Patch 4.3: Watch Dragon Soul's cinematics
by Mathew McCurley 
Nov 30th 2011 at 1:00PM
The Dragon Soul raid is finally here, and Deathwing's time is up. Now that brave heroes have thwarted Murazond's plans in the future, reclaimed the Dragon Soul artifact in the past, and escorted Thrall to Wyrmrest Temple in the present, it's time to put that bad boy to use. There are a total of four cinematics in the Dragon Soul raid, most of them 10- to 20-second transitional movies you get to watch as the action ramps up and Deathwing gets a face full of Dragon Soul.
Hit the jump for the three cinematics that are currently available to watch. We still have not seen the final cinematic, presumably Deathwing's ultimate demise, as of the writing of this article. Hopefully we will have it soon enough.
Spoiler alert: Do not hit the jump unless you want to be spoiled on these cinematics.
As soon as the fourth cinematic becomes available, we'll have it for you here. In the meantime, get out there and experience these for yourself!
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!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Erin Nov 30th 2011 1:11PM
You know all these cool cinematics make me want to be like YEAH TAKE THAT BASTARD DOWN but I can't quite feel that way because Deathwing has had such a limited presence in the world. I've been burninated by him twice but otherwise I never think about him actually existing as a genuine threat. Certainly not like I did with the Lich King. So much potential was squandered with Cataclysm. :( And I hate to say it too because I love WoW, but I can't help feeling disappointed.
Regardless, these are pretty awesome cinematics. Cheers to a Deathwing-free future with more tangible threats. :)
Tolsimir Nov 30th 2011 1:22PM
I couldn't disagree more strongly. The looming presence of Deathwing was constantly reminded to me each and every time I left Stormwind and saw those claw marks, or journeyed over thousand needles and noticed the flooding, or witnessed the thousands of cultists ready to sacrifice themselves for the rebuilding of the world. Arthas' constant presence in Wrath of the Lich King was interesting, but really fell short in my opinion. His random appearances and pop-ins cheapened him as a threat - I saw him like 8 times on my journey from 70 to 80 and he didn't just slap me in the face for an effortless kill? Especially somebody who wouldn't only be killing an enemy, but creating an ally in the effort? Seems like something the Lich King wouldn't hesitate doing.
But that's just my two cents.
MysticalOS Nov 30th 2011 1:54PM
Tolsimir
The cultist don't serve deathwing, They serve the old gods. Deathwing, serves the old gods, chogal, served the old gods. The nemesis of this expansion was not deathwing. He's just the one that did the most damage when he shattered azersoth and released the old gods. But whtn deathwing does nothing will actually change besides him randomly scorching zones. He is/was insigificant and served his purpose. Azersoth is still shattered and the old gods are still out, and the cult is still around to serve them. So that looming threat exists.
Same point stands toward Erin too, the reason deathwing doesnt feel epic is because he flat out isn't. the beauty of the expansion is when you get deep enough into the lore you realize the nemesis the whole time was N'zoth who managed to manipulate everyone, alliance, horde, deathwing, into serving his purposes and did it all from the shadows. Nothing more ominus then that.
MysticalOS Nov 30th 2011 1:56PM
bah can't edit typos, "when deathwing dies" not "does"
perderedeus Nov 30th 2011 1:57PM
Agreed. Deathwing did 99% of his damage during the opening Cataclysm cinematic. That remaining 1% constitutes his random world-zone fly-bys... and even those are treated more as an Achievement Get! than a threatening moment.
They really, truly should have had him come by and torch a quest hub as part of a storyline. Imagine if you, as a Horde player, began questing in Crossroads and got to know some of the NPCs... and then Deathwing comes and torches the place. Then the remaining quests deal with the aftermath, and can be charged with emotion. Substitute Crossroads for Goldshire on the Alliance side.
It shouldn't be entirely about "every time I see his clawmarks on Stormwind, I get angry..." but instead: "I remember when I went to Lakeshire, and did the quests with the blacksmith, helping him forge that sword of his... and then the sky went dark, and everything caught on fire, and the smithy just melted before my eyes. Melted. I barely made an escape with his wife and kids before the whole house went up in flames. Now the little girl is asking where her father is, and his wife is swearing revenge for her dead husband. Damn you, Deathwing."
When it comes to immersive storytelling and Deathwing, Blizz dropped the ball.
Matthew Rossi Nov 30th 2011 2:03PM
Illidan showed up in a few quests, everyone complained he wasn't accessible enough.
Arthas showed up in quite a few quests, everyone complained it made him feel less epic.
Deathwing showed up in at least three questlines I can think of, cracked the planet in half, and has minions all over the place, and he's not accessible enough.
