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

[Cheezits]

that fits though - yes, even the light in the mag'har character screen, if a bit far-fetched.
what was the bargain the Light made with Death again?

Light made a bargain with the "enemy of all" but we don't know what that is. Could be Time/Infinites for all we know.

[Nightshade711]

Light made a bargain with the "enemy of all" but we don't know what that is. Could be Time/Infinites for all we know.

I assumed the “enemy of all” was supposed to be the jailer/death because Anduin was using light and death magic when he was dominated when Arthas could not.

[Nymrohd]

Light made a bargain with the "enemy of all" but we don't know what that is. Could be Time/Infinites for all we know.

We have to ask Calia and Sa'ara.

[Imotbh]

I know it's FR. "This place" referred to the specific room the Azerite is in Sry if my message was misleading.

[Lady Atia]

Stratholme is tentatively linked to this expansion by Yogg/Galakrond who dance around the powers of Death and Decay. It would be a longshot, but I could see us returning to the Plaguelands (as an excuse to update them) in order to find a cure for Decay if it starts spreading on the Dragon Isles.

Also close proximity to the Church, and we're going to meet (a) Tyr properly soon. Maybe we should reopen the "Avaloren is North EK" theory?

Why should they do an updated Stratholme if they can do that with a world revamp next Expansion anyways?

[Sondrelk]

Why should they do an updated Stratholme if they can do that with a world revamp next Expansion anyways?

Because then they can make us of all the Human and Forsaken assets they inevitably have to make to update Stormwind. Sure it would be kinda weird to have an old dungeon in current content, but they could also just move the dungeon entrance somewhere else and reuse the dungeon assets to recreate Stratholme completely as a faction hub, maybe even the Forsaken one.

The weird thing would be to have loads of content in the Eastern Plaguelands, and then reuse the zone AGAIN in a world revamp, though I don't see why that would be a given when the expansion already has a dungeon in the Badlands with no content outside it.

[Varodoc]

Blizzard will never revamp the entire old world again. They will only revamp a few key zones that are significant from a story perspective, like Tirisfal/Arathi/Darkshore (BfA 8.0), Vale of Eternal Blossoms/Uldum (8.3), and Icecrown (9.0).

Eastern Plaguelands could serve some purpose in this expansion. Tyr has returned, and the city of Tyr's Hand is found in Eastern Plaguelands. Maybe the city's name has more meaning than what appears at a first glance.

Eastern Plaguelands could serve some purpose in the Light-centred expansion. Stratholme was a bastion of the Light and the location where the Order of Silver Hand was formed. Light's Hope Chapel is built on sacred holy ground that made even the Lich King flee.

Then there is that stretch of coastline between Eastern Plaguelands and Outlands Quel'Thalas, which was simply named "Quel'Thalas", and was rumoured to be the original base of the Ren'dorei, until it got changed to Telogrus Rift. The sky in the zone was updated to have Void effect in 7.3.5 PTR (7.3.5 is when Legion Allied races became playable); this never made it live but indicates a connection originally planned between this small region and the Ren'dorei.

Therefore, I can also see the Ren'dorei play a role in an updated Eastern Plaguelands zone, that will make good use of that coastline right behind Stratholme.

Above all else, the Eastern Plaguelands are an important region for the WoW lore. The location of the infamous Culling of Stratholme. One of the scariest end-game zones from Vanilla. The original location of the infamous Naxxramas, the final raid of Vanilla. It is an important zone for the game and its lore, it is an iconic zone. It is one of the zones most likely to be updated for a future lore event.

[Sondrelk]

Blizzard will never revamp the entire old world again. They will only revamp a few key zones that are significant from a story perspective, like Tirisfal/Arathi/Darkshore (BfA 8.0), Vale of Eternal Blossoms/Uldum (8.3), and Icecrown (9.0).

Eastern Plaguelands could serve some purpose in this expansion. Tyr has returned, and the city of Tyr's Hand is found in Eastern Plaguelands. Maybe the city's name has more meaning than what appears at a first glance.

Eastern Plaguelands could serve some purpose in the Light-centred expansion. Stratholme was a bastion of the Light and the location where the Order of Silver Hand was formed. Light's Hope Chapel is built on sacred holy ground that made even the Lich King flee.

I have to disagree. Blizzards main mistake in revamping the old world in Cataclysm was revamping it for its own sake, as well as adding another five "new" zones to the list. Much of their effort got wasted on what really amounted to needless busywork with having to make a levelling campaign for every single zone, even as you couldnt possibly require even half, or indeed require any of them for endgame levelling.

