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Official Transmogrification preview

Blizzard has released its official Transmogrification preview for the upcoming patch 4.3. The preview basically covers everything that we already know (plus a few new details) from an official Blizzard source:

  • You can make one piece of armor look like another piece from the same slot.

  • You will be able to change the looks of weapons, guns, and shields.

  • There are restrictions (plate can only look like plate, cloth like cloth, etc.).

  • You'll be able to see a preview of the transmogrification before it happens.

  • It's going to cost some gold. In the preview picture, it's over 100g.

  • You can undo it, just like you do with reforging.

It doesn't appear that an item will be destroyed in the process, but it does appear that you'll need to have the item you want your current gear to look like in your inventory.

The devil will be in the details here, and the only way we'll get those details is to get on the patch 4.3 PTR ... which can't come soon™ enough.

Blizzard's full statement after the break.




Blizzard Entertainment
You've been asking for it, and we were listening. In patch 4.3 you'll be able to customize the appearance of your weapons and armor like never before.

The Ethereals, emerging from the nether, will bring with them a new technology they call Transmogrification. They're heading to the capital cities of Azeroth to set up shop and to offer adventurers a unique service -- copying the appearance of one magical item onto another. They only ask for a modest gold donation to recoup their costs.

Visiting a Transmogrifier will present players with a new interface that will allow them to change the appearance of an item while retaining its original stats. This means that you can raid in your paladin tier 12 Immolation set, but look like you're wearing Lightbringer, while priests can bring Benediction back -- at least in spirit. Hunters can once again roam the jungles of Stranglethorn Vale in their tier 2 Dragonstalker set. You could even slip into the saucy tailored Black Mageweave set for that matter. You know, with the thigh highs, and the little gloves, and the cute little... ahem.

Placing an item into the Transmogrifier interface will offer a preview of how the item will appear once the change is applied. However, not all item pairings are compatible with Transmogrification. In general, only items that have stats can be used in the transmogrification process. You must also be able to wear both items when using this service. Ethereals don't have much in the way of ethics, but allowing someone to appear as if they're equipping unusable items crosses the line. Similarly, they won't allow you to change weapon or armor types. Sneaky death knights can't make that breastplate look like a cloth robe, and you can't make a one-handed axe look like a two-handed axe, or transform a sword's appearance into that of a mace. Guns, bows, and crossbows will be the exception to this rule. You will finally be able to retain your dwarf's racial gun bonus while appearing with all the splendor and elegance of a bow wielder (or at least the relative silence of one).

Placing items into the Transmogrify interface will increase the gold cost of the process, and clicking the Transmogrify button (assuming you have the necessary funds) will put the appearance change into effect. The process can be reversed by clicking the undo icon on each item, and then hitting the Transmogrify button once more to save the changes. Any item that's transmogrified will have text indicating it's been altered by the process for all to see, similar to the item tooltip callout for reforged items.

Transmogrification encourages players to hold onto items with sentimental or aesthetic value, and the Ethereals anticipate that personal bag and bank space will be at a premium now that everyone will be hoarding their frilly pantaloons and leather jerkins. In anticipation of this new demand for additional storage space, they'll be introducing a unique Void Storage service. What's Void Storage, you ask? We'll provide more details soon.

We're looking forward to seeing how players choose to customize their character's appearance, and hope you're as excited as we are for the arrival of patch 4.3 and the Transmogrification feature. Do you have a favorite set or weapon that you'll be bringing back? Let us know in the comments below.



Brace yourselves for what could be some of most exciting updates to the game recently with patch 4.3. Look at what's ahead: new item storage options, cross-realm raiding, cosmetic armor skinning and your chance to battle the mighty Deathwing -- from astride his back!