Since we are all impatiently waiting for the global release of Shadowlands, it’s useful to prepare for WoW’s eight expansion and the changes it will bring. Therefore, we can expect gameplay mechanics that are entirely new, major class changes, and some cosmetic and quality-of-life innovations.
In particular, we will talk about the changes that will significantly impact the gameplay of all classes, since every class will “suffer” distinct alterations and Shadowland’s new core system will also affect them. In that light, we made this guide to make it easier to follow and understand all the class changes in Shadowlands.
What’s more, we have seen class changes with every expansion, and they brought various modifications. Remember the changes in Warlords of Draenor and the attempt to make a playstyle more effective by diminishing the number of buttons a player needs? Sure, you do – so you are probably expecting a new class philosophy to be introduced in Shadowlands, and you are right.
Now, let’s see which class changes are going to knock on our doors on October 27th and how to combine them with the new core changes in Shadowlands.
Class Changes
Important to say, there will be a major update to all playable classes. However, it’s all good news, since many abilities which were removed with mass prune from past expansions are back on the table. Therefore, this guide will show you all class abilities and explain them enough, so you’ll have a clear picture of what’s coming.
Finally, we’ll cover game changes including GDC, AoE, Legendary items, and other novelties like Covenants and Anima powers. But first, let’s quickly skim through to what all of these changes represent.
- The Covenants
A completely new system, the Covenants, represents four groups of which each controls one of the principal zones in the expansion. These factions control the expanded zones of Azeroth, the Afterlife – a hub of infinite, interconnected realms. Furthermore, you will be able to choose one of these four (when you reach cap level 60):
- Kyrian
- Venthyr
- Necrolord
- Night Fae
Next, whichever Covenant you choose you will get 2 new abilities:
- A Signature Ability – unique to every Covenant;
- A Class ability – combat ability depending on your class and the Covenant you belong to.
- Conduits
Resembling a talent tree, there is an interface in Shadowlands that is unlocked once you choose your Souldblind Character. Conduits are tied to Souldbinds and the slots in this “Talent Tree” copy consist of Soulbind Abilities connected with the Soulbind character you selected.
Also, if you remember Artifact Relics from Legion, then you can get a clearer picture of what conduits are. Further, there are three categories of conduits:
- Potency or Throughput
- Endurance or Defensive
- Finesse or Utility
Moreover, you can easily change your Covenant, but if you want to return to the one you left, the process will be cumbersome – You’ll need to prove yourself again and literally “swim upstream”. So it is best
NOTE: Conduits will be destroyed when you replace them. What’s more, Blizzard is reconsidering to destroy Conduits once they are switched.
- Legendaries
In Shadowlands, expect crafted Legendaries which you will personally craft with material collected in Torghast. This system is the next level of punchcard trinket we’ve seen in Mechagon and you’ll be able to craft items, tailormade to your needs.
- Anima power
With Shadowlands, a new feature called Torghast, Tower of Damned emerged. So, when you enter Torghast, you’ll be able to tap in Anima Powers.
With temporary anima power skills, your interaction with Torghast will be affected. Besides, like with the Covenant skills, you’ll have General Anima abilities and skills that are specific to your class at your disposal.
- Area of Effect Damage
With this one, Blizzard returned AoE to more strategic core principles. In BfA, you were able to pull and kite a lot of mobs with AoE abilities, while dealing damage to all of them.
Now, there will be target caps for every ability and the abilities with different cap numbers will be used contingently, appeasing the situation. Simply said, you will have a range of abilities with different numbers of AoE target caps that will define its use.
