Features
- What are the features of this expansion?
- Why did you choose a death knight as the game's first Hero class?
- How do you unlock or create a death knight?
- What role do the death knight play in groups and raids? How is the death knight Hero class different from other tanking classes?
- Will there be additional Hero classes in the future?
- What is the story background of the expansion?
- Do players actually get to encounter Arthas himself?
- Are flying mounts allowed in Northrend?
- What new talents and abilities are available from level 70 to level 80?
- How long does it take to advance from level 70 to level 80?
- What's the level requirement to enter Northrend?
- How many new dungeons are in the expansion?
- Please explain the new raiding and dungeon design philosophy. Are Heroic dungeons returning?
- In what ways are players able to further customize their characters in the expansion?
- Can you describe the new Inscription profession?
- What can players expect with regard to player-vs.-player combat in the expansion?
- Are there any graphical enhancements?
- How many zones are in the expansion?
- Are there new cinematic scenes?
Release/Availability
- Do I have to upgrade with the same language version as I have currently installed?
- I would like to play with a Russian client, is this included in the European boxes of the expansion?
- Do you need to own the expansion to play with friends who have it?
- What are the details of the expansion’s release? How much will it cost?
- Is a Mac version available with the PC version?
- What are the system requirements?
- What is the PEGI rating for the expansion?
Features
What are the features of this expansion?
World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King builds on the rich foundation established in World of Warcraft and its first expansion, The Burning Crusade, by providing a wealth of new content for players to explore in the harsh, forbidding continent of Northrend, home of the Lich King and his undead minions. To contend with the new challenges found there, players can advance to level 80, acquiring potent new abilities and talents along the way.
Wrath of the Lich King introduces the death knight Hero class to World of Warcraft. Furthermore, player-vs.-player battles will reach a new level of intensity with the addition of siege vehicles and destructible buildings, along with a new Battleground, Strand of the Ancients.
The expansion also introduces an abundance of new quests, dungeons, monsters, items, and recipes, as well as a new profession, Inscription. Additional character-customization options will be introduced, such as new hair styles, available in the new barbershops.
In addition, World of Warcraft now has an Achievement system. Achievements are self-contained goals and challenges designed to satisfy goal-oriented players. There are more than 700 individual Achievements covering every aspect of gameplay, including world exploration, PvE, PvP, professions, and character development. Some Achievements come with in-game rewards such as tabards, mounts, vanity pets, and titles, and other players can see your Achievements. All of these rewards are purely cosmetic and just for fun.[ top ]Why did you choose a death knight as the game's first Hero class?
One of the things we knew very early on during development of Wrath of the Lich King was that we wanted to add an entirely new class. We actually considered several other class candidates before we decided on the death knight, but we felt that this was the perfect fit for the theme of Wrath of the Lich King. Since the expansion is set in Northrend and focuses on the war against the Lich King, it made sense to add a class directly connected to that conflict.
The death knights that players can play begin allied with the Lich King but later break free from his grasp and join forces with the Horde or the Alliance to fight against Arthas. Players who choose to be a death knight will be engaged in the story of Wrath of the Lich King right from the start.[ top ]How do you unlock or create a death knight?
Players who have a character of at least level 55 on the account they play are able to create a new level-55 death knight on any realm they wish. Upon entering the world, a neophyte death knight will undertake a series of quests designed to introduce players to the class’s new abilities. Players are able to create one death knight per realm, and all other character-creation rules and restrictions still apply.
It's important to keep in mind that even though the death knight is a Hero class, that doesn't mean it is more powerful than the other classes. It does, however, offer a very different playing experience.[ top ]What role do the death knight play in groups and raids? How is the death knight Hero class different from other tanking classes?
The death knight is designed to be able to fill either a tanking or DPS role in groups. When deciding which type of class we would add to World of Warcraft, we took a very careful look at the state of the game. Tanks play a critical role in any group, and adding another class capable of filling that role makes it easier for players to form viable groups for dungeons and raids.
Our goal is to make the death knight a viable, fun tank that coexists with the current tanking classes without replacing them. One interesting difference between the death knight and other tanks is that death knights don't use shields. We're aiming to make all tank classes equally good at tanking in general so that players can use whatever tank they wish for dungeon and raid encounters.[ top ]Will there be additional Hero classes in the future?
Yes, we do intend to add more Hero classes in the future.
[ top ]What is the story background of the expansion?
Players last visited Northrend in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, in which Arthas Menethil fused with the spirit of Ner'zhul to become the Lich King, one of the most powerful entities in the Warcraft universe. He now sits atop the Frozen Throne deep within Icecrown Citadel, clutching the rune blade Frostmourne and marshaling the undead armies of the Scourge.
Players can skirmish with the minions of Arthas from the moment they set foot on the continent of Northrend. Arthas is a constant presence as players progress through the expansion content, which culminates in a showdown with the dread Lich King himself.[ top ]Do players actually get to encounter Arthas himself?
