Can I Just Buy WoW Dragonflight? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is: Yes, you can buy World of Warcraft: Dragonflight as a standalone expansion. However, it’s not as straightforward as simply purchasing the game and diving in. To fully understand the nuances, let’s delve deeper into what you get with a Dragonflight purchase, what you need to play, and other related considerations. Buying Dragonflight itself only gives you access to the Dragon Isles content, the new Dracthyr Evoker class, and the level cap increase to level 70. It does not grant access to older content or a subscription.
Understanding the Dragonflight Purchase
When you buy Dragonflight, you’re purchasing the latest chapter in the World of Warcraft saga. This purchase allows you to access the new zone, storylines, quests, dungeons, and raids specifically added in this expansion. It also enables you to play as the new Dracthyr Evoker race-class hybrid.
However, to play any of this content, you need more than just the expansion. You require either a subscription or game time in addition to purchasing Dragonflight. World of Warcraft is not a one-time purchase game, it is a subscription-based model with expansions as extra add-ons.
The Base Game and the Subscription Model
The base game of World of Warcraft, including all previous expansions up to Shadowlands, is essentially bundled with an active subscription or game time purchase. This means that you need to be a paying customer to level your character past level 20 or access any of the pre-Dragonflight zones, dungeons or raids. Therefore, purchasing Dragonflight is like buying a new level of the game, but the foundation – which is the active subscription – is required to play that level.
Different Editions of Dragonflight
It’s worth noting that Dragonflight comes in a few different editions, each with varying prices and bonus features:
- Base Edition: Includes the Dragonflight expansion and the Dracthyr Evoker class, but that’s pretty much it.
- Heroic Edition: Includes additional cosmetic items and the ability to level your character faster.
- Epic Edition: Includes the same additional cosmetic items as the Heroic Edition, plus a mount, a pet, and 30 days of game time.
Be sure to check exactly what each edition includes before you buy, and decide which one provides the best value for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Buying Dragonflight
Here’s a comprehensive list of FAQs to further clarify the details and implications of buying the Dragonflight expansion:
Do I need to own previous expansions to play Dragonflight?
No. With an active subscription or game time, you get access to all content up to the Shadowlands expansion. You do not need to own any previous expansions individually. Dragonflight is a standalone purchase that builds upon the current version of the game.
Can I play Dragonflight without a subscription?
No. While the Dragonflight expansion is a separate purchase, it is not free. You require an active subscription or game time on your account to access any content beyond level 20, including the Dragonflight content. If you have game time, you will be able to play in Dragonflight zones.
Do I need to have a level 60 character to play Dragonflight?
Yes, the intro questline for Dragonflight is available for characters level 60 or above. This means you need a character with the appropriate level to start the Dragonflight quests and zones. You can level a new character to 60 within the current game using your subscription. Once you are level 60, and you purchased the Dragonflight expansion, you will be able to enjoy the new content.
If I purchase Dragonflight, do I get game time?
Only the Epic Edition of Dragonflight comes with 30 days of game time. If you purchase any other edition of Dragonflight, you’ll need to purchase additional game time or a subscription to play.
What level can I level to if I only have the base game?
The base game, without a subscription or game time, allows you to level up to level 20. After level 20, you must have an active subscription or game time purchase to continue leveling and experience the full game.
Can I pre-purchase Dragonflight if I don’t own Shadowlands?
Yes, you can pre-purchase Dragonflight even if you don’t own Shadowlands, as long as you have an active subscription or game time purchase. The subscription gives you access to the content of Shadowlands or any previous expansion.
Do I get access to old expansions when I buy Dragonflight?
No. Purchasing Dragonflight only gives you access to the Dragonflight content itself. Access to all previous expansion content is tied to your subscription or game time purchase, not Dragonflight itself.
What is the cost of Dragonflight?
The base edition of Dragonflight costs $49.99. The Heroic and Epic editions are priced at $69.99 and $89.99, respectively. These prices can vary depending on where you are purchasing the game from.
How do I start the Dragonflight quests?
Once you are level 60 and you have bought Dragonflight, the Dragonflight intro questline will automatically appear when you log in with a level 60 character. The quest will start in Stormwind or Orgrimmar.
Can I gift Dragonflight to someone else?
Yes. Dragonflight can be gifted to other players. However, if you purchase the Epic edition, the bonus 30 days of game time is only available if the recipient claims the game before a specified date (2 January 2023 according to this article).
Is a subscription required for the Dracthyr Evoker class?
Yes, a subscription is required to play Dracthyr Evoker, since this race/class is tied to the Dragonflight content, which requires active subscription or game time. You must also have the Dragonflight expansion purchased.
Does pre-purchasing Dragonflight guarantee early access?
No. Pre-purchasing Dragonflight guarantees access to the game upon its official launch. There isn’t early access unless Blizzard specifically indicates that is part of the pre-order bonus.
How can I cancel my World of Warcraft subscription?
You can cancel your subscription by navigating to your Games & Subscriptions page on your Battle.net account, selecting the specific WoW account, and clicking “Cancel Subscription.” If this option is not available, then you may not have a subscription currently active.
Can I try Dragonflight for free?
There are often opportunities to play World of Warcraft for free, however they are time-limited. You can play for free up to level 20, and you can try certain expansion content for a limited time, or you can do a trial account, but these do not give you full access to all the Dragonflight content.
Is there a physical copy of Dragonflight?
Yes, there is a physical collector’s edition of Dragonflight which can be purchased from the Blizzard Gear Store. These physical copies, generally, contain a code to unlock the game, plus collectibles such as a pin or art book.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while you can purchase Dragonflight as a standalone expansion, it’s essential to understand that it’s not a standalone game. You also need a subscription or game time purchase in order to play World of Warcraft beyond level 20, and this will allow you to access all content, including the Dragonflight expansion. Think of Dragonflight as a new “chapter” in the ongoing World of Warcraft story, and your subscription is the “book” you need to read the whole saga, and to also read the new chapter when it is released. Buying Dragonflight will simply grant you access to the latest content that is the Dragon Isles.