Is Shadowlands Free Now? A Comprehensive Guide for World of Warcraft Players
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Yes, Shadowlands is now included as part of the base World of Warcraft subscription. This means that if you have an active World of Warcraft subscription or purchase game time, you automatically gain access to the Shadowlands expansion and all of its content. You no longer need to purchase the expansion separately to experience the Shadowlands zones, storylines, and dungeons. This change occurred with the release of the current expansion, Dragonflight. Let’s delve deeper into what this means for you, and address some of the common questions players might have.
Shadowlands: Now Part of Your Subscription
The release of Dragonflight marked a significant shift in how World of Warcraft expansions are accessed. Previously, each expansion needed to be purchased separately, creating a tiered system of access. Now, with Shadowlands being folded into the base subscription, players can enjoy a more streamlined experience. This includes access to all the zones within the Shadowlands, the covenant system, and all of the dungeons and raids associated with the expansion, provided they meet the level requirements.
This change provides both new and returning players with a more complete game experience without the additional cost of purchasing older expansions. All content up to level 60 is now part of your base subscription. This makes it incredibly easy to catch up with the game’s storyline and see the content you might have missed.
What Does this Mean for Players?
- Cost Savings: You no longer need to pay extra to access the Shadowlands expansion. This alone makes this a huge leap for access to older content.
- Streamlined Experience: Jumping into the Shadowlands content is now seamless for subscribed players.
- Catch-Up Potential: Players who missed Shadowlands during its initial run can now experience the story and its content at their own pace.
- Leveling Options: Players will now be able to level to 60 without purchasing Shadowlands, and then they are able to move on to the current content.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the situation surrounding Shadowlands and its current availability:
1. How do I get to Shadowlands now?
If you’re below level 60, you can access the Shadowlands timeline through Chromie Time. Find Chromie near the Stormwind Embassy (Alliance) or in Orgrimmar (Horde). Speak to her to select the “The Realms of Death” timeline. This will start the quest, “Shadowlands: A Chilling Summons,” and guide you to the Shadowlands. If you are above level 60, you can pick up the quest from Darion Mograine at Grommash Hold (Horde) or Stormwind Keep (Alliance).
2. Do I still need to buy Shadowlands to play it?
No, you no longer need to purchase Shadowlands separately. With an active subscription to World of Warcraft, or active game time, Shadowlands is now included. All content through level 60 is included with an active subscription.
3. Can I play Shadowlands without buying Dragonflight?
Yes, you can play Shadowlands without purchasing Dragonflight. The base World of Warcraft subscription includes all expansions up to, and including, Shadowlands. This includes the storyline and associated dungeons and raids, up to level 60.
4. What if I never bought Shadowlands before?
If you never bought Shadowlands, you can now access it simply by subscribing to World of Warcraft. No purchase is necessary if you are just interested in Shadowlands content.
5. What happened to the free Shadowlands offer from 2022?
The offer for a free copy of Shadowlands ended on September 5, 2022. However, it is now part of the base game and no longer requires a separate purchase.
6. Can I level to 60 without going through Shadowlands?
Yes, it’s entirely possible to reach level 60 without entering the Shadowlands. You can use other leveling methods such as dungeons, quests in other expansions, pet battles, and battlegrounds if you prefer.
7. How do I get to Oribos?
To get to Oribos, you must begin the Shadowlands introduction questline. For characters level 48-50 this quest will appear as you get closer to Darion Mograine in Orgrimmar or Stormwind Keep. You can still reach the Maw with a level 48+ character and progress to Oribos. However, the Bastion starting quest, “Seek the Ascended,” requires level 51. You may need to gain a few more levels if you are still level 48 at this point.
8. Why was Shadowlands not very popular?
Shadowlands faced criticism for several reasons, including its time-gating mechanics on player progression, a story considered by many to be convoluted and disjointed, and the perceived weakness of its characters. The community felt this made it far less engaging than other expansions.
9. What are the most popular class options in Shadowlands?
While class popularity can vary, Hunters have consistently been a popular choice due to their easy leveling process and the ability to tame pets. This popularity holds true in Shadowlands, but other classes are equally powerful and rewarding to play.
10. Is it worth playing Shadowlands now?
Yes, if you are new to the game, or just returning, Shadowlands is worth experiencing as part of your subscription. It provides valuable storylines and an introduction to important characters. You might enjoy the content now that the time gating has been removed from progression. It’s also an essential part of the overall World of Warcraft storyline.
11. What happens if you don’t buy Shadowlands?
If you didn’t buy Shadowlands before, you can now play the content with your active subscription or game time. You would not have been able to progress past level 50 previously, but this is no longer an issue.
12. Why can’t I fly in Shadowlands immediately?
To unlock flying in the Shadowlands covenant zones (Ardenweald, Bastion, Maldraxxus, and Revendreth), you need to:
- Earn 44 Renown with your Covenant
- Complete all 9 chapters of the Covenant Campaign.
- Complete these criteria on one character to unlock it for all other characters on your account.
13. How many World of Warcraft expansions are there?
There are currently nine released World of Warcraft expansions, including:
- The Burning Crusade
- Wrath of the Lich King
- Cataclysm
- Mists of Pandaria
- Warlords of Draenor
- Legion
- Battle for Azeroth
- Shadowlands
- Dragonflight
14. Do I need to buy WoW or just subscribe?
You do not need to buy World of Warcraft if you’re a new player. You can play for free up to level 20. Beyond level 20, you will need an active subscription or game time to access all content, including Shadowlands, and up to level 60.
15. Can you skip Shadowlands now?
Yes, if you have already levelled a character to level 60, you can effectively skip the Shadowlands leveling experience. There is no need to play this content if you do not want to, as you can level in any content you choose.
Conclusion
The inclusion of Shadowlands into the base World of Warcraft subscription is great for players. It removes a barrier to entry for new players and provides returning players with a more complete game experience. The change makes it easier to explore the content and progress through the game’s lore. If you’ve been curious about Shadowlands or have missed out on its content, now is the perfect time to jump in and experience it for yourself. With all content up to level 60 included in your subscription, the world of Azeroth and beyond is now yours to explore!