Sunwell and 2.4 Patch Information (Swedish Magazine) - Page 32

Emeraude · 01/12/08, 6:04 PM

Getting back on topic for a second, somebody pointed out that this Screenshot

Was simply an area in the Blood Elf starting location? With demons added?

I'm actually hoping that's the case. The Sunwell Plateau should look much much worse then Eversong does with that single strip of Blighted Land leading up to the Plateau. Remember the Scourge actually made it to the Sunwell and defiled it, it should still be in shambles, in fact if you ever read the Sunwell trilogy manga you'd see that the land around the former location of the Sunwell is totally blighted. I'm also wondering if the Sunwell Avatar will play any role in the dungeon itself, unless Blizzard just totally forgot about her. I'm sure nobody outside of Sylvanas, Lor'themar Theron, and Halduron Brightwing know of her existence, that is of course unless Grand Magister Rommath finally plays the role I always hoped he'd play and betray those sitting in Silvermoon for Kael'thas.

Edit: I totally forgot that Kalecgos is a boss in the 25-man raid, he very well knows about Anveena being the Sunwell's avatar. Very exciting, I hope the wrap-up of the entire saga is as amazing as I hope it'll be.

Camaris · 01/12/08, 6:36 PM

That does not look like any area I've seen in the starting zone. It does obviously reuse elements of that, but I've never seen that statue in the foreground before.

And as you can see from that statue, and more clearly from this image, it seems the Blood Elves are quite actively rebuilding the site at the moment. It seems they are getting help from the Burning Legion itself to install those green demonic energy crystal things.

lfd · 01/12/08, 6:54 PM

Originally Posted by Camaris

That does not look like any area I've seen in the starting zone. It does obviously reuse elements of that, but I've never seen that statue in the foreground before.

Or, indeed, an instance portal in the background (in the building on the right-hand side). That looks to me to be the same building as is shown in close-up in http://us.blizzard.com/blizzcast/_im...1/sunwell5.jpg.

Starfire · 01/12/08, 6:59 PM

Why should it be defiled?

They rebuilt Silvermoon, surely Kael'thas would of rebuilt the Sunwell Plateau first.

And besides, remember Stormwind? It was completely ravaged by the Horde, yet it looks like it has been standing for centuries, not a single mark of the Horde is left.

Anyways, I thought Sunwell Plateau would be like... an entirely new area? akin to how Azuremyst Isles suddenly showed up on the map one day (since I do believe Ghostlands and Eversong Woods has always been on the maps >.>)

Liebestod · 01/12/08, 7:51 PM

Originally Posted by Starfire

Why should it be defiled?

They rebuilt Silvermoon, surely Kael'thas would of rebuilt the Sunwell Plateau first.

And besides, remember Stormwind? It was completely ravaged by the Horde, yet it looks like it has been standing for centuries, not a single mark of the Horde is left.

Anyways, I thought Sunwell Plateau would be like... an entirely new area? akin to how Azuremyst Isles suddenly showed up on the map one day (since I do believe Ghostlands and Eversong Woods has always been on the maps >.>)

Judging from the screenshots, I'd imagine that Sunwell Isle will simply be a new area in Eversong Woods somewhere off the Northern coast. Since there isn't a distinct aesthetic, I doubt it will be given its own zone. This wasn't originally the plan (old maps of the EK showed 3 Quel'Thalas zones iirc), but at least it's getting added in some way, shape, or form. Though I do agree that it seems odd that everything is intact, that there's no sign of the Scourge, etc.

insi9nia · 01/12/08, 9:23 PM

Originally Posted by Bloodterror

Well you never saw Emps, Cthun, Ouro, Heigan, Thaddius, 4h, Saph, KT, etc so how can you realistically compare pre-bc and TBC? In terms of encounters BWL was a garbage zone, MC was a garbage zone, early AQ was garbage. The reason people ballyhoo about Naxx so much is that even nothing encounters like Maexxna and Razuvious were still so so good in comparison to everything that had come before.

And you're right, those changes were received positively by the raiding community. But as is often the case the patient doesn't know what medicine he needs to feel good. Its the same psychology that goes into deciding how much of a penalty to have for dying in an MMO. The players say no no no please no death penalties in development. If the devs listen and the penalties for death are too low the game loses meaning and isn't compelling. Sure worldbuffing was obnoxious, but the only encounter you really had to do it for was Loatheb, and thats what made the fight unique. I'm sure there were guilds too that didn't even buff to kill him, but rather waited for enough gear to pass the gear check (also intelligent design if worldbuffs hadn't been around). If people were buffing for 4h and Saph then thats just them going overboard, and you can't really complain about a system that allows you to go the extra mile but doesn't make you--as those encounters were definitely beatable without world buffs. People say they hate world buffs now, but when you pulled Loatheb for the first time, shadow pots strapped, flasked and elixered and well fed and sharpening stoned up, tell me your heart wasnt beating out of your fucking chest. Can anyone think of a single encounter in TBC that has done that for you? Maybe Archimonde at low %'s, or pre-nerf Shahraz.

