Navigating Shadowlands Zones: Do You Really Need Korthia for Zereth Mortis?

So, you’re itching to jump into the mysteries of Zereth Mortis, the First Ones’ workshop, but you’re staring down the barrel of Korthia, the City of Secrets, and wondering if you really have to trudge through it. Let’s get straight to the point: No, you do not strictly need to complete the Korthia campaign to unlock Zereth Mortis. While Korthia was the central zone for Patch 9.1, it’s essentially become optional for progressing to the newer content of Patch 9.2 and beyond. You can bypass it and head straight to the wonders (and dangers) of Zereth Mortis.

However, there are nuances. While technically skippable, understanding Korthia’s role and potential benefits can influence your decision. This article will break down the requirements for accessing Zereth Mortis, explore the advantages of revisiting Korthia, and answer some frequently asked questions to help you navigate the Shadowlands zones efficiently.

Understanding the Path to Zereth Mortis

The key lies in how Blizzard streamlined the Shadowlands experience for alts and returning players. The initial hurdle involved completing the first two chapters of the 9.1 campaign (the Chains of Domination campaign) to gain access to Korthia. This requirement has been lifted for Zereth Mortis.

To access Zereth Mortis, you primarily need to be level 60. Once you hit that milestone, you should receive the quest to begin the Zereth Mortis campaign, usually kicking off in Oribos. The questline will guide you to the new zone, bypassing the need to engage with the majority of Korthia’s content.

What About the Campaign Skip?

The Zereth Mortis skip is designed for alts who don’t want to repeat the initial chapters of the 9.2 story. If you’ve completed the first three chapters of the Zereth Mortis story on your main character, you can speak to Tal-Inara in Oribos on your alts. This allows you to skip directly to Chapter 4 and unlock Pocopoc, the zone’s helpful companion.

Why Might You Still Want to Visit Korthia?

While not essential for unlocking Zereth Mortis, Korthia still offers some benefits:

• Catch-Up Gear: Korthia provides a relatively quick and easy way to acquire gear to boost your item level. This can be helpful if you are coming back to the game after a break or if you want to prepare an alt for the challenges of Zereth Mortis.

• Mounts and Collectibles: Korthia boasts several unique mounts, pets, and transmog items that can be obtained through quests, rare spawns, and achievements.

• Story Completion: If you’re interested in the full Shadowlands narrative, completing the Korthia campaign provides context and lore that expands on the overall storyline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding access to Zereth Mortis and related content:

1. Can a Fresh Level 60 Go Straight to Zereth Mortis?

Yes, a fresh level 60 can go straight to Zereth Mortis. The level requirement is the primary gate. You will still have to do the initial Zereth Mortis campaign quests, which serve as an introduction to the zone and its mechanics.

2. What is the Fastest Way to Get Zereth Mortis Rep?

The fastest way to gain reputation with The Enlightened in Zereth Mortis is by focusing on World Quests. Completing World Quests grants 125 reputation each. Initially, two World Quests are available daily, with a third unlocking after you research the Cachial Understanding Cypher of the First Ones research. Also, farming rares gives a small amount of reputation per day.

3. When Can Alts Go to Zereth Mortis?

Alts can access Zereth Mortis as soon as they reach level 60. Furthermore, alts can utilize the campaign skip (talking to Tal-Inara) if your main character has completed the first three chapters of the Zereth Mortis storyline.

4. Can You Skip Korthia Entirely?

Yes, you can effectively skip the Korthia campaign. While you might encounter minor references to Korthia during your Zereth Mortis journey, engaging with the zone’s content is not required to progress.

5. Who is the Legendary Vendor in Zereth Mortis?

Rendle is the legendary Shadowlands memory dealer located in Zereth Mortis. He sells memories that were originally obtainable only as drops from Castle Nathria bosses.

6. How Do You Unlock Korthia?

While you don’t need to unlock Korthia for Zereth Mortis, unlocking it traditionally involves progressing through Chapter 2 of the Chains of Domination campaign, titled Maw Walkers. Completing each quest in this chapter unlocks specific features within Korthia.

7. Why Can’t You Fly in Korthia?

Korthia was not originally designed with flying in mind. Blizzard opted not to enable flying in Korthia. Zereth Mortis has flying unlocked account-wide.

8. How Many Lost Razorwing Eggs Can You Get a Day?

You can obtain only two Lost Razorwing Eggs per day. These eggs have a higher drop rate from specific creatures like Ravenous Gorger, Nimble Scavenger, and Colossal Worldeater.

9. Why Farm Rares in Zereth Mortis?

Farming rares in Zereth Mortis is beneficial because they provide a good daily source of Cyphers of the First Ones and Cosmic Flux. These resources are used for the Cypher of the First Ones system and to fuel the Creation Catalyst/Legendary crafting. Killing rares also grants reputation with The Enlightened.

10. What is the Max Item Level in Zereth Mortis?

The maximum obtainable item level in Zereth Mortis is tied to your progress with the Cypher Console. As you upgrade the console, the Cypher Equipment level increases, leading to higher item level gear.

11. What is the Evoker Legendary Weapon?

The Evoker Legendary Weapon is Nasz’uro, the Unbound Legacy, a 457 item level Fist Weapon. It has a Legendary effect that is especially strong and useful when playing as an Augmentation Evoker.

12. Is Unlocking Zereth Mortis Account Wide?

The access to Zereth Mortis itself isn’t technically account-wide in the sense that all your characters automatically have the quest. Each character must be level 60. However, flying in Zereth Mortis is account-wide once you complete the achievement Unlocking the Secrets, which requires completing a series of six achievements.

13. How Long is the Zereth Mortis Campaign?

The primary Zereth Mortis campaign is eight chapters long. It focuses on the heroes’ journey through the zone, their efforts to confront the Jailer, the creation of a new Arbiter, and the ultimate fate of Sylvanas Windrunner.

14. What is a Useful Rare Addon for Zereth Mortis?

RareTrackerZerethMortis (RTZ) is a helpful addon that allows you to track and share rare spawn timers in Zereth Mortis. It’s similar to the RareCoordinator addon used on the Timeless Isle.

15. What are the Mysterious Fruits For in Zereth Mortis?

Mysterious Fruits are found at various locations in Zereth Mortis. Eating them grants a spotlight in a specific color for two minutes. These are purely cosmetic and have no gameplay effect beyond visual flair.

Conclusion

While Korthia remains a part of the Shadowlands landscape, it’s not a mandatory stepping stone to Zereth Mortis. So, if you’re eager to dive into the mysteries of the First Ones, feel free to bypass Korthia and embark on your journey! Just remember to consider the potential benefits Korthia offers, such as catch-up gear and lore, before making your final decision. And as you explore these virtual worlds, remember the real-world applications of gaming and learning, as highlighted by the Games Learning Society. To learn more, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.