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

[milkmustache]

No chance in hell were the Drust weapons from Shadowlands. If anything they were antagonists in the Rootlands and those are scrapped raid/zone weapons.

Could just be artists having fun though.

I like the idea that the Drust possibly play a role in whatever vision of the "Rootlands" devs had (regardless if we go there or not).

I'm not totally sure the Trading Post items are recycled from cut content, but I agree there's no way they're from Shadowlands. I think the Drust are a cool enough aesthetic to find excuses to bring them back in content like the Trading Post. Almost like a precursor to the Arathi in the sense that it was new lore that was overwhelmingly accepted as awesome (I think?)

[FossilFree]

Witch class incoming? If the Amani are friendly and neutral in Midnight, a Witch class would fit right in there. Perhaps it could have a Shadow Hunter hero talent tree?

[Cheezits]

I'm not totally sure the Trading Post items are recycled from cut content, but I agree there's no way they're from Shadowlands. I think the Drust are a cool enough aesthetic to find excuses to bring them back in content like the Trading Post. Almost like a precursor to the Arathi in the sense that it was new lore that was overwhelmingly accepted as awesome (I think?)

While the way they were handled in BFA and SL ranges from good to iffy IMO, I think the idea of "Vrykul Death Druids because ofc Vrykul love death, classic Vrykul" has been well accepted. As well as the Thornspeakers.

And not all the TP items are recycled, clearly most are just new ideas the artists cook up to make sales. But Blizz has been cheeky about reusing stuff in smart ways lately- that children's week robot is very likely tied to that promotional set that was goblin themed.

- - - Updated - - -

Witch class incoming? If the Amani are friendly and neutral in Midnight, a Witch class would fit right in there. Perhaps it could have a Shadow Hunter hero talent tree?

I think if we're getting a class it's something that wasn't on the survey. I still think a Windrunner themed spellbow class would work (Void/Arcane/Shadow) and fit the themes of the expansion.

Also, I'm just realizing this now, but all three of those magics have warp effects. So it could be a very movement heavy class that zips around and can create portals/fly like Sylvanas does.

[Khaza-R]

No chance in hell were the Drust weapons from Shadowlands. If anything they were antagonists in the Rootlands and those are scrapped raid/zone weapons.

Could just be artists having fun though.

I don't really see a connection between Drust and what the rootlands would of been. Just doesn't really mesh with the black blood and primal life themes we got a glimpse of.

That said, if they just tabled the harranir story to TLT then its possible there might be a stronger connection between Elun'hir, Eonir, the rootlands, Drust and Vykrul. Either way though, I think these were just because some artist likes the aesthetic and wanted to add more it.

[Cheezits]

That said, if they just tabled the harranir story to TLT then its possible there might be a stronger connection between Elun'hir, Eonir, the rootlands, Drust and Vykrul. Either way though, I think these were just because some artist likes the aesthetic and wanted to add more it.

Yeah if you assume Elun'ahir is underneath Sholozar, that opens up a great route for the Drust- heavy Death and Vrykul presence in Northrend. Plus that's an area with a lot of underground activity already. Azjol'Nerub, Iridikron's lair, Path of the Titans, Forge of Souls, etc.

[FossilFree]

I think if we're getting a class it's something that wasn't on the survey. I still think a Windrunner themed spellbow class would work (Void/Arcane/Shadow) and fit the themes of the expansion.

I could see that too. There are honestly a lot of potential class breadcrumbs right now. Bards, artificers, spellbows, spellblades, spellbreakers, sea witches, shadow hunters, etc. I'm sure it's to keep us guessing right up to the reveal.

[Khaza-R]

Yeah if you assume Elun'ahir is underneath Sholozar, that opens up a great route for the Drust- heavy Death and Vrykul presence in Northrend. Plus that's an area with a lot of underground activity already. Azjol'Nerub, Iridikron's lair, Path of the Titans, Forge of Souls, etc.

Exactly. A lot potential for TLT. I just hope the expansion has enough room to breathe and explore all of it because there's a lot going on in Northrend to catch up on.

[milkmustache]

I could see that too. There are honestly a lot of potential class breadcrumbs right now. Bards, artificers, spellbows, spellblades, spellbreakers, sea witches, shadow hunters, etc. I'm sure it's to keep us guessing right up to the reveal.

Man, I still so badly want some form of battlemage, especially if it's a spec within a spellbreaker. I just wanna look like the Suramar guards.

