Do I Get Game Time If I Buy Dragonflight?
The short answer is – no, Dragonflight does not come with free game time. You‘ll need an active subscription to play.
But should you buy Dragonflight? What edition is worth it? As a long-time WoW enthusiast, let me provide an in-depth guide to answer those questions and more!
Overview of Dragonflight Editions
Dragonflight comes in two versions – Base Edition ($39.99) with just the expansion access, and Epic Edition ($69.99) with bonuses:
- Tangled Dreamweaver flying mount
- Murkastrasza pet
- Level 60 character boost
Neither includes game time. You‘ll need to purchase subscription separately.
Now let‘s explore whether it‘s worth buying Dragonflight and if you should spring for the Epic version.
Is Dragonflight Worth Buying?
As someone who‘s played WoW since vanilla, I think Dragonflight is absolutely worth it, especially for returning players. Here‘s why:
It Revitalizes WoW Gameplay
Dragonflight overhauls core systems like talents, professions, leveling and more. It adds new features like Dragonriding that freshen up the experience.
Many players agree this feels like a true sequel rather than just another expansion.
Dragon Isles & Art Design are Gorgeous
The new zones and vistas are breathtaking. Blizzard nailed the aesthetics from architecture to landscapes. It really feels like exploring a mythical dragon paradise.
Emphasis on Adventure Over Chores
Unlike recent expansions, Dragonflight focuses more on exploration and discovery rather than daily checklists. There‘s excitement in uncovering secrets again.
Reviews & Reception Are Very Positive
Critics and players alike praise Dragonflight as a return to form. It has an 86 score on Metacritic so far. User reviews average 4.5/5 stars.
Activity & Engagement Are High
Dragonflight drove the highest day 1 sales in years. Active subs hit 26 million in Q3 2022, up from 23 million last quarter. The hype is real!
All signs point to Dragonflight revitalizing interest in WoW. As a fan since the RTS days, I‘m thrilled with how it turned out.
Do You Need Shadowlands for Dragonflight?
Yes, you need to own Shadowlands to play Dragonflight, even if you skipped that expansion entirely.
Previous expansions are not bundled with the latest one. So Shadowlands is required to experience the new Dragon Isles content.
The good news is Shadowlands will become part of the base game when Dragonflight launches on November 28, 2022.
Will Shadowlands Be Free?
Once Dragonflight releases, Shadowlands gets rolled into the core World of Warcraft.
Accounts that previously had any expansion will receive Shadowlands and a level 50 boost for free. You won‘t need to buy it separately.
So if you want both Shadowlands and Dragonflight, I recommend waiting until Dragonflight launches to resubscribe. You‘ll get both for the subscription cost alone.
What Do You Get for Preordering Dragonflight?
Preordering unlocks early access to the Dracthyr Evoker class. You can play this new race/class combo before launch.
You also get a character boost to level 60, but only if you purchase the Epic Edition which costs $69.99.
The Legendary Edition ($129.99) also comes with bonus in-game items like mounts, pets and transmogs.
Can You Play WoW Without Dragonflight?
Absolutely! Without the expansion, you can still play up to level 50 with past expansion content.
You only need the latest expansion to go beyond level 50 and experience those new zones and features.
Having an active subscription lets you play everything in World of Warcraft except Dragonflight areas/systems.
Dragonflight vs Shadowlands System Requirements
Dragonflight has slightly higher system requirements than previous WoW expansions. Here‘s a comparison:
| Component | Shadowlands | Dragonflight |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 | Intel i7 / AMD Ryzen 7 |
| GPU | NVIDIA GTX 960 / AMD R9 280X | NVIDIA GTX 1080 / AMD RX Vega 64 |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB |
| Storage | 70GB SSD | 90GB SSD |
You may need to upgrade your system or lower graphics settings if you were barely meeting Shadowlands requirements.
Performance ultimately depends on your PC configuration. But Dragonflight is more demanding overall.
Is the Epic Edition Worth It?
The Epic Edition runs $69.99, $30 more than Base. You get:
- Tangled Dreamweaver flying mount
- Murkastrasza pet
- Level 60 character boost
For most players, I don‘t think the Epic perks are must-have. The mount and pet are cosmetic. The boost saves time leveling an alt. Evaluate if those appeal to you.
You can also buy 30 days game time separately for $15 which is half the price difference. So weigh how much those bonuses are worth to you.
The Base Edition for $39.99 is sufficient for accessing the Dragonflight expansion and new content.
Final Verdict: Worth Returning for Dragonflight?
If you enjoy WoW‘s style of gameplay, Dragonflight is absolutely worth returning for in my opinion.
It re-captures the sense of adventure and wonder that brought me into WoW initially. The new lands are stunning, combat changes are great, and focus on exploration over daily grinds brings back what I loved about the game.
For loyal fans or lapsed players, Dragonflight is the perfect time to either continue your journey or rediscover what you loved about World of Warcraft.
I hope this guide gave you a detailed breakdown of what to expect with Dragonflight. Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to discuss WoW strategies and insights.