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

[Daniri]

It's a bit contrary to their original reasons for settling in Durotar- the Orcs chose a desolate land to punish themselves for everything they did under the Legion's influence.

That's the retconned reason. The original reason was just that the orcs liked Durotar. It wasn't until Cataclysm that the penance motivation was given.

[Ersula]

That's the retconned reason. The original reason was just that the orcs liked Durotar. It wasn't until Cataclysm that the penance motivation was given.

Sometimes things are just a matter of opinion. Garrosh & Garona can just be dumb and wrong. Like how that this whole line of speculation is based on alliance stans not liking Orgrimmar's established aesthetic. It's not for you.

[Daniri]

Sometimes things are just a matter of opinion. Garrosh & Garona can just be dumb and wrong. Like how that this whole line of speculation is based on alliance stans not liking Orgrimmar's established aesthetic. It's not for you.

Thrall confirms it himself in the Shattering novel:

What troubled him most were the good of his people, of the Horde as a whole, and the unhappiness of the elements. His people were clamoring for more wood to build homes, but the very world itself seemed troubled. He had chosen Durotar for the exact reasons he had spoken—because it enabled his people to atone for the harm they had done, and because this land had toughened and strengthened them. But he had never anticipated that so many rivers would dry up; that so much of what little forest there was would be denuded by a war that, while utterly necessary, was also utterly damaging.

[..]

"It is true that this land of Durotar, the new homeland of the orcs, is a harsh place. But that is nothing new. It has always been a difficult environment in which to dwell. But we are orcs, and this land suits us. It suits us because it is so harsh, because it is brutal, because few beings other than orcs could wrest a living from it. We came to this world from Draenor, after warlock magics had rendered most of it lifeless. And we could have done the same to this one. When I rebuilt the Horde, I might indeed have taken a more fertile land. But I did not.”

Murmurs rippled throughout the hall. Cairne looked at him with narrowed eyes, no doubt wondering why Thrall was choosing to remind his people that Durotar was a difficult land at best. He nodded almost imperceptibly to his old friend, reassuring him that he knew what he was doing.

“I did not, because we had wronged this world. And yet, we were here in it, we had a right to live. To find a homeland. I chose a place that we could make our own—a land that asked of us all we could give. Living here has done much to cleanse us of the curse that so damaged us as a people. It has made us even stronger, hardier—more orclike than living in a soft land ever would.

[Nymrohd]

Maybe not the most far sighted move of Thrall, but in the beginning it made more sense than just penance. Orcs like a challenge and this resembles the land most orcs still remember, at least it bears similarities to parts of Gorgrond, where Blackrocks were home to. Challenging, but not hostile to life. Darkspears and Tauren nearby. Lush lands north inhabited by Elves they might trade with ... the Cataclysm pretty much destroyed any hope of it being enough.

Call it headcanon, but I don't think Thrall wanted his people to suffer outright, Durotan just had more positive than negative aspects ... And to be frank Kalimdor doesn't have so many good places to settle which aren't already occupied.

I'd think Gorgrond was settled because it had other resources, namely the namesake of the Blackrock clan. I think the best aspect of Durotar is that Orgrimmar's canyons are very defensible. Beyond that, it is not particularly fertile (it could become though if the shamans got off their asses) and doesn't seem to have much mineral wealth. Plus outside the canyons, it is very easy to land a ship on it and doesn't seem to have any decent harbor. Imo they should have still moved towards Feralas.

[Black Rider]

https://old.reddit.com/r/wow/comment...s_coming_soon/
Blizzcon 2025?

[Nymrohd]

https://old.reddit.com/r/wow/comment...s_coming_soon/
Blizzcon 2025?

Will be interesting to see how Blizzard navigates that post- Microsoft acquisition.

[Makabreska]

Man, I would have nothing against fully replacing Blizzcon with that Deep Dive. I really prefer reveals to be quick and on point.

[Cheezits]

A better retcon for the Orcs going to Durotar would be some satisfaction deep down from a "Gorgrond without plants" vibe that satisfies their ancient ancestors purpose created by Aggramar- Kill Plants (which is the funniest deep lore thing to explain why Orcs classically like killing forests lmao)

And yeah deep dives are way, way better than Blizzcon. If you like cons and being social I'm sure there that is perk but I don't like cons or being social and the actual NEWS coming out of Blizzcon is always sparse.

[Nymrohd]

And yeah deep dives are way, way better than Blizzcon. If you like cons and being social I'm sure there that is perk but I don't like cons or being social and the actual NEWS coming out of Blizzcon is always sparse.

What I miss is the panels. Things like Level Design or Sound Effects panels were so cool. But they barely had those last Blizzcon so I assume they ain't coming back either way.

[Marlamin]

What I miss is the panels. Things like Level Design or Sound Effects panels were so cool. But they barely had those last Blizzcon so I assume they ain't coming back either way.

I -really- want a level design panel again.

[Hitei]

What I miss is the panels. Things like Level Design or Sound Effects panels were so cool. But they barely had those last Blizzcon so I assume they ain't coming back either way.

I think it's because historically they didn't get tons of (in person) attendance.

