Mists of Pandaria Beta: First look at the new raid instances
by Mathew McCurley 
Mar 27th 2012 at 4:00PM
Blizzard seems to be sticking with the Burning Crusade and Cataclysm model of raiding, offering up multiple raid zones for players to tackle rather than one large fortress of bosses. Also, there seems to be a return to the "large room" design that EverQuest was famous for, as well as the early World of Warcraft expansions. Personally, I enjoyed this type of atmosphere and am eagerly awaiting these new raid zones. Plus, the Mogu look so freaking awesome.
It's open warfare between Alliance and Horde in Mists of Pandaria, World of Warcraft's next expansion. Jump into five new levels with new talents and class mechanics, try the new monk class, and create a pandaren character to ally with either Horde or Alliance. Look for expansion basics in our Mists FAQ, or dig into our spring press event coverage for more details!Filed under: Raiding, Mists of Pandaria
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
mrspade13 Mar 28th 2012 3:10PM
I really cant believe this is the shape of things to come for Warcraft.. Pandas.....
Jeff (Not that one ^ ) Mar 27th 2012 5:42PM
Mogu'shan Vaults reminds me of a movie theater, but instead of individual theaters, it's a bunch of interconnected opera houses.
DragonFireKai Mar 27th 2012 6:15PM
Here's hoping they actually stick with the multiple instances model throughout the expansion, rather than completely mailing in the other tiers like they did in Cataclysm.
Arrohon Mar 27th 2012 7:57PM
The fact that they can do this is astounding.
Sergel Mar 27th 2012 9:19PM
That mantid one is sooooo cool looking, despite being buggy.
Fletcher Mar 28th 2012 2:22AM
Nice artwork ... but if this is accurate, I'm a little disappointed in the layouts. It's yet more "big corridor with a round room at the end" design, like ICC. Karazhan is my favourite raid because each boss has a role and a proper place in the dungeon - Karazhan feels like a working castle, with working castle-y bits. You even have kitchens!
On the other hand you have ICC, with corridors dead-ending in round rooms with bosses in them; bosses doing ... what, exactly? Just hanging about waiting for random adventurers to show up? I'd much prefer dungeons which offered some sense of being places with actual purposes, as opposed to just round rooms suitable for loot piñatas to be stored in until it's time to slaughter them for purples. Real castles and palaces are entirely lacking in gorgeously paneled "Royal Chambers of Waiting For Regicides".
wow Mar 28th 2012 8:19AM
This is one of the reasons why I enjoyed ShadowFang Keep so much. :) I have never been to Kara :(, but I heard so many good things about it, I want to go there. :)
Shinanji
Shrikesnest Mar 28th 2012 10:05AM
This is one of the principles of good dungeon design in D&D, too. A dungeon should seem like a real place that serves a purpose, not just a series of rooms with traps, treasure and monsters scattered around.
WanderingNomad Mar 28th 2012 11:06AM
Fantastic graphics....but those pans on the first vid sure showed off my monitors 5ms response time....UPGRADE EXCUSE!! =o)
AugrumnMG Apr 1st 2012 5:06AM
That guy has some LEGENDARY panning skills.