Classic WoW's Most Absurd Weapon - Artist Remakes Dark Edge of Insanity in 2024

Taking a turn for the whacky, I decided to update Dark Edge of Insanity. To those of you who have been asking me for this, hope you enjoy. To those of you who haven't, I also hope you enjoy :)
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Starforge PCs: starforgepc.co...
Patreon: / tomkek
Twitter: tomkektv
Discord: / discord
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Brightly Fancy - Kevin Macleod

[@SilverwindWorkshop]

I really wish Blizzard either hired you, or paid you for your judgement because yours looks tremendously better. I don't want to discount the work of the artist who did make their remake, and there might be performance reasons at play as to why it looks so much lower fidelity, but man . . . Blizzard's over here missing such a great employee for making new trading post or time-walking gear!

[@SexySkeletons69]

Nah, you hit the nail on the head: his models look better because he doesn't have to worry AS much about optimization. That said, it's not just optimization. Blizzard's artists also have other stuff to work on, tighter deadlines, AND they have to worry about the sets at least WORKING on every race that can use them for BOTH body types. No doubt there's a lot I'm forgetting about in the moment too. These videos are phenomenal examples of artwork, and he always knocks it outta the park. But that's exactly what this is: artwork. Even though his stuff is genuinely incredible, in a world where Blizzard DID hire him, he'd end up having to make the same concessions as their other artists already do. It isn't arbitrary, it's for the sake of the game being playable for as large an audience as possible; an audience ranging from troll hunters on shitty 2018 laptops to draenei paladins with a rig that cost more than a used car. Hope this doesn't come off like I'm coming at you or anything. Really I just see this as an opportunity to maybe prompt people to think about how many moving parts there are in game design/development.

[@Finn3h]

All of Tom's models are rendered to blizzard specs shouldntve been an issue to use his work

[@Ayuima69]

​@@Finn3h I mean he tries to now, but I'm pretty sure his were allot more complicated than what the game is designed for since the judgment set video was a while back. I mean his stuff just looks way more complicated than anything in wow even now. I don't think they could put it in without changing it.

[@douglaswester9304]

@@Finn3hi feel like people fail to realize that the gear needs to be adjusted for 20 races, with Female and male characters. Pieces that fit tauren need to be made to be able to fit a gnome.

[@darkmatterpancake]

If you watch the video, he explains what the difference between the two is

[@alexanderhenderson2594]

Would you consider adding a portion to one of your future videos where you explain how you change the colors for the alternate colors of each weapon. Also looking forward to you eventually working through all the AQ gear! 😊

[@michaelnavarro309]

probably a hue /saturation node inside Blender or Marmoset with a couple of hand paint tweaks

[@justinblanco8067]

You moving around little dots and squares is VERY interesting if I do say so myself!

[@LinsenLucas]

I'd love literally any kind of livestream from you

[@thomasungoreit]

04:29 The Origin | The Endboss | The Set after you loot it from the Endboss I just love your vids. Your improvment on the items is awesome, but your own style to talk about your work, the ups and downs and your unique charme is what had make me subscribed after your work on the paladin mounts. Keep it up! Here are some of my personal wishes: - Invincible (although it's till this day a fine mount) - (Titanic) Onslaught Armor (Warrior) - Corruptor Raiment (Warlock) - House Wrynn Halberd - Hulking Shield

[@dawfydd]

Your pally T2 Skirt looks better imo. not to mention the overall lightning/colouring? realistic look.. just looks cooler but wow is abit more cartoony.. sometimes? i dunno.. i would've liked a more muted colour set on this.. other armors do have more muted colours.

[@Eli-dl2tw]

6:55 that transition felt like a blizz cinematic there, gave me goosebumps. I love this shit.

[@DarkEdgeTV]

Listening to this one hit different This is also probably my favourite of your handpainted textures so far. Amazing job making the textures look really 3D! They have so much depth and layers

[@Byhythloh]

As excited for the T2 remakes as I am, your Judgement set is 500x better. Really wish we got your version honestly.

