Year of the Dragon... Hopes and Musings

[Aelonwy]

Year of the Dragon | Dungeons & Dragons Online

Dungeons & Dragons Online

www.ddo.com

Starting with the next gift because the first is already here.

• Gift of the Silver Dragon Adventure Pack/VIP Daily Gold Rolls
• Curate Your X-Pack Cache
• Ground Bound Green Dragon Mount
• Dragon Hatchling Pet
• Blue Draconic Wings
• Draconic Raiders Reward Box
• Prismatic Dragon Outfit
• Horde of Discovery
• Pick of the Dragon's Lair
• Dragon Path Aura Footprints
• Armor of the Dragon Cult
• Dragon Disciple Archetype

The purpose of this thread is idle. Its curiosity, its imagination, its about collecting people's thoughts and hopes and possible fever dreams about the above list. Maybe we can collect some bits of actual information here too. For instance we recently learned from the Friday's at 4 stream that Curate Your X-Pack means players will get to choose a free Basic Store version (Not DDO Market) of any Xpack except Vecna Unleashed (newest) that we don't have and if you have ALL X-packs already you get an Elixir of Discovery.

Based on the available information to which month's reward are you most looking forward? Which are you most curious about? Do any of them create new character ideas or quest ideas?

 

[Kessaran]

Year of the Dragon | Dungeons & Dragons Online

Dungeons & Dragons Online

www.ddo.com

Starting with the next gift because the first is already here.

• Gift of the Silver Dragon Adventure Pack/VIP Daily Gold Rolls
• Curate Your X-Pack Cache
• Ground Bound Green Dragon Mount
• Dragon Hatchling Pet
• Blue Draconic Wings
• Draconic Raiders Reward Box
• Prismatic Dragon Outfit
• Horde of Discovery
• Pick of the Dragon's Lair
• Dragon Path Aura Footprints
• Armor of the Dragon Cult
• Dragon Disciple Archetype

The purpose of this thread is idle. Its curiosity, its imagination, its about collecting people's thoughts and hopes and possible fever dreams about the above list. Maybe we can collect some bits of actual information here too. For instance we recently learned from the Friday's at 4 stream that Curate Your X-Pack means players will get to choose a free Basic Store version (Not DDO Market) of any Xpack except Vecna Unleashed (newest) that we don't have and if you have ALL X-packs already you get an Elixir of Discovery.

Based on the available information to which month's reward are you most looking forward? Which are you most curious about? Do any of them create new character ideas or quest ideas?

I am incredibly interested in "Pick of the Dragon's Lair". I assume it'll end up being some useless instance that offers nothing but new scenery but it'd be AWESOME if we ended up getting a "housing" system and the dragon lair is what kickstarts the feature.

With so many new cosmetic options, I dream of a day we get a cosmetics storage tab along the lines of mounts/pets.

Prismatic Dragon outfit would be incredible if we could choose a color on the fly through a ui menu or right click options.

 

[droid327]

I held off on Hidden Hand so looking forward to snagging that

Sure a lot of new players who came for the quest coupon are too since I think that's the only non expansion that wasn't on it

 

[Vox]

Blue wings might have me as a blue DB stormsinger for a while

I'm looking forward to the 2nd, and as yet unleased archetype Tolero said was coming in 2024, seeing as divine discipline is released in 2025.

 

[rabidfox]

Looking forward to blue wings; equally kinda of sad that some of us have been asking for blue reaper wings for years and haven't been able to get them.

 

[DBZ]

Waiting to see myth drannor if it has a single thing worth grinding

Won't do any rebuilding or gearing until then

 

[Aelonwy]

I suppose I am most looking forward to the extra X-Pack. We never got Isle of Dread. Only our son was interested in the dinosaurs. I ran all the quests on Lamannia and a few were cool but most weren't all that special or interesting and it just never made sense to buy 4 xpacks (we play as a family) at those prices when only one of us was particularly interested in the content.

I am curious about many of the listings though. Is the Silver Dragon Adventure Pack going to be the same as the quests we saw most recently on Lamannia? They didn't seem to have anything to do with dragons. Dragon Hatchling pet - will these be ground bound as well like the baby dinosaurs or will these fly like the Pseudodragons? I really wish they would be like the pseudodragons. The various selector boxes are pretty open ended. Only the Draconic Raider's Reward Box brings any thoughts to mind... raid items that specifically have something to do with dragons?

Hopes:

• Ground Bound Green Dragon Mount - Will other colors eventually be available in the store or elsewhere?
• Blue Draconic Wings - Will they flap like the Butterfly wings?
• Armor of the Dragon Cult - More Dragon Cult content incoming? Perhaps with Myth Drannor?

