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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBlizzard drops "Glimpses" screenshot with 3 unknown NPCs -- possible patch or expansion hint?
by Adam Holisky 
Aug 11th 2011 at 12:45PM
The above picture titled "Glimpses" was just posted on Blizzard's Facebook page. It shows ethereals hanging out, offering arcane reforging, transmogrification, and "void storage," whatever that is.
We don't know where this is from, and the picture is presented by Blizzard with the comment, "Interesting." So we know it's a glimpse at something coming up. What could that be? It's possibly related to patch 4.3 or the next expansion. And on that note, it wouldn't be outside the realm of possibilities for Blizzard to start dropping hints for the next expansion now.
Our staff picked up that it's a generic Stormwind building right away. In fact, the NPC and layout looks very similar to Cordell's Enchanting in the Mages District in Stormwind; that's pictured below. Obviously, the doodads and room decorations are different, but the layout and NPC spacing are the same.
We don't know where this is from, and the picture is presented by Blizzard with the comment, "Interesting." So we know it's a glimpse at something coming up. What could that be? It's possibly related to patch 4.3 or the next expansion. And on that note, it wouldn't be outside the realm of possibilities for Blizzard to start dropping hints for the next expansion now.
Our staff picked up that it's a generic Stormwind building right away. In fact, the NPC and layout looks very similar to Cordell's Enchanting in the Mages District in Stormwind; that's pictured below. Obviously, the doodads and room decorations are different, but the layout and NPC spacing are the same.
Filed under: News items
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 10)
rhorle Aug 11th 2011 12:52PM
Given that patch 4.3 was said to be a big big big content patch it is likely this is part of that. I don't see them releasing any expansion information like this when they haven't even announced and with blizzcon so close.
It could also be part of the warlock demon customization system hinted at when blizzard said demons will be available for both genders. Though it likely hints more at a item model changer system. So you can change models on certain items or somehow change them.
Given it has both a "storage" npc and a "change stuff" npc, and a "reforge" npc all located in the same area.
foster.emma95 Aug 11th 2011 12:52PM
Automatically thought... Consortium race? But then again.... Probably not. But surely we get to learn more about em!!! Excited!!!! Also. Transmogrifier sounds AWESOME
Jonathan Aug 11th 2011 12:55PM
Sounds pretty standard to me. Maybe just a new hub area with ethereals. I mean, it sounds like just a banker, barber and retorted with fancy names to me.
Zanaji Aug 11th 2011 12:53PM
Woot transmogrification!
Arrohon Aug 11th 2011 12:53PM
Playable Etherals in Pandaria... best expansion idea ever!
RetPallyJil Aug 11th 2011 12:56PM
1. Maybe it makes your pets into stuffed animals? :)
2. Vendor who sells red and black striped shirts?
3. Gear customization? :D :D :D :D
Ailuvan Aug 11th 2011 12:57PM
I wouldn't _think_ that Ethereals would fit into a new-leaked Pandaria expansion. I guess it's possible...it's not like we know anything about the "other side of the planet", except that Kul Tiras is out there somewhere, as is Undermine, and supposedly Pandaria.
Personal opinion? The will be people present for the purpose of setting the stage for the NEXT unannounced expansion post MoP.
If we have to go fight Kil'Jaden eventually (which is a fairly safe bet that it will eventually happen in some way), we would assume that we'll be taking the fight to him, and that the Ethereals would be all around wherever we go to. They're already humanoid-ish models, so there's no reason to believe that they couldn't also be a future playable race, and unlike the Pandarens that we know nothing about with regards to the game world as it stands today, Ethereals could come into both Horde and Alliance, since they are even more mercenary than the Goblins.
Mike Aug 11th 2011 12:58PM
BACK IN BUSINESS
HelterSkelter Aug 11th 2011 12:59PM
DANCE STUDIO!!!!!!!!!
linkers746 Aug 11th 2011 1:00PM
Awwww yeah, Vengeance of the Void... storage.
/sarcasm
It actually looks really intriguing, hopefully void storage is something account-wide or expanded bank space.
Maybe the transmogrifier lets you change the enchant on a piece of gear too! (Switch 'of the bear' to 'of the whale') Or maybe it lets non-enchanters disenchant or un-craft a piece of gear, for a price.
Also ethereals are cool as hell.
Puntable Aug 11th 2011 1:00PM
Why would you look at a picture of what are obviously NPCs and jump to the conclusion that they will be a playable race? /boggle
Cobalt Aug 11th 2011 2:42PM
SHUT UP WE'RE HAVING FUN
cosgrove Aug 11th 2011 1:01PM
A few months ago there was a link floating around of Chris Metzen (or a very good impersonating of him) answering some questions about wow lore. In there he hinted that the ethereals would be a playable class in the next expansion (saying that would be interesting to see a "greedy" race in contrast to the goblins). I'm betting on pandaren for the horde and ethereals for the alliance. The link btw:
http://4chanarchive.org/brchive/dspl_thread.php5?thread_id=84793174
cloudhopper013 Aug 12th 2011 12:14AM
Because an anonymous guy, from an anonymous message board (4chan of all places) filled with porn ads, claiming to be Chris Metzen, is totally trust-able.
Amirite gaiz?
Thomas Higgins Aug 12th 2011 10:00AM
The trouble is, friends and neighbours, a lot of the time the folks on 4Chan are on the right side. Maladjusted malcontents though they may be. I am not saying that they are always smelling of roses as that would be foolish, but so is just blindly going along with the establishment's view of them.
Wolfbeckett Aug 11th 2011 1:01PM
Ethereals fuck yeah!
Vrykerion Aug 11th 2011 1:02PM
Hmm...
I always thought the Transmogrifier would look less Ethereal-y and more Cardboard Box-y.
That said, one would hope the Void Storage is an expanded bank option. Maybe like a personal set up of the guild bank interface. But the Transmogrifier has me interested. An alternative to an appearance tab? Pay to have one equipment item to look like another? Or an in-game way to change certain appearance options other than the ones the barbershop covers? (That one seems pretty far fetched as they already have a paid appearance change... but who knows!)
Jimson Aug 11th 2011 1:12PM
So if I turn the Transmogrifier NPC on his side, does he then become a Duplicator?
David Aug 11th 2011 1:14PM
Was that... Was that a reference to Eagles Are Turning People Into Horses?!
Shade Aug 11th 2011 1:14PM
push it over and you have a cloning machine, right?