Cortyn from MeinMMO enjoys the long pause before the next WoW patch. Because this way, there is time to have fun without any pressure.
WoW: Shadowlands has been released for over three months now, and slowly but surely, all players have seen all the content. But instead of getting bored, I enjoy the game even more. Because the more “exhausted” the current content is, the more freely I can approach content that I genuinely enjoy.
So for me, it’s true: The longer Shadowlands is out, the more fun I have with the game.
The amount of mandatory content shrinks
With each passing week, the amount of content I consider “mandatory” shrinks. In the early days and weeks, it was still important for me to complete every single class quest to maximize reputation with the factions. My weekly visits to Torghast to collect soul ash have become rare outings since I no longer depend on the ash. The weekly completion of missions in the Maw to collect soul ash and Stygia is also coming to an end, as I actually don’t need either anymore.
This means I have complete freedom after logging in to do what I like. I used to always have that annoying voice in the back of my head pushing me to gather soul ash, farm Stygia once more, or finish that one world quest with the bonus reputation.
That is now completely absent. I can log in, think about what I would like to “work” on, and what goals I want to pursue. Especially with Anima, you can buy so many different things that I really enjoy the selection.
Again, the rule applies that one sets small goals to achieve. I don’t indulge myself in the illusion of having collected 300,000 Anima soon to buy everything. But maybe here I can spend 5,000 for a weapon or there a little 2,500 for a cool back transmog – that’s definitely doable.
I can also spend more time on pet battles again and catch up on some of the old pet battle dungeons from which I am still missing some rewards. This has been lacking much too long in the last months and now finally has space again.
A few obligations remain
Of course, I still have a few “mandatory appointments” that I have chosen for myself. After all, I am raiding heroically, and so far Denathrius still refuses to give up the ghost or give me Ramona Remornia as a sword. It will surely be a few weeks before he finally bites the dust, and that obligation also falls away.
And then there’s Mythic+.
My group is certainly not part of the gaming elite at world rank level, but we try to make the best of it despite a rather relaxed play style. Currently, we have reached the range of “M+13” – with the goal of being able to finish M+15 in all dungeons from our own strength before patch 9.1 Chains of Domination to score the mount. Everyone is engaged and ready to improve without it degenerating into cliché “tryharding”.
Every week there’s a little improvement for one or two dungeons – it’s a mid-term goal, we are not in a hurry. Just a rather cozy approach to progress, without directly sitting on our hands.
More freedom, less pressure
Currently, everything feels much “freer” in WoW: Shadowlands for me. I can decide for myself what content I tackle and I no longer feel the pressure to lag behind in anything relevant if I let it slide for a day or two. My virtual wardrobe is definitely happy about the transmog sets that are being completed, and my pet collection is about to burst at the seams.
Even though the prospect of having to wait several more months for patch 9.1 Chains of Domination annoys some players immensely – I like it. A few months of peace, where nothing in WoW is running away and I can calmly do only what I really want to do.
I believe this would be beneficial to me and the game on a regular basis. And also to players who are similar to me.
What are you currently doing in WoW? Are you bored? Or are you using the quieter weeks to pursue personal goals?
After all, patch 9.1 looks really good – even if there is some hate.
