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World of Warcraft secrets revealed!
World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King - secrets revealed!
The creators of World of Warcraft tells Tiscali Games all about the latest expansion pack to the most popular online RPG of all time.
Q: What are the features of the new expansion?
A: Wrath of the Lich King builds on the rich foundation established in World of Warcraft and The Burning Crusade, providing a wealth of new content for players to explore. The harsh, forbidding continent of Northrend, home of the Lich King and his undead minions, will be uncovered on the world map, and to contend with the new challenges found there, players will be able to advance to level 80, acquiring potent new abilities and talents along the way.
In addition, Wrath of the Lich King will introduce the death knight hero class to World of Warcraft. Once certain criteria are met, players will be able to create a new death knight character, which will start at a high level. Furthermore, player-vs.-player battles will reach a new level of intensity with the addition of siege weapons and destructible buildings, not to mention a new battleground. There will also be an abundance of new quests, dungeons, monsters, items, and recipes - as well as a new profession, inscription - for players to try out.
Q: How will the death knight class fit into the game?
A: The death knight combines martial prowess with dark, necromantic energies. The death knight is the first hero class in World of Warcraft; once certain criteria are met, players will unlock the ability to create a new death knight character, which will begin play at a high experience level. We're currently exploring various options for how the death knight will play and the types of abilities at its disposal, and we'll be revealing more information about this new class as we get further along in development.
Q: What role will the death knight play in groups and raids?
A: In general terms, the death knight can be considered a type of class that combines damage dealing and tanking, but naturally it will have an array of unique abilities as well.
Q: What races will be allowed to play death knights?
A: We haven't yet made a final determination about which races can be death knights. However, the class will be available to both the Alliance and the Horde.
Q: Will there be additional hero classes in the future
A: Yes, we do intend to add more hero classes in the future, but right now our focus is on the current expansion.
Q: Can you discuss some of the new talents and abilities that will be available from level 70 to level 80?
A: As with character advancement up to level 70, players will gain access to an array of potent and exciting new abilities and talents as they make their way from level 70 to level 80. However, it's still too early to get into specifics on these.
Q: How long will it take to advance from level 70 to level 80?
A: We were pleased with the pacing from level 60 to level 70 in The Burning Crusade, and we intend to take a similar approach to pacing character advancement in Wrath of the Lich King. However, the specific amount of time that it will take players to reach level 80 will vary widely based on play style.
Q: What can you reveal about Northrend?
A: The first area of Northrend we’re showcasing is the Howling Fjord, a region of grasslands overlooking massive cliffs at the southeastern edge of the continent. This, along with the Borean Tundra, is the front line of the war against Arthas, and players will come face to face with his minions as soon as they set foot on Northrend. Eventually, as players progress further, they will explore the Grizzly Hills, Dragonblight, and more. We’ll be showing off some of these new areas in the months ahead.
Q: What's the level requirement to enter Northrend?
A: Players of any level who have purchased the expansion can visit Northrend. However, all of the content is designed for players level 68 and up.
Q: How many new dungeons will be in the expansion?
A: The first dungeon players will enter is Utgarde Keep, which is intended for five players around level 70. Utgarde is inhabited by the Vrykul, a Viking-like race bent on proving their strength to the Lich King, who will raise the most worthy of their warriors to serve him beyond the grave. We intend to provide a variety of dungeons comparable to that in The Burning Crusade and will be revealing more details about some of these in the months ahead.
Q: Do you plan to continue with the 25-player model for raids?
A: Yes. We've been pleased with the tactics, intensity, and variety of the 25-player raid model, and plan to continue with it.
Q: Will the new dungeons have heroic versions?
A: Yes. We feel that the heroic versions of dungeons are a great way to add another level of challenge and reward for experienced players, and we intend to continue creating these variants.
Q: What can you reveal about the new profession coming with the expansion?
A: The Inscription profession will allow players to permanently enhance their own spells and abilities and those of other players. We'll provide more specific details on the mechanics of this new profession in the months ahead.
Q: What can players expect with regard to player-vs.-player combat in the expansion?
A: Players will be able to take control of siege weapons and use them to destroy opposing buildings, adding a new layer of complexity to PvP battles. Naturally, we'll be providing some fun places to put these new tools to good use, and we'll be revealing more information about them in the months ahead, in addition to the new battleground content being added.
Q: Do you need to own the expansion to play with friends who have it?
A: There will be many aspects of the expansion that will be available to all players. However, in order to experience certain content, such as Northrend, or be able to play as a death knight, players must purchase the expansion.
Q: When will the expansion be released? How much will it cost? A: We have not yet announced a release date for the expansion set. However, we expect to announce further details, including the release date and price, on our community website in the months ahead.
