Preview: Legion Assaults on the Broken Isles
With the release of patch 7.2: The Tomb of Sargeras, the Burning Legion will renew their assault on Azeroth within the Broken Isles. Heroes of the Horde and Alliance will be asked to repel this incursion once more through a variety of encounters that we’re calling ‘Legion Assaults’. While this event is similar to the Demon Invasions that were available prior to the launch of the Legion expansion, Legion Assaults use the World Quests system to deliver content while minimizing the disruption for those who are leveling new or alternate characters.
Legion Assaults are accessible for players as a part of the level-up experience if they already have World Quests unlocked for another character on their account. These Legion Assault focused World Quests will be a great way to help take the fight to the Legion and earn extra experience and reputation while adventuring.
Developer Insights: Early in the discussions for the Legion expansion, we knew we wanted the Legion to attack the Broken Isles with renewed fervor sometime during the patch cycle. That time is now.
We all loved Invasions and initially pursued that same approach for patch 7.2. Unfortunately, Invasions would have been tremendously disruptive to gameplay for those who were leveling up, even though that might have been the easiest path for us to take. We also thought we'd learned a thing or two both from Invasions and the World Quest system we introduced at the launch of the expansion.
The Burning Legion will focus their attacks on multiple points within a zone and will be accessible via the World Quest system. Encounters can range from Elite bosses to areas taken over by Fel or even some ‘Impvasions’. (We couldn’t resist a pun or two.) When a zone is under assault, each World Quest will count toward that zone’s Emissary quest.
Once the widespread Assault is taken care of, players will defend a more significant point within the Broken Isles such as Thunder Totem in Highmountain or Black Rook Hold in Val’sharah.
Different from the pre-launch Demon Invasions, players will have the opportunity to take the fight a bit further by participating in a three-player Scenario in which you’ll work to neutralize a Legion Command ship that is leading demonic forces on the ground.
Developer Insights: It's in many ways, it's reminiscent of the Invasions you might have experienced from before the Legion launch, but we built everything custom for each zone. We endeavored to make the Assaults feel as disruptive as possible without actively stomping on the core level-up questlines. Yes, the Legion is here and you should fight them. But, if you're on Alt #13 because you want two Shaman characters (who doesn't?) and would prefer the "Close Your Eyes and Make It Go Away’" method, you can go about your merry questing and ignore the demons destroying the world around you.
Assaults won’t be under way at all times. Once you’ve repelled the Legion Assault from the Broken Isles, it will take the Burning Legion some time to lick their wounds, regroup, and reinforce their troops before they return to try try again. Each Assault will be available for a relatively short period and with the Legion taking a little longer before they reemerge.
Unlike Invasions, Legion Assaults don't advance for all players at the same time and each player will be able to defend each stage of the Assault. It’s up to you to make it happen and defend the Broken Isles! Being the hero you are, this shouldn’t be too difficult … Right hero?
Experience Legion Assaults before they go live now on the 7.2 Public Test Realms.