Battle for Azeroth Island Expeditions Guide
Battle for Azeroth brings a new Island Expeditions feature. Taking what the team liked from Mists of Pandaria's scenarios and stepping it up, these expeditions take a team of three players to uncharted islands across the Great Sea in search of Azerite against advanced AI opponents.

  • The first team to collect a certain amount of Azerite wins.
  • Each island is randomly generated and so there is always something unique and new to find.
  • The enemy AI does not behave like normal scripted creature AI. They will fight in a much more unpredictable way.
  • Island Expeditions are role agnostic, meaning that they do not require a Tank, Healer and DPS in order to succeed.
  • Difficulties include Normal, Heroic and Mythic.
  • There is also a PvP mode where the enemy AI is replaced with 3 players of the opposite faction.






Island Expeditions Loading Screen



How to Unlock Island Expeditions
You will unlock the ability to queue for Island Expeditions by progressing your War Campaign. At one point you will receive a quest that places you in a solo scenario on a small island and has you go through the ropes of what a basic Island Expedition entails. Completing this will unlock the ability to queue for Island Expeditions on all characters on your account provided they are 110 or above.


Where to Queue for Unlock Island Expeditions
Once you unlock Island expeditions you can queue for them at the Expedition Map in the following locations:
  • Alliance - Boralus Harbor
  • Horde - Port of Zandalar





Island Expedition Difficulty Modes
Island Expeditions have 4 difficulty modes:

  • Normal - Collect 6,000 Azerite.
  • Heroic - Collect 9,000 Azerite. Requires item level 295.
  • Mythic - Collect 12,000 Azerite. Requires item level 315.
  • PvP - Requires item level 295 and a group of three to queue.


Replayability of Island Expeditions
Islands are a unique experience every time you queue up for one. There are countless different themes, enemies and environments you can come across and it's random each time you start one. There will also be different puzzles and obstacles to face every time you visit.

Island Content that is randomly generated:

  • Creatures
  • Capture points
  • Chests and Azerite Nodes
  • Questgivers
  • Consumables and Shrines
  • Start Locations
  • Weather
  • Environmental hazards
  • Caves, Ships...and more!




Island Locales
Three different island locales will be active at any given week with a total of 7 locales at release.

  • Dread Chain
  • Molten Cay
  • Rotting Mire
  • Skittering Hollow
  • Whispering Reef
  • Ungol Ruins
  • Verdant Wilds




Island Expeditions UI
When you click on the map you will see your weekly Azerite quest progress as well as the three active Islands for the week. A drawing next to the island maps will showcase what type of enemy is found on that island. You can also select the difficulty before queuing up. Mousing over the difficulty will show you the reward for completion.



Map
The Island map behaves like most other games with Fog of War. Things that are close enough to see for one of your group members are updated on the map. It displays various objectives on the island including Azerite node locations, events, quests and the location of the enemy team. There is also an Azerite Detector timer that counts down and when it runs out, all sources of Azerite will be displayed on the map.

  • Blue diamond shapes mark an Azerite source.
  • Skulls mark a mini-boss that rewards Azerite.
  • X symbols mark an Azerite source in an area that hasn't been explored yet.
  • Faction symbols mark the enemy faction players on the map.
  • Both factions have a ship icon that mark the initial spawn point.


Enemy AI
Battle for Azeroth will feature new NPC AI for Island Expeditions. This AI is not scripted and will not behave in the way a normal creature usually does. This new AI will behave more like actual players taking part in PvP would. Examples include polymorphing or sapping your healer while you are engaged in a boss fight. This AI also is well aware of important map objectives and will constantly be giving you a run for your money as you race to complete objectives. This AI can make strategic decisions as well. They may stop what they are doing to come disrupt the objective you are working on or to steal your Azerite. Different opponents will also have distinct personalities and unique behaviors. An example would be Sneaky Pete, a rogue who likes to disrupt healers.



Island Buffs
There are several buffs that can be found on islands:

  • Azerite Energy - These globes come from more powerful enemies on the island and are needed for Give Me The Energy
  • Shrines - Similar to the shrines on Timeless Isle, you can find these across the islands, allowing for a single player to utilize the buff.
  • Other Items - You can find other buff items around the island that give you a one time use ability or food that heals you.


