explore the other side of Azeroth as well, so many different directions they can take us.

[Makorus]

I agree with that principle, but we don't know the full extent of the overlap between K'aresh and Midnight even if it's easy to speculate/connect.

Also, I dunno about Dragonflight being a good example, really. Azeroth awakens, yes, and that leads to the Radiant Song and makes us more aware of the threat surrounding Xal, but it's also working backwards by having almost every major character completely unaware of Azeroth being a world soul just to exposit things from BFA, and then suddenly she's threatened for the sake of it being the right timing for an expansion.

I really do think if we hadn't gotten the Worldsoul Saga reveal and a road map of the next two chapters, people would have been way less confident in TWW and it wouldn't have landed the same way.

10.2 introduced the concept of the Radiant Song, and 10.2.7 introduces Xalatath as a character and kind of exposition dumps a bit on the Radiant Song and how Xalatath gets directly involved. Stuff like how she got the Dark Heart etc. got explained prior in the expansion. The rest is in the pre-patch.

That's all we need.

We are at a point where we only get 2 patches. Sacrificing one whole patch just to set up the next expansion is completely asinine. Just look at TWW. That has one (pretty much) unrelated Goblin patch, and one Midnight patch.

[Azgaloth]

“…features are expected to blow players’ socks off.”

-Playable Ethereals
-3rd spec for Demon Hunters
-4th spec for the rest except Druid
-Druid gets something modest aimed at deeper hybridization so they aren’t left out
-One extra hero talent tree per class, plus new overlaps with 4th spec
-Sample 4th specs: “inquisitor” ranged caster Paladin, earth tank Shaman, evasion based off-tank Rogue wielding 1H-pistol/crossbow in offhand for skirmishing playstyle
-Additional race-class combos such as NE and Undead Paladin, more Demon Hunter choices
-Glyph rework allowing racially themed animations such as silvery lunar coloring for holy effects, etc.
-Dyes for armor!
-Dynamic ground mounts + custom barding/accessories to unlock
-Sockets on gear will allow certain special abilities to be active, akin to Remix and Plunderstorm
-Lateral progression in lieu of level cap increase (campaign progress unlocks key features like new talent nodes as we go, think purple triangles - streamlined/diversified pathing for alts)
-More hero trees + 4th specs offer new options to unlock vs layering even more traits onto current kits
-Void has overshadowed some familiar things, in phases and varying severity
-It’s hazardous in the darkest parts - upgrade your beacon of light or be overshadowed - you might get to linger in the darkness longer each time before our companion needs to retrieve you…their extraction will take some time, so hail them while you still have the upper hand!
-Lots of old haunts have reasons to explore (delving and otherwise) and solve or thrash something - more “alive” than static
-Expect to see some familiar serpents
-Expect to see the fallout of another familiar force left to their own devices
-Expect to see entities from a realm between realms having a nibble or three

[Makorus]

4th specs + one more hero talent is crazy enough as is, but "no extra spec for Druid" just automatically marks it as a fake.

Yeah, so cool, everyone gets something new, fuck you druids.

[Kiivar86]

-It’s hazardous in the darkest parts - upgrade your beacon of light or be overshadowed - you might get to linger in the darkness longer each time before our companion needs to retrieve you…their extraction will take some time, so hail them while you still have the upper hand!

That sounds like the shit we had to deal with in the Maw, which I think damn near everyone hated. I would hope they learned their lesson.

[Enrif]

“…features are expected to blow players’ socks off.”

crossbow in offhand for skirmishing playstyle

yeah, they won't add a new item type, one handed crossbows, just for a single spec. faker than sylvanas allegiance to the horde

[Makorus]

yeah, they won't add a new item type, one handed crossbows, just for a single spec. faker than sylvanas allegiance to the horde

It's still obviously horrendously fake, HOWEVER, they can add a passive that lets you equip crossbows/bows/guns into your offhand.

[Jolly Roger]

Oh she's definitely going to abandon her body and take over Alleria inbetween expansions, isn't she?

yep
shes literally buildong alleria up as a vessel

- - - Updated - - -

“…features are expected to blow players’ socks off.”

