TL;DR
- Legion replaces Garrison system with Class Order Halls to encourage world exploration
- Azshara confirmed not as final boss, with multiple classic characters returning including Illidan
- New player experience improved with smoother leveling and class trial system
- Illidan’s character receives redemption arc focusing on his sacrifices against Burning Legion
- Gameplay changes designed to balance solo and group content engagement
World of Warcraft’s Legion expansion launches globally on August 1st, bringing significant changes to Azeroth. Chief Producer John Hight revealed these details during Blizzard’s ChinaJoy 2016 conference, highlighting the expansion’s focus on class identity and world exploration.
Journalist: Will the “Bastion” system of WOD be improved in Legion?
John Hight: The Garrison system proved extremely popular during Warlords of Draenor, but we identified significant drawbacks. Many players became overly invested in their personal bases, reducing engagement with the broader game world. This isolation wasn’t our design intention – we want adventurers exploring all of Azeroth and forming meaningful connections. The Class Order Hall represents our solution, transforming the concept into a shared class-specific headquarters. Here, players can coordinate world quests with peers, dispatch followers on missions, and experience unique class narratives that deepen their connection to their chosen specialization.
Pro Tip: Prioritize unlocking your Class Hall early as it provides access to artifact weapons and crucial campaign content. Avoid the common mistake of treating it like Garrisons – these spaces are designed for collaboration, not isolation. Advanced players should complete follower missions strategically to maximize resource gains while maintaining world engagement.
J: Is Azshara the final boss in 7.0? Do players have a chance to meet Sargeras?
John Hight: I can definitively state that Azshara won’t serve as Legion’s ultimate antagonist. Players will encounter numerous legendary figures throughout their journey, including the complex characters of Illidan Stormrage and the young leader Anduin Wrynn. The expansion carefully balances new threats with returning favorites to create a rich narrative tapestry.
J: Why your team tried to develop a good reputation for Illidan?
John Hight: While many veterans view Illidan as irredeemable, we’re exploring his multifaceted nature. He consistently identified the Burning Legion as Azeroth’s primary threat and dedicated himself to their eradication, regardless of personal cost. Legion aims to showcase Illidan’s substantial sacrifices and his relentless campaign against demonic forces, providing context for his controversial decisions.
Story Strategy: Pay close attention to Illidan’s campaign missions as they provide crucial artifact power. The redemption arc typically requires 15-20 hours to complete fully, offering significant character development insights.
J: What did Legion change in Gameplay?
John Hight: Legion introduces substantial quality-of-life improvements, particularly for newcomers. The leveling experience from 1 to maximum level has been streamlined for smoother progression. Additionally, players considering instant level-100 boosts can now test multiple classes through comprehensive trials before committing, ensuring they select the specialization that best matches their playstyle preferences.
New Player Advice: Utilize the class trial system extensively before using your level boost. This typically saves 10-15 hours of potential reroll time. For optimal leveling efficiency, combine world quests with dungeon queues while progressing your Class Hall campaign simultaneously.
Mastering Legion requires understanding several advanced mechanics. Class Hall resources should be prioritized for mission completion bonuses rather than cosmetic upgrades. A common mistake involves neglecting world quests once Class Halls unlock – maintain balance between both systems for optimal progression. For character development, focus on completing your artifact weapon questline within the first 5-7 hours of gameplay to maintain competitive damage output.
Progression Insight: The transition from Garrisons to Class Halls represents a fundamental design philosophy shift toward community engagement. Unlike the isolated gameplay of Warlords, Legion encourages constant interaction through shared spaces and cooperative objectives. Understanding this fundamental change will significantly improve your expansion experience.
Action Checklist
- Complete class trial with multiple specializations before using level boost
- Unlock Class Order Hall within first 3 hours of gameplay
- Prioritize artifact weapon questline completion in initial 5-7 hours
- Balance Class Hall missions with world quest engagement daily
- Follow Illidan’s redemption campaign for crucial narrative context
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