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

[Worldshaper]

Interesting... per Portergauge's review of the new Isles book on Bluesky, they (Lor and Thal) note that something is going on in Neltharion's Lair, but don't comment.

Related to the Dark Heart/Goblin/Dragon Soul lore, maybe? Or Iridikron?

Also it ends on a tease of Tel'Abim! "The Island of Islands"

Tel'Abim is what Hearthstone should've done in their Perils in Paradise expansion. Crazy they just went with some generic location instead.

I hope it ends up being a lot of fun. Bananas as far as the eyes can see.

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Obviously I'm very excited about finally getting to explore Undermine and delve a bit more into Goblin-centered lore. I'm especially interested in working with various cartels around Undermine and see exactly what kind of underhanded stuff they have me doing.

I'm also hoping that Undermine is a huge zone. If they're planning to have us race around it, I'm assuming it's going to be pretty big. I have a feeling they're going to use Zaralek tech and allow us to venture above ground to Kezan at will.

I also like the idea of finally going there after all these years. It's just that the goblin aesthetic isn't fot me. More of a Gnome guy, and even then I wasn't even super into Mechagon.

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I am FAR more interested in 11.1 than 11.2, as the Haranir are just okay to me as a concept (Troll/Nelf mix defending life is neat, but it's been done before plenty, just not combined) and I'm sure the Rootlands and Worldcore will not be crazily distinct ideas compared to things we've seen before (especially in Dragonflight- it will probably be straight up half and half Tyrhold and Dream).

Undermine is something I've wanted to see explored since Cata rehauled the Goblin aesthetic (one of the few things I liked about Cata) and this looks like a perfect continuation, hell it could've been released right after Cata with shittier graphics and it would probably look similar. This is very much an expansion-agnostic patch and I'm very happy to see Undermine, especially in an OC-island expansion that, despite being a very good expansion, still makes me misses EK/Kalimdor and the races within them.

11.2 will definitely be Earthen and Haranir teaming up to fight Xal, probably with druids for both of them, and that's a good call storywise. I just don't care about either nearly as much as I do Goblins. And it seems that they are putting the Nerubian story on halt until TLT, sadly, so my favorite race of TWW will likely not get a storyline continuation for years.

I'm only worried that Undermine won't be very big, which is likely why it's car-only besides forcing people to experiment with the new tech. It's the kind of lore zone that deserves proper treatment.

That's cool. Yes I agree it's nice to finally have it introduced. Happy fot all Goblin enjoyers.

11.2 does feel like it'll be interesting regardless of what the theme ends up being. Lots of good candidates.

[Eldryth]

Also it ends on a tease of Tel'Abim! "The Island of Islands"

The tease in question:



Seems like Tel'abim ended up being a tropical resort island. So much for the speculation that it would eventually be introduced as an Arabian-themed setting, though personally I've always hoped that they'd focus on Ethereals with that kind of theme anyway.

If they're taking this route with Tel'Abim, maybe it'll be added as a just-for-fun area in a minor patch- something like a permanent Darkmoon Faire or FFXIV's Gold Saucer?

[OCoyne]

I think it's cool, but also insanely telling, that they have introduced ways for both Nzoth and now Kel Thuzad to return. They are aware how badly they fumbled both characters.

But I got told on here they wasn't retconning SL lore. More proof that they fully intend on doing that.

There's literally zero reason for KT to ever make an appearance when his phylactery has been destroyed twice now, once in the mortal realm and once in the afterlife. But as I've said before 90% of the events of SL just didn't happen in the writers eyes because of how bad the era went.

The Maldraxxus stuff was fine but there was zero common sense for KT and Sylvanas to be alinged with each other just 2 rooms apart
"Oh so you're the reason why Arthas invaded my homeland and then saved his ass when I ambushed him later on"

[Worldshaper]

The tease in question:



Seems like Tel'abim ended up being a tropical resort island. So much for the speculation that it would eventually be introduced as an Arabian-themed setting, though personally I've always hoped that they'd focus on Ethereals with that kind of theme anyway.

