WoW turns 20 (and we turn 20 years older) this year, with a huge anniversary event

This year isn’t just another anniversary: with World of Warcraft turning 20, the game is getting a massive anniversary event that will let us relive old glories, collect plenty of loot, and even show off our favorite transmogs. The event is so large that it will take up an entire (minor) patch cycle, with all of patch 11.0.5 dedicated to the anniversary, which will last through November and December — so hopefully there will be plenty of time to pick up all the rewards you want.

But let’s get to the details! Here’s everything that’s happening for World of Warcraft’s 20th birthday:

• Blackrock Depths reimagined as a 10-15 player raid with eight bosses and five mini-bosses. It will be available in LFR, Normal, and Heroic difficulties.
• Gates of Ahn’Qiraj returns with the new Codex of Chromie event, in which we travel back in time with Chromie to fix up the past, where a mismatched assortment of out-of-place bosses are making their way to Silithus.
• Vanilla dungeon Timewalking will take us back to the original Deadmines, Dire Maul (two wings), Stratholme (two wings), and Zul’Farrak. These will be introduced with the anniversary, but join the regular Timewalking rotation in the future. Timewalking will also be getting a vendor refresh with new rewards, and be available for players level 10+ to queue into.
• A bigger than ever anniversary party, which will be located just outside (thank you Blizzard) the Caverns of Time. It will include a mini Trial of Style event to show off your transmog, storytime with Lorewalker Cho  (complete with audience participation), a mount mania event (because we love showing off mounts), a pet corner where you can turn into your pets, costumes for cosplaying heroes and villains from the past, an ice rink (oh no), and even a guest relations desk with an activity that will be similar to Secrets of Azeroth.
• Korrak’s Revenge Battleground, which I don’t have much to say about except that it’s back. So… it’s back!
• World bosses and more world bosses, with the Dragons of Nightmare, Azuregos, and Kazzak returning, plus new (old) bosses Sha of Anger and Archavon the Stonewatcher in Tanaris.
• Updated tier 2 sets, giving a fresh, high-rez look to these classic sets. There are also sets for Death Knights, Demon Hunters, Evokers, and Monks styled after the look of some classic characters, so no one is left out. I have some thoughts about the return of the Judgement set, but that’s another post.
• Lots of new rewards, with a blue phoenix mount (hm, that looks familiar), a sword and shield that mimic the service rewards given out to long-time Blizzard employees, a 20th anniversary balloon toy, and a baby dreadlord pet (omg). The November Trading Post will also be getting some neat rewards celebrating Warcraft’s 30th anniversary, with faction crests (back pieces) for the original Warcraft factions.
• Also lots of old rewards! Many rewards from previous anniversary events are back this year, including Baby Blizzard Bear pet, Onyxian Whelping pet, Molten Corgi pet, Core Hound mount, Hatespark the Tiny pet, and Lil’ Nefarian pet.

If you prefer, you can consume the above information in video form, though if you do I have to assume that it has not in fact been 20 years for you.

Also, while I already liked Holly Longdale, seeing her respond to a comment about how everybody remembers Blackrock Depths fondly by saying “fondly is a word” truly cements her place in my heart. This is a woman who has been in a six-hour Blackrock Depths run with countless deaths that fell apart before making it to the last boss. I feel you here, Holly, though I am hopeful my current guild can handle the new raid’s 13 bosses without falling apart.

While this event comprises the majority of patch 11.0.5, there are a couple of new things in the patch that aren’t directly related to the anniversary:

• More goodies for Dracthyr! The formerly Evoker-only race will get new classes (Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Mage, Warrior, and Warlock) and a special Skyriding talent that will let them soar in a squadron of their fellow Dracthyr.
• An update to Shamans’ Ascendance form, with variants themed after different elements.

I think it’s looking like a fun patch, with plenty to keep us occupied until whatever Blizzard has planned for 11.0.7. I’ll be seeing you at the Trial of Style.