WoW: What's Next BlizzCon 2023 Liveblog

Live Posted 21 days ago by Archimtiros

The War Within

The War Within is a subterranean expedition within the depths of Azeroth. The cinematic revealed Anduin Wrynn, suffering after his ordeals in Shadowlands. He and Thrall both speak of visions radiating out from the world itself, leading heroes to investigate the mysterious depth of the world, while attracting dark forces as well.

Freed from her dark blade prison, the black empire has fallen, the old gods are dead and their ancient blood runs deep into the world. We destroyed them, but now Xal'atath seeks to test our strength against a new threat of terrible power - the Nerubians. The Harbinger has conscripted them, offering them a new mighty future - these aren't the undead thralls of Arthas, but a mighty empire. In return for their loyalty, Xal'atath offers them a dark evolution.

Anduin, Thrall, Magni Bronzebeard, and Alleria Windrunner will be just a few of the characters central to the War Within - Alleria has a unique rivalry with Xal'atath in particular.

This saga is only just beginning! Set to define the bold themes of Warcraft and set the stage for the next 20 years of storytelling,

We'll be called by the radiant song, dreamlike visions that lead us tot he subcontinent of Khaz'Algar. First, the Earthen - we've met titanforged earthen before, but this society has been isolated for a really long time, developing unique manners and culture. They're larger, featuring gems across their bodies, and are guided by the ethos of the titans. But the tians have been absent for eons, and the earthen are now divided into the Oathsworn - city dwelling dwarves loyal to the titans directives, the Unbound - rural dwarves who have diverged from the titans path, and the Machine Speakers - industrial dwarves dedicated to titan machinery, if not the titan beliefs directly.

As a reward for our help, the Earthen will become a new neutral playable race, available to both the Alliance and the Horde, with fantastic customizations available, such as beards for all body types, rocky skin patterns, and decorative gems.

The Arathi are another culture we'll interact with - worshippers of holy fire, trapped within Khaz'Algar, blessed with Paladin-like abilities, but industrious - with airships powered by holy flame.

A constant swarm of Nerubians have just barely been held back from Arathi lands, and these bastions of the light are stretched thin.

Speaking of the Nerubians, we'll explore the ancient survivors of the Black Empire and their culture. Xal'atath has made a dark bargain with these devious dominators, offering dark alchemical evolution to raise their power to new heights. Not all Nerubians have embraced this dark destiny though, and we'll be exposed to new types of Nerubians and domesticated insects within their society.

Zones of the War Within

Talking zones, the surface of Khaz'algar, the Isle of Dorn is first up - fertile soil and plant life make up this paradise. Featuring fiery bees, mead, and stormy peaks, its central city will serve as our capital.

Beneath lies the Ringing Deeps, an industrial cavernous space with lava heated foundries and furnaces maintained by the Machine Speakers. As the Earthen have diminished, Kobolds have taken over much of the mines, even building a city of their own, becoming a force to be reckoned with under the leadership of the Candle King!

Further down is the Hollowfall, a vast underground earth under the bright light of an enormous crystal live the Arathi and their capital, who spread the light while engaged in constant battle with the Nerubian empire. While the crystal provides brilliant light, warmth, and plant growth, its light has been changing.... fading without warning, plunging the arathi into darkness barely maintained by light towers as dangerous monsters rampage within the darkness.

In the deepest places of Azeroth is Azkahet, heart of the Nerubian empire. The burrows are the home of forgotten scavengers, the umbral bazaar is a trading post, the skeins are home to lore keepers researching mysteries of Azeroth. A careful adventurer could discover much, if they find a way to blend into the local Nerubian peoples.

Talking about zone flow, all zones are constructed together using the "airlock technology" used to seamlessly transition between the Dragon Isles and Zaralek Cavern in Dragonflight - flying between them without loading screens.

While three of the four zones are technically underground, it was important to make them feel like more than just underground caverns, with wide open spaces, plant growth, and even an artificial crystal sun. There is a lot of diversity to see and discover across all four zones.