Players skirmish with the minions of Arthas from the moment they set foot on Northrend. He is a constant presence as players progress through the expansion content -- which culminates in a showdown with the dread Lich King himself.
[ top ]Are flying mounts allowed in Northrend?
Yes, although a character needs to reach level 77 and purchase an ability called "Cold Weather Flying" to be able to use flying mounts in Northrend. Some high-level zones such as Storm Peaks and Icecrown Glacier are designed with flying mounts in mind.
[ top ]What new talents and abilities are available from level 70 to level 80?
As with character advancement up to level 70, players gain access to an array of potent and exciting new abilities and talents as they make their way from level 70 to level 80. Click here to learn more.
[ top ]How long does it take to advance from level 70 to level 80?
We were pleased with the pacing from level 60 to level 70 in The Burning Crusade, and we take a similar approach to pacing character advancement in Wrath of the Lich King. However, the specific amount of time that it takes players to reach level 80 varies widely based on play style.
[ top ]What's the level requirement to enter Northrend?
Players of any level who have purchased the expansion can visit Northrend. However, all of the content is designed for players level 68 and up.
[ top ]How many new dungeons are in the expansion?
The first dungeon players can enter is Utgarde Keep, which is intended for five players around level 70. Utgarde is inhabited by the Vrykul, a Viking-like race bent on proving their strength to the Lich King, who will raise the most worthy of their warriors to serve him beyond the grave. We provide a variety of dungeons comparable to that in The Burning Crusade.
[ top ]Please explain the new raiding and dungeon design philosophy. Are Heroic dungeons returning?
One exciting new feature in Wrath of the Lich King is that all raid content is available in both 10- and 25-person versions with completely independent progressions paths. The look and layout of each version remains the same, but each is adjusted, tuned, and balanced for their respective player size.
In addition, Heroic versions of the 5-person dungeons have returned. Heroic dungeons proved to be very popular in The Burning Crusade, and they are a great way to add another level of challenge and reward for experienced players.[ top ]In what ways are players able to further customize their characters in the expansion?
In addition to the numerous new character-customization options that are available with all of the new weapons and armor added by the expansion, we offer some fun ways to alter both existing and new characters with regard to hairstyles with the Barbershop.
[ top ]Can you describe the new Inscription profession?
The Inscription profession allows players to create glyphs and scrolls for themselves and others. Glyphs permanently enhance a character’s spells and abilities. Scrolls allow you to cast temporary buffs.
[ top ]What can players expect with regard to player-vs.-player combat in the expansion?
Players can battle each other in Wintergrasp, a new outdoor zone completely designed for world PvP. Players can take control of siege vehicles in Wintergrasp and the new Battleground, Strand of the Ancients, and use them to destroy opposing buildings, adding a new layer of complexity to PvP battles. Players are also be able to battle each other in two new Arenas.
[ top ]Are there any graphical enhancements?
Yes.
[ top ]How many zones are in the expansion?
Northrend is roughly equivalent to Outland in terms of size and scope.
[ top ]Are there new cinematic scenes?
Yes. Check it out here. You can also check out The Wrath Gate.
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Release/Availability
Do I have to upgrade with the same language version as I have currently installed?
No, if you have an English, French, German, or Spanish Wrath of the Lich King box, it will come with all these languages included. When installing the expansion, it will install the base language for the language version you bought, but you can also select another language to install as well.
Russian players will need to purchase and install a Russian version of Wrath of the Lich King.[ top ]I would like to play with a Russian client, is this included in the European boxes of the expansion?
The European boxes of Wrath of the Lich King include the English, French, German and Spanish language versions of the game. If you want to play in Russian, you will need to buy the Russian box.
[ top ]Do you need to own the expansion to play with friends who have it?
There will be many aspects of the expansion that will be available to all players. However, in order to experience certain content, such as Northrend, or be able to play as a death knight, players must purchase the expansion.
[ top ]What are the details of the expansion’s release? How much will it cost?
Wrath of the Lich King arrived in stores on November 13th in North America, Europe, Latin America, and Russia, and November 14th in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. The expansion was available November 18th in Korea and the regions of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. Details about the release in mainland China will be announced at a later date. Please visit www.wow-europe.com for more information.
Wrath of the Lich King is available on DVD-ROM for Windows XP/Windows Vista and Macintosh in two packages: a standard edition, which sells for a suggested retail price of 34.99 €, and a special Collector’s Edition (in select regions) priced at 69.99 €.[ top ]Is a Mac version available with the PC version?
Yes. As with all of our games, Wrath of the Lich King is compatible with and optimized for both the Windows and Macintosh platforms.
[ top ]What are the system requirements?
We have updated the computer system specifications required to run World of Warcraft in preparation for our next expansion, Wrath of the Lich King. Please also note the recommended specifications, which, while certainly not required, generally provide a more optimal gaming experience.
[ top ]What is the PEGI rating for the expansion?
The expansion has been rated by the PEGI and received the same rating that the original World of Warcraft received -- "Teen."
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