Just the other day developer Blizzard Entertainment released the latest expansion to MMORPG World of Warcraft, Dragonflight, that takes players back to Azeroth. In addition to the revamped talent system, enhanced UI/HUD, a bunch of accessibility updates, increased level cap and the new location, it also introduced a new playable race-class combo: the Dracthyr Evokers.
There is a certain glaring difference that sets the new addition apart from everything we have seen added to the game so far, even if you ignore it offering only two specs and being the first added class that features a Ranged DPS option. Namely, the combination is completely unique, only Dracthyr can be Evokers and at this point Evokers can only be Dracthyr.
The closest point of comparison comes in the previously added Hero Class, the Demon Hunter. But even then two races can choose to follow the way of the Illidari: Blood Elves for the Horde and Night Elves for the Alliance.
The Dracthyr’s unique situation is supported both through the lore of the game as well as its mechanical part.
When it comes to the story of the game, the Dracthyr are presented to be the creations of the previous Aspect of the Black Dragonflight, Neltharion also known as Deathwing. The meddling with the powers of the Aspects and even the creation of humanoid dragonkin are nothing new: Neltharion’s son Nefarian (also known as Blackwing) had his own go at combining the power of the five dragonflights in his Chromatic dragons but his efforts proved to be too volatile to be considered successful.
In the depths of Blackwing’s Descent raid, brave adventurers also have to fight dragonman Maloriak – another creation of Nefarian. According to the Adventure Guide’s description, “The human Malory was a bright young alchemist until he was kidnapped by Nefarian and fused with the corpse of a dragonspawn. The result – Maloriak – is a bumbling minion who possesses only a dull glimmer of his former intelligence.”
Of course, the picture won’t be complete without mentioning the Drakonid – the mortals empowered by the Dragonflight they serve, first transformed from the Tarasek on the Dragon Isles similarly to how Titans uplifted proto-drakes into the modern-day dragons. However, they take on the features of the flight they become a part of.
This is where Deathwing’s creation differs from everything we have seen before while still remaining true to Warcraft’s legacy. The great black dragon managed to create a race of humanoid dragonkin that have the ability to wield the magic of all five major dragonflights at once as well as shapeshift between their draconic form and humanoid visages.
When it comes to the gameplay, the Evokers are set apart from the other classes and firmly attached to the Dracthyr in a variety of ways. Not only are they using the powers of the five dragonflights that are usually unavailable to mortals, but the class also takes advantage of the increased mobility the Dracthyr have thanks to their wings and allows players to literally breathe fire at their enemies.
Yes, Mages can also do that through Dragon’s Breath, but it lacks style compared to the Dracthyr’s ability. Mages also do it via creating a spell that spews fire while the Dracthyr literally breathe it out of their own throats, sometimes while they are in the air.
Limiting the new Class only to a single, new race also allows Blizzard to avoid tinkering with animations for other models.
The addition of such a highly limited Class, especially coming right after the almost equally limited Demon Hunters that also have access to only two specs and are limited to only two races, raises an interesting question. Namely, what other equally specific or niche classes could be added to the game in the similar way.
When it comes to WoW with its highly developed lore, characters and history, it is no surprise that players always want more. More customization, mounts/pets/mogs, faction-specific gimmicks, races and, of course, Classes. The General Discussions section of the official forums frequently features threads like “Necromancers when?”, “Give us Dark Rangers”, “Witch Doctors & why we need them” – not to mention the topics dedicated to a possibility of new specializations for existing Classes such as the Shaman Earth-Warder Tank 4th spec or the return of the old Ranged Survival as Hunters’ 4th spec (yes, I’m still salty).
Previously, players had to justify it to themselves – and, hopefully, Blizzard – how a new Class would fit into the lore/gameplay of World of Warcraft and why it would make sense to “share” it among the various races of the Alliance and the Horde. For example, the Dark Rangers – which have traditionally only been Forsaken (usually the fallen High Elves that came to be associated with the name) – could also be made available to Night Elves as there was a score of them risen during the Fourth War such as Delarin Summermoon. Of course this particular choice is now a highly unlikely one due to the Return to Lordaeron/Dark Ranger customization options.
However, between the Demon Hunters and the Dracthyr Evokers, Blizzard has shown a trend of going for less universal combinations that could potentially include niche Classes that only allow one Horde & Alliance race or are assigned to a new race completely.
Among them, the frequently requested Tinkers, masters of all things created from scrap and duct tape, that could be seen among Gnomes and Goblins. Creating gadgets, throwing grenades and placing down turrets, all accompanied by mad laughter? Mythic+ would never be the same. Just think of Gazlowe’s kit in Heroes of the Storm.
Blood Elves also have their own form of anti-magic fighters in Spellbreakers, the practice that could be brought to the Alliance by the Void Elves – a splinter group of Thalassian elves. A chance to use glaives with shields like those fashionable Silvermoon Guardians? Yes, please! If it is entirely not enough elves in World of Elfcraft for you, perhaps BElves could share the craft with their Darnassian and Shalassian cousins.
Whether World of Warcraft actually needs more Classes and how Evokers and Demon Hunters correlate with Blizzard’s approach to making OG Classes more available, coming closer to the dream of Any Race, Any (Original) Class, is a whole different question.
Any particular class or spec you’d like to see added to the game? Let us know in the comments below.
