Tuesday Morning Post: Howling at the maintenance edition
by Daniel Whitcomb 
Jul 21st 2009 at 7:30AM
Good Tuesday Morning, everyone. While it seems like the news slowed down a bit this week as compared to the past few, don't think it's been a quiet week by any means. The Background Downloader has started up, which may or may not mean we're pretty close to Patch 3.2 going live, Blizzard is cautioning against wolf-related apparel, and... oh yeah, there was that thing with the Worgen and the Goblins. Could those masks be pointing to next expansion's playable races? Either way, the debate and discussion about them has been jumping all week (I'd totally roll a Worgen Paladin and I hope they keep the running on all fours thing, for the record).But don't be fooled into think that's the only news hitting the presses lately. With downtime coming from 5 AM to 11 AM Pacific time, you probably have time to do some more reading, so here's a few links for your perusal:
Hot News and Features
- Blizzard has released the official WoW Armory iPhone app. It has almost everything you'd expect, and even some things you didn't.
- So Jay Mohr is confirmed for BlizzCon, but here's what'll really get you: rumor has it Ozzy's coming too.
- Many are asking if WoW's being run by the B team now. We ask: If it's true, is that even a bad thing?
- Maiev Shadowsong is one of those lore characters a lot of people hate with a passion. But is she worth a second look?
- Character server transfer times have been massively slashed.
- DC's got a new set of action figures in the pipeline, and we have pictures.
- The Druid Q&A is out.
- Warriors also got their Q&A this week, and Rossi had some words to say about it.
- Lichborne looks at DPS Death Knight gear from the new Crusader's Coliseum.
- Encrypted Text looks at Fan of Knives.
- Arcane Brilliance has a level 80 Bucket List for mages.
- Totem Talk is furious about the elements.
- Scattered Shots discusses using Tenacity Pets to solo.
- Armory data mining has uncovered some interesting statistics on Hunter pets.
- Ready Check discusses felling Freya.
- Does Raid Rx have the final word on over healing? Probably not, but it was worth a try.
- We Have a Tabard discusses guild and raid leadership.
- The Drama Mamas discuss raiding interruptions and slanderous guild members.
- Time is Money helps you use Patch 3.2 to fleece those poor saps on the auction house.
- WoW Rookie dissects the dungeon.
- Patch 3.2 is bringing back a couple classic weapons as heirlooms.
- A 3k arena rating is now a reality.
- As are 10,000 achievement points.
- WoW, Casually discusses starting them young.
- Turpstervision tackles Multiboxing!
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Realm Status, Odds and ends, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MusedMoose Jul 21st 2009 7:38AM
While I have no idea if the worgen/goblin thing is real, I can't help wondering about one thing: if it is real, what kind of mounts would each race get?
The goblins would probably have some creature that's both native to their homelands and easily tamed, as well as fairly common there - can't be too rare or it'll be costly to get, and we all know what that means... cutting into profits. Not good. *grin*
But as for the worgen, I'm stumped. I mean, what kind of creature would let a giant wolf gets on its back? @_@
Decaying Jul 21st 2009 8:02AM
Nah, Goblins would have something similar to the Mechanostrider. After all, there is Gnomish and Goblin Engineering.
As for the Worgens... Well, your argument could be applied to other Races. In the orginal Alpha, that was applied to Taurens: "What kind of creature would let a giant Cow get on it's back". At first, they had nothing, so Taurens could Plainsrun, but when that proved inpractical, they came up with Kodos, so who knows.
As Worgens were once Human, i'm gonna guess at a variation of the Horse, similar to the Skeletal Horse for Undeads.
Rugus Jul 21st 2009 8:13AM
> But as for the worgen, I'm stumped. I mean, what kind
> of creature would let a giant wolf gets on its back? @_@
Probably the same that usually lets a cow in its back...
Mornhadine Jul 21st 2009 9:06AM
Maybe the worgen will get something like the shaman's ghost wolf for a land travel form. Normally they'd walk around on 2 legs but for travel drop down to all 4. As for flying, I know warlocks & paladins don't have class specific fliers either so that wouldn't be a big surprise.
becky Jul 21st 2009 10:53AM
Um, maybe an even bigger wolf? a horse sized wolf...like the ones in northrend...
saregos Jul 21st 2009 12:00PM
Way back in the beta, Tauren didn't get mounts, but rather they gained a run speed boost (I don't remember the exact details). So there's precedent, of a sort, of the whole "race with no mounts" thing. However, the issue with that is twofold: 1, you run into the same question with flying mounts. 2, either you don't let worgen use land mounts whatsoever (which would piss off a lot of collectors), or you still have that lore issue.
Also, the issue with giant wolves is that the Orcs already have that.
My vote?
Give the Worgen big spiders as mounts, and let my goblin ride on a modified (i.e. weaponless) Shredder.
Jimmy Jul 21st 2009 8:02AM
Ooohhhh
Jimmy Jul 21st 2009 8:02AM
Win.
Clydtsdk-Rivendare Jul 21st 2009 8:04AM
double post = double fail
Jimmy Jul 21st 2009 8:05AM
Or double win?
oddballism Jul 21st 2009 8:06AM
i couldnt think of a worgen mount but came up with acrazy unlikely theory:
if worgen were made to run upright they could enter some kind of all fours stance? i dunno, maybe something like the plains running tauren were gonna have only it would have the mounting cast speed (maybe to brace themselves for a run? do worgen need warm ups?) and then they take off. so it would really just be like any other mount other than the apearance.
doubt it would ever happen but it'd be damn cool
Garlictators Jul 21st 2009 8:25AM
wow. I love that idea. it's kind of perfect.
