Stepping into the Shadowlands, the afterlife of Azeroth, is a significant undertaking in World of Warcraft. Knowing the appropriate level to begin your journey is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable experience. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the level requirements, the leveling process, and tips to ensure you’re well-prepared to face the challenges that await in the realms beyond.
Understanding The Level Squish And Shadowlands Leveling
Before Shadowlands, players could reach level 120. However, the expansion introduced a “level squish,” compressing the level range to make the leveling process more streamlined and alt-friendly. With Shadowlands, the maximum level was reduced to 60. This means any character above level 50 prior to Shadowlands was affected by the squish.
The level squish impacted all characters, bringing them within a more manageable level range. This aimed to make each level feel more meaningful and impactful. Previously, the power gap between levels could be minimal, diminishing the sense of progression.
The minimum level required to begin the Shadowlands content is level 50. This is the crucial benchmark to keep in mind. If you’re below this level, you’ll need to level up your character using previous expansions’ content before embarking on your adventure into the afterlife.
How To Get To Level 50 Before Shadowlands
Reaching level 50 is a prerequisite for entering the Shadowlands. Fortunately, Blizzard has made the leveling process faster and more accessible than ever before. Several options are available to players seeking to reach the required level.
Chromie Time: Your Leveling Playground
Chromie Time allows players to level in any expansion from levels 10 to 50 (previously 1-50, before Dragonflight’s pre-patch). Speak to Chromie in Orgrimmar (for Horde) or Stormwind (for Alliance) to select your desired expansion. This scaling content ensures that zones remain challenging and rewarding throughout your leveling journey.
Choosing an expansion with a compelling storyline or one that offers appealing rewards can enhance your leveling experience. Consider factors like the type of content offered (quests, dungeons, world quests), the aesthetic appeal of the zones, and the availability of useful gear.
Traditional Leveling in Older Expansions
Alternatively, you can level through the traditional method, progressing through each expansion in chronological order. This approach is suitable for players who enjoy experiencing the storyline in a sequential manner. However, it may be less efficient than Chromie Time, as some older zones may not scale as effectively.
Leveling Through Dungeons
Dungeons provide a fast and efficient way to level, particularly if you enjoy group content. Queuing for random dungeons through the Dungeon Finder can grant substantial experience points, especially when combined with quest completion within the dungeons.
Tank and healer roles often experience shorter queue times, making dungeon leveling even faster for these roles. DPS roles may face longer wait times, but the experience gained from each dungeon run remains significant.
Ensuring You’re Ready For Shadowlands Content
Reaching level 50 is only the first step. Before venturing into the Shadowlands, it’s wise to ensure your character is reasonably well-equipped. While the initial quests in Shadowlands will provide gear upgrades, having some decent equipment can make the early stages smoother.
Gear Up Before You Go
Complete any remaining quests in the Battle for Azeroth expansion that reward gear. Look for world quests that offer item level upgrades. Even basic gear obtained through these methods can provide a noticeable advantage in the early Shadowlands zones.
Stock Up on Consumables
Purchase consumables such as food, water, potions, and scrolls to aid you in combat and exploration. These items can provide temporary stat boosts, healing, or other beneficial effects, increasing your survivability and effectiveness.
Understand Your Class and Talents
Familiarize yourself with your class’s abilities, talents, and rotations. Understanding how to effectively utilize your skills is crucial for tackling the challenges in Shadowlands. Experiment with different talent builds to find a playstyle that suits your preferences and strengths.
Entering The Shadowlands: The Questline And Initial Zones
Once you reach level 50, you’ll automatically receive a quest that leads you to Icecrown. This begins the introductory questline for Shadowlands, which involves investigating the events surrounding Sylvanas Windrunner’s actions and the tearing of the veil between Azeroth and the Shadowlands.
The introductory questline culminates in your arrival at the Maw, the inescapable prison for the most vile souls. From the Maw, you’ll eventually make your way to Oribos, the Eternal City, which serves as the main hub for the Shadowlands.
