World of Warcraft: Shadowlands

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This article is about the expansion itself. For the plane, see Shadowlands.
Shadowlands logo.png
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
Developer(s) Blizzard Entertainment
 Team 2
Publisher(s) Blizzard Entertainment
Platforms Microsoft Windows, macOS
Release
  • WW: November 23/24, 2020
Latest release 9.2.7
Genre(s) Expansion pack
Mode(s) Multiplayer
Expansion packs chronology

Battle for Azeroth
(2018) 		Shadowlands
(2020) 		Dragonflight
(2022)

World of Warcraft: Shadowlands (shortened shadow, shado, or SL) was the eighth expansion for World of Warcraft. Set primarily in the eponymous region of the Shadowlands, the story deals with the results of Sylvanas Windrunner breaking the barrier between the mortal world of Azeroth and the Shadowlands - the realm of death. The expansion was officially announced on November 1, 2019, at BlizzCon 2019. It is the third expansion that is set beyond the world of Azeroth, the first being The Burning Crusade, which featured Outland, the current, shattered incarnation of Draenor, and second being Warlords of Draenor. The expansion was initially planned to be released on 26/27 October 2020.[1][2] However, in an update on October 1, the release date was pushed back to later in the year.[3][4] On October 29th, the release date was announced as 23/24 November 2020.[5]

In the weeks leading up to the expansion's release, a new Scourge invasion - Death Rising - was held (an homage to Wrath of the Lich King's Scourge Invasion) as the masterless undead marauded across Azeroth.[6]

Shadowlands would later be merged with the base game on 25 October 2022 with patch 10.0.0, thus only requiring game time to access its content.[7]

Story

Official site

Brave The Beyond

The veil between life and death is no more.

With a single act of destruction, Sylvanas Windrunner has ripped open the way to the afterlife. Azeroth's staunchest defenders have been dragged into all-consuming darkness. An ancient force of death threatens to break its bonds and unravel reality.

Hidden realms of wonder and horror await any who would pass to the other side. The Shadowlands is home to an entire realm of the departed; it is a world between worlds whose delicate balance preserves life and death itself.

As one of Azeroth's greatest champions, you have been granted the power to cross over in body and soul. Now you must investigate a conspiracy to unmake the cosmos, and help Warcraft legends journey back... or fulfill their ultimate destiny.[8]

Pre-order pitch

Explore Azeroth's Afterlife

The Shadowlands are home to an entire universe of the departed. Journey through hidden realms of wonders and horrors that await any who pass to the other side.

Choose Your Covenant

Align yourself with one of the Shadowlands' four Covenants—otherworldly shepherds of the dead, each with their own ambitions, motives, and incredible powers to claim as your own.

Storm the Eternal Prison

Test your limits as you ascend Torghast, Tower of the Damned, a highly replayable ever-changing dungeon in the dark heart of the Maw, where the vilest souls are locked away forever.[9]

Press release

Sylvanas Windrunner, fallen leader of the Horde, has pierced the veil between Azeroth and the realm of the dead, setting in motion a series of events that threatens to upset the cosmic balance between life and death. World of Warcraft players entering the fabled Shadowlands will find the realms of the dead in upheaval. Under the normal order, departed souls were delivered to a realm appropriate to the lives they led, but now, all souls are being funneled into the Maw, where the most wicked are damned to suffer for eternity. As they seek to right the cycle and uncover the extent of Sylvanas' designs, players will forge bonds with the Covenants who hold domain over different planes within the Shadowlands.[10]

Features

A host of new features and activities became available for players in World of Warcraft: Shadowlands. When they cross into the realm-between-realms, they can:

  • Explore the Realm of the Dead: for the first time ever in World of Warcraft, players can cross into the Shadowlands and experience the wonders and horrors of the afterlife across five new zones — the gleaming fields of Bastion, the scarred battlefields of Maldraxxus, the eternal twilight of Ardenweald, the opulent keeps of Revendreth, and the horrific Maw.
  • Claim a covenant's power: players there are called upon to forge a bond with one of four covenants that rule Shadowlands' new zones, setting the tone for their journey through the expansion with a full covenant campaign. As they level up they can use including class-specific abilities for each Covenant—as well as developing soulbinds with specific covenant members, which grant them access to that character's specific traits and bonuses.
  • Ascend the Tower of the Damned: at the heart of the Maw lies Torghast, Tower of the Damned, a cursed otherworldly prison where the most wicked souls in the universe are locked away. Highly replayable and inspired by roguelike games, heroes are invited to explore its ever-changing halls and chambers and do battle with the minions of the Jailer. Those who brave its trials can claim legendary treasures and help free the poor spirits wrongfully trapped within.

