Is the Northrend Epic or Heroic Upgrade Worth It for You?

As World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Classic launches, many players are wondering – should I spring for the Heroic or even the Epic upgrade? With a $50 or $80 price tag, are these upgrades worthwhile?

As an experienced WoW player who has leveled multiple characters and sampled my fair share of boosts and expansions, I‘m here to give you my in-depth take. Let‘s dig into the key question: are the Northrend upgrades worth it for YOU?

At a Glance: What‘s Included in Each Upgrade

Before we weigh the value of these upgrades, let‘s quickly recap what you get:

Northrend Heroic Upgrade ($49.99):

• Level 70 Character Boost
• Pebble Pengu Pet
• Fishspeaker‘s Lucky Lure

Northrend Epic Upgrade ($79.99):

• Level 70 Character Boost
• Pebble Pengu Pet
• Fishspeaker‘s Lucky Lure
• 30 Days Game Time
• Timewalker‘s Hearthstone
• Diadem of the Spell-Keeper Transmog Helm
• Wings of Awakening Back Transmog (5 variants)

Evaluating the Core Value: The Level 70 Boost

The biggest ticket item in both upgrades is the Level 70 boost, which lets you instantly level a character to 70 and hop into Northrend.

On its own, this boost would cost you $60, so it makes up the bulk of the value. Let‘s break down what it saves you:

• Time: Leveling from 60-70 takes approximately 22 hours normally. The boost shaves off all that playtime.

• Gold: Based on average quest rewards, leveling 60-70 earns around 7,000 gold. With the boost, you keep all that gold.

• Burnout: Leveling for 20+ hours can lead to fatigue, especially on an alt. The boost lets you avoid that.

For many players, these factors make the $50 Heroic Edition and its boost worthwhile on their own. But what about the other items?

Evaluating the Bonus Items in Each Upgrade

The extras beyond the boost are pretty limited in both upgrades:

• Pets & Toys: These have minor cosmetic value but no gameplay impact. Maybe 200-500g each if sold?

• 30 Days of Game Time: $15 value based on a $15/month subscription.

• Hearthstone Effect: About $10-15 worth of value compared to similar toys.

• Transmog Items: Valued around $15-25 total judging by similar items in the shop.

Overall, the bonus items range from $40-$60 worth of value – not amazing given the $30-$80 total prices. The 30 days of game time is the most significant perk.

For many players, the boost alone justifies the spend. But if you‘re on the fence, do the extras push it over the top for you?

When Do the Upgrades Make Sense for Different Players?

Should you buy either upgrade? Here‘s my take based on your player type:

For new players: Absolutely consider it. Starting fresh, the boost lets you skip 20+ hours and enter Northrend with friends. This alone is worth $50 or more.

For alts: Maybe. If you hate leveling alts, the skip is nice. But if you like leveling, save your money.

For cosmetics: Unlikely. The extras are underwhelming for their prices. The boost is still better value.

For PvP players: Yes. You‘ll want a level 70 character ASAP to battle others. The time-savings are crucial.

For PvE/raiders: Absolutely. Gearing up quick is key, and you want to join groups in Northrend immediately.

For roleplayers: Only if you need a new character right away. Take your time otherwise and enjoy the journey to 70!

Making Your Decision: Heroic or Epic Upgrade?

Hopefully this gives you a good sense of what you get from each upgrade. Here are my final tips:

• The Heroic Upgrade is lower risk at $50. The boost alone is worthwhile.

• The Epic Upgrade at $80 has more marginal extras. Only get it if you really value the cosmetics.

• Don‘t feel pressured to upgrade right away. Focus on enjoying WoTLK!

At the end of the day, weigh how much you value level boosts vs cosmetics. And remember – no need to feel rushed. Relish your time in Azeroth!

Let me know if this helps explain whether the Northrend upgrades are worth it for you! I‘m always happy to chat more WoW.