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Blinded Iraq war vet raids with a little helpVideo of Val'anyr, the Gavel of Ancient Kings
by Alex Ziebart 
Feb 26th 2009 at 3:30PM
Video of the legendary mace coming in patch 3.1, Val'anyr, the Gavel of Ancient Kings, is already making the rounds. The animation is pretty cool, but I remain unconvinced of its overall awesomeness. We can't see any of the particle effects this weapon may have, because none of that stuff is ever built into the model. We won't know what it really looks like until we see it in-game somewhere, or someone digs out the other bits and pieces it all together.
The animation itself, which is the whole point of watching the video, is really freaking sweet. If it's an animation that happens semi-randomly and isn't just a constant thing, I really, really like it. My only concern about the weapon is, again, the particle effects. Something really cool looking is going to need to fill in that gap in the middle. As long as there's something there, this weapon is going to be amazingly cool. If there isn't, it's going to be amazingly boring. A very 'make it or break it' situation, I think. That's just my opinion, though. Do you guys disagree?
The animation itself, which is the whole point of watching the video, is really freaking sweet. If it's an animation that happens semi-randomly and isn't just a constant thing, I really, really like it. My only concern about the weapon is, again, the particle effects. Something really cool looking is going to need to fill in that gap in the middle. As long as there's something there, this weapon is going to be amazingly cool. If there isn't, it's going to be amazingly boring. A very 'make it or break it' situation, I think. That's just my opinion, though. Do you guys disagree?
Filed under: Patches, Analysis / Opinion
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ian Feb 26th 2009 3:36PM
Healing weapons overall are pretty blah, but this would look better than my regular mace even without particle effects. Can't wait to see it in action!
jlpknights82 Feb 26th 2009 3:38PM
There's a screenshot on MMO-Champion that shows there is some white energy/electricity that connects the two halves. Looks great!
Lycanthro Feb 26th 2009 3:40PM
Does anyone at wowinsider do any research?
http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2009/february/valanyr.jpg
http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2009/february/kickasspaladin.jpg
Firestride Feb 26th 2009 3:45PM
WoWInsider has like 20 posts over the last three days linking to MMO-Champ. Let's not criticize them for posting something they found somewhere else.
Jp is Wack Feb 26th 2009 3:41PM
Nice mace.
Lucky for the healers :D
How about a Mage Legendary Blizzard?
Nothing for Mage's since Vanilla WoW >.>
gundamxzero Feb 26th 2009 5:21PM
And nothing for hunters except the .5% of people that got the bow. So what.
Alkaios Feb 26th 2009 6:50PM
Lol that bow's special equip effect won't be that special anymore too. That sucks.
On the upside, finally a legendary for ALL healing classes! I can't be the only one who wanted to walk out of TK with that beautiful Cosmic Infuser, now can I? Haha.
Maybe Blizz will make a similar version of this for mages and locks? Idk. Maybe that would defeat the point of a legendary item, when every single class has one of them.
Jp is Wack Feb 27th 2009 3:58PM
Well then the other classes would feel left out for not having specific class legendary.
It's already a rarity you see most anyone with a legendary, it would just be fair if everyone had an equal chance to get it.
I though on getting the Atesh staff just to have, but since they moved Naxx to Northrend that legendary isn't available to get anymore.
crsh Feb 26th 2009 3:44PM
I just can't wait for the guild drama this will cause. I already have the GM/healing lead tossing crazy loot priority ideas and making sure everybody understands he's prolly getting it first because, well, he makes the rules. Meanwhile, every priest/shammy/pally/druid of practically any spec in the guild is going to want this.
Fun times ahead.
Ryuker Feb 26th 2009 3:45PM
Niiice. I kinda wish I was a healer now. Or could use Frostmourne when it comes out eventually. =(
Dave Feb 26th 2009 3:59PM
I'll wager the animation occurs upon drawing/putting away the weapon.
Xretsim Feb 26th 2009 4:01PM
At least Hunters get the Frostmourne....
ninjasuperspy Feb 26th 2009 4:45PM
Gorshalach on the other hand, total paladin weapon.
Kendras Feb 26th 2009 4:48PM
If Hunter's get Frostmourne... Christ... Give to the Dks/Palas if Blizz want to go all Lore-spam on us.
AyaJulia Feb 26th 2009 5:26PM
"If Hunter's get Frostmourne... Christ..."
I'd like to welcome you to this awesome concept called a joke. :D
Cbeefman Feb 26th 2009 4:00PM
i just hope this thing does something spectacular and it does not just have "X awseome amount of spell power", "GIANT stats"
the 3 most prominent legendaries so far (Thunderfury, Hand, and War Glaives) each had a very special effect to it. Well the hand didn't but what i really mean to say here is that whenever those weapons showed up in a BG, Arena, or even a PuG, the first thing that went through everyone elses mind is OH SNAP!, here comes someone who is either really lucky, or just so damn awesome that their guild saw it fit to give them such a powerhouse weapon
i fear that this weapon may go the way of just another stat stick
think about it, as a healer, do you even NOTICE your weapon?
this weapon is not visually stunning at all imo
eROKv Feb 26th 2009 4:12PM
SPECTACULARLY...boring.
jrizutko Feb 26th 2009 4:18PM
holy crap, WoW insider linked to the ulduar weapon pics like 2 days ago, one of which is this mace showing the particulate effects. Not doing external research is one thing, but at least you could read the site you post to...
Molloch Feb 26th 2009 4:27PM
Even without the particle effects it looks pretty pimp, especially since it gives birth to two orbiting faces. It's your own personal Easter Island!
Scott Feb 26th 2009 4:47PM
Atiesh had more than one version. WTB a melee version to pick from.
That would fulfill all my enhancement wet dreams.
I know, I know. Shhh... One can dream though.