A new system in World of Warcraft is dividing players. Some have dark memories of Shadowlands.
Patch 12.0.7 of World of Warcraft is now marked as “Release Candidate,” so the release is likely just a few weeks away. But alongside the new content, such as a raid that questions a mythic raid rule, there is also a new power system that enhances your character: the Omniumfoliant.
But many fans are asking: Who exactly ordered this?
What is the Omniumfoliant? In Patch 12.0.7, Magister Umbric and Grand Magister Rommath are researching the restoration of an ancient magical relic, the Omnium. Through weekly quests, you will learn more about it and can unlock new powers in the associated foliant.
Similar to a talent tree, the Omniumfoliant consists of several rows. Each week, you unlock a new row and for each row, you can only choose one ability.
The abilities provide a direct power increase for your character. For example, you get a chance to deal additional damage or heal allies. There are also some options, such as a buff to movement speed when you are attacked in combat.
All bonuses are supposed to remain active for the rest of the expansion Midnight.
Few want Borrowed Power in WoW
The community is skeptical and does not want this: In the vast majority of comments, the system is viewed rather critically. Very few seem interested in new “Borrowed Power” mechanics. Some comments from the WoW forum summarize this quite well:
- “I am so exhausted …
The Voidforging is already very confusing, there are too many repeatable quests and phases, so I buy Void Cores to empower them (or whatever) for the second phase and so that my alt characters get a bonus roll at the end of their depths. I literally have no idea what the final goal is.
I haven’t tried the fishing event yet. It looks interesting, but I just can’t keep up with this stuff anymore.
I think I will just ignore this thing unless it automatically throws a quest into my quest log that I can complete alongside normal gameplay.” – Mathayalla - “Are we checking again if the specializations are currently balanced? No.
Are we bringing a new Borrowed Power system that will only cause more problems? Yes.” – Statwow - “I thought someone said at some point that they wanted to stop introducing more of these systems, but it seems like that was just a very pleasant dream of mine …” – Hargrand
What is “Borrowed Power”? Borrowed Power, or “geliehene Macht,” refers to systems especially in World of Warcraft that grant special abilities and enhancements, but are only temporary – for a patch or an expansion. Particularly famous are the artifact weapons from the Legion expansion, but also the covenant abilities from Shadowlands.
Why is Borrowed Power unpopular? That “borrowed powers” are so unpopular is mainly because they disappear and become meaningless at the start of the next expansion (or patch). It feels like the character does not get stronger with rising levels but becomes weaker instead. This is already naturally the case, as existing gear loses significance with rising levels. If passive abilities also disappear, the power loss becomes even more pronounced.
In addition, these systems always feel like they aren’t a part of your character. They are a strength that comes “from the outside” and do not belong to the identity of your own hero. Therefore, these powers feel like a loan and make your character feel less important.
Cortyn says: Honestly, I am a bit conflicted. I fundamentally do not mind systems with borrowed power, but I see a different issue. Midnight is already filled with content and various types of content, to the point that it feels overloaded. Introducing more systems that will be unlocked through long time-gating sends strange signals again. The feeling of being truly “done” for a while seems to drift further away.
But how do you see it? Are you excited about the bonuses because your goals in Season 1 will be a bit easier to achieve? Or would you prefer to do without such external systems, from which one ultimately separates again anyway?
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