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by Published on 2022-08-11 08:13 PM

Dragonflight Dungeon Preview: A Bounty of Adventure Ahead
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
Face new challenges and adventures in the Dragon Isles with four new level-up dungeons and four maximum-level dungeons. Danger, malice, and perhaps a bit of loot are yours to discover. Here’s a brief look at each of the dungeons.

Level-up dungeons:

  • Ruby Life Pools
  • Brackenhide Hollow
  • The Nokhud Offensive
  • Uldaman: Legacy of Tyr

Max-level dungeons:

  • Neltharus
  • The Azure Vault
  • Halls of Infusion
  • Algeth'ar Academy

Some descriptions and information are still in progress or may change as development progresses.

Zone: The Waking Shores

Ruby Life Pools


  • Melidrussa Chillworn: Melidrussa was chosen to lead the Flashfrost infusion efforts in the Ruby Life Pools. Her mastery of primal energy manipulation includes exceptional control over elemental frost. She wields this power to carry out her fervent belief in protecting dragonkin from the influence of titans.
  • Kokia Blazehoof: As Primalist forces assault the Ruby Life Pools from all sides, it falls to Kokia and her Blazebound lieutenants to capture precious eggs from overwhelmed defenders, spreading flame and havoc as they go.
  • Kyrakka and Erkhart Stormvein

Neltharus


Beneath the Obsidian Citadel lies Neltharus, home of the black dragonflight’s hoard and the secrets behind their legendary forging. When the djaradin woke from their slumber, they chose Neltharus as the point of entry for their attack. Surprised to find it deserted, they quickly laid claim to its secrets for themselves... as well as the rest of the Obsidian Citadel.

  • Chargath, Bane of Scales: This veteran dragon hunter’s title was given eons ago as a mark of legend. While the Qalashi hunters under his command train, he plans their next offensive and awaits with eager anticipation the opportunity to display his expertise.
  • Forgemaster Gorek: As one of the djaradin’s most distinguished craftsmen, the Forgemaster Gorek now resides in his sweltering chamber of the black dragon barracks. There, he harnesses the igneous power of the massive forge to construct deadly weaponry.
  • Magmatusk: The djaradin discovered many of Neltharion’s secrets while plundering Neltharus. An experimental potion gone awry created Magmatusk, a behemoth of a mammoth bent on sheer destruction.
  • Warlord Sargha: Leader of the Qalash djaradin, Warlord Sargha has been in search of anything that would increase the power of her clan and help take down their draconic enemies. In the hoard at the heart of Neltharus, she may have found exactly what the djaradin need.

Zone: The Azure Span

Brackenhide Hollow


Brackenhide Hollow is the largest gnoll home in the Dragon Isles, yet the wild gnoll settlement holds unspeakable danger. Decay seeps from the Hollow, spreading among the gnoll tribes of the Azure Span and threatening to rot away all life. In the heart of the Hollow lies the leader of the Brackenhide, and the knowledge she gleefully shares with her withered kin.

  • Hackclaw’s War-Band: Rira Hackclaw and her compatriots, Gashtooth and Tricktotem have risen up as a deadly warband among the Brackenhide. Their tactics are the reason tuskarr never travel alone, and their strength is the reason Wratheye has them guarding the gate to the Hollow.
  • Treemouth: Withered by decay, this once proud ancient has been dubbed Treemouth by the gnolls. As the rot settled into its branches, so too did it settle in the poor creature’s mind, leaving a creature bent on nothing more than the need to feed and spread decay.
  • Gutshot: This sharpshooting gnoll has mastered the art of hunting, trapping, and killing her prey. Impressed by her abilities and cunning, the Decatriarch has assigned Gutshot to oversee and train the other hunters…and take out any interlopers that might venture too far into Brackenhide.
  • Decatriarch Wratheye: Wratheye discovered decay magic in her thirst for power, and declared herself the Decatriarch after mastering it. She now builds the strength of the Brackenhide by spreading her dark magic among her tribe so the tuskarr, and all of the Azure Span, will rot in its wake.

