First Expansion Images?

[WildFire]

Probably makes sense that they are going to balance the factions across the two continents, so the new Horde starting area will be in Azeroth/Lordaeron and the Alliance one will be in Kalimdor.

If Blood Elves are going to be the new Horde race, then it makes sense that it'll be in Quel'thalas. Thing is Quel'Thalas isn't that far from Undercity. Also, it kinda hard to put in lowbie areas ala Barrens/Loch Modan/Westfall/etc. adjacent to Quel'Thalas seeing that it's smack in the Eastern Plaguelands.

As such, it might just be that the new Horde race is going to be based behind the Greymane Wall, where Gilneas should be, so as to be able to 'share' Silverpine Forest with the Forsaken.

That would also mean that the new Alliance race would have to start somewhere where they can 'share' Darkshore with the Night Elves.

I'm really interested in seeing how they are going to deal with the zone buffering issue.

[nobbie]

Why debate about unofficial screenshots when the original info is already there ;)

Choosing the Two-headed Player Race




***** SPOILER ALERT !!! *****

Two-headed Ogres


Choosing the Two-headed Player Race

By selecting the Two-headed Ogre race, you are selflessly choosing to share your existence in World of Warcraft with another player. That is, you are staking claim to one half of the Ogre whole. As a Two-headed Ogre, you will have control of one head and one arm at all times. Your other half will be controlled by a second player automatically and permanently paired with you upon character creation. Each player residing in the Ogre body will be free to choose his or her own character class at creation, so for example, it is possible to have a Two-headed Ogre who is half Mage and half Warrior. It is also possible to have two halves of the same character class, depending on the random pairing. Two-headed Ogres serve the Horde, and in keeping with the theme of their inherent duality, their starting zone will be located near the Crossroads, which resides in the Barrens region of Kalimdor. The classes available to Two-headed Ogres are: Mage, Warrior, Priest, Druid, and Warlock. Sharing a single body with another player can produce an mutually enlightening, symbiotic relationship or a constricting, insanely frustrating experience depending on the player you are randomly matched with. Good luck to you!


Inter-Ogre Communication

"Good communication is the foundation of a functional relationship with your second head"

When the bond between two players is forged within a single Ogre body, that bond is permanent for better or worse. You and your second head will naturally be spending a lot of time together, and you may find one of your biggest challenges to be learning to cooperate and coexist with your lifelong soul mate. While you have full and absolute control of your head and its associated arm, both players will have simultaneous control of equipment and inventory management, both legs, and character locomotion. This can make it somewhat difficult to travel anywhere in particular if that particular destination at all differs in the mind of either player. Thus, good communication and well-defined roles are essential to the successful Two-headed Ogre. To facilitate this communication, each Two-headed Ogre will get its own [/body] channel so that both heads can better make personal decisions and confer privately about things like what quest to do next, what monster to target, and what direction to move in.


Double the Heads Means Double the Fun

"We know what you were thinking... but sorry, if one head dies, you both die."

We know what you were thinking... but sorry, if one head dies, you both die.
If both players are logged in at the same time, they are automatically added to the same party. While both heads share the same hit-point bar, each has a separate bar for mana, rage, etc., depending on class. Due to their girth and compact sturdiness, the total HP for a Two-headed Ogre is a combination of the HP values for each character class; when one head levels up, its additional HP are simply added to the Ogres total HP. The heads level up independently, so if one half of the Ogre is adventuring online more than the other, its likely that that head could move far ahead of the other head in level. When attacked by a monster, the body as a whole takes damage, and when the shared HP are depleted, both heads die. It is possible, however, for each head to receive individual buffs and debuffs. In addition to the standard abilities toolbar, each Two-headed Ogre player will have a secondary toolbar showing the spells/abilities of his or her other half. While one head cannot use the spells/abilities of the other, seeing this secondary toolbar allows the players to observe each other's usage habits and make suggestions. Clicking on any of the icons on this secondary toolbar will automatically spam the [/body] channel with a tip to use that particular spell or ability. The player of the other head can then weigh this suggestion and act appropriately. When one player is offline, that players head appears slumped and sleeping. The offline head will automatically do the /snore emote into the [/body] channel periodically. Also, your Two-headed Ogre will walk with a limp, as if the whole side of the body controlled by the offline head is asleep.