Island Consumables
A seafaring vendor shows up at the docks each day to provide unique buffs and consumables to use on the island at the cost of Seafarer's Dubloons earned from expeditions. These power ups tend to fill in role gaps. Examples include buffs to make an Arms Warrior more tanky or another consumable that allows a Mage to heal.

LevelNameEffect
120Siege Engine Controller
Use: Summons an Upgraded Siege Engine to ride and battle with for 20 min.
120Engineered Spyglass
Use: Instantly detects all sources of Azerite on the island.
120Signet of Stormwind
Use: Removes all movement impairing effects and all effects which cause loss of control of your character for 5 sec.
120Blessed Bandage
Use: Apply the bandage, restoring 3% health every 5 sec. for 10 min and dealing 5 Holy damage to attackers.
120Grapeshot Grenade
Use: Throw the grenade, dealing 50 Fire damage to enemies within 5 yards.
120Lightprism
Use: When you heal damage, fire Holy bolts at enemies in a cone in front of the caster.
120Sanctified Scroll
Use: Calls down a shaft of pure Holy light, empowering allies inside of the beam with 10% increased damage dealt and healing them every 5 sec. Lasts for 30 sec.
120Links of Faith
Use: Unleash chains of light that root all enemies within 15 yards for 30 sec.
120Trick Vest
Use: Absorbs 75 damage, and deals 150 Fire damage to enemies within 10 yards when removed.
120Hidden Cannon
Use: Fire a hidden blunderbuss, dealing 100 Fire damage to enemies in a 8 yard cone and knocking them back.
120Sun Stone
Use: When you heal damage, fire sun bolts at enemies in a cone in front of the caster.
120Bloom Shroom
Use: Create a mushroom bloom, empowering allies inside of the bloom with 10% increased damage and healing them every 5 sec. Lasts for 30 sec.
120Root Ball
Use: Unleash powerful roots that root all enemies within 15 yards for 30 sec.
120Thornberry
Use: Consume the berry, restoring 3% health every 5 sec. for 10 min and dealing Nature damage to attackers.
120Mystical Cauldron
Use: Creates a cauldron that raid members can use to gain the benefit of a flask appropriate to their class and talents. Cauldron has 30 uses and lasts for 10 min.
120Demolisher Controller
Use: Summons an Upgraded Demolisher to ride and battle with for 20 min.
120Signet of Orgrimmar
Use: Removes all movement impairing effects and all effects which cause loss of control of your character for 5 sec.
120Deepforged Plating
Use: Apply the plating to your armor, reducing physical damage taken by 30% for 10 min.
120Burstforce Explosive
Use: Take 10 Fire damage and launch yourself towards your nearest ally.
120Forge Hammer
Use: Breaks the target's armor, increasing physical damage taken by 100% for 60 sec.
120A.T.O.M.I.K. Target Painter
Use: Paint a target location, causing a barrage of powerful Arcane warheads to land there after 10 sec, dealing 500 Arcane damage to all enemies within 20 yards.
120GG-118 Micro-Jetpack
Use: Changes your jump into a fiery leap. Deals Fire damage and knocks down enemies at the impact location.
120Miniaturizer
Use: Shrinks the target, reducing damage dealt by 50% and movement speed by 50% for 60 sec.
120Rabbit's Charm
Use: Hold the charm, reducing your chance to be detected by enemies for 30 min.
120Unluckydo
Use: Throw an unlucky charm that disorients all enemies within 10 yards for 20 sec.
120Ratwhisker Luckydo
Use: Hold the luckydo, granting you 20% spell reflection for 10 min.
120Netherwind Wand
Use: Deals 200 Arcane damage to enemies on a line in front of the caster.
120Arcane Mirror
Use: Hold up the mirror, reducing magical damage taken by 30% for 10 min.
120Phasing Stone
Use: Puts the target in an unstable phase, increasing magical damage taken by 100% for 60 sec.
120Flashfire Brew
Use: Drink the brew, increasing Critical Strike damage and healing by 200% for 5 min.
120Brainsmasher Brew
Use: Throw a keg of powerful brew that stuns all enemies within 10 yards for 20 sec.
120Soulbinding Mist
Use: For 60 sec, 100% of the damage you take will be copied to an enemy target.
120Spear-Mint Gum
Use: Eat the gum, increasing damage dealt by 20% for 10 min.
120Springstep Cola
Use: Drink the cola, increasing Dodge chance by 20% for 10 min.
120"Healthy" Chips
Use: Eat the chips, healing 50% of maximum health.
120Clashgrain Bar
Use: Eat the bar, increasing Parry chance by 20% for 10 min.
120Void Wand
Use: Deals 200 Shadow damage to enemies on a line in front of the caster.
120Dark Mirror
Use: Hold up the mirror, reducing magical damage taken by 30% for 10 min.
120Blackrock Plating
Use: Apply the plating to your armor, reducing physical damage taken by 30% for 10 min.


