What’s in WoW patch 10.1, Embers of Neltharion? Here’s everything coming with today’s patch

Dragonflight patch 10.1 the Embers of Neltharion has nearly arrived: the patch is going live today, May 2, with a ton of content. While the details of what’s in the latest release in World of Warcraft‘s current expansion have been vaguely known since the plans for 2023 were revealed, we now have a very good idea of what we’ll be facing during Season 2 of Dragonflight.

In patch 10.1, we’ll venture into Zaralek Cavern, a large area beneath the Dragon Isles described as slightly larger than Zereth Mortis, with access points from the Azure Span, Ohn’ahran Plains, and Thaldraszus regions. Luckily, we won’t have to re-learn Dragonflying to soar through the skies of Zaralek Cavern — but there are a few new perks coming to Dragonriding, including the ability to skim over the ground to regain Vigor. The key location within Zaralek Cavern is Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible, a secret laboratory of Neltharion’s that the freed Primal Incarnates and the rebellious Dracthyr sect the Sundered Flame, led by Scalecommander Sarkareth, all have their sights set on. Aberrus will be a nine-boss raid where players will have to deal not only with these enemies but also the twisted results of Neltharion’s experiments.

The Sundered Flame and the Primal Incarnates are not the only enemies we’ll encounter in the zone, as the Djardin and their Elders are rallied by Fyrakk — one of the Primal Incarnates — to strike back both in Zaralek Cavern and aboveground. Assisting the players are a new mole-like race known as the Niffen alongside the Drogbar, our old friends from Highmountain, with a Renown track for these allies added in patch 10.1.

Despite Zaralek Cavern’s subterranean location Dragonriding will still be used to navigate the zone. In addition, there will be new glyphs, races, and abilities in the cavern, and a new drake model inspired by cloud serpents.

Cross-faction guilds, a new Mythic+ rotation for Season 2, and other changes in patch 10.1

The biggest news from the patch 10.1 announcement is that cross-faction guilds will become available on patch day. This is a literal game-changer, as the ability for guilds to recruit across factions will expand available players for endgame content, especially those that raid at Mythic difficulty. It’s also likely the death knell for the faction war, as I can’t foresee a situation where the developers would force guilds apart based on their faction identity.

Other quality of life changes in Embers of Neltharion include an update of heirloom gear to level 70, as well as continuing updates to the new User Interface and Display added in Dragonflight. The standard class balance and tuning will play out over the course of the PTR, and those of us who are big on Open World activities will have new assaults to deal with as well as quests in both Zaralek Cavern and the Dragon Isles. While Neltharion and the Black Dragonflight are sure to be the primary focus, the reformation of Tyr and the Blue Dragonflight’s story will continue.

Finally, with Season 2 comes a new Mythic+ rotation, with the four Dragonflight dungeons left out of Season 1 joining four dungeons from earlier expansions. The eight dungeons in Season 2’s rotation will be:

• Brackenhide Hollow
• Halls of Infusion
• Uldaman: Legacy of Tyr
• Neltharus
• Freehold, from Battle for Azeroth
• The Underrot, from Battle for Azeroth
• Neltharion’s Lair, from Legion
• Vortex Pinnacle, from Cataclysm

Originally posted March 8, 2023. Updated May 2, 2023.