Leaked expansion gossip

Joy

Joy

Administrator
Staff member
Aug 26, 2005
10,227
http://www.mmo-champion.com/index.php?topic=570.0
Tons of informations were released on an internal source during the night. Probably to let most of the GM know what's going on.

* The expansion is Northrend, etc, etc.
* We will fight Arthas himself.
* Level cap is 80 (New skills, new talents, etc)
* The expansion is designed for lvl 68 and higher players.
* The Death Knight class will be available for both alliance and horde players and it seems to work on the same mechanics as Jedi in SWG, you can create them once certain criteria are met. (First hero class of the game)
* The Death Knight will combine damage dealing and tanking.
* Siege weapons and destructible buildings will be added to PvP
* A new battleground will be available
* New profession : Inscription. (allows the player to permanently enhance their spells and abilities and to create mysterious items of power to use, trade, and sell.)
* More hero classes will be added in the future
* Leveling from 70 to 80 should took nearly the same time as 60 to 70 (probably a bit more)
* First zone will be Howling Fjord
* We should have roughly the same amount of dungeons as BC
Click to expand...
Fake/Real, who cares :happy:
 
OP
Joy

Joy

Administrator
Staff member
Aug 26, 2005
10,227
FAQ for World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King

What are the features of the new expansion?

Wrath of the Lich King builds on the rich foundation established in World of Warcraft and The Burning Crusade, providing a wealth of new content for players to explore. The harsh, forbidding continent of Northrend, home of the Lich King and his undead minions, will be uncovered on the world map, and to contend with the new challenges found there, players will be able to advance to level 80, acquiring potent new abilities and talents along the way.

In addition, Wrath of the Lich King will introduce the death knight hero class to World of Warcraft. Once certain criteria are met, players will be able to create a new death knight character, which will start at a high level. Furthermore, player-vs.-player battles will reach a new level of intensity with the addition of siege weapons and destructible buildings, not to mention a new battleground. There will also be an abundance of new quests, dungeons, monsters, items, and recipes -- as well as a new profession, inscription -- for players to try out. The expansion will include some additional character-customization options for players as well. We'll be going into more detail on all of these features in the months ahead.

How will the death knight class fit into the game?

The death knight combines martial prowess with dark, necromantic energies. Players might be familiar with the death knight from previously released Warcraft games -- most recently, in the campaigns for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and the Frozen Throne expansion, the former paladin Arthas became a death knight and wreaked havoc across Azeroth and Northrend before fusing with the spirit of Ner'zhul to become the Lich King. The death knight is the first hero class in World of Warcraft; once certain criteria are met, players will unlock the ability to create a new death knight character, which will begin play at a high experience level. We're currently exploring various options for how the death knight will play and the types of abilities at its disposal, and we'll be revealing more information about this new class as we get further along in development.

Will the death knight have any abilities from previously released Warcraft games?

The way we portrayed death knights in past Warcraft games is certainly a source of inspiration, but we are still determining how best to capture that feel within the mechanics of World of Warcraft, and haven't made any final determinations on specific abilities.

What role will the death knight play in groups and raids?

In general terms, the death knight can be considered a type of class that combines damage dealing and tanking, but naturally it will have an array of unique abilities as well.

What races will be allowed to play death knights?

We haven't yet made a final determination about which races can be death knights. However, the class will be available to both the Alliance and the Horde.

Will there be additional hero classes in the future?

Yes, we do intend to add more hero classes in the future, but right now our focus is on the current expansion.

What is the story background of the expansion?

Players last visited Northrend in the Warcraft III expansion, when Arthas Menethil fused with the spirit of Ner'zhul to become the Lich King, one of the most powerful entities in the Warcraft universe. He now broods atop the Frozen Throne, deep in Icecrown Citadel, clutching the rune blade Frostmourne and marshaling the undead armies of the Scourge. In Wrath of the Lich King, the greatest champions of the Alliance and the Horde will do battle with the Scourge amid Northrend's howling winds and fields of jagged ice, and ultimately face the Lich King himself.

Will players actually get to encounter Arthas himself?

Players will be skirmishing with the minions of Arthas from the moment they set foot on Northrend. He will be a constant presence as players progress through the expansion content -- which will culminate in a showdown with the dread Lich King himself.

Can you discuss some of the new talents and abilities that will be available from level 70 to level 80?

As with character advancement up to level 70, players will gain access to an array of potent and exciting new abilities and talents as they make their way from level 70 to level 80. However, it's still too early to get into specifics on these.

How long will it take to advance from level 70 to level 80?