Naming conventions

Each player will be given the opportunity to uniquely name his or her half of the Two-headed Ogre at character creation. However, outside of inter-Ogre communications, the world at large will see your character by a single name. This full name will be the combination of your Ogre's two uniquely named heads. For example, if one particular Ogre's left head is named "Jonny" while the right head is named "Bob," the full name of the Two-headed Ogre and the name attached to communications with the outside world will be "JonnyBob." Since both heads speak with this single name, there is no way for other players to know which of the heads within one body is speaking. Thus, it is important to discuss these external communications internally first to avoid appearing schizophrenic.


Two-headed Ogre Origins

The Two-headed Ogres of Azeroth are a Horde-born byproduct of the Second War. Created as mutations of natural Ogres by Gul'dan, the massive Two-headed Ogres of the Horde quickly became known (and feared) for their ability to do a large amount of physical and magical damage in a short amount of time. Like the Orcs, Ogres originally entered Azeroth from Draenor, bringing with them a strong sense of tribal loyalty as well as a natural inclination toward one-upmanship. With the addition a second personality within one body, these traits were compounded in the two-headed variety of Ogre: theyre fiercely loyal to the Horde, and theyre fiercely competitive with themselves, with one head always trying to outdo the other.

[kandrathe]

Hola guys. I hardly post here, but this one is interesting :).

Blood Elves as a Horde race makes almost zero lore sense. They dislike the Horde almost as much as they dislike the Alliance. If not ogres as a race though, sad to say Blood Elves would probably be the only other option considering the steadfast neutrality of the goblins :(. Perhaps I'm biased in thinking the Horde doesn't need a "pretty" race!

I'm pretty sure those are screenshots of somewhere in Quel'Thalas. The NPC elf at the blocked entrance to that region is named "Adon" (*cough* add-on!), a not too subtle hint of what would be in the first expansion! The art fits all we know of the region too, from WC3 and books. IMO the elves we see in screenies are NPCs and neutral questgivers.

The final screenie of the character selection is a fake...
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The crux of the plot would need to have Illidan escape from Outland, betray the demon Kil'jaeden, and join with the Horde. Since he failed to stop Arthus from joining with the Lich King and taking the Frozen Throne, Kil'jaeden should be a bit peeved. If the Horde offered Illidan a means to neutralize or banish Kil'jaeden, then that would provide the means for the Blood Elves to side with the Horde. It seems that all the alliances in WoW are tenuous, easily joined, and even easier severed.

[Munkay]

***** SPOILER ALERT !!! *****

Continued spoiler alert, since it is discussion of info contained in the article.

I do not personally play WoW but I keep up with the general gameplay features in case something catches my eye and inspires me to get back into gaming. When I read this, I couldn't help but be discouraged for our fellow loungers: Sharing a single body with another player can produce an mutually enlightening, symbiotic relationship or a constricting, insanely frustrating experience depending on the player you are randomly matched with. Good luck to you!

A double controlled character seems incredibly interesting (and reminiscant of player sharing in Starcraft). But if in fact there is no control over who is paired with you, then it feels like blizzard has squandered one incredibly good possibility. Any thoughts on this?

Cheers,

Munk

[vor_lord]

Any thoughts on this?
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I think nobbie is hilarious for finding Blizzard's April Fool's joke for 2005 and posting it in this thread.

:lol:

[MissileToad]

***** SPOILER ALERT !!! *****
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Blizzard April Fool's joke from 2 years ago.

[bonemage]

I don't know if this screenie is a fake, but if, then it's a darn good one :)

Note the Pandaren for Alliance ...


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I'm sure the elf image is directly ripped from the game data files using WoWmodelview as I have seen this exact elf, robes and all using that program. It's fully 3d rendered, so the person who doctored that shot wouldn't have to create any art. The race icons are ones used in WC3. There is no original art in here, just an OK patching of things together. Fun, but it's clearly fake in my opinion.

[nobbie]

A double controlled character seems incredibly interesting (and reminiscant of player sharing in Starcraft).

