We Are Legendary

I'm really becoming a fan of the shared topics over at Blog Azeroth. Each week there's a different topic, and they all so far seem to get me thinking about a different aspect of the game or of myself that I seem to always over look. This week's topic is brought to us by the blog creator of Specced For Drama. 

"What would be the perfect weapon for your character(s) and why? Is it something already in game? Is there lore or a roleplay reason that you'd use this weapon? Would you wish for a completely new item to be implemented in the game just for you? What would it look like? Would it have special abilities? Is there a story behind how you got it? Does it have a fancy name like Frostmourne?"

Ah legendarys; so many of us and so few of you. There have been many legendary weapons introduced to World of Warcraft over the years, instilling fear into the hearts of those who have tasted the blade or have had to combat the bubble or feel the spell power of one of these rare items. There seems to exist a legendary for every type of role, but I feel a gap. A missing niche. I'm feeling a certain lack of love for those of us who dual wield without the aid of a titan's grip.

Let us go down the list of legendary weapons that have made their way into various players' hands over the years.


Wrath of the Lich King

Shadowmourne - The most recently added legendary weapon to the game. Intended for those melee classes who use two-handed weapons and love strength. Could also be used as a tanking weapon for Death Knights.
Used By: Fury/Arms Warriors, Death Knights, Retribution Paladins

Va'anyr, Hammer of Ancient Kings - The first legendary in the Wrath of the Lich King expansion to grace us with its presence. Intended for any and all healing classes, but was especially effective in the hands of a raid healer.
Used By: Restoration Shaman, Restoration Druids, Holy Paladins, Holy/Discipline Priests


Burning Crusade

Thori'dal, the Star's Fury - One of three legendaries available in the Burning Crusade expansion. Intended for Hunters, though I suppose it could also be equipped by a Warrior or Rogue for their item slot.
Used By: Hunters, but also Warriors and Rogues

Warglaive of Azzinoth (Right) -A slow main hand weapon from the Burning Crusade expansion. Intended for Warriors and Rogues, but can also be equipped by Death Knights. Requires the off-hand counter part in order to activate its bonus features.
Used By: Fury Warriors, Rogues, and now also Death Knights

Warglaive of Azzinoth (Left) - A fast off-hand weapon from the Burning Crusade expansion. Intended for Warriors and Rogues, but can also be equipped by Death Knights. Requires the main hand counter part in order to activate its bonus features.
Used By: Fury Warriors, Rogues, and now also Death Knights


Vanilla WoW

Atiesh, Greatstaff of the Guardian - A caster staff from the original World of Warcraft. Each class received their own version of this staff (see link for specific info on the different "forms" Atiesh took). No longer obtainable.
Used By: Priests, Druids (Caster), Mages, and Warlocks

Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker - A fast one handed sword from the original World of Warcraft. Most famously known for it's name constantly being spammed in Trade chat in game. Can be used by dual wielding classes and one-handed tank classes.
Used By: Protection/DPS Warriors, Hunters, Rogues, Protection Paladins, and now Death Knights.

Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros - A slow, two handed mace from the original World of Warcraft. It's the MC hammer!
Used By: DPS Warriors, Retribution Paladins, Feral Druids, Enhancement Shaman, and now Death Knights.


As you can see from this list, there is nearly a weapon for everyone...everyone except for those of us who prefer to wield slow, one handed weapons (in the 2.50 range, give or take). Sure Rogues have had their chance at the Warglaives of Azzinoth, and Enhancement Shaman could use (and often did) Sulfuras, Hand of Rangaros. These items just don't feel proper to me to my chosen class/spec. Quite frankly neither do any of the other amazing items on this list.

Now, the next legendary to be released is rumored to be yet another casting staff, much along the lines of Atiesh. This upsets me slightly, but at the same time I can see that it's been a while since casters have seen some love. Wrath was mainly about the healers and two-handed meleers after all (excluding Ferals...I may have to do a part two to this entry to get some polearm love up in here). If I had things my way though, things would be different. Yes, they certainly would be. I would concoct a set of weapons that would be enjoyed by every Enhancement Shaman, all Rogues who like it slow, and perhaps even Hunters.

I love axes, plain and simple. A set of slow axes would be amazing, and I'm sure Orc Shaman would particularly enjoy this pair of legendaries due to their racial Axe Specialization.

The image above is simply an idea starter. Those axes are actually Lionhead Slashers, which are fast Rogue/Hunter axes that can be found in Trial of the Crusader (Lord Jaraxxus). Aesthetically the legendaries would look similar, but I'd prefer if they had a bit more earthy grit to them. Maybe make the blades a bit spikier and have the bodies have more of an elemental theme as opposed to having the Alliance Lion embedded on them.

Emberblade, Blade of the Old Gods

Binds when picked up
One-Hand                               Axe
1005-2900 Damage                Speed 2.60
(650 damage per second)
+ 215 Agility
+ 300 Stamina
[  ] Red Socket
[  ] Red Socket
Improves Critical Strike rating by 175.
Improves Haste rating by  175.

The Twin Axes of the Old Gods
Emberblade, Blade of the Old Gods
Emberblade, Blade of the Old Gods

(2) Your attacks have a chance to increase your haste by 900 for 10 seconds.
(2) Your attacks have a chance to increase your attack power by 2000 for 10 seconds.

Each time you deal an attack, you have the chance to summon elemental spirits to your side. These spirits will grant you healing and aid you in your fight against the great evil. Heals for 5% of your health over 15 seconds, does equal to 15% of your damage done to the mob (can only happen once every 45 seconds).

Emberblade, Blade of the Old Gods

Binds when picked up
Off-Hand                                 Axe
1005-2900 Damage                Speed 2.60
(650 damage per second)
+ 215 Agility
+ 300 Stamina
[  ] Red Socket
[  ] Red Socket
Improves Mastery rating by 175.
Improves Haste rating by  175.

The Twin Axes of the Old Gods
Emberblade, Blade of the Old Gods
Emberblade, Blade of the Old Gods

(2) Your attacks have a chance to increase your haste by 900 for 10 seconds.
(2) Your attacks have a chance to increase your attack power by 2000 for 10 seconds.

Each time you deal an attack, you have the chance to summon elemental spirits to your side. These spirits will grant you healing and aid you in your fight against the great evil. Heals for 5% of your health over 15 seconds, does equal to 15% of your damage done to the mob (can only happen once every 45 seconds).


The last benefit mentioned could possibly happen even if you've only managed to acquire one of the two legendaries in this set, while the bonus of having both would of course only happen if you have both the main and off-hand counter parts. The stats are naturally a bit off and probably over powered (I wouldn't mind keeping it that way!), but this is generally my dream set right here.

Now if only I could get these to the design team and manage to get my hands on them...