Island Expedition Rewards
Island Expeditions are going to be the most lucrative form of gaining Azerite power. While the Azerite you gain during the match goes towards your faction, you receive some for yourself in many different ways.




Mounts - Island Expedition Rewards
There are some mounts that are rewarded from Island Expeditions!








Pets - Island Expedition Rewards
There are some pets that are rewarded from Island Expeditions!








Weapons and Armor - Island Expedition Rewards
There are some new models and color variations of existing models in the weapons rewarded from Island Expeditions.

LevelTypeSlotNameModel Viewer
325Off HandOff HandPlundered Sapling Seed
 Modelviewer
325Off HandOff HandPlundered Ambershaper's Egg
 Modelviewer
325Off HandOff HandPlundered Sand-Scoured Fetish
 Modelviewer
325Off HandOff HandPlundered Codex of Otherworldly Vision
 Modelviewer
200ClothShouldersPlundered Runecaster's Mantle
 Modelviewer
200LeatherShouldersPlundered Shoveltusk-Hide Shoulders
 Modelviewer
200MailShouldersPlundered Dragonrider Spaulders
 Modelviewer
200PlateShouldersPlundered Gjalerbron Pauldrons
 Modelviewer
325ShieldOff HandPlundered Torga Blessed Bulwark
 Modelviewer
325ShieldOff HandPlundered Totem Barrier
 Modelviewer
325ShieldOff HandPlundered Jadefury Shield
 Modelviewer
325ShieldOff HandPlundered Beacon-Light Bulwark
 Modelviewer
1CosmeticHeadPlundered Blue Captain's Hat
 Modelviewer
1CosmeticHeadPlundered Crimson Captain's Hat
 Modelviewer
1CosmeticHeadPlundered Pirate Admiral's Bicorne
 Modelviewer
325One-handed AxeOne HandPlundered Heart Hacker
 Modelviewer
325One-handed AxeOne HandPlundered Ice-Etched Axe
 Modelviewer
325One-handed AxeOne HandPlundered Skullsplitter
 Modelviewer
325One-handed AxeOne HandPlundered Iceshard Bite
 Modelviewer
325Two-handed AxeTwo HandPlundered Fury-Fin Axe
 Modelviewer
325Two-handed AxeTwo HandPlundered Molten Reaper
 Modelviewer
325Two-handed AxeTwo HandPlundered Wingblade Axe
 Modelviewer
325BowRangedPlundered Biting Shot Longbow
 Modelviewer
325BowRangedPlundered Longhunt Bow
 Modelviewer
325BowRangedPlundered Bow of the Chosen
 Modelviewer
325GunRangedPlundered Amber Slinger
 Modelviewer
325GunRangedPlundered Windblaster
 Modelviewer
325GunRangedPlundered Dragon Roar-Barrel
 Modelviewer
325One-handed MaceOne HandPlundered Horn Pummeler
 Modelviewer
325One-handed MaceOne HandPlundered Obsidian Scale Smasher
 Modelviewer
325One-handed MaceOne HandPlundered Stump Mace
 Modelviewer
325One-handed MaceOne HandPlundered Mrggll Masher
 Modelviewer
325One-handed MaceOne HandPlundered Paragon's Mace
 Modelviewer
325One-handed MaceOne HandPlundered Geode Gavel
 Modelviewer
325One-handed MaceOne HandPlundered Frost Scepter
 Modelviewer
325One-handed MaceOne HandPlundered Coilpoint Scepter
 Modelviewer
325One-handed MaceOne HandPlundered Mogu Scepter
 Modelviewer
325One-handed MaceOne HandPlundered Essence Font Scepter
 Modelviewer
325One-handed MaceOne HandPlundered Sandstone Gavel
 Modelviewer
325Two-handed MaceTwo HandPlundered Troll Ceremonial Basher
 Modelviewer
325Two-handed MaceTwo HandPlundered Petrified Tree
 Modelviewer
325Two-handed MaceTwo HandPlundered Tenderizing Crusher
 Modelviewer