And the best thing is: One head is Alliance, and the other one Horde! ;)

Seriously, this was an April Fool's joke methinks :)

[Kevin]

And the best thing is: One head is Alliance, and the other one Horde! ;)

Seriously, this was an April Fool's joke methinks :)
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You think? I know it was. http://www.lurkerlounge.com/forums/index.p...wtopic=3243&hl= was the first topic the lounge had on it. :) And as Bolty posted here: http://www.lurkerlounge.com/forums/index.p...wtopic=3250&hl= the GM's had some fun with the joke in game.


As I mentioned before if they did this and allowed you to choose your partner it would rock so much for people like Treesh and I as well as the other couples that play WoW. It would also rock for any lurkers that want to run a tight duo.

It was also mentioned that other april fool's have come to pass and this is one that I would love to see. :)

[lemekim]

On WOWGuru.com, these two images have just popped up, which might show the new race and starting location of the upcoming WOW Expansion "The Burning Crusade". It looks like High Elves, but might as well be something else:




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While those screenshots are of pretty good quality, it makes me question as to what races will join to playable selection.

On one hand, Blizzard did mention sometihng about Elves:

http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.a...407#Post5094407

"There are still some High Elves in the land, but the majority of those once known as the Quel'dorei no longer fit the bill of "High Elf".

Your comparison with Gnomeregan is a logical conclusion to draw, but incorrect. The Gnomes managed to evacuate a good percentage of their people from their home as it was corrupted from within. Ironforge was close by; they were able to save a good number of their people. Naturally they were indebted to the Dwarves and, by extension, the Alliance, so they fight for their cause.

The High Elves had less of a chance to flee, as they were surrounded by the vast bulk of the Scourge army as they pressed in and destroyed the Sunwell. Still, some survived, certainly enough to show a presence, right?

And so they did after the destruction of Quel'thalas, fighting for the Alliance, but with the destruction of the Sunwell they found an ever-increasing need, an addiction, for magical power. The remaining Elves were placed under the command of a man named Garithos, who was grossly intolerant of other races and drove the Elves into near-suicidal situations in the hopes they would no longer be his problem.

These remnants of the High Elves -- named Blood Elves in remembrance of their people -- were not stupid, and the commands from their "Alliance" became more and more ludicrous. It was only through the help of the Naga that they were able to survive these grim tasks; time and again, they appeared to aid Prince Kael'thas and his men. The Blood Elves came to realize they could no longer trust in the Alliance. When the offer was extended to join the Naga in service of Illidan Stormrage -- and perhaps find a cure to their addiction to magic -- Kael took it, leaving the Alliance behind.

In short, High Elves are not playable because there are very few true "High Elves" left -- far less so than Gnomes. While there are Blood Elves in much larger supply, they are busy with other pursuits alongside Illidan. You'd certainly not see them fighting side by side with the Alliance anytime soon, not after such betrayal."

So it seems High Elves will not be part of the game at all anymore - their numbers are too few. And Blood Elves will not ever be part of ALLIANCE - however nothing was said that they cannot be part of the Horde. Interesting wording perhaps, but since Caydiem specifically mentioned that she chose her words carefully in that post, it might indicate that Blood Elves are indeed part of Horde (and as we know, a lot of people were asking for a "pretty" race for Horde)

[Lissa]

On WOWGuru.com, these two images have just popped up, which might show the new race and starting location of the upcoming WOW Expansion "The Burning Crusade". It looks like High Elves, but might as well be something else:

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If the Dark Portal does open as people have been suggesting, what if the Alliance race is the Drathei? The Drathei hate the Orcs after all and may be willing to join the Alliance to try to wipe out their one time oppressors.

[Quark]

If the Dark Portal does open as people have been suggesting, what if the Alliance race is the Drathei?  The Drathei hate the Orcs after all and may be willing to join the Alliance to try to wipe out their one time oppressors.
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I would be underwhelmed, to say the least. The Dranei were absolutely demolished by the Orcs in easy fashion according to lore.

[Zippyy]

On WOWGuru.com, these two images have just popped up, which might show the new race and starting location of the upcoming WOW Expansion "The Burning Crusade". It looks like High Elves, but might as well be something else:




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Exciting!

