Returning to WoW after 5 years...

[Hesantia]

So, the last time I played was autumn 2011, but since I lack a game to play (atleast until they fix the cueing system for Overwatch) I have been looking at returning to WoW. I realize there are a LOT that has changed since Cata, and I feel a bit scared really. I have also realized that the scroll of resurrection is gone and recruit-a-friend remade, at least somewhat.

Are there any special benefits for returning to the game, except free expansions? I read something about a free char boost, but that seems to be gone now?

Any major changes I need to know? (I heard about 50 pet slots, AWESOME! Although it still says 20 on the Petopia site) Someone talked about Karazhan maybe being removed, and so the chance to get the Wolfslayer rifle I also heard something about getting back lost quest items and a wardrobe for transmog

Thanks!

[Lisaara]

You get a free boost if you buy the expansion.

There's...been a lot of changes since 5 years.

[Rikaku]

Oooh wow 5 years of changes @_@ But I'm also a little jealous cause that means you have a lot to experience and do!

I don't think you have to worry about Karazhan leaving. I know based on some recent data it seemed like it may, but it actually got a facelift due to being a bit relevant to recent storylines (saying only that since I don't wanna spoil anything). So you'll find its still there!

As for major changes... well since 2011... we have Pandaren now! And... SV is melee! And... I would probably just browse the petopia forums for some updates. XD There's just so many!

But if you wanted to just jump back into Hunter, Bendak has a pretty great guide over at Eyes of the Beast which does a pretty good job of giving you the status of a 7.0 Patch Hunter without being too bogged down by giant details.

http://eyesofthebeast.com/2016/07/patch ... -and-more/

[Hesantia]

Thanks for the info, I guess I'll just have to dive into all the new stuff, learning as I play through it

[zedxrgal]

Sadly even players who've not taken a break at all from the game are having to dive in a learn as we play due to the recent significant class changes so you'd be learning with the rest of us.

[Lisaara]

Thanks for the info, I guess I'll just have to dive into all the new stuff, learning as I play through it

If you have any questions, feel free to add me here on my BTag: Kanagosa#1596

[Karathyriel]

When the 7.0 patch hit the clients, I was very confused, especially since I always played my hunters in Survival.

If you delve into your high level characters, the number of skills and talents can be very confusing.
I decided to make a new hunter and level him for a while as kind of a tutorial on the new SV hunter.
This really helped me a lot.

Reading guides also is a very good way to get info about the synergies of skills and talents.

[Lisaara]

I agree with Kara. Keep your high levels, but maybe try to level a new one just to get a feel again.

[Hesantia]

Thanks again, all of you I do have a... well, at least lower level hunter I can fiddle about with. I think she is about 50-60, hard to remember even what the level cap were when I stopped playing

[Karathyriel]

Still to high, still to many skills in my opinion.
Start from Level 1 and as soon as you got the gist of the chosen specc, your old characters are an option again.

But this is just my opinion, it helped me pretty good.

[zedxrgal]

I agree with Karathyriel.

Unless you have a very fast learning curve for specs then it may be best to start from level 1. Or maybe 10-30.

Or use your highest level to basically kill mobs several levels lower than you to help learn.

[Hesantia]

I did realize late last night that hey, since I don't have any playtime on the account yet, it counts as a starter.. so I can freely level a hunter again to get the feel of everything before I pay for it (some of the comments about BM being destroyed and not fun anymore made me nervous...) Not to mention getting all my 13654651654 addons in check before playing for realz (like the fact that I heard you no longer need an addon for random mount every time. WUT? I've been away for SO LONG.)

[Karathyriel]

Oh, don't worry.
Free to play has no time limit or playtime limit.
It just won't let you have any more XP when you hit level 20.

Even if you ended your subscription after years of playing, characters up to level 20 remain free to play.