Covenant Signature Skills, Class Abilities and Legendary Powers
As we previously mentioned, Covenant signature skills are Covenant-specific, and are the same for every class:
- Kyrian: Summon Steward
- Venthyr: Door of Shadows
- Necrolord: Fleshcraft
- Night Fae: Soulshape
As for the class abilities and legendary powers, you may check the following table to familiarize yourself with them.
| Class & Covenant | Covenant Abilities | Legendary Powers |
|---|---|---|
| Death Knight | ||
| Kyrian: | Shackle the Unworthy | Death’s Embrace |
| Venthyr: | Swarming Mist | Grip of the Everlasting |
| Necrolord: | Abomination Limb | Phearomones |
| Night Fae: | Death’s Due | Superstrain |
| Demon Hunter | ||
| Kyrian: | Elysian Decree | Collective Anguish |
| Venthyr: | Sinful Brand | Darkglare Boon |
| Necrolord: | Fodder to the Flame | Fel Bombardment |
| Night Fae: | The Hunt | Half-Giant Empowerment |
| Druid | ||
| Kyrian: | Kindred Spirits | Circle of Life and Death |
| Venthyr: | Ravenous Frenzy | Draught of Deep Focus |
| Necrolord: | Adaptive Swarm | Lycara’s Fleeting Glimpse |
| Night Fae: | Convoke the Spirits | Oath of the Elder Druid |
| Hunter | ||
| Kyrian: | Resonating Arrow | Call of the Wild |
| Venthyr: | Flayed Shot | Nessingwary’s Trapping Apparatus |
| Necrolord: | Death Chakram | Soulforge Embers |
| Night Fae: | Wild Spirits | Craven Strategem |
| Mage | ||
| Kyrian: | Radiant Spark | Disciplinary Command |
| Venthyr: | Expanded Potential | |
| Necrolord: | Deathborne | Grisly Icicle |
| Night Fae: | Shifting Power | Triune Ward |
| Monk | ||
| Kyrian: | Weapons of Order | Escape from Reality |
| Venthyr: | Fallen Order | Fatal Touch |
| Necrolord: | Bonedust Brew | Invoker’s Delight |
| Night Fae: | Faeline Stomp | Charred Passions |
| Paladin | ||
| Kyrian: | Divine Toll | From Dusk till Dawn |
| Venthyr: | Ashen Hallow | Vanguard’s Momentum |
| Necrolord: | Vanquisher’s Hammer | The Magistrate’s Judgment |
| Night Fae: | Blessing of the Seasons | Uther’s Devotion |
| Priest | ||
| Kyrian: | Boon of the Ascended | Cauterizing Shadows |
| Mindgames | Measured Contemplation | |
| Necrolord: | Unholy Nova | Twins of the Sun Priestess |
| Night Fae: | Fae Guardians | Vault of Heavens |
| Rouge | ||
| Kyrian: | Echoing Reprimand | Essence of Bloodfang |
| Venthyr: | Flagellation | Mark of the Master Assassin |
| Necrolord: | Serrated Bone Spike | Tiny Toxic Blades |
| Sepsis | Invigorating Shadowdust | |
| Shaman | ||
| Kyrian: | Vesper Totem | Ancestral Reminder |
| Chain Harvest | Chains of Devastation | |
| Necrolord: | Primordial Wave | Deeptremor Stone |
| Night Fae: | Fae Transfusion | Deeply Rooted Elements |
| Warlock | ||
| Kyrian: | Scouring Tithe | Skybreaker’s Fiery Demise |
| Venthyr: | Impending Сatastrophe | Elemental Equilibrium |
| Necrolord: | Decimating Bolt | Echoes of Great Sundering |
| Night Fae: | Soul Rot | Windspeaker’s Lava Resurgence |
| Warrior | ||
| Kyrian: | Spear of Bastion | Leaper |
| Venthyr: | Condemn | Misshapen Mirror |
| Conqueror’s Banner | Seismic Reverberation | |
| Night Fae: | Ancient Aftershock | Signet of Tormented Kings |
Conclusion
Shadowlands is bringing many interesting developments and refreshments to the gameplay of WoW. Furthermore, some rely on old fame from previous expansions, and some are bringing brand new innovations, alternating the way the game works.
Overall, we all know you can’t wait for the global release. Therefore, until it gets released, it’s good to know what to expect and what wow class changes are coming, so enjoy our guide and keep yourself updated.