Blizzard seriously cannot catch a break on this one.
loop_not_defined Nov 30th 2011 2:21PM
More like the Lich King? This ultimate bad-ass that keeps showing up and telling you how easily he could kill you, but then leaves even though you've ruined his plans? People complained about that. A lot. Which is why Blizzard said they wouldn't have the next villain constantly showing up and pretending to not care about you thwarting them.
I'm glad they kept Deathwing to an "OH GOD DEATHWING I'M GOING TO DIE" presence, instead of an "Oh hey Deathwing nice seeing you again, yeah the weather's nice today" presence.
Unknown Nov 30th 2011 2:34PM
@Tolsimir
I believe I read in one of the Know Your Lore articles that the reason why the Lich King doesn't out-right kill you is because he's basically baiting you to come to Icecrown. He wants us, the players, to be at our strongest so when we fall to him we can become his new champions. This made sense to me b/c before that I too was always wondering why he didn't just plunge Frostmourne into my heart while he had my characters paralyzed.
Mike Nov 30th 2011 2:34PM
I would say, next time we have a big bad...
...have them show up as often as Arthas did, but instead of taunting you, have them actually try to kill you. Make survival against the big bad (not just surviving the AFTERMATH) be a part of the story. Remember the cutscene after Deathwing and Alexstrasza fight? You and your dragon buddy run away. Imagine how much more engaging that would be if you were in control of that, frantically fleeing as Deathwing blows up sh*t all around you trying to come after you. If you BARELY escape (and make failing the quest possible), then it puts you on edge and makes the villain seem like a true threat. Just one or two times in all of an expansion's questing would seal it for me.
Phreddy Nov 30th 2011 2:42PM
I was kind of under the impression that the Lich King didn't kill us all those times we ran into him, because of that little shred of humanity he had left. You know, the one that kept him from letting the scourge loose on everyone. I figured maybe he knew he had to eventually be stopped, and chose us to be the ones to stop him.
Transit Nov 30th 2011 2:58PM
We keep thinking that the player base is one homogeneous group, but they are not.
I am sure some people in WOTLK though LK showed up to much, others did not. And the ones that did not like it, spoke up.
And some people in Cata feel DW shows up not enough times and others were ok with the way it was done. And the ones that did not like it, spoke up.
The lesson here is don't just contact Blizzard over the parts of the game you don't like. Also post if you do like something so Blizzard knows about it.
@ Matthew Rossi
I can think of 5 quest chains where we get to see DW. Shall we play name that quest chain? :D
btw I love yours and Annes lore articles!
Erin Nov 30th 2011 2:59PM
I've never even had anyone reply to a comment of mine before, this is pretty intense with all the different viewpoints! Thank you everyone for being respectful, I really did enjoy reading each comment, especially the suggestions for how Deathwing could have had more of a presence without being all in your face.
I think sometimes Blizzard struggles to convey lore in a way that people will really understand. That leaves us feeling disconnected from the story and maybe not grasping the reasoning behind the Cataclysm and Deathwing's madness. At least for me, sometimes quest text just doesn't sink in and I have to do some research outside of the game.
Essentially, the plot wasn't as clear-cut this expansion, and therefore it may have behooved Blizzard to take steps to make it more accessible. I read about Deathwing in a warcraft novel and he was damn scary. He took in a human form and tricked everyone around him into thinking he was a real good guy. He made you hate and fear him. But in the game I didn't find him threatening. Believe me I was not looking for cause to complain, and I feel stupid for not always understanding what's going on.
Transit Nov 30th 2011 3:03PM
Shoot. I just thought of a sixth quest chain.
Daniel Whitcomb Nov 30th 2011 3:10PM
I will still insist that Arthas was misused, but I do think Deathwing was well-handled in the amount of appearances (A few without being overwhelming) and the outcome of said appearances (You get defeated, without a sense of "I'm leaving you alive for later" or "I'll get you next time, Gadget! NEXT TIME!" on Deathwing's part).
That said, he does not feel like a major presence, and I, as an Alliance player, actually feel much more personal enmity to Garrosh and Sylvanas.
There's a few reasons for this, I feel:
A) Deathwing feels like a force of nature, an inevitability, whereas Garrosh and Sylvanas deliberately chose to invade my home and kill my people. It's no use getting mad at a Hurricane, Hurricanes just exist. Getting mad at the Army that just carpet bombed your home city? A Lot more useful, because that was an army made of living people that made a choice to attack you.
B) Deathwing will die. He is the end boss. He's going down. His fate is not in doubt, so there's no reason to get too worked up. Garrosh and Sylvanas? There's no guarantee they'll ever die, so the anger factor goes up a few notches because they might just get away with the horrible stuff they're doing.