[Khaza-R]

I like the deep dive as well. But if they were going to do a BlizzCon this year I have to assume they have something big to announce other than Midnight and the new Diablo expansion.

Seems too early to announce the StarCraft shooter. I don't know what else they've been working on. I think there was another WarCraft game in the works?

[Cheezits]

I like the deep dive as well. But if they were going to do a BlizzCon this year I have to assume they have something big to announce other than Midnight and the new Diablo expansion.

Seems too early to announce the StarCraft shooter. I don't know what else they've been working on. I think there was another WarCraft game in the works?

There probably is another Warcraft game of some kind, but I can see Midnight being Cata-levels of "big deal expansion" to the point they give it a whole convention. Saga or not.

Revamp stuff, reboot old world vibes, "pls forgive us Horde players", Playable Helf (for REAL this time!!!) etc.

Also could be a reveal that SOD is being turned into something really big. Though I kind of doubt it.

[Hitei]

I like the deep dive as well. But if they were going to do a BlizzCon this year I have to assume they have something big to announce other than Midnight and the new Diablo expansion.

Seems too early to announce the StarCraft shooter. I don't know what else they've been working on. I think there was another WarCraft game in the works?

There's always a lot of stuff in the works. It's just what ends up making it all the way to the stages for announcement.

I'd argue that despite already knowing what Midnight is, where it roughly takes place and what one of the big features is, it's still more or less the same weight as any other expansion announcement. It'd still have all the same presentations and panels, especially since it would presumably also feature actual housing gameplay and explanations (and potentially a new class?).

2021 only had D2R, the Arcade collection and a regular hearthstone expansion.
2023 had TWW and cata Classic.

Really the only thing you need is Midnight to carry the opening ceremonies. Hearthstone will always have some expansion going on, OW will talk about new heroes and maps, D4 will talk about its updates, if another game has something to show, that's just icing.

[Nymrohd]

There's always a lot of stuff in the works. It's just what ends up making it all the way to the stages for announcement.

I'd argue that despite already knowing what Midnight is, where it roughly takes place and what one of the big features is, it's still more or less the same weight as any other expansion announcement. It'd still have all the same presentations and panels, especially since it would presumably also feature actual housing gameplay and explanations (and potentially a new class?).

2021 only had D2R, the Arcade collection and a regular hearthstone expansion.
2023 had TWW and cata Classic.

Really the only thing you need is Midnight to carry the opening ceremonies. Hearthstone will always have some expansion going on, OW will talk about new heroes and maps, D4 will talk about its updates, if another game has something to show, that's just icing.

D4 is getting another expansion in 2026 so it would have a full expansion reveal to talk about.

[Ersula]

D4 is getting another expansion in 2026 so it would have a full expansion reveal to talk about.

they should focus on their live service game people actually play instead.

[Nymrohd]

they should focus on their live service game people actually play instead.

You are probably right but this isn't the right thread for that discussion. My point was, they do have another expansion reveal to do beyond Warcraft

[Khaza-R]

There's always a lot of stuff in the works. It's just what ends up making it all the way to the stages for announcement.

I'd argue that despite already knowing what Midnight is, where it roughly takes place and what one of the big features is, it's still more or less the same weight as any other expansion announcement. It'd still have all the same presentations and panels, especially since it would presumably also feature actual housing gameplay and explanations (and potentially a new class?).

2021 only had D2R, the Arcade collection and a regular hearthstone expansion.
2023 had TWW and cata Classic.

Really the only thing you need is Midnight to carry the opening ceremonies. Hearthstone will always have some expansion going on, OW will talk about new heroes and maps, D4 will talk about its updates, if another game has something to show, that's just icing.

Fair. I just think if they are going to try to bring it back then its probably going to be bigger than a standard BlizzCon.

[Cheezits]

You are probably right but this isn't the right thread for that discussion. My point was, they do have another expansion reveal to do beyond Warcraft

Honestly, not if they shrink it or merge it into some kind of online event. Midnight has the potential to be huge to the point it can be the ultimate focus of an event, ala the fanfests XIV does.

[Worldshaper]

I'd love a return of BlizzCon. It was always like Christmas back in the way. In particular I miss all the panels and hype, the chatter between panels and the community events. Even if Midnight will be right around the corner, I think BlizzCon could be a great place to reveal the next Diablo expansion, tease Midnight's patches, drop some regular news from Hearthstone and Overwatch 2, and perhaps even announce an new StarCraft game.

Speaking of StarCraft, that's a game with powerful crystals in it. Do you know where else you'd find powerful crystals? Well, let me tell you about the Breath of Rukhmar, the solar-powered crystal weapon of the Arakkoa (on ancient Draenor). These mighty crystals were given to them by their diety Rukhmar, who was a Primal/Wild God of the Light (the Sun).

As you might know, while fair Rukhmar represented the Light of the Sun, her counterpart Sethe was something of her opposite. When Rukhmar and Anzu slew Sethe (who had attacked Rukhmar out of jealousy for her closeness to the Light), he tried to curse the land. Anzu then consumed Sethe's fallen body in an attempt to contain the curse within himself, and as a result gained powers of the Void.

I'm gonna go ahead to point out the similarities between the Arakkoa and the Arathi, here.