As the clock strikes seven on February 10, many players will feel a familiar pang in their chests. The world they’ve explored and conquered in World of Warcraft will be temporarily snatched away. With server downtime turning the vibrant landscapes of Azeroth into a ghost town, the question brewing in your mind is clear: when will the cherished realm return?
The servers are set to go offline at 7am PT/9am CT/10am ET on that fateful day. This isn’t a simple pit stop; we’re talking about eight long hours of maintenance as Blizzard gears up for a significant update. The dark clouds of anticipation will part at 3pm PT/5pm CT/6pm ET, but until then, what’s a dedicated player to do?
When will the servers be back online?
Your eagerness to log back in is understandable. If you’re in Europe or Asia, the wait may feel even longer, as the maintenance could stretch into February 11 for those regions. Only WoW Classic will remain accessible, enticing you to level up in a more nostalgic experience while the main game holds still.
But what’s causing this disruption? Blizzard has revealed that the updates revolve around user interface improvements and class adjustments. If you’ve been feeling the frustrations of a particular class lately, know that change is on the horizon. With big alterations in store, your gameplay experience is set to evolve significantly.
What changes are coming with the new patch?
You might have seen vague announcements discussing class buffs and tweaks, but it’s the specifics that truly matter. Here’s a glimmer of what awaits you:
Death Knight
- Frost: Deathly Blows now brings an added bonus if you’ve mastered Reaper’s Mark.
- Unholy: The new talent Scythe of Decay will leave quite the imprint, casting Death and Decay at your target’s location.
Druid
- Restoration: Swiftmend cooldown reductions will keep your allies fighting longer.
Hunter
- Beast Mastery: Your pets will pack even more punch, increasing their damage significantly.
The list is lengthy and full of possibilities, so check Blizzard’s forum for the exhaustive details.
What should you do during the downtime?
While frustration may tempt you to do nothing, consider this downtime an opportunity. It’s the perfect moment to catch up on your favorite gaming podcasts or perhaps finally dig into that book you’ve put off. Or, you can plan your strategy for the new changes awaiting you when you log back in.
As the community buzzes with speculation and excitement, how will you channel your energy? Will you strategize or distract yourself as you wait for Blizzard to pull back the curtain on the new patch? What awaits you when Azeroth springs back to life?