Shadowlands Expansion (Launches November 23rd) (Megathread)

[MiRai]

As we tend to do for larger topics with ongoing discussion, I'm going to create a megathread so that it'll be somewhat easier for people to re-cap everything that's been said about Shadowlands, the upcoming expansion for World of Warcraft.

Shadowlands Launch Schedule:

November 10th - Pre-Launch Scourge Event
November 23rd - Shadowlands Launch
December 8th - Castle of Nathria Raid Opens




----------------------Older Information Below----------------------

Shadowlands Livestream (July 8th)




So far, we have the following developer posts:

Shadowlands: Developer Update (4/6) (Blizzard | WoWHead)
Shadowlands: A Look at Covenant Class and Signature Abilities (Blizzard | WoWHead)
Shadowlands: Class Updates (Blizzard | WoWHead)
Shadowlands: Bastion and the Kyrian Covenant (Blizzard | WoWHead)
Shadowlands: Adventure Awaits in the New Starting Experience (Blizzard | WoWHead)

Including WoWHead mirrors because they tend to have better formatting.

Miscellaneous and data-mined information (subject to change):

• Alpha begins later today (4/9)
• Standard backpack is now 28 slots
• New "Target FPS" setting for things such as the new "Dynamic" spell density setting
• Potential gamepad support
• AoE abilities are now capped for how many targets (5-8) they are allowed to hit
• Data-mined class abilities and class changes from the alpha (Build 9.0.1.33978)
• Demon Hunter, Death Knight, and allied races now start at level 10 8
• Profession "Drums" items nerfed

• Current state of alpha testing (Blizzard | WoWHead)
• Shadowlands alpha forums are open to those who were invited
• Character level and item level squish details
• Flying now opens up at level 25
• New NPC/quest/map markers, including shareable map pins
• Shadowlands talent calculator available (expect it to change over the course of the alpha)
• Interview with Game Director, Ion Hazzikostas (additional details to come)

• Covenant ability upgrades
• Unread mail now displayed on character selection screen
• Soulbinds System (Early Alpha Preview)
• Graphics engine upgrades found in CVars (Ray-Tracing/DXR/Variable Rate Shading)
• From Ion's interview with Sloot:
  
  • No Warforging/Titanforging/Corruption systems
  • Smaller pool of loot (easier to identify upgrades)
  • No "AP" grind
  • Account-wide legendary profession recipes
  • More stuff, just hitting major points

Shadowlands Collector's Edition Physical Box (Sold Out):
Blizzard Gear Store

[MiRai]

It's interesting to hear about the "un-pruning" that they're doing, and it maybe sounds like they brought a ton of stuff back and are just going to sort it out based on player feedback during alpha/beta.

In addition, these Covenant-specific and class-specific Covenant abilities look to be interesting, but it seems like those of us who wish to run mixed-role/class teams in Shadowlands will have to spread our attention and time across multiple Covenants if we want the most for our competitive PvE teams, but we'll have to see how this all unfolds.

Finally, while not much of a multiboxer thing these days, the return of actual PvP vendors has to be the most talked about (read: meme'd about) thing at the moment.

[Ellay]

Class changes just came out today.... Shamans are back on the menu!!

[Kalros]

@Ellay I was thinking the same thing! Very exciting!

[Ellay]

I'll need to see the rotation but having Chain Heal baseline brings Elemental and Enhancement back on table. Being able to blast this x4 is why the Druids are strong using 4x Wild Growth. The problem with Wild Growth on Druids is it drops you out of boomkin form, so you lose a GCD everytime you use this heal (and you also lose the armor)
Adding on top of this Healing Stream Totem, and you should be able to do a 1x tank 4x Ele for PvE and this should also work well for PvP. Too bad Shaman didn't get that fabled 4th tank spec. THAT would be something.

[Lyonheart]

I want shamans to be like they were TBC-WOtK so bad! cant wait. Guess i better level them up before the exp buff expires! ( they are 100 now )

[MiRai]

I'm going to just start bumping this thread when a new update comes out, since I ninja'd in the class change link earlier today.

With that said, Bastion and the Kyrian Covenant update is available.

[WOWBOX40]

Hopefully this wont be a repeat of the issue i had...when i went to shatrath city in outlands.. when that content was relevant.. by accident some of my characters choosed the wrong faction... aaargh. Better be ultra carefull and disable any "automatically complete quests on slaves"... untill you made your faction choice.

[Lyonheart]

The only time i wish i had 5 active Bnets is during betas. I would love to test multiboxing. Wish all a bnet would get to log in.

[MiRai]

Alright, some additional updates that I need to catch up on and what we're seeing from data-mining...

• New player starting experience (optional for veterans) (Blizzard | WoWHead)
• Alpha begins later today (4/9)
• Standard backpack is now 28 slots
• New "Target FPS" setting for things such as the new "Dynamic" spell density setting
• Potential gamepad support
• AoE abilities are now capped for how many targets (5-8) they are allowed to hit
• Data-mined class abilities and class changes from the alpha (Build 9.0.1.33978)
• Demon Hunter, Death Knight, and allied races now start at level 10 8
• Profession "Drums" items nerfed