Exploring Guardians of the Dream Patch 10.2 including Story, Upgrade System Revamp, and Dragonriding Mounts - Interview

Continuing the Dragonflight Patch 10.2 hype train, we present an interview with Assistant Game Director Morgan Day and Senior Game Designer Patrick Scarborough. In this exciting discussion, they delved into the details of the upcoming content, Guardians of the Dream!

Story Updates

The latest cinematic for Fury Incarnate has left players on the edge of their seats and Guardians of the Dream is here to continue the thrilling storyline set in motion by Vyranoth. One of the notable updates in this patch is the introduction of a new renown track for The Dream Wardens. Similar to the Niffen from Zaralek Caverns, this track is expected to have around 20 ranks for players to progress through.

While there are no planned updates for previous renown tracks at the moment, the development team hasn't ruled out the possibility of revisiting them in the future. However, for now, their primary focus lies on the Emerald Dream and the Dream Wardens.

A key element of the recent patches has been the exploration of specific Primal Incarnates and Dragonflights, which adds depth to the overarching narrative. Fractures in Time centered around Iridikron and the Bronze Dragonflight, and now Guardians of the Dream shines the spotlight on Fyrakk and the Green Dragonflight. It's important to note that new players might have missed some crucial context if they haven't leveled older renowns. The team is actively looking for ways to help them catch up so they can fully immerse themselves in the story.

The developers have neither confirmed nor denied whether Patch 10.2 will be the final major content patch. However, they have made it clear that it's certainly not the end of the story. They are excited for players to witness what lies ahead after Guardians of the Dream.

As for the release date, the rumors suggesting that it may coincide with BlizzCon have been debunked. The developers have not yet announced a specific release date.

Superbloom Events

Guardians of the Dream brings a new collaborative event called Superbloom. This multistage public event is reminiscent of Research Under Fire in Zaralek Caverns or the Soup in Iskaara. Players can expect whacky powers, including an army of rescued baby moonkins bombarding enemies with lasers.

Taking feedback from previous events, the developers have made changes so that players will receive the biggest reward upon completing the event for the first time each week. However, there are additional rewards for those who continue to participate in subsequent completions.

Dreamsurges

Similar to previous Storm and Assault events, Dreamsurges will continue to happen in Patch 10.2. Players can look forward to more exciting activities and challenges to keep the gameplay experience fresh and engaging.

The Emerald Dream

One of the highlights of Patch 10.2 is the exploration of a vast portion of the Emerald Dream. This area is not only expansive but also offers the unique ability for players to ride dragons. It is said to be at least as large as the Ohn'ahran Plains, providing players with a distinct and unexpected environment unlike anything seen in the regular World of Warcraft game.

However, players must remember that they are merely visitors in the realm of the Emerald Dream. Venturing too far out of bounds will result in a gentle return to their original location, accompanied by a feeling of drowsiness.

Dragonriding

Guardians of the Dream introduces new Dragonriding Glyphs, abilities, and traits for players to discover. These additions will enhance the existing Thrill of the Skies and Aerial Halt abilities, allowing for even more exhilarating dragonriding experiences.

Furthermore, players can look forward to obtaining several new Dragonriding mounts. Among them, a Faerie Dragon awarded from the campaign stands out as the first non-dragon Dragonriding mount. Additionally, players who have earned the Grotto Netherwing Drake from the Trading Post will have access to new customizations for their mount.

As of now, the Fire Owl mount is exclusive to the Dragon Isles and cannot be used for normal flying outside of the expansion zones. However, plans may change in the future.

The innovative Kalimdor Cup is just one of several experiments aimed at bringing Dragonriding to the older zones of the game. The datamined Outland Cup is still under development, but its launch date is yet to be determined.

PvP

For PvP enthusiasts, Battleground Blitz will introduce a solo queue rated battlegrounds system with its own rating system. This experimental feature involves significant technical changes that will enable players to engage in competitive matches on their own.

Upgrade System and Rewards

Building upon the universal upgrade system introduced in Embers of Neltharion, Patch 10.2 aims to refine the experience. Fragments will be completely removed, and Crests will be consolidated into the currency tab. Instead of receiving Crests that players have already reached the cap on, content will now reward the next level down. This adjustment ensures that players don't need to drop to lower levels of content to earn rewards.

The rate of upgrades will be reduced in Patch 10.2, with weekly caps being decreased from 10 to 6. However, players can expect an expanded Hero and Myth track. This means that initial upgrades may be slower compared to Embers of Neltharion. Still, players will have the opportunity to reach higher overall levels by the end of their progression.

Furthermore, the Great Vault will now include Heroic and Mythic+0 dungeons, providing more options for players to obtain rewards. These changes align with the weekly quests that require players to complete minimum level dungeons.

Participating in Timewalking dungeons will contribute towards populating the Great Vault. However, players need not worry about receiving items from different seasons. The system ensures that they will still receive items from the current season, regardless of the dungeons they complete.

Class Race Combos

Unfortunately, there won't be any new Class/Race combos available in Guardians of the Dream. However, the developers value the freedom of expression and experimentation within the game. While there are no new combos, there are still exciting updates for specific classes. Druids, for instance, can look forward to their own version of the Warlock Green Fire-like customization unlocks. These include new Moonkin forms and fiery customizations. Some of these unlockables are secret, while others can be earned from raid encounters. For example, players have the chance to obtain a special fire Druid form as a drop from a certain penultimate boss.

Conclusion

Patch 10.2, Guardians of the Dream, is shaping up to be an extraordinary addition to World of Warcraft. With a captivating storyline, exhilarating dragonriding experiences, and a host of new features and upgrades, players have much to anticipate. While the release date may still be unknown, the developers are dedicated to delivering exceptional content and ensuring that players continue to be enthralled in the ever-evolving world of Azeroth. Stay tuned for more updates and prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey through the realms of the Emerald Dream!