325Two-handed MaceTwo HandPlundered Fireheart Pummeler
 Modelviewer
325Two-handed MaceTwo HandPlundered Crag Basher
 Modelviewer
325Two-handed MaceTwo HandPlundered Twilight Pummeler
 Modelviewer
325Two-handed MaceTwo HandPlundered Firegeode Mace
 Modelviewer
325PolearmTwo HandPlundered Poleaxe of Intimidation
 Modelviewer
325PolearmTwo HandPlundered Vanguard Trident
 Modelviewer
325PolearmTwo HandPlundered Jinyu Spear
 Modelviewer
325PolearmTwo HandPlundered Berserker's Poleaxe
 Modelviewer
325One-handed SwordOne HandPlundered Splitblade Slicer
 Modelviewer
325One-handed SwordOne HandPlundered Sand-Dweller's Scimitar
 Modelviewer
325One-handed SwordOne HandPlundered Carapace Linked Longsword
 Modelviewer
325One-handed SwordOne HandPlundered Sandfury Blade
 Modelviewer
325One-handed SwordOne HandPlundered Celestial Finblade
 Modelviewer
325One-handed SwordOne HandPlundered Jinyu Longsword
 Modelviewer
325One-handed SwordOne HandPlundered Swarmer's Blade
 Modelviewer
325One-handed SwordOne HandPlundered Seacrystal Blade
 Modelviewer
325Two-handed SwordTwo HandPlundered Jadestar Blade
 Modelviewer
325Two-handed SwordTwo HandPlundered Blade of Northern Kings
 Modelviewer
325Two-handed SwordTwo HandPlundered Scalebane Claymore
 Modelviewer
325Two-handed SwordTwo HandPlundered Farakki Hacker
 Modelviewer
325StaffTwo HandPlundered Voodoo Dancer Stave
 Modelviewer
325StaffTwo HandPlundered Sea-Sinew Stave
 Modelviewer
325StaffTwo HandPlundered Hozen Chieftain's Stave
 Modelviewer
325StaffTwo HandPlundered Silverpaw Staff
 Modelviewer
325StaffTwo HandPlundered Thorncrowned Stave
 Modelviewer
325StaffTwo HandPlundered Keeper's Stave
 Modelviewer
325StaffTwo HandPlundered Oracle Fin Staff
 Modelviewer
325StaffTwo HandPlundered Squidcaster
 Modelviewer
325StaffTwo HandPlundered Embercrystal Staff
 Modelviewer
325StaffTwo HandPlundered Tainted Scarab Stave
 Modelviewer
325StaffTwo HandPlundered Flamecaster Stave
 Modelviewer
325StaffTwo HandPlundered Waterbearer's Staff
 Modelviewer
325Fist WeaponOne HandPlundered Bear-Carved Fists
 Modelviewer
325Fist WeaponOne HandPlundered Coral-Scale Claw
 Modelviewer
325Fist WeaponOne HandPlundered Drillbore Fists
 Modelviewer
325Fist WeaponOne HandPlundered Twinscale Handblade
 Modelviewer
325DaggerOne HandPlundered Junglestalker's Talon
 Modelviewer
325DaggerOne HandPlundered Tiki-Bound Blade
 Modelviewer
325DaggerOne HandPlundered Seatusk Shiv
 Modelviewer
325DaggerOne HandPlundered Barb-Edged Dagger
 Modelviewer
325DaggerOne HandPlundered Twinbarb Shanker
 Modelviewer
325DaggerOne HandPlundered Trident Barb
 Modelviewer
325DaggerOne HandPlundered Darkscale Blade
 Modelviewer
325DaggerOne HandPlundered Twinblade of the Tol'vir
 Modelviewer
325DaggerOne HandPlundered Darkblade of the Old Gods
 Modelviewer
325DaggerOne HandPlundered Petrified Kelp Blade
 Modelviewer
325DaggerOne HandPlundered Waterspeaker's Spellblade
 Modelviewer
325DaggerOne HandPlundered Shadow-Infused Blade
 Modelviewer
325WandRangedPlundered Death Chatter Wand
 Modelviewer
325WandRangedPlundered Desert Hexxer
 Modelviewer
325WandRangedPlundered Light-Binding Wand
 Modelviewer
325WandRangedPlundered Dragonfist Wand
 Modelviewer
325WandRangedPlundered Wand of Tentacle Horrors
 Modelviewer