The Azure Vault


Long ago, Malygos created the Azure Vault as a place for Sindragosa to catalogue and store away curious magical artifacts he found. Locked away and deserted millenia ago, the Vault has since fallen into disrepair, leaving it vulnerable to attacks from without… and within.

  • Leymor: Leymor was born of a humble seedling that Malygos found in a pool of ley energy. Once but a small sprout in Sindragosa’s garden, over millenia Leymor has shot up like a weed. Left to its own devices, the looming giant would surely overrun the entirety of the Azure Vault.
  • Azureblade: As security for the Vault, Azureblade refused to leave when it was sealed, choosing duty over safety. When the blue dragons failed to return, her bitter resignation drove her to eventual madness. Extending her own life with the magics she was sworn to protect, Azureblade now claims ownership over all the blue dragonflight left behind.
  • Telash Greywing: Furious at the blue dragonflight, Telash Greywing is determined to find the secrets that Sindragosa has been hiding in the Arcane Vault. Together with the Sundered Flame, he is certain he will discover more about the origins of the dracthyr... and incriminating evidence against the blue dragonflight.
  • Umbrelskul: Millenia ago, Umbrelskul unwittingly meddled with raw arcane power. Riddled with crystalline growths, he was taken to the Azure Vault until a cure could be found. Sadly, the Vault was sealed away before the research was completed, leaving Umbrelskul sleeping in stasis... until now.

Zone: Ohn'ahran Plains

The Nokhud Offensive


Civil war has erupted in the wake of Clan Nokhud’s capture of the ancient eagle spirit, Ohn’ahra. To the other clans, Ohn’ahra is more than a mere spirit: she is their goddess. Primalists summon elemental forces, and necromancers command the spirits of legendary centaur. Beset by enemies from all sides, other Marruk clans must rally for a final assault against the Nokhud and their khan, Balakar.

  • Granyth: The shadow of Granyth is known across the plains of Ohn’ahra as an omen of death and destruction. As battles between centaur clans rage across the plains, he knows it is time to destroy his ancient enemies once and for all. Soon he will land on the battlefield. Teams of centaur have armed their ballistae with bolts enchanted by Clan Shikaar. They stand ready to focus the fire of their artillery against the Primalist proto-dragon, but someone must be brave enough to stand on the front lines.
  • The Raging Tempest: Violent storm winds that ravage the plains of Ohn’ahra have coalesced into an avatar of the storm. The Raging Tempest continues to gather power to devastate not only the plains of Ohn’ahra, but eventually the entirety of the Dragon Isles. Unless champions can defeat the stormcasters and dispel their relentless elemental, Primalist chaos will reign on the plains.
  • Teera and Marruk: Blasphemous Uktel necromancers are resurrecting legendary centaur. The spirits of Teera, the matriarch of the Ohna'ran clans, and Maruuk, the centaur's greatest warrior, have been raised from their graves. Blinded by painful and traumatic memories of their past, the two legends now answer the commands of Balakar and the Nokhud centaur! Only the tumult of battle can rouse them from necromantic manipulation. Once their fury has abated, perhaps they can find rest again... and eternal peace.
  • Balakar Khan: Balakar Khan is the ruthless and mighty leader of the Nokhud clan. With the great eagle spirit Ohn’ahra captured by his stormcasters, he plans to grant himself the power of the wind. Hatred unites his clan against all "outsiders," as he calls for a return to the brutal and barbaric practices of the past. The relentless Nokud offensive continues. Someone must stand up to its tyrannical commander.

Zone: Eastern Kingdoms: Badlands

Uldaman: Legacy of Tyr


Uldaman is an ancient titan facility where, long ago, allies of the heroic Keeper Tyr hid the Discs of Norgannon.

After returning to the Dragon Isles, Queen Alexstrasza learned of another disc locked away within Uldaman... one that holds the memories of Tyr himself. Believing this knowledge is needed to restore the power of the Aspects, Alexstrasza has asked her mortal allies to brave the perils of Uldaman and recover Tyr's memories to secure the future of dragonkind.

