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

[Teriz]

Yrel is popular? thats new.

She isn’t Sylvanas level, but she’s definitely Wrathion and Alexstraza level, and Alexstraza is on the cover of the current expansion. Blizzard tends to build expansions around known quantities, and Yrel is a known quantity that offers a unique antagonistic force that we have never dealt with before.

With 11.0 coming in at the 10th anniversary of WoD, it seems rather obvious what’s coming next.

Playable Arrakoa and Ogres anyone?

[Revamp Man]

Uhhhhh, current expansion is the most elemental focused since Cata, maybe even beating it. Why would they immediately repeat that?

I'm going by the leak from the dude that has guessed up to 13.0 and been accurate so far

As for why:
The 5th old god will be revealed this expansion and the plot will end up being more focused on the aspects and keepers with the elements being the incarnates

11.0 can easily be about the big bosses and the imbalance caused by the incarnates

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At this point I think expecting a world revamp to be part of a regular expansion is completely unrealistic. The gap between modern era content and Cataclysm era content is so much more massive than from Vanilla -> Cataclysm. And it only widens and becomes more unobtainable with each passing expansion.

Quite honestly, they would be better off just starting fresh and making a new game. Clear the slate rather than have an endless list of things that constantly become dated in a nearly 20 year old game.

Or use the ziridormi phasing

[Makabreska]

I'm going by the leak from the dude that has guessed up to 13.0 and been accurate so far

He guessed three expansions past DF? Mmmmmkayyyyyy...

[Khaza-R]

Or use the ziridormi phasing

The Zidormi phasing thing is clunky and only really a solution if they intend on piece-mail updating old content zone by zone. Even then, its probably best to do anyway with the NPC and make it a UI options in the actual map screen.

[Aeluron Lightsong]

By "doing a cataclysm" you mean revamping the world, they absolutely will. The last time was "because flying" and this time will be "because dragon riding". They can't just scrap the main system of this whole expansion. They have a massive focus on reusing older raids and dungeons instead of rotting all the prior expansion content, and world zones will need to be reused as well.

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Well, it is related to the overall story of WoW that has been building up. The old cosmic chart had fire and air with Disorder/Chaos, Earth and Water with Titans/Order, Water and Spirit with Life, Air and Decay with Death, Earth and Decay with Void, Spirit and Fire with Light.

We now know that none of that is really true. Shadowlands introduced the "secret 7th power" and Dragonflight has revealed that Azeroth isn't actually a Titan (the Titans stabbed her at the Well of Eternity and started pumping order-magic in to try to turn her into a Titan). We know that the Titans are "just as bad" as Disorder or Void trying to "turn" Azeroth to their sides.

We know on new planets with a life-spirit inside them like Azeroth are originally populated by elementals, who consume spirit that oozes from the core of the planet. Then the titans show up and enslave all the elements and banish them, and repopulate the planet with their order-minions.

Chances are, Azeroth is the 7th power, or a goddess of the 7th power. Which then stands to reason that "the elements" are part of that power as well.


So, future stories are either going to be about the other 6 powers trying to turn Azeroth, or about Azeroth being "born". Either way, there will be involvement from her "peeps" the elementals.

And here's the thing... the protodragons seem to be her people as well... so if she is born she probably won't be particularly happy with us having killed her protodragons. We did save her from the void, though, maybe... and probably from disorder/chaos/fel. But we are also void corrupted old god versions of titan minions... so little reason for her to trust us.

It hasn't been said that Azeroth isn't a Titan. There's some shady stuff going on with the Titan Keepers but lets not make stuff up.

[AOL Instant Messenger]

I’m hoping that in 11.0 we get playable Ethereals. There’s definitely some cool things they could do with their customization. I’d play the hell out of an Ethereal Mage or Rogue.


I’d just hope they don’t go the Mechagnome/Dracthyr route and let Ethereals wear a majority of their gear/transmog.

My feelings as well. However, I actually feel like the Ethereals could do particularly well with at least the option to wear armor integrated into their design through customization options if the options were sufficiently numerous. Ethereals have a frame and design that I think would look fairly hideous if the 2d "body paint"-type armor were placed over it, so they (and retrospectively the Nightborne) are among the races I could see benefiting from it.

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Dragonflight has revealed that Azeroth isn't actually a Titan (the Titans stabbed her at the Well of Eternity and started pumping order-magic in to try to turn her into a Titan).

That is a massive stretch. Although it is suggested that Titans may not be as innately orderly as they seem, or that Titans need some conditioning to be as single-minded as the avatars of other Cosmic Forces, there is nothing to suggest that Azeroth isn't a Titan. That would be rather idiotic, actually, and suddenly revealing that Azeroth isn't a Titan, but a wholly different breed of extremely powerful alien deity that hatches from planets, would come off as redundant, nonsensical, and somewhat pointless.

[Varodoc]

I’m hoping that in 11.0 we get playable Ethereals. There’s definitely some cool things they could do with their customization. I’d play the hell out of an Ethereal Mage or Rogue.


I’d just hope they don’t go the Mechagnome/Dracthyr route and let Ethereals wear a majority of their gear/transmog.