-Playable Ethereals
-3rd spec for Demon Hunters
-4th spec for the rest except Druid
-Druid gets something modest aimed at deeper hybridization so they aren’t left out
-One extra hero talent tree per class, plus new overlaps with 4th spec
-Sample 4th specs: “inquisitor” ranged caster Paladin, earth tank Shaman, evasion based off-tank Rogue wielding 1H-pistol/crossbow in offhand for skirmishing playstyle
-Additional race-class combos such as NE and Undead Paladin, more Demon Hunter choices
-Glyph rework allowing racially themed animations such as silvery lunar coloring for holy effects, etc.
-Dyes for armor!
-Dynamic ground mounts + custom barding/accessories to unlock
-Sockets on gear will allow certain special abilities to be active, akin to Remix and Plunderstorm
-Lateral progression in lieu of level cap increase (campaign progress unlocks key features like new talent nodes as we go, think purple triangles - streamlined/diversified pathing for alts)
-More hero trees + 4th specs offer new options to unlock vs layering even more traits onto current kits
-Void has overshadowed some familiar things, in phases and varying severity
-It’s hazardous in the darkest parts - upgrade your beacon of light or be overshadowed - you might get to linger in the darkness longer each time before our companion needs to retrieve you…their extraction will take some time, so hail them while you still have the upper hand!
-Lots of old haunts have reasons to explore (delving and otherwise) and solve or thrash something - more “alive” than static
-Expect to see some familiar serpents
-Expect to see the fallout of another familiar force left to their own devices
-Expect to see entities from a realm between realms having a nibble or three

my guy just no

seriously if you are gonna make a fake send me the first draft we can go from there

[Enrif]

It's still obviously horrendously fake, HOWEVER, they can add a passive that lets you equip crossbows/bows/guns into your offhand.

then they would have to model and animate a idle stance holding a ranged weapon in the offhand. And bows in a single hand? yeah, not gonna fly.

[Tanaria]

I really hope that Blizzard puts some effort into Crystalsong Forest for the Last Titan.

Shandaral buildings are updated with Highborne architecture that we first saw in Azsuna, but effort is made to actually make it a questing location/questing hub.

[Joshuaj]

Gotta be in the first patch.

Launch content: Dark. Patch: Light. Last Patch: Back to Dark.

(Or something).

With the way TWW went, maybe last patch will be Titans and we fight Iridikron as a lead-in to them or some shit.

TWW built Dimensius up from the start. We don't have that same build up with the Titans and Midnight.

I imagine we'll see Midnight end with Light Vs Shadow's ultimate clash.

- - - Updated - - -

With the introduction of epilogues and .5 and .7 patches, I honestly don't think we need to dedicate the entire last patch to the next expansion. You take something away from the actual expansion, and you also take something away from the following expansion.

I think the way Dragonflight handled it was almost perfect.

Thank you.

[Jolly Roger]

then they would have to model and animate a idle stance holding a ranged weapon in the offhand. And bows in a single hand? yeah, not gonna fly.

crossbows can jist use the rogues pistol shot

[Limayria]

TWW built Dimensius up from the start. We don't have that same build up with the Titans and Midnight.

I imagine we'll see Midnight end with Light Vs Shadow's ultimate clash.

- - - Updated - - -



Thank you.

Are you trying to tell me Dimensius is more built up than the titans?? Like half of TWW is about showing us how the titans screwed the earthen

There's way more build up about them than Dimensius who only really got mentioned by locus walker in 10.2.7's the harbinger quest line, the rest of tww was about Xal until azir stole the dark heart at the end of 11.1

[Joshuaj]

Are you trying to tell me Dimensius is more built up than the titans?? Like half of TWW is about showing us how the titans screwed the earthen

There's way more build up about them than Dimensius who only really got mentioned by locus walker in 10.2.7's the harbinger quest line, the rest of tww was about Xal until azir stole the dark heart at the end of 11.1

The stuff at Khaz'Algar is doubling down from what DF built up, and it's meant to slowly build up the events of the Titans return in TLT. I don't think Midnight could continue this trend, but not as a main expac patch.

TWW's main plot and patches revolved around the Dark Heart, Xal'atath, the Ethereals, and Dimensius.

Ffs, the pre War Within stuff talks about him

[Enrif]

crossbows can jist use the rogues pistol shot

idle animation. not shooting animation. Shooting animation is already used for outlaw and survival.

[Alanar]

then they would have to model and animate a idle stance holding a ranged weapon in the offhand. And bows in a single hand? yeah, not gonna fly.

If that is the hardest thing to do, then how have people still faith in any of hope of getting a new class or playable race? Which all would hopefully get some new animations with it.

[Nibelheimy]

I couldn't imagine how a gaming company of this size producing a game of this scale could possibly make animations like that, that's a crazy expectation.

[milkmustache]

The stuff at Khaz'Algar is doubling down from what DF built up, and it's meant to slowly build up the events of the Titans return in TLT. I don't think Midnight could continue this trend, but not as a main expac patch.

TWW's main plot and patches revolved around the Dark Heart, Xal'atath, the Ethereals, and Dimensius.

Ffs, the pre War Within stuff talks about him

I also feel like the point of Dimensius happening now is to emphasize Xal'atath as the threat, no? She comes out on top, she wants Azeroth. Dimensius has only appeared in Outland and K'aresh, he never really posed a threat directly to us... so killing him this early on isn't that much of a surprise, it's just adding weight to Xal'atath.

