New WoW patch sees one-time world event as the gates of Silithus open to reveal Ahn'Qiraj and two new raid instances

17:30 While we all bed down for the excrutiating wait between now and WoW's Burning Crusade expansion, due sometime next year, Blizzard has released details of its upcoming 1.9 patch in a bid to satiate Azeroth junkies everywhere.
Most excitingly of all, as far as we're concerned - mainly because we're just puny level 25 Night Elves and never get to do any of the funky top tier stuff that patches generally sling our way - 1.9 will include WoW's first ever one-off world event as the gates of Silithus, located at the Scarab Wall in the southern half of the region, are opened.

The event will require the participation of everyone on the server (both Horde and Alliance) and is a one-time only event per server. Blizzard is remaining tight-lipped regarding the specifics of the event so we're still not sure what part everyone will play in the opening. If level 60 guys and girls get to fight monsters while we're stuck in a field somewhere fashioning leather into jaunty hats in the name of Azeroth, we might be a bit cross.







Anyway, once the gates are open, players will gain access to new area Ahn'Qiraj, populated by enslaved Silithid bugs which players might recognise from the continent of Kalimdor. Ahn'Qiraj contains two new raid instances; The Ruins of Ahn'Qiraj is designed for "casual" 20 man raid groups while the other, Temple of Ahn'Qiraj, is a 40 man raid instance said to be slightly harder than Molten Core. OMG etc.
If you're man (or lady) enough to tackle the 40 man instance, you'll come face to face with the prophet Skeram at the entrance and work your way through waves of Anubisath mobs toward a massive showdown with Vek'nilash and Vek'lor, the Twin Emperors of Ahn'Qiraj.

Finally, the boss of the 20 man raid is blue and horrendous-looking, according to the press release. However, why not judge for yourself by glancing at the accompanying screenshots on this page.

There's no official word on when the patch is set for release, but we'll keep you posted.


Matt Wales

That's setia from ToA, noooooooo please tell me they're not also introducing ML's!