Patch 4.2 preview: The legendary staff, Dragonwrath

Dragonwrath's story revolves around the Blue Dragonflight's choosing their new leader. Anachronos of the Bronze Dragonflight warns of danger at the Nexus and turns to the players to investigate. Players will take part in an epic quest to reforge the staff that allows the bearer to transform into a blue dragon!

Ever since the death of the Dragon Aspect Malygos, the blue dragonflight has struggled with appointing a new leader. Its members are now torn between the two likeliest successors: Kalecgos, who champions reconciliation with other races; and Arygos, a scion of Malygos who believes that his kind should withdraw from the world and forge a new path. To end the constant debates and arguments, the flight has agreed to gather during the Embrace-an extraordinary celestial event in which Azeroth's two moons come into perfect alignment-in the hopes that a new Aspect will be selected.
Yet a recent discovery by the bronze dragon Anachronos bodes ill for this impending ceremony. The timeless dragon has detected sinister magic at work around the Nexus, the blue flight's frozen lair in Northrend. Along with this find, he has glimpsed a terrifying vision of Azeroth succumbing to flames. The link between this chilling portent and the blue dragons remains unclear, but Anachronos has called upon what some of his kind deem the "short-lived" races to investigate further. If a hero does not rise to the challenge and find the truth, Anachronos's dire vision of Azeroth's undoing could become reality.
Patch 4.2 introduces an epic quest that will challenge those daring enough to complete the legendary staff Dragonwrath, Tarecgosa's Rest. The great staff duplicates destructive magics, and also bestows upon its wielder the ability to transform into a member of the Blue Dragonflight. Those who complete the staff won't be the only ones to receive a reward, though. As this task requires the dedication of an entire guild, upon completion of the staff all guild members will receive a unique non-combat pet to call their own.
Behold the legendary staff Dragonwrath, Tarecgosa's Rest. Players will need to embark on an epic questline to obtain and upgrade this powerful weapon.
Only those who have emerged triumphant against the evils lurking within Blackwing Descent, The Bastion of Twilight, and the Throne of the Four Winds will be eligible to begin the legendary quest. Bronze Dragonflight emissaries will be sent to the Alliance and Horde capital cities of Stormwind and Orgrimmar to recruit those who are ready to undertake the challenge.
This is not a path to be undertaken lightly. Be warned: the way forward is deadly, the first steps are perilous, and the destination, as yet, unfathomable. The journey will take willing challengers across continents and through time; to meet with ancient beings, to be recognized as one of the most powerful entities on Azeroth; to navigate a lethal web of politics and determine the shape of the future.
While the journey will certainly require progress through the Firelands, where guilds will need to work together to topple the forces of Ragnaros, there are times where those seeking the staff will have to stand alone in order to prove their skill, knowledge, and determination.
The Bronze Dragonflight is counting on you. The Blue Dragonflight may lose its way without your guidance. Best not keep them waiting.
Yet a recent discovery by the bronze dragon Anachronos bodes ill for this impending ceremony. The timeless dragon has detected sinister magic at work around the Nexus, the blue flight's frozen lair in Northrend. Along with this find, he has glimpsed a terrifying vision of Azeroth succumbing to flames. The link between this chilling portent and the blue dragons remains unclear, but Anachronos has called upon what some of his kind deem the "short-lived" races to investigate further. If a hero does not rise to the challenge and find the truth, Anachronos's dire vision of Azeroth's undoing could become reality.
Patch 4.2 introduces an epic quest that will challenge those daring enough to complete the legendary staff Dragonwrath, Tarecgosa's Rest. The great staff duplicates destructive magics, and also bestows upon its wielder the ability to transform into a member of the Blue Dragonflight. Those who complete the staff won't be the only ones to receive a reward, though. As this task requires the dedication of an entire guild, upon completion of the staff all guild members will receive a unique non-combat pet to call their own.
Behold the legendary staff Dragonwrath, Tarecgosa's Rest. Players will need to embark on an epic questline to obtain and upgrade this powerful weapon.
Only those who have emerged triumphant against the evils lurking within Blackwing Descent, The Bastion of Twilight, and the Throne of the Four Winds will be eligible to begin the legendary quest. Bronze Dragonflight emissaries will be sent to the Alliance and Horde capital cities of Stormwind and Orgrimmar to recruit those who are ready to undertake the challenge.
This is not a path to be undertaken lightly. Be warned: the way forward is deadly, the first steps are perilous, and the destination, as yet, unfathomable. The journey will take willing challengers across continents and through time; to meet with ancient beings, to be recognized as one of the most powerful entities on Azeroth; to navigate a lethal web of politics and determine the shape of the future.
While the journey will certainly require progress through the Firelands, where guilds will need to work together to topple the forces of Ragnaros, there are times where those seeking the staff will have to stand alone in order to prove their skill, knowledge, and determination.
The Bronze Dragonflight is counting on you. The Blue Dragonflight may lose its way without your guidance. Best not keep them waiting.
WoW Patch 4.1 is live, and WoW Insider has all the latest news for you -- from guides of the revamped Zul'Aman and Zul'Gurub to new valor point mechanics and new archaeology items.
Filed under: Cataclysm
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Reader Comments (Page 3 of 4)
Shinae Apr 28th 2011 4:37PM
Mperiolat said, "So, which aspect should be aligned with warriors and pallys?"
