Ghosts of K’aresh is going to be the big next patch, and will also be the last big update of this expansion. That means we are closer to Midnight than some of us might think. Patch 11.2 is the last major update for The War Within, with no other raid tiers or new zones planned after it.
Smaller patches like 11.2.5 and 11.2.7 may still add events or system updates, but Dimensius the All-Devouring will be the final raid boss of the expansion. There will also be no Patch 11.3 and no Season 4.
In the last few days, there have been several developer interviews about what is coming next; some by well-known creators, others by smaller channels that still had plenty of juicy story details to share.
If you want to watch the dev interviews for yourself, here are both videos:
Both interviews featured some great questions, and we definitely recommend watching them. But if you just want the highlights, here are some of the most interesting details:
What Is Left After 11.2?
Although smaller updates like 11.2.5 or 11.2.7 might still bring time-limited content or quality-of-life changes, the heavy lifting is done. From here, all eyes turn toward Midnight…
A Zone Full of Void Energy, Lore Payoffs, and Ethereal Secrets
The new zone of K’aresh is a shattered, void-touched world, home of the Ethereals. The terrain is made up of floating islands, cracked landscapes, and ecodomes that preserve nature from before its collapse. You will be able to fly from day one thanks to the fractured design of the zone.
Lore-wise, this patch is doing a lot. Developers confirmed that story threads seeded as far back as Battle for Azeroth and Shadowlands will see payoffs here. Gallywix’s dealings with the Brokers, the connection between Ethereals and Brokers, and the origins of both races on K’aresh were all intentional setups – and it is finally time to explore them.
We can expect new crystalline and energy-themed transmog weapons from open world content, and a special Ethereal-themed Dirigible mount from the Pinnacle (Delve) Boss fight with Princess Ky’veza.
Xal’atath vs. Azir – Who Is Really Saving Azeroth?
One of the most interesting storylines in 11.2 will focus on the tension between Xal’atath and the Ethereals, especially Face Thief Azir, who is trying to use the Dark Heart for unclear purposes. Xal’atath, who initially seemed like an ally of his, is now openly opposing giving the Heart to Azir’s people.
During interviews, the devs teased that this storyline will challenge our assumptions about who is truly helping or harming Azeroth. Xal’atath’s form in previous updates was a deliberate creative choice, but her true goals will become clearer in 11.2. The patch will ask the question: Who is actually trying to save the world, and who is steering it toward ruin?
Honestly, the story is in a very good place right now – mysterious, intriguing, and with a ton of potential still ahead.
More Characters Return – and Some Have More Story to Tell
The interviews also confirmed a few fun character updates:
- Alleria returns in 11.2 after taking a backseat in 11.1.
- Venari and Princess Ky’veza play important roles, including Ky’veza’s own raid encounter.
- Misha, Rexxar’s loyal bear, will appear, though Rexxar himself will not.
- Xal’atath is not aligned with the player, but may have a complex future role after losing the Dark Heart.
We also got a brief tease about Orweyna and the Harronir – important characters in earlier War Within zones. The devs mentioned that their story is not over and that we may learn more about them in Midnight.
Ethereals: Not Playable, But Rich in Culture and Lore
Although we will not be able to play as an Ethereal in 11.2, Blizzard is giving their culture a full spotlight. Devs confirmed big visual updates to Ethereals, emphasizing that they are energy beings held together by magical wraps. Their transformation happened after the destruction of K’aresh, and one of the raid bosses will even explore how they keep their form after losing their bodies.
The writing team saw them as a fun challenge – characters without bodies, yet full of personality and perspective. The story will explore what that loss means for their identity and what role they might play in the fate of Azeroth going forward.
That does not mean we will never get them as a playable race… just not right now.
About Midnight and the Rest of the Saga
Everything in 11.2 leads directly into Midnight, the next expansion in the Worldsoul Saga. We will start to see larger narrative threads coming together across expansions – from the fate of K’aresh and the Dark Heart, to Xal’atath’s role, the Harronir’s future, and the Brokers’ ancient past.
If you are following the story closely, this patch is already looking like a must-play moment. Personally, I cannot wait to see what adventures await us next!
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