So, after my 10 day trial, I'm pretty sure I want to subscribe but I'm wondering when I need to get TBC/WotLK?  At what levels will I be playing in those areas?

TBC is mainly 60-70. WotLK 70-80.

Also, if you want to play a blood elf or draenei you need TBC.

Originally posted by BwanaKuu

So, after my 10 day trial, I'm pretty sure I want to subscribe but I'm wondering when I need to get TBC/WotLK?  At what levels will I be playing in those areas?

Considering probably 90% of the playerbase has them (well at least TBC) i would say you pretty much need them from the get go, or at least after 1 to 2 weeks of playing (or more if your a casual player) because everyone runs through the lower level content and doesn't really group until they reach higher levels and that's when the expansions kick in... So yeah, at least buy TBC first, and later on WotLK if your unable right now.

Hmmm, I think I'll pick the battlechest up for around $40 and then got WotLK if I do play for that long.

yes, you need them. almost all the content pre-BC is dead.  no one runs it, and they few who do won't take you unless you out-level it.  most of the BC content is dead too.  you pretty much HAVE to get both expansions to get any real community out of the game.

however if you enjoy soloing, you'll be fine with just the basic game... that is, lots of soloing, even at end game.

There is some further discussion about this same topic in the thread: www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/thread/241969

Sounds like the BattleChest is the right choice for you, but that other thread may also help you out some.

It's really late to join this sinking ship that is wow, in a year or so there won't be a lot of people playing it.

http://tobolds.blogspot.com/2009/07/wow-subscriptions-down-to-5-million.html

The juggernault is now down to 5 million sub. Aion is coming out and it's kinda the same game but with wings, I would wait for that game instead before paying for an old game and it's expansion.

Originally posted by LeKinK

It's really late to join this sinking ship that is wow, in a year or so there won't be a lot of people playing it.

 

http://tobolds.blogspot.com/2009/07/wow-subscriptions-down-to-5-million.html

 

The juggernault is now down to 5 million sub. Aion is coming out and it's kinda the same game but with wings, I would wait for that game instead before paying for an old game and it's expansion.

So someone should base what they WANT to play and think is FUN based on how many players a game has?

Please, what a stupid idea. WOW is down to 5 million subs because of the transfer of business in China. Wait until WOTLK launches in China and then we can discuss numbers then.

Originally posted by templarga

Originally posted by LeKinK

It's really late to join this sinking ship that is wow, in a year or so there won't be a lot of people playing it.

 

http://tobolds.blogspot.com/2009/07/wow-subscriptions-down-to-5-million.html

 

The juggernault is now down to 5 million sub. Aion is coming out and it's kinda the same game but with wings, I would wait for that game instead before paying for an old game and it's expansion.

So someone should base what they WANT to play and think is FUN based on how many players a game has?

Please, what a stupid idea. WOW is down to 5 million subs because of the transfer of business in China. Wait until WOTLK launches in China and then we can discuss numbers then.

I didn't even said the word fun :( 

---

Originally posted by LeKinK

---

Originally posted by templarga

---

Originally posted by LeKinK

It's really late to join this sinking ship that is wow, in a year or so there won't be a lot of people playing it.
 
http://tobolds.blogspot.com/2009/07/wow-subscriptions-down-to-5-million.html
 
The juggernault is now down to 5 million sub. Aion is coming out and it's kinda the same game but with wings, I would wait for that game instead before paying for an old game and it's expansion.

---

So someone should base what they WANT to play and think is FUN based on how many players a game has?
Please, what a stupid idea. WOW is down to 5 million subs because of the transfer of business in China. Wait until WOTLK launches in China and then we can discuss numbers then.

---

I didn't even said the word fun :( 

---

He didn't say you did. His point was your suggestion was a bad one because it's based solely on subscription numbers instead of something the OP finds fun and wants to play.

Originally posted by LeKinK

It's really late to join this sinking ship that is wow, in a year or so there won't be a lot of people playing it.

 

http://tobolds.blogspot.com/2009/07/wow-subscriptions-down-to-5-million.html

 

The juggernault is now down to 5 million sub. Aion is coming out and it's kinda the same game but with wings, I would wait for that game instead before paying for an old game and it's expansion.

There was some decent discussion about the 5 million number and how it should/could be interpreted at www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/thread/242675/WoW-Subscriptions-Down-to-5-Million-Allegedly.html.

If population is a concern to someone, that might be a good thread to read.

Originally posted by LeKinK

Originally posted by templarga

Originally posted by LeKinK

It's really late to join this sinking ship that is wow, in a year or so there won't be a lot of people playing it.

 

http://tobolds.blogspot.com/2009/07/wow-subscriptions-down-to-5-million.html

 

The juggernault is now down to 5 million sub. Aion is coming out and it's kinda the same game but with wings, I would wait for that game instead before paying for an old game and it's expansion.

So someone should base what they WANT to play and think is FUN based on how many players a game has?

Please, what a stupid idea. WOW is down to 5 million subs because of the transfer of business in China. Wait until WOTLK launches in China and then we can discuss numbers then.

 

I didn't even said the word fun :( 

 

Nope because you don't consider the game fun and can't fathom why someone else would. To you, it is all about numbers and WOW is dead because Aion has so many subs.

My argument is that very few people base what they want to play on the number of subs a game has or doesn't have. And the last time I checked, WOW is far from a sinking ship and still has a strong and vibrant community.

Wow, some people are really dense.  The only reason WOW has 'dropped' to 5m subscribers is because the server's in china have temporarily been turned off because Blizzard changed publishers there.  This is a TEMPORARY thing that will last a few weeks, and then the servers will come right back up with the same accounts.

You might as well say that on Tuesday mornings, WOW's subscriber base drops to 0.  I'ts just as misleading.

As to the OP.    The battlechest is a good deal, it will give you access to the two extra races.  You won't need to buy WotLK probably for at least a few months, there is nothing in Wraith that you need until level 70.