New Portals in The War Within Beta: What’s the Big Deal?

Hey everyone, got some cool news from the latest beta build of The War Within! They’ve not only added new portals to the Earthen starting zone, but now everyone can use all the old portals from the Allied Races. Yup, no matter what race you play, these spots are open for you!

Backstory on Allied Races and Their Zones

Since the Battle for Azeroth days, Allied Races have had their own little starter zones. These places aren’t huge, but they’re cozy spots packed with important characters and are the go-to spots for snagging heritage armor sets. Before, you could only check these out if you were playing that specific allied race, which was a bit of a bummer if you were curious.

What’s New for Alliance?

The Alliance folks have got a good deal out of this. They’ve now got five portals right behind the Stormwind Embassy. Before, everyone could only get into Mechagon City without a hassle, and Telogrus Rift got unlocked a bit earlier in update 10.2.7 for both Alliance and Horde. The real new stuff is Vindicaar and Shadowforge City, which were off-limits until now. Especially Shadowforge City — it’s way bigger than most of the allied race hubs.

• Newly Accessible:

• Vindicaar
• Shadowforge City
• Telogrus Rift (earlier in 10.2.7)
• Old Portal: Mechagon City (now easier to reach)
• Location: Behind the Stormwind Embassy

And for the Horde?

The Horde changes aren’t as big but still handy. They’ve got a new portal leading to the Earthen’s Hall of Awakening outside the Orgrimmar Embassy. The usual spots like Thunder Totem and the Nighthold were always there for the Horde. But hey, getting to places like Suramar and Highmountain without a hassle is still a sweet deal.

• New Portal: Earthen’s Hall of Awakening
• Already Accessible:
  • Thunder Totem
  • Nighthold
• Location: Outside the Orgrimmar Embassy

Does This Really Matter?

For most players, this might not be a game-changer since these portals just lead to starting spots and places to turn in quests for cool gear. But, they’re perfect for a quick trip to check out some areas you might’ve missed out on before.

For the roleplay crowd, this is great news! Having easy access to places like Mechagon, Shadowforge City, and the Nighthold can really spice up roleplay events in these lore-heavy spots.

Maybe Rethink the Portal Placement?

One tiny nitpick? The placement of these new portals feels a bit off. They used to be all hidden away, but now they’re just out in the open. Maybe sticking them in the capital cities’ portal rooms or jazzing up their surroundings could make them blend in better.

Quick Portal Guide

Here’s a quick look at what’s new and where you can find these portals now:

Conclusion

To sum it up, the new portals in The War Within beta are a neat addition for both Alliance and Horde players. While they might not drastically change gameplay, they open up new exploration opportunities and make life easier for roleplayers. Whether you’re diving into lore-rich zones or just curious to see what’s new, these portals are worth checking out. So go ahead, hop through those portals, and enjoy the new (and old) places you can now easily visit!