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| + | ='''World of Warcraft: Tides of Doom'''= |
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| − | {{Cataclysm}} |
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| − | [[File:Aracheology.jpg|thumb]] |
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| − | {{Archaeology}} |
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| + | ''This is still a work-in-progress'' |
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| − | '''Archaeology''' is a secondary [[profession]] that will be released in the upcoming expansion, ''[[World of Warcraft: Cataclysm]]''. |
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| + | The Cataclysm shattered Azeroth, changing the face of the world forever. As the Horde and Alliance battled each other and the forces of the Twilight's Hammer under the dreaded aspect Deathwing their conflict against another old, familiar enemy also escalated: the hated Naga. The Horde and Alliance fought beneath the waves at the sunken city of Vashj'ir, eventually making their way deep into the Abyssal Maw. Though emerging victorious, the battered forces of the Horde and Alliance came to learn that this was but a small first move for the Naga. |
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| − | *Intended as a casual profession for players to enjoy in their "downtime".<ref name="Eurogamer">http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/world-of-warcraft-cataclysm-e3-2010-hands-on</ref> |
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| − | *Focused on locating, piecing together, and appraising artifacts unearthed by the Cataclysm.<ref name="Eurogamer"/> |
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| − | *Interacting with an artifact you find is similar to other gathering professions. It has been specifically stated that you will be able to track both Artifacts and your regular "tracking" for gathering professions. Instead of tracking individual nodes, you will instead search marked regions on the world map (a shovel icon when viewing an entire continent, or a red enclosed region when viewing a single zone). |
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| − | *Artifacts will go into a new artifact journal instead of your inventory.<ref name="Eurogamer"/> |
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| − | *Placing an artifact in your journal will allow you to "study" it and progressively unlock new rewards.<ref name="Eurogamer"/> |
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| − | *Unlocks unique rewards such as vanity pets, mounts, and other "toys", with occasional [[rare]] quality weapons or armor.<ref name="Eurogamer"/> |
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| − | *Players will be able to read ancient [[runes]] found amidst ruins and in dungeons to provide themselves and other players with buffs.<ref name="Eurogamer"/> |
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| − | *Some items and discoveries will be heavily geared towards expanding the game's [[lore]], filling in plot holes, and documenting the history of the world as it was before the Cataclysm.<ref name="Eurogamer"/> Players will reportedly be able to compile what amounts to a lore database.<ref>http://pc.ign.com/articles/109/1096848p1.html</ref> |
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| − | *A mock-up of the Archaeology interface is presented as a hand-written journal, with a listing of artifacts, relics, and related reagents and tasks, as well as artwork and a description for each relic. Artifacts are also given a "black market value", indicating that they can perhaps be sold for profit. There has been an indication that your journal may come with some form of "mini-game" to study findings. |
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| + | The Silithid rose from the sands of the desert, forcing the Horde and Alliance to fight their ancient evil. The forces of Illidan and the Burning Legion sought to consume the world in flame, and the armies of Azeroth marched to war again, fighting their way across the shattered realm of Outland. They bled themselves from one end of Northrend to the other, smashing their way through waves of Undead to face the Lich King. Their victory was met by the devastation wrought by Deathwing and the exhausted armies forced to battle the fanatical Twilight's Hammer. |
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| − | ==Description== |
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| − | Upon learning the Archaeology secondary [[profession]] the player receives the ability [[Survey]]. |
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| + | Through all of this, Queen Azshara has watched. She has waited, carefully drawing her plans and positioning her forces. The armies of the Horde and Alliance are exhausted, pushed almost beyond the point of endurance. Their supplies are diminished, their lands still stuggling to recover from the destruction of the Cataclysm. Now, when all seems on the brink of collapse, she will strike. The full might of the Naga lies at her command, including horrors unseen by any surface dweller. And behind her, lurking in secret, a shadowy force lends its aid. The Tides of Doom are rising... |
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| − | There are 12 fields of research players can explore, each relating to a race in the game such as Troll, Night Elf, Dwarf, and Tol'Vir. |
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| + | ==='''Features'''=== |
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| − | Using the Survey skill players need to gather [[Archaeology Fragment]]s of one type (e.g. [[Dwarf Archaeology Fragment]]) from [[Archaeology Find]]s of the same type. They can then [[Solve]] the current stage of this race's research and will receive an item upon doing so. |
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| + | Level Cap raised to 90! |
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| − | == How Archaeology Works == |
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| − | As related by [[Ghostcrawler]]... <ref>http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?sid=2000&topicId=26726035891</ref> |
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| + | New Hero Class - Reaver! |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | Once [[Archaeology]] is trained, you can see digsites on your map (not mini-map). There are always four dig sites per continent. These will not change until you dig one out. |
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| + | New Dungeons & Raids! |
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| − | You only find sites in zones of your level or lower. A level 25 character will have all 4 sites per continent in level 25 zones. This means that no dig sites will appear for that character in Outland or Northrend until he reaches a minimum level for the zones. |
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| + | New Profession - Woodworking! |
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| − | For instance, a low level character on Kalimdor might have sites in Ashenvale and Stonetalon, where a level 82 might have ones in Uldum, Ashenvale, Stonetalon, and Silithus. |
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| + | New Archaeology Race - Naga! |
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| − | Sites are race specific. You can usually guess the race by the location. Some race locations are only available on some continents. You need both a minimum character level and a minimum archaeology level to use some sites. |
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| + | Professions to 600 - Renowned Craftsman! |
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| − | Dig sites are player specific. There is no competition for dig sites. |
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| + | More Underwater Mounts! |
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| − | ===Fragments === |
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| − | Each digsite can be searched 3 times before it despawns and a new site spawns. To search a digsite, use the {{ability|Survey}} ability. The Survey tool will spawn and point in the approximate direction of the artifact. Red means you are far away, Yellow means you are close, Green means you may be within 40 yards or so. When you discover your find, you'll get fragments specific to a particular race. |
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| + | Still No Dance Studio! |
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| − | There are two main strategies to surveying. You can attempt to triangulate by moving around the outer edge of a digsite. Other people [[wikipedia:orienteering|orienteer]], simply heading off in the direction indicated until they strike paydirt. |
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| + | ==New Zones: Leveling to 90== |
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| − | === Artifacts === |
