What Do You Need to Play World of Warcraft: Dragonflight?
To dive into the mystical world of Dragonflight, World of Warcraft’s latest expansion, you’ll need a few key things. This article will break down exactly what you need to get started, from the game itself to the necessary hardware, and even a bit about the leveling process. The primary requirements for playing Dragonflight include:
- Purchase Dragonflight: This expansion is sold separately from the base game. Without it, you won’t be able to access the Dragon Isles and its related content.
- An Active World of Warcraft Account: You need an active subscription or game time to play any character past level 20, even if you have purchased Dragonflight.
- A Level 60 Character: Your character must be at level 60 to begin the Dragonflight intro questline. If you’re below level 60, you’ll need to level up before starting this expansion content.
- A Capable PC: Your computer needs to meet specific hardware requirements, including CPU, RAM, and graphics card, to run the game smoothly.
Let’s delve into each of these requirements in more detail.
The Necessary Game Elements
Purchasing Dragonflight
Dragonflight is not included in the base World of Warcraft game. You must purchase the expansion separately. It’s available in different editions, with various perks and extras, at different price points. The base expansion provides access to all the core content, while the Heroic and Epic editions come with cosmetics and other in-game benefits. Dragonflight can be expensive, and is often more costly than previous expansions.
World of Warcraft Subscription or Game Time
While the first 20 levels of World of Warcraft are free, you’ll need a subscription or purchased game time to play past that and unlock the full content of Dragonflight. Without one of these, you will be restricted to the free-to-play portion of the game. You will not be able to level a character to 60 and then you would not be able to go into the Dragonflight content.
A Character at Level 60
To begin the Dragonflight introduction questline, you must have a character at level 60. This means you will have to play through the previous expansions to reach that level. The good news is that if you have an active subscription, you have access to all previous expansions. This gives you access to content up to level 60. You are free to level a new character or continue an existing one. Reaching level 60 will grant access to the quest that opens up the Dragon Isles. Once level 60, the intro quest will be available in Stormwind or Orgrimmar, depending on your faction.
The Right PC Hardware
Running Dragonflight requires a capable computer. Here are the recommended specs:
CPU
The recommended CPU is an Intel Core i7-8700K or equivalent AMD processor. The article mentioned a 6-core 3.5 GHz processor from the 8th generation Intel Core Coffee Lake, and AMD Ryzen Zen 2 as the recommended specifications, so you will need at least this, if not more powerful. This means your processor needs to be robust enough to handle the game’s complex calculations and processing.
RAM
16 GB of RAM is highly recommended for a smooth gameplay experience. While the minimum RAM to play World of Warcraft is 8GB, 16GB really does make a difference. If you have less than 16GB of ram, you may experience low performance and lag, especially when playing with others.
Graphics Card
You’ll need a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 or an equivalent AMD RDNA 2/Intel Arc 7 graphic card. These cards come with 8 GB of dedicated video RAM. The article specified DirectX 12 capable, pixel shader 5.1 and vertex shader 5.1 as necessary for play.
File Size
Be sure you have at least 128 GB of free hard drive space to install the game, including the Dragonflight expansion.
Operating System
Windows 10 or later is required for the game to run properly. This is the recommended operating system, and earlier versions of Windows may not be compatible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I play WoW without buying Dragonflight?
Yes, you can play World of Warcraft without buying Dragonflight, but you will be limited to the content up to the previous expansion. You can level up to level 60, play through all content, and experience many of the game’s features. The Dragonflight content, however, remains locked until the expansion is purchased.
2. Is WoW Dragonflight good for beginners?
Yes, Dragonflight is a good entry point for new players. The expansion features a compelling story with the return of the iconic Dragonflights as protectors of Azeroth. The initial quests can be easy for a new player to engage with, and there is also an option for boosted leveling.
3. What is the fastest way to level in Dragonflight?
One of the fastest ways to level in Dragonflight is through dungeon leveling in a group of five players. Additionally, farming mobs in Nokhudon Hold with a high-level geared friend is another very efficient method for leveling from 60 to 70. The Dragon Isles Adventuring system, World Quests, and side quests also make leveling your alt characters easier in Dragonflight.
4. Do I need to level to 60 before Dragonflight?
Yes, you need to reach level 60 before starting the Dragonflight intro questline. Once you hit level 60, the quest becomes available in Stormwind or Orgrimmar.
5. How much does Dragonflight cost?
Dragonflight’s base edition launches at $49.99, which is higher than previous expansions. Heroic and Epic editions are even more expensive. The price is impacted by various economic issues.
6. Why is World of Warcraft so expensive?
The cost of WoW is influenced by various factors, including new items or sales in the Blizzard store, and the release of new titles in the Blizzard franchise. The WoW Token prices can also impact the overall cost of playing World of Warcraft.
7. Is WoW Classic free?
No, WoW Classic is not free. You require an active subscription or game time to play WoW Classic. It is included with the base game subscription.
8. Which WoW expansion is considered the best?
According to IMDb ratings, Wrath of the Lich King is considered the best World of Warcraft expansion. Many players also enjoy The Burning Crusade and the original World of Warcraft (Vanilla). Dragonflight ranks 5th.
9. How long does it take to level from 60 to 70 in Dragonflight?
If you follow the most efficient leveling route, you can reach level 70 from 60 in approximately 4 hours. However, depending on playstyle, this can take two to 15 hours.
10. What is the easiest class to level solo in WoW?
The Hunter is often cited as the easiest class for solo content. This is due to its simple learning curve, unique class content, and strong pet-based gameplay.
11. What is the easiest DPS class in WoW Dragonflight?
Beast Mastery Hunter, Frost Mage, and Devastation Evoker are often considered the easiest DPS classes to play in Dragonflight.
12. How much of WoW is free to play?
Modern World of Warcraft is free to play up to level 20. After level 20, you will need a subscription to continue.
13. Can you play WoW without paying?
You can play World of Warcraft without paying, but you are limited to the free trial. You can play characters between levels 1 and 20 with some social features disabled.
14. How much RAM do I need for WoW?
The minimum requirement is 4 GB of RAM, but at least 8GB is recommended. For optimal performance, especially with Dragonflight, 16GB of RAM is needed.
15. Is leveling easier in Dragonflight?
Yes, leveling is easier in Dragonflight compared to previous expansions due to the Dragon Isles Adventuring system, World Quests, and side quests that make leveling your alts a smoother process.
By meeting these requirements, you will be well on your way to exploring the wonders and challenges of the Dragon Isles in World of Warcraft: Dragonflight! Enjoy your adventure!