8.0 New Expansion pet ideas/wishes
Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 11:51 pm
So with Blizzcon 2017 fairly near, and with MMO-Champion being filled with lots of fake 'next expansion' leak threads, I figured it might be fun to give our idea of what new pets the next expansion might deliver, either based on desire, or based on what you think the next expansion is going to be like in all likelihood.
I will be going with the assumption that we're dealing with a South Seas expansion for 8.0. Kul Tiras, Tel'Abim, Zandalar and Nazjatar.
New looks for old families/new families out of old models
Pterrorwings
Location: Zandalar, Isle of Thunder, Isle of Giants, Un'goro Crater
With Zandalar as a zone, that brings trolls back into the picture. This would be the perfect opportunity to make Pterrorwings and Skyscreamers a new family out of an old mob, much like Stags in WoD with Talbuks relevant again.
Similarly, two model variations of two already tameable friends could be made available to players for the same reason:
Abyss Worms
Location: Nazjatar
Introduced in 7.2/7.2.5, Abyss Worms have an obvious Naga/Old God theme, being part of a Mistress Sazz'ine boss battle, as well as having a mount version dropped by her. This could be either part of a new family or the existing serpent family. Would be numerous in Nazjatar, of course.
Widows
Location: Undermine? Old World
Legion introduced two new spider mounts, neither of which are tameable. One because it's a demonic species, and the other - supposedly because it's a 2 million gold mount. Still I think this model would work well. Maybe in the Undermine? Lots of potential for different skins/colorations. The model is already there - would be a shame not to make use of it.
Tarantulas
Location: Tel'Abim, Kul Tiras, Kezan, Old World
Perfect for Tel'Abim. The Tarantula model is quite old (11+ years now?) and hasn't received an update since then. I'm gonna be honest and say I think it currently looks atrocious. I think the eyes on it are flat and painted on, to make matters worse. Yes, I do think there's a huge opportunity for improvement with a HD update of the tarantula model. Comparing old wolf models to new ones, Blizzard could make them look quite fluffy and cool. There's also lots of potential for vivid colors and patterns.
Crabs
Location: Tel'Abim, Kul Tiras, Kezan, Nazjatar, Old World
Similar to Tarantulas, although I'd be willing to say they aged a little bit better. I'd also think these would fit in well around Kezan and Tel'Abim. If they're based on the classic models, there's also a lot of room for improvement that can make them look great. I want to like crabs, but I just don't like the Cataclysm ones, whereas I do like the classic ones, but they look too old for me to have running next to my WoD model character. As an aside, I bet coconut crabs would fit Tel'Abim really well, too.
Pythons
Location: Tel'Abim, Kezan, Kul Tiras, Old World
Long overdue, these models, introduced in Mists of Pandaria could fit almost anywhere. This model being untameable was always a bit of a headscratcher to me. The classic critter ones I could understand, not these ones. Maybe the animations?
New looks for old families/new families out of old models
Centipedes
Location: Tel'Abim
Tel'Abim once more. WoD introduced concept art of centipedes, but they sadly never made it into the game proper. I thought Tanaan was a perfect location for them, but WoD had many other problems at the time than just a species of beast not being present. I think these could be cool in Tel'Abim all the same, would also make a great rare drop/faction mount. They would look great creeping through Tel'Abim's forests, hanging from caves, climbing through trees. Also could have various colors, from more earthy and dark to bright and patterned. Could have any ability, an incapacitating venom (stun),
a digging ability, constricting ability. (stun)
Squid/Octopi/Kraken
Location: Nazjatar, Kul Tiras, Tel Abim, Zandalar
How can you go wrong with a tentacly pet like this in an Old God expansion? These lack walking/running animations right now, but they could be given. The Ozumat-type model could make for a great rare/challenge/tracking pet model deep in the sea. A constricting/silencing ability.
Jumping Spiders
Location: Tel'Abim, Kezan, Kul Tiras
I've been enamored with the concept of having a large jumping spider at your side as a pet. They would definitely look very cool in Tel'Abim, jumping from trees and leaping on prey. These surprisingly intelligent and cool looking arachnids could definitely be part of the regular spider family, but it would be really cool especially if they had an actual leaping ability, maybe a peacocking bonus/play ability. I especially enjoy how fun the idle animations could be, with how curiously jumping spiders move.
Spinosaurus
Location: Zandalar
Another dino type for the trolls! These semi-aquatic theropods are definitely interesting to me, even more so since they underwent a redesign. I would definitely enjoy seeing WoW's interpretation of the new spinos as ingame pets. If they were to go with the older, more Jurassic Park-esque version, they would probably fit just fine in the Devilsaur family. If made their own family, their ability could be to give a swimming speed buff to the hunter.
Snap Dragons
Location: Nazjatar, Kul Tiras
These seem more like an inevitability than a possibility. These lizard-like creatures are trained by Naga and are effective both on land and in water. They are agile and able to spit acid. I'd like to see more slender lizards, more similar to Warp Stalkers, rather than the big, beefy ones like basilisk. Acid-spit ability, no doubt.