We were pleased with the pacing from level 60 to level 70 in The Burning Crusade, and we intend to take a similar approach to pacing character advancement in Wrath of the Lich King. However, the specific amount of time that it will take players to reach level 80 will vary widely based on play style.

What can you reveal about Northrend?

The first area of Northrend we're showcasing is the Howling Fjord, a region of grasslands overlooking massive cliffs at the southeastern edge of the continent. This, along with the Borean Tundra, is the front line of the war against Arthas, and players will come face to face with his minions as soon as they set foot on Northrend. Eventually, as players progress further, they will explore the Grizzly Hills, Dragonblight, and more. We'll be showing off some of these new areas in the months ahead.

What's the level requirement to enter Northrend?

Players of any level who have purchased the expansion can visit Northrend. However, all of the content is designed for players level 68 and up.

How many new dungeons will be in the expansion?

The first dungeon players will enter is Utgarde Keep, which is intended for five players around level 70. Utgarde is inhabited by the Vrykul, a Viking-like race bent on proving their strength to the Lich King, who will raise the most worthy of their warriors to serve him beyond the grave. We intend to provide a variety of dungeons comparable to that in The Burning Crusade and will be revealing more details about some of these in the months ahead.

Do you plan to continue with the 25-player model for raids?

Yes, we've been pleased with the tactics, intensity, and variety of the 25-player raid model, and plan to continue with it.

In what ways will players be able to further customize their characters in the expansion?

In addition to the numerous new character-customization options that will be available with all of the new weapons and armor added by the expansion, we'll be offering some fun ways to alter both existing and new characters with regard to dances and hairstyles, but we're not ready to go into more detail just yet.

What can you reveal about the new profession coming with the expansion?

Inscription allows the player to permanently enhance their spells and abilities and to create mysterious items of power to use, trade, and sell.

What can players expect with regard to player-vs.-player combat in the expansion?

Players will be able to take control of siege weapons and use them to destroy opposing buildings, adding a new layer of complexity to PvP battles. Naturally, we'll be providing some fun places to put these new tools to good use, and we'll be revealing more information about them in the months ahead, in addition to the new battleground content being added.

Can you give a sneak peek at the new recipes and items in the expansion?

There will be hundreds of new recipes and thousands of new items available, but we're not ready to discuss specific examples just yet.

How many zones will be in the expansion?

Northrend will be roughly equivalent to Outland in terms of size and scope.

Will there be any new cinematic scenes?

Yes, our cinematics department is hard at work preparing a new intro movie for the expansion.

Release/Availability

Do you need to own the expansion to play with friends who have it?

There will be many aspects of the expansion that will be available to all players. However, in order to experience certain content, such as Northrend, or be able to play as a death knight, players must purchase the expansion.

Will there be an open beta test of the expansion?

We have not yet determined whether the expansion will require an open beta test. If we do decide to conduct a beta test, details will be posted on the official World of Warcraft website once we've gotten further along in the development process.

When will the expansion be released? How much will it cost?

We have not yet announced a release date for the expansion set. However, we expect to announce further details, including the release date and price, on our community website in the months ahead. Please stay tuned to [link] for more information.

Will there be a collector's edition?

We have not yet made any determination about whether there will be a collector's edition of Wrath of the Lich King. We'll be announcing details such as this closer to release.

Will a Mac version be available simultaneously with the PC version?

Yes. As with all of our games, Wrath of the Lich King will be compatible with and optimized for both the Windows and Macintosh platforms.

What are the system requirements?

We'll continue to ensure that the game is playable on a wide range of hardware. However, we have not made a final determination on the system requirements as yet.

Will the expansion be released globally at the same time?

We recognize that players throughout the world will be eager to experience all of the new content being added with Wrath of the Lich King, and we will make every effort to release the expansion simultaneously worldwide. However, there's always the possibility that unforeseen circumstances could delay the launch in any given region. We'll share the launch timing with players in each region as soon as the plans have been finalized.

What is the ESRB rating for the expansion?

The expansion has not yet been rated by the ESRB. However, we anticipate that it will receive the same rating that the original World of Warcraft received -- "Teen."
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S

Stuvvie

Guest
It's real, Blizzard putted the patent on their website earlier today.