Island Expedition Achievements
The Expedition Leader is the Island Expedition meta achievement, rewarding the Expedition Leader title.

NamePoints
Archipelago ExplorerComplete expeditions to five different islands.
10
Azerite AdmiralCollect 1,000,000 Azerite on Island Expeditions.
10
Bane of the ChainAchieve victory in an expedition to Dread Chain in PvP.
10
Bayside BrawlerWin 10 Island Expeditions in PvP.
10
Blood in the WaterWin 20 Island Expeditions in PvP.
10
Clash at the CayAchieve victory in an expedition to Molten Cay in PvP.
10
Competent CaptainWin 20 Island Expeditions on Heroic difficulty or higher.
10
Dread ChainAchieve victory in an expedition to Dread Chain on any difficulty.
10
Expedition LeaderComplete all of the Island Expeditions achievements listed below.
20
Expert ExpeditionerWin 50 Island Expeditions on Mythic difficulty.
10
Give Me The EnergyCollect 30 globes of Azerite Energy on Island Expeditions.
10
Helping HandRescue all of the explorers on Island Expeditions listed below.
10
Heroic: Dread ChainAchieve victory in an expedition to Dread Chain on Heroic difficulty or higher.
10
Heroic: Molten CayAchieve victory in an expedition to Molten Cay on Heroic difficulty or higher.
10
Heroic: Rotting MireAchieve victory in an expedition to Rotting Mire on Heroic difficulty or higher.
10
Heroic: Skittering HollowAchieve victory in an expedition to Skittering Hollow on Heroic difficulty or higher.
10
Heroic: Un'gol RuinsAchieve victory in an expedition to Un'gol Ruins on Heroic difficulty or higher.
10
Heroic: Verdant WildsAchieve victory in an expedition to Verdant Wilds on Heroic difficulty or higher.
10
Heroic: Whispering ReefAchieve victory in an expedition to Whispering Reef on Heroic difficulty or higher.
10
I'm Here for the PetsObtain all of the Island Expeditions battle pets listed below.
10
Island ConquerorComplete the Mythic Island Expeditions achievements listed below.
10
Island SlayerComplete the PvP Island Expeditions achievements listed below.
10
Metal DetectorLoot 100 Seafarer's Dubloons.
10
Mire MarauderAchieve victory in an expedition to Rotting Mire in PvP.
10
Molten CayAchieve victory in an expedition to Molten Cay on any difficulty.
10
My DubsLoot 10 Seafarer's Dubloons.
10
Mythic: Dread ChainAchieve victory in an expedition to Dread Chain on Mythic difficulty.
10
Mythic: Molten CayAchieve victory in an expedition to Molten Cay on Mythic difficulty.
10
Mythic: Rotting MireAchieve victory in an expedition to Rotting Mire on Mythic difficulty.
10
Mythic: Skittering HollowAchieve victory in an expedition to Skittering Hollow on Mythic difficulty.
10
Mythic: Un'gol RuinsAchieve victory in an expedition to Un'gol Ruins on Mythic difficulty.
10
Mythic: Verdant WildsAchieve victory in an expedition to Verdant Wilds on Mythic difficulty.
10
Mythic: Whispering ReefAchieve victory in an expedition to Whispering Reef on Mythic difficulty.
10
No TouristWin 10 Island Expeditions on Normal difficulty or higher.
10
NotoriousWin 50 Island Expeditions in PvP.
10
Reef MadnessAchieve victory in an expedition to Whispering Reef in PvP.
10
Rotting MireAchieve victory in an expedition to Rotting Mire on any difficulty.
10
Ruined the RuinsAchieve victory in an expedition to Un'gol Ruins in PvP.
10
Skittering HollowAchieve victory in an expedition to Skittering Hollow on any difficulty.
10
Skittering SmashedAchieve victory in an expedition to Skittering Hollow in PvP.
10
Sucker PunchKill a player that is affected by a Sticky Starfish on Island Expeditions.
10
Team DeathmatchSlay all of the Horde champions listed below.
10
Team DeathmatchSlay all of the Alliance champions listed below.
10
Tell Me A TaleComplete all of the Island Expeditions quests listed below.
