Next WoW expansion II · 8:00pm Nov 2nd, 2017
Yep, its this time of the year again, kids! Well, not "the year" I suppose since this happens every two years, but... um, Blizzcon is just around the corner, so you know what that means: we'll get first info about WoW's next expansion^^ (and also probably a release date for the final raid of Legion, which is also good).
Like I had done over two years ago, I would like to make some speculations regarding it, buuut as some of you might know there were a lot of informations in the datamining from beta testing of the patches, and some of it already pretty much leaked informations. And besides, it's pretty obvious to anybody who played Legion who will be the main enemy in next expansion. So, after shortly going over the staff that was leaked and who will be the enemy (hidded by spoiler tag thingy, just in case some of you hadn't heard about it and don't want to), I will instead focus my speculations about possible new playable races and/or classes.
So, as most of you had figured out, the next enemy we face on Azeroth will be the forces of the Old Gods and the Void Lords. So generally, the Void. Other characters that might appear could be Azshara, the queen of the naga, the Zandalari trolls, and... Jaina. The thing that got leaked out was some items from Kul Tiras (which was an island kingdom of humans ruled by Jaina's father, Grand Admiral Daelin Proudmore), you see, and those items had small maps of them for some reason which appeared to be a map of the Kul Tiras Kingdom. So, it's safe to assume that at least part of the expansion will be taking place there. And since I don't think that this kingdom is big enough to contain entirety of an expansion, there will be several more islands (maybe Zandalar?), and maybe some more underwater zones (unlike majority of WoW players I actually lived Vashj'ir a LOT, if I wasn't a big fan of Hyjal related stuff - druids, World Tree, Malfurion, Wild Gods - this would have been my favorite zone from Cataclysm, so another underwater zone or two would be very welcomed by me; plus, the Nazjatar, the capital of naga, is underwater, so we will have to go underwater).
(Speaking of Jaina, I would like to point out that the whole "Jaina is a dreadlord" theory/joke is one of the stupidiest things I run into on the internet. WHY WOULD A DREADLORD LEAVE THE POSITION OF THE LEADER OF DALARAN (CENTER OF RESISTANCE AGAIN THE LEGION INVASION) JUST BECAUSE OF LOSING THE VOTE?! Answer: he wouldn't. He would stay there and hinder them. Also, demon hunter players got to see her before she through a hissy fit and left, and they can SEE demons in disquize. So no, this is just the character development that she had been going through for the last 2 expansions, similar with Garrosh since his introduction (seriously, apparently there was a theory on the internet that he was replaced by Twilight Hammer imposter during Twilight Highlands questline -_-). If she becames the villain in next expansion, well, it will be a pity, but I it won't be out of character for her at this point.)
So, it looks like we'll finally have the "South Seas" expansion. Hasn't rumors about that one start two expansions ago? Oh well. Anyway, there is one more piece of information from datamining that we need to cover; namely, Sargeras. And no, I won't tell you what happens at the end of Legion to him, look it up yourselves. But what does happens it that Sargeras, having been fed up with all the failed plots to conjure a portal big enough for him arrive on Azeroth, had finally decided a few thousands years ago to just leg it there. And he did, apparently he arrives on Azeroth as we clear the raid on Argus. Apparently he puts his foot on Silithus, causing... something. Anyway, that dead empty zone finally gets properly revamped; even in Cataclysm Blizzard didn't take the chance to finally do something about that empty zone. Seriously, before they opened Ahn'Quiraj there was almost nothing there, and even after there wasn't much more. But anyway, some weird energy gets released as result. And with the Void becoming more of a threat as we pushed on through Legion, we can expect some Void guys trying to use this energy.
Okay, now to speculating about possible races and classes... but before that, there's one more theory I would like to share with you, something that I wonder if Blizzard will do. Namely, another revamp of the world. Now, to those who hated Cataclysm, let me explain. First, the world had been through a lot of changes, again, in the last 3/4 expansions. I feel like those changes should be addresses. Second, if we really do face an invasion from the deep, it would be interesting to see how it affects the world. Thirdly, one of the most fun things in this expansion was visting old locations around the world for the order halls' quests. Fourth; they seem to have gotten a good hang of scaling to players level; could they perhaps do that to the entire WORLD? As in, not just Kalimdor and Easter Kingdoms, but Northrend (especially since the Lich King had been up to some things in this expansion), Pandaria and Outland (and maybe Draenor too)? That way, all those past zones wouldn't just be "leveling fodder" for new players to power through without paying too much attention to the story and stuff. They could be more like how those all zones were back in Vanilla, be memorable again (well, most of them). We could do them on our main characters, with max level and stuff. Privately, I think that would be cool.
