Ask WoW Insider: Wrath and the pre-60s
by Mike Schramm 
Nov 3rd 2008 at 4:00PM
This week, Keyra of Farstriders has a question about a group that's been a little left out of the expansion excitement so far: midlevel folks. Here's what she is asking you, our readers:With all of the focus on Wrath, there seems to be a conspicuous absence toward those who are of lower-to-mid level and it's beginning to become irritating. Not everyone is level 65+! Some of us are still below level 40 and many of us are just starting out. So, here's my question: What can we who are mid-level expect to see from the expansion, if anything? Is it even worth the trouble to purchase since we can't benefit from the higher-level quests, items and what-not? And what would you suggest to speed our leveling so that we may enjoy what Wrath has to offer?
Keyra
The fact is that most of the marquee features in the expansion pack are, yes, aimed at the higher levels. And most of the things that will affect lowbies -- Inscription, the faster leveling, and achievements, are already in the game anyway.
So there are two questions here: if you're pre-60, why should you care about Wrath? Or should you at all? And Keyra also sounds like she wants leveling suggestions. My suggestion? Do quests, and lots of them. Do every quest in your log, in order, and then when you're out, go to the next town over and do all of those. The rewards will be good, it'll go as fast as leveling goes (even faster, now that Blizzard has added more XP to the mix all the way to 70), and you'll always have a clear goal: just do the next quest in your log. You might have to skip over group quests, but just keep doing quests and eventually you'll be 70 before you know it.
What say you to Keyra, readers? And if you have a question you'd like to ask the (frankly, rowdy but loveable) readers of WoW Insider, just send it along ot ask AT wowinsider dot com, and you might see it up here next week.
Previously on Ask WoW Insider...
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Virtual selves, Odds and ends, Blizzard, Quests, Ask WoW Insider, Leveling, Achievements
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Thiosion Nov 3rd 2008 4:10PM
On Leveling: I've found that if you can make it to 40, you can make it to 70. I don't know what it is, especially since mounts are now at 30, but at 40 this huge weight seems to fall of my shoulders and it's much easier to level.
Also: You know that feeling when you're about to hit a landmark level, level 30 or 40, and switch zones? Multiply that feeling by like... eighty kagillion when thinking about moving to Outland. It's, literally, a whole new world. That should help motivate you.
Alphasim Nov 3rd 2008 4:39PM
I have to agree on the lvl 40 comment. It took me forever to hit 40, but now I've cruised non-stop to 57 (my main's current level - yes, that's all the farther along i am), and it seems like while leveling used to take forever, I can now get a level every other day with casual play. Of course, learning to maximize your efforts helps, and I've found the MobInfo and LightHeaded mods to help allot (MobInfo to tell me how many more kills of a particular mob to level up and LightHeaded to show me how much XP a particular quest will net me, as well as how to do it if I'm stuck).
Basically, level 40 seems to be the point of refreshment for some reason. Get there, and you can get anywhere, I guess.
Robert M Nov 3rd 2008 4:48PM
I think Blizzard would have to agree as well. I believe they added the quests in dustwallow marsh because leveling through the 30's felt like such a grind.
peagle Nov 3rd 2008 4:09PM
Regarding levelling - joining a large guild would probably help you, as people are always levelling up alts you can group with. Beyond that, yes I suppose questing is the obvious answer, but the real truth is investing more time in the game.
As to purchasing Wrath, there's no reason that immediately comes to mind as to why not wait till 65ish to purchase, then again why wait?
Sherp Nov 3rd 2008 4:35PM
The price will go down, if you're slow enough. You're gonna have to be really, really slow, though.
Vendrill Nov 3rd 2008 9:54PM
Yes, joining a larger guild would be helpful. Even though the push is on for the 70-80 run, there are still people leveling alts, and the new players can explore the game together, the way that older players did several years ago.
If you are new to WoW, then there's TONS of content that's new to you, this is why Blizz focuses new content on the high levels.
