New content, class changes, and more
Patch 8.1, dubbedTides of Vengeance, isBattle for Azeroth’s first major content patch that hits live servers this week.
New content, class changes, a new War Campaign chapter, and system-wide improvements to existing features await. Here’s a breakdown of the most important additions.
Class Changes
Many classes received tweaks in the form of Azerite power tuning, ability updates, and talent changes. In theirclass guides, Icy Veins has compiled a list of the relevant changes for each class and specialization in the game.
Icy Veins is part of the Enthusiast Gaming network and covers a wide range ofBattle for Azeroth guides, ranging fromreputation guidesup to thelatest raid guides.
Island Expeditions
Heritage Armor for Non-Allied Races
Dwarves and Blood Elves are among the firstnon-Allied Races to receive Heritage ArmorinWorld of Warcraft. If you have a character that’s exalted with Ironforge or Silvermoon at maximum level, you will be able to embark on a short questline to learn more about your race and earn Heritage Armor.
New Warfront: Darkshore
Darkshore has been updated for maximum level, just like Arathi Highlands was for the launch ofBattle for Azeroth, with new world quests, rares, andworld bosses, available whenever your faction controls the zone. The all-newWarfrontrevolves around the conflict between Night Elves and the Forsaken.
Faction Assaults
Whenever a zone is under attack by the opposing faction, you’ll notice new world quests pop up (assault quests). Completing four assault quests will unlock a short questline with various rewards to earn.Faction assaultsare very similar to invasions in Legion, where a specific zone was invaded for a couple of hours.
A new currency can be earned from Warfront world quests and Faction Assaults. It can be used to purchase various vanity items, pets, and mounts.
Pet Battle Dungeon – Gnomeregan
All battle pet enthusiasts, rejoice! A new battle pet dungeon awaits with new rewards and powerful foes. It’s time to payGnomeregana visit!
The Story Continues
Thestory of Varok Saurfangcontinues inTides of Vengeanceand Blizzard — for the first time ever — added an interesting mechanic in the form of analternative ending to the questline.
New War Campaign Chapters
An all-out war between both factions continues with a new War Campaign chapter that will be gradually released up to the opening of the new raid.
Tides of Vengeance Content Release Schedule
Most ofPatch 8.1 contentwill not be available until January 22. On this day, Battle of Dazar’alor will open, Mythic Season 2 & PvP Season 2 will start, and dungeon rewards will be proportionally increased.
Mythic Season 2
A new Mythic affix calledReapingis coming in Mythic Season 2. For every 20% on the Enemy Forces bar, Bwonsamdi will summon spirits of the dungeon trash that you killed so far. These spirits will then begin chasing you no matter where you are. Players will need to plan their Mythic+ runs with the new affix in mind and adjust pulls accordingly whenever they hit 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% trash killed. Infested — the Season 1 affix — is retiring when Mythic Season 2 starts on January 22.
Battle of Dazar’alor Raid
Alliance players invade the pyramid and their attack culminates in the opening of the raid Battle of Dazar’alor that comes with aunique flashback mechanicthat changes your race and racials.
Allied Races: Kul Tiran Humans & Zandalari Trolls
Both Allied Races will be available sometime after the opening of the new raid, but the dates have not been officially confirmed yet. The only information we know right now areunlock requirements for both. More information including racials and playable classes can be found on the officialAllied Races website.
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