A better take on a world revamp would be to pick and choose a few zones for revamped levelling, possibly even as a levelling area for max level players. And then additionally use those same zones for actual endgame.
Similarly the old zone barriers are not all that necessary. A better approach would be to consider several zones as one cohesive chunk. Dun Murogh, Wetlands, and Twilight Highlands as the "Dwarf" zones for instance. That way you can create one levelling campaign that makes use of three different zones, rather than a campaign for each zone. Sure it would lead to a lot of dead space, but this would also mean a lot of room to accomodate Dragonriding mechanics.

And of course finally. They could also revamp just one continent. Just EK, or just Kalimdor. Plenty of narrative space in each, though maybe a bit lopsided in terms of faction balance.

[Varodoc]

I have to disagree. Blizzards main mistake in revamping the old world in Cataclysm was revamping it for its own sake, as well as adding another five "new" zones to the list. Much of their effort got wasted on what really amounted to needless busywork with having to make a levelling campaign for every single zone, even as you couldnt possibly require even half, or indeed require any of them for endgame levelling.

A better take on a world revamp would be to pick and choose a few zones for revamped levelling, possibly even as a levelling area for max level players. And then additionally use those same zones for actual endgame.
Similarly the old zone barriers are not all that necessary. A better approach would be to consider several zones as one cohesive chunk. Dun Murogh, Wetlands, and Twilight Highlands as the "Dwarf" zones for instance. That way you can create one levelling campaign that makes use of three different zones, rather than a campaign for each zone. Sure it would lead to a lot of dead space, but this would also mean a lot of room to accomodate Dragonriding mechanics.

And of course finally. They could also revamp just one continent. Just EK, or just Kalimdor. Plenty of narrative space in each, though maybe a bit lopsided in terms of faction balance.

No one will buy an expansion that is marketed as just a rehashed old world because that is objectively lazier and less appealing to the public than making a fresh new continent. That's why they also added 5 new zones in Cataclysm that were never seen before in-game and were the actual levelling zones for 80-85.

There will never be an expansion where the final levelling segment takes place in the rehashed old world.

With this being said, it makes sense to revisit the Scarlet Crusade in a future Light-involved plotline and update one zone centred around the Crusade, such as Eastern Plaguelands (the location of Tyr's Hand, the largest city controlled by the Crusade).

Additionally, they can write a plotline where the Light forces invade Eastern Plaguelands to claim the sacred holy ground found there. A ground so powerful that made even Lich King flee, and would fascinate the Naaru Overlords.

[guro-tchai]

Light made a bargain with the "enemy of all" but we don't know what that is. Could be Time/Infinites for all we know.

oh right, im misremembering
it's probably the 7th force then. (time is order iirc)

anyway, don't see how Strat could be used this expansion. next is just plain better, assuming that it is what i think it is

[Varodoc]

oh right, im misremembering
it's probably the 7th force then. (time is order iirc)

anyway, don't see how Strat could be used this expansion. next is just plain better, assuming that it is what i think it is

Tyr has returned in Dragonflight, and Tyr's Hand is a city found in Eastern Plaguelands. It's unlikely but not unreasonable for this zone to appear in this expansion. Lordaeron in general was a focal point of fighting between Tyr and the Faceless armies in ancient times, and this expansion has a lot of Old God influence that is not even subtle. Lastly, Dragon Isles is right north of the coast of Lordaeron. There are connections here. But I agree that it's best saved for a more different kind of expansion, centred around the Ren'dorei, the Lightbound, the Scarlet Crusade, and the Cosmic conflict on Azeroth, that could play out partially in Eastern Plaguelands.

[Sondrelk]

No one will buy an expansion that is marketed as just a rehashed old world because that is objectively lazier and less appealing to the public than making a fresh new continent. That's why they also added 5 new zones in Cataclysm that were never seen before in-game and were the actual levelling zones for 80-85.

There will never be an expansion where the final levelling segment takes place in the rehashed old world.

With this being said, it makes sense to revisit the Scarlet Crusade in a future Light-involved plotline and update one zone centred around the Crusade, such as Eastern Plaguelands (the location of Tyr's Hand, the largest city controlled by the Crusade).

Additionally, they can write a plotline where the Light forces invade Eastern Plaguelands to claim the sacred holy ground found there. A ground so powerful that made even Lich King flee, and would fascinate the Naaru Overlords.