 

[Aelonwy]

I am incredibly interested in "Pick of the Dragon's Lair". I assume it'll end up being some useless instance that offers nothing but new scenery but it'd be AWESOME if we ended up getting a "housing" system and the dragon lair is what kickstarts the feature.

With so many new cosmetic options, I dream of a day we get a cosmetics storage tab along the lines of mounts/pets.

Prismatic Dragon outfit would be incredible if we could choose a color on the fly through a ui menu or right click options.

See this^ is exactly why I started this thread. These thoughts never occurred to me. Dragon's Lair having something to do with Player Housing? Fever Dream, I am sure, but it would be cool.

And the Prismatic Dragon Outfit changing colors? Wow. That would be really neat. Like that circlet in the store or the scarecrow cosmetic pet that changes every time you summon it?

 

[DBZ]

Falcon helpless seems the way to go 4 dragon soul mandatory now

 

[Aelonwy]

Dragon Path Aura Footprints

I keep looking at these words and its like Cheshire Cat nonsense. Something that is both an aura and footprints? Typically in-game those are two different cosmetic features. What will make them a Dragon Path? Is everyone regardless of race going to leave Dragonborn style footprints? Will there be a little tail-drag tilde to convince a tracker the prints were made by a dragon?

 

[Onyxia2016]

Hoping that part of the Gift of the Silver Dragon Adventure Pack/VIP Daily Gold Rolls include a big April Fool's reveal that the recent nerfs and copious amount of bugs what all a big joke.

 

[Sophie The Cat Burglar]

I'll play while the laundry is laundering.

1) Gift of the Silver Dragon Adventure Pack/VIP Daily Gold Rolls

If the quests are good, or the quests are tolerable and drop useful equipment, this could be one of the best items on the list.

2) Curate Your X-Pack Cache

This is a very gracious gift from the people at Standing Stone Games. All my accounts will gain The Isle of Dread.

When The Isle of Dread was on the preview server, my initial reaction was very negative. I have not played it since. My initial reaction to Masterminds of Sharn was also very negative. However, after my Dad purchased Sharn for me, my opinion slowly rose to neutral. If that happens with The Isle of Dread, it could solve my DDO burnout problem for a few months and perhaps help with my endless equipment woes.

3) Ground Bound Green Dragon Mount

This is a very nice gift. The only mounts a player like me can earn by playing the game come from Keep on the Borderlands. If the green dragon looks nice, some of my characters will switch to this mount.

4) Dragon Hatchling Pet

The leader of my other guild and her son will enjoy this one.

5) Blue Draconic Wings

This is another gracious gift, allowing those who just cannot succeed at hard stuff a set of wings. This one will be very popular. One or two of my characters may use them.

6) Draconic Raiders Reward Box

If this contains a Quiver of Alacrity, it will be very popular with players. I am hoping for another Quiver or maybe a better weapon.

7) Prismatic Dragon Outfit

Crossing fingers for this one.

8) Hoard of Discovery

This could go in a lot of directions. The first things that come to mind are an Elixir of Discovery or some high difficulty currencies.

9) Pick of the Dragon's Lair

This one could also go in a lot of directions. If the dragon themed quest pack ends in a dragon lair, maybe this item allows each player to choose one item from that quest.

10) Dragon Path Aura Footprints

This is another really gracious gift for players who cannot complete high difficulty stuff.

11) Armor of the Dragon Cult

Once again, crossing my fingers for this one.

12) Dragon Disciple Archetype

This will be fun for players who really enjoy trying out new characters. I am so far behind, I may get to it in 2041 or so.

.....

These gifts are all very gracious and will keep me signing in throughout the year. What I most hope for are new, fun quests or tolerable quests with useful equipment. This hope very much includes the upcoming expansion.

 

[kmoustakas]

Year of the Dragon | Dungeons & Dragons Online

Dungeons & Dragons Online

www.ddo.com

Starting with the next gift because the first is already here.

• Gift of the Silver Dragon Adventure Pack/VIP Daily Gold Rolls
• Curate Your X-Pack Cache
• Ground Bound Green Dragon Mount
• Dragon Hatchling Pet
• Blue Draconic Wings
• Draconic Raiders Reward Box
• Prismatic Dragon Outfit
• Horde of Discovery
• Pick of the Dragon's Lair
• Dragon Path Aura Footprints
• Armor of the Dragon Cult
• Dragon Disciple Archetype

The purpose of this thread is idle. Its curiosity, its imagination, its about collecting people's thoughts and hopes and possible fever dreams about the above list. Maybe we can collect some bits of actual information here too. For instance we recently learned from the Friday's at 4 stream that Curate Your X-Pack means players will get to choose a free Basic Store version (Not DDO Market) of any Xpack except Vecna Unleashed (newest) that we don't have and if you have ALL X-packs already you get an Elixir of Discovery.