If they're taking this route with Tel'Abim, maybe it'll be added as a just-for-fun area in a minor patch- something like a permanent Darkmoon Faire or FFXIV's Gold Saucer?

While I'd love an evergreen vacation paradise, to me this could just as well be a sunny facade with Old God corruption lurking behind every bend.

It'd be fun to go there and discover something dark in its jungles.

[AOL Instant Messenger]

re: cosmic themes, I think people have a habit of demonizing high-concept fantasy when it's not the fault of high-concept fantasy that most of WoW's "recent" (by which I mean since ~2015) attempts at going high-concept have sucked. High-concept fantasy was handled fine in WCIII, TBC, and even in places in the RPG—and this handling did include going away from Azeroth. The reason why Shadowlands sucked balls was because it retroactively changed the already-established afterlife mechanics of the setting for the dramatically worse and because it was somehow finding ways to butcher the already-objectionable Chronicles chart. The cosmology of the setting as it currently exists is awful not because it's taking us away from Azeroth but because it's one-dimensional and generic and every cosmic force has little to it beyond its color and catchphrase.

[Merryck]

The cosmic themes are my favourite part of Warcraft lore. That's why Argus, particularly Eredath, is one of my favourite zones. Legion and Chronicles set up a truly epic cosmos but ... it makes me depressed thinking about the state it is in now.

[milkmustache]

The cosmic themes are my favourite part of Warcraft lore. That's why Argus, particularly Eredath, is one of my favourite zones. Legion and Chronicles set up a truly epic cosmos but ... it makes me depressed thinking about the state it is in now.

Hm... I've always interpreted cosmics =/= cosmology. Draenei, Legion, Argus and general planetary themes have been approached far different than the Shadowlands progenitor stories. The first obviously stuck the landing far better than the second.

[Foolicious]

Interesting... per Portergauge's review of the new Isles book on Bluesky, they (Lor and Thal) note that something is going on in Neltharion's Lair, but don't comment.

Related to the Dark Heart/Goblin/Dragon Soul lore, maybe? Or Iridikron?

Could be dark heart related in some way. Not sure if its ever mentioned where the dragon soul was forged, but it would make sense that it was there.
There was also something "evil" in this caves before neltharion made them his home. Maybe some part of an old god, or a sleeping void thing like in zul'aman that starts to waken?

[Enrif]

While I'd love an evergreen vacation paradise, to me this could just as well be a sunny facade with Old God corruption lurking behind every bend.

It'd be fun to go there and discover something dark in its jungles.

What if Tel'Abim is the happy and bright version of the darkmoon faire?

[huth]

While I'd love an evergreen vacation paradise, to me this could just as well be a sunny facade with Old God corruption lurking behind every bend.

It'd be fun to go there and discover something dark in its jungles.

It could also be a small resort on a much larger island.

[Nymrohd]

I still think SL wouldn't be nearly as maligned if the content schedule and parts of the gameplay did not suck. Zereth Mortis was the most cosmic part of it yet the reception was decent because the gameplay was ok.

[Cheezits]

But I got told on here they wasn't retconning SL lore. More proof that they fully intend on doing that.

There's literally zero reason for KT to ever make an appearance when his phylactery has been destroyed twice now, once in the mortal realm and once in the afterlife. But as I've said before 90% of the events of SL just didn't happen in the writers eyes because of how bad the era went.

The Maldraxxus stuff was fine but there was zero common sense for KT and Sylvanas to be alinged with each other just 2 rooms apart
"Oh so you're the reason why Arthas invaded my homeland and then saved his ass when I ambushed him later on"

It's a spoiler but there is a newly introduced way for KT to be brought back, through a quest in 11.0.07 involving the Kirin Tor discovering a necklace with a copy of him, pre-Lich, still inside and doing experiments. And he goes away at the end

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It could also be a small resort on a much larger island.

The fact that there are dancing "octo"something that gets cut off makes me think there is more going on. Could be friendly Kthir even.

[Teriz]

I also like the idea of finally going there after all these years. It's just that the goblin aesthetic isn't fot me. More of a Gnome guy, and even then I wasn't even super into Mechagon.

