Summary
World of Warcraftis officially selling Xiao Liu, a companion pet with the ability to teleport players to anyMists of Pandariadungeon or raid. Though currently only available in China, evidence suggests this convenient and adorableWorld of Warcraftitem may eventually make its way to other regions in the future.
Recently,World of Warcraftmade its triumphant return to China following the restoration of Blizzard’s partnership with NetEase. Fans and developers alike have celebrated the milestone, with the construction of a new Gorehowl statue and other events in China, andBlizzard president Johanna Faries highlighted the reunion in a recent lettershe wrote to close out 2024.
However, one newWoWcash shop item in China has a feature that hasn’t been seen in the game before. First revealed on December 18, Xiao Liu is a China-only blue-colored red panda pet for modernWorld of Warcraftthat can be purchased for ¥120 – just over $15. While charming in its own right, what makes Xiao Liu special is his ability to teleport players to any dungeon orraid fromWorld of Warcraft: Mists of Pandariaonce every 20 minutes. NetEase even made an adorable commercial as a part of the announcement revealing this pet.
Xiao Liu, World of Warcraft’s First Teleportation Pet
At the moment, Xiao Liu is only available in China, but that could change in the future. Players have discovered images in the NA and EU databases featuring Xiao Liu, indicating the teleportation pet may come to the West eventually, though its name and price tag could change before then. Considering its visual similarity to the Teatuft Tamer pet – one of manyWorld of WarcraftTrading Post rewards that was recently leaked– Xiao Liu may be renamed after these other charming creatures.
Xiao Liu isn’t the first pet with a special function inWorld of Warcraft. Lil’ Ragnaros can be used as a mobile campfire for cooking, Alvin the Anvil is a portable repair station, the Argent Squire can be upgraded to act as a shop, mailbox, or bank, and the Guild Herald gives access to the Guild Vendor. However, Lil’ Ragnaros’ extra feature is quite minor, and the latter three can be obtained through in-game activities. A teleportation cash shop pet, while undeniably useful, has some fans concerned –especially on the heels ofWorld of Warcraft’s $90 Brutosaur mount.
Then again, if its$260 Swift Spectral Tiger mount inWorld of Warcraftis any indication, China’s approach to microtransactions is quite different from their Western counterparts. If Xiao Liu does get an international release, players will have to see how Blizzard does it – and what it could mean for future pets with useful in-game functions.
World of Warcraft: The War Within
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In this opening chapter of The Worldsoul Saga, you’ll journey through never-before-seen subterranean worlds filled with hidden wonders and lurking perils, down to the dark depths of the Nerubian empire, where the inscrutable Harbinger of the Void has gathered her arachnid forces to bring Azeroth to its knees.