  • The Lost Dwarves: The quest for ancient knowledge, untold riches, and worldwide fame has lured brothers Eric, Olaf, and Baelog into the depths of Uldaman once again. But it seems these brazen explorers may have stayed underground a bit too long, as their scrambled senses are preventing them from recognizing whether someone is friend... or foe.
  • Bromach: The burly Bromach is chieftain of the Stonevault troggs, a brutal bunch who believe that Uldaman's treasures belong to them. While Bromach has a particular distaste for meddling dwarves, he's determined that no outsiders will get past him.
  • Sentinel Talondras: Talondras is one of the refti, a titan-forged race crafted by Keeper Tyr to work in harmony with dragonkind. Fiercely loyal to their maker, the refti were sometimes sent to distant shores to carry out important missions. Sentinel Talondras was charged with defending the route to the disc holding Tyr's memories and is determined to keep the unworthy from laying claim to her maker's legacy.
  • Emberon: Titan vaults are infamous for their intricate defenses, and the halls of Uldaman are no exception. Forged by the skilled hands of Keeper Archaedas long ago, Emberon was imbued with the ability to unleash searing flames upon any who seeks to plunder the titans' secrets.
  • Chrono-Lord Deios: While the Dragon Queen seeks to restore the Aspects' powers, there are others among dragonkind who do not want to see Alexstrasza's plan succeed. Chrono-Lord Deios intends for his flight to control the timeways and to usher in the coming of the one true Aspect, whose dominion shall be... Infinite.

Zone: Thaldraszus

Halls of Infusion (In Development)


  • Watcher Irideus: Tasked by Tyr to protect the Halls of Infusion from outsiders, Watcher Irideus has waited to perform his duties for centuries. When finally confronted by outsiders, however, Irideus fell short. He does not intend to fail again.
  • Gulping Goliath: Deep within the natural caverns linking together the functional parts of the Halls of Infusion lurks the Gulping Goliath. Father to generations of Hornswogs in this underground lair, the Goliath and his brood are quick to devour any creatures that stray too close.
  • Khajin the Unyielding: Khajin honed her power over the elements with anger, directed at those forces which saddled Azeroth with their intent. Unleashed upon the Halls of Infusion, Khajin vowed to stop at nothing to upend the Titans’ order.
  • Primal Tsunami: Summoned by all of the will that Infuser Sariya could muster, the Primal Tsunami was given life to break apart the Halls of Infusion.

Algeth'ar Academy (In Development)


  • Vexamus
  • Accidental Amalgamation
  • Crawth
  • Echo of Headteacher Doragosa

Stay tuned to the World of Warcraft official news site to learn more in the coming months.
by Published on 2022-08-11 07:06 PM

Dragonflight Zone Preview: Ohn'ahran Plains
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker)
Explore the Ohn'ahran Plains, a verdant region filled with sweeping plateaus, mesas, groves, and valleys abundant with life.

Named after the Wild God of the Wind, Ohn'ahra, the Ohn'ahran Plains are a viridescent grassland that rise gently upward from the Waking Shores, with mellow hills and steppes worn smooth by wind and river. This region boasts prominent and dramatic elevations that become more mountainous, and geysers are alive with erupting columns of boiling steam.

Once home to the green dragonflight, nature thrives in the Ohn'ahran Plains. Magnificent, lush greenery abounds, and calm waters flow through the Emerald Gardens, an area alive with natural wonder drawn from the magic of the Emerald Dream.


The endlessly open plains are abundant with life, and the landscape is dotted with singing stones.


Ohn'ahran's Denizens and Wildlife
Vast plateaus and mesas are home to the growing clans of centaurs, each a unique culture unto itself and masters of different specialties. The centaur clans are deeply connected to the land, maintaining their traditions, and those seeking to assist can earn their trust.


This region is teeming with life. High grasses surround watering holes that draw in large wildlife that provide ample prey for the hungry proto-dragons soaring through the skies. Here are some of the creatures you'll happen upon in your travels.


Rockfang


Mammoth


Blue Hornstrider



The Ohn'ahran Plains are waiting for you to continue your adventure in Dragonflight. We look forward to sharing more details as development continues.

