The Threat of the Burning Legion is Bigger Than Ever
In the upcoming expansion to World of Warcraft, you take part in major and minor battles with the Burning Legion’s demons. You might remember fighting the infernals, imps, pit lords and the notorious Fel Reaver from Burning Crusade. There are also other… well, things you may not be prepared for.
Your mission is to obtain the key to the fate of the world as you know it. The Burning Legion has returned. Gul’dan, at the service of the Burning Legion from last expansion’s alternate timeline, has stolen the body of Illidan Stormrage from the Vault of the Wardens and has released his soul into the Twisting Nether. This is where the line between light and void converges into chaos and demons are born.
Gul'dan has released Illidan's soul from the Vault of the Wardens
Then, traveling to the Tomb of Sargeras, Gul’dan opens it and countless demons spill forth into Azeroth. Illidan, upon being freed, vows to his remaining followers that he will resume his war on the Burning Legion. The Legion is determined to summon the Destroyer of Worlds, Sargeras.
The key to his return, the Pillars of Creation, is scattered throughout the Broken Isles. Here you must battle the Legion in an all-new zone, exploring the land while creating your artifact weapon.
Sargeras’ body is made of molten bronze
The Destroyer of Worlds – Sargeras
Sargeras was a Titan that was said to betray the others of his kind and is now called the Dark Titan. He is also the ultimate leader and creator of the Burning Legion.
The Legion’s attempts to summon him into Azeroth have so far failed. This time, however, they are in full force more than ever before, and there is a race against time to locate the Pillars of Creation. The Pillars will help release him, allowing him to destroy the world as he desires.
Azeroth is already in pretty bad shape after the events of Warlords, and needs you to join in the fight for to save it.
The Titans created Azeroth with the relic being searched for
The Pillars of Creation are the Key to Stopping The Burning Legion
The Titans used the Pillars of Creation as tools to help create the world of Azeroth. A little while later, the Highborne Elves used them to seal a wound on the world. They then used the pillars to build the Temple of Elune over it, calling the surrounding area Suramar and making it their capital.
A few years later, Queen Azshara opened a portal in anticipation of Sargeras, who was manipulating her to do his bidding. After this, the elves once again use the Pillars to close the portal, stopping the Burning Legion from summoning Sargeras.
Xavius and his satyr forces are returning for Legion
Battle Ancient Foes of Azeroth
You will come face to face with the evils that threatened Azeroth 10,000 years ago. Queen Azshara hasn’t been totally forgotten. Tidemistress Athissa has been her most loyal follower, obeying her queen’s every command. She is preparing to launch a full-blown naga assault on Azsuna- where the Pillars of Creation are rumored to be.
She will let nothing come between her and this relic of massive power. Cursed night elf spirits haunt the land and the Horde and Alliance are gathering to protect it but nothing will stop her from trying to reach her goal.
The Queen’s high councilor is also doing his part to destroy Azeroth. Wanting to bring the Emerald Nightmare into reality, Xavius and his satyr minions take advantage of a tainted World Tree to spread the corruption through Azeroth. He is not only Queen Azshara’s councilor, but Sargeras’ minion. You must fight him to stop the corruption from breaching any more land that it already has.
He resides inside the Emerald Nightmare and vows to destroy all who oppose the Burning Legion.
In recent history, Azeroth has never been in more danger than in this expansion. King Varian Wrynn’s fate is bleak and his son Anduin is the heir to the throne. Anduin and Sylvanas Windrunner are major characters in Legion, and both have to make decisions that compromise their lives and who they are.
Sylvanas’ soul is in jeopardy. If she dies, her eternal damnation is inevitable. As her fate edges closer and closer, she has to decide what is more important to her: her people or her own life.
Anduin is a leader of peace and justice and the Burning Legion are not ones to make agreements. He must decide if he wants to pay the cost of true peace.
Maiev Shadowsong is a legend for tracking down and defeating Illidan in the Burning Crusade. After trapping his soul in the Vault of the Wardens, she imprisoned the Illidari, swearing to never let them roam free again. When the Burning Legion invades, she has no choice but to awaken the Illidari’s demon hunters to aide in the battle.
Maiev Shadowsong in pursuit of Illidan
Become an Outcast. Become a Demon Hunter.
This type of Illidari, known as Demon Hunters, are a new playable Hero Class starting at level 98. They have not only been locked away by Maiev Shadowsong, but shunned by Elven society.
To gain the abilities of the Legion, they have blinded themselves in a ritual to heighten their senses.
