Retail WoW (the modern version) has 20 years of WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Gold quality-of-life upgrades, faster leveling, more activities at endgame, and improved visuals. This is where new players should start.

Classic WoW is the game as it was in 2004-slower, more difficult, and missing modern conveniences. Some players love it for the nostalgic, old-school feel.

There are also spin-offs:

Hardcore Classic, with permanent death.

Season of Discovery adds twists like new roles and mechanics.

Progression servers like Cataclysm Classic, where expansions unlock in cycles.

If you're brand new, start with Retail. You can always try Classic later-it's included in your subscription.

Making Your First Character

Race and Faction

You'll choose between Alliance and Horde, but today, factions don't matter as much as they used to. Guilds, dungeons, and raids are cross-faction, so the main difference is starting zones and aesthetics.

Some races called Allied Races unlock later after completing simple quests on a level 40+ character. Each comes with a free mount.

Class and Specialization

WoW has the classic MMO "trinity": tank, healer, DPS. But every class can DPS, so you're never locked out of content. Some classes offer multiple roles-like Druids, who can tank, heal, or deal damage in melee or ranged forms.

Each class has specializations (specs) that feel completely different. For example, Hunters can play as ranged bow users, melee fighters, or pet-focused beastmasters. At level 71 in The War Within, you'll also unlock Hero Talents like Dark Ranger or Rider of the Apocalypse, giving even more variety.

Tip: Don't stress about balance or "the meta." Pick a class that feels fun-WoW's class fantasy is one of its strongest features.

Servers in 2025

Server choice barely matters today. You can:

Join guilds across realms.

Trade WoW Classic Fresh Gold and items through a new Warband account-wide bank.

Use a region-wide Auction House for consumables.

The few things still server-specific are character names, rare crafted gear orders, and certain Auction House categories.

PvP servers no longer exist, but you can toggle War Mode on or off at any time for bonus XP and world PvP.

Starting Zones and Leveling

New players begin in Exile's Reach, a tutorial island that teaches the basics and ends with a dungeon run alongside AI companions. From there, you'll move into Dragonflight zones, which are fun, rewarding, and unlock Skyriding early.

Veterans can speak to Chromie to cheap WoW Classic Fresh Gold pick any past expansion to level in, but Dragonflight is the best choice for new players.

Although you may have experience battling The Queen, Week 4's challenge is more easily completed by targeting The Matriarch. With fewer incentives for ARC Raiders BluePrints other players to interfere-and no Harvester present-the Matriarch encounter is generally more controlled.

Preparing for the Fight

Because other players can still be a threat, bring:

A strong secondary for PvP

Hullcrackers

Wolfpack Grenades

Ample ammunition

The Matriarch moves freely across large distances, meaning she can be dragged to favorable terrain. Elevated spots like the Dam Battlegrounds walkways offer cover while giving you clear sightlines to her weak points.

Where to Aim

The Matriarch has two major weak spots:

Leg joints

Vents under the head

Hitting the vents exposes the core for massive burst damage, accelerating the kill significantly.

For more in-depth strategies, consider referencing a dedicated Matriarch guide to learn optimal positioning and pattern recognition.

Best Route for Farming Plant Harvesting Points

This challenge is deceptively tricky. While it requires 4,000 harvesting points, the most common resources-like Lemons, Prickly Pears, Apricots, and Fertilizer-don't count for Trial progress.

What You Actually Need to Harvest

Only specific plant types contribute:

Mushrooms

Agave

Great Mullein (the most reliable source)

Because plant spawns are widely spaced, bring lots of Adrenaline Shots to move between nodes quickly. Plants appear most often near rivers, garden beds, and indoor potted areas.

Recommended Farming Locations

Dam Battlegrounds: Abundant Great Mullein, enough for 3-star completion in one run.

Buried City Galleria during Night Raid: High-density spawns but extremely competitive; expect PvP threats.

You only need to harvest 8 Great Mullein during a Night Raid to hit 3 stars.

Best Methods to Farm ARC Probe Points

While the Prospecting Probes dynamic event may appear to be the most obvious way to earn Probe points, Week 4's challenge is actually fastest during an Electromagnetic Storm Night Raid.

Why Night Raids Are Better

During these storms:

Crashed ARC Probes litter the map

More appear near the extraction zones

The darkness makes it easier to avoid other players

Probe quantity is dramatically higher than in standard events

You only need to loot 6 ARC Probes for a 3-star completion-or just 3 Probes during a Night Raid, making this one of the easiest tasks of the week. Having plenty of ARC Raiders Coins will also make things easier for you.

ARC Raiders: Complete Guide to Beating the Back on Top Mission

"Back on Top" is one of the early-mid progression objectives in ARC Raiders, introducing players to the game's signature mix of vertical mobility, teamwork, and tactical firefights against ARC mechanical threats. While not the most complex mission, it's one that can easily overwhelm new or returning players if approached without preparation. This guide breaks down everything needed to complete "Back on Top," including mission flow, recommended loadouts, enemy breakdowns, and strategies for efficiently navigating the map.

Mission Overview

"Back on Top" centers around regaining control of an elevated outpost that has been overrun by ARC units. The area functions as a forward vantage point and communication relay, which means reclaiming it is crucial for opening new routes and unlocking later objectives. The mission takes place across layered terrain: lowland approach paths, mid-elevation plateaus, and the top platform where the final encounter occurs.

The core goals remain consistent:

Reach the outpost and clear ARC patrols.

Overcome escalating enemy waves while advancing upward.

Reboot or stabilize the control module at the top.

Hold the platform until the reboot sequence finishes.

Understanding how to move efficiently between these layers is the key to buy ARC Raiders Materials success.