World of Warcraft‘s new expansion is going to be one of the best they have ever had since Wrath of the Lich King. They came out with a pre-patch event on Tuesday, and since then there have been more players in the world than I have ever seen. It’s like taking the old 40 man raids back in the 2000’s, but this time, everyone is on the same page and everyone wants to do what the actual objective is.
The pre-patch has consisted of a story quest specific to the new expansion that changes the entire world almost as much as Cataclysm (an earlier expansion) changed it previously. New leaders come into power and old ones are ousted during the proceedings. It also brings up a new event that brings players together in a new way; saving towns and cities from the Legion, with both the Alliance and Horde being united in this endeavor. During this time the NPC’s that are usually guarding the faction-specific areas are set to be allied with both factions, but they revert to being hostile towards the opposing side within a few minutes of the event being over.
The event happens in 3 waves: First, you have to protect the besieged town from a slew of Legion troops until a progress bar fills up. Second, you have to down a few mini bosses or Lieutenants. Finally, you have to down the actual boss of the area (which is randomly chosen from a few of them), and they are HARD. After you down the main boss in phase 3 you automatically get 2 treasure boxes put into your inventory which you open to get the new currency, as well as having a chance of getting new gear for your hero. These events have timers and randomly spawn in areas in the world that you have to use your map to view. They will show up as a green rift-like swirl on your map. It’s one of the most well put together pre-patch events I have gotten to be a part of.
Caution – there be spoilers ahead!
The event starts with a quest you get when you first login to a level 100 hero called “The Legion Returns.” This is sadly not for the faint of heart…EVERYONE DIES! It happened so fast that I couldn’t keep my mouth closed, I was in such awe. The quest starts out with a call to arms and you have you bring your hero to the Dranosh Hold outside of Orgrimmar to get ready for battle with the Legion. You eat some food, polish your armor, get some buffs, and even have a sparring match to get yourself ready. You board a ship and immediately get taken down by the Legion and have to fight them on the ground. During this time you are accompanied by Thrall and a few other NPCs, all of whom help you take down the somewhat endless hordes of the enemy.
Pushing forward, you meet up with Baine Bloodhoof and Sylvanas Windrunner and continue pushing forward towards Gul’dan, the scummiest orc on Azeroth. You find Gul’dan holding onto Tyrion Fordring with fel energy spouting off his monologue of how the light has forsaken him and won’t come to help…BLAH BLAH BLAH! Then Gul’dan summons a giant minion, Krosus, that strikes at Tyrion and at the same time he fills him with Fel energy killing him a burying him in the fel pool that is below – commence tears. We team together with the Alliance, both players and NPC’s, to take down the giant that Gul’dan summoned and we continue onward without our paladin friend.
The Alliance is on the ground and the Horde have taken to the upper mountainous area, right near the gate, which we find out also next to the Tomb of Sargeras. We try to fight,but the Horde get overrun and have to retreat; this is when crap hits the fan. Thrall goes down due to fatigue and his constant use of the elements, Baine carries him out, but then … Vol’jin holding strong against the enemy gets stabbed through the back with a fel-soaked blade and goes down. Sylvanas picks him up and throws him on her horse, summons a fleet of Val’kyr angels to help the wounded, and retreat back to Orgrimmar.
While all this is happening, the Alliance believe the Horde has betrayed them and they retreat as well, but their airship is stopped by a HUMUNGOUS Fel Reaver. This is where the leader of the Alliance, Varian Wrynn, jumps on the Fel Reaver’s head and kills it, but leaving himself right smack dab in the middle of the Legion’s forces as well as in the face of Gul’dan. Gul’dan then speaks to him saying “You’re going to be remembered as the King who sacrificed his life for nothing..” Varian says, “…For the Alliance” and Gul’dan forces fel into him and he explodes…:(.
Back in Orgrimmar, Vol’jin is speaking to Sylvanas whilst dying from the fel and tells her she is one he has never trusted but she needs to lead the Horde as the new Warchief. He dies on the throne, and she rallies the troops of the Horde to war against the Legion to overcome the threat. This is when she sends you, the player, on missions to do the aforementioned events.
All this takes place in about 45 minutes to an hour, but it is so worth it.
If this doesn’t bring back players to Azeroth then nothing will. This is going to be an epic adventure filled with excitement and heartbreak to come. FOR THE HORDE!
