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

[Darkarath]

A lot of us are capable discussing lore without it always returning to 10 pages on the Progenitors. All I was asking is if people expect Anduin to have more involvement in 11.2 as he was prominently displayed in the main campaign.

Very much doubt that Anduin, Thrall, Jaina, Magni, Moira or her son would have any development in 11.2. This is very typical of Blizzard. Highlight some characters just to completely forgot about their existente after 5 quests.

BTW interesting answer from Hamilton to the following question regarding Lorewalking: "But why Arthas and the Ethereals?" "Lich King/Arthas, if you’re a new player, that’s probably who you’ve heard of. And then we thought, for reasons, that ethereals might be good to know about."

Hmmm what could 11.2 be about? Why should we know more about Ethereals just in 11.1.7?

[Joshuaj]

A lot of us are capable discussing lore without it always returning to 10 pages on the Progenitors. All I was asking is if people expect Anduin to have more involvement in 11.2 as he was prominently displayed in the main campaign.

Oh don't take what I said too seriously.

[Foreign Exchange Ztudent]

Very much doubt that Anduin, Thrall, Jaina, Magni, Moira or her son would have any development in 11.2. This is very typical of Blizzard. Highlight some characters just to completely forgot about their existente after 5 quests.

BTW interesting answer from Hamilton to the following question regarding Lorewalking: "But why Arthas and the Ethereals?" "Lich King/Arthas, if you’re a new player, that’s probably who you’ve heard of. And then we thought, for reasons, that ethereals might be good to know about."

Hmmm what could 11.2 be about? Why should we know more about Ethereals just in 11.1.7?

There's been plenty of ethereals btw winks, Preachs interview had this too. The PVP Tabard and the EtherealRaid Icon.

But again, there's no real 10.1.7 connection point which makes even me skeptical and iffy about the whole thing. It's now just a wait and see to see if it is the case whenever the news drops now and until June 25th.

The heel turn would be very funny but its a bit insane at this point to think it isn't at least Ethereal themed if not K'aresh itself.

[Timester]

Very much doubt that Anduin, Thrall, Jaina, Magni, Moira or her son would have any development in 11.2. This is very typical of Blizzard. Highlight some characters just to completely forgot about their existente after 5 quests.

At least, this time, they closed up many of the plots. Anduin did found what was the Song and made peace with the Light, Thrall had his plot in the short-story, Jaina is now Kirin Tor leader (again), Magni is back being normal dwarf and enjoying his retirement, Moira is finally with her dad.

[Khaza-R]

I thought some of those were just old questlines repackaged in a more convenient format. Stuff like the Xal'atath questline from BfA made more apparent so people who have only heard Knaifu won't be confused on why a knife is suddenly an elf with attractive feet.
Could easily be loads of similar questlines. Anduin questline to explain why he has PTSD. Mac'aree questline to explain why Alleria is Void infused. Etc.

Some are. The Arthas one, I believe actually doesn't re-use any quests. It basically re-tells parts of WC3. There's a halls of reflection scenario and his perspective of the ICC fight.

It also doesn't provide anything new from what I can tell. So it appears some are going to be recaping current events like the Ethereal and Xal one. Others might have parts of the earlier franchise you're able to re-live. Seems like it will be a mixed bag overall.

[Sondrelk]

Some are. The Arthas one, I believe actually doesn't re-use any quests. It basically re-tells parts of WC3. There's a halls of reflection scenario and his perspective of the ICC fight.

It also doesn't provide anything new from what I can tell. So it appears some are going to be recaping current events like the Ethereal and Xal one. Others might have parts of the earlier franchise you're able to re-live. Seems like it will be a mixed bag overall.

It seemed to me that the 4 questlines that are specifically mentioned are the only ones that are unquestionably new content, amd are not just repackaged old ones. Correct me if I am wrong though.

[Hitei]

Some are. The Arthas one, I believe actually doesn't re-use any quests. It basically re-tells parts of WC3. There's a halls of reflection scenario and his perspective of the ICC fight.

It also doesn't provide anything new from what I can tell. So it appears some are going to be recaping current events like the Ethereal and Xal one. Others might have parts of the earlier franchise you're able to re-live. Seems like it will be a mixed bag overall.

What? Most of the Arthas one is just the Dragonblight WC3 questline.

[Khaza-R]

What? Most of the Arthas one is just the Dragonblight WC3 questline.

It seemed to me that the 4 questlines that are specifically mentioned are the only ones that are unquestionably new content, amd are not just repackaged old ones. Correct me if I am wrong though.

