Wrath bits: re-runing, mounted quests, factions
by Eliah Hecht 
May 15th 2008 at 1:00PM
The Australian branch of CNET (CNET, by the way, just sold to CBS for $1.8 billion) is little late to release their notes from the Wrath of the Lich King preview party, but I forgive them, because they contain a few new nuggets of information that I don't remember seeing elsewhere.
- As I speculated last time, it seems a Death Knight will have to "go to a specific locale" in order to pick a new configuration of their six runes. I would still guess that it would be an inn, or stable master, or some other building/NPC found in every town.
- They saw an escort quest wherein the escorted NPC mounts the same horse as the player; the player was then able to use some attacks on enemies. Sounds like a sort of ground-based bombing run -- not quite mounted combat, but a step in that direction, anyway.
- The Oracle/Wolvar faction choice is meant to be less permanent than the current Aldor/Scryer divide; CNET reports "it appears that you'll be able to juggle favour between the two groups." This sounds good to me, since I'm currently regretting my choice on one of my characters (missing access to some recipes). On the other hand, it will contribute to further homogenization, and what's the point of splitting faction allegiance if it's easy enough to go back?
[via Blizzplanet]
Filed under: Factions, Death Knight, Wrath of the Lich King, Mounts
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Buuty May 15th 2008 1:09PM
I believe they show mounted combat in one of the zone preview videos for WotLK that came out last week.
Eliah Hecht May 15th 2008 1:10PM
I thought that sounded familiar. Oh well, a little repetition never hurt anybody.
Soeroah May 16th 2008 5:07AM
It would if the repitition was hitting someone with a base ball bat over and over :p
I thought I read somewhere that a passenger mount would be available (but not a new riding skill).
Buuty May 15th 2008 1:15PM
The grounded mounted combat information is new though, as the clip last week showed flying mounts shooting rockets.
Suzaku May 16th 2008 12:40AM
No, they had that info in another one of the previews. The quest involves you freeing a guy from a cage, and he runs out and gets on a mount. You then mouse over the mount and get a new cursor, clicking it lets you jump on. You then try and escape enemies in pursuit by riding towards a forest while you throw hot oil and stuff to try and get away.
Aubrey May 15th 2008 1:40PM
My guess is the Death Knight will have to go to a forge, using heat and hammer to re-rune it there.
Eliah Hecht May 15th 2008 1:39PM
Wow, that makes perfect sense. Good thinking.
MechChef May 15th 2008 1:45PM
In the case you have to reforge your runes, I wonder if it'll have a reagent cost. Say... [Runic Welding Rod]
Lars May 15th 2008 4:25PM
Good thinking. My thought is that it could be kind of like doing a talent re-spec. And the ability to do so would probably be available in most major cities in Azeroth.
jbodar May 15th 2008 6:07PM
Your thought is wrong. ;)
"Changing runes won't be as prohibitive as talent speccing or anything like that, but at the same time, it won't be so fluid so that you're doing it between fights. We're going to hit some sweet spot between those two."
http://www.mmo-champion.com/index.php?topic=7361.0
which is taken from this interview:
http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/872/872791p2.html
Nibuca May 15th 2008 2:25PM
Ahem. CNET-AU's story is a rebranding of a story published on GAMESPOT.com (another CNET property).
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/worldofwarcraftwrathofthelichking/news.html?page=1&sid=6190656
The story was originally published on 5/9.
Nibuca
http://chicanery.fibergeek.com/
Lars May 15th 2008 4:33PM
And now it's here, so our little community can all talk about it!
lokikins May 15th 2008 2:27PM
they'll likely release it for Christmas as it will be big sales, since the Beta isn't out yet and all =P
Baron May 15th 2008 9:12PM
Actually, I was thinking that it might be the graveyard to re-write the runes. Depending on how hard/easy they want it to be. they want it to be easier than re-specing, and forges are more common than class trainers, but graveyards are even more common still. And I think that you could come up with better lore for a death knight using a graveyard, than using just a normal forge.
Unagieater May 15th 2008 2:40PM
I'm very VERY doubtful that wrath is out before Blizzcon. that means late October at the earliest if I'm right, I'm speculating November. But don't take my word on that, it is Speculation.
I bet Blizzcon has the last big surprise for wrath in it. (Playable Murlocs/Wolvar anyone?)
Also, wasn't the escort quest already mentioned somewhere else?
P.S. I don't really think any playable races are in this one. I think next Xpac is either Maelstrom, or Emerald Dream, and will have playable Murlocs/Naga if Maelstrom, and Playable Wolvar (Or Worgen)/Something else if Emerald Dream.
Eternalpayn May 20th 2008 7:39AM
I wouldn't be surprised if we saw something huge at Blizzcon though. I'm thinking it could be details on the new Battleground, and a new honor system.
Unagieater May 20th 2008 4:58PM
Sounds about right.
I hope if we get a new honor system it has titles. :)
Milhojas May 15th 2008 2:52PM
What about legacy items? Those are items bind to your account that can be used by your alts. http://www.tentonhammer.com/node/32907
icer May 15th 2008 4:53PM
what mount is that that you used for the image for this topic?
Eliah Hecht May 15th 2008 5:26PM
That is, in fact, a shovel tusk, which may or may not be a mount. There's a bit of information on them at http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/wrath/features/bestiary/index.xml