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| + | Tides of Doom features nine new, massive world zones. Similar to Wrath of the Lich King and Cataclysm, players have two "starting zones" to choose from. However, in this expansion each of these are the first steps on two different "paths" one can take on the questing experience to level 90. Players will level through five of the zones from 85-90, their first questing zone will determine their path with both paths ending in the same "finishing zone". |
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| − | When you get a new fragment, you'll start a research project. You can only work on one artifact per race at a time. When you have enough fragments, click <code>Solve</code> to complete that artifact. You won't waste excess fragments, they will just start the next project. |
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| + | These paths are intended to give players a choice in their play style as well as provide more variety for those leveling multiple characters. Players can level two characters while experiencing entirely new content with each. Even in the final zone, where the two paths converge, they will get a different experience. The final zone is enormous, much larger than any current zone. Depending on what path a player chose, they will enter the zone from the north or south with a different set of quests and locations before meeting in the middle at the Naga capital of Nazjatar. After experiencing both, players can pick and choose what they enjoyed the most, hopping back and forth between zones. |
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| − | Most artifacts are common. These give a bit of lore or flavor text and an item you can sell for a small profit. You can estimate the value of the artifact by the number of fragments required to finish it. |
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| + | Questing has been modified to be more flexible while still providing a coherent, continuous story. Each zone has a "core" quest chain that directs the player throughout the zone similar to the Cataclysm zones. In addition to this are several side quests that can be completed or skipped as a player wishes. Tides of Doom continues to make use of phasing but the "extra" quests involve content that remains static. Players can travel to any of the zones at will and explore to find (provided they are high enough level) these quests available, the core chain simply takes players there as it progresses along its own storyline. The core chain is also broken up intermittently, meaning that if a player skips a few quests they can pick up the chain futher along at the next logical point. They will miss some content and portions of the zone's storyline but not have their ability to quest there completely crippled. |
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| − | You won't find a second artifact of a race until you've found ''all'' the artifacts of that race once. |
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| + | Each zone is intended to provide content for one level. This includes the core quest chain and some of the extra quests. Should a player complete every single quest in a zone however they will find the overall experience provided is roughly 125% of a level. This is intended to give players enough freedom to skip portions or quests they dislike and still effectively level. In addition, especially on their first characters where players are much more likely to experience most of the new content, this means that players will be at or very close to the level cap when entering the final zone. This is also intended as the final zone contains the most challenging questing experience yet encountered in World of Warcraft and players experiencing it for the first time will want every advantage. |
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| − | Some artifacts are rare, and make a blue or purple item. Many of these are toys, or for flavor, but some are actual weapons and armor. Weapons and armor are [[Bind to Account|bound to account]], but will not scale like [[heirloom]]s do. |
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| + | The two leveling paths are designed with player preference in mind. Vashj'ir was the first foray into large-scale underwater content. Some players loved the new aspect of the game while others found underwater combat and the environment to be frustrating (if not annoying) and some were fairly indifferent. While both paths feature content above and below the surface, one leans heavily towards a land-based experience while the majority of the other takes place underwater. In this way players may choose how they wish to quest. The final zone is primarily underwater (though a few "air pocket" locations can be found) but players who are not fans of underwater leveling can spend most of their time on land. |
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| − | ==Trainers== |
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| − | [[File:Archaeology-journal.jpg|thumb|Journal concept]] |
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| − | {{Main|Archaeology trainers}} |
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| + | ===="Land Path"==== |
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| − | [[Horde]] players learn Archaeology from certain NPCs belonging to [[The Reliquary]] faction, [[Alliance]] players do so at [[Explorers' League]] NPCs. |
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| + | Kul Tiras - Zandalar - Broken Isles - Gishan Caverns - The Rift |
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| + | ===="Water Path"==== |
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| − | ;Alliance |
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| + | Tel Abim - Boiling Terrace - Scintal Reef - Drowned Reaches - The Rift |
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| − | * {{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Harrison Jones]] (Stormwind) |
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| − | * {{RaceIcon|Human|Female}} [[Darnella Winford]] |
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| + | *A note on underwater breathing: The buffs a player acquires in Vashj'ir become permanent in Tides of Doom and now apply to any underwater environment in-game. A similar quick quest chain exists in both Kul Tiras and Tel Abim for charcters who may not have ventured into Vashj'ir. This change was deemed necessary given the vast amount of underwater content and the negligible benefit to high level players in lower-level content which features hardly any underwater experiences to begin with. |
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| − | ;Horde |
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| − | * {{RaceIcon|BloodElf|Male}} [[Belloc Brightblade]] (Orgrimmar) |
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| − | * {{RaceIcon|Undead|Male}} [[Adam Hossack]] (Undercity) |
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| − | * {{RaceIcon|BloodElf|Female}} [[Elynara]] |
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| + | ====[[User:Bakiloth/NewZones | The New Zones]]==== |
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| − | {|class="darktable zebra" |
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| − | !Archaeology skill !! Req. level !! Req. skill !! Cost |
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| − | |- |
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| − | |Apprentice || 20 || N/A || {{cost||10}} |
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| − | |- |
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| − | |Journeyman || 20 || 50 || {{cost||10}} |
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| − | |- |
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| − | |Expert || 20 || 125 || {{cost||10}} |
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| − | |- |
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| − | |Artisan || 35 || 200 || {{cost|2|50}} |
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| − | |- |
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| − | |Master || 50 || 275 || {{cost|10}} |
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| − | |- |
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| − | |Grand Master || 65 || 350 || {{cost|15}} |
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| − | |- |
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| − | |Illustrious Grand Master || 75 || 425 || {{cost|25}} |
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| − | |} |
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| + | ==New Hero Class: The Reaver== |
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| − | ==Levels== |
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| + | Old Gods - the mysterious, malefic horrors who exist within the darkest reaches of Azeroth. Little is truly known of these shadowy beings, but their awesome power has made them objects of worship by fanatical mortals. Most well known is the Twilight's Hammer, but the grip of the Old Gods reaches far and wide. Many other organizations exist, many of them unknown to the greater population of Azeroth. Followers of the Old Gods are exposed to their maddening powers, wielding chaotic and mysterious magical energies. Among the many devotees are the Reavers, shadowy warriors who combine dark spells with brutal physical attacks. Their powers are further enhanced by the dark mental energies of the Old Gods and Reavers can use madness itself as a weapon, rendering a hapless foe little more than a whimpering shell. |
