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

[ImTheMizAwesome]

Blizzard should add undead elves instead of high elves just to fuck with people

[Hitei]

That would be cool as we haven't had a new (regular) raptor in a long time. But what makes you say that?

Is there anything that is pointing to this that inspires the confidence?

Spoiler: 

In the 7960 key and 7961 key there are four unknown models (two each) which have entries in the table for various model parameters.

Amongst those parameters is mount height. I don't actually know what this parameter corresponds to (the height at which the mounting character model theoretically gets placed for the model I'm guessing?) but the important bit is that all four of these models have the same value for the parameter: 2.5611851. Only those four models have that value in the table. So there's nothing outside of this set of encryptions keys (at least that isn't also encrypted) that is "identical".

...However: There are 33 other models in the table which have a value of 2.56...X for this parameter.

Every single one of those is some sort of raptor model.

There are 28 models that are 2.5606651 (original raptor mob model, the original normal and epic raptor mounts, outland's raptors, the original raptor pet, skeletal raptors, the zandalari masked raptors, falcosaur mounts, etc.)

There are 2 models that are 2.5606666 (the vicious war raptor and the zandalari gold-armored one)

There are 2 models that are 2.56067 (the feathered raptors from BfA and the cat raptors from Emerald Dream)

And there is one model at 2.560706 (the non-mount falcosaur model).

The next closest values are 2.534 on the low end (some drake-related stuff), and 2.577 on the high end (the progenitor toad). So nothing else existing in the game at current is so close in height to the raptors. That said, this is not 100%, as you could theoretically have some entirely new model which just by random chance has ended up at a very close value to the otherwise quite unique raptor height. This is not an impossible scenario.

Additionally, and separate from the above,

Also, don't take this as gospel as it is even more speculatory, but some of the textures referenced around encrypted files (usually indicates they are part of the key but reused unencrypted files so they won't show up as properly encrypted) for what might be a pre-order mount/spell seem kind of light-related.

Maybe a helpful note that the the two models discussed above associated with the pet key use BloodID 10 for their being hit effect, which is composed of "holy" sparks based on hit effects (rather than say spurting blood when crit), and is pretty much only used with light or magical construct enemies.

[Wangming]

Blizzard should add undead elves instead of high elves just to fuck with people

Idunno. This guy does look like he is high on something.

[milkmustache]

Spoiler: 

In the 7960 key and 7961 key there are four unknown models (two each) which have entries in the table for various model parameters.

Amongst those parameters is mount height. I don't actually know what this parameter corresponds to (the height at which the mounting character model theoretically gets placed for the model I'm guessing?) but the important bit is that all four of these models have the same value for the parameter: 2.5611851. Only those four models have that value in the table. So there's nothing outside of this set of encryptions keys (at least that isn't also encrypted) that is "identical".

...However: There are 33 other models in the table which have a value of 2.56...X for this parameter.

Every single one of those is some sort of raptor model.

There are 28 models that are 2.5606651 (original raptor mob model, the original normal and epic raptor mounts, outland's raptors, the original raptor pet, skeletal raptors, the zandalari masked raptors, falcosaur mounts, etc.)

There are 2 models that are 2.5606666 (the vicious war raptor and the zandalari gold-armored one)

There are 2 models that are 2.56067 (the feathered raptors from BfA and the cat raptors from Emerald Dream)

And there is one model at 2.560706 (the non-mount falcosaur model).

The next closest values are 2.534 on the low end (some drake-related stuff), and 2.577 on the high end (the progenitor toad). So nothing else existing in the game at current is so close in height to the raptors. That said, this is not 100%, as you could theoretically have some entirely new model which just by random chance has ended up at a very close value to the otherwise quite unique raptor height. This is not an impossible scenario.

Additionally, and separate from the above,

Maybe a helpful note that the the two models discussed above associated with the pet key use BloodID 10 for their being hit effect, which is composed of "holy" sparks based on hit effects (rather than say spurting blood when crit), and is pretty much only used with light or magical construct enemies.

Hmmm... the falcosaur jumps out to me. Is it possibly a rework of the hawkstrider?

[Dvalin]

OMG high elf and amani theme ? And 3 mounts? wtf

What makes you this confident, by the way? Just curious, 'cause I wouldn't mind High Elf/Amani things.

[Nightshade711]

Blizzard should add undead elves instead of high elves just to fuck with people

Would be funny.

We have too many races using the Blood Elf skeleton anyways. And we don’t have a single Allied Race using the Undead skeleton.