Dungeons and Raids

There will be 8 new dungeons, four while leveling up and four at the end of the campaign. One will feature the Candle King, one will have dragonriding, and the Cinderbrew Meadery!

The Nerub'ar Palace will be an eight boss raid, featuring their queen as the end boss. After barging through their front door, we'll be dropped into a deep dark pit of old god blood, from which we will battle through, fighting our way up and into the queen's sanctum. Verticality makes this raid standout and feel unique.

Philosophically, the team wants to build on Dragonflights three main pillars of Evergreen features - making the game better forever rather than leaving them behind after each expansion, Something for Everyone - no matter what level you play at or how much time you invest, and Multiple Characters in Mind, not just individual characters.

Delves

Players will join the Dragonscale Expedition in Delves, a new evergreen feature integrated into the outdoor experience as an endgame feature for outdoor players. They provide an opportunity for seasonal content and rewards like mounts, titles, and achievements... as well as gear by way of an outdoor row for the Great Vault.

Delves have scalable difficulty, which can be played solo or up to five players, with 13 unique delves launching alongside the War Within. There will also be a seasonal NPC companion, which in Season 1 will be Brann Bronzebeard. He'll have a customizable talent and ability system to match your needs.

Warbands

Warbands are a system introduced to represent all characters across a player's account. A platform to share resources and achievements - the goal is to respect player time account-wide, rather than just specifically to the character. Transmog rules will be revisited, allowing players to learn transmog of varied armor types on one character, rather than having to do it on each. Reputation and renown will also become account-wide.

Hero Talents

Hero talents will be an addition to the current talent trees, with three trees per class - two per specialization that can be switched at will. They're small and self contained, separate from the class/spec trees. Using Warrior as an example, they'll have Mountain Thane (available to Protection and Fury), Colossus (Protection/Arms), and Slayer (Arms/Fury).

The system will auto unlock at 71, with a new talent point at each level, up to 10 at Level 80, which will unlock the whole tree. These are designed to be low friction, allowing you to swap between choice nodes and entire trees without hassle, just like Dragonflight talents.

BlizzCon 2023

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The World Soul Saga

The War Within

Comment by dreadmarblesnext 20 years? I wonder how many of the original classic era players will have died of old age by then.Comment by vaedrunWhy are we getting Dark Iron dwarves again as an allied race?Comment by MetacCan i hold 4 Swords as Nerubian Fury Warrior?Comment by TromellWhy are we getting Dark Iron dwarves again as an allied race?Comment by Tromellnext 20 years? I wonder how many of the original classic era players will have died of old age by then.Comment by szandosSparkle dwarvesComment by NarhwalsNgl the expansion does not look promising. I'm happy for the account wide stuff, that was long overdue. But a few more talents, a forgettable new dwarf allied race, solo content (which rewards I doubt are actually mythic raid endgame level).

I'm more excited about classic at this point..Comment by TheOldBearBut can I have my alts follow my main as a party though? That's what I've always wanted lolComment by LordBlackulanext 20 years? I wonder how many of the original classic era players will have died of old age by then.Comment by Metacnext 20 years? I wonder how many of the original classic era players will have died of old age by then.Comment by MyFingerIsOnCDCaves and even more talent trees doesn't appeal
Let's hope they at least do away with the crafting order systemComment by Azerrionnext 20 years? I wonder how many of the original classic era players will have died of old age by then.Comment by ibiza177Ngl the expansion does not look promising. I'm happy for the account wide stuff, that was long overdue. But a few more talents, a forgettable new dwarf allied race, solo content (which rewards I doubt are actually mythic raid endgame level).

I'm more excited about classic at this point..Comment by Quaghtnext 20 years? I wonder how many of the original classic era players will have died of old age by then.Comment by ChanchiCaves and even more talent trees doesn't appeal
Let's hope they at least do away with the crafting order system