Cataclysm Beta: Stratholme Preview

[Winterherz]

-- Stratholme --​

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With Cataclysm, the classic instance Stratholme is being updated. Not only is it receiving a modification to its level range, it's also receiving an update to the content itself. The story has progressed to a post-Lich King world, as has most of Azeroth, with a few major changes. First and foremost, the instance is now split into two sections with an impassible gate separating them. The section many referred to as the "live side" is called Stratholme - Main Gate, with a level range of 44-46. The classic "dead side" is called Stratholme - Service Entrance, with a level range of 49-51.

Main Gate​

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The Main Gate section contains some of the remaining Scourge presence in the Plaguelands, and culminates at the Bastion of Light, where players will once again face off against Balnazzar. This time, however, the Scarlet Crusade is not part of the equation due to the faction largely collapsing after the events in Northrend. Balnazzar has used his necromantic magic to raise the fallen Scarlet members and now calls them The Risen.

Upon defeating Balnazzar, Crusade Commander Eligor Dawnbringer will arrive in the room and talk about what's happening. The Argent Crusade will also spawn within the Bastion of Light and take control of it. While Scourge attempt to fight back, eventually it's cleared out and the Argent Crusade completely control the Main Gate portion of Stratholme.

Service Entrance​

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The Service Entrance section of Stratholme is mostly the same as it was in classic, though players who did the instance before Cataclysm will recognize a familiar face. It turns out that Aurius is related to the now-departed Baron Rivendare, and has taken up leadership of the Scourge within Stratholme, as the death knight Lord Aurius Rivendare.

The Gauntlet and Ziggurats remain and have mechanics exactly like they did in classic. You must destroy each Ziggurat before you can access the Slaughterhouse. Upon defeating Lord Aurius Rivendare, Crusade Commander Eligor Dawnbringer will arrive outside of the Slaughterhouse. The Argent Crusade will also spawn nearby and begin taking control of the Service Entrance portion of Stratholme.

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