New Expansion Reveal GamesCom 2015

So Blizzard went to GamesCom this year in Cologne, Germany and actually had a booth set up for the event and everything because they were going to have a presentation for their catalog of games. What no one was expecting out of this was Blizzard doing an expansion reveal. That's what Blizzcon is for, right? Not this time!

With the reveal going down today, we're going to throw this post up as soon as the announcement is over with all the information revealed about the expansion posted right here. Because that's what we do around here.

Due to time constraints, I will have to update and polish this post later, but that's most of the specifics and information that was given at the panel and presentation.

Spoilers ahoy!

World of Warcraft: Legion

• At the end of the Hellfire Citadel raid encounter on Mythic, at the fall of Archimonde, Gul'dan is transported through the Legion portal to lands unknown. We find out later that he was transported to the Vault of the Wardens where he finds the entombed body of Illidan the Betrayer.
• Khadgar flies from Karazhan to Stormwind to inform King Varian and Prince Anduin that the Burning Legion has returned to Azeroth through the Tomb of Sargeras.
• We will look to the Titans for help by locating a set of relics called the Pillars of Creation located across the continent of the Broken Isles.
• Turalyon and Alleria finally return! Though Blizzard didn't give us any screen time of them.
• We are getting an improved transmogrification system, something akin to what Diablo 3 currently utilizes. Tom Chilton mentioned wanting to make this system work for World of Warcraft at a past BlizzCon but it wouldn't be ready for Warlords of Draenor or the expansion following it, looks like they amped up development on this project.
• More improvements in the works for the Group Finder tool to make the whole experience more social.
• Adventure to Level 110

• New Zone: Broken Isles, a land at the center of Azeroth that has been completely forgotten. It is a graveyard of sorts and we will be taking the fight to Gul'dan at the Tomb of Sargeras as the pre-expansion event. This is expected to be even larger in scope than the event before Warlords of Draenor.
• The demonic invasion we are going to experience is going to be the largest demonic invasion in the entire history of Azeroth, and we've seen what happened 10,000 years ago the first time around before the Great Sundering and the destruction of the Well of Eternity.
• New Capital Hub: Dalaran moves to the Broken Isles (From the map, it looks like Acherus is coming, too.)

• With a new zone also comes all new World Boss encounters!
• The Broken Shores: Not much is mentioned about this particular zone other than this is where the assault beings. This is where we take the fight to Gul'dan at the Tomb of Sargeras.
• Val'Sharah: Once the pinnacle of druidism, now a forgotten druid refuge. This is where Malfurion became the first druid under Cenarius. We will face Xavius and his satyr army here where he tries to unleash the Emerald Nightmare. Team up with Demigods and Ysera to fight this tide. Head into the Emerald Nightmare as part of this zone and see some of the Emerald Dream. This is also where Black Rook Hold is located.
• Stormheim: We uncover the fate of the vrykul that left Northrend. Halls of Valor and Hellheim, home to two Titan Keepers. Val'kyr and Kvaldir origins revealed in this zone. We also take the fight to the vrykul God King and his minions, as they have become pawns of the Legion.
• Azsuna: Once something very special. Ghosts of ancient Night Elves and a dying breed of the blue dragonflight. Home to the Nightfallen, exiled royalty from Suramar that were left to die. We are racing against Queen Azshara and her minions to uncover the Pillar of Creation.
• Highmountain: Home to the Highmountain Tauren. Keeper of the Relic of Kazgoroth. Rough terrain, it'll kill you. Visit the lair of the Earthwarden, Neltharian and get some answers. Nesingwary returns for a Big Hunt in this zone.
• Suramar: The heart of Suramar contains a new race of Elves. They are pawns of the Burning Legion and have the final relic. So we have to kill all of them, their Legion overlords, and Gul'dan to get the final relic.
• There is also the region of Thal'dranath that wasn't given any spotlight during the presentation. This could be a potential PvP zone like Wintergrasp, Tol Barad, and Ashran, but we will only know when they announce more information.

• Artifact Weapons!
• Ashbringer and Doomhammer!

• To fight the greatest foe, you must wield the greatest weapons.
• 36 weapons - One for each specialization.
• No word on if you can collect off-spec artifacts as of yet. You will be able to collect off-spec artifacts at some point, but no concrete information currently.
• Immediately following the Broken Shore, you will have a class spec specific questline to start the journey towards attaining your artifact weapon.
• Weapon's power is an extension of your own. Earn power as your adventure. Spend those points to unlock traits. Customize the weapon as earn more power. Choose your own path to greatness.
• Some traits are basic damage increases, some will alter your rotation, and some are simple new class utility options.
• Ashbringer - Echo of the Highlord - When you use Templar's Verdict or Divine Storm, Ashbringer will mimic that action after 2 seconds.
• Icebringer and Soulreaper - Arise and Serve - Raise Ally now restores all health and mana. Upon death, the Death Knight now has an option to raise himself.
• UI for Artifact Weapons are pathways that follow along the length of the weapon unlocking new powers.

