While there are some happy to see that Archaeology has gotten no love since its release, there are others -myself included- who miss the excitement of the profession and I really think that it could make a big comeback in Dragonflight if it was completely reworked from the ground up. My husband who is a software engineer and a longtime gamer had some good thoughts on how to bring it back when we talked about the profession.
Bring back early expansion BiS Trinkets, Weapons Etc. - This was something that was missing in later additions to the profession since its release and it is something that really urged those end content players into getting the best early items available by doing the profession. You could even add ancient food recipes. wink wink
Make it more of a passive profession such as cooking/fishing - While it was generally considered a passive profession, players still spent hours trying to find relics because of the inconsistant archaeology system in place. In its place, make random dig spots around the world where players who are casually out doing quests and gathering could dig them up without much effort. OR similar to Pocopoc, have an assistant who will point them out on the minimap.
*Create Relic Timestones - These timestones will be the end result of farming numerous relics and creating the timestone. These timestones can be used to enter a 1 player Scenario or party Scenario (either or take your pick) where the object is to solve numerous puzzles to work your way to the end and get an Epic reward (Mount, gear etc) This instance changes each time you enter in so the puzzles are in different orders, mobs changed, essentially the Order of Operations as they call it is different each time. Similar to the adventures of Zelda.
*Make Archaeology/professions useful in dungeons - This was something was was seen in Cata and it was something that made archaeologists useful in dungeon situations. While you can see it now still as being a part of a covenant will give your party certain buffs in some dungeons it would be great to bring back the profession buffs. Or it can be useful in dungeons in a different way than buffs. Get creative with it.
*Make an assistant to help find relics/fragments - This was mentioned above but at a certain level of archaeology you should receive an assistant (all good archaeologists need assistants… you know the ones who hold the light). They can help find various fragments and can even help with doing small errands.
I really think that if some or most of this is added in the new Expansion this would really kick off the profession again, and make it fun for many who liked the profession previously. Let me know your thoughts and I would be happy to see any additional thoughts or elaborations on the ideas I put here.
I will say, hesitant about gear with stats since I know for a while when Archaeology was first introduced, a lot of gear was actually really good for the beginning, but I have no problems if they do add gear. Crafting recipes for sure, Sandstone drake was definitely a sought out item.
Relic timestone is an idea ive seen mentioned around here and there, I had my own idea a long while ago (lost over time in the forums somewhere). It was inspired by Lei Shen’s palace which if no one remembers was 1man instance that was timed but filled with treasure and traps. Was really fun till they removed the key drops. Would love to see that return in some fashion through Archaeology since it makes the most sense.
While I dont think they could be in M+, I did like having the archaeology turn ins for buff in dungeons and thats something they can do, maybe even shortcuts or even an extra boss with loot.
My own contribution to this thread is, I do love the Pristine relics and wish they made a return. It was fun to collect them all and display. What I really would love to see and I mentioned this in the other thread, is a museum set in in a major city that would display all (it can even be instanced if it gets too big) would have to add pristines to old race digs and new ones but it would be nice to fill up your own museum (akin to Stardew valley)
My other contribution is add music toys as rewards of somekind for each race. Just something neat and honestly love some of the different races music(even non playable ones) that would have some history to them (and nostalgia feel)
Had to add this, but one major page that they havent added and it baffles me is Titan. They had the most influence to azeroth. They fully deserve a page, and their digs can be scattered across Azeroth. A lot of celestial reskinned mounts and pets would fit that category if people were interested.
One other last idea I had since I reminded of a plate set I saw a demon wearing in Legion thats not available. Transmog gear, especially recolored tier sets etc that arent available ingame. One example is a demon wearing a green version of the dk magma plated tier set from cata. I think some of those sets could be brought into game and available for players (kind of like Island expeditions rewarding different color variations of weapons and armor)
I agree 100 percent. They need some ancient Transmog and old gear recolors. This would really make it an even better profession. You gave me a good idea. Instead of Timestones maybe Titan Artifacts? These artifacts will open up a 1 player scenario or group scenario where there will be an epic Titan reward at the end for those who can solve it and make it to the end successfully. I’m liking where this is headed. I definitely think they need to add a Dragon Aspect relic page and Tuskar relic page.
I was honestly was going to say something about titan keystones being timestones but didn’t want to lock theme of the mini dungeons to just titan themed. I do like the idea of mini dungeons containing awesome rewards (cosmetic or maybe that’s how they can introduce some older gear too)
Dragon would be a big page though, since you have the 5 main, then there’s the rest like proto, galakrond, twilight, chromatic, infinite, Netherwing and more.
They stated in one of the interviews that they don’t plan on overhauling Arch / Cooking / Fishing (at least on release). I just hope there’s some digs to do still
Didn’t Ion say there was no archeology planned for DF, certainly not at release and not for the foreseeable future because it needs an overhaul in his opinion.
" * Currently no plays for a return of Archaeology in Dragonflight, as the devs wants to focus on more core elements of professions for the expansion, like gathering and crafting. There might be something available for Archaeology eventually, but not on expansion release."
He used the same vague “may add it in a later patch” language that was used when flying wasn’t included in WoD on launch. So, there’s a little paranoia …
So it should be really hilarious seeing where he tries to tuck all that play time he took out of base game adventuring now that he can’t stick it in throw away end game power progression systems any more!
I watched the video when they commented on Archaeology. Though he did say that there wasn’t going to be new updates to archaeology they were looking for ideas to make it viable again. We know from the interview that its not going to be something that they go with from the launch of Dragonflight I really feel they are just looking for ideas on how to make it important. They have the story to make it a part of this next expansion. There is a lot of history of the Titans and the Dragon Aspects. This is the time for Archaeology to make a comeback and as mentioned above this could be the way to do it right. I like all of the feedback so far and keep the ideas on how to improve it coming!
I agree. The poor rewards later on made the profession truly useless, but I really think that with some work it could be something that a lot of people could enjoy. It definitely needs an overhaul and I really hope Blizz will see this post and use some of the suggestions here. It really wouldn’t be too difficult to implement because many of the mechanics of what I suggested is already in the game to some extent. If anyone else has some additions to what I have I’d be happy to hear them
I’m liking where this is headed. I definitely think they need to add a Dragon Aspect relic page and Tuskar relic page.