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| − | Archaeology has set levels at which players can solve artifacts from different cultures. Fragments collected before players reach the appropriate level are hidden from view until they have reached the appropriate level for that culture ''and have found more fragments from that culture'', at which time the previously collected fragments for that culture are made available. |
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| + | Reavers are followers of the Old Gods who have, for various reasons, decided to break from their dark masters. The penalty for their decision is death and they are hunted relentlessly by their former comrades. In their time of crisis, with the armies of the Horde and Alliance strained to their limit, these powerful fighters seeking to return to their homes may be just what is needed to avoid reaching the breaking point. However, these shadowy "saviors" are met with great suspicion. They abandoned their own people once before in pursuit of greater power then betrayed the very power they had embraced; to say their loyalty and reliability is questionable is a great understatement. Many find their return itself suspicious, showing up when the need is greatest; they are widely whispered to have ulterior motives. Still, all (grudgingly) admit the Reavers are a powerful force who have quickly found themselves folded into the ranks of the Horde and Alliance. But they and their powers are suspect, and they are watched very closely. |
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| − | The following are the current levels: |
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| + | ====[[User:Bakiloth/Reaver | Reavers]]==== |
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| − | {| class="darktable sortable zebra" |
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| − | !Culture !! Level !! Primary Location |
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| − | |- |
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| − | |[[Dwarf Archaeology Fragment|Dwarf]] || 1 || Eastern Kingdoms |
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| − | |- |
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| − | |[[Fossil]] || 1 || Eastern Kingdoms |
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| − | |- |
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| − | |[[Night Elf Archaeology Fragment|Night Elf]] || 1 || Kalimdor |
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| − | |- |
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| − | |[[Troll Archaeology Fragment|Troll]] || 1 || Eastern Kingdoms |
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| − | |- |
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| − | |[[Draenei Archaeology Fragment|Draenei]] || 300 || Outland |
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| − | |- |
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| − | |[[Orc Archaeology Fragment|Orc]] || 300 || Outland |
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| − | |- |
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| − | |[[Nerubian Archaeology Fragment|Nerubian]] || 375 || Northrend |
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| − | |- |
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| − | |[[Vrykul Archaeology Fragment|Vrykul]] || 375 || Northrend |
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| − | |- |
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| − | |[[Tol'vir Archaeology Fragment|Tol'vir]] ||450 || Cataclysm |
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| − | |} |
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| + | ==New Profession: Woodworking== |
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| − | ==Dig sites== |
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| + | The new profession of Woodworking at long last allows the players to carve staves as well as construct some quality bows and crossbows. Woodworking is especially suited for casting classes (those most likely to use staves) as it functions as both a gathering and crafting profession. This leaves a character free to take a second profession, such as Tailoring or Enchanting. Any class can learn Woodworking and the profession does offer additional benefits. |
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| − | {{Main|Archaeology locations}} |
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| + | Woodworkers gather supplies from fallen branches scattered across Azeroth. Resources are obviously more plentiful in heavily forested areas but any location with trees can provide workable wood. Woodworkers gather up wood and use their ability [Carve]. This shapes the wood into the useable parts Woodworkers require to construct their various items. (To expedite this process stacks of similar branches can be carved as a stack similar to smelting ore so each piece does not need to be selected individually.) Any Woodworker can gather raw branches from anywhere but it takes a certain skill level to actually carve it. Woodworkers of the highest skill can learn to carve coral from aquatic environments. |
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| − | Archaeology dig sites can be found on all four continents. There are four dig sites on each continent available at any one time. Dig sites are available based on player skill. However, compared to other gathering professions, there is no competition between players. Upon reaching a dig site, players will be able to collect ''their'' three finds before the dig site dries up and a new one is made available. Even if other players are searching at the site, the finds are individual to each player. |
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| + | In addition to staves and bows, Woodworkers can learn to construct other useful items. |
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| − | ==Rewards== |
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| − | {{Main|Archaeology rewards}} |
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| − | Archaeology was originally intended to allow advancement in the now-scrapped [[Path of the Titans]] system, and would have reportedly awarded players with Ancient Glyph slots and recipes. At present, known rewards include various non-combat items as well as the occasional [[rare]] loot. Players will be able to piece together skeletal fragments to create a skeletal raptor mount. Players can also read ancient runes found in ruins and dungeons to give buffs to themselves and others.<ref name="Eurogamer"/> |
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| + | ====[[User:Bakiloth/Woodworking | Woodworking Items]]==== |
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| − | ;Achievements |
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| − | *{{achievementlong|Journeyman in Archaeology}} |
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| − | *{{achievementlong|Expert in Archaeology}} |
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| − | *{{achievementlong|Artisan in Archaeology}} |
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| − | *{{achievementlong|Master in Archaeology}} |
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| − | *{{achievementlong|Grand Master in Archaeology}} |
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| − | *{{achievementlong|Illustrious Grand Master in Archaeology}} |
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| − | *{{achievementlong|More Skills to Pay the Bills}} |
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| − | == |
+ | ==New Factions== |
| − | {{reflist}} |
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| + | ===The Grand Fleet {{Alliance Icon}} === |
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| − | {{professions}} |
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| + | The Grand Fleet is the primary Alliance task force in charge of running the campaign agasint the Naga threat. It is comprised of the largest Alliance surface fleet ever assembled along with several newly constructed submersibles. While the Grand Fleet oversees all Alliance operations in the Great Sea several smaller organizations operate under the fleet's banner. |
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| − | [[Category:Archaeology| ]] |
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| + | *'''Kul Tiras''' - The forces of Kul Tiras are back fully within the fold of the Alliance after years of isolation. The navies of Kul Tiras now roam far across the Great Sea, spearheading the Alliance's island campaigns. |
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| − | [[Category:Cataclysm]] |
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| + | *'''Wavehunters''' - The Wavehunters are comprised of all Alliance races but led by a group of Night Elf Sentinels. They consider the Naga to be their personal responsibility and lead the fight from Kalimdor beneath the waves to finish off their ancient brethren one and for all. |
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| − | [[Category:WoW professions]] |
