WoW Shadowlands High Levels – review

In the meantime, in a series of interviews and broadcasts, the World of Warcraft team has revealed a wealth of new details about Shadowlands. In addition, the press was given access to a special test version of the game: there you could get to know some of the activities for high-level players.

We tell what we managed to see and find out.

Run away and come back

The time of the victors of the Legion and the saviors of Azeroth is over. For the inhabitants of the underworld, our hero is nothing more than a curiosity, a creature of flesh in the land of spirits. They are much more interested in another feature of the protagonist: he visited the Womb, from where they did not return, but managed to escape. Now his name is: a native of the Womb.

The circumstances of our first visit to the Jailer’s abode are still kept secret. But it is already known that we will have to return there more than once – only on behalf of the covenant we have chosen. The womb, like Argus, is a place for high-level heroes. Moreover, you can’t fly on Argus, and in the Womb they’re not even allowed to ride a mount. On foot, all on foot!

The womb is a joyless and inhospitable place. But it’s good that it’s not green, like Argus

There is one more annoying feature in the local area. Pretty soon, the suspicious activity of the protagonist arouses the interest of the Jailer, and now he promises to keep his eyes on the character. His gaze constantly haunts you in the Womb, and any activity fills the strip of his attention. As soon as she runs into the region, it is better to sit out the day in a safe place, because all the forces of the local armies will be thrown into your search. And in case of death, you will lose half of the stigia obtained by hard work – the local “uterine” currency, which is spent on useful opportunities and gain.

This is the watchful eye of the Jailer, while you have not yet begun to kill his guards and free innocent souls

Somewhere there, in the inaccessible depths of the Womb, new meetings with Sylvanas await us. The creators of the game promise that its story will unfold in all its glory – about the same as for us in “Legion“Represented by Illidan.

With a stone behind you

As part of the test access, we were allowed to get to know the covenant of the Venters living in the Revendret. Rewindret is a special place: the most desperate sinners get here. And each is “given” their own gravestone with a list of all misconduct. You can get rid of it only by atoning your sins and deserving repentance, but until this happens, others can take over the stone in order to influence the sinful soul.

The lack of anima adversely affects all territories: in the Bastion, the centurions are turned off, in Ardenveld the Queen sacrifices entire villages to give others a chance to survive, and in Muldraxus they rarely make golems. Anima is also needed in the Revendret – a lot of anima, a lot of anima, a lot of anima! Indeed, due to its lack, a rebellion has already broken out here, and the yards are fighting against each other.

Each of the yards of vents has its own specialization in terms of sinners. Those who, during their lifetime, terrified everyone in Revendreth are frightened to hiccups. Zhadin is constantly teased with something coveted, but unattainable. The hardest thing is to remove the sin of pride: for this, the reapers need inhuman patience and special rituals, which, of course, require anima. And in the course of gaining the trust of the representatives of the courts, we ourselves will be allowed to prove ourselves in the torture of sinners. And the result of our activity should be the unification of all the yards under one leadership.

Covenants do not quarrel directly with each other, although they are not averse to argue and measure their strength. It is possible that over time, Blizzard will invent some PvP-based scenarios based on a hypothetical confrontation between units of the Dark Lands.

Center and heart of the covenant: anima anima flow distribution panel

Beat or drink

The skills that various covenants favor their adherents seem unbalanced in the alpha version. Take at least the gates of darkness of vents: with the help of this instant teleport you can easily bypass not only the traps in Torgast, but also some battles in the dungeons. But the developers insist that the whole picture needs to be looked at, because the main skill is only a small part of what becomes available thanks to the alliance with the covenant.

Soon after entering, they give us the first medium – this is a representative of the covenant with whom you can establish a connection of souls. And in a special “sincere” panel, you can choose amplifications that significantly affect the combat qualities of the hero.

Each medium has only a few special skills, everything else is just intermediate steps

The tactical table with the missions of the mercenaries is still here. This time there are more than in “Battle of Azeroth“, And from the very beginning they differ in power. The battle process itself has also changed, and a new animation has been drawn for the results window. In addition to gold and reputation items, the list of awards includes essences for the Heart of Azeroth and equipment for transmogrification. Yes, the “neck”, which is significant for the current add-on, seems to remain, but the damage will leave the game at the moment the patch is released. The Azerite armor talents will not work in the Dark Lands.