[@dinkledork4421]

Your Dark Edge of Insanity is so sharp, it sliced through my raid group faster than a wipe at Twin Emperors.

[@Will_Salcedo]

4:27 Jesus Tomkek's version is, 1000x better!

[@broncobossross]

LOVE your stuff. huge fan! you should totally do tarecgosas staff. I think that would be really challenging and fun to paint

[@ASIRA89]

if Blizzard put this item on the WoW Tradingpost everyone would buy it. This may be the coolest axe in the game.

[@thebearded4427]

I would absolutely love to see a revamped OG white raptor mount. Think you could spice it up with some troll items for that new but still original vibe

[@Chaydex]

I second this 100% Trolls need their raptors updated asap

[@zzmr_stretchzz8772]

dude if your looking for a challenge try the sindorei war blade from tbc every belf 2 handers main for the 20s, that thing you cant even tell what its meant to look like so itll be dope to see your take on the weapon. IMO i image the orcrist sword from the hobbit if you need any sort of reference

[@TheRakanow]

Suggestion do a remake of Fieldmarschal Battlegear (Paladin), Lawbringer armor (warrior T1), Bounty of Stormrage (Druid, T2), Dragonstalker pursuit (Hunter, T2), Netherwind Insight (Mage, T2) and Dawn of Transcendence (Priest, T2). That would be absolutely awesome. You can make a series

[@_rmb]

Dark Edge is recall to Soul Edge from the game series SoulCalibur.

[@popfloydplays788]

Blending the old Warcraft theme with the different expansions versions at the end was very clean, I approve

[@Lanafer]

Your T2 is much better than the blizz one come on you can be god damn proud of and same goes with this one!

[@TastyScotch]

Ok, that little closed-eye “wiggle” thing is legit.

[@GlantClassic]

Really love Dark Edge of Insanity. Really cool remake. It would be awesome to have a list of all the programs you use to create it! Cheers as always

[@aaricgrendrake]

I loved this remake. I was never a huge fan of the original but you killed it. I think the part I'm most impressed about is the slimey web bits that stretch from the eye to the axe blades. Your mix of texture work and actual 3D modeling makes it have such depth its crazy to watch as it turns and from different angles.

[@Wintertoes]

Would we ever be able to download these models for our private servers? Your stuff is masterfully done dude!

[@PhungNalle]

I believe some are shared already, ik he has shared some of the mounts to people in the discord and those ppl have made it possible for them to function, or something like that

[@SilverwindWorkshop]

If you can and do, I hope you can include a credit to Tomkek in the item/mount description

[@Tomkektv]

Everything I have ever made on this channel can be downloaded for free on my patreon. They're set to public so non members can get them too :)

[@Wintertoes]

@@Tomkektv You're a legend!

[@zzmr_stretchzz8772]

i really wish theyd reach out to use your models man

[@nwyk153]

They're way to arrogant to do that.

[@Goldtiger142003]

One of the earliest weird weapons, and it was given the love it deserves. That green recolor was spectacular, and reminded me of one of the Throne of Thunder items from Megeara. I think it was an offhand? Either way, awesome model, awesome texturing, and awesome recolors! Speaking of early WoW weapons, there was Larvae of the Great Worm; a gun that was literally a worm. Would be cool to see that thing fleshed out.

[@ajigoalo2323]

Great job as always, I would love to see a HD remake of the darkspear troll raptor mounts made by you.

[@SimonRobeyns]

That was sick man you need to do more classic remakes everyone still remembers these weapons through and through, even with the low poly count any later iteration of wow just fails to make such epic and memorable and inspiring weapons

[@theodorsik]

Man… your Judgemnt is THOUSAND TIMES BETTER than their….

[@Ashilean]

I would love to see you do a little review of the anniversary tier 2 remakes

[@Voltron1232]

I really would love to see your reworks put into the traders post.

[@Smashtacular01]

I have this weapon tattooed on me. I found it while farming with my best friend years ago.

