The War Within 11.X Patches & World Soul Saga Speculation Thread

[Nyel]

Love the drama that unfolds now that we know 10.2 is the final major patch of Dragonflight when people were so adamant about this expansion being different.

Leak season never felt more boring as it does right now, which is just sad. Hopefully the next expansion will come with a bang and not be a slow burner like Dragonflight or something like this complete nonsensical Dwarf expansion which won’t get any traction or hype at all.

Blizzard really, really needs to hit all the right notes with the announcement and I hope Metzen is proof that they will. I’m still convinced that major changes will happen due to the Microsoft acquisition that’s going to close on Friday, Gamepass and WoW in general. Totally can see them changing the model to annual expansion like TESO.

[Wangming]

Love the drama that unfolds now that we know 10.2 is the final major patch of Dragonflight when people were so adamant about this expansion being different.

Leak season never felt more boring as it does right now

I'm kinda glad I'm not the only one.
Say what you will about the actual expansion, but the actual leak thread for BfA was a fucking riot. I loved it. This one is pretty mid so far.

[Gloriandus]

Alright, couple of thoughts on this one.

Easiest way to tell the fakes is by the fonts; this one used Friz Quadrata (the real WoW UI font) for the headings but the body text font isn't the one Blizzard uses; that one is Semplicita Pro, and costs $50 per font weight, which these leakers are always too cheap to buy to really make it look convincing.

[Nymrohd]

I am all for calling out AI Art and I usually take people's word for it, because I do in fact not now the details of how far it can reach. I don't think the DALL-E Thread is a good reference at all, but does anybody, without giving an actual example of this, actually think that the Ogre picture is AI? That it fakes an existing pose and the Art Style to this degree?

So, it could be made with AI; there are generative AI programs that let you work on an existing model so someone could import wow's mok'nathal model and have AI generate things based on that. Ofc there is no way to directly import the model and it would be a ton of work. It can be used if you want to create about a dozen models and then generate scenes using those to have some type of consistency.

[vintage79]

Easiest way to tell the fakes is by the fonts; this one used Friz Quadrata (the real WoW UI font) but the body text font isn't the one Blizzard uses; it's called Semplicita Pro, and costs $50 per font weight, which these leakers are always too cheap to buy to really make it look convincing.

And who came, Mr. grumpy, destroyer of good fun, destroyer of children's smiles

[Dismayxz]

So, it could be made with AI; there are generative AI programs that let you work on an existing model so someone could import wow's mok'nathal model and have AI generate things based on that. Ofc there is no way to directly import the model and it would be a ton of work. It can be used if you want to create about a dozen models and then generate scenes using those to have some type of consistency.

See, that response I can work with and understand. Yes, if that is possible and thus might've been used, that explains some of the finer Details. Still sounds like a fair amount of work for a Leak like this, so if I understand what you are saying correctly, that could fake the Model, but what about the Background. Same Method and then spliced together or doable in one go?

[Nathanyel]

Classic+ would only work if they actually connect it to retail imo. Make it so that we can earn rewards from classic itself but also classic+ and later send our characters over to the real WoW. Or just have the classic+ servers actually be on the retail list and have the achievement/mounts/transmog system connected to it (which honestly, should happen anyways, either via a new season of X or classic+ or whatever - bring back old rewards, but have people work for them, which is 100000x better than just puting them into the trading post), but have the characters stay on the classic side of it.

The only way I could see new content for Classic would be exploring side stories involving minor Vanilla enemies, which technically take place before the reopening of the Dark Portal, or in parallel to early TBC, doesn't have to be specified. I absolutely can't see, and don't want them, 'rebooting' the story, writing content that would contradict later expansions.

One example could be a 'dungeon' set in Elwynn Forest, outlining the canon capture of Hogger, maybe slightly touching the Defias.
Entrance and start in Goldshire, first heading east following clues, then back west along the river to Hogger's camp.

Best case, this dungeon is then also added to Retail, inserted into the Vanilla/Cata levelling dungeon pool (while it's a maxlevel dungeon with appropriate loot itemLevels akin to BRS for Classic) which would then even justify giving the loot 'new' appearances, maybe some unused stuff from back then, maybe newly designed.