[Holdodlig]

I think it is unlikely for Blizzard to push two big cosmetic features in the same expansion. Housing already has that cosmetic / collectible farm and they've already been recycling a lot of assets through this so we're unlikely to get spell cosmetic / glyphs. But I've got some ideas of what could be added. My guesses are :

Class content :
>3rd spec for DH
>New class agnostic talent tree, based on specific themes such as light, void, minions and stuff. Azeroth Essence 2.0 but this time it's part of your build
>Something itemization related. I don't know why but I think with the stat squish they're going to push something new either in term of stat or itemization. Maybe a return to the sources with damage type (fire, shadow) being major in itemization design.

Leveling / Casual content :
>LFG Faction restriction totally removed
>Same for quest

Endgame PvE content :
>World tier for the open world just like Legion Remix. Seems too well prepared for Legion to be forgotten
>Delves overhaul with features such as overcharged delves becoming baseline events for delves / weekly like Timewalking
>Titanforged Timewalking inspired by the Chinese event. You get a unique interface and a unique gearing system for that content where you can use old school legendaries and even some artifact with their respective skill.

Endgame PvP content :
>Different progression system and rewards for Battleground content and Arena content
>New philosophy for BGs, separated in game mode (capture the flag, king of the hill, escort) with more BGs being worked on to match those game modes

In term of races :

>The most likely are ethereal or naga. Why ? As I said, I am pretty sure that the ethereal were elves before their body got destroyed by Dimensius + they could feel guilty about Azeroth's invasion. Nagas are the last elf variant that isn't playable and this expansion will likely be the ultimate part for elf races.
>We could still be surprised by some old favorite like ogres or something unexpected, but this would feel out of place.

Allied races :
>Forest troll are an obvious win here, but I am pretty sure that Harranirs could also make an apparition or be a surprise new race here.

Existing race updates :
>More High Elf stuff, maybe it'll even become an allied race. Blood elves will probably get cool stuff too.

Prepatch : Going back to the Dragon Isles where we are setting up to fight the Void Invasion since it's close to Silvermoon and it's in HD. Or we'll get some average event like the Azeroth visions

[Limayria]

I think it is unlikely for Blizzard to push two big cosmetic features in the same expansion. Housing already has that cosmetic / collectible farm and they've already been recycling a lot of assets through this so we're unlikely to get spell cosmetic / glyphs. But I've got some ideas of what could be added. My guesses are :

Class content :
>3rd spec for DH
>New class agnostic talent tree, based on specific themes such as light, void, minions and stuff. Azeroth Essence 2.0 but this time it's part of your build
>Something itemization related. I don't know why but I think with the stat squish they're going to push something new either in term of stat or itemization. Maybe a return to the sources with damage type (fire, shadow) being major in itemization design.

Leveling / Casual content :
>LFG Faction restriction totally removed
>Same for quest

Endgame PvE content :
>World tier for the open world just like Legion Remix. Seems too well prepared for Legion to be forgotten
>Delves overhaul with features such as overcharged delves becoming baseline events for delves / weekly like Timewalking
>Titanforged Timewalking inspired by the Chinese event. You get a unique interface and a unique gearing system for that content where you can use old school legendaries and even some artifact with their respective skill.

Endgame PvP content :
>Different progression system and rewards for Battleground content and Arena content
>New philosophy for BGs, separated in game mode (capture the flag, king of the hill, escort) with more BGs being worked on to match those game modes

In term of races :

>The most likely are ethereal or naga. Why ? As I said, I am pretty sure that the ethereal were elves before their body got destroyed by Dimensius + they could feel guilty about Azeroth's invasion. Nagas are the last elf variant that isn't playable and this expansion will likely be the ultimate part for elf races.
>We could still be surprised by some old favorite like ogres or something unexpected, but this would feel out of place.

Allied races :
>Forest troll are an obvious win here, but I am pretty sure that Harranirs could also make an apparition or be a surprise new race here.

Existing race updates :
>More High Elf stuff, maybe it'll even become an allied race. Blood elves will probably get cool stuff too.

Prepatch : Going back to the Dragon Isles where we are setting up to fight the Void Invasion since it's close to Silvermoon and it's in HD. Or we'll get some average event like the Azeroth visions

For itemization I've been hoping they might take a page from Diablos book and give us something like cool down reduction or resource cost reduction or "area damage" as a stat on gear

I wish multi strike didn't cause such bad performance issues I really liked it as a stat too (

It's hard to come up with "new stats" that would slot well into wow but tbh adding CDR and the return of "reforging" could be interesting especially with how crafting works now too, maybe we could even change the stat weights in items with optional reagents so we could craft a ring that's crit heavy and mastery lite instead of always having predetermined equal splits


Transmog dye is also something I'm pretty confident in coming before the end of WSS