The main goal of the covenant is to create an anima repository, fill it to the brim and distribute the flow among the surrounding units in order to strengthen them. Anima is brought by special mercenary souls, which we brutally put into consumption, revealing special covenant amplifications. With the help of a special device, you can build a network of teleporters according to Revendreth, unlock new missions for collecting anima, hire special stewards. The most advanced enhancement requires 50 thousand anima, and the rest is not much cheaper.

You don’t have to worry that there will be an excess of some resources: the covenant will eat everything that has been accumulated

But the main and main occupation of the covenant of vents is the arrangement of balls. All courtyards were once famous for their magnificent parties, and we need not to shame the Ashen yard, proving that the traditions of the past are still honored. Balls are held in a separate scenario: for the allotted time, we must not only achieve the fullest satisfaction of the guests, but also, if possible, make the reception themed. For example, many guests are not averse to dueling, and if you engage in a fight with them, this will make the atmosphere more relaxed. If you want to focus on the ceremony itself, then instead of fighting it is better to offer them tea.

At first, the party venue looks casual, but this will definitely change over the years.

For successful admission, rewards have been awarded. And as the hero will improve in the art of ceremonies, new opportunities will begin to open up for him: special chefs and entertainment for guests. Special perks also allow you to invite new managers, change costumes, equip the Ashes yard with unusual attractions. And all for the sake of praising the guests! Well, influences, of course.

Components of a successful reception: refreshments and entertainment

Similar scenarios are prepared for other covenants. In Arvenveld, you will have to look after souls waiting for rebirth, in Muldraxus players will be able to create horrifying bodies for saved spirits, and the ciries from the Bastion will fight under our supervision in battle trials.

Goodbye Pathfinder!

Your influence and reputation with the selected covenant in the supplement are put at the forefront. In particular, it depends on them whether you will be able to learn to fly. If in the previous add-ons flights were unlocked after completing a number of achievements, now they will be tied to the hero’s successes in covenant affairs. But it is not yet known how quickly this feature will become available.

In addition, it is your covenant faction that gives you access to Torgast – an endless tower with various types of trials. A lot of time is to be spent in Tograst, because it is here that it is easiest to get the resources necessary to create legendary items. At the same time, the new system is designed to restore the importance of crafts, because for crafting the coveted “legend” you will need a piece of equipment created by a blacksmith, tailor, tanner or other craftsmen.

However, for now, the details of the alteration of the craft system remain a mystery, especially if we talk about previous shooting ranges of recipes. Not so long ago, they were divided “according to additions,” but with the conversion of the pumping system, this system has lost its meaning. Although Blizzard representatives promise that the ability to add side-effects to the item will make even Cataclysm era recipes powerful, it is hard to believe.

Now the process of creating items will look like this

Changing the system of levels and development will lead to another transformation that is unfortunate for many. Since getting to the maximum level will be easier, the designers reasoned, we don’t need a bonus to experience with hereditary objects. Now a set of carefully assembled equipment will serve only one purpose: to save the player who is developing the next twinkle from the need to monitor dressing up.

But the side characters still partly made life easier in terms of crafts: all the recipes of the legendary effects obtained by the “foundation” will be available to any character from the account.

Many inhabitants of Azeroth will fall into the Womb at the time of the release of the supplement, but only our hero will be able to get out on his own. Others will have to help

To express to Natanos Gnilosten everything that had long been wanted, his appearance in the role of the world boss will allow. But it’s still unknown how the battle will end: Blizzard carefully hides its cinematics from strangers

In the course of future beta testing, you will be able to see almost everything that is described here with your own eyes. In addition, beta participants will be able to craft their first legendary and get acquainted with the new system of epoch-making keys. And at the same time to visit all the modes of the first raid called “Nafria Castle” and learn about the new PvP mode, taking into account the abilities of the covenants and the medium system.

In the near future, Blizzard promises to release lengthy material on how the game will change in the preliminary patch. And who knows: what if they also tell us the release date of Shadowlands? After all, they are going to release an addition in the fall, but no major reason for a loud announcement is expected, since Blizzcon canceled this year.