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| + | |||
| − | [[Category:WoW secondary professions]] |
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| + | ===The Vanguard Armada {{Horde Icon}} === |
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| + | Facing a new threat from the ocean the Horde worked quickly to construct its own armada of ships to defend their territory and take the fight to the Naga. While the Vanguard Armada is not as large as the Grand Fleet, Horde engineers have been hard at work and the new ships taking to the sea are unlike any seen before. The surface fleet is supported by zeppelins and submersibles. |
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| + | *'''The Marauding Storm''' - The Marauding Storm is an elite group of Horde warriors. They have been specially trained in underwater combat and are at home in an aquatic environment. Fiece and relentless, they will not stop until the last Naga lies slain beneath their blades and the sea is theirs to claim. |
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| + | *'''Black Phoenix''' - The Black Phoenix is the secretive order who orchestrated the attack that allowed the Horde to sieze the island of Crestfall in Kul Tiras. Though all races of the Horde can now be found within the Black Phoenix the leadership is comprised entirely of Forsaken and Blood Elves. The other races found the sudden appearance of the Black Phoenix slightly disconcerting, no Horde in Kalimdor had even heard of the group prior to the Crestfall campaign. |
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| + | |||
| + | ===Council of Zandalar {{Neutral Icon}} === |
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| + | The Council of Zandalar is run by the elders of the various Troll tribes. All Trolls are represented here and all have an equal say within the Council. Formed in times of great crisis, the primary goal of the Council is to ensure the survival of the Troll race as a whole and ignores all tribal disputes (at least in theory). Tensions are high within the Council, almost to the point of breaking. There is general disagreement a policy towards the Horde and Alliance forces that have arrived on the island to offer their aid. |
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| + | |||
| + | Some argue for closer ties with the Horde; after all several tribes are already affiliated with that faction (Darkspear, Revantusk, Shatterspear). Not all are keen on the idea however, the Amani in particular refusing to even discuss the idea of forming a stronger pact with a faction that contains their hated Blood Elven enemies. (It is suspected that it was Amani agents who invited the Alliance to Zandalar without consulting the rest of the Council to counterbalance the Horde's influence.) There has even been hushed talk that the Darkspear should lose their place on the Council owing to their loyalty to the Horde. The rest of the Council favors a more neutral position, using both factions as tools to help them fight off the Naga and then sending them on their way. Most don't believe that the Horde and Alliance will pack up and leave peaceably, but the simple fact is that the Council can not hold off the Naga without assistance. |
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| + | |||
| + | Found in: Zandalar |
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| + | |||
| + | Faction Headquarters: Zuldazar, Zandalar |
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| + | |||
| + | ===Murgleughgr {{Neutral Icon}} === |
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| + | The Murgleughgr (simply Murg to most other races who struggle to pronounce, let alone spell, the Mur'gul name) are a faction of Mur'gul who manage to escape their enslavement by the Naga. They have set up a small village hidden away in a remote corner of the Broken Isles. From there they conduct raids on Naga encampments and enlist stalwart adventurers to aid them. Players who complete the Murg quest chain in the Broken Isles will open a small Murg daily quest hub in the Rift. Those who earn enough reputation with the Murg will be granted access to the Murg's secret stash of pillaged Naga gear of exceptional quality. They will also be able to purchase hand-crafted items specially made by the Mur'gul themsleves which are of, ahh... slightly lesser quality. |
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| + | |||
| + | Found in: Broken Isles, Gishan Caverns, The Rift |
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| + | |||
| + | Faction Headquarters: Grimfin Cove, Broken Isles |
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| + | |||
| + | ===Makra-u {{Neutral Icon}} === |
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| + | The Makra-u are the elite guardians of the besieged Makrura capital city of Mak'aru. (Face it, you're phonetically limited when you're essentially a talking lobster.) In their hour of greatest need they have welcomed the assistance of the surface races in saving their city. Players who complete the quest chain defending Mak'aru will open a small Makra-u daily quest hub in the Rift. At home in the ocean's depths, the seemingly primitive Makrura can be found to be peerless crafters of gear designed especially for underwater combat. |
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| + | |||
| + | Found in: Boiling Terrace, Scintal Reef, The Rift |
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| + | |||
| + | Faction Headquarters: Mak'aru, Scintal Reef |
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| + | |||
| + | ===The Lost {{Neutral Icon}} === |
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| + | The Lost are a faction of spirits within the Drowned Reaches. While most have been driven mad by their state of undeath, the Lost have maintained their sanity. Adventurers can assist the Lost in putting their crazed brethren to rest, provided one doesn't mind working for ghosts. The benefits might far outway any hesitation however; the Naga fear the Drowned Reaches and will not enter for any reason, sending their pet beasts of the deep instead. Perhaps the Lost know the reason why... |
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| + | |||
| + | Found in: Drowned Reaches |
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| + | |||
| + | Faction Headquarters: Sorrow Deep, Drowned Reaches |
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| + | |||
| + | ===Scions of Vengeance {{Neutral Icon}} === |
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| + | The Scions of Vengeance (former members of the Scions of Hate) are a group of Reavers who make their home in Zul'Dare. The Scions had been devout worshipers of the Old Gods befroe deciding to break away and attempt to return to their former lives. Player characters of the Reaver hero class belong to this faction. Though powerful additions to the Horde and Alliance, they have been welcomed back warily and with deep suspicion. After all, they were not corrupted and enslaved against their will as the Death Knights were, they served the Old Gods of their own free will. Their exact reasons for turning on their dark masters are vague and unclear, further calling their loyalty into question. Their presence among the rest of the Horde or Alliance is tolerated for now but they are closely watched wherever they go. |
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| + | |||
| + | Found in: Zul'Dare, Kul Tiras, Boiling Terrace, Drowned Reaches, Gishan Caverns, The Rift |
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| + | |||
| + | Faction Headquarters: Nightfall Hold, Zul'Dare |
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| + | |||
| + | ===Order of the Silent Vigil {{Neutral Icon}} === |
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| + | The Order of the Silent Vigil are Nereids. Their very existence was unknown to the surface races of Azeroth until they were encountered by adventurers of the Horde and Alliance as they fought their way into the depths. The Nereids were former Highborne who refused to follow Queen Azshara in the dark final days just prior to the Sundering. Unlike the rest of the Highborne who fought against Azshara, those who became the Nereids were caught in the explosion of the Well of Eternity and dragged into the depths with Azshara and her followers. To their horror the pact Azshara made that caused her followers to become mutated into the Naga was applied to them as well. Most were hunted down following the Sundering but a few managed to go into hiding. The handful that survived secreted themselves away, unknown and forgotten, but always keeping a silent watch over their former brethren. |
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| + | |||
| + | Nereids resemble the "original" Naga, a hybrid form somewhere between the current Naga and their original Night Elf appearance. While the Naga allowed their bodies to continue to mutate, warped by their feeding off of the residual energies of the Well of Eternity, the Nereid did not. They have watched with growing concern as the Naga grew in power but their numbers were far too few to take any action. They have little knowledge of the surface world, their only information attained through the occasional interaction with the lost soul of a drowned sailor. The sudden appearance of the Horde and Alliance in their secluded home beneath the waves has come as a shock, but they recognize that now is likely the only chance they will have to end the Naga threat and rejoin the world. |
