Can I Still Play All WoW Expansions? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, absolutely! You can still play all previous World of Warcraft (WoW) expansions with a subscription or by purchasing game time. The beauty of modern WoW is that you don’t need to buy each expansion individually (except for the latest one). Once you subscribe or add game time to your account, you immediately gain access to the entire catalog of past content, allowing you to experience the rich history of Azeroth at your own pace. This means you can freely explore the vast world, embark on old quests, and delve into the dungeons and raids of previous expansions, all included with your subscription.
How Does Access to Old Content Work?
The current model for World of Warcraft is streamlined for accessibility. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Base Game Access: When you subscribe to World of Warcraft or purchase game time, you are given access to the base game, which includes everything up to and including the Shadowlands expansion. You no longer need to purchase each past expansion individually.
- Latest Expansion Purchase: The only expansion you need to buy separately is the current, most recent expansion, which is currently Dragonflight.
- Level Cap: The base game (with a subscription) allows you to play characters up to level 60, while Dragonflight unlocks the level 70 cap.
- Progression Through Content: Once you are subscribed or have game time active, you can freely travel to and experience all the previous expansion zones and dungeons. You can pick your path and engage with the content that interests you the most.
Exploring Old Content
The ability to revisit past expansions is one of the most appealing aspects of World of Warcraft. You can:
- Experience Iconic Stories: Relive the epic tales of expansions like Wrath of the Lich King, The Burning Crusade, and Legion.
- Explore Classic Zones: Journey through beloved zones like Northrend, Outland, and Pandaria.
- Tackle Legacy Raids and Dungeons: While they might not be as challenging as they were when current, running through old raids and dungeons is still a fun and nostalgic experience. They can also be great for farming transmog gear!
- Quest and Level: You can experience all of the older quest lines and enjoy the journey as you level.
The Challenge of Old Content
It’s important to note that due to the game’s level scaling system, older content is not usually a serious challenge for a max-level character. However, many players enjoy this aspect, finding it relaxing or using it for transmog farming and completion purposes.
Finding Groups for Old Raids and Dungeons
While soloing is often possible, some players still enjoy doing old content in groups. Finding a group might require a bit of patience, as most players will be focused on current content. However, there are dedicated communities and discords that organize such runs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To provide even more clarity on the topic, here are 15 frequently asked questions about playing old WoW expansions:
1. Do I have to buy all the expansions separately to play old content?
No. With a subscription or game time, you have access to all expansions up to Shadowlands, which is now part of the base game. You only need to purchase the current expansion, which is currently Dragonflight, to access the latest content.
2. Does the subscription cover all past expansions?
Yes, the monthly subscription fee includes all previous World of Warcraft expansions up to the current expansion. You only pay for the base game access with the subscription plus the current expansion.
3. Can I play old campaigns in WoW?
Yes, you can play all the old campaigns. However, as your level progresses, the challenge will significantly decrease, but the ability to experience the rich story remains.
4. What level can I reach with the base game and subscription?
With the base game and subscription, you can reach a maximum level of 60. To access the level cap of 70, you must purchase Dragonflight.
5. Do I need to own Shadowlands to play old content?
No, you do not need to own Shadowlands anymore, it is part of the base game now with subscription or game time purchase. Shadowlands was merged into the base game with the release of Dragonflight.
6. Is Shadowlands free now?
Yes, Shadowlands is now included in the base game as long as you have an active subscription or game time on your account.
7. If I buy Dragonflight, do I get all the previous expansions?
No, buying Dragonflight only gives you access to the latest content and allows you to level to 70. It does not give you access to the base game, you need a sub or game time for the base game. The base game (with an active sub or game time) includes all expansions up to Shadowlands.
8. What about WoW Classic? Is that included?
WoW Classic is included with a regular World of Warcraft subscription or game time. You do not need to purchase WoW Classic separately.
9. Is there a free trial for WoW Classic?
Currently, there is no free trial available for WoW Classic.
10. How much does the subscription cost?
Players can choose from multiple subscription options: $14.99/month for a one-month subscription, $13.99/month for a three-month subscription, or $12.99/month for a six-month subscription.
11. Can I play at level 70 if I only have a subscription?
No. Reaching level 70 requires the purchase of the current expansion, Dragonflight. An active subscription grants access up to level 60 and the expansions up to Shadowlands.
12. What are the best ways to find groups for old raids?
You can try searching for communities online, particularly on Discord, that organize legacy raid runs. You could also try asking in-game guilds or communities.
13. What was the most popular expansion?
According to IMDB scores, Wrath of the Lich King is generally considered one of the most popular expansions.
14. What was the least popular expansion?
Based on the same data, Battle for Azeroth is generally considered one of the least popular expansions.
15. How long do WoW expansions last on average?
The length of expansions varies, but on average they last around two years. Battle for Azeroth is one of the longest running, lasting 2 years 2 months 12 days.
Conclusion
The current model for accessing World of Warcraft content is very player-friendly. With a subscription or purchase of game time, you can explore the vast, storied world of Azeroth, experiencing every expansion leading up to the current one. You can then choose to purchase the latest expansion, Dragonflight, to enjoy the most up-to-date content. So, dust off those old characters, or create new ones, and get ready to rediscover all of the epic journeys that have defined World of Warcraft through the years!