[Cheezits]

I wonder if they'll do a reverse TWW with TLT, geography wise? Tyr and/or Iridikron fuck the geography up- Ulduar gets bigger by the HOV connecting, and Iridikron fucks up the western half by using his powers, Deathwing style. So it could be like a mountain of ascending zones with Ulduar at the very top like the peaked mountain fortress it truly is.

It would be funny if Borean Tundra just gets nuked/sunk because there's not much to do with it.

[Zardas]

It would be funny if Borean Tundra just gets nuked/sunk because there's not much to do with it.

If Iridikron dares to even touch the taunka village there, I'm gonna make sure that he meets Razsageth and Fyrrak very fast.

[Worldshaper]

Here we go, the 11.1.7 announcement (part 2).

https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com...acy-of-arathor

Summary:

• New quest campaign in the Arathi Highlands.
• Lorewalking quest feature with Lorewalker Cho. Lots of focus on Ethereals and Xal'atath. And... Arthas, for some reason?
• Overcharged Delves, basically Delves with affixes.
• The previously announced UI and accessibility changes.
• Recoloured class sets.
• Turbulent Timeways.
• BfA Timewalking.

What they announced sounds all right, but I gotta say it feels like yet another lightweight War Within patch. Definitely smaller than the small patches of the last couple of expansions, in terms of fewer new features to "woo" us and mostly just iterative changes to what's already in TWW, as well as new cosmetics.

Not disappointed or anything just kinda whelmed.

[Cheezits]

Here we go, the 11.1.7 announcement (part 2).

https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com...acy-of-arathor

Oh wow, whoever guessed it would be Heartlands ingame fucking called it.

ALSO

Meet the Ethereals: Travel to Netherstorm to fight Dimensius, meet up with Alleria and Locus Walker in Legion, and head into the Shadowlands to meet the Brokers and gain access to Tazavesh. You’ll also meet up with Ve'nari.

About fucking time they confirmed this.

[Reive]

new patch sounds interesting. also, it seems like some faction conflict is finally coming back

"While attentions have been focused on Khaz Algar, a new storm is brewing in the Arathi Highlands. Tensions are rising between the Horde and Alliance; join Faerin and Danath as they attempt to quell the rising tides of hostility between the two factions in a new multi-quest campaign. You’ll get to experience this new two-chapter storyline with branching viewpoints for each faction as you play through.

Players will receive a few new rewards for their efforts:

Alliance: Stromgarde Tabard
Horde: Maghar Tabard
Shoulder Transmog inspired by Faerin’s own pauldrons.
Read and listen to the Heartlands 5-part audio novella before you head into Arathi Highlands."

[Joshuaj]

Nothing on Beledar huh?

Yeeaaahhh, pretty sure 11.2 is the Worldcore lol

[Cheezits]

Timecaptain Hooktail mount was on nobody's bingo board.

[Darkarath]

Lorewalking is a good addition. Also the Ethereal questline practically confirms K'aresh for 11.2 and something even more impactful, although already suspected, a link between Ethereals and Brokers.

Nothing about the Beledar, though.

[Cheezits]

Lorewalking is a good addition. Also the Ethereal questline practically confirms K'aresh for 11.2 and something even more impactful, although already suspected, a link between Ethereals and Brokers.

This explains the Tazavesh shout in Undermine as well. I wonder if the Brokers have a part of Gallywix's soul with them, or, even better, Arthas's.

Also:

and go back in time to the Black Empire to experience Xal’atath’s encounter with the Old Gods.

[Worldshaper]

Lorewalking is a good addition. Also the Ethereal questline practically confirms K'aresh for 11.2 and something even more impactful, although already suspected, a link between Ethereals and Brokers.

Why Arthas, though? Based on the fact that TLT is also in the future, this could just be small reminders of past lore for future expansions.

[Joshuaj]

Overcharged Delves, an upgradeable titanforged belt, and an overcharged Mech Suit?

Has to be a lead-in to the Worldcore. Unless this leads into an overcharged K'aresh based thing in 11.2, ofc. Really hope it doesn't tho. I want my underground expac to remain an underground expac.

[Cheezits]

Why Arthas, though? Based on the fact that TLT is also in the future, this could just be small reminders of past lore for future expansions.

Arthas could be due to him playing a role in TLT. He was already hinted by Anduin's pose in TWS cinematic.