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Will Dragonflight Have New Races? Unveiling the Drakthyr and Allied Race Changes

Yes, Dragonflight introduced a brand new playable race to the World of Warcraft universe: the Dracthyr. These dragonkin are intrinsically linked to the expansion’s narrative and gameplay. Furthermore, Dragonflight brought significant changes to how Allied Races are unlocked, making them more accessible than ever before.

The Drakthyr Evoker: A New Race and Class Combination

The Dracthyr are far more than just a new race; they are also the only race capable of playing the new Evoker class. This symbiotic relationship is a defining feature of Dragonflight.

Origin and Lore

The Dracthyr were created by Neltharion, the Earth-Warder (later known as Deathwing), in the ancient past. They were designed to be the ultimate soldiers, combining the essence of dragons with the adaptability of mortals. Locked away in a stasis chamber for millennia, they awaken in the Dragon Isles as the dragons’ ancient homeland stirs once more.

Unique Features

The Dracthyr boast several unique features:

Visage and Draconic Forms: They can switch seamlessly between a humanoid visage and a powerful draconic form, allowing for customizable appearances and battle strategies.
Evoker Class: The Dracthyr are the only race that can be Evokers, a class that harnesses the power of all five dragonflights. Evokers can specialize in either Preservation (healing) or Devastation (ranged damage).
Faction Choice: The Dracthyr can choose to align with either the Alliance or the Horde during character creation, marking them as only the second race, after the Pandaren, to possess this flexibility.
Dragonriding: The Dracthyr have a unique gliding/flight ability and use their visage form when using Dragonriding.
Starting Zone: The Dracthyr begin their journey in a unique starting zone within the Forbidden Reach, uncovering their history and purpose.
Racial Abilities: The Dracthyr possess a variety of unique racial abilities, reflecting their draconic heritage.
Limited Creation: Initially, players were limited to creating only one Dracthyr per realm, requiring a level 60 character. These restrictions have since been lifted.

Allied Race Unlock Changes in Dragonflight

Beyond the new Dracthyr race, Dragonflight implemented significant changes to the way Allied Races are unlocked.

Removal of Prerequisites

Patch 10.1.5 removed the achievement requirements for unlocking Allied Races. Previously, players had to complete lengthy questlines and earn specific achievements to gain access to these races. With this change, Allied Races became far more accessible to all players.

Impact on New and Returning Players

This change particularly benefits new and returning players who may have been discouraged by the grind required to unlock Allied Races. It allows them to experience a wider range of character options without extensive time investment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What classes can the Dracthyr play?

The Dracthyr can exclusively play the Evoker class. This class utilizes the power of the five dragonflights, specializing in either healing (Preservation) or ranged damage (Devastation). While there is currently only one class available to the Dracthyr, the game director mentioned that future classes may be added to this race.

2. Can Dracthyr be other classes in the future?

While not currently planned, game director Ion Hazzikostas stated that adding other classes to the Dracthyr is “very likely” in the future. However, there are no current plans to allow other races to become Evokers.

3. Are Allied Races still a thing in Dragonflight?

Yes, Allied Races still exist in Dragonflight. However, the requirements to unlock them have been significantly reduced. Players no longer need to complete specific achievements or grind reputations to access them.

4. How do I unlock Allied Races in Dragonflight?

In Dragonflight, most Allied Races can be unlocked simply by starting their respective recruitment quests. The previous achievement and reputation requirements have been removed, making them much easier to access.

5. Can Dracthyr fly?

Yes, Dracthyr can fly. They have a unique racial ability that allows them to glide and fly short distances without a mount. In the Dragon Isles, they utilize Dragonriding, using their visage form.

6. What is the level cap in Dragonflight?

The level cap in Dragonflight is 70. This is a 10-level increase from the previous level cap of 60 in Shadowlands.

7. Can every race be every class now?

Dragonflight expanded class availability to many races. The base expansion opened up the Mage, Rogue, and Priest classes to all races, and subsequent patches did the same for the Monk and Warlock classes. However, not every race can be every class.

8. Are there any new classes besides Evoker in Dragonflight?

No, the Evoker is the only new class introduced in Dragonflight. It is exclusive to the Dracthyr race.

9. What makes the Evoker class unique?

The Evoker is unique because it is intrinsically tied to the Dracthyr race. Evokers utilize the powers of all five dragonflights, making them versatile in both healing and damage dealing. They also have unique mechanics like empowered spells.

10. Did Dragonflight remove gender options?

Dragonflight updated the character creation screen to use the terms “Body 1” and “Body 2” instead of “Male” and “Female”. This change aims to be more inclusive and allows for greater customization options.

11. What happens after I finish the Dragonflight campaign?

After completing the Dragonflight campaign, there are many activities to engage in, including:

Pushing Mythic+ Keys
Progressing Through Raids
Participating in PvP
Collecting Mounts and Pets
Transmog Hunting
Achievement Hunting
Earning Renown with factions
Working on Professions

12. Are the Old Gods involved in the Dragonflight storyline?

While Dragonflight focuses primarily on the dragons and the Dragon Isles, there are subtle hints and connections to the lore of the Old Gods. Their influence is a recurring theme in the World of Warcraft universe.

13. What is Dragonriding?

Dragonriding is a new form of aerial movement introduced in Dragonflight. It allows players to ride on the backs of dragons, utilizing momentum and special abilities to navigate the Dragon Isles in a dynamic and engaging way.

14. Is there going to be another expansion after Dragonflight?

Yes, World of Warcraft will continue to receive expansions after Dragonflight. The next expansion is expected in 2024 or later, depending on the development timeline. The team is constantly evolving the game.

15. How does Dragonflight compare to Shadowlands in terms of sales?

Dragonflight sold less at launch than Shadowlands. However, this doesn’t necessarily reflect the overall quality or long-term success of the expansion.

Conclusion

Dragonflight brought exciting changes to World of Warcraft, including the introduction of the Dracthyr race and significant improvements to the Allied Race unlock system. These changes have made the game more accessible and engaging for both new and veteran players. These types of learning scenarios can also be explored in the academic world by learning from experts at the Games Learning Society: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. With these changes and improvements, Dragonflight aims to provide a fresh and engaging experience for players.

Will Dragonflight have new races?