Introducing Blizzard Battle Royale Plunderstorm
Unveiling its long-kept secret, World of Warcraft has launched Patch 10.2.6 today, bringing forth the highly anticipated Blizzard Battle Royale Plunderstorm. This new game mode, unlike anything seen in the MMO before, is set to captivate players with its unique gameplay experience.
Blizzard Battle Royale Plunderstorm, set in a pirate-themed world within WoW, diverges significantly from the traditional gameplay familiar to WoW enthusiasts. Unlike the usual auto-attacks and class systems, Plunderstorm offers a fresh approach. Players will encounter a stark contrast in abilities, with a maximum limit of six, a departure from the myriad of abilities typically associated with WoW. To immerse themselves in this new adventure, players must bid farewell to their existing characters and craft new ones exclusively for the six-week duration of Plunderstorm, commencing today.
The dimensions are 640 × 360 and 480 × 270 for Blizzard Battle Royale Plunderstorm.
Do you want this configuration to be saved across all your gadgets?
Register or Log in immediately for Blizzard Battle Royale Plunderstorm!
To view videos, ensure you are using a browser that supports HTML5 video, such as Blizzard Battle Royale Plunderstorm.
The file format of the Blizzard Battle Royale Plunderstorm video is not valid.
Access to this content is restricted at the moment.
Blizzard Battle Royale Plunderstorm: A New Gaming Experience
Unlock exclusive content by providing your date of birth to access this video content.
By selecting ‘enter’, you are indicating your acceptance of GameSpot’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Watch Now: World Of Warcraft – Plunderstorm Battle Royale Mode Launch Trailer
The latest expansion in the MMO, Dragonflight, is not mandatory to enjoy the new game mode. Players with a WoW subscription, including those dedicated to WoW Classic, can participate.
Upon creating a Plunderstorm character, players can enter the battleground solo or with a partner, descending into Arathi Highlands on the wings of a parrot. This familiar zone for WoW veterans has been transformed into the battle royale map for up to 60 players to compete for victory. Each player has a single life, but a teammate can revive them if needed. Following elimination, players can observe the remaining participants.
Once on the ground, players possess only a basic attack (now an active ability rather than automatic) and a health potion that recharges. To progress in the match, players must defeat NPCs and other participants to gain experience, spells, and levels. Unlike traditional WoW gameplay, Plunderstorm’s spells, acquired from defeated foes or chests scattered across Arathi Highlands, require skill and precision. As the storm closes in, players must strategically outmaneuver opponents until a sole victor emerges. Throughout the game, players earn Plunder, serving as XP for a new Renown reward track unlocking cosmetic items for both Wrath of the Lich King Classic and Dragonflight.
Blizzard’s Battle Royale game mode, Plunderstorm, can be accessed through the Dragonflight client without the need for the expansion. This unique addition to WoW’s extensive history has drawn attention from GameSpot, who had the opportunity to interview Blizzard developers involved in its creation. The team shared insights on the inspirations behind Plunderstorm and the objectives set for this limited-time mode.
Lead software engineer Orlando Salvatore mentioned that while various battle royales served as inspiration for Plunderstorm, influences from other genres like MOBAs, fighters, and RTS games were also integrated. Notably, Warcraft 3, a game developed by Blizzard, played a significant role in shaping Plunderstorm’s concept.
Salvatore highlighted the importance of character progression in Warcraft 3, where leveling up heroes was a key aspect. Plunderstorm mirrors this by combining PvP gameplay with PvE elements, allowing players to enhance their characters by leveling up, gaining health, boosting abilities, and discovering better loot across the map.
In 2022, Blizzard acquired Proletariat, the studio behind the battle royale Spellbreak. Members from the Spellbreak team contributed their expertise to the development of Plunderstorm, collaborating with Blizzard employees from various departments.
Plunderstorm introduces a new combat system to WoW players, offering the ability to equip offensive and defensive spells, along with consumables like health potions and jump pads found during matches. Unlike traditional WoW gameplay, there is no inventory management or gear equipping in Plunderstorm, providing a fresh experience for players.
Players start with a basic attack ability that can be upgraded by acquiring multiple copies of lower-ranked spells. Each spell has four different ranks, offering diverse options such as fiery cone attacks and long-range mana orbs that require strategic positioning for maximum impact.
Plunderstorm’s innovative gameplay aims to break away from traditional WoW combat mechanics, providing a class-less experience that encourages experimentation and strategic discussions among players.
Unlike typical WoW updates, Plunderstorm was not tested on the public test realm and does not support player-made add-ons. This decision was made to prevent pre-launch min-maxing and to maintain an element of surprise and fun for all players.
The choice of Arathi Highlands as the map for Plunderstorm was influenced by its familiarity to current and returning players, offering a blend of experimentation within a recognizable playspace. The goal of Plunderstorm is to unite different segments of the WoW community, providing a simplified yet engaging experience for all players.
Plunderstorm offers cosmetic rewards that can be earned within a reasonable timeframe, aiming to create a welcoming environment for both active WoW players and those returning to the game. This limited-time event serves as an opportunity for players to explore new gameplay mechanics and come together to enjoy a unique WoW experience.
Looking ahead, Blizzard has exciting plans for WoW, including continued content updates for WoW Classic and Dragonflight, the launch of Cataclysm Classic, and the release of the new expansion, The War Within, in the upcoming summer. WoW enthusiasts can anticipate a year filled with new adventures as the MMORPG celebrates its 20th anniversary in November.
