The trading post in World of Warcraft is strong, but already in the 3rd month, WoW makes a greedy mistake – at least that’s what MeinMMO demon Cortyn finds.
The trading post in World of Warcraft is a small but fine feature that Blizzard has used to win the hearts of collectors. Whether they are Transmog fans, pet collectors, or mount enthusiasts – there is something for everyone in the trading post. This is complemented by a special, monthly reward that is given whenever you complete the maximum number of tasks in a month.
But already the 3rd month of the feature makes me furrow my brows a little confused. Because anyone looking at the selection for April might become a bit puzzled.
In an interview, Blizzard said a few months ago that the final reward of each month “should be the item that everyone would want” – in other words, the reward that is simply “too good” to pass up in that month.
Of course, there’s room for discussion about whether the Darkmoon Harlequin set from March or the mount Ash’adar is nice. That’s subjective, and everyone can have their own opinion on that. However, it’s clear that both the set and the mount were the “most impressive” items of their respective month. They made the biggest change to the character and had the most impact.
That is simply not the case with the “Blades of Elune”.
Not only are the blades “only” a weapon transmog, but they can’t even be used by all classes. Classes that have no use for swords – like my priest – will therefore have no interest in them at all.
It struck me as odd that the “Blades of Elune” are supposed to be the great concluding rewards here. Because a final reward that cannot be used by all classes feels simply wrong on several levels.
Correspondingly, I was surprised when shortly afterwards a new transmog set landed in the shop called “Set of the Waveborn Diplomat”. This, in turn, is an armor set that is now sold for 20 euros and can be worn by all armor classes.
The really interesting part is that the Set of the Waveborn Diplomat was previously marked in the game data as “reward from the trading post” (via YouTube). The original intention of the set was for it to be obtained through the trading post. Only later was it repurposed as a shop item.
This seems to suggest that Blizzard switched the rewards at the last minute because they concluded that they could make a bit more money.
I have nothing against WoW selling some nice things in the shop. But that in this case such a “conspicuous” weak reward lands in the trading post, only to soon offer something impressive in the shop that was previously marked as a trading post reward… that leaves a bad aftertaste.
Thus, the trading post has already betrayed its own ideals in the 3rd month. Because the “great monthly reward” in April is not only maximally mediocre, but also not intended for all classes.
You can do better by now, Blizzard.
