Is Shadowlands Required to Play World of Warcraft? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is: no, Shadowlands is not required to play World of Warcraft. With an active subscription, you can access all content up to and including the Shadowlands expansion. You only need to purchase the latest expansion, currently Dragonflight, to experience the newest content and level beyond 60.
Shadowlands and the Modern WoW Landscape
For years, each new World of Warcraft expansion required a separate purchase. This meant players had to continuously buy the latest expansion to stay current with the content. However, Blizzard Entertainment has since changed this model. Now, a standard monthly subscription grants access to the base game, which encompasses all expansions up to the most recent one. This means content from Vanilla WoW all the way to Shadowlands is available with a single subscription.
This change significantly lowers the barrier to entry for new and returning players. Instead of spending a significant amount of money catching up on older expansions, players can jump right in with a subscription and experience a vast amount of content. It also means that players who enjoy older content, like legacy raids and dungeons, can still access them without needing to purchase the older expansions individually.
What This Means For You
If you’re a new player, you can now experience the entire storyline of World of Warcraft up to the Shadowlands expansion, which concludes the narrative before Dragonflight. Veteran players returning to the game after a break will find all the content up to Shadowlands ready and waiting.
This change also impacts leveling. Previously, players needed to purchase Shadowlands to level beyond 50. Now, with a subscription, you can level to 60, experiencing the full breadth of content from all the previous expansions. The next step, if you want to experience the current cutting-edge content, would be to acquire the latest expansion (currently Dragonflight).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the status of Shadowlands and its place in the current World of Warcraft landscape.
1. Do I need to buy Shadowlands if I have a subscription?
No. With an active World of Warcraft subscription, you have access to all content up to and including the Shadowlands expansion. You do not need to purchase Shadowlands separately.
2. What happens if I don’t own Dragonflight?
If you don’t own Dragonflight, you can still play the base game up to level 60, experiencing all the content from previous expansions, including Shadowlands. You will not be able to access the Dragon Isles, level past 60, or participate in Dragonflight-specific content.
3. Can I level to 60 without Shadowlands?
Yes, you can level to 60 with just a subscription, as Shadowlands content is now part of the base game. Quests, dungeons, battlegrounds, and other activities will help you reach level 60.
4. What can I do in World of Warcraft without buying the latest expansion?
There’s a wealth of activities available even without the latest expansion. You can:
- Experience old raids and dungeons, many of which are soloable at higher levels.
- Complete old quests to experience the rich lore of previous expansions.
- Farm transmog gear to customize your character’s appearance.
- Engage in pet battles.
- Farm pets and mounts.
- Earn achievements.
5. Do I need to buy all the older World of Warcraft expansions?
No. With an active subscription, you have access to all previous expansions up to Shadowlands. You only need to buy the latest expansion (currently Dragonflight) to access the newest content.
6. Is the Shadowlands storyline over?
Yes. The main storyline of Shadowlands concluded with the “Sepulcher of the First Ones” raid, where players faced the expansion’s main antagonist, Zovaal the Jailer.
7. Why can’t I get Shadowlands for free?
If you have an active subscription, you essentially do get Shadowlands for free, as it is included as part of the base game access. The offer of a separate free copy of Shadowlands was a promotional event and is no longer ongoing.
8. Can I go to the Shadowlands without owning the expansion?
Yes. Now that it’s part of the base game, a subscription will allow you to access the Shadowlands zones and content.
9. Can I skip the Shadowlands campaign?
Yes, you can skip the Shadowlands leveling campaign if you’ve already completed it on another character. This option, known as “Threads of Fate,” is available for alternate characters once your main character has completed the full Shadowlands story.
10. Do I need a subscription to play World of Warcraft?
A World of Warcraft subscription (or non-recurring game time) is required to play characters above level 20. You can play for free up to level 20.
11. Can I buy game time instead of a subscription?
Yes, you can purchase 60 days of game time instead of setting up a recurring subscription. Both options grant access to the base game and all content up to Shadowlands.
12. What was the ending of the Shadowlands storyline?
The Shadowlands storyline concluded with the defeat of the Jailer, Zovaal, in the Sepulcher of the First Ones raid. The Arbiter was replaced, and the Shadowlands were restored, setting the stage for the Dragonflight expansion.
13. Was Shadowlands a good expansion?
Shadowlands received mixed reviews. While some players appreciated the leveling experience overhaul and new campaign stories, others criticized the story, “borrowed power” systems, and various gameplay mechanics. Ultimately, whether it was a “good” expansion is subjective.
14. At what level can I start the Shadowlands content?
The recommended level to begin the Shadowlands content is level 48-50.
15. How much does World of Warcraft cost with all expansions?
Currently, you only need to pay for the latest expansion (Dragonflight) and maintain a subscription. The subscription grants access to all previous expansions, including Shadowlands. This significantly reduces the overall cost compared to previous iterations, where you had to purchase each expansion individually.
Understanding the Current WoW Model
The current World of Warcraft model is designed to be more accessible and affordable for players of all levels. By including previous expansions with a subscription, Blizzard has streamlined the experience and made it easier for new and returning players to jump in and enjoy the game. Shadowlands, no longer a separate purchase, plays a critical role. If you are interested in learning more about the educational and social aspects of games, including World of Warcraft, consider exploring the Games Learning Society and their research at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conclusion
In summary, Shadowlands is not a required purchase to play World of Warcraft. A subscription will unlock all content up to and including Shadowlands, allowing you to level to 60 and experience years of content. This change makes it easier than ever to jump into the world of Azeroth and beyond! Enjoy your adventures.