Simple Minimap Blip

===== Context & The Issue =====
Let me dive into the details of why things have changed.

In Patch 12.0.7, Blizzard removed the API previously used to customize minimap tracking icons. You can verify this on the Warcraft Wiki page ([https://warcraft.wiki.gg/wiki/API_Minimap_SetBlipTexture](https://warcraft.wiki.gg/wiki/API_Minimap_SetBlipTexture)), which explicitly states under the history section: "Patch 12.0.7 (2026-06-16): Removed."

Because of this, conventional addon methods can no longer modify tracking blips. To achieve the old customization effect, we are left with only two options:

 

=== Approach 1: Scripted Overlay via HBD Library ===
This method uses the HereBeDragons library ([https://www.curseforge.com/wow/addons/herebedragons](https://www.curseforge.com/wow/addons/herebedragons)) to fetch node coordinates and manually overlay a custom frame on top of each blip.

Pros: Seamless addon updates. Users can simply subscribe on addon platforms (like CurseForge) to stay up to date automatically.

Cons: While this works fine for static nodes like herbs, ores, and fishing pools, it is an absolute nightmare for dynamic or high-density nodes like NPCs and players. This approach forces the Lua code to calculate positions and re-anchor frames on every single frame. Unlike static resource nodes, players move constantly. In epic battlegrounds or crowded capital cities, even with aggressive throttling implemented (e.g., limiting updates to a few dozen times per second), this will cause severe performance degradation and a stuttery user experience.

 

=== Approach 2: Native Asset Overriding (Directory Injection) ===
Blizzard's texture atlas system itself is still active, and its hardcoded path remains unchanged—they simply blocked addons from changing it via API. We can bypass this restriction by dropping our custom BLP files directly into the native directory.

Pros: Zero performance impact. It creates absolutely no extra frames and requires no real-time coordinate calculations. The game engine handles the reskinning entirely at the native level.

Cons: Any future updates will require you to manually copy the BLP files into the directory. Furthermore, the initial setup requires a complete game restart (subsequent overwrites only need a /reload), and players who prefer "clean" game directories might dislike managing external files manually.

 

===== Conclusion & Recommendation =====
The core purpose of this project is to overhaul tracking icons across all categories, including herbs, ores, fishing pools, new flight paths, NPCs, and players. Because of this scope, Approach 1 is completely out of the question—the performance hit and poor experience in PvP or cities are simply unacceptable. Therefore, I have chosen Approach 2.

Final Verdict:
If you only care about tracking herbs or ores, you might want to look into other addons that use the library method. However, if you still need NPC and player tracking, don't mind a bit of manual setup, and want flawless performance, you can download the ZIP file.

Extract it and copy the BLP files directly into your game directory:
[Your WoW Folder]\_retail_\Interface\Minimap
(Note: You will need to manually create the Minimap folder if this is your first time doing this).