Deconstructing the Cataclysm trailer
by Lesley Smith 
Sep 4th 2009 at 1:00PM
We've broken apart the trailer into individual scenes, and we'll going to take a look at the most important moments -- from the opening where we're fighting in Northrend to the big reveal of Deathwing at the end. We are also going to ask those all important questions like "Who exactly is narrating the trailer" and "Why are we still fighting Arthas, where's our end-of-expansion break?". Don't forget, if you need to refresh your memory or relive the experience, you can also check out the trailer for yourself.
_thumbnail.jpg "Down with the Scourge")
_thumbnail.jpg "Icecrown Citadel?")
_thumbnail.jpg "The Lich King")
_thumbnail.jpg "Cataclysm")
_thumbnail.jpg "Ashenvale tornado")
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it. Nothing will be the same. In WoW.com's Guide to Cataclysm you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion. From Goblins and Worgen to Mastery and Guild changes, it's all there for your cataclysmic enjoyment.Filed under: Blizzard, Expansions, Lore, Bosses, BlizzCon, Cataclysm, Worgen, Goblin
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Kenru Sep 4th 2009 1:09PM
I thought it was Thrall narrating, but he calls the Forsaken "Vile." For some reason I dont think its in his character to call an ally by something like that, even if their the Forsaken.
Omegan01 Sep 4th 2009 1:22PM
I don't think it's supposed to be Thrall. My gut reaction when I first watched the trailer was Malfurion, but I'm not sure there either.
devilsei Sep 4th 2009 1:23PM
Actually, Malfurion might be it. We haven't heard from that guy for a loong while, there's a novel in the works that focuses on him, and as a druid, I'm sure that all undead are an affront to their beliefs, which would explain the "vile" comment.
jealouspirate Sep 4th 2009 1:28PM
I think Deathwing is the narrator.
mtsadowski Sep 4th 2009 1:40PM
@jealouspirate
If Deathwing is the narrator, then he just referred to himself in the 3rd person... not bad - if Jim Darkmagic can do it, so can he.
pietrex Sep 4th 2009 1:47PM
I know it's not him, but for me the narrator sounded like Varian Wrynn.
kymali Sep 4th 2009 1:55PM
If it sounds like Thrall and Varian Wrynn chances are its Chris Metzen narrating, though which character he's meant to be voicing I couldn't guess
Sithril Sep 4th 2009 2:01PM
I think it's just a narrators voice , no one in particular .
I know , I know we had Illdan and Arthas narrate their parts , but when I heard this one I just considered it for a simple narrator - the author perhaps ? ;)
Plus :
Thralls voice is a bit gruntier - "orcishier" ?
Varians is less deep , a lot by my ear .
Caz Sep 4th 2009 1:10PM
Take a close look at the moonwell at 1:19/1:20 in the trailer. It clearly shows the moonwell that sits in front of Dire Maul...restored and rejeuvenated, surrounded by Night Elf Cenarion and Darnassian tabards.
I've made numerous comparisons, and am convinced that the locale in the trailer is indeed the Dire Maul moonwell. there is no other moonwell in the game that looks quite like that....and take notice that the summoning stone is no longer there either.
Could this be an indicator that the city of Eldre'Thalas is being reclaimed? Or perhaps the elves have set up a camp there to launch an offensive to take the city back now that the highborne in the Shendralar faction have rejoined them? Maybe a daily quest hub for Alliance players?
There are so many possibilites with this expansion.
Tirrimas Sep 4th 2009 1:31PM
Horde better get their "King of Dire Maul" achievement beforehand then. >.>
WastedFire Sep 4th 2009 1:54PM
I always took that location to be inside, the forest growth you see the frame before in desolace. There are a few more images on the offical site of a worgan druid in that location, and a shot from the current horde base at ghost walker post. Both looking down into the grove that seem to look very similar.
Caz Sep 4th 2009 2:13PM
It's possible that it's in Desolace, but I can't imagine trees that big already having grown there. I think it's suspicious that its tucked in between two before and after shots of Desolace, like an easter-egg. When you get the chance, travel to Dire Maul and look at the moonwell area to the left of the steps on the way up.
I'm convinced it's Dire Maul.
snowleopard233 Sep 4th 2009 1:13PM
I feel so bad for that shell-shocked goblin female. You just want to give her a hug!
traptinacivicsi Sep 4th 2009 10:50PM
She's cute/hot IMO
:P
devilsei Sep 4th 2009 1:22PM
You know, about that "Human Versus Goblins" screen, not every human faction likes the goblins, Bloodsails are a good example. I can't really guess what faction those humans are, but the fact that they are dressed in an almost uniform all black and wielding similarly styled weaponry (katana as far as I can tell), might hint either at a new faction of humans with asian influences, ninjas, or the Bloodsails have become pirate ninjas.
Squirr3llywrath9 Sep 4th 2009 1:57PM
Ninja pirates!? God help us all.
Nizari Sep 4th 2009 2:06PM
I'll tell you who those humans are: They're the Others! They've come to kidnap pregnant goblins!
ash Sep 4th 2009 2:39PM
Yeah, I just assumed the hostile humans on the island were pirates. Anyone have any info to the contrary stating the humans antagonistic to the goblins are somehow tied to the alliance?
Wangly Sep 4th 2009 5:34PM
@Ash "Yeah, I just assumed the hostile humans on the island were pirates. Anyone have any info to the contrary stating the humans antagonistic to the goblins are somehow tied to the alliance?"
I took this screenshot (http://img196.yfrog.com/i/alliancegoblin.jpg/) from the trailer. The same "ninja pirates" that were mentioned are fighting the goblins, but with an Alliance Banner in the background on the left.
I assume then that they are Alliance affiliated.
Netherscourge Sep 4th 2009 1:25PM
I think they jumped the gun on Cataclysm. Icecrown Citadel is not even on the PTR yet, Arthas has not even been faced yet, and already his role in Warcraft is obsolete thanks to Cataclysm and Deathwing.
Honestly, who cares about Arthas anymore when Deathwing is literally scarring the face of Azeroth?
Arthas is just a corrupt loser moping around Northrend while watching all his generals and subordinates get slaughtered on a weekly basis by all us "heroes".
It's sad because Arthas' story is the main plot line for everything that's been going on for the past 4 years in WoW. Now all of a sudden Deathwing pops up and Arthas PALES in comparison to his power and influence. Nobody cares about him or Frostmourne or anything related to them anymore.
Anyway, I predict more LOLore in the future. Nobody will really have time in Icecrown Citadel before Cataclysm is released, so I expect another RE-DO for the following expansion. Yup, you guessed it, Arthas and his Icecrown Citadel cronies will be making a comeback as a level 90 Intro-Raid dungeon, ala Naxx40 -> Naxx10/25, and it will allow us all to see Arthas die once again.
More setbacks incomming...