In WoW: Battle for Azeroth you can quest again like in Classic – at least if you take the right path. Cortyn shows you in the report from the beta what to expect in the new WoW expansion, Battle for Azeroth.
After the alpha of World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth officially transitioned into beta, I dared to enter the test servers once again. Since the character was deleted since my last visit, I had to start over. That’s why I chose a different path this time.
In my first report from the alpha, I went straight to the south of the Tiragarde Sound area to follow the main questline and uncover the Ashvane conspiracy against the Proudmoores.
This time I approached it differently and went straight to the north of Tiragarde Sound – and I haven’t regretted it. While there is no main quest here, there are plenty of side missions with heart.
No Hero, Just a Stranger
What stands out in the quests in the north of the zone: the locals do not see us as the great hero of Azeroth who defeated the Legion and vanquished the Lich King. Instead, we are just a stranger passing by. The chief of a logging company demands that we do something about his “lazy workers” who no longer want to work because “the forest is fighting back” – all just excuses to take a break!
That a real witch is behind the sinister tree creatures, transforming the souls of humans into creepy creatures like in “The Ritual,” adds the necessary tension.
On the beach, we then meet the “Earless,” who is absolutely horrified that his crew members have been seduced by sirens. After all, wings, fangs, and a snake tail would be quite intimidating (he probably doesn’t know Goldshire).
But not everything is big and mysterious in Tiragarde Sound. For instance, we meet a little girl with her stand, where she wants to sell shells while her father drunkenly fishes in the background. Since sales are poor, we are to find some especially beautiful shells.
The Norwington Estate is a noble estate, just as one has always imagined, but has only been seen at most in Gilneas.
A large tournament grounds, countless staff serving celebrants with snacks and drinks, visitors from the surrounding area, like a Tortollan who is afraid of riding – and all this off the main quest line, simply as “small stuff” to fill the area with life and Kul Tiras with culture.
Two Levels Without a Main Quest
In the end, we are still somewhat of a “little folk hero” because we saved the Norwington Estate from an invasion of Troggs and thus secured the celebrations.
But that is still a whole different level of “hero” than it was in Legion – and it feels good. It was natural, not forced and evolved throughout the quests.
This way, our character managed to level up to level 112 without completing a single main quest.
Sure, when we join the war campaign alongside Jaina, Sylvanas, Nathanos, or Anduin in battle, we are the great heroes again. But it is nice to have this variety for a few hours, to explore a foreign land and experience the feeling: No one knows me, I assist with very ordinary problems.
I have missed this for a long, long time.
What are your experiences from the beta? Have you checked it out? Do you like Battle for Azeroth so far?




