Plunderstorm has made a triumphant return to World of Warcraft, delighting fans with a host of new features, rewards, and gameplay enhancements. This pirate-themed battle royale mode, which pits 60 players against each other in the Arathi Highlands, is back with a vengeance following its initial release and a brief delay. Players can now dive into the action as they await the arrival of Patch 11.1, with Plunderstorm expected to remain available for at least a month.
This iteration of Plunderstorm introduces several exciting changes to the battlefield. The map now features new points of interest and mobs, with non-elite enemies respawning after a short period, ensuring a constant stream of plunder opportunities. Additionally, horses scattered across the map enable players to swiftly navigate the terrain, seeking out chests, elite enemies, and opponents. The in-game map has been updated to display zone threat levels, reflecting the frequency of battles in each area, and players can now choose their starting deployment zones for strategic advantages.
In addition to these new features, Plunderstorm introduces several spells for players to collect and upgrade. Offensive spells like Aura of Zealotry and Celestial Barrage enhance combat capabilities, while utility spells such as Call Galefeather and Void Tear offer tactical advantages. Adjustments to existing spell cooldowns and a new user interface for managing abilities ensure a fresh and engaging experience.
A new Plunderstorm Practice Lobby has been added, allowing players to experiment with abilities, adjust keybindings and transmogs, and socialize. From the Practice Lobby, players can queue for games, access the Plunderstore for rewards, and even enter Plunderstorm directly from retail World of Warcraft via the PvP interface.
However, fans may notice the absence of the Trios mode in this iteration of Plunderstorm. While the reasons for its exclusion remain unclear, there's hope that Blizzard will bring it back before the mode's eventual departure.