Do you have to finish BfA to play Shadowlands?

To play Shadowlands, you don’t necessarily have to finish Battle for Azeroth (BfA), but you do need to have played through the BfA introduction and reached at least level 10 to start the Shadowlands expansion content. The leveling storyline and zones for BfA are solid, making it worthwhile to play through, and XP gains will cease or drop significantly once you reach level 50.

Introduction to Shadowlands

Getting Started

The Shadowlands expansion is the latest addition to the World of Warcraft universe, offering a new leveling experience, zones, and storyline. To access Shadowlands, you need to complete the BfA introduction and reach level 10.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1. Do new players have to play through BfA?: New players must play through BfA to familiarize themselves with the most recent storyline and to provide a smooth transition into Shadowlands gameplay.
2. How do I get to Shadowlands from BfA?: Once you have completed the BfA introduction and earned the Welcome to Zandalar (Horde) / Come Sail Away (Alliance) achievement, you can start the Shadowlands expansion.
3. Do you need to finish Battle for Azeroth?: You don’t need to finish BfA, but playing through it helps with the storyline and leveling experience.
4. What level is BfA in Shadowlands?: BfA content is available from level 10-50, while Shadowlands content is available from level 50-60.
5. At what level can you start Shadowlands?: The intro questline for Shadowlands is intended for characters level 48-50.

Leveling and Gameplay

6. Can I level to 60 without Shadowlands?: Yes, you can level to 60 without Shadowlands by playing through BfA and other previous expansions.
7. Why did people not like Battle for Azeroth?: BfA received criticism for its endgame power system and storyline, which some players felt did not live up to Legion standards.
8. Is Heart of Azeroth worth it?: The Heart of Azeroth is still useful in Shadowlands, especially with Essences in Timewalking dungeons and raids.

Accessibility and Content

9. Why can’t I go to Oribos?: You need to be at least level 51 to access Oribos and start the Bastion starting quest Seek the Ascended.
10. How long does it take to unlock BFA flying in Shadowlands?: Unlocking BFA flying requires completing BFA Pathfinder, which can take around 3-4 weeks.
11. Can you fly in BFA in Shadowlands?: Yes, characters who learned Expert Riding in BfA can still fly, even if their current level is below 30.

Expansions and Comparisons

12. Is BFA a good expansion?: BfA received praise for its diverse zones and Allied Races, making it a worthwhile experience for players.
13. Is BFA content soloable?: Most BfA raid bosses are soloable on normal difficulty, with a few exceptions due to mechanics.
14. Which wow expansion was the worst?: According to Metacritic, Mists of Pandaria is often considered one of the worst expansions, with a score of 82.

Miscellaneous

15. Can you play Shadowlands without buying it?: No, you need to purchase Shadowlands to access its content, but you can still play level 50 and below content without it.