Upon the expansion's release, notable evergreen additions also came to World of Warcraft.

  • Meaningful leveling: Shadowlands introduced a level squish, meant to provide a meaningful sense of advancement with every level achieved. Characters at the time which were at the level cap of 120 began Shadowlands at level 50 and worked toward the new cap of 60.
  • A new army of the dead: To combat Sylvanas' assault on Icecrown, Bolvar Fordragon— the revered former paladin who took on the mantle of Lich King to keep the Scourge at bay—has raised heroes from among all the peoples of Azeroth to bolster the Death Knights of Acherus. With Shadowlands, pandaren and all allied races became able to become death knights.
  • Improved character customization options: a wide host of new appearance options for all races became available to players when they create new World of Warcraft characters (or alter existing ones at the in-game barber shop).[10]

Zones

Four Covenants

  • Four Covenants
    • The steadfast Kyrian of Bastion, whose discipline and duty compels them to safeguard souls from the mortal realm as they pass into the Shadowlands.
    • The mysterious Night Fae of Ardenweald, who fiercely defend the spirits of nature from those who would deprive them of rebirth.
    • The cunning Venthyr of Revendreth, who feast on the souls of the prideful and vain in a gothic realm of opulence and torment.
    • The warlike Necrolords of Maldraxxus, who forge the undead armies that serve as the first line of defense for the Shadowlands and honor those who seek power and glory in battle.[10]
  • Covenant Sanctums are the Shadowlands equivalent of the Order Halls.
  • Covenant Campaign, a high-end storyline similar to the War Campaign in Battle for Azeroth.

New character customization

Each playable race received its own unique options, including customizable tattoos, hairstyles, skin color, and even eye color. The undead also became able to choose whether they show bones or not.

  • Troll

    Troll

  • Undead

    Undead

  • Dwarf

    Dwarf

  • Human

    Human

  • Void elf blue eyes on top, blood elf blue eyes on bottom

    Void elf blue eyes on top, blood elf blue eyes on bottom

  • Void elf blue eyes on top, blood elf blue eyes on bottom

    Void elf blue eyes on top, blood elf blue eyes on bottom

  • New blood elf customization options

    New blood elf customization options

  • New blood elf customization options

    New blood elf customization options

  • New void elf customization options

    New void elf customization options

  • New void elf customization options

    New void elf customization options

  • Revamped character creation menu

    Revamped character creation menu

  • Revamped character creation menu

    Revamped character creation menu

Instances

Dungeons

Raids

The adventurers battle a Mawsworn in the Sanctum of Domination.

Infinite dungeon

Leveled-up leveling

The expansion smoothed out the leveling experience to better prepare new players. Players leveled up to 50 before heading to the Shadowlands, where they could gain 10 more levels to reach the level cap of 60.

The experience curve was adjusted to make it quicker to prepare for the newest challenges, and each level along the way provided a more "meaningful sense of advancement"[10] in progress and power. All expansion zones became flexible through Timewalking Campaigns.

Levels 1-10

A New Journey for New Players

New characters can embark on an introductory voyage to Azeroth, including a mini-dungeon.

