Can I Play Shadowlands Without Buying Dragonflight? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is yes, you can absolutely play the Shadowlands content without purchasing the Dragonflight expansion. However, it’s essential to understand what that entails and what limitations you might encounter. Let’s delve into the details of playing World of Warcraft (WoW) with a focus on Shadowlands accessibility after the release of Dragonflight.
Understanding the WoW Expansion Model
World of Warcraft operates on an expansion model, where new content is released periodically. The most recent expansion, Dragonflight, is sold separately, while previous expansions, like Shadowlands, become part of the base game with a standard subscription. This means that your monthly subscription now grants access to all content up to and including the Shadowlands expansion for any level character up to level 60. You do not need to purchase Shadowlands separately anymore.
Accessing Shadowlands Content
With a WoW subscription, you can level new characters or continue playing existing ones through the content of previous expansions, including Shadowlands, until you reach the level cap of 60. You will be able to access the Shadowlands zones, quests, dungeons, and raids. This is a significant change, as prior to the Dragonflight pre-patch, accessing Shadowlands required an individual purchase.
Limitations Without Dragonflight
While you can freely access and experience Shadowlands with just a subscription, you will be subject to the following limitations:
- Level Cap: You will be capped at level 60. This means you cannot access the new areas, quests, and content introduced in Dragonflight, such as the Dragon Isles, nor can you level beyond 60 to reach the current max level of 70.
- Dracthyr Evoker: The new playable race, Dracthyr, and its unique class, Evoker, are exclusive to the Dragonflight expansion. You can create a Dracthyr during a trial period, but to continue playing it past level 60, you MUST purchase the Dragonflight expansion.
- Dragonflight Content: You won’t be able to access any of the content specific to the Dragonflight expansion, including the new zones, dragon riding, talents, story, dungeons, and raids.
- Max Level Progression: Any character, even ones that have progressed through Shadowlands will be unable to reach level 70 or any content above 60 without the Dragonflight expansion.
Essentially, without Dragonflight, you are limited to the content available up to level 60, encompassing the base game and all previous expansions including Shadowlands.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further clarify how playing World of Warcraft and accessing Shadowlands works without Dragonflight, here are 15 frequently asked questions and their comprehensive answers:
1. Is Shadowlands included in a basic WoW subscription?
Yes, Shadowlands is now included as part of the basic monthly subscription to World of Warcraft. You no longer need to purchase it separately. With a subscription, you can level characters up to level 60, exploring all the content in expansions up to and including Shadowlands.
2. Do I need to buy Shadowlands before Dragonflight?
No, you no longer need to buy Shadowlands before Dragonflight. With the release of the Dragonflight pre-patch, Shadowlands became integrated into the base game with a subscription. To access the Dragonflight expansion content you will need to purchase it separately.
3. Can I level to 60 without going through Shadowlands?
Yes, absolutely. You can level up to 60 using content from any of the previous expansions or leveling areas, such as dungeons, pet battles, or battlegrounds. While the questline will direct you into Battle for Azeroth after Exile’s Reach, you can choose to return to Chromie time to level elsewhere. You are not required to complete the Shadowlands campaign to reach level 60.
4. How do I get to the Shadowlands from Dragonflight?
You can access the Shadowlands through portals. Mages can create portals to Oribos, the main city hub in Shadowlands. Additionally, there are portals in the Stormwind and Orgrimmar portal rooms that will take you to Oribos.
5. What level should I be to go to Shadowlands?
The introductory questline for Shadowlands is designed for characters who have reached level 48-50. However, it is more efficient to level to 60 before beginning this content.
6. How do I get Shadowlands for free?
If you already had a previous expansion license attached to your Battle.net account and didn’t have Shadowlands, it is likely you were given the Shadowlands Base Edition and a Level 50 Character Boost for free. This promotion was offered to players before the integration of Shadowlands into the base game, but it is no longer necessary, as Shadowlands is now included with a subscription.
7. Do I need to do the Dragonflight questline?
While not mandatory for leveling, completing the main quests of Dragonflight is highly recommended. The campaign is required to unlock World Quests and Adventure Mode, which greatly improve the experience of leveling alts and gearing up characters in the Dragon Isles.
8. Can I skip the Dragonflight storyline?
Technically, yes. You could level to the max level using methods other than the story, such as mining, herbing, and running dungeons. However, it is strongly advised to complete enough of the Dragonflight campaign to unlock your first dragon riding mount.
9. What happens if I don’t buy Dragonflight?
If you don’t buy Dragonflight, you will be capped at level 60. You can continue playing all the content up to and including Shadowlands. You will not be able to level past level 60, play a Dracthyr Evoker, or access any content in Dragonflight.
10. How long does Dragonflight take place after Shadowlands?
The events in Dragonflight take place three years after the events of Shadowlands.
11. Can you play WoW without buying Dragonflight?
Yes, you can play WoW without buying Dragonflight. You will have access to all content from the base game up to and including the Shadowlands expansion. The Dragonflight expansion is a separate purchase for those who want access to the most current content.
12. Can I skip Shadowlands leveling?
Yes, you can level to 60 without ever starting the Shadowlands leveling campaign. You can choose to level through other expansions using Chromie Time.
13. Can I start leveling in Shadowlands?
You can start your World of Warcraft journey by beginning the game on Exile’s Reach and after that by choosing to level in Battle For Azeroth content. If you choose to start leveling in another expansion through Chromie Time, yes you can start leveling in Shadowlands if you choose to.
14. Why can’t I go to Oribos?
If you are below level 48, you will be unable to access Oribos. You can access the Shadowlands by completing the Maw Intro (intended for characters 48+) and get to Oribos via the portal. However, you can pick up the quest Seek the Ascended from level 51 to start the Bastion zone questline. You may need to level up in another zone if below the minimum level.
15. Do you have to buy Dragonflight to play Dracthyr?
You can play a Dracthyr Evoker for a trial period without buying Dragonflight. However, to continue playing it beyond level 60, you MUST purchase the Dragonflight expansion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Dragonflight expansion is required to access the latest content, you can still thoroughly enjoy a substantial portion of World of Warcraft, specifically the Shadowlands content, without needing to purchase the new expansion. A subscription to World of Warcraft grants you access to all expansions up to, and including Shadowlands, allowing you to play through the story and engage with all of the content through level 60. This offers plenty of gameplay and adventure for players who choose not to purchase Dragonflight and is beneficial to players who want to explore older content or level up characters before delving into the newest content.