How to Upgrade Your Heart of Azeroth in Shadowlands: A Comprehensive Guide
The Heart of Azeroth (HoA), a powerful artifact neck piece from the Battle for Azeroth expansion, might seem like a relic of the past in Shadowlands, but it still holds value, especially when engaging in Timewalking content. While you won’t be actively leveling it in the same way you did during BfA, understanding how it works within the current game landscape is essential. Let’s delve into how the HoA functions and how you can leverage its power in Shadowlands.
The Heart of Azeroth in Shadowlands: What You Need to Know
In Shadowlands, the Heart of Azeroth does not level up with Artifact Power (AP) like it did in Battle for Azeroth. The artifact power system has been retired with the new expansion, meaning you won’t be grinding AP to increase its item level. Instead, the HoA operates at the item level you obtained during the BFA expansion.
Key Points About Heart of Azeroth in Shadowlands
- No Further Leveling: The HoA cannot be leveled up through traditional means in Shadowlands. Its item level remains fixed at what it was when you stopped playing Battle for Azeroth content or completed the questline to get it.
- Passive Power: While it no longer levels, the HoA’s effects, specifically the Azerite traits and essences, are still functional in Timewalking dungeons and raids.
- Azerite Gear Synergy: The power of the HoA is amplified when paired with Azerite armor pieces. If you have old BfA Azerite gear in your bank, equipping these alongside the HoA will significantly boost your effectiveness in Timewalking scenarios.
- Timewalking Powerhouse: The HoA and its associated system, while obsolete in current content, are incredibly useful for Timewalking dungeons and raids due to its unique traits and essence system that still function in these older encounters.
The Journey to Obtain the Heart of Azeroth
For players who never completed the Heart of Azeroth questline, you can still acquire this powerful necklace by starting the “A Dying World” quest. This quest is essential for new players or characters that skipped BFA entirely.
Starting the Quest
- Location: Head to your faction’s capital city: Boralus for Alliance and Dazar’alor for Horde.
- Earthen Guardian: Near the entrance of The Snug Harbor Inn in Boralus, or a comparable location in Dazar’alor, an Earthen Guardian will offer you the quest “A Dying World.”
- Follow the Questline: The quest will lead you to Magni Bronzebeard, where you’ll unlock the Chamber of Heart and begin the process of obtaining your Heart of Azeroth.
Obtaining the Heart of Azeroth at Level 10 (or Any Level)
There’s a specific method to get the HoA at a lower level, allowing characters to have an item level 55 neck early on.
- Azerite Item Drop: Have a max-level friend accompany you in a Battle for Azeroth dungeon.
- Trade the Item: Have your friend loot and trade you an Azerite item.
- Relog: After receiving the item, relog your character. This will trigger the quest “A Dying World.”
- Automatic Equip: You will be granted your Heart of Azeroth which is item level 50 but automatically equips, giving your character access to the item level 55 necklace and unlocking the heart of azeroth at that level, even as early as level 10.
Key Takeaway
The Heart of Azeroth’s power is in its synergistic relationship with Azerite armor and essences. The fact it’s still useful in Timewalking makes it a sought-after gear piece. While you won’t be leveling it actively in Shadowlands, its impact in Timewalking scenarios remains significant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Heart of Azeroth in Shadowlands
1. Can I still get the Heart of Azeroth in Shadowlands?
Yes, you can still obtain the Heart of Azeroth in Shadowlands by completing the quest “A Dying World,” which is offered by an Earthen Guardian in your faction’s capital city.
2. Does the Heart of Azeroth level up in Shadowlands?
No, the Heart of Azeroth does not level up through traditional means in Shadowlands. It retains the item level it had when you stopped playing Battle for Azeroth content or obtained it.
3. What is the “A Dying World” quest?
The “A Dying World” quest is the starting point to get the Heart of Azeroth. It’s given to you by an Earthen Guardian in your faction’s capital city (Boralus for Alliance and Dazar’alor for Horde).
4. How do I upgrade my Heart of Azeroth?
You cannot upgrade the item level of your Heart of Azeroth in Shadowlands. Its power comes from Azerite traits and Essences, not an increasing item level.
5. Is the Heart of Azeroth useful in Shadowlands?
While it’s not useful in standard Shadowlands content, the HoA is still very powerful in Timewalking dungeons and raids, especially when paired with Azerite gear.
6. How can I maximize the Heart of Azeroth’s effectiveness?
To maximize its effectiveness, equip your Heart of Azeroth along with Azerite armor pieces that you may have stored from Battle for Azeroth.
7. Where do I find the Earthen Guardian to start the “A Dying World” quest?
The Earthen Guardian is located near the entrance of The Snug Harbor Inn in Boralus for Alliance, and a comparable location in Dazar’alor for Horde.
8. Do I need Battle for Azeroth to get the Heart of Azeroth?
Yes, you need to have completed the introductory quests to Battle for Azeroth to start the HoA questline. However, it is part of the base game now, no longer requiring a separate purchase.
9. Can I level a new character through Battle for Azeroth in Shadowlands?
Yes, new players are required to level through Battle for Azeroth content the first time before moving into Shadowlands.
10. Why is the Heart of Azeroth still useful in Timewalking?
The Heart of Azeroth’s Azerite traits and essences are active in Timewalking content, making it incredibly powerful when combined with Azerite gear.
11. Can I get the Heart of Azeroth at level 10?
Yes, a max level player can take you to a BFA dungeon, trade you an Azerite item, and a relog will trigger the HoA quest, granting the item.
12. What happens to my Azerite gear in Shadowlands?
Azerite gear’s primary abilities are deactivated in standard Shadowlands content, but are active in Timewalking scenarios.
13. What are Azerite traits and essences?
Azerite traits are bonus abilities found on Azerite armor pieces, and essences are special abilities that can be socketed into the HoA, both of which contribute to its effectiveness.
14. Why was the leveling system squished in Shadowlands?
The level squish was implemented to simplify the leveling system and to ensure that numerical scaling wasn’t causing the game to become unbalanced as numbers grew too large.
15. What is the maximum level in World of Warcraft?
The maximum level in World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is 60.