u/SafironDracolich

To be honest, I never thought a true overhaul for Warcraft III: Reforged would actually happen; when rumors of an upcoming update surfaced, I remained skeptical right up until BlizzCon. But when I witnessed this LEGENDARY update, I was pleasantly surprised—not just by the new campaign and graphics, but by all the changes made to the game. The presentation of the new campaign and its visuals was so beautiful that it makes me wish the original campaigns had received that same level of polish and updating!

Regarding the graphics, I hadn't expected us to get the look we’d always wanted—something reminiscent of the models in Heroes of the Storm and the classic game (I won't mention Rumble, as that’s a different beast entirely—and frankly, comparing them feels like an insult). The new graphics blended so well with the new cutscenes and the campaign as a whole that I’m desperate to see the same treatment applied to Reign of Chaos and The Frozen Throne!

But the truth is... when you look closely, flaws start to appear. The new graphics are pleasing to the eye, sure, but there are some truly creepy models—like the children. That’s not to mention the unfinished portraits that trigger the "uncanny valley" effect, or the icons for units, buildings, and death remains that look like a mix of old and new assets. It clearly suggests they were short on time and plan to keep refining things. It’s also funny to see models using Reforged animations and effects; you notice things like death sounds not syncing with animations—like with the Abomination—or the way Undead buildings are constructed. If you compare them, you can see the models are new, but the animations are straight out of Reforged. Sometimes you even run into assets lifted directly from Reforged, like rats, chickens, crates, barrels, and so on.

You know, the Reforged graphics actually aren't that bad. With the right approach—proper lighting and all that—they could have been even better, but they’ll likely just be abandoned in favor of the new visuals. It’s a bit of a shame, really; the third-party team hired for the job did put in the effort... though the problem was that the style didn't match the cartoonish look we know and love—which is why people disliked it—and during combat, everything just turned into a visual mess. I’m bringing this up because of a post ( https://www.reddit.com/r/warcraft3/comments/1wflwu5/a_closer_look_at_definitive_edition_style_and/ ) a friend of mine made about what’s wrong with the new graphics. If you look at the building models, for instance, you can spot textures that were clearly generated by a neural network. It makes you wonder: who was actually working on the buildings? Were there really so few artists capable of doing it themselves instead of relying on AI?

I really, really hope that support for the game doesn't end here. I hope they fix the new graphics—specifically the textures—add new campaigns, rework the old ones to fit the new visual style, and include proper localization and voice acting (especially Russian). Not the half-baked job they did in 2020, but what was originally planned. I’m hoping for the best for Warcraft III: Reforged.

​Don't get me wrong, the cinematic is well-made and genuinely beautiful—because SUCH IS THE POWER OF NAGASH! But at the same time... it portrays the situation as completely idiotic and illogical. Why? Because after the cinematic, we have to destroy Settra—YET SETTRA WAS DESTROYED RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES IN THAT VERY INTRO! It feels like the video was actually meant to show the aftermath of the battle between Nagash and Settra and the subsequent subjugation of Nehekhara's forces; that would have made far more sense. It would have been much more logical if Nagash had started at Nagashizzar! There is a clear disconnect between the intro cinematic and what Nagash actually has to do at the start of the game. Of course, one could argue they were just giving us a sneak peek of what to expect when playing as Nagash—destroying Settra, raising the Black Pyramid, and so on—but honestly, I dont know what say

​Of course, we simply need to wait for the gameplay reveal for Nagash, however, recalling the interviews following the LotET announcement, I hope the developers are still committed to making Nagash’s campaign engaging and ensuring a genuine sense of progression—making the experience of playing as him truly compelling as he rises to power by expanding his domains, constructing Necropolises, and utilizing the Black Pyramid mechanic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UcdP4vcARk

If Nagash really does start in the Black Pyramid, as the endgame description suggests, and then moves on to Nagashizzar, then perhaps it would be worth making Nagash's campaign more challenging, given his all-powerful nature and ability to recruit armies? Not to mention Settra, who should be Nagash's main threat, with more and more factions declaring war on him with every captured city, just to keep Nagash. Although perhaps it would be worth moving his start to Nagashizzar—which, by the way, you created with a unique map and architecture based on his culture—so that the Black Pyramid becomes the primary early-game objective. Of course, there will be those who argue that starting in the Black Pyramid is the right idea... but I still doubt that's true. Considering Nagash started the game from his capital, I'm hoping for either a more challenging Black Pyramid start or a Nagashizzar start.

