WoW patch 11.0.5: 5 biggest things to look forward to

WoW’s patch 11.0.5 is a massive update to the game, offering class balance, major changes, and, of course, the yearly holiday event. While it’s not the biggest update of the year, it’s still one worth discussing for a variety of reasons. The vast majority of players have something to look forward to in this patch, which is scheduled to be released on October 22, 2024. Some of it will have long-lasting ramifications for players, while other parts are just good fun that players have been looking forward to.

So whether you’re waiting on amazing new cosmetics, race/class combinations, or something else entirely, WoW patch 11.0.5 has something for you as a player. Here are the biggest changes for us, heading into the next major update.

NOTE: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinion.

The biggest updates coming to WoW in patch 11.0.5

1) WoW 20th Anniversary event begins

There is a proverbial mountain of great rewards in this event to unlock. (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

WoW patch 11.0.5 heralds a ton of updates, but the biggest one for me is the WoW 20th Anniversary event. As someone who has played from Vanilla all the way through War Within, it’s going to be great to celebrate all the amazing things from over the years. From awesome new mounts, the Tier 2 gear graphical overhaul, a plethora of titles to unlock, and amazing cosmetics, there’s so much to love about this event.

Honestly, it feels like there’s too much to do for someone who only has a bit of time to play, but I think the event will last long enough to give players a shot at unlocking everything the WoW 20th Anniversary event has to offer.

2) Dracthyr receives new classes

Which Dracthyr race/class combination are you going to try first? (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Frankly, we all knew it was a matter of time before Dracthyr received new classes, and in WoW patch 11.0.5, this finally became a reality. The draconic race introduced in Dragonflight will receive several new classes to try out. These characters begin life at level 10 at the Dragon Isles, before moving on. You can play as the following options, once this patch hits:

Hunter
Rogue
Priest
Mage
Warrior
Warlock

Another cool new feature is that these characters can choose to fight as a Dracthyr, or in their human (Visage) appearance, and switch between them. Unfortunately, Dracthyr Evokers do not get that luxury.

3) Changes to unlocking transmog gear

Soon, it'll be so much easier to collect transmog appearances. (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

One of the most important parts of WoW is fashion (transmogs), and patch 11.0.5 is going to improve this for some players. The developers are still working on making non-cosmetic, class-restricted gear collectible for any class. While this may not be ready in time, there is a cosmetic change coming.

It appears this may not be available at the launch of 11.0.5, but the developers are working on also giving players all associated non-cosmetic appearances to a player, once they turn a quest in. This was available on the beta servers for The War Within but turned out to be a bug. Because of player request, this is going to be made a feature, hopefully, starting in 11.0.5.

4) Class updates - new talents, balance, and more

Plenty of classes are getting adjustments in this coming patch. (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Without focusing on every single change coming, there are some pretty major balance adjustments coming in WoW patch 11.0.5. Quite a few changes are coming based on the Hero Talents, but other specific talent trees are getting adjusted, such as a mountain of adjustments for Balance Druid.

Balance Druids are getting new talents (Sunseeker Mushrooms, Whirling Stars, Astronomical Impact, Crashing Star, Hail of Stars) and so much more. The full balance notes can be found on the World of Warcraft website.

5) Update to Timewalking (Rotation and Starting Level)

Sorry, the Amani War Bear isn't coming back - but a recolor based on the Amani Battle Bear will be available. (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Timewalking — World of Warcraft's method of traveling back in time to do classic dungeons at a comparable level to the original design — is getting some major changes and updates. In patch 11.0.5, players will no longer have to wait until level 30 to Timewalk, as they can do so at level 10. This makes it easier than ever to use this as a method of leveling up, getting gear, or just playing with friends.

In addition, some new dungeons are being added to the list. After the 20th Anniversary event wraps up, Classic Timewalking will see six new dungeons added to the rotation:

The Deadmines
Zul’Farrak
Dire Maul: Wing 1
Dire Maul: Wing 2
Stratholme: Wing 1
Stratholme: Wing 2

Timewalking will also see some new rewards added - from pets, mounts, and cosmetic items. Among these are the Enchanted Spellweave Carpet, Frayfeather Hippogryph, and Amani Hunting Bear - all based on classic WoW mounts.

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Edited by Jito Tenson