The final minor patch for World of Warcraft: Shadowlands hit the live servers on May 31, and it brought with it some significant changes to the world of Azeroth. For the first time in a long time, many of the features that came with the patch were kept a secret. Usually, when a new update is coming to World of Warcraft, there is an extensive period of public testing where players are able to get their hands on the content well before it releases on the main servers. This lets players chew through all the new content and story months before it is ready to be released, and it can present a huge problem for the game.
The 9.2.5 update for World of Warcraft hoped to change that by encrypting much of the content and barring players from experiencing it before everyone else. Instead, the PTR was focused mainly on testing out the cross-faction gameplay, with the story elements shrouded in mystery. When the update hit the live servers, many players were astonished to find that Blizzard had finally done the unthinkable and kept some huge surprises under wraps. It had made it clear that 9.2.5 would see the addition of cross-faction gameplay, but it never once mentioned that players would also be getting three different quest lines complete with cutscenes and the long awaited Dark Ranger customization for Hunters.
Cross-Faction Gameplay
The biggest feature to come with 9.2.5 is the introduction of cross-faction instances. After 18 years of animosity, World of Warcraft players are finally able to group up together no matter what faction they chose. Previously, Horde and Alliance players were barred from working together, and they could not even communicate with each other. Instead, they would only meet on the battlefield or see each other wandering Azeroth. With 9.2.5, all of that changes, as the barriers between factions are finally being pulled down.
Horde and Alliance players are able to team up to complete plenty of PvE content together. Players are able to group up with members of the opposite faction if they are friends with them through Battle.net or if they are a part of a cross-faction WoW community. They can also find premade groups for dungeons, raids, rated arena, and Torghast. Once they have entered the instance, they will be friendly to each other and be able to work together to complete the content, but there are a few instances that cannot be done cross-faction as they have faction-specific stories. The best part of this feature is that it is entirely optional, so those who still want to keep the faction divide can.
Dark Ranger Customization
Players have been calling for the option to play as a Dark Ranger for years now, and Blizzard has finally delivered. In a move no one saw coming, the Dark Ranger customizations have been unlocked for players who complete the new Return to Lordaeron quest line. Once they complete it, they will unlock Dark Ranger customization options for Blood Elves, Night Elves, and Void Elves. They will be able to head to a barbershop and give their elf white skin with red eyes, or they can create a brand-new character and start leveling a Dark Ranger. They can also head to the Hunter Class Order Hall and purchase a Dark Ranger transmog set to complete the look.
More Heritage Armor
Blizzard introduced heritage armor with World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth and have been expanding upon it ever since. Each allied race is able to get their heritage armor upon reaching level 50, while the core races that have heritage armor are able to get them when they hit max level and Exalted with their race. Both the Blood Elves and Dark Iron Dwarves received heritage armor in the past, but Blizzard has chosen to expand those offerings and add more for players to gather in 9.2.5.
Players who have completed their heritage armor quest line for Blood Elves will now be able to pursue another heritage armor set. After completing an interesting quest line involving the undead scourge, Blood Elf players are able to unlock a new Hawkstrider mount and a Blood Knight transmog set. Dark Iron Dwarf players are able to unlock a new Grimhowl's Face Axe mount and a set of weapon transmogs that will match their already unlocked heritage set. These new unlocks will increase players' ability to customize their character to their liking, which is always a win for an MMO.
New Campaign Chapters
One of the biggest pieces of content that came with 9.2.5 is the addition of three new campaign chapters complete with in-game cutscenes. Most players assumed that the story of Shadowlands had come to a close with 9.2 Eternity's End and that they would not be getting more story until the Dragonflight pre-patch event, but Blizzard had other plans. Players can head to Oribos to pick up these quest lines and see the conclusion of various Shadowlands story beats, as well as the set-up for what it is to come in Dragonflight.
The three quest lines and cutscenes focus on what comes next for many of the characters of Azeroth. Players will be able to witness Anduin's turmoil as he tries to figure out what comes next after being corrupted by the Jailer. Then, they will witness what the future has in store for the Night Elves after the world tree was burned down by Sylvanas in Battle for Azeroth. They will also embark on a mission to help clean up Lordaeron and prepare the Forsaken for a future without their Banshee Queen. These quest lines help provide closure and hope for the many heroes of Azeroth that took a beating during these last couple expansions.
9.2.5 also brings with it a ton of behind the scenes changes, tunings, a new PvP arena, and the opening of every wing of Torghast. Blizzard successfully kept much of the story under wraps, and it is a good sign for what the future of World of Warcraft will hold. This update has laid the groundwork for the next expansion, and players could not be more excited about the future of Azeroth.
World of Warcraft is available now on PC.