Levels 10-50

Main article: Timewalking Campaigns

Levels 50-60

Enter the Shadowlands
Main article: Shadowlands campaign

Systems and rewards

  • Covenant systems and rewards
    • Covenant signature ability and class-specific ability.
    • [Renown] from 1 to 40 to unlock cosmetics, story, and power progression in Covenants.
    • Soulbinding with 3 Soulbinds per Covenant and Conduit items that are put into Soulbinds.
    • Systems available only to one covenant: Abominable Stitching, Ember Court, Path of Ascension or Queen's Conservatory.
    • Anima Conductor enable additional content by investing Anima into specific areas in their Covenant's realm.
    • Covenant-specific teleportation network.
    • Adventures in place of previous expansion missions from the dedicated table within the Covenant Sanctum.
    • Covenants have special buffs with interactions in dungeons associated with its home territory.
  • Craft legendary armor through the Runecarver with [Soul Ash], base item from production professions, unlocking Memories of the Runecarver legendary powers and missives from inscription which define stats.
  • Update to weekly loot chest the Great Vault.
  • Professions return consumables from expansions past Armor Kits, Weapon Oils, Sharpening Stones and Weightstones.
  • Optional Reagents for professions.
  • Quest interface updates:
    • New quest markers distinguishing major quests that are required to advance the narrative from optional side quests that tell more localized stories.
    • Lore Book in the Map & Quest Log interface when a main Shadowlands or Battle for Azeroth questline is active.
    • Navigational marker will appear on screen to direct to quest objectives.
  • A Map Pin can now be placed on the World Map.
  • N [60] The Threads of Fate alt leveling from 50 to 60.
  • Cross-Faction Instances (9.2.5) of players across both factions in dungeons and raids.

Classes

  • Focus on class identity first over specialization identity. This means moving back some of the class abilities to all specializations that may have been moved into one spec or even restoring some abilities.
  • Death knight class available for pandaren and allied races.

Prominent figures

Sylvanas, Zovaal, and Anduin Wrynn gaze upon Korthia.

New figures

Returning figures

Tyrande Whisperwind interrogates Nathanos Blightcaller.

New creatures

Humanoid
Demon
Undead
Beasts
Mechanical
Giant
Elemental
Aberration
Dragonkin
Unique

Pre-order options

Base option

Main article: World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Base Edition
  • The Shadowlands, a new world containing 5 new zones and the city of Oribos
  • 4 Covenants to join, each with a unique Sanctum
  • New class-specific abilities, and covenant Soulbinds that unlock talent trees
  • All-new dungeons and raids
  • The Shadowlands

    The Shadowlands

  • Covenants

    Covenants

  • Covenant Soulbinds

    Covenant Soulbinds

Heroic edition

Main article: World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Heroic Edition
  • Level 120 Character Boost

    Level 120 Character Boost

  • Ensorcelled Everwyrm

    Ensorcelled Everwyrm

  • Vestments of the Eternal Traveler

    Vestments of the Eternal Traveler

Epic edition

Main article: World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Epic Edition
  • Anima Wyrmling

    Anima Wyrmling

  • Illusion Wraithchill

    Illusion Wraithchill

Collector's edition

Main article: World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Collector's Edition
  • A limited-edition boxed set with everything in the Epic Edition, plus physical goodies:
    • Covenant Sigils – Four-Pin Collector's Set
    • Art of the Shadowlands
    • Shattered Sky Mousepad
    • Collector's Edition Digital Soundtrack Key
  • All goodies

    All goodies

  • Physical goodies

    Physical goodies

  • Digital goodies

    Digital goodies

System requirements

Main article: System requirements

Tie-in literature

Novels
Animated shorts
Short stories

Gallery

  • Ardenweald

    Ardenweald

  • BlizzCon 2019 - Ardenweald 2.jpg
  • Ardenweald

    Ardenweald

  • Bastion

    Bastion

  • BlizzCon 2019 - Bastion 2.jpg
  • Bastion

    Bastion

  • Maldraxxus

    Maldraxxus

  • BlizzCon 2019 - Maldraxxus 2.jpg
  • Revendreth

    Revendreth

  • BlizzCon 2019 - Revendreth 2.jpg
  • The Maw

    The Maw

  • Tower of the Damned

    Tower of the Damned

  • Covenant plate armors

    Covenant plate armors

  • Key art of Bolvar Fordragon

    Key art of Bolvar Fordragon

Cinematic stills

  • Shadowlands Cinematic00.jpg
  • Shadowlands Cinematic01.jpg
  • Shadowlands Cinematic02.jpg
  • Shadowlands Cinematic04.jpg
  • Shadowlands Cinematic05.jpg
  • Shadowlands Cinematic03.jpg

