Breakfast Topic: Looking forward to patch 3.3 and the next expansion
by Lesley Smith 
Aug 7th 2009 at 8:00AM
So patch 3.2, aka Call of the Crusade, aka the Last Biggie Before Icecrown, has finally dropped. Yay. Woo hoo. Check out the doves we just released. But wait, just take a moment to gawp at the new content. Go on, you deserve it. Hogger's waiting for you, we understand. Oh hi! Back already? So, let's look forward to the future shall we? BlizzCon is mere weeks away (excited yet?) and we know with that lovely fanboy/girl certainty -- normally reserved for predicting tomorrow's sunrise -- that the next expansion is going to be announced.
So, to speak of the future. I'm convinced patch 3.3 will hit before Christmas (I'm guessing around November to coincide with the Warcraft: Death Knight manga). So where does that put us for the new expansion? I can't see Blizzard waiting a year for the next expansion, not without any new content. But, I digress. Patch 3.3 is now officially incoming, it doesn't have a name or an ETA but it's coming. Can you feel it in the air? So readers, what do you think patch 3.3 will herald, aside from Sindragosa and the showdown with Arthas?
Filed under: Blizzard, Breakfast Topics, Expansions, Lore, BlizzCon
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
Brandon Aug 7th 2009 8:06AM
I certainly hope it's not that close. I feel 3.2 came prematurely as it is.
aaronefields Aug 7th 2009 8:15AM
Naaa, 2.5 was just about right. As a comenter posted yesterday, most bugs arnt going to be found on the PTR, just not the right structure and not enought people to find everything. It's live now and I'm happy with the results...so are more people.
....althought I will say that I keep looking at the doors wondering if OVER 9000! boombots are going to start running in.
Greg Aug 7th 2009 8:46AM
@ Brandon
... so to speak?
Laughed like crazy when I read your comment.
But I agree, patch 3.2 does feel like it ARRIVED prematurely.
Zach Aug 7th 2009 1:30PM
3.2 premature? In what way. I guess you could make a case concerning the (Heroic:) Glory of Ulduar drakes, and I think that's why Blizzard left them in - just because not that many guilds have gotten them, especially the Heroic one. But to say 3.2 arrived prematurely is just silly. It's not like Ulduar disappeared when the patch dropped.
The sad thing is: I'm already looking forwad to 3.3.
Retron Aug 7th 2009 4:45PM
@ Greg
This really never happens you can take Bliz's word. They want to apologize that's just absurd. Mainly our fault for the way that we /dance...
Heheh I thought the same thing.
Veliaf Aug 7th 2009 8:05AM
Kael'thas will make another comeback.
Xirifus Aug 7th 2009 9:10AM
I would love if Blizzard would make some joke or reference to Kael'thas at/before Lich King fight :D
Barinthos Aug 7th 2009 10:07AM
Maybe we'll see him in Icecrown Citadel in a block of ice on his knees begging for forgiveness :P
Arkeband Aug 7th 2009 10:33AM
There is a picture in the artwork book of a blood elf with blades all over him, with a big zombie-stitching across his midriff. This could easily be Kael'thas, if they were planning of making him a running gag. (sorta like that poor guy you always kill in God of War - "NO! NOT AGAIN! AHHHH...!!!")
elstor Aug 7th 2009 10:57AM
They should've put him as a memory during the Confessor encounter in 5-man trial. "Magisters Terrace was merely a setback"
Alchemistmerlin Aug 7th 2009 11:56AM
God I hope so.
Jack Spicer Aug 7th 2009 8:05AM
I guess it all depends on what we hear at Blizzcon. If they reconfirm that 3.3 is the last patch, then I would expect to see the next expansion by Summer 2010.
If, on the other hand, they announce the next expansion for Q4 2010, then 3.3 won't be the last patch, regardless of what they may have said earlier.
yokumgang Aug 7th 2009 8:07AM
Mal'ganis + players VS Arthas, a la Maiev Shadowsong + players VS Illidan.
Except Mal'ganis will be disguised, of course.
And after you kill Arthas he'll go LOL GUESS WHO and aggro the healers. BTW he'll be immune to taunt and give a stacking debuff for 10% less healing received. Like Gluth, but untauntable.
LilBanshee Aug 7th 2009 8:36AM
I figure the fight against Arthas will have a series of "helpers" like so many bosses with hard modes. Tirion armed with Ashbringer makes the most sense, he's the ideal anti-Arthas, legendary sword and all. Plus he was the one that destroyed Arthas' heart.
Of course Arthas would have more than one hard mode, so expect some combination of Garrosh, Thassarian, Jaina, Wrynn, etc. Mal'Ganis as a helper? Bah, he's a joke, we killed him like 4 times so far in the Warcraft franchise and each time he's more of a wuss than we last saw him. I've got vanity pets that are more intimidating than Mal'Ganis.
Valorum Aug 7th 2009 8:43AM
careful of spoilers there, lilbanshee.
LilBanshee Aug 7th 2009 8:51AM
Don't make me sic little orphan Kekek on you. I'll do it!
Boydboyd Aug 7th 2009 9:03AM
@Valorum
Careful of spoilers? Why?
It's nothing we can't go read at WoWWiki, or even here at Know Your Lore.
Spork Aug 7th 2009 10:54AM
Mal'Ganis joining in in the fight against Arthas would be a valid option.
Those who completed the Ebon Blade quest chains in Icecrown would be aware of his return and his new disguise, and the fact that he seeks revenge on the Lich King. If Kael'Thas shows up *again* it's probably alongside Mal'Ganis, a reborn Verimathras and/or some other buddies tied to the Burning Legion.
Yes I do expect Verimathras to re-appear after the battle for the Undercity. Dreadlords do tend to re-appear after they have been defeated, destroying their physical presence and casting their essence back into the Twisting Nether.
dfgreat1 Aug 7th 2009 11:58AM
@Boydboyd
But you can easily avoid those places. here it just kind of is thrown at you with no warning
kabshiel Aug 7th 2009 12:20PM
OMG Vader is Luke's dad?!?!?
WotLK has been out for more than eight months now. None of that stuff is a spoiler any more.