Season of Exploration Phase 2 Preview - Quality of Life Runes, Raid Loot, PvP Event

Blizzard has unveiled exciting details about Phase 2 of the Season of Discovery in World of Warcraft Classic. This upcoming phase will introduce quality of life improvements, raid updates, PvP events, and profession updates, among other things. In this blog post, written by WowCarry, we will dive into the specifics of what players can expect from Season of Discovery Phase 2.

Preview Video and Developer Insights

To kick things off, Blizzard has released a preview video where the World of Warcraft Classic development team members discuss the upcoming features. This video provides a deeper look into the new raid, dungeon, rune ability, PvP, and profession updates. Game Producer Linny Cooke Saverline, Assistant Lead Designer Tim Jones, Lead Software Engineer Nora Valletta, Lead Software Engineer Ana Resendez, and Senior Game Producer Josh Greenfield share their insights and provide valuable information for players.

A Look at the Gnomeregan Raid Dungeon

One of the highlights of Phase 2 is the new raid dungeon, Gnomeregan, located in Dun Morogh. This 10-player raid consists of six bosses, including one brand-new boss. The previous five bosses have been redesigned to offer fresh challenges for players. Gnomeregan also introduces a new world buff.

Players can look forward to a variety of new items and rewards, with epic loot available from additional sources beyond the last two bosses. Additionally, new class sets and updated quests and rewards will cater to level 40 players. Season of Discovery Phase 2 will also feature a new profession quest chain that unlocks new materials for crafting more powerful items.

To accommodate both hardcore and casual players, the raid dungeon will become available at the start of Phase 2 with two lockouts on the weekly reset timer. This design choice allows leading edge players to dive into the raid right away, while also minimizing missed lockouts for slower levelers.

• Boss Updates

Gnomeregan's bosses have undergone changes to provide new and exciting encounters. For example, Grubbis now incorporates radiation vents into the fight, adding an additional layer of strategy. The Crowd Pummeler 9-60 has been relocated to a raised platform, creating a different dynamic for players. Mekgineer Thermaplugg now wields new mechanical suits as part of his arsenal.

• New Loot

The raid dungeon will feature nods to classic items from Gnomeregan, such as the Automatic Crowd Pummeler. Players can acquire these items for a quality-of-life improvement.

It's important to note that all examples mentioned are still works in progress and may not reflect the final item stats.

• Additional Items and Item Sets

In addition to the loot from bosses, Gnomeregan offers armor piece token drops that allow players to obtain missing set pieces. This system helps players complete their class sets more efficiently. Meanwhile, Season of Discovery Phase 2 introduces new skill books in 5-player dungeons, providing quality-of-life improvements for various classes.

PvP Updates: Beware The Blood Moon

The Blood Moon is a new PvP event introduced in Season of Discovery Phase 2. This event takes place in Stranglethorn Vale and brings mayhem to the zone. The Blood Moon itself casts an eerie red fog, creating a unique atmosphere.

During the event, players can earn currency by defeating other players. However, raid groups are not allowed, as the Blood Moon punishes those who group up in raids. Players who wish to opt out of the event can do so by speaking with the Zandalari Emissary, but they won't be able to earn any event rewards.

The Blood Moon event does not include any PvP objectives in Stranglethorn Vale. Players should be cautious of the Chosen of the Blood Loa, a powerful adversary roaming the area.

• Rewards

Players participating in The Blood Moon can earn currency to spend on various rewards. A merchant outside the Gurubashi Arena offers class-specific item rewards. Additionally, two new faction agnostic mounts with unique appearances are available for players to acquire by participating in the event. The event also presents new quests to earn Arathi Basin reputation, but there won't be an associated world buff.

• PvP Matchmaking Adjustments

Blizzard continues to make adjustments to PvP matchmaking to provide a better experience for players. In an effort to reduce frustration, solo players have a higher chance of matching against other solo players, while premade groups have a higher chance of matching against other premade groups. However, to prevent lengthy queues, the system will ignore these rules after a certain period of time.

Profession Updates

Following the positive response to professions in Phase 1, Phase 2 will expand and enhance these gameplay elements. Around twenty new recipes will be available across non-gathering professions, including Alchemy, Enchanting, Engineering, Leatherworking, Tailoring, and Blacksmithing. The profession cap will increase to 225, with profession specialization coming in Phase 3.

Similar to Phase 1, players will undertake an epic quest chain to unlock access to these new recipes. These recipes will also introduce new materials, encouraging player trading and cooperation. The new recipes offer exciting possibilities for Alchemists and Enchanters, bringing utility and higher throughput to their gameplay.

• No More GDKP Runs

Blizzard is experimenting with a new policy for Season of Discovery Phase 2. They will no longer allow GDKP (gold-determined, loot-determined, player-run) runs, as they want to preserve the traditional guild and social structures of the game mode. GDKP runs have been restricted starting from the launch of Phase 2. Blizzard will provide more information on official channels and closely monitor player feedback.

It's Not too Late to Join in Season of Discovery

For players looking to catch up with their friends who have already progressed past level 25, Blizzard is implementing a 50% experience buff for players between levels 1 and 25. Additionally, players will gain additional experience within the Blackfathom Deeps raid dungeon when cleared. However, players will no longer receive the world buff beyond level 39. Waylaid Supplies will also see an adjustment to increase experience gained on turn-in.

Season of Discovery Phase 2 is set to launch on February 8 at 1:00 pm PST (21:00 GMT). Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or just starting your journey, there's plenty to look forward to in this exciting phase of World of Warcraft Classic. Prepare yourself for new raid challenges, PvP mayhem, and expanded professions. See you in Azeroth!