Well, defeat is not permanent. In the PL we really only beat the scourge off EK--then we went for northrend.

I've worried about this too. Having a solution like that would probably just complicate things further down the line, though. In the end, Blizzard will have to redesign both Outland and Northrend to fit the current timeline in order for it not to be confusing as hell.

I understand a lot of the concerns people are having with the timeline between the three expansions, but I think this is one of those things that people should probably just shrug off and accept as being wonky. Six years after the release I think that new players could spend a few minutes reading a page or two describing the story while the game installs.

That's just my view on the subject. I've never been one to expect the storyline to just be handed to me on a silver platter so I've always had a hard time seeing why developers/writers/directors/etc. should be required to bring everyone else up to speed.

There was a Blue disscussion about this issue a few months back (cant find the damn link now) - basically they said they know its a disconnect, and it bums them out, but they dont care enough to fix it. Maybe later on, they might try, but right now nothing.

I know one thing that was suggested and received positively, was a portal in COT that would take you to OL and Northrend, so technically you are going back in time to help out... There would be a small atunement quest, basically explaining why you have to go back, and then you go. You would have the option of skipping the whole COT thing and just go there like normal, or you could follow the cookie crumble-trails to COT.

Or just add a voice-over while you're on a boat that sums up "Several years ago, the Lich King struck Azeroth, prompting the armies of the Alliance and the Horde to take the battle to Northrend. This is then." or summat.

Seems they could edit parts of the quest text to indicate a collapse of the Scourge into a group of lich-led or Vrykul-led splinter groups which needed to be mopped up. Perhaps a tie-in of seeking to weaken these groups so they can't ally with the Deathwing stuff.

Likewise, TBC could be edited to weaken the Burning Legion groups from allying as well.

I'm sure there would be some things which don't make sense of course, but it would be less jarring than a throwback.

What I want to know is why this is such a big deal. How does it break the game at all? Currently you have TONS of instances where the timeline is "broken" how about the argent tournament? The Lich King is already dead, just look at the statue in the middle of Dalaran celebrating the victory. Why does the Argent Crusade (exist instead of the Ashen Verdict) still come into Dalaran and tell everyone to come down and fight to be the ones to kill the Lich king?

phasing? anyone?

We're all missing the obvious solution. Wavy lines on the bc and nr loading screens.

I personally plan on leveling a Goblin and seeking out every quest that sends me to or from Garrosh and the before/aftermath of the Scourge. I may even level in Ghostlands for some BC wtf moments. I fully intend to do the quests in Nagrand that involve emo-daddy issues Garrosh. I will then go to Borean Tundra and the Argent Tourney with Commander Garrosh.

I will gladly do any other asynchronous quests I can find.

My goal is purely to have the most chronologically screwed up leveling experience possible. I can't wait to learn more in the Beta to see what kind of questing roadmap will make the least sense. I may even have to indulge some RP desires to question reality and curse the Bronze dragonflight for making time so screwed up.

I may even name him Bill or Ted. It will be an excellent adventure. *smiles at all the groans*

"Let's do the Scooby-doo ending... DEEDLE-LEEDLE-LEET, DEEDLE-LEEDLE-LEET, DEEDLE-LEEDLE-LEET!"