[@albertplayayays6019]

Now we need an entire Tomkek patch where every new weapon and armor piece they add is just all of the remakes you've done

[@dawfydd]

Whenever a Tomkek Video comes out, much like Flying Buttress its a must watch, I don't even play wow anymore! but both have such good personalities and do great work. I'd love to see a Colab perhaps you can be a Guest voice in one of his Videos- i'd low Key not even mention it but let people discover and talk about it on their own :D

[@ndk2k4]

Would love to see some of your character models like the t2 paly wielding these weapons, or riding that charger.

[@cshadekillerproductions]

Jesus, the bots are out in full force disliking this video. Top notch update, Tom. Hope you're doing well, take it easy.

[@Finn3h]

I can't help but feel we have Tom to thank for our new T2 sets

[@Chaydex]

As an OG druid main I'd love to see the T1 druid set remade, there's just that certain something about those bushy shoulders. Oh and throw in the Corruptor set for good measure as well

[@boiboi2674]

amazing work! You improve more per video and these deserve way more notice! Keep it up

[@tnecniw]

Have you ever considered doing remakes of "concepts"? Like... taking a tier set or armor set you think was done poorly for whatever reason and designing a version that you personally think is better? (Like for example, making a huge video of doing a full tier set redesign for Ahn'qiraj, a bit extreme I know but you get the general gist) Could be an entire tier, could be a single set, or a single weapon. Something you think just was done poorly from the outset?

[@wyveres]

i would have loved a version of your judgement set

[@grubi05]

Man I don't even care about all of this editing, but I still watch it cuz it's fun and just love seeing the finishing product. Hope you blow up one day!

[@tobias32123]

New Tomkek video! I would love to see these items ported into Baldur's gate 3! Or if you run out of wow items, then re-doing some of the Baldur's Gate 3 items :P

[@MrLocurito]

i know what i ask is extremelly simple, but i would love to see your atempt at one of the most wanted low levels items. Like thrash blade, ravager or the whirlwind axe

[@sirflimflam]

So good Dark Edge was one of my favorite weapons from the Vanilla era

[@bryphost]

since halloween is coming up would be really neat if you could make the Headless Horseman mount remake, as you're undead warhorse video was sick

[@Kaasbaas1234]

Didn't expect this to be my favorite weapon you've done, but it is!

[@Sarnahanfi]

it looks so freaking good!!!! you sir, are an artist! Chapeau !

[@clawhammr666]

Love your work, this was always one of my favourite looking axe, specially in vanilla, I'd probably use it for transmog if it wasn't so outdated. Gotta say you absolutely nailed the remake, pretty much exactly how I wished it looked like! One question, do you get more cut on membership on youtube or patreon? (if they're for similar high amount per month)

[@Tomkektv]

Patreon is def the better cut, but I have youtube memberships on as well so people can choose what they prefer. Has cool benefits as well like loyalty badges on comments :)

[@GodKingOrca]

would love to see you remake all the Tier 4 Kara Sets.

[@CloneWarsrulz]

The paint job, the modeling, the animation, if the void lords were capable of smiling they would (if any of the old gods were still alive, they would too) Every video is so well made and your attention to detail is immaculate, always feel weird commenting (anxiety-hey-o!) but really wanted to say your work really is amazing and deserves so much more attention. I'm obsessed with the boils and veins on the blade with the rows of teeth on each side. Nailed the look of the forbidden power of the weapon, like the moment you even go near that thing you're bound to be corrupted by it. Would also like to hear more of your thoughts on the new remastered sets, how the developers did and if there's anything you'd do differently!

[@Tomkektv]

No need to feel weird commenting :) (I can relate though, anxiety sucks) Thanks for taking the time to tell me this. Seriously, comments like these are a huge motivator to keep making these Also, reviewing the sets seems to be a pretty popular idea so I will probably do it :D Would just have to find a good approach cause idk how hard they will all be to collect and maybe just doing it in the wowhead viewer might feel a bit lame.

[@TheZinistra]

I cast a vote for a bow of some kind next! There's a challenge(?) for you! Maybe.

[@NetherCrafterSMC]

Man every weapon remake, makes me want Blizz to do the same for their old weapons, so many deserve HD

[@FlinnGaidin]

Superb job, as always!