• Visual customization of the item has different variants of the item itself, as well as a new dye system for each variant. All can be unlocked by leveling the weapon or through accomplishments and achievements.

• All artifact weapons start as the normal weapon that we know and love. The variants are simply evolved versions of the standard weapon.
• Retribution Paladins will obtain Ashbringer. They will be returning to the Broken Shores to find the blade where it fell and was lost. (Proof that Tirion Fordring went down fighting?)
• Enhancement Shaman will earn the Doomhammer. No information on if Thrall passes down the weapon, he goes down fighting, or if we receive it through the fallen Orgrim Doomhammer on Draenor.
• Protection Warriors will obtain a sword and shield made from the scales of Neltharion. Delve into the tomb of an ancient Vrykul king to find the legendary weapons for yourself.
• Frost Death Knights will return to Icecrown Citadel to reclaim shards of Frostmourne to craft Icebringer and Soulreaper. All the variants will have skulls!
• Does this mean Frost Death Knights are being forced out of the two-hander style and are only going to be a dual-wielding melee class now? Confirmed. Frost is now going to be a dual-wielding spec, only, in Legion.
• Mistweaver Monks return to Pandaria to speak with Emperor Shaohao. for Sheilun, Staff of the Mists. The different variants of this staff are influenced by the Celestials.
• Fire Mages will seek out Kael'thas' blade Felo'melorn at Icecrown Citadel, where Kael'thas lost the blade in a fight against the Lich King.
• Survival Hunters will obtain the new-to-lore Eagle Spear from the Highmountain Tauren.
• Not sure why Blizzard is giving a melee weapon to a ranged-only class since the removal of the stat stick. Maybe Survival Hunters are going to get refitted into a more melee-centric spec? Or maybe it's a Javelin and Survival Hunters will be more like the D2 Amazon? Doubtful, but we'll see. Confirmed that Survival Hunters are being converted into a melee spec with a pet.
• Fangs of the First Nightsaber will be obtainable by Feral and Guardian Druids.
• Feral and Guardian druids who customize their artifact will actually be customizing their physical cat/bear forms.

• As an aside, the models for cat were given a high-definition overhaul. Anything for Moonkin, Blizz?

• Class Orders
• Return of old "class specific" orders. Silver Hand, Mages of Dalaran, etc.
• Alliance and Horde are at each other's throats, yet again.
• Each class bands together to fact this existential threat, YOU being the leader.
• This is pure focus on class identity. Only your class will be able to enter your Order Hall, much like Acherus for Death Knights.
• You will be obtaining additional quests for your artifact weapon through these halls.
• This will be a base of operations for your entire class.
• Shaman conclave overlooking the Maelstrom.
• Paladin templar sanctum underneath Light's Hope Chapel.
• Warlock enclave on a Legion portal world.
• Etc.
• Champions of your Class Order Hall: Evolution of the Draenor Follower System.
• Not raising an army this time. Fewer followers, more meaningful. Think Knights of the Round Table.
• Some champions will be established lore characters, such as Lady Liadrin.
• More world integration and interaction. Less doing things FOR you and more doing things that force you to go out into the world to complete on your own. You will work alongside them.

• New Dungeons and Raids
• New Dungeons
• More dungeons in Legion than Warlords of Draenor. Also trying to make them more meaningful through the entire expansion instead of just at the start of your journey, with more varied challenge and more replayability, so you keep coming back for more.
• Halls of Valor is a level-up dungeon above Stormheim. Heavy Valhalla inspiration. You must prove yourself worthy in battle to reclaim the Pillar of Creation so the God King cannot obtain it for the Legion. We will learn more about the Val'kyr, not the ones from Northrend, but the pure warriors of Light.
• Black Rook Hold is a max level dungeon in Val'Sharah. Home of Lord Kur'talos Ravencrest. Carved out of the mountain itself. You being in the basement and work your way to the top of the spire and confront the true threat that has corrupted the fortress.
• Vault of the Wardens is where Demon Hunters begin. Maximum-security prison and the beginning of the hunt for Illidan. This is where Gul'dan arrived and found the entombed Illidan.
• Eye of Azshara in Azsuna, we will be contended with Queen Azshara and her Naga spawn.
• Darkheart Thicket at the base of the World Tree in Val'Sharah. Heart of the Emerald Nightmare corruption. Fight your way through the thicket to base of the tree to rescue Malfurion from the corruption.
• Neltharion's Lair in Highmountain. The Lair of the Earth Warden. Discover more about the Aspect that later became Deathwing.
• Helheim is somewhat in Stormheim. Polar opposite of the Halls of Valor. Ride the Nifflevar, the Ghost Ship of the Damned, on its way to Helheim. Sail through stormy seas and terrible weather. All new experience.
• Suramar City is the City of Night, in Suramar. The Nightborne rule from their palace. Venture into the city and into the catacombs to discover the unfolding plans tied to the Legion.
• Remade Violet Hold in Dalaran. We only scratched the surface in Wrath of the Lich King. Proximity to Tomb of Sargeras unleashed new hells. Discover more about the origins of Dalaran, the mages of Dalaran, and even our world itself.
• New Raids
• The Emerald Nightmare: 7 bosses. Emerald Dream, but twisted and shadowed. Pursue Cenarius through the Dream and face Xavius in the Nightmare. This will end the corruption of the Emerald Dream.
• Suramar Palace: 10 bosses. Home to the Nightwell, the center of Suramar's power. You will face off against then Grand Magistrate and Gul'dan in this raid. Very reminiscent of Black Temple in construction. Not a green orc raid, this is a royal Elven city.

