Exploring World of Warcraft’s Newest Race: The Earthen and Their Unique Leveling Path

World of Warcraft has consistently evolved since its inception, introducing new races, classes, and gameplay mechanics to keep players engaged. One of the most intriguing additions in the latest expansion, The War Within, is the introduction of the Earthen as a playable race. This new race not only brings fresh lore and unique abilities to the table but also offers an unconventional way to level up that deviates from the traditional monster-slaying and quest-completing methods. Players have discovered that the Earthen’s passive racial ability, Wide-Eyed Wonder, can be exploited to gain experience points (XP) through exploration, making sightseeing a legitimate way to level up.

The Earthen race became available to players on September 3, provided they had completed the main storyline of The War Within expansion and a few Earthen-centric side quests. This race hails from Khaz Algar and retains its original stone form, unaffected by the curse of flesh that plagues other races. What sets the Earthen apart is their racial ability, Wide-Eyed Wonder, which grants a 200 percent XP bonus for exploring previously undiscovered areas. Traditionally, exploring the game’s vast map only yields a small amount of XP, with the bulk coming from defeating enemies or completing quests. However, the Earthen’s bonus transforms exploration into a viable and peaceful method for leveling up.

Some players have already embraced this new approach, with one user on the WoW subreddit reaching level 71 in approximately eight hours solely through exploration. They recommend focusing on continents like Outland, Northrend, Pandaria, and Draenor for the best leveling experience. While this method allows for a more relaxed and scenic journey through Azeroth, it does come with some drawbacks. Players who level up through exploration won’t accumulate gear or gold, as they would by completing quests or battling foes. Fortunately, The War Within’s new Warbands system mitigates this issue by allowing players to transfer gold and certain items to other characters on the same account, making the endgame less punishing for those who choose this unconventional path.

Unconventional leveling methods are not entirely new to World of Warcraft. Over the years, players have devised various creative ways to reach the level cap without engaging in combat. A notable example is the factionless pandaren neutral agent, a pacifist player known for reaching each new level cap by exclusively picking herbs and mining ore. In The War Within expansion, this player took ten days and ten hours of playtime to reach the new level cap of 80. Such methods highlight the diverse and imaginative ways players can experience the game, proving that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to leveling up in World of Warcraft.

While the Earthen’s exploration-based leveling method is a welcome addition, The War Within expansion has faced its share of challenges. Shortly after its release, Blizzard temporarily disabled unspecified new content due to bugs. The final step of the expansion’s campaign quests, which allowed players to unlock the Earthen race, was launched with several issues, including non-functioning portions of the quest and a bug in the final cutscene. This led to frustration among players, especially given the higher price tag of the expansion. Despite these setbacks, Blizzard’s commitment to addressing these issues and continuously adding new content suggests a dedication to keeping the game fresh and engaging for its player base.

Unlocking the Earthen race involves a series of quests and reaching the maximum level. Players must complete the main story campaign and specific quests affiliated with the new race. The process includes completing five additional chapters after reaching level 80, followed by a questline in the Mourning Rise area on the Isle of Dorn. This questline begins with ‘Before I Depart’ and culminates in ‘The Weight of Duty.’ Additional quests such as ‘Discarded and Broken’ from Machinist Kittrin in the Ringing Deeps and ‘Reforged Purpose’ lead to a meeting with Moira Thaurissan in Dornogal, who initiates a scenario in the character creation menu to unlock the Earthen race.

Once unlocked, the Earthen race offers several class options, including warrior, hunter, and mage. However, Blizzard removed the death knight option for the Earthen race due to conflicting lore. As an Earthen, players start at level 10 in the Halls of Awakening and complete introductory quests to reach Stormwind or Orgrimmar. These intro quests are shorter than the death knight starting area, allowing players to quickly dive into the game. The Earthen race boasts several racial abilities and passives, such as Azerite Surge, Hyper Productive, Ingest Minerals, Titan-Wrought Frame, and Wide-Eyed Wonder. Consuming a Khaz Algar gem can alter the effect of Ingest Minerals, adding another layer of customization to the race.

The introduction of the Earthen race has also sparked discussions about the best classes to play as an Earthen. Given their unique set of abilities, tank classes are particularly well-suited for the Earthen. The racial ability that grants a 10 percent boost to armor is most beneficial for tanks, making them a popular choice among players. While all classes are technically playable as the Earthen, some make more sense in terms of lore. For instance, paladins and priests have in-game reasons for being chosen by the Earthen, whereas warlocks and rogues may seem less fitting. Nevertheless, the flexibility in class choice allows players to forge their own path and create unique character builds.

The War Within expansion has been well-received by players and critics alike. According to Gamespot’s review, it is considered one of WoW’s best expansions due to its focus on solo play and storytelling. Blizzard has announced that the first major content patch for The War Within will be a 20th-anniversary update, bringing back iconic armor sets from the game’s history. This indicates that the developers are committed to honoring the game’s legacy while continuing to innovate and introduce new content. Overall, The War Within has successfully revitalized interest in World of Warcraft, offering new and interesting ways to level up and play the game.

The War Within expansion also highlights the importance of a fully staffed quality assurance team. The issues encountered during the release of new content underscore the need for meticulous attention to detail and thorough testing. Some players speculate that the game may have been rushed to meet deadlines, leading to the emergence of bugs and glitches. This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by game developers and the impact of their decisions on the player experience. Despite these hurdles, the World of Warcraft community remains resilient and passionate, eagerly anticipating future updates and improvements.

In conclusion, the addition of the Earthen race in World of Warcraft’s The War Within expansion has introduced a novel and peaceful way to level up through exploration. The Earthen’s passive racial ability, Wide-Eyed Wonder, allows players to gain significant XP by discovering new areas, offering a refreshing alternative to traditional leveling methods. While this approach comes with its own set of challenges, such as the lack of gear and gold, the Warbands system helps alleviate these issues. The War Within expansion has faced some technical difficulties, but Blizzard’s commitment to addressing these problems and adding new content bodes well for the future of the game. As players continue to explore Azeroth and uncover its secrets, the Earthen race stands as a testament to the enduring appeal and innovation of World of Warcraft.

For those looking to unlock the Earthen race, the process involves completing the main campaign, gaining renown with factions, and finishing key side quests. Although it may take some time, the reward is a unique race with a rich backstory and distinctive abilities. The War Within expansion has made unlocking allied races more accessible, encouraging players to delve into the game’s lore and immerse themselves in its world. Whether you choose to level up through exploration or traditional methods, the Earthen race offers a new and exciting way to experience World of Warcraft. Start your journey today and add the Earthen to your roster, enhancing your adventures in Azeroth with their unique abilities and storied history.