WoW SoD Developer Update: Huge XP Buff, Itemization and Level 60 Raid

World of Warcraft Season of Discovery has proven to be quite a successful experiment for WoW Classic as many players are constantly asking for more and more from the dev team. 

Whilst it is not a perfect experience, it certainly has revitalized the community and awakened a new love for Vanilla WoW with many players constantly seeking new adventures in the beloved world of Azeroth.

With that being said, the team responsible for SoD has shared a huge developer update so we will be taking a look at the most important bits and pieces.

WoW SoD XP Buff and Leveling

It seems that Blizzard is doubling down on people having an easier time leveling alts to encourage further experimentation given all of the new runes and items that have been added to Season of Discovery. 

Starting next week (March 5th, with maintenance), the Discoverer’s Delight XP buff will be enabled on all realms, increasing XP gained from levels 1-39 by 100% (up from 50%). 

Not only will this enable more players to come back to Season of Discovery instead of only raid logging, but it should alleviate some of the issues players are currently facing given the massive healer drought for Gnomeregan.

Alongside Discoverer’s Delight adjustments, we’ll also be reducing the cost of normal racial mounts and mount training by roughly half at level 40. We do not have changes planned for epic mounts at 60 at this time.

This is also a good change as it will allow players to stock up on gold for other forms of gold sinks. 

Lastly, we will also be increasing the base gold reward from all quest rewards while players are level 1-39.

Another welcome change to allow players to more easily obtain gear and the aforementioned mount. 

WoW SoD Phase 4 Level 60 Raid Size

A lot of discussions surrounding the upcoming Phase 3 raid have also allowed Blizzard to share some interesting details. Many players are wishing Sunken Temple to receive the same treatment as Blackfathom Deeps and Gnomeregan.

The yet-to-be-announced level 50 raid will be a 20 player experience.

Blizzard also shared some light on the Level 60 Raid players will get to experience in Phase 4.

Molten Core will also be a 20 player experience in Season of Discovery.

Blizzard devs also share more about their thought process behind approaching the original 40-man raids and although it is not certain whether they will reduce the size to 20-man raids for all instances, they are still monitoring the community for feedback.

WoW SoD Phase 4 Level 60 Itemization Changes

It seems that the devs will also be massively revamping itemization for the level 60 endgame of Season of Discovery.

We currently plan to revamp many items from dungeons and raids (including the existing 20 player raids) at level 60, as well as adding new items across all phases of endgame.

We have a ton of exciting playstyles that are new or were traditionally seen as “off specs” that have been given life in Season of Discovery and will come into their full power at 60. We want to itemize well for as many different builds and playstyles as we are able to in the time we have.

Ultimately, the devs are looking to not only retain the semi-casual feel of Season of Discovery by allowing players and groups to more easily approach content whilst experimenting but also bring even more rewards and satisfying gear to the table.

Summary

All in all, these are fantastic changes and ideas that the team at Blizzard has come up with, further proving the sentiment that Season of Discovery is a passion project from devoted players for the community to enjoy and have fun in. 

As always, the devs are asking for feedback surrounding their thought process so they are welcome to constructive suggestions that will help retain the fun aspects of Classic WoW.

With that being said, best of luck in your WoW Season of Discovery Phase 2 adventures and may the RNG Gods smile upon you in your Gnomeregan runs.