The Orik quests are a repeat, sorry. But I think everything is "new" or at least a quest version of a raid or dungeon?

[Nize]

38 total Lorewalking is.. at least a bit confidence inspiring, can't deny that. Might need a correction cause that seems excessive if they've planned that many with curent speculation having been 3 + 1 (Elf).

Source: https://butwhytho.net/2025/05/warcra...bit-interview/

Quotation: "but that’s only one of thirty-eight questlines a player can choose from".

I may chalk it up to just the interviewer or Maria Hamilton/Paul Kubit misunderstandings and it might get corrected later. But we'll see if they really have that far plans for Lorewalking that's a good thing for the future prospects of their narrative ambitions.

I think you misunderstood what she meant by 38.

She was speaking on the inaccessibility of certain important quests that might be attached to current stories, such as Xalatath's, as only the Shadow Priest, 1 of 38 specs, took the route to see her origins as far as WoW's story goes. She meant that Lorewalking is a way for you, as a player, may experience what you have missed

Full quote:

"When bringing up the sheer amount of history, that’s a lot for the developers to remember. Even the major villain of The War Within, Xal’atath, she has massive amounts of lore locked behind the Shadow Priest experience in Legion. That’s coming back, but that’s only one of thirty-eight questlines a player can choose from. Maria Hamilton confirmed that the idea of Lorewalking came from the inaccessibility for players in-game."

[Enrif]

I think you misunderstood what she meant by 38.

She was speaking on the inaccessibility of certain important quests that might be attached to current stories, such as Xalatath's, as only the Shadow Priest, 1 of 38 specs, took the route to see her origins as far as WoW's story goes. She meant that Lorewalking is a way for you, as a player, may experience what you have missed

Full quote:

"When bringing up the sheer amount of history, that’s a lot for the developers to remember. Even the major villain of The War Within, Xal’atath, she has massive amounts of lore locked behind the Shadow Priest experience in Legion. That’s coming back, but that’s only one of thirty-eight questlines a player can choose from. Maria Hamilton confirmed that the idea of Lorewalking came from the inaccessibility for players in-game."

except, at the time of legion there were only 36 specs, and we have currently 39 specs

[Nize]

except, at the time of legion there were only 36 specs, and we have currently 39 specs

Irrelevant to the point she was making. She mis-remembered a number, why's that a focus point?

[Enrif]

38 total Lorewalking is.. at least a bit confidence inspiring, can't deny that. Might need a correction cause that seems excessive if they've planned that many with curent speculation having been 3 + 1 (Elf).

Source: https://butwhytho.net/2025/05/warcra...bit-interview/

Quotation: "but that’s only one of thirty-eight questlines a player can choose from".

I may chalk it up to just the interviewer or Maria Hamilton/Paul Kubit misunderstandings and it might get corrected later. But we'll see if they really have that far plans for Lorewalking that's a good thing for the future prospects of their narrative ambitions.

i don't think 38 is a big number for such a feature.

We already know of 4, Arthas, Xal'atath, the Ethereals, and Umbric/Voidelves.

so that leaves us with 34.

From the top of my head i could see:

1. Anduin
2. Wrathion
3. Nozdormu/Murozond
4. Thrall
5. Jaina
6. Illidan
7. Garrosh & Iron Horde
8. Amani Trolls
9. Vrykul
10. Old Gods
11. Ulduar Keepers
12. Archaedas & Tyr
13. Varian
14. Sylvanas

And that is all only in relative importance to the world soul saga or big people in the story. If i would go over all of the expansions and more characters, i could easily reach 30+ stories to tell.

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Irrelevant to the point she was making. She mis-remembered a number, why's that a focus point?

no, it's you implying she misremembered. She could very well be talking about 30 lorewalking questlines

[Joshuaj]

i don't think 38 is a big number for such a feature.

We already know of 4, Arthas, Xal'atath, the Ethereals, and Umbric/Voidelves.

so that leaves us with 34.

From the top of my head i could see:

1. Anduin
2. Wrathion
3. Nozdormu/Murozond
4. Thrall
5. Jaina
6. Illidan
7. Garrosh & Iron Horde
8. Amani Trolls
9. Vrykul
10. Old Gods
11. Ulduar Keepers
12. Archaedas & Tyr
13. Varian
14. Sylvanas

And that is all only in relative importance to the world soul saga or big people in the story. If i would go over all of the expansions and more characters, i could easily reach 30+ stories to tell.

