Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos

Development Info Prototype Info Prerelease Info Unused Campaign ContentContent specifically created for the Campaign but was never used. Unused AudioUnused Audio for the campaign, normally unplayable units and cut abilities. Unused IconsUnused icons for various cut abilities, buildings and other functions. Unused TextHidden within the game's text strings are cut abilities, upgrades and much more. The Frozen ThroneUnused content in the expansion pack.

Unused Spells#

Dark Summoning#

This was originally the Dreadlord's ultimate ability which let him summon friendly units from afar. It's still in the final game, Tichondrius uses it in an interlude of the Undead campaign to summon both Mephistroth and Anetheron. The spell is set to be disabled in the game's data, and won't even appear in the editor.

It also appears in the expansion pack as an item with unlimited uses.

Unused Graphics#

Channel Ops#

This graphic would have been used to denote channel ops, but they have an orange rectangle border instead.

Unknown#

This would have been used to denote unknown players.

Player Icons#

A variety of unused icons for players.

Female Night Elf#

This texture is found in the folder for the Night elf campaign screen. The one used by the game is based off this one, lacks the underwear and has a different skin hue. The models for the Campaign screens are derived from World of Warcraft character models, but for some reason this unaltered file is left unused. It matches the early pre-release Night elf models seen from World of Warcraft screenshots dating back to 2001.

Resources#

Each of these images represent the four playable races and were used as an indicator of Food (or Pop Cap) during development.

Upkeep#

Upkeep had its own unique icon, one assumes that Food was separate from Upkeep because of this unused icon. The Upkeep Icon used in the final game is named Supply. It's highly probable that Food and Upkeep were merged together in the UI.

Mana Stone#

Mana Stones were the second resource to be introduced to the game, you'd only get them from killing creeps. These were used for things such as training heroes and perhaps reviving them too. Mana Stones were cut from the game at some point, probably after the introduction of trees as resource in late 2001 or early 2002.

Ranger#

The Ranger was the fourth Human hero. She was scrapped late into development and some of her spells were given to the Priestess of the Moon. Despite being cut, elements of her are still in the game, Sylvanas in the campaign uses the model of the Ranger but with a different texture.

Unused Models#

The game's files contain a couple of models that are not used by any unit in the game.

Burning Archer#

While Burning Archers do appear in the game, they use the same Skeleton Archer model but with a red tint. This model file however has fire particles within and clearly was made for Burning Archers.

Chaos Orc Range#

A completely unused model. The Filename of its texture ("ChaosAxeThrower.blp) suggests that this model was meant to be a ranged unit.

Unused Animations#

Animations not normally seen in game

Abomination#

The Abomination has an unused animation for using the Cannibalize ability. Abominations were made to benefit from Cannibalize in the expansion pack.

Grunt#

Because Berserker Strength was an ability and not an upgrade, Grunts have an unused casting animation for the spell.

Kodo Beast#

Kodo Beasts have a couple of unused animations consisting of the creature moving in a slow, lumbering manner with the rider not hitting the drums and another animation same as the previous but with the rider hitting the drums. These animations suggests the Kodo Beast may've been able to alternate between its movement speed.

Peon#

The Peon has an unused attack animation. The Peon strikes with his pickaxe, impaling his target and then kicks with his right foot.

Rifleman#

The Rifleman has one unused spell animation consisting of him firing his rifle in the air. This animation was used for the Flare ability since early in development, Flare was the Rifleman's unique ability.

Warden#

The campaign exclusive Warden units have an unused animation for teleporting. This is because the Wardens reuse the model of the cut Assassin hero, which had a teleport spell named Blink. The Warden hero in the Frozen Throne expansion pack reuses the old Warden animations, and by extension, the teleport animation as well as the spell itself.

Slave Master#

The Slave Master fought in the first Human mission has two unused animations for casting spells. These are leftovers from the cut Warlord hero, whose model is used by the Slave Master.

References#