• New Class: Demon Hunters
  
• No word on an additional character slot as of yet. CONFIRMED.
• Demon Hunters wanted us dead the last time we met up, and probably will still want to kill us a little bit even after this.
• Illidan sent some of his Illidari out on a special mission to the Legion planet of Mar'duun before the Black Temple was assaulted. We will see the past through their journey to learn more about the Demon Hunter way.
• We awaken in the Vault of the Wardens, where the Wardens are desperate for help against the Legion.
• Character creation will include different horn styles, as well as tattoos and blindfolds. Armor design will make sure that the tattoos are not entirely covered. Skin types include scaled, spiked, or normal.
  
• Demon Hunter Awoken
• Hero Class: Unique Experience
• High Level Beginning
• Being Illidari, the Demon Hunter class will be Night Elf and Blood Elf specific.
• 4th Leather class. Daggers, Fist Weapons, One-Handed Axes, One-Handed Maces, and One-Handed Swords. Artifact Weapon will be a set of Glaives.
• The leveling experience starts back during the Black Temple, where Illidan sends you off on a special mission.
• Wardens have unleashed the Demon Hunters from the Vault to help fight against the Burning Legion.
• Only two specialization for Demon Hunters
• Havoc is a melee DPS spec.
• Vengeance is a Tank spec.
• Healing made no sense for Demon Hunters and two DPS/Tank specs would water down the identity of the class.
• Demon Hunters have a unique ability called Double Jump. It is actually what you think it is. It will make it possible for Demon Hunters to get over obstacles that other classes cannot.
• Both specs utilize (Demonic) Fury as a resource, which can be generated or spent through specific skills. Lots of fire and chaos damage built into abilities, as well as utility like seeing through walls and finding invisible or stealthed targets.
• Fel Rush - Multiple charges. Rush forward, dealing Fire damage to all enemies in your path. Generates Fury if you inflict damage to at least one target.
• Chaos Strike - Fury Spender. Melee Range. A brutal attack that strikes all enemies in front of you for Chaos damage.
• Chaos Nova - Fury Spender. Unleash an eruption of fel energy, stunning all nearby enemies for 5 sec and dealing Chaos damage.
• Eye Beam - Fury Spender. 40 yd range. Channeled. Blast the target and any enemies near the target for Fire damage over a few seconds.
• Spectral Sight - Longer cooldown. Allows you to see enemies through physical barriers, as well as those stealthed and invisible.
• Vengeful Retreat - Vault back and avoid the next attack or spell directed at you.
• Take on Hellish forms, enhancing your chose role. Damage-focused Illidari can teleport into combat..
  
• .. While those who prize defense can grant powerful supportive auras.
  

• New Honor System
• Original honor system became a hassle and forced people to continue to play, or share accounts, to maintain highest honor level for the week.
• Current honor system has been in place since Burning Crusade and turned it into a point-based currency system.
• Gear has too much effect on PvP, so they're going to dial back the effect that gear has on PvP.
• New Honor System for Legion
• PvP Talent System
  
• As you progress through PvP ranks, you unlock new perks and talents. The entire purpose of these is to help balance PvE and PvP separately.
• Just like the current talent trees, there are three choices per row of talents. Fully unlocked by PvP rank 50.
  
• Prestige Ranks

• You can trade in your Honor Levels to Prestige and obtain cosmetic options, but start you over at honor rank 1.
• Earn Prestige ranks, which put a Prestige badge on your unit frame.
  
• Prestige specific mount rewards.
  
• Unique PvP Artifact Variants through the Prestige System.