D.O.T. Nov 3rd 2008 4:49PM
Could always wait for the "Battle chest" version. A great deal for a combine mess of things.
Damntheman Nov 3rd 2008 7:41PM
ENOUGH WITH THIS STUPID QUESTION. Every patch, every expansion it's "is there anything for lowbies?" The answer is NO!!!!!! The entire game pre-60 is what there is for lowbies. It's not possible to complete 20% of the current lowbie content without getting to level cap. You have to TRY to not level to cap. If you're not at level cap and you have never been at level cap then what the hell do you care? There is uncountable hours of things currently available in game that you have not seen.
TLDR: Blizzard doesn't have to make new stuff for you when the game is already full of things you haven't seen!
jbodar Nov 3rd 2008 8:00PM
@Damntheman
Agreed. Why do people want new content, when they clearly haven't even seen the old content? I wasn't 60 when TBC came out, so I waited several months and just bought the direct download version when it was time to head to Outland. I didn't want to learn JC and I certainly didn't want to reroll Belf or Draenei at the time, so I just saved my $40 until I needed to buy.
I didn't complain that there was no new content, since I hadn't seen a good chunk of Azeroth yet. And now, less-seasoned players get an XP boost up through Outland.
Stariann Nov 3rd 2008 4:09PM
I feel your pain. If I were you with a mid-level toon, I would do just as he said. Focus on quests. I know this gets old, when I got tired, I would just go to the caves in Nagrand and kill Ogres for rep. I would get great xp for them while earning Kurenei rep for a new mount. It seemed to break up the boredom of questing.
Another idea would to get a friend around your same level and just duo it out questing. Tank/DPS'er worked for me as a resto druid.
And another option is to pass up the questing and find a 5man group and just hit the dungeons (over and over again). :(
Good Luck
amdir Nov 3rd 2008 4:10PM
I suggest you try either some type of addon like quest-helper or a find quest leveling guide with coordinates.
This will allow you to make efficient quest routes, thus minimizing wasted "travel" time.
TheNaturalist Nov 3rd 2008 4:40PM
Quest Helper doubles your leveling time.
injasour Nov 3rd 2008 5:03PM
QuestHelper does not double your levelling...it makes it much easier. Do not listen to this nonsense.
Rikhart Nov 3rd 2008 6:21PM
Quest Helper is a massive speed boost to anyone, be it casual or hardcore. And whoever just spouted the nonsense that it slows down leveling doesnt even know the addon, in all likelyhood.
gboch Nov 3rd 2008 4:14PM
Jame's Leveling Guide...
hiphophomies Nov 3rd 2008 4:16PM
ditto
injasour Nov 3rd 2008 5:01PM
Absolutely. I started using this for my 3rd toon and it helped immensely.
Also, the secret is to have attainable goals. Hitting 30 for the mount, 40 for all the new abilities, and now (almost) 55 for a Death Knight, then 58 Outland, etc. should help. Have fun!
actodd Nov 7th 2008 3:16PM
double ditto.
ChunkChunk Nov 3rd 2008 4:15PM
The thing that I get out of it is that no, Blizzard isn't adding new content to the old game, but for those who are new to the game and just starting out isn't all of the content new to them?
I do understand the pain of leveling an alt through old content, which is why its hard for me to get them to high levels. But if that is the position you are coming from then wouldn't you already have a main that will get to experience the new content? And if you main is in the 30s, 40s or 50s isn't everything ahead of them new? Including the expansions as they come.
LostOne Nov 3rd 2008 4:18PM
2 addons will help speed your leveling:
Lightheaded and TomTom.
Lightheaded gives additional info on quests, like where to find that book you need to get, that NPC you need to kill, or where the guy you need to talk to is located. When coordinates appear you can click on them and TomTom will put a dot on your map and give you an arrow aimed at your destination so you can travel the straightest line the terrain will allow.