That's easy; the Reds, defenders of life! (With the exception of Forsaken warriors, who are better paired with the Frostbrood.)
Mperiolat Apr 28th 2011 5:19PM
Knew there was a reason I liked Alex and farmed my crimson whelpling. I just wasn't sure since warriors, y'know, END life from time to time. But, for the greater good, I suppose.
Stray Apr 29th 2011 4:27AM
My fire mage's heart swelled with glee at this. It's healers like you who are in my mind when I keep my Evocation glyphed simply for the heal aspect in tight situations, among my other tricksy ways of avoiding and absorbing damage. I'll do my very best to stay out of the fire, I mean, aside from that which I create...
josh_willar Apr 28th 2011 4:05PM
I guess its time to power level that doomkin of mine...
geekygerald Apr 28th 2011 4:11PM
I'm hoping the transformation is a new model instead of one of those low polygon Drakonids or Dragonkin. I'm really sick of seeing those things.
Revynn Apr 28th 2011 4:13PM
BWD, BoT and TOFW are fairly puggable, even now. By the time T12 starts rolling in it will be a cakewalk, much like ToC was in ICC gear.
Not all the rewards and content are for the hardcore raiders, though. Minipets, titles, mounts are all available for people who do X amount of quests, gain X amount of exalted reps, collect X amount of minipets and mounts.
Besides, you're not being completely locked out of content because you don't have 16 hours a week to raid, it's just not feasable for you to do -yet-. Ulduar Proto-drakes? two hours with a half-decent pug these days. Thunderfury and Sulfuras? Can mostly be solo farmed (except for downing razorgore which requires at least two people if you want to farm Ingots instead of buying them). with some dedication and luck. Ashes of A'lar takes a grand total of a half hour to get in and kill Kael'thas with 4 or 5 people and is still one of the coolest mounts in the game. A mount run on Maly can be 4 manned, Onyxia and Skadi can be soloed. 25OS3D is a simple pug of 10 minutes and requires no more than 9 or 10 people if you have awesome DPS.
There's always going to be someone who gets the short end of the stick. Even if you're an extremely hardcore raider, you might be on a dying backwater server with no guilds capable of doing current content.
As for the fact that
Revynn Apr 28th 2011 4:14PM
/tar comment system
/cast Kill Shot
Guilegamesh Apr 28th 2011 4:14PM
I wonder if there will be a raid to accompany the staff or if it will all be done through quests and Firelands bosses. It would be awesome if there was a smallish raid that accompanied Firelands although I am doubtful of that happening.
Matthew Apr 28th 2011 4:36PM
Just watch - druids using this won't be able to shapeshift past moonkin, being a Blue Dragon is hidden by that form.
Revynn Apr 28th 2011 6:50PM
I may be wrong, but didn't Kitty druids still get the transformation when DBW procced?
JonGalt Apr 28th 2011 4:40PM
I am hoping they turn this into something along the lines of the old Rok/Lok quest from MC for hunters.
In its time, it was a phenomenally fun and challenging set of encounters that really pushed you to the limits of what hunters were capable of as a class. That series is still the toughest thing I have ever done solo and one of my fondest memories in any MMO.
I know that they could not design the encounters around specific abilities in the same way since this will be for all casters, but it would be nice to have an ultra-challenging solo component to acquiring the staff. I've heard a lot of comparisons to the Scepter, but that was predominantly a raid/guild affair for the key components of it. They could definitely do more.
Xantenise Apr 28th 2011 4:51PM
" Kalecgos, who champions reconciliation with other races; and Arygos, a scion of Malygos who believes that his kind should withdraw from the world and forge a new path."
Gee, I wonder which one will become the Aspect?
Dragonrose Apr 28th 2011 6:46PM
Probably the one who was buddy buddy with Malygos. I mean, the Blue Flight did obey Malygos to the point of madness. If they think Malygos would approve better of a candidate maybe they'll lean more towards that candidate.
Xantenise Apr 28th 2011 10:29PM
@Dragonrose It's more like, "Huh, between this person we've seen relatively a lot of and this person I've never heard of, I cannot possibly think of who it will be! THE SUSPENSE, IT KILLS ME."
(Also, a thousand gold says Arygos turns out to be evil.)
Ilmyrn Apr 28th 2011 4:53PM
One of the parts I'm most excited about (Not mentioned in this article; I got it from one of the interviews that have been out recently) is that apparently there will be crafting involved int he construction. That's not enough on its own to get me excited, but I love the idea of being able to help my guild do this even with a non-raiding character. As well, I think the crafting element really emphasized that the group effort of it back with Sulfuron and even Thunderfury.
Danghor Apr 28th 2011 4:54PM
Warriors can technically wield staves. I won't be winning rolls, but I'm gonna still try and do it, lol. Even if it's during the next xpac when I can do it on my own haha
shadowhowl1900 Apr 28th 2011 4:55PM
I like that ALL guild members get something that helped out getting the legendary even if it is a pet.
ziis Apr 28th 2011 5:01PM
did it say you get to turn into a blue dragon i wounder what youll look like i hope it not so reskin of the blue drakes already in the game
Haimdall Apr 29th 2011 9:14AM
Ugh, I hope the next Legendary (gogo legendary rifle!) is hunter-friendly and has an awesome quest-chain like this. Despite not getting it, Thori'dal just didn't feel as special.
CDave Apr 28th 2011 6:08PM
Who the hell is Tarecgosa?