Todd Jul 21st 2009 8:56AM
No there will not be any plainsrunning nonsense. At least as far as a racial mount goes. As a racial bonus skill perhaps but then it will be locked at a 30% speed increase.
Plainsrunning would create a mount imbalance between the alliance and Horde since Goblins will more than likely have mechanical mounts that other races could ride (if they are exaulted with the Goblin faction anyway). Plus too many players would QQ about their Worgs not being allowed mounts.
Dreadmaker Jul 21st 2009 3:03PM
@ Todd
I actually think this has a chance. think about it; don't lock them off of other mounts, or anything, so collectors don't bitch, but instead, give them this 'form', or stance, similar to druid forms. it would like travel form for druids, but instead it would be 60%/100% speed. it would have the cast time, and you could be stunned out of it in PvP or whatever, just like any other mount, simply because if you get hit hard when you're running fast, good chance is you stop running fast. perhaps even incur a damage penalty (like all incoming attacks do 20% more damage in 'run form').
I like the idea; it would make worgen into Belfs V2, but frankly, if they really do come in, it would do that anyhow. I mean, jeez... you get to be a damned werewolf. That will attract people.
V Magius Jul 21st 2009 8:49AM
For the theories on the new race, I don't think the theorists are thinking it through or making an effort. Lorewise, they all make sense. It's not hard to point out why the races would join the side they would. It's the starting area locations I have trouble with. It's just asking for someone to camp the rerolls.
Worgen would be Alliance and start next the Undead 11-20 area.
Goblins are probably the most realistic, starting on an island and taking a zep to the Horde.
I've seen Dragonkin(?) mentioned starting in Grim Batol next to Loch Modan. Same problem as Worgen.
With these theories, the Goblins might as well be next to Exodar and Darnassus and take a boat to Aberdine. We could also have Leper Gnomes coming out of Gnomer or Defias prisoners from the Stockades for the Horde. Whatever was in Ragefire Chasm for the Alliance. Have them finish the area and come right out in the middle of the opposite faction cities.
I don't really care what race is coming. I'll play it or I won't. I'm sure Blizz has it all figured out to make sure rerolls aren't camped immediately. I'm just asking that people think their theories through a little better, especially when you list a cross faction starting area in your theory.
At least throw in teleporters or wizards. They solve everything.
joerendous Jul 21st 2009 11:30AM
I don't understand your argument. Why would Gilneas, located at the very south of Silverpine, not be a viable starting zone? The picture you are painting is as though the worgen would be spawning in the throne room of Lordaeron. I think it would be a fascinating move on Blizzard's part to have Silverpine be a shared Westfall-equivalent (lvl12~20) area. On a PvE realm it maybe business as usual, but on PvP realms the Silverpine-Hillsbrad area may become a hotspot for -um, PvP again. Theorizing again, but it may be Blizzard's attempt to bring the "war" back. Whether it -would possibly- be a good move is up to the individual to decide.
I'm just trying to understand your perspective. I'm tracking on your argument about a shared lvl11~20 zone, but then you talk about them entering into the middle of the opposite faction's city. Hillsbrad is closer to Gilneas than Lordaeron, and all of Kalimdor is a blimp ride away at the footsteps of the Undead city.
If your argument is regarding the possibility of lvl80 raids on those lvl11~20 ranged towns, I don't think it'll be any different than the raids conducted on XRoads way back when, or even Astraanar and Splintertree Post in Ashenvale. When the horns are blown there will be those that answer its call. If not, then those poor saps trying to turn in quests will just have to wait it out like the rite of passage that was XRoads/Barrens lol.
Sjolden Jul 21st 2009 9:01AM
I think the goblin mount will be a worgen......and the worgen? well....
Mornhadine Jul 21st 2009 9:10AM
Yes! A Worgen riding on the back of a goblin! Brings to mind what everyone thought it would look like for a tauren to ride a strider way back when...
jdryner Jul 21st 2009 9:32AM
I remember a story on this site about someday being able to switch factions....what if, the worgen and goblins represent either a new faction, or "safe races" that facilitate that change in allegience?
I can just see the goblins' eyes turning into gigantic gold pieces at the prospects of gaining all the loose change of characters that migrate through to the opposite side.
Sinfulle Jul 21st 2009 10:05AM
I'm going to guess possibly rhino for Worgen mounts, since those are animals found in game but not yet for mounts and would be suitably large. For Goblins, instead of mechano-strider, perhaps mechano-spider? Maybe Jormungar worm mounts? Or now that I think of it, those creepy spiders from Duskwood might actually make a suitably eerie mount for Worgen, but then goblins would need something other than mechanospiders.......Crocolisk? Basilisk?. Wracking my brain going through the list of possible creatures. For Goblin flying mount, flying serpents (found in many zones from Barrens to Zul'Drak), those might seem somewhat close to the Nether Rays in movement. Flying mount for Worgen could be.......mmm Vampire bat?
The pressing question is: What would the Worgen dance routines be? We can already see Goblins dance (the flightmaster at Mudsprocket is often busting moves).