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

[Alanar]

inb4 K'aresh is just Ny'alotha bis (just a raid or a wasted potential like Argus)

I dont get why any one would think otherwise. Its obviously going to be the similar as Argus. The excuse of ka resh being destroyed is perfect, to only give it like 2 or 3 zones max. Its not going to be a full on planet with 8 zones lol. Also Argus was complete dogshit, same as Ny alotha. Dont fool yourself.

People think to highly of certain aspects, who are in for dissappointment.

[Dracullus]

Strange some of you discuss Karesh as done deal. Ethererals are teased as next enemies, but outer space definitely doesn't feel like part of underground expansion.

Argus was builded throughout Legion, we had Sargerai keystone, defending Exodar and Turalyon teaser, Medivh in Karazhan saying that we must go further than closing portal, space theme was everywhere, all pieces were there even before Illidan opened the way.

How we get to Karesh? Someone open lame portal out of blue? Also it will be funny how they'll explain new enemies in Khaz Algar delves (or any content in KA in general), since Ethereals basically grabbed all they wanted in 11.1.

That's why I like idea of Ethereals going to Worldcore/Rootlands to grab Azeroth essence to restore Karesh (so noble reasons but still our enemies), us fighting with them and Xalatath using this opportunity to win whole TWW. It would make more interesting story, whole thing is well builded up, Worldcore is teased, placed under Khaz Algar and perfectly fits as finale of underground expansion.

[Worldshaper]

Having K'aresh as an ongoing, parallell storyline and location next to Quel'thalas throughout Midnight would be awesome.

It would give Blizzard lots of opportunity for all sorts of interesting things, and seriously expand the scope of the conflict. For example, not only might minions of the Void appear out of K'areshi portals sometimes. But you might enter such portals on occasion to do a little scenario, delve, dungeon, or quest somewhere on K'aresh.

If they keep building it up, it would feel way more impactful as an endgame zone in either 12.1 or 12.2.

The four likeliest candidates for raids in Midnight are probably these, as things stand:

- K'aresh (Void)
- Quel'danas and the Sunwell (Void)
- Something involving either Naga, Amani trolls, or the Undead
- A somewhat unexpected Light-affiliated enemy, such as the Arathi or Scarlet Crusade

Personally, I think the Sunwell would be a more impactful final raid, since it's set close to home. But I'm not sure if going to K'aresh first makes sence, since that would likely imply we defeat the Void's base of operations before we defeat its forces? Seems kind of backwards.

So maybe it could be like this:

12.0 - Defeat whatever local threat is on the border of Quel'thalas, such as the Amani.
12.1 - Defend the Sunwell.
12.2 - Go to K'aresh and banish the Shadow forever (defeat Dimensius).

With that in mind, an "Ethereal raid" set somewhere deep below Khaz Algar for 11.2 makes a lot of sense.

[Makorus]

Strange some of you discuss Karesh as done deal. Ethererals are teased as next enemies, but outer space definitely doesn't feel like part of underground expansion.

Argus was builded throughout Legion, we had Sargerai keystone, defending Exodar and Turalyon teaser, Medivh in Karazhan saying that we must go further than closing portal, space theme was everywhere, all pieces were there even before Illidan opened the way.

How we get to Karesh? Someone open lame portal out of blue? Also it will be funny how they'll explain new enemies in Khaz Algar delves (or any content in KA in general), since Ethereals basically grabbed all they wanted in 11.1.

That's why I like idea of Ethereals going to Worldcore/Rootlands to grab Azeroth essence to restore Karesh (so noble reasons but still our enemies), us fighting with them and Xalatath using this opportunity to win whole TWW. It would make more interesting story, whole thing is well builded up, Worldcore is teased, placed under Khaz Algar and perfectly fits as finale of underground expansion.

I just feel like having a teaser of a cool outer space location just to be like "lol emerald dream 2.0" would be very shit, and really not what Blizzard wants right now.

[Dvalin]

Strange some of you discuss Karesh as done deal. Ethererals are teased as next enemies, but outer space definitely doesn't feel like part of underground expansion.

Argus was builded throughout Legion, we had Sargerai keystone, defending Exodar and Turalyon teaser, Medivh in Karazhan saying that we must go further than closing portal, space theme was everywhere, all pieces were there even before Illidan opened the way.

How we get to Karesh? Someone open lame portal out of blue? Also it will be funny how they'll explain new enemies in Khaz Algar delves (or any content in KA in general), since Ethereals basically grabbed all they wanted in 11.1.

That's why I like idea of Ethereals going to Worldcore/Rootlands to grab Azeroth essence to restore Karesh (so noble reasons but still our enemies), us fighting with them and Xalatath using this opportunity to win whole TWW. It would make more interesting story, whole thing is well builded up, Worldcore is teased, placed under Khaz Algar and perfectly fits as finale of underground expansion.

