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WoW Dragonflight Pre-Patches - Dates, Content & Roadmap

World of Warcraft's pre-expansion patches for Dragonflight will come in two phases. Here are the release dates and content players can expect.

By Wessel Minnie |

First Published November 2, 2022, 12:31

WoW Dragonflight Pre-Patches - Dates, Content & Roadmap

As citizens of Azeroth get ready to say goodbye to Shadowlands and venture into the Dragon Isles with the release of World of Warcraft's latest expansion, Dragonflight, Blizzard has revealed the pre-expansion content updates.

This article explores the WoW Dragonflight pre-expansion plans, including the content and release dates for both updates/phases, so hold on tight to your pet Murloc and let's get started.

WoW Dragonflight Pre-Expansion Schedule & Roadmap

wow dragonflight pre-patches expansion content roadmap dates times raid new class world of warcraft — The initial WoW Dragonflight content roadmap has been revealed. (Picture: Blizzard)

Following server maintenance, the first phase of Dragonflight's pre-expansion plan will be released on 25th October 2022. The second pre-expansion update has a release date of 15th November 2022.

Server maintenance takes place on a Tuesday from 07:00 to 08:00 PST. For those in Europe, that's the Wednesday from 03:00 to 04:00 CEST. Maintenance might be extended to eight hours for an update of this magnitude.

As you can see from the image above, the first WoW Dragonflight raid opens on 13th December, and as players know all too well by now, the expansion releases on 28th November 2022.

Dragonflight Pre-Expansion Update/Phase 1 Content

Blizzard has outlined the content players can expect to see in both Update 1 and 2 for Dragonflight's pre-expansion plans.

The first update revolves around the revamped talent system, an improved User Interface (UI), and a few other additions. Check out the official content list for the WoW Dragonflight pre-expansion update 1 below.

Talent System Revamp:

Dragonflight contains major updates to World of Warcraft classes, centering on the re-introduction of talent trees. The new talent system empowers players to make creative and meaningful talent choices without compromising their effectiveness—and most importantly, it gives them meaningful options at every level.

Heads-up Display User Interface (HUD UI) Changes:

Players will experience an updated User Interface (UI) and Heads-Up Display (HUD), allowing customization of the base UI and providing a modernized appearance to the layout and view while maintaining the original design’s charm and personality.

Accessibility Features:

A variety of new features that will include “press and hold” spellcasting, interact keys, gamepad support, and more.

Rated Solo Shuffle:

First introduced as a PvP Brawl, we up the stakes by adding the ability for players to earn (or lose!) rating with the introduction of Rated Solo Shuffle. Players will be able to earn seasonal rewards and achievements, credit toward Vicious Mounts, weekly great vault progress, and Conquest similar to Rated Battlegrounds and Arenas. Cross-faction play will also be enabled. Dragonflight-specific ratings and rewards will become available with the start of Dragonflight Season 1.

New Class and Race Combinations:

The rogue, priest, and mage classes will become available to all races to create and play.

Dragonflight Pre-Expansion Update/Phase 2 Content

The second update (Phase 2) for Dragonflight's pre-expansion initiative is much more exciting, as it has the new Dracthyr Evoker class/race combo, a new dungeon, a new starting zone specifically for the Dracthyr Evoker, and the Primal Storms event!

Check out the official description of the content in Dragonflights pre-expansion Phase 2 update.

New Race/Class - Dracthyr Evoker Available:

Players will menace their foes (or empower their allies) as the new dracthyr Evoker, World of Warcraft’s first-ever race and class combination. Able to switch between a humanoid visage and a fearsome draconic form, the dracthyr are highly mobile, and their unique Evoker class can specialize in ranged damage-dealing or in aiding their allies as a healer by harnessing the mystical gifts of dragonkind.

New Zone: The Forbidden Reach:

Play through the starting zone for WoW’s newest hero class, the Dracthyr Evoker

New Dungeon: Uldaman: Legacy of Tyr:

Located in the Badlands within the Eastern Kingdoms, players will venture into Uldaman to lay claim to a legacy of knowledge left behind by the titans. This ancient titan facility is where, long ago, allies of the heroic Keeper Tyr hid the Discs of Norgannon.

In-Game Events: Primal Storms:

Ward off attacks from the Primalists with new quests and world events, setting the stage for Dragonflight’s launch.

Learn more about the Primal Storms event ushering in WoW Dragonflight via our dedicated guide.

Get hyped for WoW Dragonflight by watching a recent, official trailer below.

So there you have it, the complete schedule and content World of Warcraft players can expect during the Dragonflight pre-patches leading up to their trip to Dragon Isles. That's all we know about the WoW Dragonflight pre-patch schedule.

For more World of Warcraft news, be sure to check out our dedicated section or some of our WoW Guides & Tutorials below:

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Featured image courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment.

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