Developer Update: Enhancements for Season of Exploration - Experience Boost, Expanded Raid Size, and Itemization

Blizzard has recently published a Developer Update post for the Season of Discovery in World of Warcraft: Classic. In this update, they discuss the introduction of the Discoverer's Delight XP Buff, changes to raid sizes at level 60, and adjustments to itemization. Players can expect some exciting changes coming their way!

Discoverer's Delight XP Buff

In order to encourage players to explore different characters and playstyles, Blizzard has implemented a new XP buff called Discoverer's Delight. Originally, the buff provided a 50% bonus to XP gains in specific level ranges. However, starting next week on March 5th, this buff will be doubled to a 100% bonus for levels 1-39. This change aims to help players level their alts more efficiently and make leveling a more enjoyable experience overall.

In addition to the XP buff, Blizzard is also reducing the gold cost of racial mounts and mount training by approximately half at level 40. This change will make it easier for players to obtain their mounts and enjoy the benefits of faster leveling. Furthermore, the base gold reward from quest rewards will be increased for players at levels 1-39. This will provide a more lucrative questing experience and help players with their expenses during the leveling process.

Looking ahead, Blizzard is also considering further adjustments to the leveling curve for when phase 3 launches and the level cap increases to 50. They want to ensure that players feel satisfied playing their alts and have a smooth leveling experience throughout the entirety of the Season of Discovery.

Raid Size at Level 60

Blizzard has been closely monitoring the discussions surrounding raid sizes at level 60. In order to provide clarity, they have revealed their plans for raid sizes in the upcoming phases:

• The level 50 raid, which is yet to be announced, will be a 20-player experience.
• Molten Core in the Season of Discovery will also be a 20-player raid.

Blizzard acknowledges that 40-player raids are a defining characteristic of the original World of Warcraft experience. However, considering the development time and the challenges of scaling these raids, they decided to introduce 10-player raids for the first two level-up raids. This allows for easier formation of pick-up groups. They are currently exploring ways to bridge the gap between 10-player and 40-player raids, but the exact details are still being worked out.

• Itemization Changes at Level 60

Blizzard also revealed their plans for itemization at level 60. They intend to revamp many items from dungeons and raids at level 60, including the existing 20-player raids. New items will also be added throughout the endgame phases to support a variety of playstyles and builds. The goal is to provide rewarding and diverse options for players, regardless of their chosen role or playstyle.

Blizzard will also be adjusting the difficulty and power level of all raids. This doesn't necessarily mean making them harder or easier, but rather focusing on the purpose and characteristics of each raid individually. For example, raids that were traditionally considered as "catch-up" raids may see a slight increase in challenge, accompanied by improved rewards. This approach aims to provide a wider range of activities for players to enjoy and ensure that all raid sizes remain accessible to different group compositions and skill levels.

Your Feedback is Valued

Blizzard wants to hear from the community and gather feedback on these changes. While they understand the importance of 40-player raiding to the Classic experience, they are also committed to creating an enjoyable gameplay experience for as many players as possible. Striking the right balance and making compromises is a challenge, and they rely on player feedback and constructive suggestions to guide their decisions.

The WoW Classic development team appreciates the time and effort players have taken to provide feedback. They are committed to sharing more information soon and ensuring that Season of Discovery delivers an exciting and engaging experience for all players.

Stay tuned for more updates!