A lot of what made Naxx epic were the very things people didn't like. Its easy to look back on them nostalgically now, sure, but there was good raiding to be had there.

those moments were what truly embraced my best times in WoW. hardly anything post BC is fulfilling, nothing beats
tiems like eg, the entire raid gets world-buffed and and potted, only to have its best dps fury warrior get ganked by
some scrub rogue near LHC just cuz he went to take a pee. ( LOL IMMOVABLE!)
nowadays its getting more of a routine than anything else, i honestly can attest that naxx gets my undies more in a
bunch than any raid instance post BC, its been downhill since Naxx.

yes, it was annoying to farm SM over and over again for gravemoss, to run onyxia just to get some random alt the
head to hand in for the buff, to rush a UBRS grp to get rend's head, etc. but at the end of the day, the fight / kill
made it all worthwhile.

Grayson Carlyle · 01/12/08, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by Starfire

And besides, remember Stormwind? It was completely ravaged by the Horde, yet it looks like it has been standing for centuries, not a single mark of the Horde is left.

Stormwind was destroyed by the Horde. It was rebuilt in an entirely new location, hence the whole Van Cleef storyline.

Krazen · 01/13/08, 3:11 AM

Originally Posted by Emeraude

Getting back on topic for a second, somebody pointed out that this Screenshot

Was simply an area in the Blood Elf starting location? With demons added?

I'm actually hoping that's the case. The Sunwell Plateau should look much much worse then Eversong does with that single strip of Blighted Land leading up to the Plateau. Remember the Scourge actually made it to the Sunwell and defiled it, it should still be in shambles, in fact if you ever read the Sunwell trilogy manga you'd see that the land around the former location of the Sunwell is totally blighted. I'm also wondering if the Sunwell Avatar will play any role in the dungeon itself, unless Blizzard just totally forgot about her. I'm sure nobody outside of Sylvanas, Lor'themar Theron, and Halduron Brightwing know of her existence, that is of course unless Grand Magister Rommath finally plays the role I always hoped he'd play and betray those sitting in Silvermoon for Kael'thas.

Edit: I totally forgot that Kalecgos is a boss in the 25-man raid, he very well knows about Anveena being the Sunwell's avatar. Very exciting, I hope the wrap-up of the entire saga is as amazing as I hope it'll be.

I wonder if there is any way those female Eredar twins are in any way related or imbued with the Sunwell Avatar.

But how would Sylvanas (who was dead at the time) know all this while Kael didn't?

Opioid · 01/13/08, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by Starfire

And besides, remember Stormwind? It was completely ravaged by the Horde, yet it looks like it has been standing for centuries, not a single mark of the Horde is left.

Originally Posted by Grayson Carlyle

Stormwind was destroyed by the Horde. It was rebuilt in an entirely new location, hence the whole Van Cleef storyline.

You're both part right. Stormwind was completely razed by the Horde, but it was rebuilt in the same place by the Stonemasons Guild or whatever it was that Van Cleef was part of. It was very small then though, if you look at the Warcraft I map, its just the keep and the Old Town, which is what the city was when it was sieged.

The entire thing was rebuilt, but even then, the vast majority of the city is new development post-Second-War, now the largest city in game because of all the thousands of refugees/everyone else flocking to the last strong human city

The Dwarf town grew when the Deeprun Tram was built, the park didn't exist until the night elves made it a necessity, the Cathedral of the Light was a minor church but had to become the center of the organization of the Light, etc.

Pamine · 01/13/08, 12:55 PM

They said that the first things we need to do is "rebuild a city" in 2.4, so how is any of this surprising.

Lavis Knight · 01/13/08, 5:23 PM

Concerning the new faction: How they said we would develop the camp over time.

I really hope they stagger the development of this camp. Kinda of like if the server meets the prerequisites in daily quests only let a single stage of development happen in a week.

I would hate to arrive the first day to see a couple of tents than come back 3 days later and find a castle :P

Emeraude · 01/13/08, 6:01 PM

Originally Posted by Pamine

They said that the first things we need to do is "rebuild a city" in 2.4, so how is any of this surprising.

I doubt we're rebuilding a town for demons like shown in the Screenshots

Originally Posted by Krazen

I wonder if there is any way those female Eredar twins are in any way related or imbued with the Sunwell Avatar.

But how would Sylvanas (who was dead at the time) know all this while Kael didn't?

