With the new expansion of World of Warcraft, there is also a new maximum level. Our level guide for Battle for Azeroth provides you with everything you need to know to quickly reach level 120.
In Battle for Azeroth, most content starts at level 120: world quests, heroic and mythic dungeons, later also raids and war fronts. Since Patch 8.3, you can also unlock the legendary cloak and complete the titular visions.
The best way to quickly reach the maximum level is currently to complete quests in the classic manner.
With our tips and tricks in the guide, you will always know how to proceed best while leveling up.
This article was created on August 15, 2018, and updated with new information on January 17, 2020.
WoW: Level Guide from 110-120 for BfA in English
The leveling phase in Battle for Azeroth consists of two separate strands that should both be completed: pure questing and the war campaign. The war campaign prepares you for some features of the expansion and introduces you to world quests.
In our guide, we try to give you the path that will get you to level 120 as quickly as possible while also preparing you for endgame content – this way, you’ll have less work to catch up once you reach level 120.
Level Guide Overview
If you want to start immediately and only need a small guide with important points, we have listed the most important waypoints for you here.
- Level 110: Complete the Siege of Undercity, get “Heart of Azeroth” and sail to Zandalar/Kul Tiras
- Level 110: Complete quests in Drustvar (Alliance)/Vol’dun (Horde)
- Level 113: Establish the first outpost for the war campaign in Vol’dun (Alliance)/Drustvar (Horde). Then complete quests in Tiragardesund (Alliance)/Zuldazar (Horde).
- Level 116: Establish the second outpost in Zuldazar (Alliance)/Tiragardesund (Horde) and complete the introduction to the island expeditions. Complete quests in the old area, then quest in the Stormsong Valley (Alliance)/Nazmir (Horde).
- Level 118: Establish the last outpost and complete quests for the achievements “Kul Tourist” (Alliance)/”Zandalar Forever!” (Horde).
- Level 120: If necessary, raise factions for world quests to “friendly” and complete “Kul Tourist”/”Zandalar Forever!”.
Preparation
To level as effectively as possible in the new areas, you should prepare accordingly beforehand. With the right prerequisites, you will save valuable time and make your life a bit easier.
Empty your bags and bank: To avoid having to constantly return to the capital city, you should have at least 60 bag slots free. This way, you can gather loot for a while without constantly running to the vendor. There should be enough space in the bank for materials.
Unlock flying: If you are playing with a twink, make sure you have previously unlocked flying in Battle for Azeroth. This makes traveling much easier. If you cannot complete the achievement yet, get 30-40 Goblin Gliders for the leveling phase.
Upgrade heirlooms: Heirlooms can now be upgraded up to level 120. This allows you to level faster between levels 110 and 120, as they provide an XP bonus. Learn all about heirlooms and how to upgrade them here.
Use war mode: War mode gives you 10% more experience and must be activated in Stormwind/Orgrimmar. Read more about war mode in the separate section.
Potions and more: Use whatever flasks, potions, runes, and buff food you have! While leveling, this will increase your damage and speed. Especially, Bear-Tartare can be beneficial as it increases movement speed after a kill.
The right mounts: Equip yourself with vendor mounts like the Traveler’s Tundra Mammoth and Water Striders. Both will save you time during the leveling phase. Alternatively, you can stock up on Water Walking potions.
- Note: Water Striders require a lot of reputation with the anglers in Mists of Pandaria! If you don’t already have this reputation, it’s not worth the time to farm it compared to the savings! Especially if you can fly, it won’t help you at all.
Quick Leveling through Invasions
What are invasions? Invasions are a new mechanic introduced with Patch 8.1. They function almost exactly like the invasions from Legion.
A specific area is attacked by the Horde or Alliance and you must help in the attack or defense. There are several world quests available to you that you can also complete under level 120.
Each of these quests gives a hefty amount of experience and after completing the end scenario, you receive a one-hour buff that increases your gained experience in Zandalar and Kul Tiras.
Utilize the invasions themselves and the buff to level even more efficiently.
The War Mode: More Experience through PvP
When you activate war mode, you gain more experience and better rewards (at level 120). For this, you will be placed in a different phase with other people in war mode, and can attack players of the opposing faction.
You also have access to special PvP talents that also work while questing. Check your PvP talents closely and choose ones that seem useful for the leveling phase.
In war mode, an airship periodically drops war loot. War loot consists of chests that a faction can claim for themselves. Here, you will find useful resources and equipment.
Here you can level faster in WoW: Battle for Azeroth thanks to PvP
In WoW: Battle for Azeroth, you level particularly quickly on RP servers
However, be aware that you can only see players in your respective phase! If you are leveling as a group, all players must have the war mode activated or deactivated, otherwise, you will not see each other.