Given that in the tabletop game Nagash’s faction served as a unifying force for the Vampire Counts and Tomb Kings, simply starting him at Nagashizzar and recoloring existing undead unit cards to match his theme isn't enough; it would be great if he received some additional units as well. After all, if the Cult of Ulric got a full roster of units, why not do the same for Nagash to help more distinguish his faction from the other undead races? There is certainly room to add units like the Nagashizzar Guard and Knights, Bone Golems, and so on. I hope they do more for Nagash by the time of release.

​I know the Nagash DLC hasn't been released yet and will likely be released either on the 27th (during Gamescon) or September 1st, so let's ask ourselves...what else might the undead factions get after Nagash? Of course, most units will be included in this DLC (and Nagash is expected to receive his own unique unit roster), but there are still unit variations and characters from 8th Edition that are expected to appear in the game. Therefore, I decided to compile a list of units for the CG that have a chance of getting their own mini-DLC:

-Ramhotep/Sehenesment LL. Since they are both construct specialists, the question is which of them will be LL and which LG;

-Prince Apophas LH;

-Nekaph LH. Although, in my opinion, this character should appear for Settra after the Nagash DLC release. Because if not in this DLC, then he should definitely appear in the mini DLC;

-Regarding the regular lord, we can assume Lord Necrotect, since we have a lord and hero associated with kings. The Nagash DLC will feature a Lich Priest. Since there's a hero, why not fill the void associated with Necrotect lords?

-Ushabti (with a great weapon);

-Bone Giant (with dual blades and a great weapon), and a melee unit is even depicted in the concept;

-Tomb Swarm (and Prince Apophas will buff them, which makes sense);

-Bone Ballista (that would be cool, but that's still questionable).

Of course, we could add skeletons with axes, but they seem more suited to minor patches as FLC units.

As for vampires... it's complicated and ambiguous, because if we rely on 8th and previous editions, we can scrape together just a little bit for a mini DLC:

-Zacharias the Everliving LL;

-Konrad von Carstein LH (since we NEEDS to complete the von Carstein line);

-Lich Lord L (although in my opinion they should be intended for Nagash);

-Cairn Wraith LH (buffing wraiths);

-Bat Swarm;

-Zombie Dragon;

-Winged Nightmare (if it doesn't work with Nagash, then it would be perfect for the Zachariah theme).

And of course, there's the Red Duke, because if the Empire has its own rivals in the form of the von Carstein vampires, why not do something similar for Bretonnia, just with the Red Duke? We've been waiting 10 years, and they still haven't made him LL. Although, if we add the Black Grail Knights, we could make Mallobod and the Red Duke an unlockable LL for the Blood Dragon bloodline. So, what do you think and see for TK and VC? Regarding zombie pirates, don't expect any DLC, as it seems like a minor patch might rework with Drekla as an initial LL for Luther, and an unlockable and dead Merwyrm for everyone else.

Maybe we'll see the Guards and Knights of Nagashizzar, the Elementals of Death, the Lords of Plague, the Beasts of Chaos, etc.?

Since CA is making improvements to AI (but at the same time there will be double the effort after the rework of Sieges) and the fact that DLC The End of Time will be released soon, what do you think...Will AI systems for recruiting armies from Chaos Warriors, especially Archaon, fix it if they don't include the Chaos invasion?

Yes, yes, yes, I know perfectly well that CA said that Neferata would be shown to us on the stream approximately when she was ready. But tyft is still terribly interested in what they can promote? And will they show us something related to Nagash in terms of his animations, mechanics, and the like? Because we were shown animations of new LPS and units for the Empire (Boris) and for the Warriors of Chaos (Glottkin), but at the same time we did not see anything related to the undead after the presentation of the 25th anniversary of CA. Which is why we would like to see something related to the undead, because we still hope that DLC will be released sometime, if not at the end of August, then at least in early September.

As part of the 8th edition (the book about Tamurkhan), we have implemented almost all units and characters, with the exception of the Siege Giant of Chaos. And after he finally appears, the question is...It turns out that after this, the Chaos Dwarves can be considered closed? And if so, then it will be possible to make a small update related to Gort the Cruel, that is, to give him a unique model, voice cues and abilities, and in Zharr-Naggrund to give a couple of unique buildings. This will motivate players to take Gort first, so that he can give buffs and other bonuses to the Chaos Dwarf faction.

