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Blizzard Finally Shows Off The World Of Warcraft: Shadowlands Update

After being delayed a couple of times, Blizzard finally revealed details about the Shadowlands update coming to World Of Warcraft. The video, which we have for you at the bottom, shows Executive Producer John Hight and Game Director Ion Hazzikostas going over the entire layout of what Shadowlands will have. What's more, there will be a beta test period scheduled to begin next week. You can read all of the details from the company about this new addition to the game below.

A look at the artwork for World Of Warcraft: Shadowlands, courtesy of Blizzard.
A look at the artwork for World Of Warcraft: Shadowlands, courtesy of Blizzard.

Among all of the info we have, it was also revealed that there would be a limited Collector's Edition with a ton of additional content. This includes a hardback Art of the Shadowlands book, a shattered sky mousepad, a set of four collector's pins featuring the sigils of each Shadowlands covenant, a Shadowlands Collector's Edition digital soundtrack key, an Epic Edition digital game key, which comes with 30 days of game time and all of the in-game extras from the digital Epic Edition. As you can see from the Epic Edition below, you get an Ensorcelled Everwyrm mount, an Anima Wyrmling pet, an Eternal Traveler's Hearthstone, the Illusion: Wraithchill cosmetic weapon effect, and the Shadowlands-level character boost.

A look at everything in the Epic Edition of World Of Warcraft: Shadowlands, courtesy of Blizzard.
A look at everything in the Epic Edition of World Of Warcraft: Shadowlands, courtesy of Blizzard.

World Of Warcraft: Shadowlands – Choosing a Covenant

Covenants play a huge role in the Shadowlands story and gameplay experience, and it takes on even more significance once players reach max level. Upon reaching a certain point in the story and hitting level 60, players will be invited to return to Oribos to contemplate this character-defining decision. They'll get to review some of the rewards that come with each and test out their class abilities before making the pledge and beginning their journey to restore the Covenant's Sanctum to glory.

Covenant Powers and Perks

In addition to abilities, cosmetics, and other boons unique to each Covenant, each also has a selection of characters that players can form a Soulbind with, a ritual by which they can harness some of that character's power. Each Soulbind character has its own selection of perks and abilities to choose from, which includes empty "sockets" where players can assign Conduits that grant special powers and are acquired through various activities across the game. Players can swap and respec their Soulbinds fairly easily from their Covenant's Sanctum. As players recover lost souls and collect the precious resource known as anima during their adventures in the Shadowlands, their level of Renown with their Covenant will increase, unlocking numerous rewards, including cosmetics, and allies for use in Adventures, the evolution of the mission system. Adventures introduces combat and party-building dynamics more reflective the main WoW experience, and will available both via the in-game client and companion app when Shadowlands launches. Amassing anima will also help players restore their Covenants' Sanctums to greatness. Each Sanctum has four features that are waiting to be restored and upgraded, and players will decide which ones they'll pursue. These include sites that provide utility, like transportation networks, and scouting maps to send allies on Adventures. Each sanctum also has an Anima Conductor, which activates points of interest across the zone, granting access to rare spawns, treasures, quests, and other perks.

Each Covenant also has its own unique feature specific to its character and purpose, including:

  • The Necrolords' Abomination Factory, where players can construct horrific corporeal bodies for spirits they rescue around the Shadowlands.
  • The Kryian Path of Ascension, which allows players to take control of their Soulbinds and face a gauntlet of combat challenges.
  • The Ember Court of the Venthyr, where players are called upon to host and entertain the fastidious aristocracy of Revendreth.
  • The Queen's Conservatory, a garden-like sanctum where members of the Night Fae tend to spirits awaiting rebirth.

Finally, at max level, players will be able to continue their Covenant's story through their unique Covenant Campaign, which promise exciting rewards, including new Soulbind characters.

Enter the Maw

Once the beta kicks off and players hit max level, they'll have more opportunities to return to and explore the hazardous sandbox zone known as the Maw, where they took their first tentative steps into the Shadowlands. In their journeys, they'll have the opportunity to team up with Ve'nari the Broker, a rare friendly face in the Maw's harsh hellscape, who will help players prepare themselves for the horrors therein—as well as the trials that await them in Torghast.

World Of Warcraft: Shadowlands Collector's Edition Contents

In addition to a host of digital goodies from the digital Epic Edition like the Ensorcelled Everwyrm Mount and Anima Wyrmling pet, the Shadowlands Collector's Edition is jam-packed with other treasures, including a mousepad showing the shattered sky above Icecrown, a hardcover art book, a digital soundtrack, and a collection of four pins bearing the Covenants' sigils, so players can proudly proclaim their chosen Covenant to the world.

Coming Soon to Beta

As the beta progresses, players can look forward to comprehensive testing of many of Shadowlands' key features, including:

  • The expansion's first raid, Castle Natharia, which will be playable across all difficulties.
  • Shadowlands' Mythic Keystone system.
  • Legendary Runecrafting, which allows players to work toward building the ideal legendary equipment for their specific play style.
  • PvP testing, with a focus on how Covenant abilities and Soulbinds impact the game.


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Gavin SheehanAbout Gavin Sheehan

Gavin is the current Games Editor for Bleeding Cool. He has been a lifelong geek who can chat with you about comics, television, video games, and even pro wrestling. He can also teach you how to play Star Trek chess, be your Mercy on Overwatch, recommend random cool music, and goes rogue in D&D. He also enjoys hundreds of other geeky things that can't be covered in a single paragraph. Follow @TheGavinSheehan on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Vero, for random pictures and musings.
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