The info above came from a subsite like with TBC back then that went live for a couple of hours last wednesday or so. Long enough to be discovered by a german and a UK fansite :)

I have my doubts about the Deathknight tho, or well...I dunno really what they wanna achieve with it :)
 
Bani

Bani

Member
Apr 13, 2007
1,238
Berlin
so who is NOT rerolling to the new dps-dealing cool-necro-shit-doing-tanking badass class? -.-
 
N

Neema

Well-Known Member
May 8, 2007
218
Other variations of these heroclasses are most likely coming, I suppose. So no need for all to reroll.... yet.... :p
 
Galatea

Galatea

Member
Oct 28, 2005
2,095
how annoying, inscription proffession, so, all drop a proffession and skill this up or not be as good! :(

Galatea has been herb/alch since she was allowed to choose a proffession (ok once she dropped herbing to DE some shit then reskilled it but hey)
 
Z

Zermo

Well-Known Member
Aug 26, 2005
784
Actually doesn't more heroclasses just mean more people "having" to reroll? :p
 
N

Neema

Well-Known Member
May 8, 2007
218
Galatea said:
how annoying, inscription proffession, so, all drop a proffession and skill this up or not be as good! :(

Galatea has been herb/alch since she was allowed to choose a proffession (ok once she dropped herbing to DE some shit then reskilled it but hey)
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I heard some rumours once about they thinking of making herb a secondary profession for alchemists, so that you'd only need alchemy to have herbalism too. But this was waaaay back and probably fake. :p
 
Anshrr

Anshrr

#1 LFR Feral for his ILVL
Oct 7, 2005
1,308
CERTAINLY NOT DENMARK EWW
I doubt inscription will be any more "soulbound" then enchanting or jewelcrafting.... Tho, it'll probably be better than LW, so.... wonder what gathering prof it'll require :<

Hope they patch in Archdruid as a hero class. And Demon Hunter.
 
S

Stuvvie

Guest
I wanna be a necromancer! Anyway deathknight in my understanding is something else then a normal char.

It also says that you have to match certain criteria to be able to get one so I am kinda thinking: Ashbringer?

So then for the warglaives > Demon Hunter next? :p

A deathknight is a champion of the scourge, proven in life and swearing a bloodpact to the lich being resurrected to become a champion of the scourge so it's very weird all and the one way to avoid the scourge atm and becoming one would be the ashbringer imho :)
 
Ayu

Ayu

You need help.
Staff member
Aug 26, 2005
15,256
From wiki:

Death Knight is the name of two distinct orders of powerful necromancers. The original death knights of the Second War were powerful undead necromancers created by Gul'dan the Warlock to replace the warlocks slaughtered by Orgrim Doomhammer. The most prominent of the death knights was Teron Gorefiend. Years later a new order of Death Knights, created from living and undead humans (occasionally other races), emerged during the Third War, most being former paladins who have forsaken the Holy Light and entered the service of the Lich King. Both orders share a few things in common including riding undead horses, and sharing some of the same abilities.

The last part seems to be relevant.
 
Anshrr

Anshrr

#1 LFR Feral for his ILVL
Oct 7, 2005
1,308
CERTAINLY NOT DENMARK EWW
Stuvvie said:
I wanna be a necromancer! Anyway deathknight in my understanding is something else then a normal char.

It also says that you have to match certain criteria to be able to get one so I am kinda thinking: Ashbringer?

So then for the warglaives > Demon Hunter next? :p

A deathknight is a champion of the scourge, proven in life and swearing a bloodpact to the lich being resurrected to become a champion of the scourge so it's very weird all and the one way to avoid the scourge atm and becoming one would be the ashbringer imho :)
Click to expand...

I can imagine the criteria is having a lvl70 or 80 toon already or something, as the Death Knight will start at a higher level/experiance. Maybe 60? 70? Just what I read over at mmo-champion atleast.
Having only a very small percentage of your playerbase beeing able to take part in such a huge part of an expansion (a new class, hero class at that), wouldn't really be too popular I can imagine.
 
S

Stuvvie

Guest
wolk.jpg


The text on the photo:

Some of the highlights:

- The dark, necromatic Death Knight, the first new character class added to World of Warcraft since its launch.
- Northrend, the harsh, icy continent where the Lich King holds rule, complete with new zones, quests, items and monsters.
- New level cap of 80 providing access to mighty new powers and talents
- New battlegrounds featuring siege engine warfare and destructable buildings
- Expanding character customisation options including new hairstyles & dances, the ability to change the hairstyles of existing characters, and new skin color variants.

2 more hours till it starts, so I kinda suppose the subsite will be up then aswell :)

Also if ayu's wiki thingy is true with "necromatic" from above I suppose it's a caster, if it stays like what was said that it combines tanking and damage dealing then it's a casting tank! Sounds pretty cool :D
 
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