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| + | |||
| + | Found in: Drowned Reaches, Gishan Caverns, The Rift |
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| + | |||
| + | Faction Headquarters: Shrine of Tears, The Rift |
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| + | |||
| + | ===Bloodsail Plunderers {{Neutral Icon}} === |
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| + | The Bloodsail Plunderers are the rulers of Plunder Isle and the greater Bloodsail forces across Azeroth. The offer quests to both Horde and Alliance adventurers, calling for them to gather resources and perform other assorted tasks. Whichever faction is able to complete the most quests for the Bloodsail Plunderers will gain their favor for a time, giving them access to Plunder Isle and various daily quests. Friendly standing with the Bloodsail Buccaneers in Stranglethorn is not a requirement for access to Plunder Isle and assisting the Bloodsail Plunderers; likewise assisting these shifty swashbucklers will not affect your reputation with the Steamwheedle Cartel. However, only those who have earned the good graces of the Buccaneers may talk to Johnny Passeridae at his small camp deep in the jungles of Plunder Isle and complete the quests he offers. Also, only people who quest for him may try his rum. |
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| + | Found in: Plunder Isle |
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| + | Faction Headquarters: Bloodsail Hold, Plunder Isle |
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| + | ==Reasons for content== |
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| + | Cataclysm was huge, in a lot of respects it was almost an entirely new game with all the changes to the old world zones and questing. No way I could top that but it got me to thinking of what would be good for a next expansion. How about two expansions in one (zone/questing wise)? Two different leveling paths hasn't been done but solved a lot of problems. They added two different starter zones for WotLK and Cat, but why not expand that aspect? It gives more variety and would help ease the boredom of running alts through the same zone over and over. Your second character could would essentially have a brand new expansion of content to quest through, and after that you could mix and match as you saw fit. |
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| + | It also helped solve the problem of tackling a Great Sea expansion (by far the favorite at this point) while addressing the lot of people who were, shall we say, less then thrilled with their Vashj'ir experience. The zones from the "land route" would still have underwater content but the majority would take place on land. People who were not fans of underwater questing could still play through and level while having as little as possible content they didn't enjoy. Those who liked it, or were indifferent, could submerge themselves for their experience. |
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| + | |||
| + | WotLK gave the sense of a long, brutal march through Northrend to reach the Lich King and a two-pronged assault along two different paths to the Naga capital would be a good way to relive that experience. Having the final zone be divided (quest-wise) upon where you enter, that itself based on which route you took, then meeting in the middle I think would be a neat idea. Nazjatar itself could end up as its own zone, a heavily phased city under siege where each patch, in addition to other content, introduces new dailies and has you siezing the outskirts of the city bit by bit until the final patch for the expansion. |
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| + | ===Reavers=== |
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| + | The hero class was tough. A lot have been thrown around, and most have been brought up as "new" ideas thirty or forty times at this point. I looked at it from the point of what would actually be new in-game, what would be fun, and what didn't seem just like two classes mashed together. After I did that I slapped the "lore" together around the idea, so pardon the haphazard nature of it. |
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| + | Reavers share a lot of similarities with shaman (right down to the melee-or-caster options for talent trees) but avoiding any similarity to any existing class was proving impossible so I just gave in on that one. I tried to give them a very unique feel though which ended up as their mental disruption abilities. (Mental abilities have of course been brought up countless times before, but I like to think I put a new twist on it. I'm sure I haven't, but I personally haven't seen what I came up with before. Sorry if I stealth-ninja'd someone's ideas.) With Cat re-focusing on CC I thought what it would be if a class had a large part of their focus just on getting all up in the enemy's business and messing with them. Their abilities, like melee attacks and spells, would be weaker damage-wise but their mental tricks would more than make up for that. I have no idea how (if at all) this idea would work practically for balance, but that's not my job and Blizzard doesn't pay me for that (despite my repeated demands that they do, /sadpanda). |
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| + | The lore isn't the best thing ever, but I don't think it's terrible either. There are likely others out there devoted to the Old Gods besides the lovely folks we've met in-game, so I don't really think that was a stretch. All the nifty "twilight spells" the Twilight's Hammer has in Cataclysm gave me the idea for the basis of their spells as it is pretty much a type of magic we haven't really seen (at least not a lot of it) before. Followers of the Old Gods would likely be using their dark powers to do things us stand-up characters would never do with magic, I just stole it for my own uses. |
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| + | I admit the floating iceberg fortress for their starting area is kind of stupid, but I like it so deal with it. It also solved the problem of where to put them as most of the map has by now been explored and is open for us to fly around. I could probably just have kept them on Zul'Dare the entire time but... floating iceberg fortress! Shut-up. |
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| + | ===Woodworking=== |
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| + | Woodworking has been tossed around as a profession since WoW launched, so that was a natural fit. The problem has been that besides staves and bows, what else would they really make? Not much else for current gear fits. So I came up with the extra items that I hope someone from Blizzard stumbles on here and reads because I really want them in the game. Also I decided to lump the gathering portion in with the regular profession (thanks archaeology!) or find myself making yet another gathering profession. I've seen people pair it with herbalism, but I just don't really see that as a good fit. "Look, I made a staff out of Peacebloom!" Yeah. No. |
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| + | Storage Crates just made sense, people have been complaining about bag space and Blizzard has said that bags just can't keep getting larger and larger. Think how handy it would be if you could just, for example, keep all your raiding potions/food/etc tucked away in a single bag slot that you just plop on the ground to grab what you need when you need it. Or rep items, or cooking mats that you can just stock up until you're ready to sit down and work on your skill-ups. |
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| + | Amberstones. I want them. Make them. |
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| + | I'm kind of "meh" on charms, I just thought Woodworking needed another perk to fully flesh it out. I don't know how great of an idea it is, but it's what I came up with. I was just going to have them be an inventory item like Diablo II, but then I realized it would be kind of silly (as in really really stupid) for a profession to help people clean up their inventory with one item just to clutter it up with another, so I made them new character item slots. |
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Latest revision as of 04:19, 16 April 2011
World of Warcraft: Tides of Doom
This is still a work-in-progress
The Cataclysm shattered Azeroth, changing the face of the world forever. As the Horde and Alliance battled each other and the forces of the Twilight's Hammer under the dreaded aspect Deathwing their conflict against another old, familiar enemy also escalated: the hated Naga. The Horde and Alliance fought beneath the waves at the sunken city of Vashj'ir, eventually making their way deep into the Abyssal Maw. Though emerging victorious, the battered forces of the Horde and Alliance came to learn that this was but a small first move for the Naga.
