Summary
- WoW Classic's Season of Discovery increases the level cap to 60, introduces Runes, like Ice Lance and Explosive Shot, for unique character customization.
- Runes like Victory Rush for Warriors and Quick Draw for Rogues offer early advantages in health regeneration and combo points, shaping endgame roles.
- Warlocks benefit from Haunt's AoE damage and health restoration, making them valuable Tanks in dungeons and popular among players seeking versatility.
World of Warcraft: Classic - Season of Discovery has officially begun Phase 4, raising the character level cap to 60 and making a few other additions and fixes. One of the unique features of this version of WoW is the use of special items called Runes. Players can use these to improve their skills and talents, or add new abilities that complement their unique build.
These runes have been available since Phase 1 and were intended and designed for characters up to level 25, which is why they're ideal for the leveling process. A few of them have been replaced in Phase 4, but still exist under slightly different names.
WoW SoD: When Do World Bosses Reset In Season of Discovery?
World of Warcraft's Season of Discovery brought back Lord Kazzak and Azuregos as world bosses via instances. Here's when they reset.
Ice Lance
Mage, Level 2
- Effect: Deals Frost damage to the main target, and triple damage to targets already frozen.
- How To Acquire: Complete the quest "Spell Research" by finding the Spell notes and deciphering them.
This Rune is an incentive to go for Ice Mage, at least at first, and there is a popular opinion that the Ice Mage is the best leveling choice going all the way back to Vanilla Classic. The early glove enchantment that casters get is often one that improves their spell power and gives them a better damage output.
To get this rune, the Mage trainer has a quest to kill a certain local enemy until an item drops called "Spell Notes," which teaches them this simple but effective new Frost spell. It's also a nice complement to another later Rune, Enlightment, which enchants the Mage's chest piece with an ability that increases spell damage and helps regenerate mana.
In the spirit of Mage lore, the Runes for this class need to be studied, deciphered, and decoded. The Mage needs to have the Arcane Intellect buff active in order to learn this spell.
Explosive Shot
Hunter, Level 5
- Effect: An explosive charge that deals increased fire damage to the primary target and any hostile target within 8 yards.
- How To Acquire: Slay one of four different beasts in the staring areas of Durotar, Dun Morugh, Teldrssil, or Mulgore.
This glove enchantment provides a useful AoE effect, along with increasing the damage of the character's initial attack. Explosive Shot is the second glove enchantment that low-level Hunters will find. The other is Chimera Shot, which relies more on poison and damage over time.
WoW SoD: All Phase 4 Hunter Runes Locations & Effects
In Phase 4, WoW SoD Hunter Runes expanded to include options for the Cloak and Ring Rune Slots, as well as changes to existing Hunter Runes.
The choice between these two runes gives the Hunter a chance to decide on their future build. Hunters didn't get other options for class roles in Season of Discovery, but they can still choose what kind of DPS fighter they want to be for the endgame.
Victory Rush
Warrior, Level 2
- Effect: Instantly attack a target. Restore 30% of max health if you kill an enemy that yields experience or honor in the next 20 seconds.
- How To Acquire: Complete the Level 2 Warrior quest, which varies depending on race and location
Victory Rush is similar to the Charge ability, which is also an important component in the warrior toolbox. However, this Rune is an improvement because it restores some health as opposed to generating Rage. Warriors don't have healing spells, and at this level, access to potions for buffs and health, along with the ability to cook special food, is minimal.
Anything that gives a Warrior an edge when it comes to their initial attacks and health regeneration is a superior skill, and luckily, warriors can get this one early in the game. Victory Rush blends nicely with either the Tank or DPS role currently available to Warriors, so it's ideal regardless of the planned endgame build.
Quick Draw
Rogue, Level 8
- Effect: Fire a quick ranged shot at an enemy, slowing them down 50% and awarding 1 combo point.
- How To Acquire: Use the Pick Pocket skill to find fragments of a treasure map that reveals the Rune's hidden location.
Rogues can also be Tanks in Season of Discovery, and this is one of the early blocks in that specific build. At lower levels, Quick Draw can help with battlefield management by pulling enemies and slowing them down. Later on, it draws aggro for those who decide to level a Tank.
WoW SoD: All Phase 4 Rogue Runes Locations & Effects
In Phase 4, WoW SoD Rogue Runes expanded to include options for the Cloak and Ring Rune Slots, as well as changes to existing Rogue Runes.
DPS Rogues can use this attack to gain combo points, which can be used for extra, special attacks. This passive enchant goes on the Rogue's chest piece, saving an open space on the action bar, which is another important advantage.
Haunt
Warlock, Level 2
- Effect: An AoE effect that deals 400 damage initially, increases all other Shadow damage by 20%, and restores the Warlock's health.
- How To Acquire: Complete the quest "Stolen Power" or "The Lost Rune" depending on your race and faction.
Haunt is one of the best Runes for Warlocks of both the Tank and DPS persuasion, regardless of where they are in the level grind. At early levels, it not only gives the Warlock yet another deadly DoT spell, but also restores their health upon death.
Combine this with other abilities that include Life Tap, and the Warlock doesn't need to stop to eat or drink. This is one of the reasons Warlocks remain a popular class. Now that they can also be Tanks, expect to see them in dungeons more often.
The more damage the Warlock does to the target, the more health is returned to them. This makes Haunt one of the foundational Runes for the Warlock Tank build. Using it on several targets simultaneously, and timing when they fall, is one way to restore the Tank's health and give the healer time to regenerate mana.
Homunculi
Priest, Level 6
- Effect: The Priest creates three miniature copies of themselves that can do physical damage to enemies.
- How To Acquire: Use the Meditation technique to get two buffs and learn Prophecy of a Desecrated Citadel.
Some abilities are equal parts entertaining and useful. If that's a measure of the best leveling Runes, then Homunculi might be among the best in the game. It's similar to the classic Mage spell Mirror Image, because it creates several copies of the caster that attack enemies with simple melee weapons.
The Prophecy of a Desecrated Citadel is a scroll that drops from certain enemies in each starting area, and the choice of possible foes is different for each class. Night Elves, for example, will slay various types of imps or demons for the drop. Meanwhile, the Forsaken kill members of the Scarlet Crusade. Unlike the Mage spell, however, the copies of the Priest are miniature. It doesn't affect their abilities, but it is more fun.
The ability to learn this Rune requires the help of a Priest of another race, who can give you a unique Meditation buff from the one you already have. The Priest must have two active Meditiation buffs in order to learn the Homunculi Rune.
World of Warcraft
- Released
- November 23, 2004
