World of Warcraft: Shadowlands

[Balasarius]

No, not that Shadowlands.

Seems the leaks were at least partially right.

And, hey, it can’t be as bad as BfA, right? Right…???

Also, some Light parts too.

• Shadowlands will introduce a new leveling system, meant to provide a meaningful sense of advancement with every level achieved.

• Current max-level characters will begin Shadowlands at level 50 and work toward the new level cap of 60.

• Four Covenants to choose from: Kyrian, Night Fae, Venthyr, Necrolords.

• We’ll see Uther and Kael’thas again!

• Five new zones - the gleaming fields of Bastion, the scarred battlefields of Maldraxxus, the eternal twilight of Ardenweald, the opulent keeps of Revendreth, and the horrific Maw

• Select a Covenant and the Covenant Campaign grants new abilities as you level based on your choice, including class specific abilities.

• Develop Soulbinds with specific Covenant members, which grant them access to that character’s specific traits and bonuses.

• Torghast, Tower of the Damned - Highly replayable and inspired by roguelike games, explore its ever-changing halls and chambers and do battle with the minions of the Jailer, Torghast’s vile ruler.

• Pandaren and all allied races will now be able to become Death Knights.

• Three different digital pre-order options:

  • Base Edition - $39.99 SRP, providing a new lower entry point compared to previous expansions
  • Heroic Edition - ($59.99) includes the expansion; a level-120 character boost; and the Ensorcelled Everwyrm mount, which provides access to a questline through which players can earn the Vestments of the Eternal Traveler transmogrification set
  • Epic Edition - ($79.99) includes the Anima Wyrmling pet; the Wraithchill cosmetic weapon effect; the Eternal Traveler’s Hearthstone, designed with a unique visual effect; and 30 days of game time, in addition to all of the contents from the Heroic Edition.

• All bonuses from the Heroic and Epic Editions are unlocked immediately upon pre-purchase.

• Pre-purchasing any edition of Shadowlands will allow players to have Pandaren and allied race Death Knights once the Patch 8.3 is live.

• Improved Character Customization Options: A host of new appearance options for all races will be made available to players

What does it say about me that I’m only interested in the improved character customization options?

[Mark_Crump]

So, I’m a little surprised that after it seemed like they were setting up a stage for some sort of if not faction-less WoW, at least a softening of the divide, the whole BfA set up was what… Sylvanus taking Bolvar’s cap?

That said, doing some sort of endgame progression as you level is nice. It would be even better if you could pool resources between alts.

And thank fucking god the level squish happened.

[Balasarius]

Oh, videos.

[Mark_Asher]

I don’t understand the level 120 character boost and the new level 60 cap. I don’t see how they work together.

I do like the idea of Torghast as a replayable rogue-like that can be done solo or in a group.

I just have to see what the covenant stuff does and see what soulbinds do.

[Menzo]

@Mark_Asher

I don’t understand the level 120 character boost and the new level 60 cap. I don’t see how they work together

You get the 120 boost as soon as you preorder (i.e. today, when the cap is still 120). I assume once Shadowlands hits it turns into a 50 boost.

[charmtrap]

Wait…is that Arthas?

Just when I thought I was out…

[Mark_Asher]

@Menzo

You get the 120 boost as soon as you preorder (i.e. today, when the cap is still 120). I assume once Shadowlands hits it turns into a 50 boost.

Ok, so you get the boost to 120 and then get squished to 50 when it launches? Does the preorder include BFA? Usually the new expansions include all the old expansions I think.

So what happens if I level a new toon to 60 now in Retail? It gets squished to what when Shadowlands launches?

[stusser]

Yes, it’ll get squished to whatever the equivalent is, probably level 25.

[Menzo]

@Mark_Asher

Does the preorder include BFA?

Not that I’m aware of.

[Hansey]

@charmtrap

Wait…is that Arthas?

Not Arthas, but… (not sure if this needs spoilering, but I guess I will)

…Bolvar Fordragon, who became the new Lich King after Arthas the Lich King was defeated in Icecrown Citadel.

[Balasarius]

@charmtrap

Wait…is that Arthas?

No, it’s Bolvar.

[kerzain]

@Balasarius

If this mount isn’t called something along the lines of Prince Rupert’s Drop then Blizzard has no business making games anymore.

[Mark_Asher]

So if pre-ordering the new expansion gives me a boost to 120, if I don’t have BFA what can I do with the character I boost?

[Menzo]

Yeah I’m not sure. Maybe it does come with BFA? I’m not a good source for that info.

[Balasarius]

New customizations. WHERE ARE THE GNOMES, BLIZZARD?!

[rei]

No gnomes?

[Mark_Asher]

Weird. The undead look less undead and one female troll looks more undead.

Those undead are just wrong. Their skin is perfect now!

[Oghier]

Those new dwarves look great. Do we have to wait for the expansion pack to release for all these, or do they come sooner?

[RickH]

@Mark_Asher

Those undead are just wrong. Their skin is perfect now!

Pretty sure the one in the center of the lower row is Elvira.

[malkav11]

Did they ever figure out that flying is awesome and should be widely available again?