Transformation into the Lich King

[ZenVenom]

I started on the server quite recently, I bought gold but I was in for a wild disappointment: I was told that the server would be turned into the Lich King in the near future.

I'm really tired of the Lich King and I want to play version 2,4,2, especially since it's cool based on 335.

Is there even the slightest chance that they'll leave this version for those who came to play 2,4,3?

If not, then it's better to continue looking for a cool 2,4,3 server. Although there's probably nothing cooler than yours

[Sterloin]

As it indicates on the forum header for Onyxia; this is the progressive server for vanilla to burning crusade to wrath of Lich King, and eventually after will likely allow character transfers to icecrown. There are no announced plans for another TBC only server (it's been done before on warmane)

I recommend sticking it through though. Onyxia provides unique takes on QoL dynamics and is still a great deal of fun.

TLDR: Welcome to the wrath waiting room ?

[Brutone]

If the population stays like this and we still have queue in phase 4 then I think it would be worth to keep a permanent TBC realm.

They could duplicate the chars.. One char stays on Onyxia TBC and a duplication progresses to Onyxia Wotlk.

[Obnoxious]

While there could always been some slim and remote chance (and I say this just because I don't want people blaming me if it happens, not because I believe in this chance) we have had Burning Crusade servers in the past and they just don't remain sustainable for long. The vast majority of Onyxia players is here for the progressive content, not because of Burning Crusade, so the population isn't a measure for the expansion's success.

[Brutone]

I also doubt it's possible to keep a permanent TBC server forever, but Outland was very active for over two years and I think it would be similar for Onyxia TBC.
So, I think when Onyxia Wotlk gets released it would be an option to run Onyxia TBC simultaniously with one version of the character staying on TBC while a second version progresses to wotlk.
Onyxia TBC and Blackrock TBC could then remain in phase 4 and we could see how their population develops.

[Obnoxious]

If we were to open a server with an expiration date due to knowing the population will only stick around so long, we might as well just keep on with the Onyxia model, and people who only want Burning Crusade have roughly an year of it every once in a while. Branching like you'd like is just adding a new server to manage, maintain and pay for while knowing it won't last, at the cost of splitting Onyxia's population. It's counterproductive on many levels.

[Asraell]

While there could always been some slim and remote chance (and I say this just because I don't want people blaming me if it happens, not because I believe in this chance) we have had Burning Crusade servers in the past and they just don't remain sustainable for long. The vast majority of Onyxia players is here for the progressive content, not because of Burning Crusade, so the population isn't a measure for the expansion's success.

I remember Outland server very well and the decline in population from 9k active players happened straight after you introduced warglaives to Item shop. Maybe because SWP was released at that time, but everyone was blaiming glaives are on every single rogue out in the open world. Otherwise, TBC servers are prone to not be very sustainable population wise, that is true. And as far as I know, my guild etc. and most play solely for reason of TBC, me including.

[Morvion]

I remember Outland server very well and the decline in population from 9k active players happened straight after you introduced warglaives to Item shop. Maybe because SWP was released at that time, but everyone was blaiming glaives are on every single rogue out in the open world. Otherwise, TBC servers are prone to not be very sustainable population wise, that is true. And as far as I know, my guild etc. and most play solely for reason of TBC, me including.

medivh didnt have shop back then, and it was even deader than frostwolf

[Brutone]

I remember Outland server very well and the decline in population from 9k active players happened straight after you introduced warglaives to Item shop. Maybe because SWP was released at that time, but everyone was blaiming glaives are on every single rogue out in the open world.

Maybe they released the warglaives too early but I don't think that it was the reason for the pop decline.
Imo Outland died due to the mismatched server rates. High XP rates don't go in line with x1 rep, gold, honor and arena rates. Newcomers leveled up quickly but once they hit 70 they got stuck in a x1 grind fiesta that was even more hardcore than on Lordaeron wotlk.
I remember that when Outland was already in it's last phase many ppl of another popular TBC server switched to Outland because their server was shut down. It gave Outland quite a population boost but all these newcomers gave up after they hit max level because the long grind made it too difficult to catch up.

So I think its the tremendous grind that leads to the population decline on a permanent TBC realm.
A aging server needs catch up mechanics to make it attractive for new players. Also gearing up alts would need to be made more attractive. Nobody wants to do a monotonious rep grind twice. So heirloom shoulder and head enchants would be handy.