Earlier today, Blizzard released new content for the recently released World of Warcraft expansion, Battle for Azeroth. This includes: The expansions first raid, Uldir; the first Mythic Keystone Dungeon season; the first ranked PvP season; new world bosses; and the start of the much anticipated Warfront cycle.
The expansion’s first raid location, Uldir, is open in both Normal and Heroic difficulties (with Mythic coming September 11th). Uldir was a research facility used by the Titans millennia ago, focused on understanding the Void Energy utilised by their enemy, the Old Gods. Using captured Old God prisoners in their experimentation, the Titans’ research went horribly wrong and lead to the creation of the Blood God, G’Huun. Unable to deal with this monstrosity, the Titans sealed the facility away instead – and sealed it remained, until now. With G’Huun’s influence now beginning to seep into the world, heroes must act before he corrupts and enslaves all of Azeroth.
The raid consists of six maps with a total of eight raid bosses, from Uldir’s A.I. Caretaker, MOTHER, through to the Blood God itself. The Raid Finder wings will open on September 11th (Halls of Containment), September 25th (Crimson Descent) and October 9th (Heart of Corruption).
Mythic Keystone Dungeon seasons have also premiered, with the intent of helping runs better reflect current content as well as generally shaking things up. The first seasonal affix, Infested, aims to reflect G’Huun’s growing corruption of the world, with several dungeon denizens being tainted. This affix will only appear on Mythic Keystones that are Level 10 or higher. And, of course, there are Mythic Keystone Dungeon Seasonal Leaderboards, to try and top, too!
Speaking of leaderboards, the first ranked PVP season for the expansion is also about to commence! Players will be able to compete to achieve higher and higher ranks (ranging from Unranked at a score below 1399 through to Gladiator with a score over 2400), helping them earn appropriately grand rewards. This season will also introduce two new arenas – Hook Point, and The Mugambala.
Several new world bosses have also been introduced, appearing across both Zandalar and Kul Tiras. They are T’zane (Nazmir), Ji’arak (Zuldazar), The Hailstone Construct (Drustvar), Azurethos, The Winged Typhoon (Kul Tiras), Warbringer Yenajz (Stormsong Valley) and Dunegorger Kraulok (Vol’dun). The bosses are live right now, and slaying all will earn players the Unbound Monstrosities achievement.
Which brings us to the Warfront cycle. Warfronts are designed to both represent the clashes between Alliance and Horde forces over geographical or resource important areas, as well as act as a love letter to Warcraft’s origins as an RTS series. Before the Warfront begins, players on the attacking side contribute to their side’s war contributions in order to supply their army. Contributions take not just a server, but an entire region (eg. North America, Europe) into account. When enough contributions have been offered, both sides are notified, and are able to queue for instances of the battle to control the region. Players – alongside 19 allied players – must construct an outpost, secure resources, establish supply lines, and train troops to attack the other faction’s own outpost. Whichever side has the most victories claims the region. The first Warfront, Stormgarde, will determine ownership of the Arathi Highlands. The Arathi Highlands will begin under Alliance control, with the Horde as attackers. Whichever side controls the region will be able to receive certain benefits, (Pets, Mounts, and Toys, Azerite and War Resources), and have access to two unique world bosses in the Highlands (Doom’s Howl for the Alliance, and Lion’s Roar for the Horde). A video further detailing the Warfront experience may be found below.