Patch 8.3 has brought many new features to World of Warcraft. However, our author Benedict finds most of them dull. But there is one new feature that has caught his interest. Unfortunately, he cannot play it as he wishes.
This is the feature I’m talking about: I’m referring to the Horrific Visions, which have been introduced in Patch 8.3: Visions of N’Zoth in World of Warcraft.
The new feature is really fun for me. Honestly, I haven’t enjoyed anything in WoW this much in a while as I have with these visions. Unfortunately, Blizzard doesn’t allow me to play them. At least not in the way and as often as I would like.
The New Horrific Visions in WoW
What kind of feature is this? The Horrific Visions show Orgrimmar or Stormwind as they would appear if N’Zoth’s dream of a Black Empire becomes reality. They sap our sanity and slowly drive us insane if we linger too long.
As a feature in WoW, they function as an instanced scenario that we can sign up for at Wrathion. The visions are divided into five areas:
- The starting area, where the final boss awaits (drains 6 sanity per second)
- Two “corrupted” zones with extra objectives (drain 8 sanity per second)
- Two “lost” zones with extra objectives (drain 12 sanity per second)
Depending on how many zones we complete, we receive greater rewards – such as more Corrupted Mementos. Additionally, we can complete quests with Wrathion to upgrade the new legendary cloak. However, this can only be done a limited number of times per week.
Cool feature – but limited
Why is it limited? To enter the vision, we need a “Vessel of Horrific Visions.” This costs 10,000 Manifested Visions and is consumed upon entry.
And here’s the catch: One vessel is available weekly for completing N’Zoth’s assaults in Uldum or the Vale of Eternal Blossoms (changes weekly). Through the “small visions,” daily quests, rare mobs, and chests, we can get another 20,000 Manifested Visions with little grinding.
This results in three vessels per week – four if someone really grinds hard. Therefore, it’s only possible to complete the Horrific Visions a maximum of three (or four) times a week.
The reason seems clear: Blizzard does not want players to finish the content too quickly. It has to last until Shadowlands is released. However, I believe there is a huge flaw in this thinking.
Groundless limitation
Here’s why the limitation is groundless: The biggest fear likely is that if players do too many visions, they will upgrade the legendary cloak too quickly. But that is simply not possible.
The ability to upgrade the cloak is tied to quests from Wrathion. And only a certain number can be completed per week. At times, he even requires more items than can be obtained in visions per week.
So why is the game limiting me from running visions if I cannot even upgrade the cloak?
The only outcome currently is that hardcore players save their vessels and visions so they have as many vessels as possible when they need multiple items per quest and week for an upgrade. Nothing is gained from this.
Even the possible argument that players would simply optimize their runs to save vessels doesn’t hold. Players who want to improve are now watching YouTube videos or reading guides for the perfect run instead of playing themselves. That can hardly be the intention.
The limitation is an absurd decision
Here’s why the limitation bothers me: Personally, I am not concerned about upgrading my gear or cloak or earning anything. I simply enjoy the visions.
It is a new challenge, and I can prove how good I am. I can test and optimize myself, discover new routes and secrets. I wouldn’t need loot or rewards as an incentive.
Besides, our dream team in the heart chamber, consisting of Magni, MOTHER, and Wrathion, is very powerful. Why can’t they just give me a simulation? It would also be in their interest if I were more successful. I can understand now why Anduin first punched Wrathion.
Suggestions for better visions
How could it be better? As I said, I actually wouldn’t need any further incentive to play the visions. I simply enjoy them.
Nonetheless, it would be easy to show that players are rewarded for their efforts. It doesn’t always have to be a gameplay-relevant upgrade for the endgame. Possible rewards for the visions could be – aside from the limited quest items – for example:
- Transmog items, toys, or titles
- Special skins for the legendary cloak (so that it at least looks like a “dragon”)
- The new item level 410 tokens for twinks
- Just gold and artifact power
And even if the limitation isn’t completely lifted, why shouldn’t players be allowed to actively obtain new accesses? More sources for Manifested Visions for players who truly want to do more would hardly disturb anyone.
It used to work
How did it work in the past? In the past, there have already been examples of similar features and mechanics that worked as well. The best example is likely the Mage Tower from Legion.
The tower had two limitations: It was only available when it was activated beforehand and you had to pay an entrance fee. Toward the end, it became permanent.
However, the Horrific Visions can only be attempted every few days as well – just not as often as I want. Because the possible yield of Manifested Visions is also limited to a certain degree.
Admittedly, the Mage Tower only granted transmog rewards. But that would also be one of my suggestions for the Horrific Visions. I don’t understand why the fun is simply restricted here. However, maybe more playable content will arrive with Season 4:
