The Evoker class in World of Warcraft stands on the brink of a significant evolution, drawing upon the deep lore of Neltharion, the Earth-Warder. Known for his extensive experiments with various types of dragon magic, Neltharion’s legacy could enable Evokers to unlock not just one, but two tanking specializations, starting with Storm magic and potentially extending to Shadowflame.
The first potential unlock, Storm Magic, would involve a questline delving into Neltharion’s experiments with this volatile element, offering a fourth specialization that provides new, powerful abilities, and a unique tanking style, enhancing the class’s flexibility akin to Druids.
The exploration doesn’t end there; envision a fifth specialization centered around Shadowflame. This would be accessed through a dedicated questline, much like the journeys undertaken by Demon Hunters. This path would guide Evokers in harnessing the forbidden power of Shadowflame—learned during a time when the Dracthyr were sealed away—transforming it into a formidable tool for tanking.
These expansions would not only diversify the Evoker class but also integrate them more deeply into the game’s lore, offering two distinct styles of tanking specializations. This would make Evokers the first class aside from Druids to offer such versatility, further enriching the gameplay and player experience.
Sample Abilities for “Darkflame” (Black and Shadowflame):
- Tectonic Barrier: An earthen shield that absorbs damage and reduces damage taken.
- Shadow Surge: Engulf yourself in shadowflame, increasing your damage resistance and reflecting a percentage of the damage taken back to the attacker for a short duration.
- Blackened Armor: Harden your scales with dark magic, significantly reducing incoming damage for a few seconds and causing attackers to become slowed by the chilling effects of the shadowflame.
- Umbral Roar: Release a terrifying roar infused with shadow energy, causing enemies in front of you to flee in fear while boosting your threat level significantly, making it ideal for crowd control.
- Eclipse Guard: Envelop an ally in a protective cocoon of shadowflame, absorbing a set amount of damage. While active, any damage absorbed enhances your next attack, turning defense into offense.
Sample Abilities for “Stormreign” (Black and Storm Dragon Magic):
- Dragonscale Fortitude: Reduces all damage taken.
- Lava Burst: A damaging fire attack with a burn effect.
- Thunderclap Wings: A knockback with storm damage.
- Electrified Armor: Electrocutes attackers and increases dodge chance.
This dual-path approach to tanking would set a precedent in World of Warcraft, providing unique gameplay experiences tailored to diverse combat strategies and narrative depths.