[Hitei]

Hmmm... the falcosaur jumps out to me. Is it possibly a rework of the hawkstrider?

I don't really see the connection beyond the falcosaur having feathers. The Hawkstriders are a remodel of plainstriders, like the MoP cranes.

The falcosaur itself was sort of incidental here, the point was just that every other existing model around that parameter value is araptor or thing (like the dreamtalons and falcosaurs) that is a modified version of raptors.

[Cheezits]

A Holy Raptor does line up with Darkspear Paladins, but not my first choice of a Midnight mount.

I guess the Amani have them too:

https://www.wowhead.com/mop-classic/...raptor-handler

[Dvalin]

A Holy Raptor does line up with Darkspear Paladins, but not my first choice of a Midnight mount.

I guess the Amani have them too:

https://www.wowhead.com/mop-classic/...raptor-handler

Keep in mind a lot of the Troll-identity pre 5.2 was quite 'generic'. Newer iterations of the Drakkari, Amani, Gurubashi, etc. have been more distinct from each other. All of them getting raptors would be a bit too samey.

[milkmustache]

A Holy Raptor does line up with Darkspear Paladins, but not my first choice of a Midnight mount.

I guess the Amani have them too:

https://www.wowhead.com/mop-classic/...raptor-handler

I'm gonna go on a limb and say this isn't the Midnight mount if it is indeed a raptor. There's no way they pass up something Elf related. Technically speaking, we don't even have direct confirmation that the Amani are in Midnight. For all we know, Zul'Aman could get Void nuked during prepatch and their population wiped out. That obviously won't happen, but my point being if this is indeed a raptor, which has no association with Elfs, then it's not going to be the CE mount. Even then, it'd be an odd choice to give the Amani a raptor as their mount. Amani Battle Bear is insanely iconic.

They'll go extremely on the nose in my opinion. Manawyrm is my guess-- there's already a new model on the store, they can adapt it to be any type of magic they want, and it doesn't necessarily take away from the inclusion of other iconic mounts, i.e. Dragonhawk. If a new Dragonhawk model was locked behind CE, I think that'd be a major mistake.

Then again, the Algari Stormrider's Gryphon was the CE mount, with the bees and for some reason I still don't understand different model gryphons available otherwise.

Anyway, I think Darkspear Paladin could maybe be a good call. My copium fallback suggestion is some sort of light associated K'areshi raptor for playable Ethereal ground mounts :P

[Cheezits]

A Holy K'areshi mount was my other thought, yeah, if "The Light of Karesh" is to be taken literally and they get paladins.

Then again, it would just be their Charger, so yeah.

[Hitei]

It's not necessarily a raptor, even if we assume the inference is correct. It could just be something else using that as a base, like the catraptors.

It could just be a bunch of naaru-style floating shards that are roughly in a bipedal mount shape.

[Marlamin]

As per history and Blizzard not always learning their lesson, I say we keep a good eye on the web API stuff after 11.2 maintenance completes, just in case a few new mount names or otherwise show up.

[Raetary]

I hope they let something slip, the train is yearning for more content.

[Hearthfinder]

As per history and Blizzard not always learning their lesson, I say we keep a good eye on the web API stuff after 11.2 maintenance completes, just in case a few new mount names or otherwise show up.

How many hours away is that, approx?

[bruxx]

I hope they let something slip, the train is yearning for more content.

Add an ethereal and an Amani riding a holy raptor together. Easy.

[Marlamin]

How many hours away is that, approx?

I have no idea when the actual API generally gets updated, but probably Tuesday/Wednesday somewhere.

[Merryck]

I'm hoping it's a customisable phoenix. We already got a holy raptor mount with BFA.

[Hearthfinder]

I have no idea when the actual API generally gets updated, but probably Tuesday/Wednesday somewhere.

Okay, alarm is set.

- - - Updated - - -

I'm hoping it's a customisable phoenix. We already got a holy raptor mount with BFA.

The Phoenix theme would make sense as a running thread for the expansion with a people rising from the ashes, and the potential return of the Sunstrider dynasty.



- Sunstrider dynasty returning?

- A people rising from the ashes.

-

[Lady Atia]

I'm hoping it's a customisable phoenix. We already got a holy raptor mount with BFA.

Yeah. I really really really hope they don't waste the phoenix on the Gladiatormount this time around (unless they plan to allow us to buy old ones via vic saddle in the future). Collectors Edition, Delve or M+ mount would be great options though.

Gladiators can get a Dragonhawk or something ugly lol.