The Battle for Undercity: Gone But Not Forgotten
The Battle for Undercity questline, a memorable and often controversial part of World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, officially met its end with the arrival of patch 4.0.3a, which prepped the game for the Cataclysm expansion. This patch fundamentally reworked the classic world, including the removal of numerous quests, zones, and storylines that no longer fit the updated narrative. The Battle for Undercity, with its politically charged storyline and significant impact on the game world, was among those casualties.
Why Was It Removed?
The decision to remove the Battle for Undercity stemmed from several factors. First, the narrative shifted drastically with Cataclysm. Sylvanas Windrunner’s role and motivations evolved, and the original questline no longer aligned with her new character arc. Second, the event was notorious for being buggy and prone to phasing issues, causing frustration for players. Despite attempts to hotfix the quest, the underlying problems persisted. Finally, the quest involved significant alterations to the Undercity itself, making it incompatible with the new world design implemented in Cataclysm.
The Fallout and the Legacy
The removal was met with mixed reactions. Some players were relieved to see the end of a questline fraught with technical issues. Others lamented the loss of a unique and dramatic piece of Warcraft history. The Battle for Undercity offered players a glimpse into the complex political landscape of the Horde, showcasing the tensions between the Forsaken and other factions. It highlighted the ruthless pragmatism of Sylvanas and the uneasy alliance she forged.
Despite its removal, the Battle for Undercity remains a topic of discussion among WoW veterans. Videos and accounts of the event circulate online, preserving its memory. Players who experienced the quest remember the chaotic battles in the Undercity streets, the tense confrontations with Varimathras and Putress, and the ultimate resolution that dramatically altered the political landscape of the Horde.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Battle for Undercity
1. Can I still experience the Battle for Undercity in Classic WoW?
Yes! While it was removed from the retail version of World of Warcraft, the Battle for Undercity is available within World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Classic. Players can experience this questline as it originally existed during the Wrath of the Lich King expansion.
2. Was the Battle for Undercity ever bugged?
Absolutely. The quest was notorious for its bugs, including phasing issues, NPC malfunctions, and quest progression problems. Blizzard attempted to address these issues with hotfixes, including the addition of a bronze dragonflight NPC to manually toggle the quest phase.
3. Why was Undercity affected by this quest so heavily?
The quest involved a significant event where Grand Apothecary Putress and Varimathras launched a coup against Sylvanas Windrunner. This involved the spreading of a new plague, and subsequent battles within the city, leading to significant changes in the city’s layout and governance.
4. What happened to Varimathras after the Battle for Undercity?
Following the events, Varimathras was ultimately defeated and killed for his treachery. His actions were considered a major betrayal of the Horde and Sylvanas Windrunner.
5. What replaced the Battle for Undercity questline in retail WoW?
With the Cataclysm revamp, the Undercity storyline shifted, focusing more on Sylvanas’s leadership and the Forsaken’s role within the Horde. New quests and scenarios were introduced to reflect these changes.
6. How long did the Battle for Undercity questline typically take to complete?
The entire questline could take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour to complete, depending on factors like server lag, group coordination, and quest bugs.
7. Did the Battle for Undercity affect the Undercity’s layout permanently?
Yes, temporarily! The Battle for Undercity resulted in noticeable changes in the Undercity’s architecture, with certain areas being temporarily inaccessible or altered to reflect the aftermath of the plague and the ensuing conflict. These were eventually reverted or changed again with subsequent expansions.
8. Could Alliance players participate in the Battle for Undercity?
No, the Battle for Undercity was exclusively a Horde questline. Alliance players could not directly participate in the event.
9. What was the significance of the Wrathgate event in relation to the Battle for Undercity?
The Wrathgate event, where the Forsaken unleashed a new plague upon the forces of the Alliance and Horde at Angrathar the Wrathgate, served as a crucial precursor to the Battle for Undercity. The plague used at the Wrathgate was created by Putress, the same character who later launched the coup in Undercity.
10. How did the Battle for Undercity impact Sylvanas Windrunner’s character?
The events of the Battle for Undercity significantly impacted Sylvanas. The betrayal by Varimathras and Putress deepened her paranoia and ruthlessness, solidifying her determination to control the Forsaken and protect them at any cost. Her character arc takes a prominent role in later expansions, continuing to evolve her persona.
11. Why did Putress betray Sylvanas?
Putress, as the Grand Apothecary, believed that the Forsaken’s survival depended on the development and use of the most potent plagues possible, even if it meant defying Sylvanas’s orders and risking the Horde’s trust. His actions stemmed from a radical and extreme vision of ensuring the Forsaken’s dominance.
12. How did the Horde react to the events of the Battle for Undercity?
The Horde was outraged by the events. Thrall, the Warchief at the time, was furious at the betrayal and launched an investigation into the matter. This led to the Siege of Undercity, where Horde forces cleansed the city and brought Putress and Varimathras to justice.
13. What were some of the notable rewards from the Battle for Undercity questline?
While the primary reward was the experience of a unique and dramatic storyline, players also received gear appropriate for their level and class. The quest rewards were primarily designed to help players progress through the Wrath of the Lich King content.
14. How does the lore surrounding the Battle for Undercity compare to other events in Warcraft history?
The Battle for Undercity stands out as a significant event in Warcraft lore due to its political intrigue, betrayal, and dramatic impact on the Horde’s internal dynamics. It revealed the complex and often conflicting motivations of the Forsaken and their leadership, adding depth to the game’s narrative. The Games Learning Society could find this particular storyline of interest, as it demonstrates the complex factional alignments and shifting narratives common in successful MMORPGs. To learn more about similar topics, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.
15. Are there any remaining references to the Battle for Undercity in the current retail version of WoW?
While the questline itself is gone, subtle references to the Battle for Undercity can still be found in the current retail version of WoW. Dialogue from certain NPCs, environmental details within the Undercity, and lore books scattered throughout the world serve as reminders of the events that transpired. Furthermore, some players might remember the impact from the events during the Battle for Lordaeron cinematic which was a Warfront.
Ultimately, while the Battle for Undercity is no longer accessible in the same way, its legacy continues to resonate within the World of Warcraft community, reminding players of the complex and ever-evolving nature of Azeroth’s history.