WoW War Within first teleport pet and how it will change the game?
A recently introduced new teleport pet in the Chinese version of WoW, Xiao Liu, may come to the Worldwide version of the game. Stay tuned to learn more!
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In a groundbreaking revelation for World of Warcraft fans, NetEase has introduced Xiao Liu, the first pet capable of teleporting players to any Mists of Pandaria dungeon or raid. This innovative teleport pet is soon to be available in China for ¥ $120 (approximately $16 USD). China is famous for adding cosmetic items for players to buy with real money, like a Flyring Spectral Tiger. Players have found leaks that this pet may even come to the worldwide version of the game.
Teleportation Pet
Xiao Liu’s teleportation ability differentiates it from previous service-oriented pets, such as Lil’ Ragnaros (who was a portable Bonfire) and Alvin the Anvil (portable anvil). Players can select their desired destination through a standard dialogue menu upon interaction. However, using this ability comes with a 20-minute cooldown, named “Sleepy Xiao Liu,” referencing the pet’s need for a rest after each teleport. This mount offers a great QoL change like Coppers the Kobold that was intended to be released in War Within.
While the pet’s teleportation feature is exclusive to the retail version of World of Warcraft, some fans speculate that its utility may extend beyond the Mists of Pandaria content. The pet’s functionality adds a new layer to pets in the game, which traditionally has been limited to battle or cosmetic roles.
The initial reveal was made for Chinese audiences, but independent sources suggest that Xiao Liu could reach North America, Europe, and other regions. Evidence includes a decrypted shop card preview featuring the teleport pet on North American and European servers, hinting at a potential worldwide release. If the teleport pet becomes available outside China, it is expected to be priced higher, likely around $25, given that battle pets in the West typically cost around $6 in China.
Players have speculated that the new Xiao Liu pet may take its place once Blizzard’s winter sale ends and the Trader’s Gilded Brutosaur is no longer available in the store.
Players’ Reaction to teleportation pet
The introduction of Xiao Liu, the teleporting companion pet in World of Warcraft, has sparked mixed reactions from the community. While Chinese players seem amused with the teleport pet and appreciate him, other players seem to care about the matter. Critics argue that selling a teleportation pet for real money that offers a QoL feature like teleportation feels like a cash grab, with one player expressing disbelief at the concept of paying for such an advantage. It also undermines Class Identity in the case of Mages, who were the only playable class able to teleport other players. Shortly we may even see a summoning pet, making Warlocks obsolete.
Players believe this marks a troubling shift in the game’s direction, suggesting that World of Warcraft is becoming more of a “lobby simulator” with an increasing focus on microtransactions, where even convenience features are locked behind a paywall. Think about this, with such convenience that Trader’s Gilded Brutosaur gives with portable AH, there is no need for you to teleport to your capital in order to monitor Auction status. Blizzard can go even further and make teleports obsolete, with the abundance of teleportation pets.
Additionally, some players have expressed concerns that this move could further alienate the player base, with accusations that the game is prioritizing monetization over player experience. Comments hinting at the cultural aspect of the teleport pet being linked to China’s love for in-game purchases have also triggered debates (For example with a Flying Spectral Tiger mount for $265), while others argue that the decision is rooted in Blizzard’s global strategy rather than any malicious intent.
Buying a pet that teleports to decade-old content has left many wondering if this is a step towards more expensive in-game features, such as teleporting mounts, pushing the boundaries of what’s considered acceptable in World of Warcraft’s premium offerings.
Players still have problems with the pay-to-get Brutosaur mount in the game, which includes a portable Auction House. However, not all players think that the addition of Trader’s Gilded Brutosaur was a bad idea, especially when you consider the fact that the original Brutosaur was removed. In the end, it seems that Blizzard’s strategy for monetizing the game works. The Trader’s Gilded Brutosaur costs $90 and is much more prevalent than the original one.
Conclusion
As World of Warcraft continues to evolve, the introduction of Xiao Liu, the teleporting companion pet, raises questions about the future direction of the game. While some players embrace the convenience and novelty of the pet, many are concerned about the increasing trend of monetizing quality-of-life features that were once available through gameplay progression. The potential global release of Xiao Liu could signal a shift toward more premium, pay-to-access features, adding to the growing list of items like the Brutosaur mount that have polarized the player base.
Ultimately, Xiao Liu’s success or failure outside of China will depend on how Blizzard balances the introduction of paid conveniences with maintaining the integrity of the core game experience. As players continue to voice their opinions, it’s clear that the World of Warcraft community is divided over these changes, and only time will tell if this new pet will become a beloved addition or a symbol of a troubling trend in the game’s ongoing evolution. For now, fans will have to stay tuned to see whether Xiao Liu’s teleportation ability will soon be available on a worldwide scale and how it will be received by the broader World of Warcraft community.
What are your thoughts on the addition of a teleport pet in the game? Share your thoughts in the comment section!
Comments
this is not a game changer. we are on war within not most of pandaria. teleporting us to dungeons and raids that aren’t current makes no sense at all. if the pet teleported us anywhere that would be a game changer. a real game changer would be a summoning stone mount
they just need to bring back “have group will travel” teleport