- Author: Pride
- Date: July 28, 2022
- Updated: July 28, 2022
- Expansion: WotLK Classic
It’s been a week since Blizzard started testing arenas on the WotLK Classic Beta, and it would appear they’ve gotten some good data already, because Kaivax just posted a detailed explanation of how arena will work in WotLK Classic, given the data they received.
The main points are as follows:
- Similar to Retail WoW, arena teams are gone. Instead, you have a personal rating that goes up or down as you lose.
- The arena UI is slightly different: the banner colors and icons will update based on your current rating, and top ranked players will see their numeric ranking.
- You may play with anyone of your faction on your realm, the way it worked before — group up, and talk to the Arena battlemasters.
- Arena points work as they did previously: you gain points based on your rating, and you must do at least 10 arena games per week in order to get points for that week.
- As you now compete against other players rather than other teams, the PvP title cutoffs have been changed:
- Rank 1 titles require that you finish the arena season on the top 0.1% of all players
- Gladiator: Top 0.5% finish
- Duelist: Top 3% finish
- Rival: Top 10% finish
- Challenger: Top 35% finish
- Furthermore, in order to qualify for end-of-season rewards, you must have done at least 50 arena games during that season, and not have been disqualified due to breaking the Blizzard EULA — aka gotten suspended or banned for cheating of some sort.
This will be a drastic change from how arena worked in OG WotLK, or even TBC Classic, with major implications.
What are your thoughts on these changes? Do you like that Blizzard is moving towards the Retail arena system, or do you prefer that they didn’t change things unnecessarily? Let us know in the comments below!
In original World of Warcraft, Arena matches were first introduced during The Burning Crusade. This became a major way for players to test their skills against one another, and to expand and master their knowledge of their classes. Years later, during the development of Burning Crusade Classic, the Classic development team sought to reintroduce this game mode in a way that provided Arena contenders with an authentic recreation of the Arena experience.
We enjoyed watching players enter the Arena each season and experience the rush of competition. We got to see the first Infernal Gladiators – recognizing the top players of Season 1. We also saw a lot of feedback from the community, and we gathered and analyzed a great deal of data about Arena play. This gave us the information we needed to implement Arenas in Wrath of the Lich King Classic, and importantly, to make some key modifications to how the Arena system works. In addition to removing Arena Teams, we’re testing several improvements to how Arenas look and feel.
Updated UI
The Arena user interface will look much like it did in Burning Crusade Classic, with some modifications:
- You’ll find your bracket listed in the place you used to see your team name.
- Banner colors and icons will update based on your current rating and ranking.
- If you’re a top ranked player, you’ll see your ranking.
Entering the Arena
Now that teams have been removed, you can queue with any other member(s) of your faction from your realm. Simply form a group, travel to your Arena battlemaster, and queue for the Arena size you desire.
Arena Points
Like Burning Crusade Classic, each week you’ll receive Arena Points based on your rating and participation. To receive Arena Points each week, players must participate in at least 10 games that week.
End of Season Awards
Arena rewards should look very much like they did in Burning Crusade Classic and the original Wrath of the Lich King. The Arena ladder will be calculated based on each player’s personal rating:
- Rank 1: End a PvP season in the top 0.1% of the Arena ladder.
- Gladiator: End a PvP season in the top 0.5% of the Arena ladder.
- Duelist: End a PvP season in the top 3% of the Arena ladder.
- Rival: End a PvP season in the top 10% of the Arena ladder.
- Challenger: End a PvP season in the top 35% of the Arena ladder.
To receive the rewards for the ranks above, you must:
- Participate in at least 50 games during the Season.
- Not be disqualified for breaking the Blizzard End User License Agreement.
Thank you for testing with us in the Wrath Beta!
About the Author
This comment section is cringe af
Rank 1 this expac baby! I’m gonna play like I did back in the day. LFG!
It;s your boy, you ain’t gonna be Rank 1 dude why ya lyin? OTK will be the champs.
Yup, agreed Zack, we will!
Can I play against players from other realms?
My question is right.
is any option to disband team
you guys have taken the fun out of alot of what was the original wrath to test out crap that drove us away from the game in the first place. I, like many, don’t plan to continue after this round. After all, most of us, already quit retail for a reason.
Agree .bring teams back get rid of this retsil shit
if you are the nerd that did all the twitch names, dude just get off the computer for a year or you are doomed for life…god have mercy on your soul
I’m going to go feral and hit rank 2, PYAH!
im going lock and hitting rank 2
Let’s be real here guys. I’m going to R1 while telling my stream everything I do as I do it like usual. You’re just not cut out for it anymore.
Ya’ll old and don’t PVP anymore, my mage will stomp you in 2’s or 1v1. C’mon Swifty you know this.