The Silithid rose from the sands of the desert, forcing the Horde and Alliance to fight their ancient evil. The forces of Illidan and the Burning Legion sought to consume the world in flame, and the armies of Azeroth marched to war again, fighting their way across the shattered realm of Outland. They bled themselves from one end of Northrend to the other, smashing their way through waves of Undead to face the Lich King. Their victory was met by the devastation wrought by Deathwing and the exhausted armies forced to battle the fanatical Twilight's Hammer.
Through all of this, Queen Azshara has watched. She has waited, carefully drawing her plans and positioning her forces. The armies of the Horde and Alliance are exhausted, pushed almost beyond the point of endurance. Their supplies are diminished, their lands still stuggling to recover from the destruction of the Cataclysm. Now, when all seems on the brink of collapse, she will strike. The full might of the Naga lies at her command, including horrors unseen by any surface dweller. And behind her, lurking in secret, a shadowy force lends its aid. The Tides of Doom are rising...
Features
Level Cap raised to 90!
New Hero Class - Reaver!
New Dungeons & Raids!
New Profession - Woodworking!
New Archaeology Race - Naga!
Professions to 600 - Renowned Craftsman!
More Underwater Mounts!
Still No Dance Studio!
New Zones: Leveling to 90
Tides of Doom features nine new, massive world zones. Similar to Wrath of the Lich King and Cataclysm, players have two "starting zones" to choose from. However, in this expansion each of these are the first steps on two different "paths" one can take on the questing experience to level 90. Players will level through five of the zones from 85-90, their first questing zone will determine their path with both paths ending in the same "finishing zone".
These paths are intended to give players a choice in their play style as well as provide more variety for those leveling multiple characters. Players can level two characters while experiencing entirely new content with each. Even in the final zone, where the two paths converge, they will get a different experience. The final zone is enormous, much larger than any current zone. Depending on what path a player chose, they will enter the zone from the north or south with a different set of quests and locations before meeting in the middle at the Naga capital of Nazjatar. After experiencing both, players can pick and choose what they enjoyed the most, hopping back and forth between zones.
Questing has been modified to be more flexible while still providing a coherent, continuous story. Each zone has a "core" quest chain that directs the player throughout the zone similar to the Cataclysm zones. In addition to this are several side quests that can be completed or skipped as a player wishes. Tides of Doom continues to make use of phasing but the "extra" quests involve content that remains static. Players can travel to any of the zones at will and explore to find (provided they are high enough level) these quests available, the core chain simply takes players there as it progresses along its own storyline. The core chain is also broken up intermittently, meaning that if a player skips a few quests they can pick up the chain futher along at the next logical point. They will miss some content and portions of the zone's storyline but not have their ability to quest there completely crippled.
Each zone is intended to provide content for one level. This includes the core quest chain and some of the extra quests. Should a player complete every single quest in a zone however they will find the overall experience provided is roughly 125% of a level. This is intended to give players enough freedom to skip portions or quests they dislike and still effectively level. In addition, especially on their first characters where players are much more likely to experience most of the new content, this means that players will be at or very close to the level cap when entering the final zone. This is also intended as the final zone contains the most challenging questing experience yet encountered in World of Warcraft and players experiencing it for the first time will want every advantage.
The two leveling paths are designed with player preference in mind. Vashj'ir was the first foray into large-scale underwater content. Some players loved the new aspect of the game while others found underwater combat and the environment to be frustrating (if not annoying) and some were fairly indifferent. While both paths feature content above and below the surface, one leans heavily towards a land-based experience while the majority of the other takes place underwater. In this way players may choose how they wish to quest. The final zone is primarily underwater (though a few "air pocket" locations can be found) but players who are not fans of underwater leveling can spend most of their time on land.
"Land Path"
Kul Tiras - Zandalar - Broken Isles - Gishan Caverns - The Rift
"Water Path"
Tel Abim - Boiling Terrace - Scintal Reef - Drowned Reaches - The Rift
- A note on underwater breathing: The buffs a player acquires in Vashj'ir become permanent in Tides of Doom and now apply to any underwater environment in-game. A similar quick quest chain exists in both Kul Tiras and Tel Abim for charcters who may not have ventured into Vashj'ir. This change was deemed necessary given the vast amount of underwater content and the negligible benefit to high level players in lower-level content which features hardly any underwater experiences to begin with.
The New Zones
New Hero Class: The Reaver
Old Gods - the mysterious, malefic horrors who exist within the darkest reaches of Azeroth. Little is truly known of these shadowy beings, but their awesome power has made them objects of worship by fanatical mortals. Most well known is the Twilight's Hammer, but the grip of the Old Gods reaches far and wide. Many other organizations exist, many of them unknown to the greater population of Azeroth. Followers of the Old Gods are exposed to their maddening powers, wielding chaotic and mysterious magical energies. Among the many devotees are the Reavers, shadowy warriors who combine dark spells with brutal physical attacks. Their powers are further enhanced by the dark mental energies of the Old Gods and Reavers can use madness itself as a weapon, rendering a hapless foe little more than a whimpering shell.
Reavers are followers of the Old Gods who have, for various reasons, decided to break from their dark masters. The penalty for their decision is death and they are hunted relentlessly by their former comrades. In their time of crisis, with the armies of the Horde and Alliance strained to their limit, these powerful fighters seeking to return to their homes may be just what is needed to avoid reaching the breaking point. However, these shadowy "saviors" are met with great suspicion. They abandoned their own people once before in pursuit of greater power then betrayed the very power they had embraced; to say their loyalty and reliability is questionable is a great understatement. Many find their return itself suspicious, showing up when the need is greatest; they are widely whispered to have ulterior motives. Still, all (grudgingly) admit the Reavers are a powerful force who have quickly found themselves folded into the ranks of the Horde and Alliance. But they and their powers are suspect, and they are watched very closely.
Reavers
New Profession: Woodworking
The new profession of Woodworking at long last allows the players to carve staves as well as construct some quality bows and crossbows. Woodworking is especially suited for casting classes (those most likely to use staves) as it functions as both a gathering and crafting profession. This leaves a character free to take a second profession, such as Tailoring or Enchanting. Any class can learn Woodworking and the profession does offer additional benefits.
Woodworkers gather supplies from fallen branches scattered across Azeroth. Resources are obviously more plentiful in heavily forested areas but any location with trees can provide workable wood. Woodworkers gather up wood and use their ability [Carve]. This shapes the wood into the useable parts Woodworkers require to construct their various items. (To expedite this process stacks of similar branches can be carved as a stack similar to smelting ore so each piece does not need to be selected individually.) Any Woodworker can gather raw branches from anywhere but it takes a certain skill level to actually carve it. Woodworkers of the highest skill can learn to carve coral from aquatic environments.