I think you might see a Gnome district of some type in Undermine. There definitely should be some Gnomes down there.

I also wonder if they're going to open up Kezan and Crappolis to add to the overall zone. I'm willing to bet they will. They did show an updated Kezan in the 11.1 preview.

[Ersula]

It's a spoiler but there is a newly introduced way for KT to be brought back, through a quest in 11.0.07 involving the Kirin Tor discovering a necklace with a copy of him, pre-Lich, still inside and doing experiments. And he goes away at the end

Right. If anything the new storyline is an homage to Acereak from DnD. He was permanently killed, but a simulacrum of him went on to create a countless number of copies throughout the multiverse.

Also its clear the Tel'abim ad is more of a joke than a hint for future content. "The Island of Islands" is a very intentionally stupid tagline.

I think you might see a Gnome district of some type in Undermine. There definitely should be some Gnomes down there.

Why? They emphatically dislike each other.

[FossilFree]

I still think SL wouldn't be nearly as maligned if the content schedule and parts of the gameplay did not suck. Zereth Mortis was the most cosmic part of it yet the reception was decent because the gameplay was ok.

I'll admit that Zereth Mortis was cosmic, but not the rest of SL. There was nothing cosmic about The Maw, Torghast, Bastion, Ardenweald, Revendreth, or Maldraxxus. People are only going to appreciate endless Halloween for so long, and certainly not for 2 years straight. Unless they are some sort of super-goth or something like that.

[Cheezits]

I think you might see a Gnome district of some type in Undermine. There definitely should be some Gnomes down there.

I also wonder if they're going to open up Kezan and Crappolis to add to the overall zone. I'm willing to bet they will. They did show an updated Kezan in the 11.1 preview.

I don't think we'll see much if any Gnomes, as they seem to be doing away with the "Mean Streets of Gadgetzan" idea of a modernized metropolis for Goblin tech and instead leaning more on lore for Goblins and Hobgoblins exclusively.

However they may do something with the Venture Co as its a very multi-racial cartel.

[Worldshaper]

Hot take: I miss the faction war.

Like, not contrived crap like the Burning of Teldrassil. But feeling like factions matter and stuff.

I wish there wasn't just one "main story" we all had to tag along with. Sure, let characters like Thrall and Jaina fight for the world or whatever.

But why not add in a few "Garithoses" and "Garroshes" that represent different sides of the factions, or even offshoots of the Horde and Alliance?

Imagine a more badass version of the Alliance, with an altered, meaner coat of arms. They themselves might consider it to be the "New Alliance" or something, while Anduin and others are more laid back, trying to keep the real one together.

[Teriz]

Why? They emphatically dislike each other.

Perhaps as a whole, but Gazlowe worked directly with and teamed up with Gnomes in the liberation of Mechagon.

Also the trade princes are mercantile-based. They care about profit more than anything else. Not allowing Gnomes into the Undermine would be bad for business.

[Cheezits]

Really hope we get PTR this week, I'm getting antsy for it. One of the few patches where I really wish we could get the music in the first build.

[Joshuaj]

Nearly done with all the Anniversary rewards and achievements at long last, as well as December's TP.

Then it's time for a long-ass break from WoW.

11.0.7 seems OK, but it's clearly just content for the sake of content, and not something that interests me. "Come grind on this random island for a month, ilvls guaranteed!" Yeah, nah.

11.1 will have its bright spots, I'm sure. I'm happy for all Goblin enthusiasts out there! I've never been a massive fan, and right now it's giving me Zarelek vibes.

Probably come back by the end of it to catch up on whatever transmog it might hold, ready for 11.1.5 and the Xal'atath story continuation.

Not to mention PLUNDERSTORM!

But yeah, 11.2 (hopefully) and the 12.0 prepatch is where it's at for me.

Anybody super excited for 11.1 in this thread, despite the Tinker no-show (thus far)? Would be interesting to hear a different POV.

11.1 giving ZARALEK CAVERN VIBES??? Seriously???