[@angerfell]

i love this!!! nice job as always. can u do the "golden staff of the sin'dorei"? i´ts a nice simmple model but it feels too simple to nowadays.

[@GrizzlyAmish]

The detail on the sinew/this shit is fucking amazing! Great remake overall!

[@greeses5482]

sir but we specifically enjoy moving them little squares

[@zedakh]

Would love to see a hd maul of the redeemed crusader.

[@arty249]

New version gives Soul Edge vibes

[@dracobellator1164]

one of the best vanilla two handed axes in my opinion. basically the best transmog to get from C'thun.

[@guerco116]

Is really cool. If so, I would consider using it. Could you do a remaster of the orc wolves? Very nice video, by the way.

[@gegixogegixo674]

You are the chosen one... you must carry on the legend... >

[@Rooachie]

Sweet remake. Still patiently waiting for warrior T3 from naxx though.

[@loonesworld]

I mean we get new T2s + some AQ Gear which was remade was datamined.. so i hope we will get this one, loved this weapon since i was a kid

[@toastythebarbarian798]

the last one is just a Nurgle Weapon lol

[@st0r157]

Requesting Thori'dal, the stars' fury. You haven't dont a bow before, why not start with the bowiest bow to ever bow

[@kozlowskinator6056]

Crazy idea - remakes are really cool and all but I would like to see you make something original that doesn't exist in game but exists in the lore. I don't really have anything in mind, but thought it might be a cool idea to share. Regardless, amazing work as always

[@DanielAlbrechtsen]

awesome work !

[@aboomer420]

Void version was so good. Would mog this 10/10

[@texasdad2372]

I wish it was your T2 armor they were putting in the game. It looks SOOOOO MUCH BETTER than theirs brother lol.

[@catmaried0688]

Said it before and I'll say it again, your work is glorious but your commentary is :chefkiss: MUAH! Always excited to see a notification from your channel.

[@UberMegustador]

Looks amazing!

[@Z3ROR]

Can the next weapon please be a ranged weapon? Something like the Wolfslayer Sniper Rifle or the Golden Bow of Quel'Thalas?

[@logblog6423]

Intro hits 😂

[@KikiAelita]

Could you do a video explaining/pointing out with where your remakes wouldn't work/match official WoW content? I think that would be interesting for those of us who can't see the difference/don't know the game limitations.

[@Tomkektv]

There aren't really any! I purposely make my art so it could hypothetically go right into the game. There are actually people who mod them into private servers which is always awesome to see :)

[@KikiAelita]

@@Tomkektv Ahh! So you're just being modest that they couldn't use yours then bahaha. Thanks for the reply!

[@danklynx1582]

Very nice slimy and gooey weapon now how about dry and hard weapon maybe something like Bonereaver's edge?

[@Neal_YouTube]

Amazing work

[@ShadowwingMD]

Seeing all 3 Paladin T2 versions next to each other, I have to say yours Tomkek ist still the best. What irretates me on the Blizz remake are the plates at the bottom the the legpart. Why are they so tiny? What I like about the Blizz remake is the eyeglow. However the beltchains in the Blizz remake are kind of whierd. I perfer how the Tomkek version handels it. I also perfer the colore pallet of the Tomkek version. But the scale pan on the sholder pads are better in original compared to both remakes. What was also reused on the Tomkek versions belt. I guess that is what you ment Tomkek when you were refering to your paintjob. Other than that I do not see anything to complain about in your version ;)

[@Will_Salcedo]

I was going to type the same thing, I guess you saved me the trouble lol

[@medveja8]

I like your version of the paladin set much more ❤

[@JanxBlank]

As a paladin main, you rock.

[@davefisher8421]

it's probably my favorite weapon from the classic era

[@Bayonette]

Insanity looking incredible Stinger/10

[@SpaceElvisInc]

would love you to review all the sets,

[@bamdadzoalghadrpour1189]

straight up MAGNIFICENT , btw , you did a waaaay better job on the remake of judgement armor than blizzard :D , keep up the great job

[@marcosomma88]

Finally! An axe I'd love to tmog!

