Patch 4.3: Rogue tier 13 is "Bat"man-inspired

I think this is going to be the most controversial armor set this tier among players, and I do not understand why. Personally, the rogue set just looks cool, no matter what it is based on. Tier 13 is the fantasy tier, as has been mentioned by Blizzard over and over in each of the tier 13 reveals. At this point in the expansion, the designers and artists are having fun making their versions of cool armor and fun ideas that they've been kicking around. From Time Wizards and tentacle faces to Deathwing look-a-likes and Azerothian bat men, I think this is one of the most unique tiers yet.
And really, who epitomizes rogues better than the Dark Knight himself?
Adventurers will be tested like never before in 4.3 as they take on Deathwing and his minions, emerging with powerful new treasures. Please enjoy this preview of the rogue tier 13 set, as well as a visual guide to tiers 1 through 12 for Transmogrification purposes.
Blackfang Battleweave
A "bat-themed" armor set for rogues seems like a no-brainer, but we were careful to skirt the more obvious inspirations. World of Warcraft often makes playful references to pop culture, but it's important -- particularly with player gear -- that what we create has integrity within our universe. Rogues look good in close-fitting masks, collars, and cowls rather than elaborate armored helms. It also helps reinforce the rogue's sneaky silhouette if the shoulder pads have a streamlined shape... even if that shape has sharp, bladed details.
Blackfang Battleweave
A "bat-themed" armor set for rogues seems like a no-brainer, but we were careful to skirt the more obvious inspirations. World of Warcraft often makes playful references to pop culture, but it's important -- particularly with player gear -- that what we create has integrity within our universe. Rogues look good in close-fitting masks, collars, and cowls rather than elaborate armored helms. It also helps reinforce the rogue's sneaky silhouette if the shoulder pads have a streamlined shape... even if that shape has sharp, bladed details.






Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
trls Sep 20th 2011 12:33PM
REALLY?
Davi Sep 20th 2011 12:52PM
Why so serious?
cmichaelcooper Sep 20th 2011 4:31PM
I think it's pretty freakin' sweet, but I don't think the rogue community will be happy until they make rogue gear look like ninja pajamas.
WoWie Zowie Sep 20th 2011 7:00PM
It needs to be darker. batman wore black not red. how much cooler would this look if it were black or dark purple or something.
Marolas Sep 20th 2011 10:01PM
Da na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na......
Jormund Fenris Sep 23rd 2011 1:47PM
NANANANANANANANANANANANANANA-...Rogue...man?
restodr00d Sep 20th 2011 12:32PM
hahaha it does look like batman! just need the cape and a huge yellow belt!
Snuzzle Sep 20th 2011 4:04PM
Yup. Also remember that feral druids who don't grab their t13 will likely be sporting this as off-set leather, too. I for one welcome our new batbear overlords.
Knob Sep 20th 2011 12:33PM
Was anyone else hoping for a darker colour scheme going by their description?
Hellwraith Feb 15th 2014 9:33AM
Agree. Too... colorfull for their "sneaky sillhouete" justification on the explanation. Buuuut, it still looks awesome, imo.
Noyou Sep 20th 2011 1:16PM
It looks great. Except for the green crap on there. I dunno what their fascination with glowy stuff on a rogues shoulderpads is. At least tone it down and make it subtle. Sheesh.
MattKrotzer Sep 20th 2011 1:33PM
For some reason, they seem to like the "dull color with a ridiculously bright flare effect" theme for rogues. The dull color is fine, because a rogue wouldn't want to stand out... but then the shoulders screw that all to hell.
Would it be THAT hard for them to use a black aura effect? Make them drip/glow/ooze shadow, rather than something so bright and obvious?
Drahken Sep 20th 2011 2:08PM
You do realize that this is just the base, right? Just like the last few tiers, there's going to be different ilevels if the set with different colors. In fact, this tier is going to have three: raid finder, normal, and heroic. So you can probably expect at least one of them to be a color that suits you.
loop_not_defined Sep 20th 2011 5:57PM
Confirming Drahken's comment: http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/2705803?page=286
Tier 12 preview only showed Normal mode armor. These previews might be showing Normal or even LFR colors, and Normal colors are always "less cool" than Heroic colors.
Jamie Sep 20th 2011 12:34PM
Beetleman!
Beetleman!
Beetleman!
I am Beetleman!!
eagleboy053 Sep 20th 2011 12:50PM
Heh - nonono...the Death Knights have claimed that title for good after T12. x)
GuyverIV Sep 20th 2011 1:36PM
No, no, no. THIS is the Meme you were looking for:
I am Vengance...
I am the NIGHT...
I AM KELSEY STEELSPARK.
(Seriously. I'd not screw around with http://www.wowhead.com/npc=38704 in that armor...)
Mackenzie Sep 20th 2011 12:36PM
I wasn't 100% on board with the previous sets but this one seems the least interesting of them all.
furrama Sep 20th 2011 2:33PM
I think it will look cooler if you match them up with the new legendary daggers. The set makes since if you remember the lore behind the daggers.
MattKrotzer Sep 20th 2011 3:53PM
Did I miss an announcement of the lore behind the daggers? Last I'd heard, they hadn't yet fleshed that out.