They'll obviously join the Alliance as they have a clear connection to the Ren'dorei that is even reflected in one of their racial abilities ("Ethereal Connection" is the exact name of this racial ability).

The Ethereals are guaranteed to play a major role in a future expansion, the ominous Locus-Walker would be their natural leader. He has been established in Legion as a major surviving figure of the Ethereals, and is very knowledgeable about the workings of the Void.

[Teriz]

They'll obviously join the Alliance as they have a clear connection to the Ren'dorei that is even reflected in one of their racial abilities ("Ethereal Connection" is the exact name of this racial ability).

The Ethereals are guaranteed to play a major role in a future expansion, the ominous Locus-Walker would be their natural leader. He has been established in Legion as a major surviving figure of the Ethereals, and is very knowledgeable about the workings of the Void.

Two major problems with Ethereals is that they make sense as a neutral race, since there isn’t a good race to pair with them. The other issue is that neutral races have always been tied to new classes. I have no idea what new class would fit an ethereal.

[Varodoc]

Two major problems with Ethereals is that they make sense as a neutral race, since there isn’t a good race to pair with them. The other issue is that neutral races have always been tied to new classes. I have no idea what new class would fit an ethereal.

Did you ignore the part where I brought up their connection to Void elves?

Currently there are two Void ethereals in Telogrus Rift; the aforementioned Locus-Walker, who is Alleria's mentor and is teaching to groups of elves, and a mysterious wanderer known as Shadreen, who is overlooking the Rift.

Magister Umbric and his followers were actually supposed to be transformed into Void ethereals by Nether-Prince Durzaan, but the transformation process was interrupted midway, leaving Umbric and his followers in a sort of hybrid state between an elf and a Void ethereal. A transformation that was felt like a "rebirth" by them. This already establishes a clear connection in the Story between these two races, beyond the simple fact that they are both races who were impacted tremendously by the Void.

Beyond that, Gameplay-wise, I also brought up the fact that one of the Void elves' racial abilities is literally called "Ethereal Connection", a racial effect that grants Void elves a discount on the Ethereal services (like Transmogrification).

Meanwhile, what connection do Ethereals have with the Horde, again? Aside from the Transmogrification vendor, who is present in Stormwind too.

The Horde doesn't deserve Ethereals, the Horde is not entitled to Ethereals. But the Ethereals would make a lot of sense in the Alliance for all of the aforementioned reasons. And it will be Alleria Windrunner of the Ren'dorei who will serve as liaison between the Ethereals and the Alliance.

[Teriz]

Did you ignore the part where I brought up their connection to Void elves?

Nope. Having a connection with void elves doesn’t really make them a lock for an alliance race. Elves had a connection to humans and dwarves and they still went to the horde.

Meanwhile, what connection do Ethereals have with the Horde, again? Aside from the Transmogrification vendor, who is present in Stormwind too.

The Horde doesn't deserve Ethereals, the Horde is not entitled to Ethereals. But the Ethereals would make a lot of sense in the Alliance for all of the aforementioned reasons. And it will be Alleria Windrunner of the Ren'dorei who will serve as liaison between the Ethereals and the Alliance.

I don’t know why you’re bringing up “Entitled” or “deserving”. The simple fact of the matter is that Ethereals as a whole are opportunistic and frankly behave similarly to Goblins. Them being neutral makes sense, because they can see value in working with both the Horde and Alliance.

Also there really isn’t another cosmic race you release alongside them.

[Foolicious]

Also, where is it stated that Azeroth isn't a World Soul?

It isn't stated that Azeroth isn't one. But the implication we get and theory many believe is that Azeroth isn't a sleeping titan, but something the titans infuse with order magic to brainwash her into following their ideals like they did with the dragons on a smaller scale.

[Nightshade711]

Did you ignore the part where I brought up their connection to Void elves?

Currently there are two Void ethereals in Telogrus Rift; the aforementioned Locus-Walker, who is Alleria's mentor and is teaching to groups of elves, and a mysterious wanderer known as Shadreen, who is overlooking the Rift.

Magister Umbric and his followers were actually supposed to be transformed into Void ethereals by Nether-Prince Durzaan, but the transformation process was interrupted midway, leaving Umbric and his followers in a sort of hybrid state between an elf and a Void ethereal. A transformation that was felt like a "rebirth" by them. This already establishes a clear connection in the Story between these two races, beyond the simple fact that they are both races who were impacted tremendously by the Void.

Beyond that, Gameplay-wise, I also brought up the fact that one of the Void elves' racial abilities is literally called "Ethereal Connection", a racial effect that grants Void elves a discount on the Ethereal services (like Transmogrification).

Meanwhile, what connection do Ethereals have with the Horde, again? Aside from the Transmogrification vendor, who is present in Stormwind too.

The Horde doesn't deserve Ethereals, the Horde is not entitled to Ethereals. But the Ethereals would make a lot of sense in the Alliance for all of the aforementioned reasons. And it will be Alleria Windrunner of the Ren'dorei who will serve as liaison between the Ethereals and the Alliance.

