Undermined is one of the most inventive patches for World of Warcraft. Its visuals, thematics, and chaos-forward content have been a true breath of fresh air for World of Warcraft, which has typically taken a more self-serious tone in recent years. The over-the-top nature of Undermined, however, brings with it a major missed opportunity, as it would have been the perfect opportunity for Blizzard to reintroduce one of its most beloved features: the Brawler's Guild.

The Brawler's Guild has long been held in the shadows, initially because of its primary rule (apologies for breaking it), but more recently because of Blizzard's reluctance to revive it. The Fight Club-inspired violent social space would have worked phenomenally well in the shady, alley-ridden streets of Undermine. Beyond the continued wait, it's a shame that if the Brawler's Guild does return, it will probably be in a zone that's less exciting than the obvious slam-dunk of Undermine.

Brawler's Guild Would Have Been Perfect For Undermined

A Great Fit For Too Many Reasons

The Brawler's Guild, at its core, is an underground, illicit arena where players can test their strength in one-on-one PvE bouts. The feature was originally made in Mists of Pandaria but has not received any updates since Battle for Azeroth. The underground aesthetic-full of bouncers, obnoxious speakerphone announcers, restricted access, and even a VIP seating area-would have translated flawlessly into the new, grimy Undermine cityscape.

Undermined would have also been the first cross-faction Brawler's Guild, a modernization that is bound to happen for the Guild.

A post on the WoW subreddit by Liberation of Undermine raid already breaking trends through its creative bosses, including a slot machine and Mad Max-esque car gang, a Brawler's Guild in Undermine would have been the perfect layup for the already exciting patch.

World Of Warcraft's Brawler's Guild Was Special

A Thematic Social Space, & Compelling Fights To Boot

For players unaware, the Brawler's Guild was essentially a social space for solo PvE fights. With the accessible solo challenge of delves being a major win for WoW, the Brawler's Guild served almost as a proof of concept for effective solo-friendly content. One major difference, however, was the social space provided by the Brawler's Guild. You needed to queue up and wait for your chance to prove yourself against the eclectic gauntlet of enemies. What made the wait bearable — and even enjoyable — was the ability to watch the current competitor dish it out on the center stage.

The rich theme and style emphasized the fun factor of the activity, capturing that feeling of a scrappy underground club. Access was limited to the Guild, requiring players to buy a at the black market auction or find hard-to-pin-down NPCs. Once you were in the Guild, you were in for good, and you could even generate your own sellable or tradeable es once your rank was increased high enough.

Raising your rank also allowed access to a VIP section of the Guild, allowing for a wider view of the arena and its current combatants. A wider view was appreciated too, as these fights were nothing to scoff at. Often, they were both exceedingly creative and challenging, requiring tight play and a solid understanding of mechanics. The spectator aspect and the space as a whole were a perfect blending of both flavor and functionality. Discussing strategies, watching failures, and occasionally, watching a successful challenger were all a part of what made the Brawler's Guild special.

WoW Might Still Bring Brawler's Guild Back In The Future

The Wait May Not Be Long

While Undermine didn't end up being the place for a Brawler's Guild revival, there is still some hope for its eventual return. In a Windows Central interview with associate director Maria Hamilton, Maria referenced the idea that there is interest in reviving the Brawler's Guild in a more "evergreen" capacity. I can't personally imagine a better place for a Brawler's Guild, but perhaps Midnight and its Quel'Thalas location will feature another inspired placement for the long-lost feature.

With the stellar Undermine patch, an exciting new season, and player housing well on its way, there is a lot to do and look forward to. The Brawler's Guild would be a perfect addition to the increasing list of solid features that have been making their way into the game. In particular, the Brawler's Guild could be another fantastic option for solo players, especially those who would like more social or RP opportunities. An evergreen version of the Brawler's Guild, if done with care, is certainly something that would be worth the extended wait in World of Warcraft.

Sources: Gabarne/Reddit, Windows Central