In addition to staves and bows, Woodworkers can learn to construct other useful items.
Woodworking Items
New Factions
The Grand Fleet 
The Grand Fleet is the primary Alliance task force in charge of running the campaign agasint the Naga threat. It is comprised of the largest Alliance surface fleet ever assembled along with several newly constructed submersibles. While the Grand Fleet oversees all Alliance operations in the Great Sea several smaller organizations operate under the fleet's banner.
- Kul Tiras - The forces of Kul Tiras are back fully within the fold of the Alliance after years of isolation. The navies of Kul Tiras now roam far across the Great Sea, spearheading the Alliance's island campaigns.
- Wavehunters - The Wavehunters are comprised of all Alliance races but led by a group of Night Elf Sentinels. They consider the Naga to be their personal responsibility and lead the fight from Kalimdor beneath the waves to finish off their ancient brethren one and for all.
The Vanguard Armada 
Facing a new threat from the ocean the Horde worked quickly to construct its own armada of ships to defend their territory and take the fight to the Naga. While the Vanguard Armada is not as large as the Grand Fleet, Horde engineers have been hard at work and the new ships taking to the sea are unlike any seen before. The surface fleet is supported by zeppelins and submersibles.
- The Marauding Storm - The Marauding Storm is an elite group of Horde warriors. They have been specially trained in underwater combat and are at home in an aquatic environment. Fiece and relentless, they will not stop until the last Naga lies slain beneath their blades and the sea is theirs to claim.
- Black Phoenix - The Black Phoenix is the secretive order who orchestrated the attack that allowed the Horde to sieze the island of Crestfall in Kul Tiras. Though all races of the Horde can now be found within the Black Phoenix the leadership is comprised entirely of Forsaken and Blood Elves. The other races found the sudden appearance of the Black Phoenix slightly disconcerting, no Horde in Kalimdor had even heard of the group prior to the Crestfall campaign.
Council of Zandalar 
The Council of Zandalar is run by the elders of the various Troll tribes. All Trolls are represented here and all have an equal say within the Council. Formed in times of great crisis, the primary goal of the Council is to ensure the survival of the Troll race as a whole and ignores all tribal disputes (at least in theory). Tensions are high within the Council, almost to the point of breaking. There is general disagreement a policy towards the Horde and Alliance forces that have arrived on the island to offer their aid.
Some argue for closer ties with the Horde; after all several tribes are already affiliated with that faction (Darkspear, Revantusk, Shatterspear). Not all are keen on the idea however, the Amani in particular refusing to even discuss the idea of forming a stronger pact with a faction that contains their hated Blood Elven enemies. (It is suspected that it was Amani agents who invited the Alliance to Zandalar without consulting the rest of the Council to counterbalance the Horde's influence.) There has even been hushed talk that the Darkspear should lose their place on the Council owing to their loyalty to the Horde. The rest of the Council favors a more neutral position, using both factions as tools to help them fight off the Naga and then sending them on their way. Most don't believe that the Horde and Alliance will pack up and leave peaceably, but the simple fact is that the Council can not hold off the Naga without assistance.
Found in: Zandalar
Faction Headquarters: Zuldazar, Zandalar
Murgleughgr 
The Murgleughgr (simply Murg to most other races who struggle to pronounce, let alone spell, the Mur'gul name) are a faction of Mur'gul who manage to escape their enslavement by the Naga. They have set up a small village hidden away in a remote corner of the Broken Isles. From there they conduct raids on Naga encampments and enlist stalwart adventurers to aid them. Players who complete the Murg quest chain in the Broken Isles will open a small Murg daily quest hub in the Rift. Those who earn enough reputation with the Murg will be granted access to the Murg's secret stash of pillaged Naga gear of exceptional quality. They will also be able to purchase hand-crafted items specially made by the Mur'gul themsleves which are of, ahh... slightly lesser quality.
Found in: Broken Isles, Gishan Caverns, The Rift
Faction Headquarters: Grimfin Cove, Broken Isles
Makra-u
The Makra-u are the elite guardians of the besieged Makrura capital city of Mak'aru. (Face it, you're phonetically limited when you're essentially a talking lobster.) In their hour of greatest need they have welcomed the assistance of the surface races in saving their city. Players who complete the quest chain defending Mak'aru will open a small Makra-u daily quest hub in the Rift. At home in the ocean's depths, the seemingly primitive Makrura can be found to be peerless crafters of gear designed especially for underwater combat.
Found in: Boiling Terrace, Scintal Reef, The Rift
Faction Headquarters: Mak'aru, Scintal Reef
The Lost
The Lost are a faction of spirits within the Drowned Reaches. While most have been driven mad by their state of undeath, the Lost have maintained their sanity. Adventurers can assist the Lost in putting their crazed brethren to rest, provided one doesn't mind working for ghosts. The benefits might far outway any hesitation however; the Naga fear the Drowned Reaches and will not enter for any reason, sending their pet beasts of the deep instead. Perhaps the Lost know the reason why...
Found in: Drowned Reaches
Faction Headquarters: Sorrow Deep, Drowned Reaches
Scions of Vengeance
The Scions of Vengeance (former members of the Scions of Hate) are a group of Reavers who make their home in Zul'Dare. The Scions had been devout worshipers of the Old Gods befroe deciding to break away and attempt to return to their former lives. Player characters of the Reaver hero class belong to this faction. Though powerful additions to the Horde and Alliance, they have been welcomed back warily and with deep suspicion. After all, they were not corrupted and enslaved against their will as the Death Knights were, they served the Old Gods of their own free will. Their exact reasons for turning on their dark masters are vague and unclear, further calling their loyalty into question. Their presence among the rest of the Horde or Alliance is tolerated for now but they are closely watched wherever they go.
Found in: Zul'Dare, Kul Tiras, Boiling Terrace, Drowned Reaches, Gishan Caverns, The Rift
Faction Headquarters: Nightfall Hold, Zul'Dare
Order of the Silent Vigil
The Order of the Silent Vigil are Nereids. Their very existence was unknown to the surface races of Azeroth until they were encountered by adventurers of the Horde and Alliance as they fought their way into the depths. The Nereids were former Highborne who refused to follow Queen Azshara in the dark final days just prior to the Sundering. Unlike the rest of the Highborne who fought against Azshara, those who became the Nereids were caught in the explosion of the Well of Eternity and dragged into the depths with Azshara and her followers. To their horror the pact Azshara made that caused her followers to become mutated into the Naga was applied to them as well. Most were hunted down following the Sundering but a few managed to go into hiding. The handful that survived secreted themselves away, unknown and forgotten, but always keeping a silent watch over their former brethren.
