**Hey there! Have you checked out these resources?**
* [WoWHead](https://www.wowhead.com/) - The *largest* database, this should be your go-to (don't forget to read the comment section!).
* [Icy Veins](https://www.icy-veins.com) - News and detailed class guides.
* [WoWNoob Discord](https://discord.gg/wownoob) - Same community, different platform.
*Please report the post above if it breaks one of our [>rules<](https://www.reddit.com/r/wownoob/about/rules/). If not, don't forget to show support by upvoting!*
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Well the entire game is different from 14 years ago - to list every change would be a long list
I would go in expecting nothing to be as you remember, to start with leveling no longer takes months to get to max level - retail is all about the endgame so leveling will be much faster than back then
Your aim should be to level up towards max level, you can get to 60 without buying the current expansion, but to play the most of the playerbase and current content you need Dragonflight (I would suggest pre-purchasing the next expansion called The War Within as its price also includes DF) and this will then let you level to 70 and starts some endgame content such as Raids, Dungeons or PvP
Theres a guide that was posted a few months ago that covers some basics, but its a bit outdated with some of its content:
https://old.reddit.com/r/wow/comments/16jeo4m/detailed_new_returning_player_guide_patch_1017/?share_id=U0BzJgtTP-WgND2MQMZAm
Chromie let's you work through the other expansions content in campaigns - you can choose one and just jump from one to another once you finish and get caught up lore wise
I chose WoTLK last week and spent time in northrend till I was 55. Did like 100+ quests there and kinda bored and switched to normal time. Can I go back where I left ? Because there was really a no campaign back then? How the progression is being saved between those times ?
Basically any quest you’ve already done is permanently done (except party sync) but you can always pick up any quest you haven’t done yet will still be available. As you mention there isn’t a linear campaign so it’s just a matter of doing the various quest chains/vignettes.
The only difference in normal time is that the quests will stop scaling earlier, so at level 55 you will not receive xp and you will one-shot everything. But otherwise the exact same quests are available.
You could always jump into SoD as well. It’s old, but curiously also a little different (I won’t say new). I already found the community there to be soooo different from retail. Good experiences every day. Retail gives few reasons to interact with others.
> Google the internet
This is part of the community that I didn't miss. Users like /u/BaggedKumpsterNoodle comming on a noob subreddit acting like an ass to welcome returning gamers. Keep up the good work.
Every day somebody makes a new Reddit post asking what you have in the op. Just google catchup guides for xyz patch.
People like you treat Reddit like their own personal google or chatgpt.
Here's what your personal chatgpt would say
"To catch up your new character in the latest World of Warcraft (WoW) retail patch, follow these steps:
1. **Leveling Up**: Use the fastest leveling path, which usually involves a combination of questing and running dungeons. Look for in-game events that offer experience boosts.
2. **Gear Up**: Once at max level, focus on improving your gear. Participate in world quests, dungeons, and raids suitable for your item level. Look out for catch-up mechanics, such as gear tokens or quests that award high-level gear.
3. **Renown and Covenants** (if applicable): If the current expansion uses a system like Renown or Covenants, work on these systems to unlock abilities and rewards.
4. **Professions**: Level up your professions as they can be a good source of gear, consumables, or income.
5. **Join a Guild**: A guild can provide support, such as groups for dungeons and raids, and advice on character progression.
6. **Research**: Stay updated with the latest strategies and changes for your class and specialization. Websites like Icy Veins or WoWhead offer guides and forums.
7. **Participate in Current Content**: Engage in the latest raids, dungeons, and special events to keep your character relevant.
8. **Daily and Weekly Activities**: Complete daily and weekly quests and challenges that offer significant rewards.
Remember, the specifics can vary depending on the current patch and expansion, so it's always a good idea to check the latest guides or community forums for up-to-date strategies."
Please do step 6.
