Summary
- World of Warcraft has released a new transmog ensemble called the Solemn Watchman's Garb, but fans are unimpressed and find it bland and low-quality for its steep price of $15.
- Previous transmog ensembles sold on the cash shop have been popular among players, but the Solemn Watchman's Garb seems to have missed the mark.
- The increase in purchasable cosmetics and microtransactions in World of Warcraft's cash shop has led to criticism from fans who perceive it as a greedy practice, and they hope for a more satisfactory middle ground.
World of Warcraft’s new Solemn Watchman’s Garb transmog ensemble has not impressed many players. This new set is available on the World of Warcraft shop, though few players seem interested in purchasing it at such a steep price.
Ever since its introduction many years ago, World of Warcraft has used the cash shop to sell some of its highest-quality transmogs. The Fireplume Regalia to the Waveborn Diplomat’s Regalia–both of which were available during the Blizzard Summer Sale–are just some of the most popular outfits it has sold for real money.
However, World of Warcraft’s newest transmog ensemble seems to be a big miss among fans. The Solemn Watchman’s Garb is now available to buy for $15 in the store. Unfortunately, many fans find the set to be bland, low-quality, and not worth the steep price tag. World of Warcraft content creator and The Pale Beyond developer Michael Bell, better known as Bellular, pointed out the set was so disappointing that even players who love the cash shop were unenthusiastic about the new ensemble.
Fans of World of Warcraft aren’t against the idea of simplistic transmogs themselves. In fact, World of Warcraft’s Trading Post has featured several basic, adventurer-level cosmetic items since its inception, many of which have been popular. That said, these transmog items are usually available for a small sum of Trader’s Tender, not as much as a monthly subscription to World of Warcraft.
It is clear the Solemn Watchman’s Garb missed the mark. While some World of Warcraft players will undoubtedly pick up this cosmetic ensemble, most fans are not impressed. Either way, like other recent World of Warcraft cash shop cosmetics, the Solemn Watchman’s Garb ensemble will eventually be added to the Trading Post, so players who want it without spending $15 can save up Trader’s Tender to buy it in a few months.
This wasn’t the only stumble WoW has made involving the cash shop recently. The Corsage Pack is a $5 ensemble that includes a couple of flowery wrist transmogs–but also gives players the first access to acquiring Trader’s Tender via microtransactions. This new cosmetic bundle sets a troubling precedent for World of Warcraft that has many fans concerned for the future. Considering players already have to buy expansions and subscriptions, the seeming increase in purchasable cosmetics has led many to criticize Blizzard for greedy practices. Hopefully, World of Warcraft and its community can find a middle ground with its in-game store that everyone can be satisfied with.
World of Warcraft is available now for PC.