This is currently one of the better-sounding ideas, and goes along with TWW's themes without abandoning its setting/characters.

I also hope we kind of have a race against the clock parallel to Xal, with both us and her going against those Ethereals.

[Khaza-R]

Strange some of you discuss Karesh as done deal. Ethererals are teased as next enemies, but outer space definitely doesn't feel like part of underground expansion.

Tbf, it doesn't really fit well into Midnight either. Not at least as they explained it in the context as part of a trilogy. K'aresh being Argus 2.0 makes sense if the story was self-contained. Void invades. We beat back void to its homeworld. Defeat big bad of void. Story is over.

But the way it was describes flows more like void invades, heroes join with the forces of Light to stop the void, something goes very wrong. Titans return because shit hit the fan. Titans returning ends up not really being a good thing.

So even if K'aresh is a part of Midnight, its probably not going to be the finale.

[Nightshade711]

Tbf, it doesn't really fit well into Midnight either. Not at least as they explained it in the context as part of a trilogy. K'aresh being Argus 2.0 makes sense if the story was self-contained. Void invades. We beat back void to its homeworld. Defeat big bad of void. Story is over.

But the way it was describes flows more like void invades, heroes join with the forces of Light to stop the void, something goes very wrong. Titans return because shit hit the fan. Titans returning ends up not really being a good thing.

So even if K'aresh is a part of Midnight, its probably not going to be the finale.

I mean if it’s in the context of a trilogy K’aresh could still make sense as Midnight’s finale - it was said we are supposed to stop the void’s threat to Azeroth for good.

And whatever happens in the finale would still lead us directly into TWW.

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Also if you remember Xal’atath’s whispers in Legion we gave the void access to the Seat of the Pantheon. I could see that playing into the finale of Midnight to lead into TWW.

[Khaza-R]

I mean if it’s in the context of a trilogy K’aresh could still make sense as Midnight’s finale - it was said we are supposed to stop the void’s threat to Azeroth for good.

And whatever happens in the finale would still lead us directly into TWW.

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Also if you remember Xal’atath’s whispers in Legion we gave the void access to the Seat of the Pantheon. I could see that playing into the finale of Midnight to lead into TWW.

Possible, of course. K'aresh could also be 12.1 and false flag victory and 12.2 ends up being Xal'atath's Revenge or something.

The one thing I am confident is that despite these expansions being revealed in advance, the general plot and how they transpire might be a very different direction then what fans are speculating. So keep an openmind is really all I am suggesting.

[Merryck]

If the "Rootlands" are like the hollow earth from Godzilla vs. Kong, I could dig it. But they'd have to seriously cook with the skybox. I want to see the Worldsoul with the big rings spinning around it when I look up. If it's just the emerald dream but more root-y I'd be very disappointed.

Anyway, the reason I want K'aresh for the final patch is because it would nicely segue into playable Ethereals for the launch of Midnight. Blizzard can keep their Harronir. They look smelly.

[Cheezits]

If the "Rootlands" are like the hollow earth from Godzilla vs. Kong, I could dig it. But they'd have to seriously cook with the skybox. I want to see the Worldsoul with the big rings spinning around it when I look up. If it's just the emerald dream but more root-y I'd be very disappointed.

Anyway, the reason I want K'aresh for the final patch is because it would nicely segue into playable Ethereals for the launch of Midnight. Blizzard can keep their Harronir. They look smelly.

They can still do playable Ethereals if next patch is Rootlands. It would just be a Panda/Drac situation where their story starts at their starting experience without prior setup.

[Worldshaper]

If the "Rootlands" are like the hollow earth from Godzilla vs. Kong, I could dig it. But they'd have to seriously cook with the skybox. I want to see the Worldsoul with the big rings spinning around it when I look up. If it's just the emerald dream but more root-y I'd be very disappointed.

Anyway, the reason I want K'aresh for the final patch is because it would nicely segue into playable Ethereals for the launch of Midnight. Blizzard can keep their Harronir. They look smelly.

0.0001% chance of playable Ethereals for the launch of Midnight. Any race or class released alongside an expansion is always tightly themed after the launch experience.

Blood Elves/Draenei - Azurenyst and Quel'thalas.

DK - Northrend/Arthas.

Worgen/Goblin - Gilneas and Kezan.

Monk/Pandaren - Pandaria.

DH - Burning Legion invasion/Illidan.

Dracthyr/Evoker - the dragonflights and Neltharion's legacy.

Earthen - Isle of Dorn.

So for Midnight it would probably have something to do with elves.

[Joshuaj]

0.0001% chance of playable Ethereals for the launch of Midnight. Any race or class released alongside an expansion is always tightly themed after the launch experience.

Blood Elves/Draenei - Azurenyst and Quel'thalas.

DK - Northrend/Arthas.

Worgen/Goblin - Gilneas and Kezan.

Monk/Pandaren - Pandaria.

