Shadowlands features the biggest stat squish in World of Warcraft history, pushing the level cap down to 50 from its previous 120 max. Along with this change comes a huge breadth of skill changes to shake up the previous subclass roles, aimed at making each spec a worthwhile option.
The new starter zone is live for new and returning players to struggle through Exile’s Reach, introducing many of the game’s new systems. Players who have a max level character already can choose to skip Exile’s Reach upon creating a new character and instead level in their race’s starter zone.
The new character customization system and options are available in World of Warcraft now with this pre-patch as well, including the ability to change gender at the barbershop.
Shadowlands doesn’t open up until Level 50, and won’t be coming until the expansion hits, but now is a good time to get back into the game and prepare for what World of Warcraft: Shadowlands will have to offer on expansion launch later this year.