The level progression will change significantly in the next WoW expansion Shadowlands. Because Blizzard not only reduces the maximum level from 120 back to 60, but also lets you level up about 70 percent faster than currently in Battle for Azeroth.
However, many fans are not particularly enthusiastic about the latter adaptation.
Leveling at high speed – the end of immersion?
Leveling itself is one of the central components of World of Warcraft and makes the game experience very important for the community. The changes announced and already implemented in the Shadowlands Alpha provide for accordingly heated discussions.
What exactly does Shadowlands change in the level process? Blizzard adjusted the leveling in Battle for Azeroth. At that time, the developers wanted to satisfy those fans who wanted a more demanding but at the same time satisfying level process.
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Therefore, since Battle for Azeroth, players can flexibly complete the individual areas within a certain framework. At the same time, the leveling itself took longer than before. This is where Blizzard seems to be maneuvering in the opposite direction with Shadowlands.
Because in Shadowlands we level much faster than in Battle for Azeroth. The streamer DesMephisto reached level 50 without level bonuses after almost 12 hours. He then brought a character from level 1 to level 50 in a second pass with all bonuses and level buffs in just under seven hours:
Watch the live video from DesMephisto at www.twitch.tv
What are the advantages and disadvantages of leveling up faster? The faster leveling in Shadowlands has an obvious advantage: We reach the new maximum level 60 much earlier than before.
This means that winkers who would like to play several classes at the same time and newcomers or returners can quickly and easily get their characters fit for the endgame of Shadowlands.
At the same time, however, this is exactly what leveling brings various disadvantages with themselves, which currently outweigh the advantage for many fans:
- Those who level quickly will notice less of the level areas. In addition, the conveyance of the background story of WoW suffers from the increased level pace.
- Fast leveling could make WoW focus even more on the endgame than before. This could make players who want to enjoy the level experience feel pressed for time.
- If leveling plays a subordinate role, WoW may lack a substantial part of the role-playing experience and thus immersion in the game world, because in the end game we only care about the eternal item grind.
How could Blizzard improve leveling in WoW in any other way? Blizzard would have the opportunity to adjust WoW's level experience so that endgame fans as well as level friends get their money's worth. The developers could give players more freedom in leveling, but at the same time reward the experience of the story.
So if you want to get into the endgame as quickly as possible in order to complete raids and mythical dungeons with friends, you can do that now thanks to the fast level phase in Shadowlands at the current alpha level.
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In addition, Blizzard should give players and especially newcomers a guide to experience the story, and also reward the exploration of the game world more strongly. Successes like the apprentice indicate how this could look exactly.
It remains to be seen whether revising the level process with Shadowlands can solve the problems of the level phase itself. Maybe Blizzard will also change one or two details – and as you know, the hope for a rewarding level phase dies last.
