Zarhym: Death knight tier 13 coming "next week if we can"
by Fox Van Allen 
Oct 14th 2011 at 1:00PM
It's no secret that the artists at Blizzard put a lot of effort and creativity into creating unique tier pieces for every class. It's a time-intensive process. But for death knights, it's been an uncomfortably long wait. After all, each and every other class had an official preview of their tier 13 set by the end of September.
Well, it turns out there was a good reason for that wait. Death knight tier 13 was completed "weeks ago," but because the finished product wasn't up to Blizzard's standard of quality, the original idea was scrapped and a new concept was conceived -- or so said Blizzard Community Manager Zarhym last night via Twitter and on the official Blizzard forums:
DK tier 13 revealed at blizzcon?
I'll give you a bit of the lowdown on why the death knight set hasn't come out yet, even in the 4.3 PTR files third-party sites are looking through. As with all sets, a concept art piece was done for death knight tier 13. When that was translated to the actual in-game look, we felt it wasn't up to par with the concept, and ultimately wasn't nearly at the quality level of the other tier 13 sets. But, that death knight set was completed weeks ago.
Zarhym (who is totally welcome to come to next week's WoW Insider Reader Meetup and buy me a drink) says that Blizzard would "love" to post it next week, but with BlizzCon 2011 starting Friday, that may not be a possibility. I'm sure that few people will be happy having to wait another week (or longer) to get a look at death knight tier 13. But ultimately, I think they'll be glad that Blizzard didn't rush to implement a substandard product just to beat a nonexistent deadline.
DK tier 13 revealed at blizzcon?
Quote:
This is just a thought but im sure it will get released before then. I'm just curious as to why all the other tier 13 models were datamined from the PTR but they decided to keep DK one out. Are they just still working on it or is there some kind of big announcement planned for DKs? The only thing datamined found on the PTR were the icons for the set which look a little frosty.
This is just a thought but im sure it will get released before then. I'm just curious as to why all the other tier 13 models were datamined from the PTR but they decided to keep DK one out. Are they just still working on it or is there some kind of big announcement planned for DKs? The only thing datamined found on the PTR were the icons for the set which look a little frosty.
No, as far as I know we don't plan to make it a reveal at BlizzCon, though there's a chance the timing of its release could, by coincidence, be around that time. It's still planned to be revealed in the same manner the rest have been -- via a blog on our front page with the visual retrospective of previous tiers and developer description.
We'd love to post it by next week if we can, but I can't promise that with all the BlizzCon preparations taking place.
(The only reason I'm posting right now is because I've been at work for 13 hours today: twitter.com/talkingcongas/status/124695686452228096)
I'll give you a bit of the lowdown on why the death knight set hasn't come out yet, even in the 4.3 PTR files third-party sites are looking through. As with all sets, a concept art piece was done for death knight tier 13. When that was translated to the actual in-game look, we felt it wasn't up to par with the concept, and ultimately wasn't nearly at the quality level of the other tier 13 sets. But, that death knight set was completed weeks ago.
So, there are times where multiple iterations of how a set will look in the game are made, based on the original concept piece. In this case though, we felt there to be such a gap in quality that we went back to the drawing board and came up with an entirely new piece of concept art, scrapping the original concept and in-game art done for death knights.
Well, I can say the new concept art is done and the set is close to being ready for image captures. I've not seen either, but I've heard very good things. :)
Brace yourselves for what could be some of most exciting updates to the game recently with patch 4.3. Review the official patch notes, and then dig into what's ahead: new item storage options, cross-realm raiding, cosmetic armor skinning and your chance to battle the mighty Deathwing -- from astride his back!
Filed under: Blizzard, News items, Death Knight, (Death Knight) Lichborne
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Task Oct 14th 2011 1:04PM
I honestly don't mind the delay. If they say it isn't up to their quality pov, then whats the worry if it's another 1-3 weeks of more waiting?
Granted there's going to be negative criticism when it shows, but at least they are making sure it is awesome in the end.