The info about Sylvanas knowing about the Avatar is in the Sunwell Manga trilogy that was released over the past 2 years or so:

Sunwell Trilogy - WoWWiki - Your guide to the World of Warcraft

She "assisted" the Blood Elves in killing Dar'Khan Drathir(Yes that same elite in Deatholme in the Blood Elf starting area). So she was there when the revelation made that Anveena Teague was actually the Sunwell given flesh by the red dragon Korialstrasz. Sylvanas generally tries to hide it, and she is much much colder then she was in life, but her heart is very much still elven.

I imagine any Eredar that are there are new following Kil'Jaeden, there was no mention of them in the original trilogy.

Kalecgos is the key, we'll find out if it's through him that they discovered the secret about the Sunwell. I really hope we don't kill him. Killing Vael always left a bad taste in my mouth. -_-

Kirion · 01/13/08, 6:18 PM

Originally Posted by Emeraude

Kalecgos is the key, we'll find out if it's through him that they discovered the secret about the Sunwell. I really hope we don't kill him. Killing Vael always left a bad taste in my mouth. -_-

Maybe Tyri in Netherstorm will give some kind of quest to save her mate. I hope that we wont kill him too.

Cirex · 01/13/08, 8:21 PM

Kalec is, indeed, a nice character...but for some reason, I can see him dying. Isn't Malygos one of the Wrath confirmed bosses? I can see a link.

I really dislike the looks of Sunwell. As someone pointed out, it should be in ruins. Lor'themar Theron says "No one comes to this place anymore without a good reason", having in the background the ruins of the town. Then we get Silvermoon buildings and roads copy & pasted.

I was really expecting a ruined area, with a dark or red sky (like Stratholme), fiery demons and the best legions of Kael'thas army...and we got a picnic at Silvermoon, North District.
I hope it doesn't turn to be a Mt. Hyjal part 2 (four random buildings on a boring green landscape, with recycled and totally unoriginal bosses with awful voice-acting and a retarded trash-to-boss system).

I had much hopes in this place lorewise, but for now, I'm disappointed. But well, I'm waiting for the daily area, Kael'thas new looks, bosses looks (especially Twin Eredar) and voice-acting.

Ah well, back to enjoy the Black Temple atmosphere (and soundtrack)

Emeraude · 01/13/08, 8:59 PM

Originally Posted by Opioid

You're both part right. Stormwind was completely razed by the Horde, but it was rebuilt in the same place by the Stonemasons Guild or whatever it was that Van Cleef was part of. It was very small then though, if you look at the Warcraft I map, its just the keep and the Old Town, which is what the city was when it was sieged.

The entire thing was rebuilt, but even then, the vast majority of the city is new development post-Second-War, now the largest city in game because of all the thousands of refugees/everyone else flocking to the last strong human city

The Dwarf town grew when the Deeprun Tram was built, the park didn't exist until the night elves made it a necessity, the Cathedral of the Light was a minor church but had to become the center of the organization of the Light, etc.

It should also be worth noting that World of Warcraft takes place about 25 years after the events of the initial Orc invasion on Azeroth, which destroyed Stormwind.

So they've had lots of time to rebuild.

While the events of the Reign of Chaos happened 5 years ago.

Also there's a quest in the Blood Elf starting area to attempt to cleanse the blighted ground in the dead scar, but the Elf matron there informs you that it's too far gone.

I don't understand how the Plateau can be so sunny and bright and cheerful.

Northerner · 01/13/08, 9:13 PM

Originally Posted by Emeraude

I doubt we're rebuilding a town for demons like shown in the Screenshots

A shame that. I'd be all over running dailies to help homeless demons.

What? They are just misunderstood I tell ya!

Starfire · 01/13/08, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by Cirex

Kalec is, indeed, a nice character...but for some reason, I can see him dying. Isn't Malygos one of the Wrath confirmed bosses? I can see a link.

I really dislike the looks of Sunwell. As someone pointed out, it should be in ruins. Lor'themar Theron says "No one comes to this place anymore without a good reason", having in the background the ruins of the town. Then we get Silvermoon buildings and roads copy & pasted.

Ah well, back to enjoy the Black Temple atmosphere (and soundtrack)

That is a good point. We've killed Azuregos. Go ahead and kill Kelecegos and just infuriate Malygos some more. I can see that as being a good reason for Malygos to wage war "in the future". Driven insane by losing his flight, only to have it restored just to watch them die again?

Actually, hell... the whole interfering with the Sunwell, I can really see that being a good issue for the Nexus.

So many things Blizzard can -still- do... what if the Dark Naaru IS M'uru, and after we kill him the Blood Elves go back to using the Sunwell? Oh all the possibilities of wonderful things to do.

P.S. I still think the whole M'uru thing is dumb. High Elves were priests of the light, why couldn't they just have High Elf Paladins? Why bother with the whole life-steal thing? /sigh, but this is off-topic and another fight =p

Emeraude · 01/13/08, 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by Starfire

That is a good point. We've killed Azuregos. Go ahead and kill Kelecegos and just infuriate Malygos some more. I can see that as being a good reason for Malygos to wage war "in the future". Driven insane by losing his flight, only to have it restored just to watch them die again?

