The World of Warcraft Update 7.3 “Shadows of Argus” is finally playable. In addition to extensive changes to class balance and new content, the patch also offers many innovations. Some of these are particularly interesting for twinks and new or returning players.
Artifact Knowledge: Never Forget to Research Again!
The artifact knowledge that increases the artifact power gained from corresponding tokens automatically increases since 7.3. Each week, the knowledge increases by 1, without players having to do anything for it.
Additionally, the artifact knowledge is set to the current level upon reaching level 110. It is now a global property. Everyone now has the same level of knowledge, which they simply receive upon reaching the maximum level – regardless of whether they are a regular player, twink, or latecomer.
For those who were not familiar with the system: At the beginning of Legion, players could conduct artifact research that provided a research note every 5 days. This had to be picked up and used to increase knowledge. A maximum of two researches were possible at the same time.
With a later patch, compendiums could be purchased that became available after reaching 5 levels of knowledge (and later also roles for the intervening ones). The main character (or any character with corresponding knowledge) could buy the account-bound items in their order hall for resources and send them to the twinks. Any character that was behind the main’s progress could research faster. Nevertheless, reaching knowledge level 40 without compendiums took a long time.
Immaculate and Abandoned: New Gear to Catch Up
With the general increase in item level, the demands on players for Argus content also rise. For everyone who has taken a longer break or wants to quickly catch up with a new class due to the changes, Argus offers two new types of tokens, similar to the “undaunted” and “abandoned” tokens from 7.2.
The “immaculate” tokens produce an item of level 880. Presumably, these tokens can also create warforged or titanforged items and thus correctly raise the level to “880+”. Immortal tokens are obtained, similar to the undaunted at the coast, as loot from enemies in Argus or as a reward for the following weekly quests:
- Fragments of the Abyss
- Invasion of Space
- Out With The Inquisitor
- Targets of Opportunity
Thumaturg Vashreen is the vendor for the new “abandoned” tokens. He has packed his things and moved from the Broken Shore to the lower level of the Vindikaar to offer his goods in exchange for Veiled Argunite.
The tokens produce items of level 910. They can also create specific types of artifact relics, so that you no longer receive one of the possible for the specialization randomly.
Veiled Argunite can be obtained in various ways:
- 75 through the weekly invasion quest: “Invasion Point Offensive”.
- 300 for completing the new dungeon and the “Quest: Seat of the Triumvirate: The Crest of Knowledge”.
- 500 for completing the weekly quest to kill the rare enemies of Argus: “Fuel of a Doomed World”.
- By defeating rare enemies and opening chests.
- Through the “Boon of the Steadfast” shoulder enchant.
- As a reward for certain world quests on Argus.
There’s More!
In addition to the new tokens and the new system for artifact knowledge, there are further ways to quickly get involved at the top:
- Crafted items from Argus can be upgraded to item level 935 (more in our crafting article).
- A new heirloom for the neck slot is available: The Training Amulet of the Man’ari.
- The base item level of loot from dungeons has been increased by 20.
- The Dice of Discovery increases the chance to find artifact power by 10% for 2 hours after use. Only effective on characters below level 110.
Benedict says: As a regular player and twink, I find these changes mostly very good. Especially since I cannot play regularly for an extended period, the innovations allow me to still be able to jump back in when I have more time. I can also understand that the artifact knowledge could bother some people. However, considering that, the dice also seems rather pointless…
What do you think? Are the innovations good or bad? Will you perhaps start again and return to your old progression guilds, twink, or try new classes? Or will you rather distance yourself from the ever-faster system?
