Gamescom gave us a trailer for World of Warcraft’s new expansion, called World of Warcraft: Legion. We now have a pretty good idea of what the expansion will entail.
First, if you’re familiar with WoW lore, then yes, this is the Legion, as in the Burning Legion. For those not in the know, the Burning Legion is an invading demon army that wants to destroy order in the universe and will stop at nothing to take over Azeroth (Warcraft’s main setting), the only planet it has thus far failed to conquer. And then there’s a bunch of complicated stuff with Gul’dan and Illidan the demon hunter… Anyway, Warcraft’s story is a bit dense at this point, but the new Legion expansion will see the Burning Legion invading Azeroth once more.
As for new stuff, there will be an increased level cap, as per usual. Players will now be able to play up to level 110. More artifact weapons and legendary weapon customizations are being introduced. There will be 36 artifacts in total, with one per class specialization; each will have individual talent trees, as well as aesthetic customization. (Ashbringer and Doomhammer are the two artifact weapons we know about so far—familiar names for Warcraft veterans.) We’re getting a revamped honor system for player-versus-player, with special talents you can unlock just for PvP combat, as well as a prestige option that will let you reset your rank and start over if you want to. This will get you some unique mounts and aesthetic changes, too.
New areas will include “The Broken Isles,” location of the Tomb of Sargeras and the Pillars of Creation, as well as a few trips to the Emerald Dream. The floating city of Dalaran will serve as a central meeting point for this expansion.
The most exciting part—I think, anyway—is the addition of Demon Hunter to the classes. Demon Hunters have been present in Warcraft mythos for ages now, with Illidan being a pretty major character with some very cool abilities, but this is the first time we’ll get to learn more about them and play as one. Demon Hunters will start at a high level.
Another new addition is Class Orders, with characters being given charge of an class-based organization (for example, the paladin templar sanctum beneath Light’s Hope Chapel). We’ll also be seeing a Champion system (based on the Warlords of Draenor follower system), which will include NPC heroes that will aid you. Blizzard has also promised more dungeons to make up for the dearth of them in the previous expansions.
There’s no word on what the release date for World of Warcraft: Legion will be yet, but there will be a beta sometime this year.