Drack Oct 14th 2011 2:54PM
Agreed. I actually really appreciate Blizzard is taking their time with this one and not rushing it. That's always a pretty high sign of quality, for both the item and the people working on it.
Ilmyrn Oct 14th 2011 2:18PM
I don't play a DK much, but I'm glad to hear that they willing to start over from scratch to get it right.
That said, once the actual tier is released, I'd love to see what the rejected version looks like next to it. Is it a whole new concept, or a more polished version or what? Of course we'll probably never know, but it would be interesting.
vocenoctum Oct 14th 2011 7:34PM
It'll be done long before it hits Servers, so no biggie.
Though, I think the real delay is the arduous task of compiling all of the various DK tier sets. Obviously it takes a while... :)
Nina Katarina Oct 14th 2011 1:09PM
Y'know, even if the DK tier set didn't reach their quality standards I'm still wildly curious to see what it looked like. I hope they use it in some future part of the game and let us know that it was considered for the DK tier, just so I can make my own aesthetic judgement.
Daedalus Oct 14th 2011 1:14PM
He can say what he likes, but I know the truth: the reason they've been holding out is because in honor of the expansion the death knight set is panda themed and they don't want to give too much away yet.
I can see the introduction now:
With tier 13, we tried to go in new directions for each class. When we looked at the historic Death Knight sets and asked what was missing, the thing that came to mind most was "cute." From the fuzzy ears on the helmet, to the winking panda cub shoulder pads, to the big furry paw gauntlets, this set was designed to show that you can be a powerful undead abomination and still be adorable.
Drack Oct 14th 2011 1:21PM
Is it wrong that I desperately want this set?
Bellajtok Oct 14th 2011 1:25PM
Actually, the DK T13 will continue the visual retrospective theme, and be based on early tiers. Specifically, they won't have one.
(Yes, yes, I already used this comment in the queue. I just couldn't resist.)
Molly Oct 14th 2011 1:28PM
I want this set too. Esp. because my DK is a female dwarf (formerly a gnome). Cuddliest undead warrior ever!
Artificial Oct 14th 2011 1:36PM
My gnome DK (named Daedala, BTW) really really really wants this. :D
Badmedecine Oct 14th 2011 1:42PM
NNNOOOO! THERE CAN ONLY... BE... ONE.... FURRY TANK!
Mortenebra Oct 14th 2011 2:08PM
Going off of that, maybe the header image is a hint...
... You're all going to be gigantic wyvern cubs. Just as cute, but doubly ferocious.
Orrine Oct 14th 2011 2:08PM
Now I started to wonder how do panda zombies look
Tushar Bharadia Oct 14th 2011 2:45PM
DKs tank with rabies now.
MusedMoose Oct 14th 2011 7:58PM
I would wear the living hell out of that set.
Various puns fully intended.
ugoticedbro Oct 14th 2011 9:39PM
Death knight: I killed that which I love most!
Raid leader: you killed a hooker?
Death knight: no, a panda.
Raid leader: you killed amanda?
Kia Oct 14th 2011 1:33PM
But of course they have no problem producing substandard gear for other classes. Pally and priest player here (among other things, but..), hate the armor. Hate, hate hate dull gray looks on anything. These two sets are boring as sin. Dull colors, bland lack of detailing on anything. Meh.
Artificial Oct 14th 2011 1:38PM
"Not to my taste" and "substandard" have entirely different meanings, although when you think you're the center of the universe, this is an understandable confusion. Less self-centered people recognize that it's both of those sets are high quality, just not necessarily to their liking.
Mstrwiggles Oct 14th 2011 1:45PM
But...but...but my tastes ARE the standard!
Drack Oct 14th 2011 1:57PM
Ah, Kia, always a ray of sunshine and ponies.
Like Artificial said, "substandard" and "not to my tastes" have entirely seperate meanings. I play a Priest and am currently leveling up a Paladin and adore both of those sets.
Granted I won't be getting them for a few expansions, but still.