Terrain marker

A Terrain marker is an object used to mark a location on the terrain. Before the introduction of World Markers, players would need to get creative in finding ways to mark a space in the game world visually for clear communication.

Generally, it was accomplished by using an item to spawn the object, but could be placed by a spell or an ability.

Any placeable object can mark terrain, but in order to be useful the marking object must be:

• Visible over a distance - in WoW, that generally means a large object
  • If subtlety is warranted, a small object may server better
• Persistent - no fixed duration, but generally at least tens of seconds or several minutes
• Stays in a fixed location - if it wanders, it can't mark a spot on the map

Varieties

• Smoke Flares are the quintessential example. The Smoke Flare pyrotechnic device places a smoke column on the terrain.
  •  [White Smoke Flare]
  •  [Green Smoke Flare]
  •  [Purple Smoke Flare]
  •  [Red Smoke Flare]
  •  [Cannoneer's Smoke Flare] (blue, Horde quest item)

• Lunar Festival terrain markers. These two stones create a column of light on the terrain.
  •  [Elder's Moonstone]
  •  [Elune Stone]

• Ad Hoc, generally smaller objects. Anything that can be placed; examples:
  • A campfire, placed by using the Basic Campfire skill.
  • A keg of Brewfest Brew, placed by using a  [Brewfest Pony Keg] (not consumed) - if you have the item, the use is free
  • Summoning a Snowman companion (requires and consumes a  [Snowball])
  • A Portal, summoned by a mage. The portal's destination doesn't matter - it is being used for its graphic property in the game environment.

Uses

Some uses that people have come up with:

• marking locations for raids
• smoke bomb the Flag Rooms in the Warsong Gulch battleground
• props for floor shows and fashion shows

Notes

Where each of these can be placed varies. The Snowman companion is versatile in that regard, but be aware that companions despawn when a ship or a zeppelin crosses into a new zone.