Concept art

  • Zone influence on the Anima

    Zone influence on the Anima

  • Bastion Anima

    Bastion Anima

  • Bastion

    Bastion

  • Bastion archway

    Bastion archway

  • Bastion hallway

    Bastion hallway

  • Kyrian

    Kyrian

  • Kyrian armor

    Kyrian armor

  • Steward

    Steward

  • Kyrian progression

    Kyrian progression

  • Revendreth

    Revendreth

  • Revendreth

    Revendreth

  • Revendreth keep

    Revendreth keep

  • Revendreth dredger

    Revendreth dredger

  • Female venthyr

    Female venthyr

  • Revendreth gargoyles

    Revendreth gargoyles

  • Revendreth female gargoyle

    Revendreth female gargoyle

  • Ardenweald

    Ardenweald

  • Ardenweald covenant hall

    Ardenweald covenant hall

  • Ardenweald gates

    Ardenweald gates

  • Faerie

    Faerie

  • Tirnenn

    Tirnenn

  • Vorkai

    Vorkai

  • Sylvar

    Sylvar

  • Runestag

    Runestag

  • Maldraxxus

    Maldraxxus

  • Seat of the Primus

    Seat of the Primus

  • Maldraxxus

    Maldraxxus

  • Maldraxxus buildings

    Maldraxxus buildings

  • Maldraxxus

    Maldraxxus

  • Abomination leftovers

    Abomination leftovers

  • Oribos

    Oribos

  • Oribos

    Oribos

  • Oribos

    Oribos

  • Arbiter

    Arbiter

  • Oribos broker

    Oribos broker

  • Torghast

    Torghast

  • Torghast

    Torghast

  • Torghast

    Torghast

  • Torghast

    Torghast

  • Torghast

    Torghast

  • Torghast

    Torghast

  • Torghast

    Torghast

  • Maw building

    Maw building

  • Maw guards

    Maw guards

  • Maw caster

    Maw caster

  • Charred behemoth

    Charred behemoth

  • Death elementals

    Death elementals

  • Maw shade concept

    Maw shade concept

  • Soul eater

    Soul eater

  • Shadehound

    Shadehound

  • Early Shadowlands concepts

    Early Shadowlands concepts

  • Early Shadowlands concepts

    Early Shadowlands concepts

  • Environment concept

    Environment concept

  • Chains of Domination Anduin

    Chains of Domination Anduin

Miscellaneous

  • Shadowlands login screen

    Shadowlands login screen

  • Cinematic logo

    Cinematic logo

  • Shadowlands world map

    Shadowlands world map

  • Global Release Times

    Global Release Times

Notes

  • Shadowlands is the first expansion to:
    • Not introduce any new faction-specific towns or flight points.
    • Not include a new Steamy Romance Novel since the original release of World of Warcraft.
    • Not include a questchain with or appearance from Hemet Nesingwary.
    • Only have two major content patches since Warlords of Draenor.
      • However, Shadowlands did have more raid tiers/seasons than Warlords of Draenor.
    • Not bring back the Brawler's Guild.

Videos

Load video
Video Link

See also

References

 
  1. ^ Enter the Shadowlands Beginning October 26[dead link - archived copy]
  2. ^ Shadowlands: Official Release Date Trailer[dead link]
  3. ^ Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment 2020-10-01. An Update on Shadowlands. Archived from the original on 2020-10-01.
  4. ^ World of Warcraft on Twitter (2020-10-01). Archived from the original on 2020-10-02.
  5. ^ Shadowlands Arrives November 23 (2020-10-29).
  6. ^ World of Warcraft: What's Next Panel Recap
  7. ^ Perculia 2022-10-25. Shadowlands Now Included in Base WoW Subscription. Wowhead.
  8. ^ Official site
  9. ^ World of Warcraft: Shadowlands - Pre-order
  10. ^ a b c d e f Blizzard Press Center - Shadowlands
  11. ^ Shadowlands - What's Next? Panel
  12. ^ Shadowlands - What's Next? Panel
  13. ^ Shadowlands - What's Next? Panel
  14. ^ Blizzard Watch - Tyrande will play a significant role in Ardenweald's story — and Elune's role?

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