Choosing Your Covenant
Upon reaching Oribos and progressing through the initial quests, you’ll be presented with the choice of joining one of four Covenants: Kyrian, Venthyr, Necrolords, and Night Fae. Each Covenant offers unique abilities, armor sets, and storyline content.
The Covenant you choose will significantly impact your gameplay experience, granting you access to specific class abilities, soulbinds (talent-like systems), and cosmetic rewards. It’s important to research each Covenant and select the one that aligns with your class, playstyle, and personal preferences.
Kyrian
The Kyrian, based in Bastion, are angelic beings dedicated to guiding souls to the Shadowlands. They value duty, service, and the pursuit of perfection.
Venthyr
The Venthyr, residing in Revendreth, are aristocratic beings who punish the prideful and rehabilitate souls seeking redemption. They value elegance, intrigue, and the manipulation of power.
Necrolords
The Necrolords, located in Maldraxxus, are warriors and strategists who defend the Shadowlands from external threats. They value strength, ambition, and the unyielding pursuit of victory.
Night Fae
The Night Fae, dwelling in Ardenweald, are protectors of the cycle of life and death, nurturing the spirits of nature and guiding them to rebirth. They value harmony, preservation, and the interconnectedness of all things.
Navigating The Shadowlands Zones
The Shadowlands consists of five primary zones: The Maw, Oribos, Bastion, Maldraxxus, Revendreth, and Ardenweald. Each zone offers unique environments, creatures, and storylines.
The leveling process in Shadowlands primarily involves completing quests in each zone, following the main storyline and engaging in side quests to gain experience and reputation with the local factions.
The questing experience is designed to be engaging and rewarding, with each zone offering a distinct narrative and lore. Pay attention to the dialogues and storylines to fully immerse yourself in the world of the Shadowlands.
Leveling Tips For Shadowlands
Leveling in Shadowlands is generally a streamlined and enjoyable experience, but optimizing your approach can help you reach the maximum level more efficiently.
Utilize Experience-Boosting Items
Take advantage of any experience-boosting items, such as potions or heirlooms, to accelerate your leveling progress. These items can significantly increase the amount of experience you gain from quests and other activities.
Prioritize Main Story Quests
Focus on completing the main story quests in each zone, as these quests provide the most experience and unlock important features, such as access to new zones and Covenant abilities.
Engage In World Quests
Once you reach certain reputation thresholds with the various factions, world quests will become available in each zone. These quests offer additional experience, rewards, and opportunities to gain reputation.
Rest Whenever Possible
Logging out in a rested area, such as an inn or capital city, grants you bonus experience when you return. Make sure to utilize rested experience to maximize your leveling efficiency.
Take Advantage Of Bonus Events
Keep an eye out for bonus events that offer increased experience gains or other benefits. These events can provide a significant boost to your leveling progress.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shadowlands Leveling
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Beyond Level 60: End-Game Content
Reaching level 60 marks the beginning of the end-game content in Shadowlands. This is where you’ll engage in activities such as raiding, Mythic+ dungeons, PvP, and completing Covenant campaigns.
The end-game content offers a wide range of challenges and rewards, allowing you to further develop your character, improve your gear, and progress through the storyline.
The journey to level 60 is just the beginning of your adventure in the Shadowlands. Embrace the challenges, explore the world, and forge your own destiny in the realms beyond. Remember that the minimum level to enter Shadowlands is level 50, so use all available resources to hit that mark and begin your adventure.
What Is The Minimum Level Required To Enter Shadowlands?
The minimum level required to begin the Shadowlands expansion content is level 50. Once you reach level 50, you will receive a quest in your capital city (Stormwind or Orgrimmar) from an NPC that will initiate the Shadowlands storyline. This quest will guide you through the introductory quests and eventually transport you to Oribos, the hub city of the Shadowlands.
Trying to enter the Shadowlands before level 50 will not be possible. You will be unable to interact with the quest givers and the portal to Oribos will remain inactive for you. Focus on leveling up in previous expansion content until you reach the required level before attempting to begin the Shadowlands campaign.
