wow Official Karazhan Preview (with Teaser Trailer!)

[Starym 3,779]

 

With the patch looming ever closer, under a week away in fact, Blizzard themselves have made a preview for the big news of 7.1 (unless you're a massive Helya fan, that is) - Karazhan. If you're looking for a more gear and boss-ability focused preview you can check out our very own look at the dungeon as well.

Blizzard

From the moment of its mysterious creation, the purpose of this dark tower has been intertwined with the history of the Guardians of Tirisfal, once Azeroth’s greatest bulwark against the Legion. It is now best known as the home of Medivh, who tragically betrayed Azeroth and brought the unbroken chain of Guardians to an end. This legacy makes Karazhan a place of particular interest for the Legion, who have descended in full force in an effort to open a new front in their war on the denizens of Azeroth.

It’s been some time since the heroes of Azeroth have been called into the halls of Karazhan to do battle with the evils within, but a return was inevitable with so many secrets left undiscovered.

A Return to Karazhan

Return to Karazhan in Legion will provide a new 5-player experience for those who are familiar with the Burning Crusade10- player Raid dungeon. Once the seat of power of Medivh, the last Guardian of Tirisfal, each stone and stair is imbued with untold power. It is this power that has lured the Burning Legion into its halls and Medivh’s servant, Moroes has been happy to throw open the doors in the hope that his master will be returning soon.

Inside the tower, players will discover a variety of new challenges to face from both familiar and new bosses to fight along with a few new tales to experience within the infamous Opera Hall. But, before you can waltz through the doors, you’ll need to complete an attunement by working with Khadgar to thwart Gul’dan’s latest plans.

Gul’dan’s been sending secret orders to high-ranking demons found within the darkest recesses of the Broken Isles and Khadgar is going to need you to intercept them. But this is just the start of your adventure. You’ll need to face down the God-King Skovald within Mythic Halls of Valor along with three more of Gul’dan’s demons. With all the clues at hand, Khadgar will learn a deadly truth that will send adventurers into the haunted tower of Kharazhan. Facing a gauntlet of enemies old and new, only the most seasoned heroes have any hope to survive and foil the Legion's plan.

 

This is a large dungeon with a raid-like feel in which players will want to revisit as they work their way through. To allow time to do this, the dungeon will have a 1-week lockout timer which will provide players the time they need to work their way through and claim their new loot.

Developer Insights: As a development team, whenever we’ve discussed updating or revisiting legacy content over the years, Karazhan has been in the forefront of those conversations, but there had never been any clear connection to the current expansion until now. Given the history of the Guardian’s tower, it felt like a natural fit for the Legion’s interest, as well as giving us a chance to offer a 5-player dungeon experience on a scale not seen since Blackrock Depths. In approaching Return to Karazhan, we wanted to offer equal parts nostalgia and surprise. The lower portions of the tower are preserved largely as they were in 2007, though the spawning and boss encounter mechanics have been entirely revamped. But once players ascend past the Curator’s doorway and enter the library, things become… different. Within a sorcerer’s tower, reliable rules such as gravity and spatial proportion don’t always apply. And who knows what secrets such a place may hold?

Minimum Level: 110
Location: Deadwind Pass
Bosses: 8
Difficulty: Mythic

Maiden of Virtue: Arriving in Karazhan to cleanse the tower of vice and corruption, the titan watcher was infuriated by Medivh’s infamous parties and debaucheries. As her crusade for virtue seeks converts to her cause, the Maiden remains committed to purging immorality using all the powers at her disposal.

Opera Hall: Wikket: Are villains born evil, or do they fall into wickedness due to the influence of others? Perhaps considering this quandary from the ozen point of view will offer enlightenment…

Opera Hall: Westfall Story: Amidst the carnage of rival gangs battling for the turf of Westfall, two lovers from very different worlds fight for happiness. It is said that love is blind… but does it also need a translator?

Opera Hall: Beautiful Beast: Cursed to take the form of a beastly monster, Brute must find true love before he loses his life to the dark magic that transformed him. Will he learn proper table manners in time to win the heart of the fair Bella?

Attumen the Huntsman: Once charged with hunting game for his master’s feasts, Attumen now sets his sights on a very different kind of quarry. Ever wary of those seeking to steal his famed steed, Midnight, Attumen unleashes his well-honed fighting skills against all intruders.

Moroes: Moroes, the steward of Karazhan, dotes upon his master’s dinner guests within the grand Banquet Hall. Eternally devoted to care of the tower, he dispatches impolite party crashers with cruel efficiency.

The Curator: The Curator safeguards the Menagerie from unwelcome guests, terminating trespassers who seek to plunder the secrets of Karazhan. Though assembled by Medivh himself, the guardian construct has deteriorated over time, becoming prone to energy overloads and erratic behavior.

Shade of Medivh: So great was the power of the last Guardian, Medivh, that his magic still echoes through the halls of Karazhan. Some of these echoes take the shape of visions, revealing past events to the tower’s guests. Others assume more malevolent forms, recalling a time when the Guardian’s will was not his own.

Mana Devourer: Rarely does the sight of a mana wyrm cause a seasoned adventurer concern. These small, simple creatures float about, consuming stray pockets of arcane energy. But in Karazhan, tables are often turned, and what at first glance appears harmless may be revealed as an enormous threat.

Viz’aduum the Watcher: The all-seeing Viz’aduum was commanded by Kil’jaeden to capture Karazhan and tap into the tendrils of ley energy woven through the tower. Should he succeed in anchoring the structure to the myriad of worlds held by the Legion, the Dark Titan’s army will overrun Azeroth and leave little more than a smoldering husk.

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We look forward to seeing you within the halls of Karazhan once more.