First data from Patch 9.1 reveals a highlight in World of Warcraft. Stewards will likely become playable characters!
Just yesterday, we reported that there is finally a sign of life from Patch 9.1 Chains of Domination. In just two weeks, the patch should land on the PTR. However, a mistake by Blizzard allowed dataminers to download the first game data from Battle.net. During this, a discovery was made that is sure to please many Kyrian fans.
What happened? A new entry was found in the files for the playable races of World of Warcraft in Patch 9.1. The file named “mortal_steward” was discovered, which made many players take notice. Because “Steward” is the English term for the stewards from Bastion – the little owl beings that support you everywhere and are basically the craftsmen of the Kyrians.
Upon initial suspicion, the dataminers also searched older game data more closely and found new entries, making it clear: Stewards will be a new allied race in World of Warcraft!
Character creation reveals playable classes
The dataminers were able to gather more information about the allied race when transferring the game data. It is already clear that Stewards are available for both the Alliance and the Horde and can play the following classes:
- Warrior
- Mage
- Rogue
- Priest
- Monk
There was also an initial look at character creation. Although Stewards don’t have as many customization options as, for example, Humans or Night Elves, they do have some interesting settings. These include:
- Feather Color
- Feather Style (Fluffy, Smooth, etc)
- Forsaken Symbols
- Beak Shape
- Temple Markings (Purity, Humility, Wisdom, Loyalty, Courage)
- Eye Color
Armor is hidden: Similar to Druids in shapeshift form, the armor of the Stewards will mostly be hidden. Only weapons, shields, and off-hand weapons will be displayed; the rest disappears into the feathers. It would be a shame if it didn’t shine in all its glory.
Racial abilities of the Stewards
While comparing the game data, entries for the racial abilities were also discovered. These are bonuses that every Steward receives, regardless of class. They are:
- Overhanded (Passive): Aeons of work in Bastion have made you masters of craftsmanship. When crafting items, there is a 7% chance of not consuming resources.
- Uhun Accident Insurance (Passive): The dense feather coat protects you from falls. If you fall more than 20 meters, you begin to flutter, drastically reducing your fall speed for 10 seconds.
- Motivating Caw (Active): Unleashes an inspiring chirp that increases the damage dealt and healing done by all allies within 10 meters by 2% for 15 seconds. 2 minutes cooldown. Instant cast.
- Summon Aspirant: You summon a Kyrian Aspirant who assists you with their offer of goods for 5 minutes. However, sometimes the Aspirant is hungry, thirsty, or bored and refuses their services. 15 minutes cooldown. 3 seconds cast time.
Flying mount is a rider
Especially interesting is the flying mount of the Stewards, which players receive when they reach Steward level 60. Data from the quest indicates that all Stewards at level 60 will be invited to Mikanikos. He is basically the highest Steward that players already know from Bastion.
Mikanikos convinces the Kyrians to allow Stewards to ascend as well, so they can serve even better. After a long discussion, the ascended Kyrians agree to this. Your Steward will then be rewarded with wings to fly just like the Kyrians.
However, the endeavor somewhat fails. While the Steward gets his wings, he seems unable to control them properly. Stewards are actually capable of flight, but need outside help to be able to utilize it. Therefore, Stewards can summon a rider instead of a mount!
The quest line ends with Mikanikos sending you to look for “a mortal who will teach you the art of flying.” Thus, Stewards need to find characters that can serve as their riders and essentially hold the reins. A cool feature that also involves prominent characters.
Just as Dark Iron Dwarves can unlock various drilling points, Stewards can find NPCs throughout the game world and invite them to assist them as flight trainers. This NPC is switched out via a new ability that works like the hunter’s stable.
Previously confirmed characters who can serve as your riders include:
- Li Li Stormbrew (Pandaria)
- Farmer Yoon (Pandaria)
- The Incredible Akazamzarak (Dalaran, Legion)
- Chromie (Tanaris, Caverns of Time)
- Meerah (Vol’dun)
- Lady Moonberry (Ardenweald)
- Image of Jandice Barov (Western Plaguelands)
- Murky (Highmountain, Legion)
You will have to roam through Azeroth – and the other worlds – and find characters who offer to be your riders and want to take the reins. For the rarest riders, however, you will need to put in a lot of effort and sometimes complete puzzles.
All other mounts work as usual. Stewards can use regular mounts from level 10, which is where they also start as an allied race.
When will the Stewards come into the game? When this race will be playable and how they will join the Horde and Alliance in the realm of mortals is still unclear. However, looking at the current state of World of Warcraft, the delays with Patch 9.1 Chains of Domination, and the current date, it can be assumed that it will take a while longer.
When the time comes, we will of course write an owl message.
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