MisterRik Nov 30th 2011 3:44PM
@Mike -
"You and your dragon buddy run away. Imagine how much more engaging that would be if you were in control of that, frantically fleeing as Deathwing blows up sh*t all around you trying to come after you. If you BARELY escape (and make failing the quest possible), then it puts you on edge and makes the villain seem like a true threat. Just one or two times in all of an expansion's questing would seal it for me."
I could go for that under one condition: I'm trying to flee *under my own power/on my own mount*, not trying to flee by controlling this dragon that's carrying me. As much as I loved WotLK, the "vehicle" quests where the "vehicle" was an intelligent living creature were completely immersion-breaking for me. Whether that "vehicle" was a dragon (Wyrmrest Temple daily, Oculus, etc.) or that storm giant in Zul'drak, the whole idea that these creatures needed *me* to direct their abilities was just complete nonsense to me. Those dragons and that giant (the *King* of the storm giants no less) are much older, smarter, and more experienced than my character. The idea that they needed me to tell them how to fight with their own abilities just took me completely out of the game.
And the scene in Twilight Highlands - the dragon in question there was one of Alexstrasza's consorts - one of the elite reds. And I'm going to control him? I don't think so.
Blazing Rain Dec 1st 2011 11:39PM
Arthas didn't kill you because he wanted you to become super strong before he killed you and raised you as his honor guard. He explains it before tyrion remembers his pvp trink.
Killik Nov 30th 2011 4:05PM
Deathwing has no personality to speak of. You can argue that Arthas was over-exposed in Wrath, but one of the things I enjoyed was seeing some of the quests from his point of view. With Deathwing you just don't get that.
Even seeing his empty lair, torn with claw-marks in his agony, lined with saronite, the shattered bones of his servants, would have added some sort of depth. Instead, encountering Deathwing is just "You rolled double 1 on the Wandering Monsters Table."
Pyromelter Nov 30th 2011 4:29PM
Matthew, I think there is a middle ground, and Mike has it right, make your encounters with the Big Bad an escape scene.
Think Empire Strikes Back. Han and Leia are pretty much on the right right from the start, they have to save Luke in the snow, they have to get the Falcon running on duct tape and spit as Vader is beating down the door, they escape Star Destroyers and Tie Fighters and a big asteroid monster, they escape the Star Destroyer Fleet by hiding, and then after finally finding some respite, Han gets captured - and then Leia has to escape yet again with her brother along with Lando this time.
Vader is all over the place, a constant threat, willing to obliterate everything in his path to get to Han and Leia to entrap Luke. THAT is the way you make a big bad breathe down your neck for an entire expansion. Aloof in a tower and we're like "meh, don't care," constantly showing up and taunting with an "I'll get you next time you rotten scoundrels!" doesn't work either. But constantly running for your life, forcing you to go through a gauntlet of challenges just to stay alive, that will get your blood pumping.
Omegan01 Nov 30th 2011 4:31PM
I think the biggest problem Blizzard made re: Deathwing's personality, was talking so much about how he's an agent of the old gods. "We haven't seen who writes Deathwing's checks" name-dropping N'zoth, and so on.
That really undercut Deathwing's feel as a big bad. He feels more like a puppet than a foe. He's almost a golem - he flies around torching stuff and occasionally selects a line from his "bad guy dialogue" list. When he blows something up, we don't get angry at Deathwing - you might as well get angry at a baseball bat. We get angry at the old gods, because we've been told over and over that the old gods are the driving force behind the Cataclysm. When we kill Deathwing, they'll find a new vessel. There's no climax here.
Deathwing should have been presented as an organizer, a pinnacle: someone who took the long-simmering power of the old gods, stacked it on top of the gifts of the titans he'd already had, then added the power of the elemental planes on top of it, something nobody had ever done before. And as a result, becoming a wild, uncontrollable force of destruction that NOT EVEN THE OLD GODS COULD CONTROL.
Imagine that. A killer dragon so utterly out of control that even wow's cthulhus would be sweating nervously. Now that would have been a climactic battle, the world really feeling at stake.
Jokerfool Nov 30th 2011 5:59PM
@Omegan01
For some reason what you said reminded me of the line from the Dark Knight that the Joker said...
[You know... You know what I've noticed? Nobody panics when things go "according to plan." Even if the plan is horrifying! If, tomorrow, I tell the press that, like, a gang banger will get shot, or a truckload of soldiers will be blown up, nobody panics, because it's all "part of the plan". But when I say that one little old mayor will die, well then everyone loses their minds!"]
The problem is as you said, it is that they told us the plan and that Deathwing was merely a tool. Even though he might do teribble things it doesnt strike the same fear into you when you know that he is simply an empty shell, with no redemable quality, and who is simply a chew toy for the Old Gods. Personally I always expected more to it, considering the Deathwing that you know from the older lore who is not only powerful but sly and conniving; however they seem to have given up on that part of his character, instead treating him like one of the trained attack gods of the old dogs.