Nereids resemble the "original" Naga, a hybrid form somewhere between the current Naga and their original Night Elf appearance. While the Naga allowed their bodies to continue to mutate, warped by their feeding off of the residual energies of the Well of Eternity, the Nereid did not. They have watched with growing concern as the Naga grew in power but their numbers were far too few to take any action. They have little knowledge of the surface world, their only information attained through the occasional interaction with the lost soul of a drowned sailor. The sudden appearance of the Horde and Alliance in their secluded home beneath the waves has come as a shock, but they recognize that now is likely the only chance they will have to end the Naga threat and rejoin the world.
Found in: Drowned Reaches, Gishan Caverns, The Rift
Faction Headquarters: Shrine of Tears, The Rift
Bloodsail Plunderers
The Bloodsail Plunderers are the rulers of Plunder Isle and the greater Bloodsail forces across Azeroth. The offer quests to both Horde and Alliance adventurers, calling for them to gather resources and perform other assorted tasks. Whichever faction is able to complete the most quests for the Bloodsail Plunderers will gain their favor for a time, giving them access to Plunder Isle and various daily quests. Friendly standing with the Bloodsail Buccaneers in Stranglethorn is not a requirement for access to Plunder Isle and assisting the Bloodsail Plunderers; likewise assisting these shifty swashbucklers will not affect your reputation with the Steamwheedle Cartel. However, only those who have earned the good graces of the Buccaneers may talk to Johnny Passeridae at his small camp deep in the jungles of Plunder Isle and complete the quests he offers. Also, only people who quest for him may try his rum.
Found in: Plunder Isle
Faction Headquarters: Bloodsail Hold, Plunder Isle
Reasons for content
Zones
Cataclysm was huge, in a lot of respects it was almost an entirely new game with all the changes to the old world zones and questing. No way I could top that but it got me to thinking of what would be good for a next expansion. How about two expansions in one (zone/questing wise)? Two different leveling paths hasn't been done but solved a lot of problems. They added two different starter zones for WotLK and Cat, but why not expand that aspect? It gives more variety and would help ease the boredom of running alts through the same zone over and over. Your second character could would essentially have a brand new expansion of content to quest through, and after that you could mix and match as you saw fit.
It also helped solve the problem of tackling a Great Sea expansion (by far the favorite at this point) while addressing the lot of people who were, shall we say, less then thrilled with their Vashj'ir experience. The zones from the "land route" would still have underwater content but the majority would take place on land. People who were not fans of underwater questing could still play through and level while having as little as possible content they didn't enjoy. Those who liked it, or were indifferent, could submerge themselves for their experience.
WotLK gave the sense of a long, brutal march through Northrend to reach the Lich King and a two-pronged assault along two different paths to the Naga capital would be a good way to relive that experience. Having the final zone be divided (quest-wise) upon where you enter, that itself based on which route you took, then meeting in the middle I think would be a neat idea. Nazjatar itself could end up as its own zone, a heavily phased city under siege where each patch, in addition to other content, introduces new dailies and has you siezing the outskirts of the city bit by bit until the final patch for the expansion.
Reavers
The hero class was tough. A lot have been thrown around, and most have been brought up as "new" ideas thirty or forty times at this point. I looked at it from the point of what would actually be new in-game, what would be fun, and what didn't seem just like two classes mashed together. After I did that I slapped the "lore" together around the idea, so pardon the haphazard nature of it.
Reavers share a lot of similarities with shaman (right down to the melee-or-caster options for talent trees) but avoiding any similarity to any existing class was proving impossible so I just gave in on that one. I tried to give them a very unique feel though which ended up as their mental disruption abilities. (Mental abilities have of course been brought up countless times before, but I like to think I put a new twist on it. I'm sure I haven't, but I personally haven't seen what I came up with before. Sorry if I stealth-ninja'd someone's ideas.) With Cat re-focusing on CC I thought what it would be if a class had a large part of their focus just on getting all up in the enemy's business and messing with them. Their abilities, like melee attacks and spells, would be weaker damage-wise but their mental tricks would more than make up for that. I have no idea how (if at all) this idea would work practically for balance, but that's not my job and Blizzard doesn't pay me for that (despite my repeated demands that they do, /sadpanda).
The lore isn't the best thing ever, but I don't think it's terrible either. There are likely others out there devoted to the Old Gods besides the lovely folks we've met in-game, so I don't really think that was a stretch. All the nifty "twilight spells" the Twilight's Hammer has in Cataclysm gave me the idea for the basis of their spells as it is pretty much a type of magic we haven't really seen (at least not a lot of it) before. Followers of the Old Gods would likely be using their dark powers to do things us stand-up characters would never do with magic, I just stole it for my own uses.
I admit the floating iceberg fortress for their starting area is kind of stupid, but I like it so deal with it. It also solved the problem of where to put them as most of the map has by now been explored and is open for us to fly around. I could probably just have kept them on Zul'Dare the entire time but... floating iceberg fortress! Shut-up.
Woodworking
Woodworking has been tossed around as a profession since WoW launched, so that was a natural fit. The problem has been that besides staves and bows, what else would they really make? Not much else for current gear fits. So I came up with the extra items that I hope someone from Blizzard stumbles on here and reads because I really want them in the game. Also I decided to lump the gathering portion in with the regular profession (thanks archaeology!) or find myself making yet another gathering profession. I've seen people pair it with herbalism, but I just don't really see that as a good fit. "Look, I made a staff out of Peacebloom!" Yeah. No.
Storage Crates just made sense, people have been complaining about bag space and Blizzard has said that bags just can't keep getting larger and larger. Think how handy it would be if you could just, for example, keep all your raiding potions/food/etc tucked away in a single bag slot that you just plop on the ground to grab what you need when you need it. Or rep items, or cooking mats that you can just stock up until you're ready to sit down and work on your skill-ups.
Amberstones. I want them. Make them.
I'm kind of "meh" on charms, I just thought Woodworking needed another perk to fully flesh it out. I don't know how great of an idea it is, but it's what I came up with. I was just going to have them be an inventory item like Diablo II, but then I realized it would be kind of silly (as in really really stupid) for a profession to help people clean up their inventory with one item just to clutter it up with another, so I made them new character item slots.