Transmog was never part of the original WoW, and for part of the Classic community it's close to a red line. Blizzard chose not to pick a side: it exists in Forever, but each player decides whether to see it. Here's what's been explained, along with the item changes that come with it.
Turning it off is a real option
- You disable it at a transmogrifier in certain cities, the same place where you set up outfits. Warcraft Tavern names one of these NPCs: Fyrenz Vishonar.
- The first time you launch the game there's a mode selector, according to Wowhead's liveblog. If you pick Classic Mode, transmog starts out disabled.
- With it off, you see everyone in their real gear. It isn't just that you stop using transmog yourself: you stop seeing everyone else's.
- You keep collecting appearances while it's off, in case you change your mind.
- Helm and cloak: with the system off you can still hide them, and you'll see what others have hidden, just like the original game.
The What's Next panel described transmog as opt-in, while the Deep Dive described a system you can turn off. That isn't a contradiction: it depends on which mode you pick when you start. Blizzard Watch ties transmog being on to Enhanced Mode, the one with high-definition models. Blizzard presents them as two separate settings (the HD or SD model option can also be toggled), so don't assume they always go together.
Dungeons: nobody rolls for looks
Josh Greenfield confirmed it in the Deep Dive, according to Wowhead: when a bind-on-pickup Uncommon or Rare item drops in a dungeon, every eligible looter gets the appearance. Whoever needs the piece as an upgrade no longer competes with someone who only wants the look.
- Raids are different: epic appearances only go to the player the item binds to. Blizzard cites prestige, and the fact that raid groups usually organize their own loot.
- Poor and Common items grant their appearance as soon as you loot them, without having to bind.
The restrictions that stay
- Same armor type. Plate to plate, cloth to cloth. Blizzard's example is a Paladin wearing a cloth robe: it can only take another cloth chest appearance.
- Level. While leveling, appearances must be at or below your level. At 60 that restriction goes away.
- PvP. PvP gear appearances require the matching rank, according to Wowhead and Blizzard Watch.
- Cosmetic-only items are the exception to these rules, but Blizzard warns they'll be rare.
Watch out for a headline going around: "Transmog restrictions will remain for weapons and class gear" is a Wowhead story about modern WoW (patch 12.2.5, which removes armor-type restrictions), not Forever. For Forever, Blizzard has only talked about armor type and level. It hasn't said anything specific about weapons or class sets.
Items: less "best in slot forever", more situations
Blizzard wants to "unsolve" Classic gearing too. On top of the stat changes we already covered, the official text confirms:
- Situational trinkets, such as the Worgenbane Talisman, and effects tied to environments (Woodlands, Mountains, Deserts) or specific creature types (the example given is X'caliboar).
- Every dungeon drop re-examined. Unique boss items become blue quality, and set bonuses are improved.
- Quest rewards for more classes. Mor'ladim's quest in Duskwood still gives the two-handed sword, but adds the Ladimore Heirloom Ring for casters. Hemet Nesingwary's quests include a Master Hunter's Spellsword.
- Improved world-drop epics and hundreds of new rare-creature drops.
At the What's Next panel, according to Wowhead, Blizzard promised hundreds of new items, many with on-use effects, plus tweaks that make existing items a bit more useful and unique.
Four items from the panel
Warcraft Tavern and Output Lag wrote up the items shown on screen. The numbers come from Output Lag. Warcraft Tavern only gives descriptions, and they don't agree on everything:
- Graverobber's Shovel (two-hand mace, level 23). Per Output Lag: 68–102 damage, +10 Stamina, +12 Attack Power and another +12 against Undead. Its use effect digs up graves at Raven Hill Cemetery and the Scarlet Monastery graveyard, with 20 charges and a 2-minute cooldown. Warcraft Tavern instead describes zone-bound effects like extra movement speed in certain areas. Until we see it in the beta, it's unclear exactly what it does.
- Tidal Charm (updated trinket). Stuns for 3 seconds, or 5 against naga, and refunds 80% of its 15-minute cooldown, per Output Lag. Warcraft Tavern confirms the extended effect against naga.
- Whitemane's Chapeau (updated helm, aimed at healers). Per Output Lag: +10 Intellect, +9 Stamina, +12 Spirit, +20 healing, +7 damage and 20% faster resurrection casts.
- Sharpened Cutlery (thrown weapon, level 19). 18–35 damage, per Output Lag.
None of these numbers appear in Blizzard's own text: they come from what was shown at the panel, as reported by the press, and may change. The September 17 beta will be the first chance to check them. When there's data, we'll add it to the dungeon and raid pages.