Based on the available information to which month's reward are you most looking forward? Which are you most curious about? Do any of them create new character ideas or quest ideas?

I would argue the adventure pack. I am tired of everything being a mini expansion and having to wait a year to get it with ddo points.

 

[J1NG]

Ground Bound Green Dragon Mount

Given the possible Dragons you can possible ride on and the animations involved, I would actually hazzard a guess that this would (edit) "not" be a "winged" version of a Green Dragon. Because whilst they could have a Dragon run on their talons and claws, the issue is of course a Green Dragon with wings running will be very peculiar looking. Not impossible, but it kind of also makes the Wings redundant. Which means that if it runs, it'll have to be similar in shape to Chinese Dragons.

If it is winged and just bound to the same low level as a standard mount like the Raptors, Horses or Cats, it raises the question of why the Dragon would glide acorss the terrain so lowly.

This is why I am guessing that this mount will use the long bodied dragon form that is often depicted by Chinese Dragons. As this would allow the animators to construct a conical slither or something similar (anyone who's watched Shang Chi would have an idea of how this would look, just on the ground), with the rider atop and following the motion of the dragons bodied as it moves along. Without the Wings, this mode of movement would not look out of place on the same level as other mounts, as it's basically using Telekinesis to fly or a variant of. So whether it's in the sky or near the ground, it won't look out of place.

Dragon Hatchling Pet

Given this specific name of Dragon Hatchling and we have had Dino Hatchlings etc before. I'm assuming this Dragon would be a smaller version of the larger ones we will encounter.

This may or may not use the model listed above, but it should be something we should expect upcoming especially if the content it is to be featured in is not released before it.

Blue Draconic Wings

I typically don't use wings (exception is for Cinematics which needs good reason for it). However, with a Blue Scale Dragonborn, I can certainly see them acting in place for Draconians (Krynn) in any such content I make. Should be fun.

Draconic Raiders Reward Box

The description and limitation for this (1 per server) sounds like it might be a new Raiders Reward Box that is catered specifically for any upcoming Dragon themed loot. Or is from a collection of all past Dragon related loot. Can be useful for accounts that have yet to grab their Sword of Shadows, etc.

Prismatic Dragon Outfit

This could go many ways; I can see it being a multi-coloured mess akin to that Elocator's Habiliment armour. Or it could be something like a Silver Armour that has a sheen effect that changes depending on your viewing location. Or, even something that changes colour depending on conditions, after all, we know that SSG can do this because of the Universtiy Helms that were coloured if you were Human, but any other race and it would turn to a desaturated grey metal.

In any event, something I'm looking forward to.

Horde of Discovery

Given the name (Not Dragon related, just Horde, as in from everything), I imagine this might be similar to those proposed VIP boxes a while back, and thus they may have loot options from everything. Hence why it is 1 per account, rather than server. Again, if correct, should be useful for many players to fill in gaps in their gear with things that have been having trouble obtaining.

Pick of the Dragon's Lair

This sounds akin to the previous months option. But likely specifically from an upcoming Dragon related Raid or a more extensive list of items.

Dragon Path Aura Footprints

I would find these useful as I don't have a single one, but I wonder why it says Dragon Path. As it sounds very Monk like feature naming.

J1NG

 

[Aelonwy]

Ground Bound Green Dragon Mount

Given the possible Dragons you can possible ride on and the animations involved, I would actually hazzard a guess that this would (edit) "not" be a "winged" version of a Green Dragon.

Dragon Hatchling Pet

Given this specific name of Dragon Hatchling and we have had Dino Hatchlings etc before. I'm assuming this Dragon would be a smaller version of the larger ones we will encounter.

J1NG

So maybe a Drake?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you think they will make a selection of Dragon Hatchlings eventually or there will only ever be one option?

 

[J1NG]

So maybe a Drake?

That's not outside the realm of possibility if SSG wants to really bend the naming convention; but I would have assumed they would have just flat out said Drake if that were so. Much like they were able to mention the Storm Cloud for 12 month VIP rather than Flying Nimbus or it's equivalent.

Do you think they will make a selection of Dragon Hatchlings eventually or there will only ever be one option?

