In 2024, it will be time once again to face Deathwing, as World of Warcraft Classic moves forward with Cataclysm Classic.
The next expansion was announced today at BlizzCon (as we predicted). Sometime “in the first half of 2024” Classic will move from Wrath of the Lich King Classic to Cataclysm Classic. Having reached Cataclysm is a particular turning point, and the WoW team knows this. While maybe 2010 is just a memory to some, for others, it’s definitely going to feel like Classic is coming full circle.
Now that Classic is moving forward, though, as with previous expansions and updates, there will be some changes, including some tweaks, new content, and improvements. In an official announcement for the next expansion, they say:“Next year, Classic progression realms will advance from Wrath Classic to Cataclysm Classic, with a few changes based on player feedback and requests”. The team later annnounced official content:
- New Level Cap: 85
- New Races: Worgen & Goblin
- Play as the enigmatic and fierce Worgen, cursed citizens of Gilneas who have tamed their wild instincts as they seek allies in the Alliance.
- Aid the shipwrecked Bilgewater Cartel Goblins as they seen a new home in the Horde in the wake of Deathwing’s destruction of their island nation.
- New Profession: Archeology
- Archaeology allows players to explore digsites across Azeroth to learn more about the history of the world’s storied races while earning rewards in the process.
- A little bit of modernization:
- A limited number of features will be new to Cataclysm Classic that were not originally available when the expansion first launched in 2010:
- Increased and streamlined leveling: with a faster cadence for content updates, leveling speeds will be adjusted to give players the ability to jump into the new expansion quicker.
- Expanded collections UI: first introduced in Wrath Classic, that will enable account-wide management of the new transmogrification system.
- Dungeon difficulty modifiers: The Titan Rune dungeon system introduced in Wrath Classic will return to provide new challenges for dungeon runners.
- Optional bundles to celebrate Deathwing’s return
- Two new bundles will be available starting today for Classic players who wish to commemorate the return of the fallen Earth-warder:
- Blazing Heroic Pack, $30 USD: includes a flying Ragnaros mount and Lil’ Wrathion pet, both usable in the modern game and Classic, and a twilight cultist transmog set and goblin town toy, both unique to Classic.
- Blazing Epic Upgrade, $80 USD: all items included in the Heroic pack, plus a level 80 boost (with catch-up gear, bags, and a small amount of gold) and 30 days of game time.
