6 Things to Do Before Season of Discovery Phase 2
The next phase of World of Warcraft’s Season of Discovery is set to go live on February 8th, raising the level cap from 25 to 40. This brings exciting additions like new runes, PvP events, and a raid in the Gnomeregan instance, along with exploration in classic WoW’s iconic zones, including the memorable Stranglethorn Vale. To ensure you're ready for this new chapter, consider the following preparations for your Season of Discovery adventure.
WoW Season of Discovery, Best Runes for Every Class
Unlocking Success in Season of Discovery Phase 2: Essential Preparation Guide
1. Get your available best-in-slot gear
For players opting for traditional leveling through 5-man instances and questing, acquiring the best gear at the current level 25 cap is key. Blackfathom Depths raid introduces gear significantly better than what's available during the leveling process and is stated to be similar to pieces usually obtained in the mid-30s. Do your best to obtain relevant pieces, and don't miss the Perfect Blackfathom Pearl trinket, dropped once per full run. This trinket outperforms others for a considerable duration. Completing the quest associated with the trinket triggers the Boon of Blackfathom world buff, so even if you don't want the trinket now, it will benefit later adventures.
2. Find or make a consistent leveling group
Most people will opt for leveling via dungeons or questing, and teaming with a consistent group of players will make this process faster. Efficient leveling can be achieved by farming 5-man instances like Razorfen Kraul and Scarlet Monastery. Joining a dedicated leveling group within a guild or through a server Discord can streamline the process, saving time and effort optimizing runes, talents, and roles. Coordination within a group enhances the MMORPG experience, particularly in WoW, where strategic gameplay often requires teamwork.
3. Get your reputation up with PvP Factions
Long reputation grinds are a hallmark of progression in classic World of Warcraft but Season of Discovery has eased reputation grinds for some coveted items and upgrades. PvP faction reputation, once a challenging grind, is now more accessible with added world PvP events. Achieving exalted status with the Warsong Gulch battleground faction is now easier, offering Pre-Raid best-in-slot items at the level 40 cap. The weekly Battle of Ashenvale event provides a quest and 1000 rep, aiding reputation gains with the faction. For those not yet at “Revered”, simplifying waiting in Ashenvale will passively get you a reputation as the battle completes around you.
4. Prepare for changes to the economy
The new level cap will bring with it new zones to play in, new recipes to craft, and changes to current economic wants and needs. Commonly used materials like Wool Cloth and Bronze Bars will lose relevance, replaced by higher-level materials such as Silk Cloth and Iron Bars. Stockpiling these materials before the phase change could be lucrative, especially considering limited resources like fadeleaf and gold. Fadeleaf is particularly useful since it is only obtainable by Tauren Herbalists and through randomized drops from chests, and is used by Rouges to make Blinding powder, a necessary reagent for PvP.
These materials become vital for recipes in the upcoming phase, potentially increasing in value during the initial race to max professional level. Only time will tell if these investments will pay off, and changes will vary from server to server, but those with an eye for market trends and the willingness to take a chance are going to profit.
5. Complete your quests at max level for lots of money
Having gold to supply your adventure on your way to and at level 40 is going to be one of the biggest hurdles for many players. For those facing a shortage of in-game currency, quests at the current max level (25) offer a great way to earn money. While it may slow down leveling during the patch launch, completing quests at this level provides bonus money equivalent to earned experience. By level 25, there are quests worth about 100 to 150 gold, sufficient to afford your mount at level 40 and the new spells and abilities along the way.
6. Earn income by getting creative with your class abilities
Selling dungeon runs is a lucrative option for various classes, particularly those with stealth abilities like Rogues and Druids. Many players leveling alternative characters seek pre-raid gear and are willing to pay for assistance. While this can be a grind, the potential for easy gold per hour exists, dependent on the server's player activity. If you are not willing or able to run dungeons, your class probably has features that are in demand by the rest of the player base. It's common to see warlocks selling summoning services or mages selling food and water. Some groups will pay an experienced and geared healer or tank to join them for efficient 5 runs.
In summary, as the Season of Discovery progresses, preparing for the level cap increase involves strategic gear acquisition, efficient leveling methods, reputation grinds, and anticipating economic shifts. These preparations ensure a smoother and more enjoyable experience as you dive into the next phase of Season of Discovery.
Nate is an esports enthusiast with a passion for RTS, MMORPG, and Platform Fighters! He is putting his years of professional marketing experience to work writing about the games he loves. He can be found regularly on Super Smash Brothers Melee broadcasts around the country as a commentator. Outside of esports, Nate loves to practice Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu (he has his purple belt) and pursue fitness. He also has a love for outdoor adventure and exploration.