Another thing I hope for it this new expansion is continuation of Alliance-Horde story. While I am not as unhappy as some Horde fanboy who scream how there is no Horde in Legion (cough cough, blood elves in 7.1; also, is it really better than getting disrespectful things like Alliance had in Cataclysm, Mists of Pandaria and Warlords? Because one person argued me that at least Alliance had played part in those, and wasn't absent. Will see what they have to say when it's Horde players who have to commit a Purge of a city...), I am disappointed that Sylvanas hadn't had a bigger role outside of the Stormhaim storyline. She's the Warchief now, I expected more. I want it to be proven on screen that Vol'jin had made the right call (which I think he did; out of all the leaders of the Horde, Sylvanas is by far the best and most experiances military leader, a perfect Warchief for Legion's invasion). And I hope Vol'jin will be brought back to life somehow. While I don't think he was wasted as a Warchief (HE was the Warchief from 5.1 to 5.4 already to me, and he had to rebuild the Horde after Garrosh reign while we were off fighting on Draenor, it had to require some work), I hoped to see more of him. Anyway, speaking of Sylvanas:
^^
Alright, new races. Dunno if some of them join Alliance or Horde or be neutral like pandaren; to be honest, I think we could use some new racial capitals, especially if they would introduce that idea of revamping the world and scaling everything to players level, they could have some fun unique quests. But anyway, new races:
1. Naga
I know, they can't wear pants or shoes (tauren, draenei, trolls and worgen in real form also can't wear the latter, but whatever). But if we would go with the expansion the way it seems, it would seem like perfect time to add them. I mentions the last time I did this that there could be a group of naga not happy with their queen; heck, the demon hunter players have the Coilskar naga in their order hall, they seem pretty chill.
2. Nerubians
Yes yes, lack of pants, I know. But I do like them, and I think it could work. Part of the reason why I hope for some revamp of Northrend is because I want to see more of those guys. There was supposed to be an entire zone of Azjol-Nerub, dammit! So yeah, that could be their starting zone^^
3. Humans from Kul Tiras that were cursed by something (aka worgens 2.0)
I hope this actually won't happen, as this is really just reusing the whole idea with worgen and Gilneas. But it is possible.
4. Nightborne
With how much time we spend in Suramar, they better join world politics. I think that this is by far the most probable new playable race, and... it would join the Horde. While no doubt they would find the other of Horde's races to be barbaric, they have way more in common with blood elves rather than night elves, and with Sylvanas being the Warchief I could see this happening.
5. High Elves.
Ugh. I'll be honest here: high elves are pretentious snobs. And don't get me started on Vareesa and Alleria. Seriously, it seems that Sylvanas is actually the most reasonable of the three at this point. But nevermind. With Alleria returning, we could perhaps see her as a new racial leader of the high elves, and finally get them as playable race. And they would of course be an Alliance race, as they had always been the members of the Alliance. Oh no, wait, they left it after Second War and didn't rejoin it until after Third War... and then stayed with it after Alliance and Dalaran just let that racist Garithos almost execute their brethren and prince. And even after the blood elves deannounced their Prince and their fel ways, they still hate them, and actually JOINED the PURGE OF DALARAN! For crying out loud, about the only difference between the two is eye color! Think what ponies would think of that!
6. Zandalari trolls
Since we have so many elven races in this game, why not have one more playable troll race? And not just any, the original one^^ Still, kinda don't see them fitting with the Alliance, so they would probably have to join the Horde, and that would mean they have two troll races :/
7. Lightforged Draenei
Another thing that popped on the datamining. Not sure what to think about it; on one hand, it's basically a draenei; if those were "reformed eredar" or something, with fel magic and red skin, I could dig that. But this? On the other, though, supposedly this means that there will be sub races added to the game as playable; like the maghar orcs and such. That's kinda neat.
BTW, I was really disappointed that this so called "Army of the Light", forged from survivors of countless worlds that were conquered by the Legion, is made up of only one human, one high elf, one Nathrezim and... just draenei -_- Way to live up to the hype, Blizzard.
8. Arakkoa
Big fan of the bird culture here. With everything that went on Dreanor with them, I really hoped that they would be added as playable race somehow. And with that massive scaled revamp idea I mention it could easily work.