What Level Should I Aim For Before Starting The Shadowlands Main Storyline?
While the minimum level is 50, it is highly recommended that you reach level 50 before starting the Shadowlands main storyline. The initial quests and zones in the Shadowlands are designed for players at level 50 and provide the intended experience with that level of gear and abilities. Starting below level 50 could result in a significantly harder and potentially frustrating experience.
Furthermore, the leveling process from 50 to 60 is integrated into the Shadowlands narrative. Skipping ahead by using a character boost to a higher level or attempting to engage with the Shadowlands content at a lower level will disrupt the intended progression and storytelling. You will miss out on valuable character development opportunities and essential context related to the expansion’s lore.
How Does Level Scaling Work In Shadowlands Zones?
The initial zones of the Shadowlands, including Bastion, Maldraxxus, Ardenweald, and Revendreth, utilize level scaling. This means that enemies and quests will scale to your current level, providing a consistent challenge and ensuring that the content remains relevant regardless of your specific level within the 50-60 range. This allows you to experience the zones in any order you choose after completing the introductory quests.
However, it’s important to remember that while the zones scale, the gear and rewards you obtain will also be appropriate for your level. This means that leveling up is still beneficial, as it allows you to acquire stronger equipment that will further enhance your character’s power. While you can technically complete the zones at level 50, leveling to 60 provides noticeable advantages in combat and survivability.
What Happens If I Outlevel A Shadowlands Zone Before Finishing Its Storyline?
If you outlevel a Shadowlands zone before completing its storyline, the enemies and quests will continue to scale up to level 60. This ensures that you can still finish the zone’s narrative without trivializing the content. You will continue to receive experience points and appropriate rewards, even if you are higher level than the initial intended level for the zone.
However, you might find that the experience gained becomes less efficient compared to progressing in a zone more closely aligned with your current level. While you can still complete the content, it might be more beneficial to move on to another zone or activity that provides more optimal experience gains if your primary goal is to reach level 60 as quickly as possible.
Is There An Ideal Level To Begin Torghast, Tower Of The Damned?
Torghast, Tower of the Damned, is designed to be accessible at any level between 50 and 60. The difficulty of Torghast scales with your level and the chosen Layer, allowing players of varying power levels to participate. You can enter Torghast as soon as you unlock it through the Shadowlands campaign, regardless of your specific level within that range.
However, it is generally recommended to improve your character’s gear and abilities before attempting higher Layers of Torghast. While you can technically enter at level 50, you might find the higher Layers challenging without adequate equipment and understanding of your class. Experiment with different Layers to find a difficulty level that suits your character’s current power.
How Does Leveling In Shadowlands Impact My Character’s Covenant Choice?
The leveling process in Shadowlands is directly tied to your character’s Covenant choice. As you progress through the zones, you will be introduced to the four Covenants: Kyrian, Venthyr, Necrolord, and Night Fae. Each zone is heavily themed around a specific Covenant, allowing you to experience their philosophies and questlines.
You will not be able to formally choose your Covenant until you reach level 60 and complete the Shadowlands campaign storyline. However, leveling through the zones provides valuable insight into each Covenant, helping you make an informed decision based on your preferred playstyle and aesthetic preferences. Pay attention to the Covenant-specific quests and interactions to determine which best aligns with your character’s goals.
Are There Any Advantages To Reaching Level 60 Before Engaging In Endgame Activities?
Reaching level 60 is crucial for unlocking all endgame activities in Shadowlands. Many features, such as Mythic+ dungeons, raiding, and certain PvP content, require you to be at the maximum level. Furthermore, certain questlines and storylines are only available to level 60 characters, providing access to additional rewards and lore.
Beyond unlocking content, reaching level 60 also grants you access to the full extent of your character’s abilities and talents. You will have access to all talent rows and have optimized your gear through completing the leveling process. This provides a significant advantage in terms of character power and preparedness for tackling the challenging endgame content that Shadowlands offers.