At Least One World of Warcraft Character Doesn\'t Survive Patch 11.1

Warning: Spoilers for World of Warcraft: The War Within Patch 11.1, Undermined, below

During the story campaign of World of Warcraft Patch 11.1, Renzik “The Shiv” is taken out by Gallywix in the villain’s attempt to assassinate Gazlowe. Though the iconic Goblin Rogue has been in World of Warcraft since the game first launched, Renzik’s death acts as a turning point for the story of Patch 11.1, Undermined.

Recently, World of Warcraft began testing Patch 11.1 on the Public Test Realm, giving fans a first look at the content therein. In addition to seeing new World of Warcraft collectibles like campsites, players also got to travel to Undermine and experience most of the campaign chapters that will come in the update.

However, these story chapters come with a lethal plot twist that few fans would expect. During the campaign, players travel to the Goblin capital of Undermine to thwart Gallywix and retrieve the Dark Heart before Xal’atath alongside Gazlowe, leader of the Horde-aligned Bilgewater Cartel, and Renzik “The Shiv” – second-in-command of the Alliance’s SI:7 spy network. Gazlowe expresses his hatred of the city and reticence to stay and get involved in its politics, despite Renzik’s insistence that he is what Undermine needs to thrive. Unfortunately, their meddling in Gallywix’s schemes draws the attention of a sniper, who takes a shot at Gazlowe – only for Renzik to take the bullet instead. World of Warcraft fan and Wowhead lore analyst Portergauge documented the campaign and shared it on Twitter.

Renzik “The Shiv” Dies in World of Warcraft Patch 11.1

While Renzik is not the most important character in World of Warcraft, he is a face that many will recognize – especially Alliance Rogues. When World of Warcraft first launched 20 years ago, Renzik was one of the first Rogue quest givers and trainers players met in Stormwind. Predating playable Goblins by six years, Renzik is one of the oldest Goblin NPCs in World of Warcraft.

Luckily, his death is not in vain. Renzik’s sacrifice acts as a catalyst for Gazlowe, who becomes convinced that Gallywix needs to be stopped at any cost. Rallying the other Trade Princes and the people of Undermine, he kicks off a revolution, leading to the new Liberation of Undermine raid in World of Warcraft. In his attempt to kill Gazlowe, Gallywix only succeeds in turning Renzik into a martyr.

Needless to say, Renzik may not be the only iconic Goblin to die in Patch 11.1. The self-styled Chrome King Gallywix is the last boss of Liberation of Undermine, though the battle itself won’t be available until the patch officially releases. That said, few final raid bosses survive their encounters with World of Warcraft characters, so Gallywix’s days are most likely numbered.