One thing I just thought of that I don't recall ever being discussed (though it almost certainly has been) is how will Blizzard handle the expansion in-game. Will the new areas/items/races simply be "off-limits" to people who don't buy the expansion? It will be kind of silly seeing a cool item on the AH and trying to buy it and getting a message "ERROR: Give us more money!" :)

[Lissa]

I would be underwhelmed, to say the least.  The Dranei were absolutely demolished by the Orcs in easy fashion according to lore.
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Yet we see them around in SoS and BL and there was a significant presence still in Outland during WC3X. Also, at the time when the Orcs went after the Dranei, they were a peaceful people much as the Orcs were prior to the intervention of the Burning Legion. As we saw in WC3X, they had become more warlike and also wanted to destroy the Orcs for what they had done to both Draenor and the Dranei. And likewise, there are far more Draeni around than there are High Elves and adding something like the Pandaren to the Alliance would probably tip the population even worse towards Alliance even with the inclusion of the Blood Elves to the Horde.

[Darian]

Exciting!

One thing I just thought of that I don't recall ever being discussed (though it almost certainly has been) is how will Blizzard handle the expansion in-game.  Will the new areas/items/races simply be "off-limits" to people who don't buy the expansion?  It will be kind of silly seeing a cool item on the AH and trying to buy it and getting a message "ERROR: Give us more money!"  :)
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Most likely scenario, based on previous MMOs:

Races: people who don't buy the expansion would be unable to play them, but via a patch would obviously be able to interact with them.

Areas: either off-limits, or seriously gimped.

Items: BoE items would be available to those who don't buy the expansion; BoP items would depend on the geographical source. If the level cap is raised, and the expansion is required to get above 60, some items may be restricted to expansion players simply by use of level limitations on the items.

[nobbie]

and even more from WOWGuru.com:

http://home.comcast.net/~moxie_eggs/expans...leindigo8am.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~moxie_eggs/expans...leshield7tv.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~moxie_eggs/expans...rontview2in.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~moxie_eggs/expans...elfsword2vj.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~moxie_eggs/expans...ingstaff8dv.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~moxie_eggs/expans...owerview8ye.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~moxie_eggs/expans...karazhan3ki.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~moxie_eggs/expans...archways1sc.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~moxie_eggs/expans...rontview2co.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~moxie_eggs/expans...insunset3cx.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~moxie_eggs/expans...interior6tg.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~moxie_eggs/expans...stairway7ii.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~moxie_eggs/expans...uildings5al.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~moxie_eggs/expans...ehorizon6ej.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~moxie_eggs/expans...sletower8hx.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~moxie_eggs/expans...ckmorass4dp.jpg

[Munkay]

I think nobbie is hilarious for finding Blizzard's April Fool's joke for 2005 and posting it in this thread.

:lol:
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That's what me gets for not playing ze game!

I needed a good laugh at myself! :P :D

[TheDragoon]

If the Dark Portal does open as people have been suggesting, what if the Alliance race is the Drathei?  The Drathei hate the Orcs after all and may be willing to join the Alliance to try to wipe out their one time oppressors.
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I had this same thought just this morning. :)

[TheDragoon]

*Jaw drops*

[MissileToad]

Hold the phone! Totally wild theory (don't credit me!):
We know the bronze dragonflight and their Caverns of Time have sprung to life since the last patch. Something out in Silithus has riled them up, and if it interests the dragonflight then it has something to do with a threat to time itself, perhaps temporal disturbances (see: quests in game currently featuring bronze dragons). It's a good guess that within the next patch or two, something major is going to happen regarding the bronze dragons, the Caverns of Time, and time itself. What if what we are seeing is not of this time at all? What if this is Quel'Thalas of old? What if these are not Blood Elves, but High Elves before being wiped out by the Scourge? What if the bronze dragons view the creation of the Dark Portal and all things related (Medhiv, Kazharan, the Scourge, parts of Azeroth long destroyed, the orcs themselves...) as a disturbance to Azeroth's time? Oof, this opens up a giant can of worms...

/ponder