A fan has created a side-by-side image of Alexstrasza from World of Warcraft, showing off her brand-new look for the recently released expansion, Dragonflight. Azeroth's favorite life-binding dragon has received quite the glow-up from her first appearance in World of Warcraft nearly 15 years ago.
World of Warcraft: Dragonflight was released on November 28, 2022, and so far has garnered the majority approval of the franchise's army of fans. A far cry from the esoteric, afterlife-centric zones and plot of the previous expansion, Shadowlands, Dragonflight represents a relative return to normalcy for World of Warcraft. Players will find their characters back in Azeroth, tasked as explorers to uncover the secrets which lie in wait on the ancient Dragon Isles. Like Mists of Pandaria before it, Dragonflight introduces players to a new race, the Dracthyr, and a new hero class, the Evoker (both mutually exclusive with the other), that will accompany players on their adventures through a new continent as captivating in its beauty as it is dangerous in its denizens.
Among substantial changes to UI and talent trees that arrive with Dragonflight, World of Warcraft's character models have also received a noticeable update. Reddit user Early-Traffic2054 posted the new character model for Alexstrasza the Life-Binder, in an incredible comparison to her initial model. The contrast between the queen of dragons of old and the one today is stark. With her fiery red and gold armor receiving a practical update and her horns grown in size since Wrath of the Lich King, Alexstrasza has never appeared more formidable and imposing than now.
Among other noticeable changes to Alexstrasza's character model in World of Warcraft are her eyes, which are more honed in and less vacant, showing a scornful reproach. Her bright red hair remains, though it seems to have gotten a sensible trim. Her regal armor has more coverage, appearing to actually function as armor, whereas the previous model's wardrobe was closer to swimwear. Alexstrasza also seems to have fallen out of favor with her frayed cloak, trading it in for an embroidered cincture. Of course, her telltale head tilt remains, forever looking at the player like they just said something foolish.
Despite some initial technical difficulties in World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, it is off to a great start. Alexstrasza's character model is a microcosm of the fresh coat of paint the whole game received. Whether fans' contentment will last is yet to be seen, but for now, all seems right in World of Warcraft.
World of Warcraft: Dragonflight is available now on PC.