[@MTweedC4]

OhhhH! You made it look so goood!

[@Soulmatic25]

Agreeing with others, I enjoy your Judgement remake more than Blizzards. Ironically, I feel like your Judgement set is more faithful to the original than Blizzards for the most part. I love how the latter half of the robe, the scrolls are more prominent and forward facing instead of smaller and off to the side like Blizzards. In your remake, I love that the tassles on the bottom of the robe seem larger and more prominent, it makes the set seem more tied together/congruent idk. In your Judgment rework, the eyes in the fask mask look MUCH better, the eyes have a nice glow and seem more symetrical, basically just an HD version of the original. In comparison, the eyes of the faskmask in the Blizzard remake is tiled at an angle, which doesn't look bad but makes the set feel less serious/stoic. Although Blizzard's remake is more faithful to the original's color saturation, the desaturated colors on your remake makes the set feel more mature and serious. It's more metallic and refined IMO. Don't get me wrong, I love the reworked Judgment set that Blizzard did and I'm just happy we're getting one, however, yours remake pays more attention to detail and looks more refined overall. I will say though, I do agree, that there are many parts of the Blizzard rework that look VERY similar to your rework. I feel like the designer of the Judgement rework say your video, wanted to remake the Judgement set with yours as a reference, but wanted to make changes to not be a carbon copy (probably to avoid any potential lawsuits). I hope for one day, your Judgement or even just the recolors, sees the LIGHT of day (LOL, see what I did there). Your rework of Dark Edge of Insanity, is just pure insanity (I'm sorry not sorry), the level of detail you have with each rework keeps increasing. I'm a simple man, I see Tomkek video, I like even before watching the video. Thank you sir, for all your hard work and passion, please never stop!! As for what to suggest for the next set - maybe, just maybe, a Death Knight tier 2 set, kinda like what blizzard did but ofc, in your own fashion.

[@rj5687]

Your judgement is still better. I’m really happy they are doing it, but yours is definitely better 😂.

[@TastyScotch]

Man, seeing those 3 versions together, its really clear just how much better your Judgement version is 😂 Maybe… remake the rest of t2? Because you arent busy enough 😂

[@adrianbrave6044]

Your HD Judgement armor looks a lot better than theirs. Theirs is "very Dragonflight" in styling, for lack of a better term. As you alluded to, it's not even modeled correctly relative to the original design, a lot of details are moved or totally missing. Which is fine for a fan thing, but if Blizzard's going to update it I'd expect it to feel like a true 1:1. Why not? Just my 2 cents on it. Also their HD glowing eyes effect looks a lot worse than the classic version. Looks like they ripped it straight from the Death Knight eyes update in Shadowlands. IDK it seems like the art direction for WoW is slipping pretty hard in recent years.

Looks awesome.

[@silver_forest-k5i]

Nyalotha vibes

[@Chocoboranger]

You should do a real set. One of the Karazhan sets. You know. The best ever added to the game. The definer of class fantasies.

[@nonanedebil7096]

Bat shit amazing, bro!

[@tech-heresyandotherstuff8053]

I dunno about Blizz's Judgment remake. Flowing lines and knife-sharp shapes feel kinda wrong. Also what they did with details on that dress is a crime. It's just not it, all of that skirt! Details are different, shapes and sizes are different >_

[@martinolivares1567]

Can you make a blender tutorial on modeling, I would pay for something like that, and im sure others would

[@bonkyouded]

i leave this comment to support you. Good job!

[@ryssa2409]

i really think the eye should move chaotically and the pupil should shake and dilate, like the cthun itself by the way r14 alliance plate when?

[@almas4663]

Please remake Arthas Paladin and DK model!

[@KHAL3DM]

any idea the process used in blizz studios? hand paint like u or make high poly then bake it ????

[@justcallme_tom]

I'm sorry, but your Judgement set is far better than Blizzzard's. And their helmet is just... off. BTW, you missed out on giving an orange eye to the purple axe. Yes, cliché, but it would be cool.