I will be going with the assumption that we're dealing with a South Seas expansion for 8.0. Kul Tiras, Tel'Abim, Zandalar and Nazjatar.
New looks for old families/new families out of old models
Pterrorwings
Location: Zandalar, Isle of Thunder, Isle of Giants, Un'goro Crater
With Zandalar as a zone, that brings trolls back into the picture. This would be the perfect opportunity to make Pterrorwings and Skyscreamers a new family out of an old mob, much like Stags in WoD with Talbuks relevant again.
Similarly, two model variations of two already tameable friends could be made available to players for the same reason:
Abyss Worms
Location: Nazjatar
Introduced in 7.2/7.2.5, Abyss Worms have an obvious Naga/Old God theme, being part of a Mistress Sazz'ine boss battle, as well as having a mount version dropped by her. This could be either part of a new family or the existing serpent family. Would be numerous in Nazjatar, of course.
Widows
Location: Undermine? Old World
Legion introduced two new spider mounts, neither of which are tameable. One because it's a demonic species, and the other - supposedly because it's a 2 million gold mount. Still I think this model would work well. Maybe in the Undermine? Lots of potential for different skins/colorations. The model is already there - would be a shame not to make use of it.
Tarantulas
Location: Tel'Abim, Kul Tiras, Kezan, Old World
Perfect for Tel'Abim. The Tarantula model is quite old (11+ years now?) and hasn't received an update since then. I'm gonna be honest and say I think it currently looks atrocious. I think the eyes on it are flat and painted on, to make matters worse. Yes, I do think there's a huge opportunity for improvement with a HD update of the tarantula model. Comparing old wolf models to new ones, Blizzard could make them look quite fluffy and cool. There's also lots of potential for vivid colors and patterns.
Crabs
Location: Tel'Abim, Kul Tiras, Kezan, Nazjatar, Old World
Similar to Tarantulas, although I'd be willing to say they aged a little bit better. I'd also think these would fit in well around Kezan and Tel'Abim. If they're based on the classic models, there's also a lot of room for improvement that can make them look great. I want to like crabs, but I just don't like the Cataclysm ones, whereas I do like the classic ones, but they look too old for me to have running next to my WoD model character. As an aside, I bet coconut crabs would fit Tel'Abim really well, too.
Pythons
Location: Tel'Abim, Kezan, Kul Tiras, Old World
Long overdue, these models, introduced in Mists of Pandaria could fit almost anywhere. This model being untameable was always a bit of a headscratcher to me. The classic critter ones I could understand, not these ones. Maybe the animations?
New looks for old families/new families out of old models
Centipedes
Location: Tel'Abim
Tel'Abim once more. WoD introduced concept art of centipedes, but they sadly never made it into the game proper. I thought Tanaan was a perfect location for them, but WoD had many other problems at the time than just a species of beast not being present. I think these could be cool in Tel'Abim all the same, would also make a great rare drop/faction mount. They would look great creeping through Tel'Abim's forests, hanging from caves, climbing through trees. Also could have various colors, from more earthy and dark to bright and patterned. Could have any ability, an incapacitating venom (stun),
a digging ability, constricting ability. (stun)
Squid/Octopi/Kraken
Location: Nazjatar, Kul Tiras, Tel Abim, Zandalar
How can you go wrong with a tentacly pet like this in an Old God expansion? These lack walking/running animations right now, but they could be given. The Ozumat-type model could make for a great rare/challenge/tracking pet model deep in the sea. A constricting/silencing ability.
Jumping Spiders
Location: Tel'Abim, Kezan, Kul Tiras
I've been enamored with the concept of having a large jumping spider at your side as a pet. They would definitely look very cool in Tel'Abim, jumping from trees and leaping on prey. These surprisingly intelligent and cool looking arachnids could definitely be part of the regular spider family, but it would be really cool especially if they had an actual leaping ability, maybe a peacocking bonus/play ability. I especially enjoy how fun the idle animations could be, with how curiously jumping spiders move.
Spinosaurus
Location: Zandalar
Another dino type for the trolls! These semi-aquatic theropods are definitely interesting to me, even more so since they underwent a redesign. I would definitely enjoy seeing WoW's interpretation of the new spinos as ingame pets. If they were to go with the older, more Jurassic Park-esque version, they would probably fit just fine in the Devilsaur family. If made their own family, their ability could be to give a swimming speed buff to the hunter.
Snap Dragons
Location: Nazjatar, Kul Tiras
These seem more like an inevitability than a possibility. These lizard-like creatures are trained by Naga and are effective both on land and in water. They are agile and able to spit acid. I'd like to see more slender lizards, more similar to Warp Stalkers, rather than the big, beefy ones like basilisk. Acid-spit ability, no doubt.