Skipping the Maw: A Comprehensive Guide to Shadowlands’ Opening Gambit

So, you’re looking to bypass the chilling introduction to the Shadowlands, the Maw? You’re not alone! Many players, especially those leveling alts or returning to the game, understandably want to streamline their experience. But what actually happens if you skip it? The short answer is: you bypass the initial questline in the Maw and teleport directly to Oribos, the hub city of the Shadowlands, allowing you to immediately choose a covenant. But there’s more to it than that. Let’s delve into the intricacies of skipping the Maw introduction.

The Nitty-Gritty: Skipping the Maw Explained

Skipping the Maw introduction is a deliberate design choice by Blizzard to offer players more flexibility in how they experience the Shadowlands storyline. Once you’ve completed the Maw intro at least once on a character, subsequent characters who meet the level requirement (currently level 50) gain the option to bypass it entirely.

Here’s what happens when you choose to skip:

• Direct Transport to Oribos: Instead of enduring the perilous escape from the Maw, you’re immediately teleported to Oribos.
• Covenant Selection: Once in Oribos, you can immediately begin the questline that leads to choosing your covenant: Kyrian, Venthyr, Necrolord, or Night Fae.
• Missing Story Context (Potentially): You’ll miss the initial story beats that explain the dire situation in the Shadowlands and the Jailer’s growing power. While this isn’t a game-breaker, it can impact your understanding of the overall narrative, especially for new players.
• Skipped Experience: You sacrifice the experience points gained from completing the introductory Maw quests. However, these can easily be made up through world quests or other leveling activities.
• No Gear or Loot: Any gear or loot that you would have obtained in the Maw intro quests will not be gained.
• Bolvar Fordragon’s Guidance: When you arrive in Oribos, Bolvar Fordragon will set you on the path to choose your covenant.

Essentially, skipping the Maw introduction allows you to jump straight into the core gameplay loop of the Shadowlands expansion: choosing a covenant, exploring the various zones, and progressing the main storyline at your own pace. This can be particularly appealing for players who have already experienced the Maw intro multiple times and are looking to speed up the leveling process for their alts. This allows you to get into the meat of the expansion faster, and is a choice that can heavily affect your gaming experience.

Is Skipping the Maw Right for You?

While skipping the Maw offers convenience, consider these factors before making your decision:

• New Players: If you’re new to Shadowlands, experiencing the Maw introduction at least once is highly recommended. It provides crucial context and helps you understand the stakes of the story.
• Alt Leveling: For experienced players leveling alts, skipping the Maw is a fantastic time-saver.
• Story Enthusiasts: If you’re deeply invested in the narrative, you might want to experience the Maw intro on each character to fully appreciate the story.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. Skipping the Maw is a valid option that can significantly streamline your leveling process. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. Many people feel that skipping the Maw intro makes it easier to level your character to continue the story.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let’s address some of the most common questions surrounding skipping the Maw introduction:

1. Can I skip the Maw intro?

Yes, provided you have completed the intro questline on at least one character and the character you wish to skip with is level 50 or above.

2. What level do you need to be to skip the Maw intro?

The minimum level requirement to skip the Maw introduction is level 50.

3. How do I skip the Maw intro?

If you are level 50 and meet the criteria, when you speak to the quest giver that starts the Maw questline in your faction’s capital city, you will be given a prompt to choose to do the intro or skip it.

4. If I accidentally enter the Maw, can I still skip the intro?

Yes. If you start the Maw intro questline, you can skip it by talking to Jaina inside the cave in the Maw. She will give you the option to be transported to Oribos.

5. What happens if I skip the Maw intro as a brand new player?

You will be transported to Oribos and begin the process of choosing a covenant without the context provided by the Maw introduction. While not game-breaking, you might feel slightly disconnected from the initial storyline.

6. Do I miss out on any important gear by skipping the Maw intro?

No. The gear obtained during the Maw introduction is relatively low-level and easily replaced as you progress through the Shadowlands leveling experience.

7. How much experience do I lose by skipping the Maw intro?

The experience lost is a small fraction of a level, especially at level 50+. It’s easily made up by completing a few world quests or other leveling activities.

8. Is it harder to level if I skip the Maw intro?

No. Skipping the Maw intro has a negligible impact on your overall leveling speed. It’s primarily a time-saving measure.

9. Can I go back to the Maw if I skip the intro?

Yes. After completing the introductory quests in Oribos, you can freely travel to the Maw via a portal in Oribos.

10. Does skipping the Maw affect my ability to do end-game content?

No. Skipping the Maw intro only affects the initial leveling experience and has no impact on your ability to participate in end-game content, such as raids, dungeons, or PvP.

11. I have completed the questline through the Maw but it is still showing the intro?

After you complete the Maw introduction on your character, you are able to skip it on all other characters above level 50.

12. Are there any achievements that require me to do the Maw intro?

No, there are no achievements that specifically require you to complete the Maw intro.

13. I am having issues skipping the Maw. What can I do?

Ensure that the character you are attempting to skip with is level 50 or above, and that you have completed the intro on at least one other character.

14. Does skipping the intro affect my relationship with my covenant?

No. It will not affect the storyline or your standing with your covenant.

15. Where can I find more information about the Shadowlands storyline?

You can find more information from many different video game websites and forums or even consult the Games Learning Society, GamesLearningSociety.org, to discover how educational games can help you to learn the story.

Final Thoughts

Skipping the Maw introduction is a valuable option for players looking to streamline their Shadowlands leveling experience, especially when leveling alts. By understanding the implications and weighing your personal preferences, you can make an informed decision that enhances your overall enjoyment of the game. The choice is yours, adventurer. Choose wisely!