I disagree. Players were all over WoD, and that one is really just rehashed Outland, even if it's a major visual upgrade.
Make the old zones more appealing, and they could cash majorly in on the nostalgia crowd. Even more so when you consider that it would almost certainly be announced during the major 20th WoW anniversary, as well as itself being a major 10th expansion milestone. It's the best possible time to revamp the old zones and cash in on the nostalgia. Even more so now that Dragonflight was flat out stated to be the "fix the game" expansion. Now what it needs is a mass influx of nostalgia driven players, and a world revamp is perfect for that.

Besides, you would still likely choose a couple of zones to be the designated endgame, and likely see much more improvement in those zones. Even more so when you consider zones like Hyjal where you can get major changes simply be removing most of the stuff added in Cataclysm.
Just as a few examples of zones that could look different, or at least have a major vibe change we have Desolace, which could be more green. Feralas, which could have Botani making the zone look more like Gorgrond. Silithus, which could have scaffolding around the sword, or really anything. Eastern Plageulands of course could have a very different vibe, what with further removing plague, and similarly the Western Plaguelands could have more focus on the Forsaken rebuilding.

Yes it would be the same zones. But most of those zones have not been relevant in years, most not since Cataclysm and barely even then. Would you honestly think a fully revamped Stranglethorn, with all kinds of assets from Zandalar, would feel stale compared to another jungle like Zuldazar? Would the name really make all that big a difference? And even if it does, would that lack of luster always outweigh the vibes players might get from reexperiencing one of their favorite zones?

[Varodoc]

I disagree. Players were all over WoD, and that one is really just rehashed Outland, even if it's a major visual upgrade.

Unless you are saying that Azeroth will literally get destroyed and its devastated remains blasted into the Twisting Nether, then No, this is not comparable at all. Outland is literally a version of Draenor set in a post-apocalyptic Hellish era, this allows much more freedom room of world-building.

All the zones in Draenor look different from all the zones in Outland except for Nagrand, this is justified because an apocalypse took place that changed Draenor into Outland. This is the only reason why people subconsciously accepted an expansion centred around Pre-apocalypse Outland. Because Draenor and Outland are essentially different worlds.

The only comparable thing is an expansion taking place in Ancient Kalimdor before the Sundering. Or even Ancient Kalimdor during the apex of the Black Empire, before the Ordering of the Titans.

An expansion set in Ancient Kalimdor (either during the apex of Black Empire or apex of Kaldorei Empire) remains one of the most popular and brought-up expansion concepts.

[Darkarath]

Unless you are saying that Azeroth will literally get destroyed and its devastated remains blasted into the Twisting Nether, then No, this is not comparable at all. Outland is literally a version of Draenor set in a post-apocalyptic Hellish era, this allows much more freedom room of world-building.

All the zones in Draenor look different from all the zones in Outland except for Nagrand, this is justified because an apocalypse took place that changed Draenor into Outland. This is the only reason why people subconsciously accepted an expansion centred around Pre-apocalypse Outland. Because Draenor and Outland are essentially different worlds.

The only comparable thing is an expansion taking place in Ancient Kalimdor before the Sundering. Or even Ancient Kalimdor during the apex of the Black Empire, before the Ordering of the Titans.

An expansion set in Ancient Kalimdor (either during the apex of Black Empire or apex of Kaldorei Empire) remains one of the most popular and brought-up expansion concepts.

I am inclined and hopeful for a world revamp. We all know that the world revamp team has been at it forever (myself included), but in 11.0, with the 20th WoW anniversary and 30th Warcraft anniversary, plus 11.0 being the 10th expansion... I mean, I would even say that Blizzard would be kind of stupid if they do not take this chance.

What I will give you is that if the revamp does not come in the next expansion, its never coming.

Regarding the revamp itself, I think that the WoD example remains. After all that Azeroth has been through, and after what Azeroth might endure in DF (I do not discard a possible cataclysm-like event happening at the end of DF), there are more than enough reasons for a world revamp. Like WoD, it would mix zones, and it would be made from scratch. And it well might be one of the few reasons for which people might come back.

A proper evergreen revamp has limitless potential IMO, and I hope that we get to see it in 11.0.

[Varodoc]

I am inclined and hopeful for a world revamp. We all know that the world revamp team has been at it forever (myself included), but in 11.0, with the 20th WoW anniversary and 30th Warcraft anniversary, plus 11.0 being the 10th expansion... I mean, I would even say that Blizzard would be kind of stupid if they do not take this chance.