Actually, hell... the whole interfering with the Sunwell, I can really see that being a good issue for the Nexus.

So many things Blizzard can -still- do... what if the Dark Naaru IS M'uru, and after we kill him the Blood Elves go back to using the Sunwell? Oh all the possibilities of wonderful things to do.

P.S. I still think the whole M'uru thing is dumb. High Elves were priests of the light, why couldn't they just have High Elf Paladins? Why bother with the whole life-steal thing? /sigh, but this is off-topic and another fight =p

From what's been leaked from Metzen at Blizzcon is that the Netherflight that you help Tyri bring back from Netherstorm helps cure Malygos lethargic state. So get this after being cured to SANITY, he decides that all the magic usage in the world will attract the legion(Which you just fought off 5 years ago at Mount Hyjal, and again in the upcoming Sunwell instance). It's pretty silly and not entirely fleshed out, I doubt the loss of 1 or 2 dragons would piss Malygos off to declare war on all the mortal races anymore then we already piss off the people who are supposed to watch over us.

As for the High Elf Priests, when the Elves left the Alliance after the 2nd War, the Elves didn't have the teachings of the Church anymore. You still had your scattered Elf remnants that were still loyal to the Alliance and attempted to help battle back the Scourge, but for the most part the High Elves were annihilated. Then you have the Blood Elves, who are tainted by fel magics(The eyes), and like the Broken in Outland who are also tainted by fel magic they don't have direct access to the Light, so they use this round about way to steal it. Also similar to how the fallen Forsaken Priests turn to the Forgotten Shadow to heal, since the Light obviously shuns them in their Undead form. None of the Horde races had access to the Light until the Blood Elves joined them, which is strongly what got them in, in the first place.

Shadout · 01/13/08, 11:18 PM

Maybe the Netherflight is really just planted by Neltharion to screw up Malygos ^^
Wanting to kill the mortal races isnt far away from his goals.

Spiry · 01/14/08, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by Emeraude

It should also be worth noting that World of Warcraft takes place about 25 years after the events of the initial Orc invasion on Azeroth, which destroyed Stormwind.

So they've had lots of time to rebuild.

While the events of the Reign of Chaos happened 5 years ago.

WoW, at release was set 4 years after the events of W3:TFT. Being 3 years on from that, makes it 7 years. I don't see why anything destroyed in W3 and TFT would still be total ruins, if the race behind it really wants to rebuild. Half of Silvermoon was rebuilt in 6 years afterall...

Emeraude · 01/14/08, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by Spiry

WoW, at release was set 4 years after the events of W3:TFT. Being 3 years on from that, makes it 7 years. I don't see why anything destroyed in W3 and TFT would still be total ruins, if the race behind it really wants to rebuild. Half of Silvermoon was rebuilt in 6 years afterall...

WoW -> Info -> Story -> Timeline

RoC and WoW are 5 years apart.

Silvermoon city is still chopped in half due to the invasion. So you're telling me the Plateau where we're going to fight Kil'Jaeden's forces and set up our own camp/quest hub to do so is in better condition then the Blood Elves' actually city? Come on now. The place should be in ruins.

Kazanir · 01/14/08, 11:13 AM

We don't know who's running the show up there though, really -- how involved the blood elves of Silvermoon are or were, how Rommath is involved if at all, when Kael'thas showed up (recently obviously) or when his "forces" "took control" of the area. It's all very unclear and anything could really be plausibly explained.

I mean, it's a world with magic and space cows -- it's not like storylines are bound by the conventions of civil engineering.

Bogeywoman · 01/14/08, 11:38 AM

Yeah, because after you've played WoW for a few years, you really start thinking, "gosh, wouldn't it be great if there were some way for there to be MORE RUINS?"

Kirion · 01/14/08, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by Emeraude

WoW -> Info -> Story -> Timeline

RoC and WoW are 5 years apart.

Silvermoon city is still chopped in half due to the invasion. So you're telling me the Plateau where we're going to fight Kil'Jaeden's forces and set up our own camp/quest hub to do so is in better condition then the Blood Elves' actually city? Come on now. The place should be in ruins.

Perhaps Avatar of Sunwell helped to restore this place? If i rememeber right, sacred grove was restored, but everyone still see protective illusion there: ruins and scorched land. Also Silvermoon city is restored. Yes half of it controlled by wretched criminals and blood elves cant use treants and other forces of nature to cure land but still, it restored.

Playered · 01/14/08, 12:28 PM

Cant recall where to quote this from, but wasn't Sunwell ment to be 'wierd' and 'distorted by magic'? floating buildings and such?