[Nymrohd]

See, that response I can work with and understand. Yes, if that is possible and thus might've been used, that explains some of the finer Details. Still sounds like a fair amount of work for a Leak like this, so if I understand what you are saying correctly, that could fake the Model, but what about the Background. Same Method and then spliced together or doable in one go?

I mean you generate the model you want on a white background, you generate the background separately and then photoshop them together?

I think you are most likely right and it is just done in Blender using WoW assets tbh, no AI involved. The AI route would be a lot more work.

[Lady Atia]

But its not just about the FOMO stuff. Its a battlepass that is designed in a terrible manner. It is riddled with useless stuff for most levels (even the elite path) and it also rewards 666 of the premium currency because "hurrr durrr 666 for diablo we re so quirky" when in reality the only thing the 666 accomplishes is that by the 3rd battlepass you are literally 2 premium currency away from being able to purchase another one effectively pushing you to buy more currency to do so. The cosmetics might be nice but the way the battlepass is built is one of the worst I ve ever seen and I struggle to see how people are willing to financially support such a mediocre product.

Yeah, idk for me both the currency and "useless stuff things" would just be bonus stepstones on the way to the cool stuff, so I don't really mind it. Especially if they would go the "wow is now f2p but you have a premium battlepass" route, since I'm currently maintaining 2 accounts anyways, so in the end a battlepass would prolly be cheeper than the 2 subscriptions.

[Dismayxz]

I mean you generate the model you want on a white background, you generate the background separately and then photoshop them together?

I think you are most likely right and it is just done in Blender using WoW assets tbh, no AI involved. The AI route would be a lot more work.

Yeah, based on the image I'm still leaning more towards the Blender side. Especially because a lot of it just isn't even anywhere to be found. Like the Rock is reworked at the very least, if not fully custom, the Beard has to be a really WILD mashup of different portions from existing assets, if it's based on any. But that tracks with the reason I posted that 'analysis'. So much AI, so much dumb shit that without any of it could've made for good speculation for a couple of pages, the one that actually seems to be made from a fair bit of genuine work imo needed a bit of a showcase.

[Lady Atia]

The only way I could see new content for Classic would be exploring side stories involving minor Vanilla enemies, which technically take place before the reopening of the Dark Portal, or in parallel to early TBC, doesn't have to be specified. I absolutely can't see, and don't want them, 'rebooting' the story, writing content that would contradict later expansions.

One example could be a 'dungeon' set in Elwynn Forest, outlining the canon capture of Hogger, maybe slightly touching the Defias.
Entrance and start in Goldshire, first heading east following clues, then back west along the river to Hogger's camp.

Best case, this dungeon is then also added to Retail, inserted into the Vanilla/Cata levelling dungeon pool (while it's a maxlevel dungeon with appropriate loot itemLevels akin to BRS for Classic) which would then even justify giving the loot 'new' appearances, maybe some unused stuff from back then, maybe newly designed.

Yeah that also sounds good - but creating dungeons/models/mounts that are only available in classic would be a big no go lol.

[Dracullus]

Yeah that also sounds good - but creating dungeons/models/mounts that are only available in classic would be a big no go lol.

That's why imo smartest way to add content to Classic Era is where it makes sense - open world. Imagine if whole 1-60 experience would be as good as beginning.

[ImTheMizAwesome]

Maybe we can expect some "emergency" 10.2 release date announcement this week.

[Santandame]

For me, DF lacks a standout raid. The two we got so far were average. I hope Amirdrassil can be it. Every other expac had at least one standout raid, many had two.

Going from say MoP to current day:

MoP - Throne of Thunder and Siege of Org

WoD - In my mind all 3 raids were excellent but general consensus is BRF is the best.

Legion - Nighthold and Antorus but all of the raids stood out for good or poor.

BfA - Dazar’alor but all of the raids stood out.

Shadowlands - Castle Nathria

You’re right, every expansion does have at least one stand out with a few having several. As you’ve said, none of the DF raids stand out. They’re fine, they’re fun. But they aren’t memorable.

I think that’s DF in a nutshell. It’s a fine expansion. For the most part it’s fun, but it’s average. It’s not stand out. None of the 5 man dungeons have been standouts either except for MAYBE Algethar (in my opinion).