If I were to say how SSG go about this, there's likely only two or at most three variants at the ready on launch and when Raids drop in the next content they appear in. Further ones will likely depend on performance of sales, etc. But otherwise, I would guess a minimum of two; one we get monthly, the other (and possibly more) in the actual content later this year. More would sound unlikely given their historical run of producing these pets.

J1NG

 

[Desirdes]

I am incredibly interested in "Pick of the Dragon's Lair". I assume it'll end up being some useless instance that offers nothing but new scenery but it'd be AWESOME if we ended up getting a "housing" system and the dragon lair is what kickstarts the feature.

With so many new cosmetic options, I dream of a day we get a cosmetics storage tab along the lines of mounts/pets.

Prismatic Dragon outfit would be incredible if we could choose a color on the fly through a ui menu or right click options.

I assume the 'Pick of the Dragon Lair' will just be a free named item from any dragon-based raid/quest or something like that.

 

[Uska]

Year of the Dragon | Dungeons & Dragons Online

Dungeons & Dragons Online

www.ddo.com

Starting with the next gift because the first is already here.

• Gift of the Silver Dragon Adventure Pack/VIP Daily Gold Rolls
• Curate Your X-Pack Cache
• Ground Bound Green Dragon Mount
• Dragon Hatchling Pet
• Blue Draconic Wings
• Draconic Raiders Reward Box
• Prismatic Dragon Outfit
• Horde of Discovery
• Pick of the Dragon's Lair
• Dragon Path Aura Footprints
• Armor of the Dragon Cult
• Dragon Disciple Archetype

The purpose of this thread is idle. Its curiosity, its imagination, its about collecting people's thoughts and hopes and possible fever dreams about the above list. Maybe we can collect some bits of actual information here too. For instance we recently learned from the Friday's at 4 stream that Curate Your X-Pack means players will get to choose a free Basic Store version (Not DDO Market) of any Xpack except Vecna Unleashed (newest) that we don't have and if you have ALL X-packs already you get an Elixir of Discovery.

Based on the available information to which month's reward are you most looking forward? Which are you most curious about? Do any of them create new character ideas or quest ideas?

I like the green dragon mount because we named my jeep the green dragon

 

[Aelonwy]

If I were to say how SSG go about this, there's likely only two or at most three variants at the ready on launch and when Raids drop in the next content they appear in. Further ones will likely depend on performance of sales, etc. But otherwise, I would guess a minimum of two; one we get monthly, the other (and possibly more) in the actual content later this year. More would sound unlikely given their historical run of producing these pets.

J1NG

I'm sure you are correct I just wish they made more effort to give us variety like the Tressym. Do they not comprehend that if they made pseudodragons of every dragon color I would get one to match each Dragonborn? Would I be the only one? Doubtful. When they first debuted Beholderlings the advertising artwork included a Shadow Beholderling... but it never materialized for sale. They made all these birds for Falconry and woodland creatures for Feydark illusionist but didn't make the effort to create cosmetic pet versions? People have been asking for Nibbles or just a Squirrel pet for years with very little notice or concern from SSG. Yes some people hate the cosmetic pets. But some of us love them and theme them with our characters where both creature and color matters in that situation.

I really don't know or understand how difficult it is for them to change the color of things already in the store but I've asked since pets debuted for them to release the collars and colored dust in other colors specifically violet, and pink, but they are also missing green. No action.

I just hope whatever this Dragon Hatchling turns out to be that they make some effort to give us alternate varieties to be acquired elsewhere.

 

[Aelonwy]

Well the adventure pack is here. Having tested it on Lamannia I'm already wondering why it doesn't have a Dragon theme or anything to do with dragons whatsoever. I wonder how early they began planning the YotD gifts and how early they knew they had to make this adventure pack. I definitely would have went with a dragon theme myself.

3 quests... hmmm I would have wrote one that involved the Dragonborn settlement in Newcomers, maybe they had begun building a village/city and were having trouble with invaders of some kind. One would involve the kobold on Ataraxia Arboth, maybe you find out he's actually a disguised dragon all along or you help him get a transformation into his long desired form. I mean if it can happen to a cat on accident it should be possible for a kobold on purpose. Third, Joy (the dragon from Needle in a Feystack) has been kidnapped by a Hag and taken down into the Feydark, explore a section of the Feydark looking for the Hag's home to rescue the little dragon. The last one is just something I've long lamented was not part of the Feywild expansion. I mean we get Feydark Illusionist tree but never see even a smidge of the Feydark itself.