Visit the Dragonflight site to pre-order. Check WorldofWarcraft.com/news for updates and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

See you in the Dragon Isles!
by Published on 2022-08-11 06:16 PM

Season 4 PvP Update: Removing the Conquest Cap and Spoils of War
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
We’ve been hearing the feedback from the community to lift the Conquest Cap for Shadowlands Season 4. We’re happy to announce that we will be doing so with next week’s resets (Wednesday, August 17), but also want to offer some explanation on why we were initially hesitant to do so.

  • First, we understand the sentiment regarding how Valor is uncapped this season while Conquest remains capped. However, the two currencies are not exactly alike in design or purpose. For example, there is no Valor vendor where you can purchase the specific item that you want. While Conquest is used to acquire specific items at a vendor, Valor is used to upgrade items that have dropped randomly from the Great Vault or from running M+ dungeons.
  • Second, we know that once the Conquest cap is removed, many players will set out to acquire a full set of gear as quickly as possible, creating a significant power gap between themselves and any characters that are new to the season. We generally do not remove the cap until later in the season when we feel many players who have been playing all season have had the opportunity to acquire a full set of gear. This allows the competitive environment to remain closer during the early part of the season.
  • Finally, the Conquest cap serves to throttle gear acquisition to a rate comparable with the other main parts of the endgame, Raids and M+.

By lifting the cap early, we understand that some of the above issues may arise. But in this shortened and experimental final season of Shadowlands, we want to take an opportunity to be flexible and responsive to your feedback.

In addition to the Conquest cap removal, there are two more PvP changes that we want everybody to be aware of:

  • The Spoils of War buff will be reactivated with next week’s reset, so players taking part in Battlegrounds and Arena will have their Conquest gains increased by 25% and Honor gains increased by 40%. This is planned to remain active for the rest of Season 4.
  • For the Solo Shuffle Brawl, the minimum item level floor has been increased to 278 (is currently 252). This is already live.

Thank you for your feedback and we’ll see you on the battlefield!
by Published on 2022-08-10 06:54 PM

Wrath Classic Zone Guide: Borean Tundra and Howling Fjord
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
Borean Tundra or Howling Fjord? With two starting zones to choose from, which one should you choose? You don’t have to choose just one. Both offer a fair amount of glorious adventuring for heroes of the Alliance and Horde. There are local factions for you to help, enemies to thwart, quests to be completed, achievements to be attained, and you can do them all.

Borean Tundra (68 – 72)

Located in the southwest corner of Northrend, Borean Tundra is primarily a large, flat glacial zone devoid of vegetation, with small areas of rimy grass and rock. To the north of this sprawling land is Coldarra, an intimidating fortress of ice and stone tucked in a pocket protected by ragged arctic cliffs.


The Horde and Alliance both have strongholds in this zone, and there are zeppelins and boats to get you where you need to go.

How to get here:

  • From Orgrimmar, players can take the zeppelin just outside the main gate to Warsong Hold.
  • Players can hop on the boat from Stormwind harbor to Valiance Keep from Stormwind City.

Warsong Hold


An impregnable fortress that is a testament to the Horde’s tenacity takes center stage. Heroes of the Horde who have flown here from afar will begin their journey through Northrend from this stronghold after diminishing the Nerubian numbers that plague it.

Valiance Keep


This Alliance stronghold is under constant turmoil as the Lich King’s army continues to lay siege. From this keep, our Alliance champions who have landed in Northrend face the first of their challenges—defense against a Nerubian threat.

Inhabitants

The tuskarr are prominent throughout Northrend, with their capital city of Kaskala located in the eastern part of the Borean Tundra. Kaskala is available to both the Horde and Alliance, and players will be tasked with helping the Kalu’ak tuskarr.

As you adventure and explore, you’ll meet other friends and foes along the way. Some of these are the blue dragonflight, the Drakkari tribe of ice trolls, the Undead Scourge, and the taunka, ancient relatives of the tauren.


Howling Fjord (68 – 72)

The Howling Fjord is in the southeastern part of Northrend and is home to the vrykul of Utgarde Keep. It hosts a coastline of treacherous cliffs, dark forests, open plains, and tree-covered outcroppings.


This zone is ripe with territorial disputes, and players will be tasked with aiding its denizens.

