If you missed the previous speculation on a possible Third Evoker Specialization, click here.
Datamined Quests Hint at 3rd Evoker Specialization
New Neltharion Voice Lines
Here’s some new Neltharion Voice Lines that we’ve datamined from the 10.1 PTR. We have no idea where they are from or their context, but you can click below to hear the voice lines.
You three shall be the examples all Dracthyr will follow.
Sarkareth, my devastator, you shall rend your foes with the powers of the Red and Blue Dragonflight.
Viridia, my preserver, you shall heal our allies with the graces of Green and Bronze Dragonflights.
And Emberthal, you will wield the essence of the Black Dragonflight to augment all those around you with my power.
By my command, kneel and obey.
Analysis
It’s interesting that these Neltharion voice lines essentially mention both of the Evoker specs by name. And then not only that, we learn that Sarkareth, leader of the Ebon Scales, specifically is Neltharion’s devastator and that Viridia, leader of the Healing Wings, is Neltharion’s preserver. Combined with the Dark Talons who join the Horde and Obsidian Warders who join the Alliance, that accounts for all the Dracthyr weyrns except for the Adamant Vigil which is lead by… Scalecommander Emberthal, the third leader mentioned in these Voice lines. It’s interesting that the Dark Talons and Obsidian Warders aren’t mentioned in these Voice lines, leaving only three remaining options.
From the Edict: The Adamant Vigil lore book, the Adamant Vigil, lead by Scalecommander Emberthal.
This weyrn shall be the eyes and ears of the black dragonflight and the legions of dracthyr.
Where our enemies tread, you will find them. Where our armies fly, it will be your guidance that directs their talons. Learn the weaknesses of our foes and amplify the strength of our allies.
Only the most bold, most cunning, and most gifted commanders shall join the ranks of the Adamant Vigil. This weyrn shall be granted unprecedented authority to act on its own initiatives, and shall answer to only Scalecommander Emberthal and the Earth-Warder.
When combining the Edict: Adamant Vigil lore book, and Neltharion’s Voice line, I believe we’re starting to figure out what the Adamant Vigil was formed to do in combat; buff their allies through through the essence of the Black Dragonflight, and have the cunning to learn the weaknesses of foes. In gameplay terms, this is starting to feel more and more like a support spec, with the ability to “debuff” enemies by opening weakpoints and “buffing” allies through the power of the Black Dragonflight, especially when combined with the idea of “boost”ing allies from the datamined quests. It all fits a little too much together and a little more than just a coincidence.
Could the third spec be an “Bard” type support class that is based around the Black Dragonflight itself, as speculated in the previous theory?
The Black Dragonflight – Legacy of Augmenters?
Patch 10.1 is all about Neltharion. We’re investigating his old laboratory in Aberrus and finding out more about his experiments, and thus the Black Dragonflight.
Many people associate the Black Dragonflight with the Earth and thus would have expected a Tank class, but in theory with what we know about the Black Dragonflight, the Legacy of the flight could be something more like Augmentation. Both Neltharion and Nefarian are both heavily involved in experimentation and trying to improve Dragonkind. We’ve seen Neltharion as Deathwing created the Twilight Dragonflight and his ultimate dragon, Ultraxion. We’ve seen Nefarian, son of Neltharion, create the Chromatic Dragons in Blackwing Lair and of course Neltharion himself create the Dracthyr in his experiments. We also see in the Aberrus Raid some of the early forms of Dracthyr in a raid encounter: Thadrion, Neldris and Rionthus.
With all this experimentation on Dragonkind, I think it’s safe to say that The Black Dragonflight is definitely know for augmentation and experimentation and thus could absolutely be related to an Augmenter type specialization focused on supporting. And with Scalecommander Emberthal losing the majority of her weyrn when escaping the Forbidden Reach, she has been trying to find her own way. I think it would be very interesting to see her use the powers that Neltharion gave her and build a new Adamant Vigil in her own light, focused on using the Essence of the Black Dragonflight for good — buffing allies and finding weaknesses in foes.
Conclusion
Considering Patch 10,1 is very much about Neltharion and the Black Dragonflight, heavily involving one of the other weyrn leaders, and the current story giving many front-facing moments to Scalecommander Emberthal, I think it’s safe to say that the story could absolutely lead down the road where we get to see what the Adamant Vigil could do in the future; with the current Dracthyrs being offered a third spec under the command of Emberthal and a questline exploring Emberthal’s story further.
If this were the case, I heavily doubt a third spec is planned for 10.1, but maybe for 10.1.5 or 10.1.7. With this schedule, Blizzard doesn’t need to immediately balance a possible third spec, and where the story and quests can be expanded to explore more lore and stories behind the Dracthyr after whatever happens in Aberrus with Sarkareth.
P.S. Many players have noticed that Emberthal has a unique scale color that isn’t currently possible on other Dracthyr. If a third Evoker spec is planned… maybe more Dracthyr colours will come down the line to match Emberthal’s?
