WoW Introduces a New Endgame Activity Designed for Smaller Groups

The upcoming expansion for World of Warcraft, The War Within, will introduce a fresh endgame progression known as Delves. These Delves are designed for small groups and offer a new form of content since the introduction of the Mythic+ dungeon system in the 2016 Legion expansion.

Delves are an exciting addition to the game, providing evergreen and casual-friendly endgame experiences that can be accessed within the open world. These adventures are described as "bite-sized" and their difficulty scales based on the number of players. They can be undertaken either solo with an NPC companion or with a group of up to four players. In Season 1 of The War Within, the trusted NPC companion for Delves will be the well-known Brann Bronzebeard, who has the ability and flexibility to be customized according to a player's individual preferences.

Delves, similar to Mythic+, raids, and PvP, will provide endgame seasonal progression gear through the Great Vault system. Just like other forms of endgame content, players who primarily focus on Delves will have the opportunity to obtain seasonal mounts, titles, and achievements. This major shift in WoW's endgame progression deviates from the usual emphasis on challenging group content. However, it remains unclear how the gear rewards from Delves will compare to those obtained from Mythic+ or raids in terms of item level.

Delves are part of the exciting features planned for The War Within, set to be released in 2024 as the first installment of the Worldsoul Saga, a three-part expansion story by Blizzard. In addition to Delves, The War Within will introduce new Hero Talents for each class, an allied race that can be played, Warbands enabling item and reputation sharing among characters on the same account, and thrilling new subterranean zones to explore. While Blizzard did not explicitly state it, there are hints that future WoW expansions may be released at a faster pace than what fans are accustomed to.

Blizzard recently announced that WoW Cataclysm Classic will be released in the first half of next year, adding excitement to the WoW Classic community. Additionally, a new season called Season of Discovery is expected to bring significant changes and innovations to the beloved old-school MMO.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate WoW fan, I am thrilled about the introduction of Delves in the upcoming expansion, The War Within. Delves offer a refreshing take on endgame content, providing a challenging and adventurous experience for smaller groups of 1-5 players. This is a significant departure from the traditional focus on large-scale group content in WoW's endgame, and I believe it will cater to a broader range of players, including those who prefer a more intimate and cooperative playstyle.

The inclusion of Delves also aligns with Blizzard's recent efforts to make WoW more accessible and inclusive. By introducing bite-sized adventures with scaling difficulty, Delves allow players of all skill levels to participate in challenging endgame content without feeling overwhelmed. Additionally, the option to undertake Delves solo with an NPC companion provides a great opportunity for players who may not have a regular group to play with.