Legion Dungeon Previews: The Arcway and Court of Stars
Many challenges await the heroes of Azeroth in Legion, and among the most dangerous are the dungeons found in and around the Broken Isles. In this preview, we take a look at the final two of the expansion’s new release dungeons: The Arcway and Court of Stars.
The Arcway and Court of stars are accessible a little differently than a dungeon like Maw of Souls. To gain access to these two maximum-level dungeons, you’ll need to work on your reputation with Suramar which you’ll be able to do as a part of the zone questline. You’ll also need a premade group to take them on as neither of these dungeons will be available in Normal or Heroic. Read on to learn more about them.
The Arcway
Minimum Level: 110
Location: Suramar
Requirements: Faction with Suramar, Mythic Premade Groups Only
Bosses: 5
As vast as the city of Suramar is, the vast network of tunnels beneath the city spans an even greater reach. Nightborne society has grown to depend on the power of the Nightwell, and the Arcway delivers that lifeblood throughout the city. This labyrinthine complex was built thousands of years ago, running beneath the foundations of the city’s largest buildings, and most modern citizens live their lives entirely unaware of what may lurk in the shadows beneath their feet….
Developer Insights: Right around the time we needed to begin planning this Suramar dungeon, we had been reflecting on some of our older dungeons like Blackrock Depths, which covered a massive swath of territory and were full of twists and turns. We decided that the foundations beneath the massive city of Suramar would be the perfect setting to revisit something on that scale. While the Arcway does not feature randomized bosses like the Assault on Violet Hold, each time players enter the dungeon they will find a different configuration of open doors, varying the gameplay experience and providing different choices for how to navigate the labyrinthine corridors.
Ivanyr: Cut off from the power of the Nightwell and cast into the dark expanse of the Arcway, Ivanyr wandered aimlessly, slowly withering away, until he came upon a trove in the foundations beneath the great library of Suramar. He spends his days feverishly working to decipher the tomes there, feeding off the power of relics in the archives in order to sustain himself. But, even as that magic sustains his body, his mind cracks and weakens.
Corstilax: This massive construct patrols the tunnels beneath Suramar, searching for anomalies and correcting them. He has detected one such anomaly — a breach in one of the conduits that carries the power of the Nightwell — and works to repair it. But living outsiders wandering the tunnels are also an anomaly; one that Corstilax is empowered to remedy.
General Xakal: When Gul’dan threatened Suramar with his demands, those were not idle words. A Legion invasion force burrowed into the tunnels beneath the city, and Xakal leads those forces. He awaits further command, ready at a moment’s notice to surge forth and bring death and destruction to the streets of Suramar.
Nal'tira: This massive spider made its nest in the hollows beneath a great mana tree. Over the years, loose magical energies and runoff have warped the creature, imbuing Nal’tira with arcane energy that makes her perhaps the deadliest predator in the Arcway.
Advisor Vandros: Vandros is one of Elisande’s closest advisors and an adept at harnessing the arcane magic of the nightwell, second only to Elisande herself. He would not ordinarily venture in to the Arcway himself, but after monitoring the state of the nightfallen resistance and their allies, he now feels the need to take matters into his own hands.
Court of Stars
Minimum Level: 110
Location: Suramar
Requirements: Faction with Suramar, Mythic Premade Groups Only
Bosses:3
Even as Legion troops patrol the streets, casting a pall over the grand city of Suramar, the socialites of the Nightborne nobility continue to cling to custom and routine. On this clear night, the cry of revelers echoes through the chill air, as the largest mansion in the Noble District opens its doors for a grand gala. Rumor has it that Grand Magistrix Elisande herself may be making an appearance in an effort to reassure several of her closest allies despite recent turmoil.
Developer Insights: From the outset, we knew that this was going to be a non-traditional dungeon. It is set in a portion of Suramar City, which is not inherently an untamed, active combat space full of aggressive enemies. Rather, we decided to focus on a specific moment in time, and an event: a dinner banquet replete with targets of opportunity, setting the stage for an infiltration mission. In many ways, the old-school Dire Maul “tribute run” served as an inspiration for the structure of the dungeon. Why does violence always have to be the answer? What if we could encourage and reward players for seeking out creative solutions to obstacles in their path, leveraging unique class abilities, tradeskills, and even basic powers of observation and communication?
Patrol Captain Gerdo: Captain of the Duskwatch, Gerdo has devoted his life to keeping the peace within the walls of Suramar. Though he has a growing unease since the arrival of the Legion, he remains faithful and loyal to the leadership of Suramar. Elisande has safeguarded them for generations, and she knows what is best for the people of the city. Tonight, Gerdo’s task is to ensure that only citizens with the proper credentials are able to enter a gathering of particular importance at the manor.
Talixae Flamewreath: A sadistic eredar sorcerer, even as she understands the importance of the nightborne to her master’s plans, Talixae chafes at the indignity of standing guard over a building full of elves. Nevertheless, she and her lieutenants remain vigilant, and while they live, no intruders will disrupt the gathering.
Advisor Melandrus: First Blade of the Grand Magistrix, Melandrus rarely leaves Elisande’s side. He has eschewed the magical arts, instead harnessing the power of the Nightwell to heighten his reflexes and his movements to inhuman levels.