[Zers Editor]

They foreshadowed her turning against Tyr, not necessarily getting corrupted.

No. The "betrayal" implies acting against their duty/against Order, not against someone specific.
This is the only factor that is shareable with all of the Aspects in that vision.

Neltharion - corrupted by the Old Gods; no need to go into detail with him.
Malygos - no betrayal intended; he tried to purge the world of mortal magic users, which is against Order.
Ysera - was essentially brain-washed by Xavius; no actual consent came from her in that regard, but she still did things that go against her role.
Nozdormu - since the current timeline now requires Eternus to be completely intact, Nozdormu HAS to become Dornozmu for the Infinite flight (and thus Eternus) to exist.

At 75% they turn into their fully-corrupted versions. Alexstrasza doesn't, because she won't actually become corrupted, but Tyr won't notice it.
More likely that he'll view Alexstrasza with her choices (Vyranoth, the rebels, the Tree power-up) as getting close to her corruption.
He will probably try to kill her, and we'll have to stop him.

[Santandame]

I'm kinda glad I'm not the only one.
Say what you will about the actual expansion, but the actual leak thread for BfA was a fucking riot. I loved it. This one is pretty mid so far.

Pre BfA was peak leak season which was capped off with the most incredible expansion announcement we’ve had. As much as I enjoyed BfA (it’s actually my 3rd favourite expansion, bring out the pitchforks) it’s such a shame it didn’t end up reaching the heights it could and should have.

[vintage79]

For me, DF lacks a standout raid. The two we got so far were average. I hope Amirdrassil can be it. Every other expac had at least one standout raid, many had two.

Exactly - now you can clearly see that it is an expansion with scraped tiers/parts - which when put together looks like a circus. Nothing worth remembering - no main raid tier dat loook like SoO /e.g. remastered Cavern of time and a great raid with Nozdormu / Galakrond etc.


and about leaks..

I like the increasing effort puted into these leaks

11.0 by blizz:
Some land / zone hanging in the air like kothria /throne of 4 winds, ZERO new races/classes /more meme augment specs for other classes, meme-revamp of 2-3 zones (upscaled moobs yada yada, not even close to real revamp) - enjoy ur Next Expansion....

[Helothar]

I'm almost 100% certain it will release in August/September.

This somehow makes sense, and also it doesn't.

It makes sense for them to rush it out as the game is E-M-P-T-Y, and they need the numbers back on track. According to most signs they're pulling a WoD on this expac (which I support 'cause I effing hate DF and am still hoping the next epac could offer me something enjoyable despite the potential theme not being my cup of tea).

But also it doesn't make any sense at all not to align something major like--considering Metzen's back and they hired 200 employees for WoW--a potentially extraordinary expansion's release with the 20th anniversary of WoW, it's like shooting yourself in the foot.

[Wangming]

Pre BfA was peak leak season which was capped off with the most incredible expansion announcement we’ve had. As much as I enjoyed BfA (it’s actually my 3rd favourite expansion, bring out the pitchforks) it’s such a shame it didn’t end up reaching the heights it could and should have.

You know what I hate most about BfA? It was a few bad decisions away from being phenomenal.

- - - Updated - - -

This somehow makes sense, and also it doesn't.

It makes sense for them to rush it out as the game is E-M-P-T-Y, and they need the numbers back on track. According to most signs they're pulling a WoD on this expac

Imagine pulling an emergency exit from the "sorry we fucked up SL" expansion.

[vintage79]

You know what I hate most about BfA? It was a few bad decisions away from being phenomenal.

beta for azeroth till .2 patch / great, but not developed ideas:

WarFronts - cool af - but only boring pve meme /afk (2 Warfront [atleast] SCRAPPED) BIG PVP WARFRONT WHERE
N'Zonth Visions - cool af (done over 800 of them) but only ogri and Sw (rumors about other main cities scrapped again)
Heart of Azeroth - cool af (---aded abit late to the game but still cool)
Corruptions - fine
Gear with azerithe power? - debatable, but it worked f.i.n.e instead of tier sets
also
Isle Expeditions - cool af -but not developed futher again (rumors about scrapped raids in this theme)

Cool zones /cool raids