Since Nagash appears in the game bringing his own endgame with him, the question is, what will happen to the endgame related to Nagash's Black Pyramid? Will Nagash simply be replaced by those who have taken control of the Pyramid and will use its power to wage war on others? Or by including both the Black Pyramid and Nagash at the same time, will they be one?

The fact that you updated the textures for Archaon and updated the animations for Chaos Warriors is great! But at the same time, we can't stop here at Chaos, when we need to update models and animations for vampires, for dwarves, greenskins, and the empire in the end. And even more so, to return the forgotten battle animations from the second part, such as how Malekith and Tyrion fight, or how dragons fight in the sky, etc. This is not to mention that there were other animations for the same Skulltaker. And I really hope that you will hear this and recreate the care and quality of the old races.

Since he is the only one of the characters of the 8th edition of vampires who remains, knowing that we can expect the implementation of the remaining units and mounts, maybe he will also be added? And that's because VC needs LH, especially since it would be possible to add a Cairn Wraiths as a hero giving buffs for ghosts.

Since Archaon's model will be updated in terms of texture, just like his horse, it's certainly very cool...but at the same time, such an update is necessary not only for Archaon, but also for other characters of the 1st part, for Karl Franz, Mannfred, Vlad, etc. Not only in the improved textures, but also in the combat animations as the current animations look outdated. Moreover, it would be cool if the improved textures would be for the units from the first and second parts so that it would be more harmonious.

Yes, I understand perfectly well that it's too early to talk about it, considering that Neferata and Nagash will be added soon. However, the question is that VC still has a lot of characters that could be added to the game, not to mention the Red Duke, Konrad von Carstein, and of course I would like to mention Zachariah the Eternal. Since it would be possible to add a couple of units with it, for example, Winged Horrors, Wicker People and the like, so that it would be in the theme of Necrarchs, but at the same time, who knows if the GW would give the go-ahead for this matter and with whom it could be added. Of course, there was the thought of a mini DLC associated with each vampire bloodline, but it would have made more sense if Neferata had been in it. And so...who knows?

Since we're likely to see the news sometime next week or after next week, I'm wondering what you're most looking forward to? While we are still waiting for the 8.1 patch related to the improvement of AI, we would actually like to see that AI has started recruiting more elite units. For all the same, we can see how the AI is gaining everything from 1st-rank units to elite ones, although in fact it should go with elite units on the 40-50 moves (it's not even worth talking about Archaon). And we are not talking about public order, about corruption, which CA told us about. As for the combat AI...it's more likely that they will fix it with patches. And at the same time, I really hope that they will fix the bug where flying units, heroes and lords were immediately the first to go and did not have priorities by type of reinforcement, where the enemy's ally appears closer, but the AI divided the armies by sending both the player and the enemy reinforcements at the same time. This is not yet talking about the balance of the last three DLCs with Powercreep, where you need to make balance edits. What do you expect from the DLC Lords of the End of Times? Moreover, I would like the fantasy Warhammer to be on par with 40k and go hand in hand in terms of game quality.

P.S Since we have been informed that Josh is currently collecting materials for the stream, we should expect a stream either next week between Tuesday or Thursday, or Tuesday the 31st. As expected

Since we will get the Middenland culture in the End-Time DLC, I had a thought about how they can make a mini DLC for the Empire after the End of Time. And here we start with Luther Huss, whose body was possessed by the Nameless. Here I'm thinking that CA can add Luther and Walten as LH at the same time. For if you need to do a quest for Walten like destroying the number of enemies, then Luther may be treated in such a way that he will need to be freed from the Nameless One, thereby making him another LH for the Empire. After that, we will have: Kurt Helborg, Ludwig Schwarzhelm and Marius Leitdorf. And we're moving on to what units and lords we can be given in the Character Pack:

Kurt Helborg LL,

Ludwig Schwarzhelm LH,

Marius Leitdorf FLC LL,

Grand Master L,

it's hard to say about the hero...here, at your discretion,

the Knights of the Griffin,

Sigmarites (like the Teutogen Wars but from the Recline)

Аnd some variation of the steam tank, like the Chaos Dwarves.

That after that, the Empire can be considered completed, unless, of course, CA comes up with something new and GW gives the go-ahead for it.

Since this is also a long-standing problem, since Lord AI flew first to attack, thereby exposing himself and his army. And I hope that this will be fixed too, because I would like the AI to also use abilities, be it dragon's breath or something else without exposing itself.