- - - Updated - - -



no, it's you implying she misremembered. She could very well be talking about 30 lorewalking questlines

*Looks at Sargeras*

GIMME HIS STORY OR GIMME CHAOS!

[Cheezits]

It seems pretty clear to me that the original plan was Nerubar (with more content in the city.... RIP), then Undermine, then Rootlands. The core is saved but then something happens to make the Arathi Empire threat for the next expansion. Maybe Beledar blows up.

Metzen comes in around the time they are developing 11.1. He says "guys wtf we can't keep doing OC islands forever" but sees potential in the worldcore plot. He kicks back Rootlands all the way to the end of his "saga" and Arathi will probably be a threat in the next saga- and I'm guessing will attack Azeroth with or at the same time as Azshara for dueling Light/Void royalty themes.

Karesh being the first Metzen addition would track with his love of space stuff and it being a fan service old idea.

[Joshuaj]

It seems pretty clear to me that the original plan was Nerubar (with more content in the city.... RIP), then Undermine, then Rootlands. The core is saved but then something happens to make the Arathi Empire threat for the next expansion. Maybe Beledar blows up.

Metzen comes in around the time they are developing 11.1. He says "guys wtf we can't keep doing OC islands forever" but sees potential in the worldcore plot. He kicks back Rootlands all the way to the end of his "saga" and Arathi will probably be a threat in the next saga- and I'm guessing will attack Azeroth with or at the same time as Azshara for dueling Light/Void royalty themes.

Karesh being the first Metzen addition would track with his love of space stuff and it being a fan service old idea.

He joined in pretty early during TWW's development btw. There's no way you can assume this was the original plan.

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"Karesh being the first Metzen addition would track with his love of space stuff and it being a fan service old idea."

The Incarnates were one of Metzen's first additions when he returned, or at the very least, he played a big part in their conception.

[Cheezits]

The Incarnates were one of Metzen's first additions when he returned, or at the very least, he played a big part in their conception.

I think he definitely had a hand in their visage forms- before that they were just big protos. Their concept art is rather boring.

When they appear with fun visages its after launch content and it really drew people into liking them.

[Nibelheimy]

Metzen saw the original plot, which would likely have Xal'atath corrupting the planet and the whole Titans are bad VIA Earthern storylines and said hey, this is too big to fit into one expansion and suggested the saga.

The most likely first addition of his is Undermine, it was hinted in an interview recently if it wasn't for the Saga format we wouldn't have got it. The future return to Ulduar is also likely his influence. He's just adding in now what's left of his old world map.

There is nothing to suggest Metzen conceived the incarnates whatsoever. I don't know why this is always repeated.

[Cheezits]

Metzen saw the original plot, which would likely have Xal'atath corrupting the planet and the whole Titans are bad VIA Earthern storylines and said hey, this is too big to fit into one expansion and suggested the saga.

The most likely first addition of his is Undermine, it was hinted in an interview recently if it wasn't for the Saga format we wouldn't have got it. The future return to Ulduar is also likely his influence. He's just adding in now what's left of his old world map.

Titans are bad was heavily foreshadowed in DF as well, at launch even. So that tracks.

Had no idea about Undermine NOT being planned, it seems like such an obvious fit. But it would explain why there was nothing about it in the old map files vs Rootlands. They moved whatever was 11.1 somewhere else and slotted Undermine in.

I wouldn't put it past Danuser to do an underground expansion and not do Undermine, instead going for more OC.

[Nibelheimy]

Titans are bad was heavily foreshadowed in DF as well, at launch even. So that tracks.

Had no idea about Undermine NOT being planned, it seems like such an obvious fit. But it would explain why there was nothing about it in the old map files vs Rootlands. They moved whatever was 11.1 somewhere else and slotted Undermine in.

I wouldn't put it past Danuser to do an underground expansion and not do Undermine, instead going for more OC.

Just for clarity I cannot find the specific interview, but it was not stated literally that Undermine wasn't the original plan. Just that due to the changing to a saga, they were free to do other things as side plots they wouldn't of been able to squeeze in originally. To me, Undermine, would not have had space in an original TWW plotline that would of fit the saga's worth of theme's in.

[Darkarath]

To be fair with Danuser, he stated in an interview (post DF I believe) that the Ethereals were fun to work with and that they tend to have their hands in the cookie jar, and that we will eventually see them from a new perspective.

So he definitively was planning to do something with them. Who knows? Maybe K'aresh was always ment to be 11.2.

Found the interview:

https://www.wowhead.com/news/highlig...danuser-331205