I personally suspect Ethereals will be a neutral race just because I don’t see blizzard making two completely new races/skeletons anymore.
But if they do I’d 100% see Ethereals going to the alliance as the horde already has a mercantilist race with the goblins.

(Inb4 Outland revamp with Naga and Ethereals as playable races)

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Two major problems with Ethereals is that they make sense as a neutral race, since there isn’t a good race to pair with them. The other issue is that neutral races have always been tied to new classes. I have no idea what new class would fit an ethereal.

Tinkers would fit if there was actually some arbitrary rule for a neutral race to require a class.

[Teriz]

Tinkers would fit if there was actually some arbitrary rule for a neutral race to require a class.

Possibly, but the class would have to be changed from Tinker to Mechanic or something more broad. Additionally, classes tend to be uniform in terms of abilities. It would be rather odd for an Ethereal Tinker/mechanic to be shooting missiles or deploying robotic bombs like a Goblin or Gnome.

Another possibility would be an "Explorer" class based on Rafaam who is an Ethereal from Hearthstone and now a canon character in WoW;



But I don't feel that such a class would fit an expansion were Ethereals would be introduced.

[Woobels]

Do you all think we'll still be fighting Primalists in season 2? We've basically like routed most of their commanders during questing/Vault right? On top of Raszageth being dead. I suppose we need some kind of filler enemy to fight still though.

[Nathanyel]

My feelings as well. However, I actually feel like the Ethereals could do particularly well with at least the option to wear armor integrated into their design through customization options if the options were sufficiently numerous. Ethereals have a frame and design that I think would look fairly hideous if the 2d "body paint"-type armor were placed over it, so they (and retrospectively the Nightborne) are among the races I could see benefiting from it.

Well, the most likely = easiest way is that their body models are considered solid, with the gaps between the wraps transparent/translucent, but covered by the 2D textures of armor.
Don't want that? Simply mog the item to be hidden.
There's a lot of possibilities to have customizations that would visible with e.g. a hidden Chest armor.

Going in a more general direction, I wish we could separate the 3D parts of armor from the 2D textures, to have plates, straps etc. independent from the base armor.
I once bugged out the Wowhead Modelviewer switching from one Bastion Plate set to another:

Even this simple contrast looked quite fascinating.

To bring it back to Ethereals, hiding the armor texture but keeping 3D bits would make for some very interesting looks.

Did you ignore the part where I brought up their connection to Void elves?

Currently there are two Void ethereals in Telogrus Rift; the aforementioned Locus-Walker, who is Alleria's mentor and is teaching to groups of elves, and a mysterious wanderer known as Shadreen, who is overlooking the Rift.

Magister Umbric and his followers were actually supposed to be transformed into Void ethereals by Nether-Prince Durzaan, but the transformation process was interrupted midway, leaving Umbric and his followers in a sort of hybrid state between an elf and a Void ethereal.

Shadreen, a stalker in Telogrus, is already confirmed to be an antagonist per the Brawler's Guild storyline.

And in general, I fail to see your point. The Void Elves were about to be corrupted by the mostly evil faction of Void Ethereals, and are now being assisted in the use of their new powers by the one Void Ethereal we assume is "good". One that is hated by both the Void-aligned Ethereals and the ones that are fighting the Void.

That's no argument that either type would prefer to join the Alliance.

Ethereals being a neutral race makes the most sense.
Excluding the Allied Races, "all" new races since MoP have been neutral. That these two races also came with a class is no precedent, and would be offset if another race or three would be introduced as well.

[Lahis]

By "doing a cataclysm" you mean revamping the world, they absolutely will. The last time was "because flying" and this time will be "because dragon riding".

Dragonriding is just flying with style. They don't need to make any changes on existing maps to allow dragon riding.

But they won't allow it, because dragon riding is an expansion feature that will be buried with Dragonflight.

[Raetary]

But they won't allow it, because dragon riding is an expansion feature that will be buried with Dragonflight.

Dragonriding is probably the most well received feature since transmog, and it fixes the very issues Blizzard has had with flying since its inception.

They are not gonna get rid of it.

[Kiivar86]

He guessed three expansions past DF? Mmmmmkayyyyyy...

The person they're talking about "predicted" what each expansion's theme is based on ones that came before it.

Here's a link to a tweet that covers it.

[Khaza-R]

But they won't allow it, because dragon riding is an expansion feature that will be buried with Dragonflight.

I think the idea behind DF systems are they intended be semi-permanent and continue forward.

So DF might get rebranded next expansion to netherflight or w/e the new theme is, but I think its pretty clear its the replacement for pathfinder at this point and its here to stay.

[Cheezits]

I think that Dragonriding will be a perma feature, HOWEVER, if there is a revamp of the old world, it will need to accommodate the feature. There isn't as much verticality in current Kalimdor/EK aside from some mountains.

Though I can see them redoing the layouts in general, especially where zones connect, as it looks silly to fly over now (see: Karazhan -> Stranglethorn)

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Dragonriding is just flying with style. They don't need to make any changes on existing maps to allow dragon riding.

But they won't allow it, because dragon riding is an expansion feature that will be buried with Dragonflight.

Yes they do need to change the world. How will you Dragonride if most of the world is flat?