It has been sixteen years since the launch of World Of Warcraft in 2004. Eight expansions later and the community is still strong at around five million concurrent players. Very few games have been able to achieve what the innovative MMORPG has over the course of two decades.
With new players after every expansion, WoW is alive and well in 2021. Gamers that are new to the title will have quite a bit of catching up to do as a result. This guide will cover all of the important steps when starting a new character in World of Warcraft, as well as the steps gamers can skip through.
Selecting A Character And Server
Before getting into the storyline, players will want to select a character and a server. Gamers will need to select a server first and new players will need to decide which type of server they would like to play on. As a new player, it makes sense to choose a server with at least a medium population, which will have an active economy.
Players need to keep in mind that they will only be able to interact with other gamers that are in their faction. Choosing the Alliance or the Horde is a final decision, so players should keep that in mind. Gamers should choose which race and class they prefer, as the best races and classes are constantly changing. However, race will determine which classes are available for players. In general, the three main types of classes are healers, tanks, and DPS. Of the three, tanks are the most difficult classes to master because they will often lead squads in raids and dungeons. Gamers should not get too analytical while selecting a race and character. Instead, players will have the best experience if they choose which character they prefer.
Start At Level 1
Gamers now have the option of leveling their character to 58 before spawning in. New players should always start at level one instead of making the huge jump to 58. Blizzard has revamped the leveling system, and it will only take a few days to get a new character to a high level.
Playing from level one will allow players to learn the game mechanics and spells before being thrust into the endgame. Gamers that boost to 58 will also have none of their spells unlocked. It is far more difficult to unlock spells at higher levels, and even more difficult when the player does not have any armor or weapons.
Exile's Reach And Spawning In
Following the Shadowlands update, players must first complete training in Exile's Reach before spawning in the original starting zone. After creating a handful of characters, players will be given the option to skip this step. Beginners that have the option should skip the step, and players can learn the controls and basics in the original spawn.
In Exile's Reach, players will have to complete tutorial quests on the ship before loading in on the beach. Once on the beach, players should approach Captain Garrick to initiate the Murlock Mania quest. Gamers then need to defeat six Murlocks and collect their first aid kits. After completing the quest, players should return to Captain Garrick to complete several other initial quests.
Getting To Level 15
After spawning into the character's race specific starting zone, players will have a host of quests to complete. These quests will be straightforward and can be seen on the right side of the interface. WoW now also has indicators that will point new players in the right direction, as well as blue circles which display where the enemy or objective is.
The beginner quests in WoW will vary slightly depending on the character's race. Every gamer should complete all of the beginner quests, as they will help them level and unlock spells faster. Quests and Dungeons are the best ways to gain XP in WoW. Each starting quest NPC will have a large icon over their head, making the process even more simple. After completing most of the initial quests, players will be around level 10. Gamers should seek out more quests or kill enemies to reach level 15.
Level 15 And Dungeon Finder
After reaching level 15, players can proceed in a number of ways. Beginner players can benefit from exploring the 10-20 level areas near their spawning location. New humans should explore Westfall, for example. Gamers new to MMORPGS will benefit from having a little more time to learn the basic mechanics of moving, fighting, and looting before running through dungeons.
Once players have achieved level 15, they have the option to use dungeon finder to fast travel to any dungeon that they meet the level cap for. Every new player's first instance should be one of the three beginner instances listed below:
- Deamines
- Ragefire Chasm
- Wailing Caverns
By participating in one of the three beginner instances, players will get some experience practicing their role as a healer, tank, or DPS. Gamers will also get loot and probably meet some like minded players to group up with in future instances. It is also an important moment in every WoW player's journey to complete their first instance. One of the best parts of the WoW experience is exploring the beginner zones and meeting other players on the server.
Levels 20 And Above
After reaching level 20, players will likely have a decent idea how to use their spells effectively and play their role in WoW. At this level players will have the freedom to decide how they want to play the game. Beginners should complete quests and dungeons, as well as explore new areas as they level up. There are a number of interactive maps that can serve as a guide to players who want to explore Azeroth, and new gamers are encouraged to do so.
Not all players enjoy exploring and completing quests, however. It is relatively easy to level up to the cap by queuing into instances and completing them. As players level, they will unlock more instances and acquire better gear and weapons. All players new to World of Warcraft should take in the experience of traversing the landscape and discovering the many secrets Azeroth has to offer. Ultimately, it is up to gamers to choose which path they prefer.