DH - Burning Legion invasion/Illidan.

Dracthyr/Evoker - the dragonflights and Neltharion's legacy.

Earthen - Isle of Dorn.

So for Midnight it would probably have something to do with elves.

I have a better idea...

Forest Trolls.

[Worldshaper]

I have a better idea...

Forest Trolls.

I would kill for some cool and stylised presentation of the expansion, with the pre-purchase giving you High Elf and Forest Troll.

Or if new Silvermoon wasn't even the Horde hub, but a neutral one. While Horde instead set up camp in the Amani Foothills in the east, while the Alliance hangs out in Northeron above Stratholme in the west, or a rebuilt Eastweald in the south. Just so Silvermoon can become a battleground between forces of Light and Shadow.

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In about 3 days from right now, we'll be checking out the 11.1.7 PTR. Can't wait for there to be new clues about the future.

[Val the Moofia Boss]

The new Nightfall event is a letdown. Blizzard hyped up the war between the Arathi and the menacing Nerubians, but in this event you just run around roflstomping normal mobs for 10 minutes and then slash at the back of the ankles of a Cryptlord for 2 minutes and then you are done for there week. Just another chore. No grandiose 2 hour long epic war event like in GW2's Dragon's Stand/Drizzlewood Coast/etc.




There is some neat lore about how the Arathi people here are old farmers and merchants who have volunteered because the official military is holding the line on the other side of Hallowfall, though unfortunately the event is such a poor depiction of war you don't feel the sacrifice of these soldiers. It was neat that there was an Arathi knight on his lynx pouncing from mob to mob. I wish I could do that as a Panda DK on my tiger mount. Oddly, one of the Arathi vendors at the volunteer camp sells only equipment infused with shadow magic. You would think the other Lightworshipping paladins standing around him would shut that down if not kill him on the spot.

[Khaza-R]

0.0001% chance of playable Ethereals for the launch of Midnight. Any race or class released alongside an expansion is always tightly themed after the launch experience.

Blood Elves/Draenei - Azurenyst and Quel'thalas.

DK - Northrend/Arthas.

Worgen/Goblin - Gilneas and Kezan.

Monk/Pandaren - Pandaria.

DH - Burning Legion invasion/Illidan.

Dracthyr/Evoker - the dragonflights and Neltharion's legacy.

Earthen - Isle of Dorn.

So for Midnight it would probably have something to do with elves.

Worgen and Goblins pretty much had nothing to do with the main story of Cataclysm. They had their starting zones and then slipped into obscurity for the rest of the expansion.

BfA had highmountain, nightborne, lighforge and void elves available at launch. None of them were really related to the inital story of BfA. Kul Tirans and Zandalari weren't unlockable until 8.1.5 despite being heavily tied to the expansions main story.

This is a requirement that doesn't really exist.

[Zardas]

Worgen and Goblins pretty much had nothing to do with the main story of Cataclysm. They had their starting zones and then slipped into obscurity for the rest of the expansion.

Goblins were relevant in :

Winterspring
Stonetalon mountains
Azshara
Northern Barrens
Tanaris

Worgens were relevant in :

Tirisfall Glades
Hillsbrad Foothill
Silverpine Forest
And that's being generous by not counting Ruins of Gilneas as an independant zone

BfA had highmountain, nightborne, lighforge and void elves available at launch. None of them were really related to the inital story of BfA.

All of these races released in 7.3.5, aka not BFA.

[alex wolf]

I have a better idea...

Forest Trolls.

You think a third troll race would be better than Etherals???

[Mecheon]

You think a third troll race would be better than Etherals???

Forest trolls have the longer pedigree of being requested, due to being a Warcraft 2 race and all. Them and ogres are the only ones from WC2 with no playable representation. Heck, we even got dragons before them in dracthyr

If I gotta choose then, yeah, I'd go for Forest Trolls as they've been requested longer

[Nightshade711]

Forest Trolls seem like they could just be part of the Troll customization.

Devs already said they want to bring Dracthyr level customization to the other races - seems like Forest trolls could be accomplished with a bulkier body & green skin.

[Viridiel]

I think there are only really two ways we could get playable ethereals in Midnight:

1. One of the base zones is K'aresh or another location instead of being in Quel'thalas
2. All of the work is done to embed them in the story before Midnight's release

I don't see (1) happening because it would split the "continent" in half, and every time an expansion has separated zones with loading screens or other travel between them it's poorly received. I could see it if part of K'aresh or Telogrus Rift were teleported to Quel'thalas, or if they implemented some new technology that worked flawlessly to transition between the areas without it feeling too clunky, like one of the zones having a Void version where the ethereals can live. But I'm not sure how much they want to digress from the elf storyline--(2) would mean we don't need the ethereals to feature heavily in the base story but can still be present in the greater plot without distracting from the elf storyline. We would also know if it's possible by the end of TWW.