Since May 19, the pre-patch of WoW BC Classic has been live, exactly two weeks before the release. You can use this time to prepare for your journey into the shattered world. MeinMMO shows you 5 things you should get done before the Dark Portal opens.
With the pre-patch, the game version of BC Classic has been raised to 2.5.1, and Blizzard has separated the game from the original WoW Classic. As a result, several new contents from Burning Crusade are already in the game.
You can play as the new races of Draenei and Blood Elves, become a Jewelcrafter, and enjoy an improved leveling phase. The pre-patch is therefore the ideal time to get ready for the release of BC Classic. In our special about the pre-patch of BC Classic, you can learn more about the changes.
There are plenty of things to do. However, if you’re not sure where to start, we have listed seven ideas for you to guide you.
Prepare your characters
Along with the pre-patch, you received several options for your characters. Anyone who has already played WoW Classic or plans to play it later faces important decisions for each of your characters with Burning Crusade:
- transfer the character from Classic to Burning Crusade
- keep the character in Classic
- clone the character and play in both versions
If you want to play only in Burning Crusade or only in Classic, the selection is free but binding. Once you’ve made your choice, you can no longer change the decision. During character selection, you will already be asked in the pre-patch where the journey should go.
Alternatively, you can clone your character for €15. Then you can play him in both WoW Classic and Burning Crusade. The price for cloning has already been halved after heavy protests.
Along with the pre-patch, you can also purchase the Digital Deluxe Edition and the Dark Portal Pass. These include a one-time boost to level 58 for a character. You can use the boost now to prepare for a new class for BC Classic. However, Draenei and Blood Elves cannot be boosted.
Update and install addons
For many players, addons are an important part of World of Warcraft, but many addons from WoW Classic no longer work. Therefore, you should ensure that you use the current versions early on.
With the pre-patch, Blizzard has simply merged all data from BC Classic into the WoW Classic folder, creating a new folder for Classic. Therefore, you must uninstall existing addons (version 1.13.7) and reinstall the new versions (2.5.1).
Alternatively, you should find out in advance which addons you might need for BC Classic. Addons are not mandatory but make the game significantly easier. In our guide, we explain to you how to install addons with and without the WoWUp manager and which addons are worthwhile.
Level a Draenei or Blood Elf
If you want to play as one of the new races in the expansion, you can already prepare a character for this. With the pre-patch, you have access to Blood Elves for the Horde and Draenei for the Alliance.
Since these two races cannot be boosted, you have to level them the old-fashioned way. However, with the pre-patch, this is much easier:
- the required experience for many levels has been reduced
- the experience gained from most quests has been increased
- Riding can be learned from level 30
You still only have two weeks, so you should get on with it. If you want to start your character in the shattered world, it’s enough to reach level 58. From there, you can already cross the portal and complete quests in Burning Crusade.
Along with the races, the factions also gain access to new classes. Blood Elves can become Paladins, which were previously only available to the Alliance. Draenei, on the other hand, have the option to become Shamans.
Maximize your profession
If you want to level anyway, it’s advisable to already level at least one gathering profession while leveling, ideally also a crafting profession. Professions hold even more importance in Classic and Burning Crusade than they do in Retail WoW.
The crafted items are useful for both leveling and later in the endgame. This way, you can always secure a little boost. More important: You are ready for the new skill levels in Burning Crusade.
With BC Classic, the cap for your profession is raised to 375 with the new master level. You learn new recipes and even specializations for some professions. If you have already leveled your skill before, you will reach the new cap faster.
You can even learn Jewelcrafting, the new profession of the expansion, which is useful for all classes. Here’s a quick overview if you’re not sure what you want to level:
- Blacksmiths create weapons and plate armor
- Jewelcrafters provide gems, jewelry, rings, and neckpieces as well as some headpieces
- Tailors can make enchanted threads, cloth armor, and special cloth sets
- Leatherworkers provide leather and chain armor as well as armor sets and drums
- Alchemists provide themselves and other players with potions and elixirs
- Engineers can create teleporters, useful gadgets, and bombs that are particularly popular in PvP
Tip: Tailors can already farm Netherweave around the Deadwind Pass near the raid Karazhan. This way, you can craft new bags and gear much faster later.
Find a guild or group to level with
If you don’t already have a group to play BC Classic with, you should take care of that now. While Burning Crusade can also be played solo, dungeons and some quests are easier to manage with a fixed group.
It’s particularly important that you will get through the initial quests in Hellfire Peninsula better in a group. The island will surely be flooded by countless players as soon as the Dark Portal opens.
Since enemies in Burning Crusade are not shared yet, the rule is: Whoever attacks the mob first has the right to its kill and loot. In a group, you can more reliably claim the enemies you need for your quests.
If you’re looking for group connection, you’ll likely find players who also want to play with a group on our Facebook page for World of Warcraft or on the MeinMMO Discord.
More tips until release
If you want to prepare even further, it’s always a good idea to get a little gold cushion. After all, you can learn to fly in Burning Crusade later, which can be quite expensive. Having a supply of gold is also quite useful for professions or equipment.
For the perfect start, you should also clear your quest log before the release in order to have a better overview of what you need to accomplish. And let’s be honest: That one quest from Desolace sounds cool, but you probably won’t do it anyway.
Burning Crusade will be released on June 2. With our tips, you should have enough to do to prepare by then. How will you approach the launch?
Learn more about the first expansion of WoW Classic in our special: WoW Classic The Burning Crusade: Everything about release, pre-patch, and content phases