What I will give you is that if the revamp does not come in the next expansion, its never coming.

Regarding the revamp itself, I think that the WoD example remains. After all that Azeroth has been through, and after what Azeroth might endure in DF (I do not discard a possible cataclysm-like event happening at the end of DF), there are more than enough reasons for a world revamp. Like WoD, it would mix zones, and it would be made from scratch. And it well might be one of the few reasons for which people might come back.

A proper evergreen revamp has limitless potential IMO, and I hope that we get to see it in 11.0.

The only reason why I would even consider the idea of world revamp is because 11.0 will come out in the 20th year of WoW and will be the 10th expansion. These are milestones that should be celebrated with a special expansion, Yes.

Beyond that, Blizzard already made it clear they are not interested in a second world revamp when they didn't revamp the world for BfA, when Sargeras (the big bad guy of the setting at that point in time) literally stabbed the planet with his giant satanic space sword. You have to admit that this was the perfect opportunity for another Cataclysm-type revamp, yet it didn't happen.

As far as I'm concerned, I will be satisfied if they bring Quel'Thalas and Draenei isles out of Outland map and update them. Not just because I am a Ren'dorei fan and Quel'Thalas update = Ren'dorei lore development, but also because these are some of the most unique zones in the game and it's a shame that they are still stuck in 2007.

All the new Blood elf assets used in Dragonflight (tents, banners, furniture, etc.) does give me hope that they want to do something with Quel'Thalas. And in BfA there was some data about a warfront taking place in Quel'Thalas. Alleria Windrunner and Magister Umbric seek to bring Quel'Thalas back into the fold. There is a story that can be told here, with a revamped Quel'Thalas.

[Revamp Man]

The mention of undeath is definitely leading to something
And the mentioning of drawing power from the earth is a hint to OG involvement

[Aeluron Lightsong]

Our strength, our earth. intensifys /10chars



Edit: I hope this Avalon is more then just one titan facility.

[Kiivar86]

Our strength, our earth. intensifys /10chars



Edit: I hope this Avalon is more then just one titan facility.

Avaloren's likely not a titan facility anyway. All we know is that defectors (and others) went there, there's some sort of strong defense system, and its anti-titan (or at least titan-aligned). I would think Odyn and the others would have at least some control over a titan facility, at least at one point.

[Zulggun]

There's no way Blizzard can do a world revamp without sacrificing other gameplay elements in return.

[Darkarath]

The only reason why I would even consider the idea of world revamp is because 11.0 will come out in the 20th year of WoW and will be the 10th expansion. These are milestones that should be celebrated with a special expansion, Yes.

Beyond that, Blizzard already made it clear they are not interested in a second world revamp when they didn't revamp the world for BfA, when Sargeras (the big bad guy of the setting at that point in time) literally stabbed the planet with his giant satanic space sword. You have to admit that this was the perfect opportunity for another Cataclysm-type revamp, yet it didn't happen.

As far as I'm concerned, I will be satisfied if they bring Quel'Thalas and Draenei isles out of Outland map and update them. Not just because I am a Ren'dorei fan and Quel'Thalas update = Ren'dorei lore development, but also because these are some of the most unique zones in the game and it's a shame that they are still stuck in 2007.

All the new Blood elf assets used in Dragonflight (tents, banners, furniture, etc.) does give me hope that they want to do something with Quel'Thalas. And in BfA there was some data about a warfront taking place in Quel'Thalas. Alleria Windrunner and Magister Umbric seek to bring Quel'Thalas back into the fold. There is a story that can be told here, with a revamped Quel'Thalas.

Yes, there has been potential occasions for a world revamp before, but I think that Blizzard was not prepared for something like that, plus they did not have the evergreen mindset that now they claim to have. Also, there has never been more people working at WoW than now.

You mention Blood Elf assets, you can apply that to almost every race, playable or not, of WoW. For years they have been updating assets, some of them have to be used in-game yet, which also could be a valid point towards a world revamp.

Also, I do not see a Warfront or anything similar happening at least for some expansions, as Alliance and Horde are kind of working together now, as we can see in the Dragon Isles, plus Blizzard is clearly moving away from faction conflict, for the time being.

Finally, its true that Blizzard has stated that they are not interested in doing another world revamp, but how many times they have said something and end up doing the opposite? A few.