The first patch for WoW Shadowlands: Chains of Domination is right around the corner and will go live on June 29. This will be, however, a technical release, as all the main features will become available on July 7. Let us glance at what awaits us.
New Zone
The central part of the Patch is a new zone Korthia, the City of Secrets. There we will have new factions to earn reputation with, a new story arc to complete, a new raid, and a World Boss. Korthia will be packed with quests, rare creatures, treasures, and other outdoor events. There will be even a little mini-game, where you run around with a critter, which can sniff out hidden treasures. Casual players will be satisfied with an entirely new gearing path, where they can get the complete set of ilvl 233 gear without entering dungeons and raids.
Due to a new flight path between Korthia and the rest of the Maw and the ability to use regular mounts, the Maw will become much easier to navigate and travel around. The Eye of the Jailer debuff will be entirely removed as well. On the whole, this zone should become more welcoming.
Sanctum of Domination
A new raid is located in the Maw, contains 10 bosses with Lady Windrunner herself at the end. Below is a raid unlocking schedule:
- July 6 – Normal and Heroic Difficulties;
- July 13 – Mythic Difficulty and Raid Finder Wing 1;
- July 27 – LFR Wing 2;
- August 10 – LFR Wing 3;
- August 24 – LFR Wing 4.
- To enter the raid you must have at least 195 ilvl.
- The maximum ilvl of loot on Mythic difficulty is 259.
The bosses in the raid drop special gear with sockets for Shards of Domination gems, which drop only in the raid. There are 9 Shards of Domination in total, spread on three groups – Blood, Frost, and Unholy; each Shard has 5 versions – the next more powerful, than the previous. If you have three and more socketed Shards of the same school, you’ll be granted a Rune Word buff that will empower you even more. Every class\spec may use any shard with a limit to 5 shards in total. However, you may find yourself in a situation, where your crafted legendary and the best domination shard occupy the same gear slot. Now, this would be a real dilemma.
Shards of Domination may be upgraded with Stygian Embers currency, which drops only from the raid. You will need about 500 Stygian Embers to fully upgrade all 5 Shards.
The last boss has a chance to drop the legendary bow Rae’shalare, Death’s Whisper, which not only has several versions but may be upgraded to higher quality with special items.
Another extremely intriguing loot is Jaithys, the Prison Blade, a two-handed sword, dropped by Kel’Thuzad. This sword literally swallows other weapons from your inventory to gain their power.
There are, of course, dozens of other rewards, including mounts, pets, and achievements.
Mythic+ Dungeons
The best possible change is that now you can easily decrease the difficulty of the Keystone. Just talk to a certain NPC in Oribos and get the Keystone you want!
The present seasonal affix Prideful will be changed to a new one – Tormented. Slaying lieutenants throughout the dungeon will now reward you with anima powers. If you won’t defeat them, on the contrary, they will empower the last boss.
The current affixes will be changed in some ways, which will make tanks’ life easier.
The ilvl of the gear from the Mythic+ dungeons will increase.
Covenants
The story continues and we will be able to learn what’s happening after the defeat of Sire Denathrius. The Renown is increased to 80 levels, which will take players approximately 17 weeks to rise. Of course, each new Renown level brings new rewards, including toys, pets, legendary effects, followers, etc. The conduit tree will receive some changes – 4 rows and two conduits of ilvl 200 were added and some old conduit slots will become more powerful.
Flying in 9.1
Yes, we will finally rise to the skies! Fortunately, there will be no difficult tasks to achieve, or reputations to gain. Just reach Renown level 44, complete an easy and short storyline, and here you go! Note, however, that you won’t be able to fly in the Maw. In addition, attaining level 45 will award you a covenant unique flying mount.
Tazavesh: the Veiled Market
Tazavesh – is a new Mythic-only mega-dungeon for a group of 5 people with 8 bosses to conquer. It is expected to be a so-called Mythic+0 and Mythic Hard Mode difficulties with drop ilvl 226 and 233 accordingly.
In support of its name, the Veiled Market Tazavesh has vendors and even the auctioneer inside. You will face unexpected foes, such as Core Hounds from the Molten Core, or a boss that reminds of a General Grievous from Star Wars.
PvP
Patch 9.1 finally brings some major changes for those addicted to PvP battles. The rewards’ ilvl will be increased. A new Vicious War Gorm mount will demonstrate your success.
A much more sufficient change is that PvP gear will now be more powerful in PvP content. Developers state that player’s gear will increase by 13 levels when they’re engaged in PvP content. There is also a bunch of new powerful PvP talents being added to the game. Warlocks, for instance, will be able to mass teleport the entire enemy team wherever you want.
The Horde representatives will get an additional weekly quest, so now the number of quests for both factions will be finally equal. Meanwhile, the Gladiator’s Emblem PvP trinkets, such as Sinful Gladiator’s Emblem will be nerfed noticeably.
Torghast, Tower of the Damned
The entire Tower of the Damned will be turned on its head. The number of floors per run is reduced to 5, but the total number of layers is increased to 12. The next layer now unlocks by reaching a specific rating in the previous Layer’s run. Bosses no longer regenerate health after they have defeated you. Torments system is changed and now you may be buffed with Blessings. Both Torments and Blessings will be selected per wing per day. Efficient players will have an opportunity to explore a new bonus set of floors – Adamant Vaults.
Great news for those who have unlocked Layer 9 of Torghast. They now will be able to transfer Soul Ash to their alts. The amount of the soul ash gained was also increased.
The Scoring System has been reworked and now you are scored based on performance after a completed run. Developers have added a new currency – Tower Knowledge that can be spent at The Box of Many Things to acquire permanent Perks.
There’s also a new round of goodies to collect from the Torghast, including unique transmog options, mounts, toys, a pet, and achievements.
Things to do before 9.1
- Make sure your Renown level is 40;
- Complete all the Mythic+15 Keystones to get all the achievements and rewards;
- Try obtaining Ahead of the Curve: Sire Denathrius and Cutting Edge: Sire Denathrius achievements;
- buy Stygia, consumables, and crafting materials while prices are low;
- Valor points will be reset – use it now;
- Level up all your followers.
The new patch seems to be packed with big and small changes for every aspect of the game, meaning everyone will find some things to their liking. We will keep you informed, so stay tuned and see you in Shadowlands!