World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria

World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria
Official Logo
Developer(s)	Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher(s)	Blizzard Entertainment
Series	Warcraft
Release date(s)	TBA
Genre(s)	Fantasy, MMORPG
Mode(s)	Online
Media/distribution	DVD DL, digital distribution

World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria is the fourth World of Warcraft expansion pack. It was announced on October 21, 2011 by Chris Metzen at BlizzCon 2011.^[1]

Overview

Mists of Pandaria will raise the level cap from level 85 to 90. It will introduce a new class, Monk, along with the new playable race Pandaren. The vanity pet system will be overhauled and will include a pet battle system. New PVE scenarios will be introduced, and Challenge Modes will be added for dungeons^[2]. The existing 31-point talent trees will be replaced by a new system of tiered talents that are awarded every 15 levels. Blizzard has stated that there are plans for nine new dungeons, three new raids, and four new battlegrounds.^[2][3]

Plot and setting

Discovery of Pandaria is made after a naval battle between the Horde and the Alliance. It had previously been hidden by magic since The Sundering^[3][2].

Pandaria

Pandaria is a new continent that will be located south of the Azeroth continent, opposite of Northrend^[4]. Several zones have been announced, including the Jade Forest, Valley of the Four Winds, Vale of Eternal Blossoms, Townlong Steppes, and the Kun-Lai Summit. The Jade Forest will be the first zone, and the entry point for the Alliance and Horde. It will feature lush rainforest and stone spires, and introduce the player to the Hozu and Jinyu races. It will contain the Temple of the Jade Serpent, one of the new dungeons, and introduce the Sha enemy. The Valley of the Four Winds will include Pandaren farm lands, with a coastal jungle. The Stormstout Brewery, another new dungeon, is located in the valley.

The Wandering Isle

The Wandering Isle is a roaming giant turtle^[2] where player character Pandarens begin their adventure, which they leave after choosing a faction^[5].

Creatures and enemies

Pandaria will play host to new races that the players will encounter. One is the Jinyu, a race that is similar to the Murlocs and Naga.^[6] There will be the Hozu, a monkey like race, and the 'Verming, who are related to Kobolds. The Mantids are an insectoid race with some of Pandaria's raids planned on them. Players will encounter the Mogu, who were the first to inhabit Pandaria, and the Sha, who are "the manifestation of negative energy on Pandaria".^[7]

Game play

Blizzard has announced that players will not be able to fly in Pandaria until they have reached the maximum level^[3]. There will be auction houses scattered across the five zones of Pandaria^[8].

Monk class

Monks use an energy-like resource called "Chi" to power basic abilities like Jab and Roll.^[9][2] The basic Jab attack is used to generate Light and Dark forces, which are then used for more advanced attacks^[9]. The monk class does not have an auto-attack like the other classes.^[9][3]. The monk class has three specializations known as: Brewmaster (tanking), Windwalker (melee damage), and Mistweaver (healing)^[9]. Some details of the healing specialization have included that it will heal through "proximity" based heals, by dropping statues that pulse healing as they perform attacks on the enemy target^[9][2]. Blizzard announced that choosing the healing specialization will give the monk a mana bar like other healers. Monks will wear the leather armor class. Every race except Goblin and Worgen can be a monk.

Pandaren race

Unlike previous races in World of Warcraft, which are tied to either the Alliance or Horde in-game factions, Pandaren are reported to be faction-neutral for the early levels of the game. Until level 10 the Pandaren player character is faction-less and then the player chooses to align with either the Horde or the Alliance^[3]. The languages reported to be known by Pandarians are Common and Pandarian. In an interview with Kat Hunter, Chris Metzen jokingly said the languages had not yet been chosen but Pig Latin was a strong candidate^[10].

Announcement and development

MMO-Champion reported the possibility of Mists of Pandaria being the new expansion title based on a trademark application by Blizzard submitted on July 28, 2011 and approved August 2, 2011 trademarking the title "Mists of Pandaria"^[11].

Blizzcon 2011

On October 21, 2011 Chris Metzen announced Mists of Pandaria during the opening ceremonies.

References

1. ^ "World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria Revealed at BlizzCon 2011". Blizzard Entertainment. 2011-10-21. http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/press/pressreleases.html?id=3780096. Retrieved 2011-10-28. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Park, Andrew (2011-10-22). "World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria Preview Panel Reveals Big Changes". http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/world-of-warcraft-mists-of-pandaria/news/6341773/world-of-warcraft-mists-of-pandaria-preview-panel-reveals-big-changes. Retrieved 2011-10-28. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d e} Johnson, Leif (2011-10-23). "BlizzCon 2011: Mists of Pandaria Overview". http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/world-of-warcraft-mists-of-pandaria/1210511p1.html. Retrieved 2011-10-28. 
4. ^ Boubouille (2011-10-27). "Tyrael's Charger, PTR Build 14899, Mists of Pandaria Live Developer Q&A". http://www.mmo-champion.com/content/2532-Tyrael-s-Charger-PTR-Build-14899-Mists-of-Pandaria-Live-Developer-Q-A. Retrieved 2011-10-28. 
5. ^ Cory Stockton during World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria presentation at Blizzcon October 21, 2011 15:00 CST
6. ^ Cory Stockton explanation at Blizzcon on October 21, 2011
7. ^ Cory Stockton explanation at Blizzcon on October 21, 2011
8. ^ Announcement at Blizzcon 14:39 October 21, 2011
9. ^ ^{a b c d e} McCurley, Mathew (2011-10-28). "Ghostcrawler introduces you to the Pandaren monk". http://wow.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/ghostcrawler-introduces-you-to-the-pandaren-monk/. Retrieved 2011-10-28. 
10. ^ Chris Metzen during interview with Kat Hunter at Blizzcon October 21, 2011 14:14 CST
11. ^ Boubouille (2011-08-02). "Mists of Pandaria". http://www.mmo-champion.com/content/2399-Mists-of-Pandaria. Retrieved 2011-10-28. 

External links

• Official Mists of Pandaria site
• Teaser Trailer on YouTube