This ritual is in the fashion of the way Illidan was blinded by Sargeras in Burning Crusade, causing his vision to become skewed and other senses sharpened. This makes it easier for the Demon Hunters to locate their prey.
These are just some of the creation options for Demon Hunters
The Illidari have vowed to use their taboo powers and vengeful magic against the Legion.
Just like Death Knights in Wrath of the Lich King, you have to have a level 70 character before creating a Demon Hunter, but by the end of the starter quests, you’ll be level 100 and ready to adventure with your allies.
Fight Alongside Your Allies… and Enemies
Of course you know this means that the Horde and Alliance can have a big party. After saving the world, that is. The devastation from the events of Warlords of Draenor have left the Alliance and the Horde in shambles.
All of Azeroth is in danger. Sylvanas and Varian are seen teaming up in the cinematic and it shows that there’s no time for petty rivalry. Ultimately, the fate of Azeroth isn’t going to take sides. Unless it’s the winning one.
The last time this happened, the first Cataclysm in Azeroth’s recent history occurred. The Great Sundering. Queen Azshara tried to summon Sargeras, but failed. Gul’dan from an alternate universe has been banished to our world.
He’s determined to summon Sargeras as ordered by his Legion masters.
The Broken Isles split off from Kalimdor and have been lost in time
Explore the Broken Isles and Take Comfort in Old Sanctuary
The Broken Isles are vast and ready for you to take in its rich history. There are five new zones, each with their own rich history and unique purpose. The Burning Legion have once again begun to pour out of a portal near Suramar, meaning that you are called to stop them from summoning their master.
Val’Sharah is an old Druid refuge that has been corrupted. Here, the Legion are trying to unleash the Emerald Nightmare to wreak even more havoc in Azeroth. In Stormheim, you learn about the fate of the Vrykul that traveled there in search of their holy land.
Tidemistress Athissa is waiting for you in Azsuna, the ruins of an ancient Night Elf civilization. You have the option to complete the challenges and collect your bounties from Nesingwary in Highmountain. Last but certainly not least, you fight a new type of Night Elves in Suramar. They have necessary pieces of the Pillars of Creation.
Dalaran is also moving to the Broken Isles. The original is staying in Northrend, while we get a new tweaked version.
Doomhammer is the artifact weapon for Enhancement Shamans
Customize Your Own Artifact Weapons
While wandering around the Broken Isles, you’ll also be able to level up and customize a new type of legendary weapon. They are just a step up from the notorious orange text of ‘Thunderfury.’ Each class and specialization will get their own style of the class-specific weapon.
By collecting artifact power, you will be able to choose from various customization options. You can choose any trait path you like. Trait paths can complement your play style with different skins, abilities, and other changes to make your weapon your own.
You can even transmogrify your artifact weapons if you feel so inclined. Who wants to have what everybody else does, anyway?
Suramar Palace is where you corner Gul’dan and defeat him
Take Your Adventure to 9 New Dungeons and 2 New Raids
With nine new dungeons and two new raids, you will play your part in the fight to save Azeroth.
Halls of Valor, Black Rook Hold, Vault of the Wardens, Eye of Azshara, Darkheart Thicket, Neltharion’s Lair, Helheim, Suramar City, and Violet Hold are the nine dungeons you will be able to fight your way through.
You will be fighting damned spirits, demons like Felbats and Inquisitors, Undead spectres, dragonkin, and even Elves. The hippogryphs and moose of the Broken Isles are not the only creatures you will have to overcome.
The Emerald Nightmare and Suramar Palace are the two raids that will be available. Here you will battle demon lord Xavius and Gul’dan during the end-game. You will get to see glimpses of the Emerald Dream in the Nightmare, and the ancient city of Suramar in the final stand.
World of Warcraft: Legion is rich in lore and has so much to its backstory. The expansion deals with a lot of unresolved issues, and adds a whole buttload of new ones for you to resolve. However, you’ll have to wait until August 30th to make your Demon Hunter and take down Gul’dan, but it sure looks like it’s gonna be worth it.
But while you’re here, why don’t you check out these other World of Warcraft articles while you’re waiting for the release date. There’s even a Draenor article to remind you of what was was added for a refresher. I know I sure need one!
10 Warlords of Draenor Features reminds you of the cool stuff that really helped you out during the last expansion.
10 New Things Coming in Legion is another great Legion article about some more stuff coming to WoW.
And in the lull of pre-expansion blues, read 10 reasons why we all love this game so much after so much time. It is kind of hard to remember why when there’s not much to do, right?