9. Ogres
I think we can agree that this is a pretty obvious playable race. For the love of Light, ogres were in this world since game ONE. There is a faction of them that is a part of the Horde; one of them was even on Pandaria during Landfall. And yes, I know, they wouldn't be able to fit through most of the doors across the game.
10. Mogu
I know most of you didn't enjoy Pandaria, but I loved it, and I really enjoyed the mogu, especially the patch 5.2, easily one of my most favorite patches ever (and definetly with the best trailer^^). I could see them becoming a playable race. And they sorta have this similarity with the ogres of not having actual females in the game; the two boss ladies in Throne of Thunder were constructed.
11. Anubisaths
Coming out of the left field with this one, but hey, that was WoD in a nutshell ;p Since I mentioned that shit is going down in Silithid earlier, it would make sense that some new Anubisaths would be awakened, a group that was affected by the Curse of Flesh and were sealed away.
12. Tol'vir
Probably a less likely possiblity, due to their body build, but the same explanation as with Anubisaths could apply here. And they look kinda badass. Like, really, I love the sphinx design... um...
13. Ethereals
How come those space goblins aren't a playable race yet is beyond me. Anyway, with their re-introduction to the Warcraft's story in Legion, especially on Argus, we can take that as a hint that they will play a bigger role in next expansion.
Okay, I think that's all regarding the possible new playable races. Of course, Blizzard can always pull something new out of a hat, like how they've done with Draenei, but if it will be done well, I won't mind. Just will be a bit miffed that I hadn't thought of that ;
Alright, now, time for my predictions regarding new playable classes:
1. Dark Ranger / Shadow Hunter
I put those two together because honestly they have a lot of similiarities. While the first one is primary ranged and the other primarly melee, they can easily switch (Sylvanas had been seen fighting with daggers, Vol'jin had fought with a bow in Shadows of the Horde and originally planned to kill Garrosh with an arrow; even mentions when travelling to Pandaria that he brought a bow just in case). They draw of supernatural powers, one on either void or necromancy, the other on the power granted them by the Loa. Both seem like they could be the next class in this next expansion; Sylvanas it he Warchief of the Horde now, she could order her dark rangers to train other races; Alleria had gained some interesting new powers from the Void in Legion, she could train Alliance races. And as for Shadow Hunters, well, that would work if the Zandalari would join either faction, or if Vol'jin returns and trains them or something. Also, it is important to note that people had been complaining that only hunters use ranged weapons now, so this could be the answer to those people; also, all the classes previously added were all melee classes. Need a little diversity.
2. Warden
Think of a combination of rogue and either priest or a mage, and bam, you got one of these (or a demon hunter I suppose, but whatever). They've been highlighted a bit during Legion, and been a hero class in Warcraft III, so I think they could become a class. The only problem is that they are solely night elf and solely female. However, they also suffered heavy losses very early into the Legion's invasion; it could happen that Maiev would decide to increase their ranks by recruting among other races.
3. Necromancer
Yeah, I know, a bit too optimistic that this will ever happen. I mean, necromancers are universally hated by everybody; even warlocks have a better rep than them (lorewise; gamewise every raid I've been a part of is glad to have a warlock, due to summoning players and healthstones). But with the Lich King stirring up some things and by Scholomance being raided by Shadow Council, I think it would make somewhat of a sense if necromancers would try to move up in the world or something. And necromances aren't necesserily evil in other franchises, including another of Blizzard's games, Diablo; they recently even added the necromances to Diablo III, didn't they? Also, it would not only be a new ranged class, finally, but also a new caster class to boot. Also also, they were considered by Blizzard to be a possible hero class in the past.
4. Tinker
Lets be honest, in we all remember how awesome was Mekkatorque in that Broken Shore's Alliance cinematic, right? So why not have an entire class of people like him? Tinkers, using their inventions as abilities, maybe even driving those steam armors? As con though... I am even less sure how Blizzard could make this work than having nagas with pants armor. Also, I feel like only races that could actually have tinker as a class would be gnomes and goblins, and I feel like after demon hunters we would all like a class with a little wider variaty of races.