How to get there:

  • Heroes of the Horde can take the zeppelin from Tirisfal Glades, just outside the Undercity, to Vengeance Landing.
  • From Menethil Harbor, on the western shores of the swamp-covered Wetlands, heroes of the Alliance can take the boat to Valgarde.

New Agamand


Sylvanas and the Forsaken stand ready with the makings of a new plague, prepared to strike the Lich King; their staging ground is New Agamand. This is the beginning of the journey through Northrend for the Horde heroes who have landed here. They’ll be tasked with assisting the plague development efforts designed to bring an end to the Lich King.

Valgarde Keep


Despite attacks from the vrykul from land and sky, Valgarde Keep maintains a heavily fortified staging ground for the Alliance. Courageous Alliance heroes will be challenged to help learn more about the aggressive vrykul and why they have returned after being dormant for so long.

Inhabitants

The vrykul, an ancient race of half-giants, are the primary inhabitants of the Howling Fjord. Their architecture can be seen throughout the zone as they built their civilization. As you journey, you’ll come face to face with this once forgotten race, along with other denizens of this region.


Getting Around

There are plenty of flight paths, but why fly when you can hop on the shell of a colossal, carrot-loving turtle? These massive, water-bound turtles ferry riders between Unu’pe in Borean Tundra to Moa’ki Harbor in Dragonblight.

From Moa’ki Harbor, players can get a connecting turtle taxi to Kamagua in Howling Fjord if they choose. Remember to grab the flight paths whenever possible—sometimes, taking a turtle is slow-going.

Everything You Need, Almost

In each major hub, there is enough to get players what they need without continually traveling back and forth between the main capital cities. Most of what you’ll want can be accessed in Borean Tundra and Howling Fjord:

  • Expedition Quartermaster
  • Flightpaths
  • Innkeeper
  • Mailbox
  • Reagents and Supplies
  • Stable Master
  • Trade Goods
  • Trainers

If you need to get to the Auction House or Bank, hop on a boat or zeppelin for a quick trip back to your capital city, and don’t forget to speak to an Innkeeper and set your Hearthstone before you go.

We’re excited to bring this classic adventure to you, so don’t forget to sign up for the beta. And, for the latest information and updates, keep checking WorldofWarcraft.com/news and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

See you in Northrend!
by Published on 2022-08-10 01:49 AM

WoW Hotfixes - August 9, 2022
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
Dungeons and Raids
  • Fated Castle Nathria
    • Sludgefist
      • Adjusted the Fated Power cooldowns to better align with their ability cadence.
  • Fated Sanctum of Domination
    • Guardian of the First Ones
      • Adjusted the Fated Power cooldowns to better align with their ability cadence.
    • Kel’Thuzad
      • Fixed an interaction where Protoform Barrier (Fated Power) could erroneously trigger after Kel’Thuzad’s health is depleted.
    • Sylvanas Windrunner
      • Adjusted the Fated Power cooldowns to better align with their ability cadence in Phase 2.
    • Shrouded Affix
      • Fixed an issue that could cause Zul’gamux to not cast Blood Siphon if she was moving.

Items and Rewards
  • Increased all Cosmic Flux rewards from PvP, Mythic+, and Raids by 100%.
  • Cosmic Flux will now be mailed to players when left un-looted.
  • Trashmaster’s Mantle received from Mythic+ or the Great Vault can no longer be used to complete the “I Am the Trashmaster” quest.
    • Developers’ note: Players hoping to become the Trashmaster may do so by finding a Trashmaster’s Mantle in Operation: Mechagon on standard Mythic difficulty. Players who have received a Trashmaster’s Mantle from Mythic+ since the start of Season 4 may still use it to complete the quest, but should be aware that the Richly Appointed Drape quest reward will be awarded at item level 78.

Quests
  • Fixed an issue that prevented “Tempting Fate” world quests from appearing.

Season of Mastery
  • Naxxramas
    • Fixed an issue where bonus loot could not be rewarded when defeating a boss using Runes of Fortune.
      • Developers’ note: Raid groups should always receive an extra Set Piece Token, piece of Gear the boss normally drops, or Splinter of Atiesh per stack of Rune of Fortune the raid has active.

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