Patch 5.3 interview with Ghostcrawler
Mystery of the Unborn Val'kyr
The latest patch 5.3 news
All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsOnyxia returns in Patch 3.2.2
by Michael Sacco 
Aug 12th 2009 at 9:12PM
You read that right. In honor of WoW's 5-year anniversary, in the upcoming Patch 3.2.2, Onyxia will make her triumphant return to the world of Azeroth!
The patch will convert Onyxia's Lair to a 10- and 25-player dungeon, along with new items whose models match the old-school gear available in the vanilla instance, like Tier 2 helms. Additional rewards include a 310% speed flying mount modeled after Onyxia herself!
As a bonus, anyone who logs in during the 5-year anniversary event in November will get an Onyxia Whelpling pet.
The full announcement after the break!
The full announcement reads as follows:
She has lurked in her lair and done battle with the many brave adventurers who travelled to that familiar location over the years. Now, in honor of the World of Warcraft 5-year anniversary, the dreaded brood mother Onyxia is being revamped to make a return to the forefront of Azeroth, as part of our big plans for the upcoming 3.2.2 content patch.
This permanent update to Onyxia will convert the dungeon into 10- and 25-player modes. We will be adding new items to Onyxia's loot table that have the same model as some of the classic loot from this dungeon, like Tier 2 helms, with stats updated to match the current level of content. There will be a special new item too: a normal drake-sized 310% speed flying mount modeled after Onyxia herself called an Onyxia Broodling. We will also be updating the encounter mechanics to be more fitting for modern raiding, but we can guarantee players will get to experience the frightening horror of deep breaths once again.
Then for a limited time, after the 5-year anniversary event officially begins in November, anybody who logs in will receive an Onyxia Brood Whelpling pet.
We're very excited to bring this classic encounter back to provide a fun new experience for both new and veteran players. Further details will be available in the near future, and we will be setting up the Public Test Realms soon to help test out this fight along with all the new content we have planned for the patch. Keep an eye on the forums for updates!
Filed under: News items, Raiding
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 15)
Taladan Aug 12th 2009 9:43PM
Wanna bet there will be an achievement named like that?
Mugutu Aug 12th 2009 10:02PM
GROUPS 7 AND 8 ON WHELPS DAMNIT
QQinsider Aug 12th 2009 9:58PM
FIFTY DKP MINUS!!!
I never got to raid pre-BC, can't wait for this!
brunik Aug 13th 2009 4:42AM
O.O i remember the horror!!!
Eberron Aug 13th 2009 6:31PM
Left side many whelps!
TJ Aug 12th 2009 9:22PM
Lets hope they do this to more stuff. I missed Pre BC, so I'd love to have a retuned AQ and stuff as well.
Aceman67 Aug 13th 2009 4:48AM
AQ is still challenging even today. I lead a full 40 man there (Mixed 60's to 80's, most of the 80s were ulduar geared) and we wiped a couple times.
Demonkunga Aug 12th 2009 9:22PM
Hell yeah!!! This is great news!
Stephen Aug 12th 2009 9:22PM
*pick up jaw*
YES!!!!!!!!!!!
Meelula Aug 12th 2009 9:54PM
such a copout.Blizz cant make anything new????
Adam Holisky Aug 12th 2009 9:23PM
Most of the WoW.com crew is jumping with Glee right now. I can't wait. I think I still have my Ony raid lead macros saved that told everyone how the fight worked.
Veliaf Aug 13th 2009 5:25AM
Who isn't jumping with glee, out of interest?
Verc Aug 13th 2009 12:55PM
As excited as I am for this...I also just started a level 60 raiding guild, turning off our XP at 60. It made me sad to begin with that we'd never see Naxx, but it's a bit of a blow that we won't get to do Ony either, or get our full t2 on those toons.
Oh well. My 80s will, at least.
RogueJedi86 Aug 12th 2009 9:23PM
Oh boy, now Tier 2 will be unattainable, just like Naxx made Tier 3 unattainable. They should at least keep a level 60 version of Onyxia's for Level 60's(who turn off XP for level 60 raids), and those of us who will want Tier 2. Pushing all the content to 80 isn't as fun, it just excludes the players level 60-79 who could do Onyxia's previously.
Justin Aug 12th 2009 9:25PM
^This
Demonkunga Aug 12th 2009 9:27PM
Actually it forces people to buy BC and Wrath to participate, meaning more monies for Blizz! Haha
mibluvr13 Aug 12th 2009 9:29PM
As far as my server goes, there are ZERO raiding lvl 60 groups. Those of us who enjoy the level cap and not distorted nostalgia are excited. :D!
Eddie Aug 12th 2009 9:29PM
QQ MOAR!!
go lvl, or stay and 60 with no QQ
Strudopi Aug 12th 2009 9:46PM
I understand your slight disappointment, but you most understand, this change will please 45% of WoW population who are maxed leveled and wish to see it as many saw it back in the classic WoW. Very few people's main's are at 60 and raid her enough to see some significant percentage for them not to make this change. I am for one very excited to see this raid instance become worth something more than personal achievement of solo'ing or 5 manning her.
Firestride Aug 12th 2009 9:45PM
I'm with the OP, I just hope they keep the 60 version available. It's fun to go back on max level characters and pick up the old tiers. I would have loved to try and make Atiesh, but Bliz made that impossible.