We recommend utilizing the war mode – especially at the beginning, you’ll encounter enemies less often, and the benefits are significant. If you find it too risky, disable the mode before traveling to the new world. The leveling path remains the same, it just takes longer.
Level Guide: The Areas from 110 to 120
To reach level 120 as quickly as possible, it is important to choose the right route. It particularly depends on which area you start in:
- For the Alliance, we recommend starting with Drustvar. The way after that is not as decisive as the initial choice, but we recommend Tiragardesund, then the Stormsong Valley.
- For the Horde, we recommend starting with Vol’dun. Here too, it doesn’t matter much in which order you proceed afterwards. Zuldazar is a bit better suited as the next area.
Drustvar and Vol’dun are the “most difficult” areas, and at the first new levels, your equipment from Legion scales even better. Up to level 115, the effects of Legendaries are also active. Once you have cleared Drustvar/Vol’dun, you won’t have to do the hardest quests at the end. Due to various buffs and heirlooms, it is even possible to reach level 120 just through these areas and the final dungeon.
The Stormsong Valley and Nazmir are the most expansive and require a lot of grinding to complete. It makes the least difference whether you do everything with level 110 or level 120 – which is why they are best suited for the end.
Leveling from 110 to 120 in Detail
You will have to return to Boralus/Dazar’alor repeatedly on your journey to complete certain tasks or get rid of your items. Here is an overview of what you can best do at each level:
1. Level 110-113
Complete quests in Drustvar/Vol’dun in this area. Follow the story shown in your quest log and avoid side quests. Try to complete the story as much as possible up to level 113. Collect rare enemies and chests along the way!
2. Level 113
Return to Boralus/Dazar’alor and establish the first outpost in Vol’dun/Drustvar. The war campaign in these areas consists of a few quest hubs that you will complete here. You will receive a substantial boost in experience and items for this.
Warning! During this time, you will be in enemy territory! If you are in war mode, it is likely that you will encounter enemies – even higher-level ones! If you fear being killed, disable war mode beforehand.
You can now also start your first missions at your mission table. Send your companions out and collect the rewards whenever you are back in town.
3. Level 113-116
Complete the last quests in the old area to finish the story or move on to the next area, Tiragardesund/Zuldazar. Again, prioritize completing the story quest and continue to gather special rewards.
4. Level 116
Establish the second outpost and complete the introduction to island expeditions. After that, you can start the first research for your war campaign. Choose what you prefer, but let the research run early on.
5. Level 116-118
Complete the story in the old area and then head to the final area, Stormsong Valley/Nazmir. Here again, prioritize the main quest and continue to collect special rewards.
6. Level 118
Establish the last outpost for the war campaign.
7. Level 118-120
Complete the last quests you need for the achievement “Kul Tourist”/”Zandalar Forever!” This prepares you for the Pathfinder achievement for faster riding (and possibly for upcoming flying ability).
8. Level 120
Unlock world quests by farming any necessary reputation, if needed. Otherwise, complete the remaining quests for the achievements and start into the endgame content!
The War Campaign – Prerequisite for World Quests
We have already included the individual steps for the war campaign in the guide for you. The time required for the war campaign is not optimal compared to the other areas, but it saves you unnecessary quests at level 120.
To unlock world quests at level 120, you must have established an outpost in all three enemy areas. Therefore, the war campaign should be completed as far as possible on the way to level 120.
If you prefer to structure the steps yourself, here are the different phases of the war campaign:
- Level 110: Unlocking the mission table
- Level 112: First outpost
- Level 114: Second outpost and research options
- Level 116: Island expeditions
- Level 118: Third outpost
Tips and Tricks
Some tips and tricks will make leveling easier for you and the beginning at level 120 a bit more pleasant:
- Use the Darkmoon Faire. The buff “Yippie!” and the Darkmoon Hat increase the experience and reputation gained by 10% (not stackable).
- Collect green and blue items to scrap them – this will yield materials you will need later.
- Use legendary items up to level 115. Only with level 116 do they lose their effect. Items that are not worn in the head, shoulder, and chest slots are best, as you will receive early Azerite armor with a higher item level.
- Buy Remarkable Grenades. The gems increase the experience gained by 5% (uniquely equippable). It’s best to socket the gem in a legendary ring, as you will be wearing this for a long time.
- Avoid dungeons until level 120, as they take a long time and provide relatively little experience.
- Ignore crafting professions until level 120. You can still level professions afterwards. However, Herbalism and Mining give you a small advantage as you gain experience through gathering.
With this guide, you can quickly get new characters to level 120 and perfectly prepare them to “soon” start the new expansion Shadowlands:
