World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria is the fourth expansion for the large online game World of Warcraft, which follows the Cataclysm expansion. It was announced on October 21, 2011, by Chris Metzen during BlizzCon 2011, and was released on September 25, 2012.
This expansion increased the maximum character level from 85 to 90. It added a new character class called the monk and a new playable race, the pandaren, which are humanoid pandas. The system for collecting vanity pets was updated, and a new pet battle system was introduced. Scenarios were added, and Challenge Modes were included for dungeons. The previous talent trees were replaced with a new system where players earn tiered talents every 15 levels. The first update included nine new dungeons, three new raids, two new battlegrounds, and one new arena. Later updates added the Brawler's Guild and heroic versions of scenarios. Additional raids, dungeons, a new battleground, and a new arena were also introduced.
The expansion uses many ideas from Asian, especially Chinese, art and stories.
Gameplay
Monks use an energy source to power basic abilities, such as the Jab attack. This attack creates a resource called "Chi," which is used for more advanced attacks. Initially, the monk class was not allowed to use automatic attacks like other classes, but the developers changed this and gave monks an automatic attack. The monk class has three specializations: Brewmaster (tanking), Windwalker (melee damage), and Mistweaver (healing). The Mistweaver specialization can heal allies by damaging enemies, using proximity-based healing, or placing statues that release healing energy when attacking enemies. Choosing the healing specialization gives monks a mana bar like other healers, while the tank and damage specializations use an energy bar. Monks wear leather armor, and all races can play as monks. When monks were introduced, an 11th character slot was added, allowing players to have one of each class on the same server.
In the Legion expansion, Mistweaver monks no longer use the Chi resource or the Fistweaving talent that allowed healing through damage. This change made Mistweaver monks a standard healing class that heals allies directly using a mana resource bar.
The pandaren, a race of giant panda-like creatures, were first created as a joke by a Blizzard artist. They were later added to the Warcraft story in a bonus Horde campaign of Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne. Unlike other races in World of Warcraft, which belong to either the Horde or Alliance, pandaren are neutral at the start of the game. Until completing their starting quest on the Wandering Isle, pandaren characters have no faction. After finishing their starting experience, players choose to join the Horde or Alliance. Pandaren speak their own language and the main languages of their chosen faction: Common (Alliance) or Orcish (Horde). The classes available to pandaren include Hunter, Monk, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, Warrior, and Death Knight.
In 2011, new game areas were announced, including Temple of the Jade Serpent, Stormstout Brewery, and Shado-Pan Monastery. Later, the four parts of Scarlet Monastery (Library, Graveyard, Armory, and Cathedral) were combined into two heroics in Mists of Pandaria. A heroic version of Scholomance was also added. During the Mists of Pandaria announcement, nine level 90 heroics and three raids with 16 bosses were introduced. Each raid has three difficulty levels: Heroic, Normal, and Looking for Raid.
Mists of Pandaria introduced Challenge Modes, a game feature where groups race to complete a dungeon quickly. All players' gear is adjusted to the same level to ensure fair competition. Groups earn medals based on how fast they finish, with higher medals offering better rewards.
The pet battle system, introduced in the expansion, allows players to use non-combat pets in turn-based battles against wild pets or other players' pets. Defeating wild pets lets players capture them, adding to their collection. Pets can be trained up to level 25, gaining new abilities and improved stats as they progress. Players can battle master pet trainers for daily rewards. All pet information, including levels, abilities, and battles, is tracked in the Pet Journal.
There are 10 pet classes, each with unique strengths and weaknesses.
Mists of Pandaria also added a new 3-player instance mode called Scenarios. These short stories are playable on normal or heroic difficulty and offer rewards after completion. Scenarios are connected to the Horde and Alliance storylines in Pandaria. Each scenario has multiple stages with specific tasks. In heroic mode, players can complete timed objectives for extra rewards. Scenarios do not require players to follow specific roles, allowing groups to choose their composition freely.
In patch 5.4, the Siege of Orgrimmar raid introduced a new setting called Flexible. This mode allows players to form groups of 10 to 25 players, with the raid difficulty adjusting automatically based on group size. Flexible mode is more challenging than Raid Finder but less difficult than Normal or Heroic modes. Players can join groups across different realms, a feature later added to Normal and Heroic modes.
Plot
With Deathwing's threat gone, Warchief Garrosh Hellscream took the chance to attack the Alliance and grow the Horde's lands in Kalimdor. His attack destroyed the human city of Theramore, causing fighting between the factions to begin again. A big sea battle left Alliance and Horde soldiers stranded on the fog-covered island of Pandaria, which suddenly appeared in the ocean, even though it was not on any maps. As both sides built bases on the rich continent, they met the pandaren, an important people living there. This ancient group worked with the Alliance and Horde to stop the Sha, dark, mysterious creatures awakened by the fighting.
The war between the Horde and Alliance became even bloodier in Pandaria. When both sides' armies fought on the continent's shores, Garrosh sent special soldiers to find the Divine Bell, an ancient mogu artifact that could give his soldiers great power. However, Garrosh's actions caused problems for the Horde, including violence against the Darkspear trolls and the blood elves being forced out of the once-neutral city of Dalaran. Though Garrosh claimed the bell, Prince Anduin Wrynn and Alliance spies from SI:7 followed him closely. On the high peaks of Kun-Lai Summit, the brave prince stopped Garrosh's plans, leading to the destruction of the mogu artifact.
While the Horde and Alliance fought across Pandaria, the mogu, who had been scattered, planned to return to their old power. They joined forces with the Zandalari trolls, who brought back the mogu emperor, Lei Shen the Thunder King, to take control of the continent. The Shado-pan, a group of warriors, tried to stop them by forming the Shado-pan Assault, made up of pandaren and later helped by heroes from both sides. These brave fighters worked to defeat the Thunder King while also helping their own groups in Pandaria. Jaina Proudmoore led the Kirin Tor Offensive to find the source of mogu power and keep it from the Horde, and Lor'themar Theron led the Sunreaver Onslaught to find mogu weapons to help overthrow Garrosh.
Garrosh's search for power in Pandaria led him to dig into the sacred Vale of Eternal Blossoms to find a dangerous artifact, causing the Horde to clash with the Shado-pan and other pandaren. In Orgrimmar, the Horde's capital, Chieftain Vol'jin and the Darkspear trolls were declared traitors by Garrosh's guards, the Kor'kron. Vol'jin's people fled to Durotar and the Barrens to gather supplies and support from their former leader, Thrall, and a weak agreement with the Alliance, whose goal to stop Garrosh might not help the Horde.
Garrosh's desire for power led him to take the heart of the dead Old God Y'Shaarj from beneath the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, using it as a weapon and causing terrible destruction in the sacred valley. He also turned against other Horde members to create a purely orcish army called the "True Horde," which is gathering strength in Orgrimmar. Garrosh plans to conquer the Alliance and all of Azeroth. After champions purified the vale, they were called on to help their groups bring Garrosh to justice.
Leaders from the Alliance and Horde attacked Hellscream's capital to remove the cruel Warchief. Leaders of Azeroth agreed to try Garrosh for war crimes in Pandaria. Vol'jin, who helped defeat Garrosh, was chosen as the new Horde warchief. King Varian Wrynn decided to end the war with the Horde but warned them that the Alliance would return to stop them if they resumed their violent ways.
Setting
The expansion uses a lot of Asian, especially Chinese, art and stories.
The game takes place after the events of Deathwing, a black dragon, and the Cataclysm. The main setting is the land called Pandaria, which is one of the continents in the world of Azeroth. Pandaria was discovered after a battle at sea between the Horde and the Alliance. Before this, it had been hidden by magic since the Sundering event and only recently reappeared for unknown reasons.
Pandaria is a new continent located south of the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor. Many new areas have been added, including the Jade Forest, Valley of the Four Winds, Vale of Eternal Blossoms, Townlong Steppes, Kun-Lai Summit, Krasarang Wilds, the Timeless Isle, and the Dread Wastes. The Jade Forest is the first area and the starting point for both the Alliance and Horde. It has dense rainforests and tall stone spires. Players meet the hozen and jinyu races here. The area includes the Temple of the Jade Serpent, a new dungeon, and introduces the Sha, a type of enemy. The Valley of the Four Winds has farmland and a coastal jungle. The Stormstout Brewery, another new dungeon, is located in this valley. Auction houses are found in five areas of Pandaria. A special "black market" auction house is in a place called the Veiled Stair, north of the Valley of the Four Winds. This auction house is run by non-player characters (NPCs) who sell rare items or ones that were removed in earlier expansions. Both the Horde and Alliance can use this auction house. As players explore Pandaria, they often meet Lorewalker Cho, who searches for secrets and stories in the land. When players reach level 90 and enter the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, they can speak to Lorewalker Cho and his team. They will be asked to find "Lore objects" across Pandaria to earn reputation.
The Wandering Isle is a new area where pandaren players begin their journey. After choosing a faction (Horde or Alliance), players leave the island. The Wandering Isle is actually a giant sea turtle named Shen-zin Su. The turtle was originally ridden by a pandaren explorer named Liu Lang, who had a strong desire to travel. Over 10,000 years ago, Liu Lang left Pandaria on the turtle’s back. Each time Liu Lang returned, the turtle grew larger. By the time players meet Shen-zin Su, the turtle has grown to the size of a small continent, with farmland, mountains, lakes, and a thriving population of pandaren, animals, and plants. Shen-zin Su is intelligent and aware of the people living on his back. The area also includes a training academy and a central temple.
Pandaria is home to several new races. These include the pandaren, the jinyu (a wise, fish-like race), the hozen (a passionate, monkey-like race), the yaungol (fierce ancestors of the tauren), the virmen (a pesky, rabbit-like race), the grummels (a friendly race related to troggs), the sauroks (highly aggressive reptilian creatures), and the mantids (fearsome insectoid beings). Players also encounter the mogu, who were the first to live in and conquer Pandaria, and the Sha, which are "the manifestation of negative energy on Pandaria."
Development
MMO-Champion said that Mists of Pandaria might be the next expansion for World of Warcraft after Blizzard applied to trademark the name on July 28, 2011, and it was approved on August 2, 2011. Blizzard also said that in this expansion, Garrosh Hellscream would become more unstable, and the two factions would work together to defeat him in The Siege of Orgrimmar.
Mists of Pandaria is the first version of World of Warcraft or its expansions to offer a digital deluxe edition (DDE). This version gives players in-game rewards similar to a collector's edition but at a lower cost and without extra items like artbooks or soundtracks. Like the collector's edition of Cataclysm, both the DDE and the standard collector's edition of Mists of Pandaria include special in-game portraits for StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty and unlock special icons for the player's banner in Diablo III.
On March 21, 2012, Blizzard released the Mists of Pandaria beta for testing. On July 20, 2012, the PTR (Public Test Realm) for Mists of Pandaria opened, which was the final testing area before the expansion's release.
On August 16, 2012, Blizzard released the opening cinematic for Mists of Pandaria.
Academic Douglas Eyman mentions that the expansion is an example of glocalization because it was designed to appeal to global audiences while celebrating Chinese culture.
Reception
The expansion received generally positive reviews, scoring an 82 out of 100 on Metacritic.
During the 16th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Mists of Pandaria for "Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition."
On October 4, 2012, Blizzard announced that 2.7 million copies of Mists of Pandaria had been sold within the first week of its release (Cataclysm sold 3.3 million copies within the first 24 hours of its release). At that time, the global subscriber base reached more than 10 million players. According to Carol Pinchefsky from Forbes.com, digital sales of the game were about four times as many as retail sales during the first week of sales.
Later comments by reviewers noted that selling nearly 3 million copies in the first week would be a sign of success for other companies in the gaming industry. However, the reviewers stated these numbers "still are not positive for the long-term future of Blizzard's very successful MMORPG" and "likely left some members of the Activision Blizzard team questioning what went wrong." Pandaria had a slower start compared to other World of Warcraft expansions, as both Wrath of the Lich King and Cataclysm sold more copies in their first 24 hours than Pandaria did in its first week.
As of October 14, 2014, Mists of Pandaria was included for free with the base game, similar to previous expansions.