PatientWorld of Warcraftplayers are soon to be rewarded as Blizzard has now announced the quickly approaching release date for the massive Rise of Azshara update. A Rise of Azshara beta has been in Blizzard’s PTR test environment since mid-April, giving players plenty of time ensure that patch 8.2 is ready to go live inWorld of Warcraft. The testing is at its end it seems, as Alliance and Horde alike will take to battle against the Naga queen’s forces starting June 25.
The Rise of Azshara patch inWorld of Warcraftis going to be a big one, a mid-expansion update refreshing the state of the game. Players will be journeying to the new region of Nazjatar, revealing itself from the depths of the Great Sea through the power of the Tidestone. With it will come a range of new quests, including the next step in the Pathfinder achievement line and the ability to start flying inBattle for Azerothregions.
A second new zone will also be opening in the island of Mechagon. Mechagon is a lost gnome city, now home to the mechagnomes and the nefarious armies of King Mechagon. The heart of Mechagon will be the Mythic-only megadungeon, Operation: Mechagon (delayed release), which features 8 unique boss encounters. Perhaps players may even be able to persuade the mechagnomes to join their faction as anAllied Raceeventually, but not fully in this patch, at least.
Rise of Azshara will also likely lead to the all-new raid, Azshara’s Eternal Palace, though it will be a delayed launch some weeks after the patch. The raid will feature 8 total bosses, bringing closure to the Nazjatar story and taking players closer to the inevitable confrontation withN’Zoth.
The release ofWorld of Warcraft’s Rise of Azshara expansion will mark another milestone in the MMO’s unending march forward. As in the past, the update launches just days beforeFinal Fantasy 14’s latest expansiongoes live. The patch also likely builds towards a new expansion theme, which could very be announced at BlizzCon later this year.
