Neutral units, air, water

Neutral units

Random monsters and critters will populate the map - these include traditional fantasy creatures like gnolls and kobolds. If provoked, these creatures will attack you, but they can also provide a nice source of extra income. Pardo mentioned that killing the neutral monsters might net players some extra gold or items! Other neutral units won't be so hostile to you. Pardo mentioned that the goblins from War2 will be making a comeback as traders. You'll be able to buy magical items from them to equip your heroes. Expect goblins to take a Ferengi-like status in Warcraft 3. While we're disappointed that sappers are not making a comeback in War3, we hope the goblins will retain their signature personality in their new role as shopkeepers.

Dwarven Rifleman

Air and ground

Blizzard mentioned that air units in Warcraft 3 have to land in order to attack ground units. One example of this is the Orc Wyvern rider - he has to descend in order to stab enemies with his spear. This is of course a departure from Warcraft 2 and Starcraft. Remember terrorizing peons with Dragons? Or changing up to Scouts and punishing that Terran player who went all Firebats to counter your Zealots? Using air units to take potshots at ground units with no air attack was a no-brainer in those games. The reason Blizzard won't allow it anymore is because flying units already have a huge advantage in being able to cross over all the terrain. On that note, Blizzard revealed to us that they may introduce a new terrain type in Warcraft 3 - one that is impassable to air and ground units alike. This terrain will probably take the form of really tall mountains. It's also undecided if air transports will be in Warcraft 3.

Paladin

Water!

It didn't escape our attention that water was present in some of the maps. There will be a small number of water units in Warcraft 3, but they will mostly be transports and escort types of ships. Pardo said that he doesn't expect that there would be any huge naval battles like there were in Warcraft 2. Sorry water fans, but don't expect any remakes of Fierce Ocean Combat or High Seas Combat in Warcraft 3.

Hardware requirements

Normally it's not worth even mentioning hardware requirements with Blizzard games - the company's hallmark has always been top rate games that will run on really low end machines. Starcraft runs fine on a P150 and even below. Ditto for the original Diablo. They'll be making a slight departure from this with Warcraft 3, their first fully 3D game. The graphics are simply breathtaking even at this early stage. It's very impressive, particularly for a company that's never made a 3D game before. The engine is even T&L capable! Despite all the new bells and whistles, Warcraft 3 still has a software mode, for those of you still in the dark ages with no 3D card. Come on people - shake out your couch and your car seats for the spare change and grab a TNT or Voodoo2 already!