#GamingBytes: Everything to know about 'WoW: Battle for Azeroth'
What's the story
World of Warcraft or WoW is launching its seventh expansion titled 'Battle for Azeroth'.
The game was available for pre-order on January 30. However, the official release date is August 14, 2018.
The standard edition's price is $49.99 while the digital deluxe edition is available at $69.99.
This is the first expansion which is being launched globally simultaneously.
Read to find out more.
The game story
Where does the battle story pick up?
The new game shows a dying Azeroth as the sixth expansion ended with a flaming sword being driven through the planet.
This left the planet bleeding Azerite, a substance with magical potential. It sets off the stage for the new expansion.
The new world will see a battle between the Alliance forces and the Horde forces, rather than the external threat of the Legion.
PvP
Engage in battle whenever you want
Player vs Player and Player vs Environment modes have changed in WoW.
The War Mode, in the new game, allows players to engage in combat when they want, without being on different servers.
Once players reach level 20, they can toggle this mode on and off.
Furthermore, the talents picked up from victories in the PvP mode remains active throughout the game for consistency.
PvE
A brave new world, and unexplored too
For those unwilling to engage with opponents, this mode is the best.
Azeroth has two new places to explore- Kul Tiras and Zandalar. Players can sail as the Alliance to the former and Horde to the latter.
Once there, the players have the task of uniting the scattered houses under their respective banners.
The progression and game-play, for both, promise to be similar.
Medallion
The heart of the bleeding planet, Azeroth
Each player will have a medallion called Heart of Azeroth. The game will focus on the player's skill progress through this medallion.
The armor and weapons which the players recover from missions and expeditions can be made stronger through this.
Essentially the latent powers of the gear can be unlocked and players can choose which power they will apply for a stronger character experience.
Island expeditions
The best of both worlds and a quest theme
This expansion's most exciting feature is the hybrid PvP-PvE game experience in the island quests.
Players have the option of exploring new islands and as they do, they might come across other players or environmental obstacles. The AI that Blizzard Games have developed for their expansion is dynamic.
It will seek to thwart the exploration and players have to be on their toes, always.
Warfronts
Mega battles are what every gamers live for
The other most exciting feature is the 20-player cooperative battle mode. This can only be unlocked once players reach level 120.
They have to communicate with each other, gather resources, recruit armies to fight AI commanders with their dynamic strategies.
Inspired by Warcraft 3, this mode will be available in Arathi Highlands in the game.
For players who love challenges with friends, it's perfect.
Do you know?
A few added facts you should check out
The maximum level up has been increased to 120 from Legion's 110. 10 dungeons will be available in this game and the first raid Uldir will be made available shortly after the game's release.