10
Un'gol RuinsAchieve victory in an expedition to Un'gol Ruins on any difficulty.
10
Verdant WildsAchieve victory in an expedition to Verdant Wilds on any difficulty.
10
War for the WildsAchieve victory in an expedition to Verdant Wilds in PvP.
10
Whispering ReefAchieve victory in an expedition to Whispering Reef on any difficulty.
10
This article was originally published in forum thread: Island Expeditions Guide - Battle for Azeroth started by chaud View original post
Comments 6 Comments
  1. mmocdd7f8e275b's Avatar
    So, they really decided to not re-add the scenario queing in dungeon interface ?
    Something like what we add back in Mists of Pandaria (still available when leveling 80-90 characters)
    It's sad.
    That has been presented like a major feature, but you can't tag for it outside of Boralus/Zandalar ? So you must choice between playing WoW and exploring Isles, not a good thing.
    Reported several times during beta (at least once per week), but it seems that was intentional
  1. Onikaroshi's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Nykhret View Post
    So, they really decided to not re-add the scenario queing in dungeon interface ?
    Something like what we add back in Mists of Pandaria (still available when leveling 80-90 characters)
    It's sad.
    That has been presented like a major feature, but you can't tag for it outside of Boralus/Zandalar ? So you must choice between playing WoW and exploring Isles, not a good thing.
    Reported several times during beta (at least once per week), but it seems that was intentional
    At the end of the day it doesn't really matter that much.... they're role agnostic so it'll be instant queue'd, not like you'll be able to do much while waiting.
  1. Mandible's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Onikaroshi View Post
    At the end of the day it doesn't really matter that much.... they're role agnostic so it'll be instant queue'd, not like you'll be able to do much while waiting.
    It does matter quite a bit, since it means you have to go to one specific place before you can go - instead of anywhere you want.
  1. Onikaroshi's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Mandible View Post
    It does matter quite a bit, since it means you have to go to one specific place before you can go - instead of anywhere you want.
    Maybe that's the point. We've had quite a bit of "queue anywhere", there's nothing wrong with centralized queuing, and they wouldn't be the only game to do it.
  1. Lidnillek's Avatar
    I like the idea of having to go to some area to que and access content. Legion was OK because you were either questing, in Dalaran or your order hall, but there has to be SOMEWHERE that players congregate to wait and afk etc, otherwise it doesn't feel like a "massive" multiplayer online.
  1. Vyzzle's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Nykhret View Post
    So, they really decided to not re-add the scenario queing in dungeon interface ?
    Something like what we add back in Mists of Pandaria (still available when leveling 80-90 characters)
    It's sad.
    That has been presented like a major feature, but you can't tag for it outside of Boralus/Zandalar ? So you must choice between playing WoW and exploring Isles, not a good thing.
    Reported several times during beta (at least once per week), but it seems that was intentional
    Are you serious right now? This is a good thing. Queuing anywhere you want and teleporting to where you need to be has drastically reduced the RPG element of this MMORPG.

    I'm glad they're moving back to doing this for content.

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