Why Can’t I Start Chromie Time? A Comprehensive Guide to Unlocking Timewalking Campaigns

So, you’re eager to dive into the rich tapestry of World of Warcraft’s past, revisiting beloved expansions with your new or veteran character, but Chromie Time is playing hard to get? The most common reasons are that you haven’t yet leveled a character to 60 on your account, you’re already beyond level 60, or you’ve inadvertently locked yourself into the current expansion’s questline. Let’s break down the prerequisites and troubleshoot why Chromie Time might be inaccessible to you.

Understanding the Chromie Time Requirements

Chromie Time is designed to streamline the leveling experience for subsequent characters on your account, allowing you to level from levels 10 to 60 within a chosen expansion. However, there are specific conditions that must be met before this feature becomes available:

• Level 60 Requirement: This is the biggest hurdle for new players. Before any character on your account can access Chromie Time, you must first level at least one character to level 60 (previously level 50, but updated with Dragonflight). This ensures that new players experience the Battle for Azeroth storyline first, which serves as an introductory narrative for the modern game.

• Already Level 60 or Higher: Characters that are already level 60 or higher cannot activate Chromie Time. The purpose of Chromie Time is to level up through past expansions; it’s not a tool for endgame content. Once you hit level 60, you’re expected to move onto the current expansion content.

• Shadowlands or Dragonflight Introduction: If you have already accepted the intro quests for Shadowlands or Dragonflight, you are likely locked into that expansion’s timeline and unable to access Chromie Time on that character.

• Exile’s Reach and Battle for Azeroth Introduction: New characters will begin their journey in Exile’s Reach, an instanced starting area. Following Exile’s Reach, you are funneled into the Battle for Azeroth introductory quests. You must complete enough of this introduction to unlock world quests, even if you have a level 60 character.

Troubleshooting Chromie Time Access

If you’ve met the level 60 requirement with another character, and you’re still unable to access Chromie Time on a new character, consider these steps:

1. Check Your Level: Ensure your character is below level 60. If you’ve accidentally leveled past that point through world events or other activities, you’re out of the Chromie Time window.

2. Abandon Shadowlands/Dragonflight Quests: If you accidentally accepted the intro quests for Shadowlands or Dragonflight, you need to abandon these quests to reset your timeline. Then, head to Chromie to select your desired expansion.

3. Complete the BFA Introduction: Even with a level 60 character, you may still be required to complete the initial questline of Battle for Azeroth. This typically involves traveling to Kul Tiras (Alliance) or Zandalar (Horde) and completing the first few quests.

4. Locate Chromie: Chromie is located near the embassies in Stormwind (Alliance) and Orgrimmar (Horde). Speak to her to choose an expansion to level in.

5. Check for Scaling: Once in Chromie Time, confirm that the zones are scaling to your level. If you’re seeing mobs capped at a lower level, Chromie Time is not active. The zone level should range from levels 10-60.

6. Party Sync: There is a little trick to getting your overlevel characters into Chromie time: Party Sync! Find a player who is in the correct level range and Sync to them, which should temporarily scale you down, but be warned, you may not get credit or rewards appropriate for your true level.

Diving into Chromie Time

Once you’ve unlocked Chromie Time, talking to her will give you the option to choose what expansion you want to experience!

• Pick Your Favorite Expansion: Chromie offers timelines from various expansions, including Burning Crusade, Wrath of the Lich King, Cataclysm, Mists of Pandaria, Warlords of Draenor, Legion, and Battle for Azeroth.

• Enjoy Level Scaling: Once you choose a timeline, the zones within that expansion will scale to your level, allowing you to quest and explore without outleveling the content.

• Freedom to Switch: You can switch between timelines at any time by returning to Chromie and selecting a different expansion.

Maximizing Your Leveling Experience

Chromie Time is your personal fast-pass for leveling! It’s a great way to check out old dungeons, complete older raids, and maybe even re-experience a questline or two you may have forgotten about. Make sure to take advantage of any leveling bonuses available during events or as heirlooms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Chromie Time

1. Can a new player use Chromie Time right away?

No, new players must first level one character to level 60 to unlock Chromie Time for their account.

2. What level do I need to be to use Chromie Time?

You can activate Chromie Time on characters between levels 10 and 59.

3. How do I know if Chromie Time is active?

Check if the mobs in the zone are scaling to your level. They should display levels within the 10-60 range, if you have a character within that range.

4. Can I turn Chromie Time on and off?

Yes, you can turn Chromie Time off by talking to Chromie and selecting the option to return to the present timeline.

5. What happens when I reach level 60 in Chromie Time?

You will be prompted to begin the current expansion content (Dragonflight). You will no longer receive experience from mobs or quests within the Chromie Time timeline.

6. Can I do dungeons and raids in Chromie Time?

Yes, you can queue for dungeons within the expansion you’ve selected in Chromie Time. Soloing raids from previous expansions is also possible, especially at higher levels.

7. I’m level 60. Can I still use Chromie Time?

Normally, you cannot use Chromie Time after level 60, but you can Party Sync with a lower-level player who is within the correct level range to experience content together.

8. How do I unlock Chromie Time in 2024?

Unlock Chromie Time by leveling a character to level 60, complete Exiles Reach and do the initial Battle for Azeroth quests.

9. Can I level to 60 without doing Shadowlands or Dragonflight?

Yes, Chromie Time allows you to level to 60 in any expansion, including those before Shadowlands or Dragonflight.

10. Is Chromie a boy or a girl?

Chromie is a bronze dragon who chose to take the form of a female gnome.

11. Why can’t my level 50 character access Chromie Time?

Level 50 characters should be able to activate Chromie time as long as you’ve completed Exiles Reach and the BFA intro quests, but the scaling content might be limited, as the scaling range is typically 10-60.

12. Can starter accounts use Chromie Time?

No, starter accounts cannot access Chromie Time until they upgrade to a full subscription and level one character to level 60.

13. I’m stuck in the Battle for Azeroth questline. How do I get out?

Complete the introductory quests for Battle for Azeroth (usually up to unlocking world quests). Then, you should be able to speak to Chromie.

14. Can I switch expansions while in Chromie Time?

Yes, you can switch expansions at any time by returning to Chromie and selecting a different timeline.

15. Where can I find more resources about learning within games?

You can find more resources and discussions about the educational aspects of gaming at the GamesLearningSociety.org website. The Games Learning Society explores how games can be leveraged for learning and engagement across various fields.