wow Lich King's Wrath of the Lich King Model Used in Patch 9.2 Raid Encounter

[Stan 5,020]

The Lich King model is used during of the encounters in the Sepulcher of the First Ones raid in Patch 9.2. This post contains spoilers.

The Journal Encounter Section database table for the Anduin intermission in the Sepulcher of the First Ones raid contains a reference to the Arthas model used back in Wrath of the Lich King.

The intermission phase named "Intermission: Remnant of a Fallen King", already strongly hinted at the Lich King's presence during the Anduin encounter.

The intermission row table also contains a footprint, referring to "FileDataID=122968", which happens to be the Lich King model, so now we're 100% certain Arthas is making an appearance in the raid. We're previewing his model used for the Anduin encounter below.

Here are the spells used by the Lich King in the encounter (courtesy of MMO-Champion). Among them you’ll find iconic Death Knight spells, like Remorseless Winter or Army of the Dead.

Intermission: Remnant of a Fallen King

• Grasp of Domination - The Remnant's Domination over Anduin's soul links them, transferring 200% of damage taken to Anduin.
• Remorseless Winter - The presence of the Fallen King invokes a raging storm that inflicts 2 Shadowfrost damage every 1 sec to all players.
  This effect stacks, increasing in stack count every 10 sec.
• Soul Reaper - The Fallen King strikes at the target's soul. Grants the Fallen King 100% attack speed for 8 sec, inflicts 150 Physical and 40 Shadowfrost damage to the target, and increases their Physical damage taken by 150% for 15 sec.
• Army of the Dead - Fiendish souls flood the arena, attacking enemies of the Fallen King.
  • Monstrous Soul -
    • Necrotic Detonation - The abomination detonates upon reaching low health, inflicting 60 Shadow damage to all players and reducing the effectiveness of healing and absorption effects by 100% for 10 sec.
    • Unraveling Frenzy - The abomination's rage causes it to unravel, the caster gains 5% increased Physical damage done, but loses 1% of its maximum health every 1 sec.
  • Fiendish Soul -
    • Necrotic Claws - Leaps towards a target, inflicting 2 Physical damage to all enemies within 8 yards and reducing the effectiveness of healing and absorption effects by 1%.
    • Soul Explosion - Upon death, the soul blasts a target area inflicting 33 Shadow damage to players standing within 4 yards of the impact area.

[Arcling 877]

Did they really decide to use old model or is it a placeholder? Anyway, this actually looks quite interesting, albeit it's only a remnant, maybe real Arthas is still out there somewhere.

[darkgreenwax 409]

Is this a flashback fight for fan service? If not, I wonder how they're explaining this.

[Arcling 877]

19 minutes ago, TyZone said:

Is this a flashback fight for fan service? If not, I wonder how they're explaining this.

It could be something like "echo", perhaps a fragment of original soul, I think this is what Ner'zhul was in SoD.

[Danthalas 15]

26 minutes ago, TyZone said:

Is this a flashback fight for fan service? If not, I wonder how they're explaining this.

The speculation is/has been that the crystal that Zovaal had his minion pound into Anduin's sword in the cut scene from WAAAY back was a piece of Arthas' soul, turning the blade into Kingsmourne (IIRC is the name). My guess is that would be how Anduin is able to summon Arthas (as the Lich King) in the fight.

[edgomatic 17]

Arthas will be just another big name butchered for the fast money grab like Nzoth and Azshara. No hope is left.

[Danthalas 15]

10 minutes ago, edgomatic said:

Arthas will be just another big name butchered for the fast money grab like Nzoth and Azshara. No hope is left.

I hope not.  But given the fair amount of retconning that's gone on for this xpac, I won't exactly hold my breath, either. 🤷‍♂️

[Swarf 101]

What happened to "There must always be... a Lich King?"