Blizzard has said on a few occasions that they would like to release a new expansion each year. Honestly, at the rate we are going, it seems somewhat excessive and I prefer an expansion every 2 years. Many people, especially on the forums, begin to wonder what comes after Arthas. Although we haven't been able to see Arthas yet, we wonder where Blizzard will embark us.
We remember that certainly the history that we know today from Warcraft strategy games ends in Arthas, although there are villains to defeat, we have no doubt about that.
In my opinion, and from what I have been able to read out there, the next expansion will focus on the Maelstrom or Emerald Dream. Let's see what we can get out of each one. I want to warn before that this article is an opinion and does not have to coincide with what it is in reality.
The Maelstrom
The most important thing that we can obtain from this possible expansion, we are clear that it will be in the water that will lead us to new aquatic mounts. Like the turtle we have now. With the launch of Semi-Combat Mounts in Wrath of the Lich King, I think there is a lot to be gained from the idea and I envision (happily xD) brotherhoods buying ships to embark on bloody battles. The submarines of Warcraft II come to mind when I think of this idea.
Another idea that comes to mind is the idea of an open battlefield in the sea, that we can use ships. I have in mind several kinds of boats with machinery that we can use.
I am going to leave the subject of ships because I think it is more a dream than a possibility considering the greatness of the sea and the amount of development behind this new technology.
The main Factions I think would be the Bloodsail Buccaneers and Bonvapor Cartel, the eternal pirates in Bahía del Botín. I think it would be a good opportunity to bring back the Aldor and Scrych factions, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
Regarding races, I don't think Blizzard will decide to release more races in this expansion, although if they do I have in mind 2 possible races to play in the Maelstron. Nagas y Pandaren since Naz'jatar and Pandaria are located in this region.
Having played Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne, I can think of several raid dungeons for this expansion such as Naz'jatar, Tomb of Sargeras, and Deepmine. Naz'jatar is the capital of the Nagas where we can find Queen Azshara, a real challenge for the heroes of Azeroth. Who knows the problems and machinery that the Goblins will have created in Deepmine? Mechanical beasts? Genetically enhanced super goblins? Titan steel nuclear bombs? Without a doubt, the Tomb of Sargeras would be a good dungeon, being able to see some secret artifact that escaped the clutches of Guldan.
As an argument, it is possible that The Burning Legion recently discovered a powerful artifact in the Tomb of Sargeras with immeasurable power. The Burning Legion has asked Queen Azshara and her Nagas to help them retrieve this item. With it, they could destroy Azeroth at last. Who knows what monster from the deep will emerge? Maybe another Ancient God? No one knows what dark power lurks in the depths of Mines of Moria… I mean… Deep Mine.
The Emerald Dream
With this expansion it would be discovered why the Druids and Malfurion are trapped in the emerald dream. As far as we know, the Emerald Dream is a parallel version of Azeroth, which the world should be. For example, Kalimdor would be a single continent with the Well of Eternity (not the Maelstrom, which is what the Well should be) in the center of the continent. Many races, now extinct, would remain in the Emerald dream. Some areas could be the Eye of Ysera, the valley where the Green Flight resides.
Is the Emerald Nightmare some terrible mistake? or are the ancient gods doing their thing? Perhaps the Burning Legion?
The Emerald Dream has more ballots the Maelstrom to become expanding all over the background it already has created and even some textures in the game reference the emerald dream. It was intended to be made as a raid dungeon but was delayed for future expansion.
In fact, we have some pretty cool stuff in store for the Druids. They will have a definitive link to the Emerald Dream. There will be an area on the way to Mount Hyjal called Moonlight that will be the center of the Druids. Our lead Warcraft history writer Chris Metzen is never short of ideas when it comes to druids. "
In May 2007, Tigole spoke about this again when asked if they planned to implement something about the Emerald Dream.
Not soon but we have plans for it. We have a lot of work already done on the Emerald Dream but we want them to be more impressive and better. Perhaps these "bigger and better" plans are in Northrend? Maybe we work on the Emerald Dream now? Or, is the Emerald Dream destined to be the new Starcraft: Ghost? Only time will tell …"
As bosses to face, we may even face And it will be, as a green version of Malygos, I hope we don't have to kill her but you never know.
In this expansion, we could see a new hero class focused on the druids just as we have seen the Death Knights in this expansion although currently we already have a druid class and 2 druid classes could be a lot. Maybe they'll fix it by making a new superior druid form as a Archdruid. The connection to the main story would be that the Archdruids are trying to heal the Emerald Dream and have received special powers from the Green Flight.
Probably, the main factions of this expansion will have to do with the Cenarion Circle or with Cenarion Expedition.
Here are 2 possible expansions and what I think they might bring. So, in your opinion, what would be the best expansion? The Maelstrom or the Emerald Dream?