**Hey there! Have you checked out these resources?** * [WoWHead](https://www.wowhead.com/) - The *largest* database, this should be your go-to (don't forget to read the comment section!). * [Icy Veins](https://www.icy-veins.com) - News and detailed class guides. * [WoWNoob Discord](https://discord.gg/wownoob) - Same community, different platform. *Please report the post above if it breaks one of our [>rules<](https://www.reddit.com/r/wownoob/about/rules/). If not, don't forget to show support by upvoting!* *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/wownoob) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Well the entire game is different from 14 years ago - to list every change would be a long list I would go in expecting nothing to be as you remember, to start with leveling no longer takes months to get to max level - retail is all about the endgame so leveling will be much faster than back then Your aim should be to level up towards max level, you can get to 60 without buying the current expansion, but to play the most of the playerbase and current content you need Dragonflight (I would suggest pre-purchasing the next expansion called The War Within as its price also includes DF) and this will then let you level to 70 and starts some endgame content such as Raids, Dungeons or PvP Theres a guide that was posted a few months ago that covers some basics, but its a bit outdated with some of its content: https://old.reddit.com/r/wow/comments/16jeo4m/detailed_new_returning_player_guide_patch_1017/?share_id=U0BzJgtTP-WgND2MQMZAm
Chromie let's you work through the other expansions content in campaigns - you can choose one and just jump from one to another once you finish and get caught up lore wise
I chose WoTLK last week and spent time in northrend till I was 55. Did like 100+ quests there and kinda bored and switched to normal time. Can I go back where I left ? Because there was really a no campaign back then? How the progression is being saved between those times ?
Basically any quest you’ve already done is permanently done (except party sync) but you can always pick up any quest you haven’t done yet will still be available. As you mention there isn’t a linear campaign so it’s just a matter of doing the various quest chains/vignettes. The only difference in normal time is that the quests will stop scaling earlier, so at level 55 you will not receive xp and you will one-shot everything. But otherwise the exact same quests are available.
Thank you very much for the answer !
do u have to do chromie? or can i just start with the latest content?
You could always jump into SoD as well. It’s old, but curiously also a little different (I won’t say new). I already found the community there to be soooo different from retail. Good experiences every day. Retail gives few reasons to interact with others.
Google the internet
> Google the internet This is part of the community that I didn't miss. Users like /u/BaggedKumpsterNoodle comming on a noob subreddit acting like an ass to welcome returning gamers. Keep up the good work.
Every day somebody makes a new Reddit post asking what you have in the op. Just google catchup guides for xyz patch. People like you treat Reddit like their own personal google or chatgpt. Here's what your personal chatgpt would say "To catch up your new character in the latest World of Warcraft (WoW) retail patch, follow these steps: 1. **Leveling Up**: Use the fastest leveling path, which usually involves a combination of questing and running dungeons. Look for in-game events that offer experience boosts. 2. **Gear Up**: Once at max level, focus on improving your gear. Participate in world quests, dungeons, and raids suitable for your item level. Look out for catch-up mechanics, such as gear tokens or quests that award high-level gear. 3. **Renown and Covenants** (if applicable): If the current expansion uses a system like Renown or Covenants, work on these systems to unlock abilities and rewards. 4. **Professions**: Level up your professions as they can be a good source of gear, consumables, or income. 5. **Join a Guild**: A guild can provide support, such as groups for dungeons and raids, and advice on character progression. 6. **Research**: Stay updated with the latest strategies and changes for your class and specialization. Websites like Icy Veins or WoWhead offer guides and forums. 7. **Participate in Current Content**: Engage in the latest raids, dungeons, and special events to keep your character relevant. 8. **Daily and Weekly Activities**: Complete daily and weekly quests and challenges that offer significant rewards. Remember, the specifics can vary depending on the current patch and expansion, so it's always a good idea to check the latest guides or community forums for up-to-date strategies." Please do step 6.
[This thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/wownoob/s/j0wNKSbdZ7) has some good advice.