Lastly, while there is a new race/class combination that should be added in the next expansion: night elf paladin. As you might know, one night elven priestess joins the Order of the Silver Hand as a paladin in Legion. It's reasonable to assume that she will train more of her brethren in the ways of the paladin. Especially since... well, you remember how back in Vanilla the paladins and shamans were supposed to be those two opposing classes, one of Alliance and one of the Horde? While thankfully they decided to give up on this idea with the Burning Crusade, that same expansion had also "event up" their "rivarly". Orinally, only humans and dwarves could be paladins, while a shaman could hail from orcs, troll and tauren races. With BC came one new shaman race, the draenei, and two new paladin races, blood elves and draenei. So now it was 4 for each class, with three in their "original" faction. However, this was then ruined by Cataclysm, where two new race/class combos were added for shaman and only one for paladin, and then further in MoP with pandaren being able to become shaman. So, in Legion we had 5 races for paladins: humans, dwarves, draenei, blood elves and tauren (3:2 regarding Alliance:Horde), while 7 for shaman: orc, troll, tauren, goblin, pandaren, draenei and dwarves (4:1:2 with the Alliance and Horde and neutral pandaren). So now that we'll add the night elves into the mix, it should be more or less evened up again.
Well, that's all I could think off. I hope at least one of my predictions comes to pass, especially since I was pretty much cheated out of having to guess were would the next expansion take place and who we would fight. I hope you enjoyed reading this little speculation of mine and that you will enjoy to hear what Blizzard will have to offer us during Blizzcon 2017^^
PS: Oh, and btw, the next chapter of Rebirth of the Damned had been finished, it's currently being looked over by my editing team, should be up in a few days or so.
Edit: Totally forgot about one more possible new playable race!
14. Broken/Krokul
With the discovery of new Broken on Argus, it is possible that they will return to Azeroth with the Vindicar or something. Alternatively, we could get their starting zone in some new zone on Argus, and they would later move to Azeroth.
Maybe Jaina will take over Kul-Tiras and follow in her father's footsteps.
And then theirs Kel-Thuzad, his phylactery was never destroyed, so he could return to try and rest control of the scourge from Bolvar.
Deathknights are necromancers...
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Then paladins are priests ;p Same thing, one is a melee fighter and the other is a caster.
Two words for why Naga, Nerubians, and Tol'vir will more then likely never be playable races "Mount animations"
Also another class could be the "Spell Breaker" from Warcraft 3
I would love a Murloc playable race. Especially since they thought to be one of the oldest races if not THE oldest race, if i recall things correctly.
Perhaps if we really are going to face off in Nazjatar it could be a clan who have been enslaved. Their starting area would be them revolting against the Naga.
They will also bring a new class with them: The tidehunter.
A ranged/magic class which has a spec has a tripple spec:
Hydromancer: int-based magic user. Capable of using water/frost magic
Scalehunter: A int/agi based ranger who focuses the murlocs afinity for water and earth magic into their shots.
Oracle: A int-based healer who calls upon the Murloc patheon (Murlocs are thought to worship powerfull creatures they find as gods or so i`m told) for healing. Examples would be like;
Blessing of the sharks: Through a prayer to the great white shark they take a chunk of HP from the enemy their target is targeting and heals their own target.
Blessing of the sea-serpent: Protects their target from physical damage.
or so i wish for ^^
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Damn, yeah, murloc sound reasonable, dunno why I hadn't thought of that. Especially since one of the alternate heroes for Hearthstone is a murloc, and we had those quests with Murky in Legion^^
Nicely thought^^ The class though seems a bit too "specific to murloc only" to become an actual class :/
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Meh, "plainsrunning" would fix mount animation problem. Except maybe for flying. Also, both in terms of ground mounts and flying mounts it would depend on the type of mount I think.
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One can always dream cant we?
A little spoiler whats gonna happen in the next book and what Sylvanas is up to
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Oh wow, didn't even know there was another book incoming, thanks for the info^^
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No problem :)
Tying into your "new races" thing, more as a subrace than anything: Night Elf Worgen. After all, they're responsible for the situation in the first place, and the ones that were turned by Fangfire's Druids of the Scythe were sealed in the Emerald Dream. Player Worgen had their sanity returned to them during their starting zone. Wouldn't surprise me if some druids decided to try and do the same to those afflicted millennia ago, especially given that one of their number wields the artifact that started it all. Might just be me, though.
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Oh right, nice idea^^ Yeah, I could see this happen, especially since, if you played as Balance Druid (which so happens to be my main; really annoyed with myself for not thinking of this, actually ;p) you could use the Scythe of Elune to cure a few feral worgen in
Val'sharah and turn them back into the Night Elves.
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Speaking of Fangfire and Druids of the Scythe, there could be a possibility of them being antagonists in some way. If the Emerald Dream is still the Emerald Nightmare in places, we could see Old God-corrupted Worgen as enemies. I don't think Blizz would revisit EN for a raid or dungeon instance so soon after the one in Legion though.