Diving into the Afterlife: How to Start Shadowlands at Level 70

So, you’ve hit level 70 in Dragonflight and the whispers of the Shadowlands are calling? Maybe you missed it the first time around, or perhaps you’re a completionist eager to experience every corner of Azeroth’s extended universe. Whatever the reason, starting Shadowlands at level 70 is entirely possible.

Here’s the straightforward answer: Head to Orgrimmar (for Horde) or Stormwind (for Alliance) and look for Chromie near the Embassy. This is your portal to the past. Speak with her and choose the “The Realms of Death” timeline. This will initiate the quest “Shadowlands: A Chilling Summons,” setting you on your journey to the afterlife. If Chromie doesn’t offer the Shadowlands timeline, it may be due to a prior quest or expansion already being active on your character. Abandon any active expansion timeline quests, if needed, and speak to Chromie again.

Your Shadowlands Adventure Awaits

This initial quest will guide you to Icecrown Citadel, where you’ll witness the events that tear open the veil between Azeroth and the Shadowlands. From there, you’ll descend into the Maw, the inescapable prison for the most vile souls, and begin your journey through the realms of the dead.

Why Shadowlands at 70?

While Shadowlands content is scaled for levels 48-60, playing through it at 70 provides a unique experience. You’ll be significantly more powerful, allowing you to breeze through much of the content and focus on the story, exploration, and collection aspects. Plus, soloing dungeons for transmog or achievements becomes a breeze!

Level Scaling and Trivial Quests

Even at level 70, the Shadowlands content will be scaled down to meet your level. If you are unable to see quests, enable trivial quests on your minimap’s tracking options. Shadowlands content is designed to offer challenges and rewards across a range of levels.

Shadowlands at Level 70: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions players have about starting Shadowlands at level 70:

1. Can I skip the Maw Intro at Level 70?

Unfortunately, you can’t skip the initial Maw intro questline entirely. This section is required to progress the story and unlock Oribos as a travel point. However, at level 70, you’ll breeze through it with ease.

2. What if Chromie Time isn’t Available?

If you haven’t reached level 60 on at least one character, you won’t be able to use Chromie Time. Once you’ve leveled a character to 60, Chromie Time becomes available for all your alts under level 60.

3. I’m in Dragonflight – How Do I Go Back?

Simply head to Orgrimmar or Stormwind and speak to Chromie to select the Shadowlands timeline. This will set you on the path to Icecrown and the Maw.

4. How do I leave the Shadowlands?

Once you’ve established a foothold in Oribos, you can use the portal network to travel back to Orgrimmar or Stormwind. Alternatively, you can use your Hearthstone.

5. Can I solo Shadowlands Dungeons and Raids at 70?

Yes, absolutely! At level 70, most Shadowlands dungeons are easily soloable by any DPS class. Raids might require a bit more gear or a friend, but many are also soloable.

6. What rewards can I get from Shadowlands at 70?

Even at level 70, Shadowlands offers a wealth of rewards, including:

• Transmog Gear: Collect armor and weapon appearances for your characters.
• Mounts: Obtain unique mounts from various activities, including dungeons, raids, and world quests.
• Pets: Add new companions to your pet collection.
• Achievements: Earn achievements for completing quests, exploring zones, and defeating bosses.
• Story and Lore: Experience the rich and immersive story of the Shadowlands.

7. Do I need Shadowlands to play Dragonflight?

No, you do not need to own Shadowlands to play Dragonflight. Dragonflight is its own standalone expansion. Shadowlands is considered legacy content that can now be accessed by subscribing to World of Warcraft.

8. What is the best class to play through Shadowlands?

At level 70, nearly any class can breeze through Shadowlands content. However, classes with strong self-healing and damage output, such as Demon Hunters, Death Knights, and Paladins, are particularly well-suited for soloing.

9. How do I unlock flying in Shadowlands?

Flying in the four main zones of Shadowlands (Bastion, Maldraxxus, Ardenweald, and Revendreth) is unlocked by completing the Covenants Campaign in your chosen zone. When you reach renown 44 you will unlock the ability to fly.

10. What are Covenants?

Covenants are the major factions of the Shadowlands. Players choose to align themselves with one of the four Covenants: Kyrian (Bastion), Necrolords (Maldraxxus), Night Fae (Ardenweald), or Venthyr (Revendreth). Each Covenant offers unique abilities, storylines, and cosmetic rewards.

11. Can I change my Covenant?

Yes, you can change your Covenant, but it requires effort. There’s a process of proving yourself to the new Covenant and catching up on any missed renown and storyline progression. Changing Covenants frequently isn’t recommended.

12. What is Torghast?

Torghast, Tower of the Damned, is a rogue-like dungeon in the Maw. Players ascend through randomized floors, gaining temporary powers and facing challenging encounters. Torghast is a source of Soul Ash, used to craft Legendary items.

13. What are Legendary Items?

Legendary items are powerful pieces of gear that provide significant stat boosts and unique effects. In Shadowlands, players can craft Legendary items by gathering Soul Ash from Torghast and working with the Runecarver in Torghast.

14. Are Shadowlands World Quests still relevant at 70?

Shadowlands World Quests aren’t generally relevant for gear upgrades at level 70. However, they can still be a source of cosmetic rewards, reputation, and Anima, which can be used to purchase various items from Covenant vendors.

15. How does Chromie Time work?

Chromie Time allows players between levels 10 and 59 to level up in any past expansion’s content. Chromie helps scale the chosen expansion, to the player’s level, allowing for a more streamlined and focused leveling experience.

The Shadowlands Await

Starting Shadowlands at level 70 is a fantastic way to experience the expansion’s story, collect rewards, and explore the unique realms of the afterlife. Remember to speak with Chromie in Orgrimmar or Stormwind, begin the “Shadowlands: A Chilling Summons” quest, and prepare to journey beyond the veil. Whether you’re seeking transmog, achievements, or simply a new adventure, the Shadowlands have something to offer every player.

If you’re interested in the broader implications of games and learning, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. You’ll find insightful research and resources on how games can be used for education, training, and personal development.