Leveling 80 - 85 time ?

[Cebel]

The first guy to 80 cheated and his realm first was removed.

He didnt actually cheat, he has screenshots and saved chat logs of where he spoke with a blizzard GM, who stated clearly to him that his idea was not an exploit, and was indeed legal and clever use of game mechanics, but blizzard chose to ban him anyways, most likely due to the fact that he was indeed so far ahead of the 2nd player to 80 ( Who used the same mechanics just not in an instance. )

[Rivin]

He didnt actually cheat, he has screenshots and saved chat logs of where he spoke with a blizzard GM, who stated clearly to him that his idea was not an exploit, and was indeed legal and clever use of game mechanics, but blizzard chose to ban him anyways, most likely due to the fact that he was indeed so far ahead of the 2nd player to 80 ( Who used the same mechanics just not in an instance. )

Regardless of what a GM (who are often not very well-informed) told him, Blizzard obviously did consider it cheating.

[ThewF]

Been said multiple times around the internet so Google can answer the question but based on Player Skill, Leveling Path, etc 18 hours - 24 hours is about the normal time from 80 - 85.

[Fazdran]

Regardless of what a GM (who are often not very well-informed) told him, Blizzard obviously did consider it cheating.

This. One GM can go and say one thing, but in the end you can't always trust what a GM says.

[Wezmon]

Technically is wasnt Athene, he was just in the group, it was a guy called Darus, and also he never got to 80, he got stopped at 79 after 13 hours. It took nymh 27 hour to get the first "legit" 80
(although he freely admits to having someone heal him out of group, but it wasn't in an instance like athene's lot)

[Unatural]

20-30 hours? The first guy to 80 ( Athenelol ) used 15 hours wich was 5/6 hours infront of everyone else. 20hours seems extremly fast as that is almost what it tok to get to 70-80. I guess the first 85 will use around 25hours, the casuals around 35++

First off, it wasn't Athene. Was a guildy he grouped with.
Second, even though the screenshot he provided with the GM, stated that tagging mobs, then leaving group was legit. He did not state that tagging mobs in dungeon was. therefor they failed.

[shanzii]

These statistics give me more reason to play for 24hours non-stop.

[Struffi]

The first guy to 80 cheated and his realm first was removed.

He didnt cheat, if you have seen the report you will see that he asked a GM if it was okey to do so and the GM said it was. "Clever use of game mechanics"