Talk about information overload. The BlizzCon 2015 World of Warcraft: Legion – Game Designs panel as filled with so much to take in that we are still reeling. While we didn't learn everything there is to know about what we can expect in Legion, plenty was revealed here and we are pretty darn excited about it. The developers are seemingly going above and beyond in this expansion and every panel makes that more clear.

Missed the panel? Want to take a look at all that information in condensed form? Read onward for our handy overview on all the important (and super exciting) things we learned during this panel.

Artifact Weapons

Artifact Weapons were heavily focused on during this panel, however, we didn't learn a ton we didn't already know up till this point. It was reinforced that Artifacts will play a heavy role in Legion and your character will obtain them soon after getting started in the world. Each class and specialization has their own weapon and you will have to complete a quest line to obtain it.

Upgrading Your Artifact

You can upgrade your weapon using Artifact Power to purchase Artifact Traits. Artifact Power can be earned from the following sources:

  • Quest bosses
  • Rare Spawns
  • Rare Drops
  • Dungeon Bosses
  • Raid Bosses
  • Winning Battlegrounds
  • Arena Victories

Relics can also be used to upgrade your weapon and can be found via drop in the Broken Isle and many other Legion zones. These items increase the item level, increase stats, or give bonus ranks to your traits. Relics come in many different types and different people will seek different Relics.

Customizing Your Artifact

At max level you will receive a quest line that will become available after completing outdoor content, dungeons, and interacting with major factions in Legion. Completing this quest will not only allow you to make your Artifact more powerful, but will open up your first new model for your weapon. From here more quest lines will eventually unlock covering various types of content that will allow you to open other models. If you still aren't happy, different colors will also be available for every model of your Artifact.

Class Halls

As we all know Class Halls are the place where our class will congregate in Legion. It is from this location that we will work together to defeat the Burning Legion. Here we will empower out Artifact Weapon and unlock class content that takes us deeper into the fantasy of each class. For example; quests that require pickpocketing or hunting demons.

Class Champions

Class Champions are the Garrison Followers of Legion; except much, much cooler. They are bigger, more notable people, including faction leaders. Even better, these guys have personality and you will see them out in the world at large. You will even get the chance to learn their backstories, making them more than just another face in the crowd.

Itemization

World drops are back. Need I say more? What if I told you the new world drops were of Legendary quality? These little beauties will be hard to obtain, but well worth it. Made to stay relevant throughout the entire expansion they will not only add to the power of your character but be something worth showing off. While these drops are mostly random, there will be ways to target specific ones, so you can head after the Legendary that appeals most to you.

Also in the itemization line; all Legion items can drop with increased item levels. Not just a better item level, but one that matches the best item level in the game. With that being said, the best way to get gear is still by completing the most difficult content available.

Class Changes

Okay, class changes in Legion are big; I mean BIG. Developers have taken a hard look at classes and decided to do away with anything they didn't feel fit the class fantasy. They want you to feel different from other classes and feel powerful at the same time. Here are some of the major shockers we can expect in Legion:

  • Death Knight Runes have been changed to just 1 type. There are still six, however, now you can use the abilities that matter and you want to use.
  • Survival Hunters are now legitimately a melee class and not just a “wannabe”. This spec will go toe to toe with enemies equipped with the spear Artifact Weapon designed for it in Legion.
  • Discipline Priests now have a totally new method of healing. Instead of healing like other healers they will now heal by doing damage to their enemies.
  • Get your ninja on Subtlety Rogues, you are more distinctly the master of shadows now more than ever. With new abilties to complement this idea, like a brand new, improved version of Shadow Dance, everyone in Azeroth will need to watch their backs.
  • Demonology Warlocks can no longer change into a demon. However, their class now focuses on summoning demons, the way it probably should have always been.
  • Go insane with your Shadow Priest who no longer has mana but a brand new resource known as Instantly. This resource will fill up as the Priest casts spells, give them a burst of power, and then slowly fade.

Talents

Not many details were given on this particular subject, however, it was stated that a major talent revision has taken place in Legion. There are fewer theme ros, more choices, and more spec-specific talents. This also means there are hundreds of new talents to choose from. Don't panic about the lack of information, it will be released soon in a series of blogs detailing all the important information.

Professions

Professions are back and better than ever in Legion. For the first time in quite a long while, the profession may actually be useful and seem worthwhile again. No longer will recipes be handed to you on a silver platter, you will need to go out into the world and seek them out. Recipes will also have ranks, allowing you to create more powerful things based on the rank. Don't worry about finding them though, you will have a new tool that gives you a detailed list of your recipes, what rank they are, and details on where to obtain those you don't already own.

Also coming to Legion is a new reagent called Obliterum. This item increases the power of crafted items. However, you won't be able to obtain or use this until you have reached max level. Once 110 is reached a quest line will open up that will allow you to build a demon forge inside Dalaran. Here you can break down crafted items in exchange for Obliterum.

The idea behind professions in Legion is that you should be able to craft at your own pace. When you do craft, the gear should feel special. Finally, developers have promised that when it comes to professions you will never feel like there is nothing left for you to do. I say, bring on Legion, Mama has some leather gear to make.

Transmogrification

In perhaps the most beloved announcement ever, developers have finally solved the issue of space in our banks and inventory. If you are like me, most of it is filled with collections and other items I might want to wear someday. In Legion we will gain the Wardrobe, a place to store all this gear. Account wide, item appearance gear is automatically added to it and you can toss that gear afterwards. Even better, every quest you have ever done will be gone back over and you will have any and all loot options from those quests added to your new Wardrobe.

Also exciting on the transmog front is the ability to save specific outfits and then link those outfits to other players. Different outfits can be saved for various specializations and “hidden” slots are no saved for each outfit. In addition, three new transmog slots will be opened up:

  • Weapon Enchants
  • Shirts
  • Tabards

Need even more icing on the cake? You may now choose to hide your shoulder slot. /drop mic


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Last Updated: Mar 29, 2016

About The Author

Amunet, also fondly known as Memtron, is an organic life form best known for its ongoing obsession with Blizzard Entertainment's numerous properties. To that end, Amu has authored hundreds (thousands?) of the most popular World of Warcraft guides, editorials, and Top 10 lists on the planet. When not gaming and writing, Amu is busy chasing after her three children in a perpetual loop of ongoing disaster.

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