Greetings,
I’m here to start a discussion about one of the most iconic and well-loved features of Legion: the Mage Tower artifact weapon skins. These skins are not only some of the most visually striking transmog options in the game but also carry immense prestige, as they were earned through challenging solo content that tested players’ skill, patience, and understanding of their class and spec.
However, as many of us know, these skins were retired at the end of Legion and are no longer obtainable. While I understand the desire to keep certain rewards exclusive, I believe it’s time for Blizzard to reconsider this decision and bring back the Mage Tower artifact weapon skins as earnable content. Here’s why:
- A Celebration of Skill and Dedication
The Mage Tower was never about luck or gear alone—it was about mastery. Earning those skins required players to thoroughly understand their class mechanics, execute challenging rotations, and adapt to unique encounters. Reintroducing these skins wouldn’t diminish the achievement for those who originally earned them, as players today would still have to overcome similar skill-based challenges.
Additionally, reintroducing these challenges could adapt to the current game’s systems, scaling appropriately to offer the same level of difficulty as the original content. Players who manage to complete it today would earn their reward in the same spirit as those who did during Legion.
- A Chance for New Players to Experience Iconic Content
World of Warcraft has evolved significantly since Legion, and new players who missed out on this content deserve a chance to experience it. The Mage Tower represented a high point of design—challenging, rewarding, and deeply personal to each class and spec. By bringing it back, Blizzard can introduce a new generation of players to this pinnacle of solo PvE content, keeping WoW’s legacy alive for years to come.
- The Mage Tower Sets a Precedent for Timeless Solo Content
The Mage Tower was beloved for its accessibility—any player could attempt it without needing a raid group or external factors, and they could do so at their own pace. In Shadowlands, Blizzard brought the Mage Tower back temporarily during the Legion Timewalking event, but the rewards were different. This event showed that the Mage Tower remains engaging, even years after Legion.
Why not build on that success by offering a permanent, updated version of the Mage Tower with the original artifact skins as rewards? This would expand WoW’s offering of evergreen solo content, something many players feel the game could benefit from.
- Earning Artifact Skins Today Would Still Be a Challenge
The argument against reintroducing the Mage Tower skins often revolves around preserving the exclusivity of those who earned them in Legion. However, consider the fact that other previously time-limited content, such as the Amani War Bear, has returned in altered forms. Blizzard could easily differentiate the original skins from their re-released counterparts with minor visual tweaks, much like they’ve done for other rewards.
Moreover, earning these skins in the current game would require a significant amount of effort. With modern scaling and changes to class design, Blizzard could ensure that the Mage Tower challenges remain as difficult—if not more so—than they were in Legion.
- Keeping Players Engaged with Meaningful Rewards
Transmog is one of the most popular systems in WoW, and many players spend countless hours customizing their characters. The Legion artifact weapon skins are among the most sought-after appearances in the game, and their return would generate enormous excitement among the community. Players would have a reason to log in, hone their skills, and push themselves to earn these legendary cosmetics.
- Addressing FOMO Without Diminishing Legacy
The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) has been a contentious topic in WoW for years. While exclusivity can make certain rewards feel special, it can also alienate players who joined later or couldn’t participate at the time. Reintroducing the Mage Tower skins would be a way to strike a balance—giving newer players a chance to earn these rewards without taking anything away from those who already have them.
Blizzard has already shown a willingness to revisit FOMO-related decisions, such as bringing back the Black Market Auction House for retired mounts and cosmetics. The Mage Tower skins deserve the same consideration.
How Blizzard Could Bring Back the Skins
Here are a few suggestions for how Blizzard could reintroduce the Mage Tower artifact weapon skins while respecting their legacy:
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Scaling Content: Ensure the Mage Tower challenges scale appropriately to the player’s level and item level, preserving the difficulty of the original experience.
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Unique Requirements: Require players to complete specific achievements, such as earning a certain Mythic+ rating or defeating raid bosses, to unlock access to the Mage Tower challenges.
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Visual Variants: Add subtle differences to the re-released skins, such as color tints or slight design changes, to differentiate them from the originals.
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Limited-Time Events: Reintroduce the Mage Tower during special in-game events, such as expansion anniversaries or Timewalking weeks, to make earning these skins feel significant.
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Account-Wide Effort: Allow players to work toward unlocking the Mage Tower across all their characters, encouraging them to explore different classes and specs.
In Conclusion
The Mage Tower artifact weapon skins represent a beloved part of World of Warcraft’s history, and bringing them back would allow both veteran and new players to engage with one of the game’s most rewarding solo experiences. Blizzard has the tools and creativity to make their return feel fresh and exciting while respecting the legacy of those who earned them during Legion.
Let’s not lock away one of the best pieces of WoW content forever. Instead, let’s share it with the wider community and give everyone a chance to prove their mettle—and look amazing while doing it.
What are your thoughts, fellow players? Would you support the return of the Mage Tower artifact weapon skins? How do you think Blizzard could implement this in a way that honors the original experience?
Let’s keep the conversation going and make our voices heard!
For Azeroth,
Scoobzilla