Classic+ Isn’t Just Raids — It’s a Chance to Fix World of Warcraft’s Soul

What if Classic+ wasn't just “more raids”? What if it reimagined the core loop of World of Warcraft, turning nostalgia into innovation? That’s exactly the question tackled by the Gankers Podcast in Episode 2 — and the conversation is just getting started.

The Real Promise of Classic+: Rebuilding the World, Not Just the Endgame

Let’s be honest — most people who hear “Classic+” think of a fresh raid tier. Maybe Karazhan gets slotted back into the Vanilla timeline. Maybe Hyjal becomes a pre-TBC raid. But those dreams are small. Classic+ isn’t just an opportunity to recycle old zones — it’s a rare chance to rethink how World of Warcraft actually works.

In Episode 2 of the Gankers Podcast, hosts Alth and Holy — joined by guildmates Ben and Quigon — make one thing clear: if Classic+ doesn’t rework leveling, social systems, and the open world itself, it’ll be dead on arrival.

They’re right.

Leveling Is the Game (And Always Was)

Retail WoW has conditioned players to think leveling is the chore before the fun starts. Boosting, skipping, insta-gear — it’s all designed to get you to “the real content.” But the real content used to be the journey. In Classic, dungeons weren’t just XP — they were your social hub, your proving ground, your Saturday night.

What if Classic+ made leveling fun again — not just fast?

Imagine a system where:

• Zone-specific storylines evolve as you level (think Wrathgate, but everywhere).

• Daily XP raids encourage five-man or ten-man groups to run updated low-level content like BFD or Gnomer for rewards and real narrative progression.

• Repeatable outdoor events give solo players things to do that aren’t “kill 8 boars.”

• MacGuffin coin systems let you eventually buy dungeon loot after enough runs — an idea raised by Holy that echoes the best of FFXIV’s tomestone system.

Add that to rested XP buffs tied to in-game world hubs, and you’ve got a framework that encourages players to stay in the world without needing a boost button.

The World Is the Main Character

As Quigon said in the episode: in Classic, the world is the protagonist. You’re not the Chosen One. You’re not the Hero of Light. You’re a soldier in a larger war — and the world doesn’t revolve around you.

Classic+ needs to double down on that design philosophy.

Private servers like Turtle WoW and Project Epoch are already showing us how to do it. They add forgotten subzones, revamp early questlines, and bring in neutral factions that shift storylines depending on your choices. That kind of reactivity is gold — and Blizzard should pay attention.

Why not finally activate zones like Azshara and Gilneas as full quest regions? Why not introduce world events that change zone control based on faction performance?

World PvP Isn’t Dead — It’s Just Boring

PvP used to feel like war. Now, it feels like a checkbox. The Gankers crew brainstormed dynamic PvP zones where faction control grants real perks — faster resource spawns, elite guard patrols, bonus XP for quest turn-ins, even flying NPC reinforcements. Holy even proposed the idea of full-scale “war party” invasions launched from major cities, complete with raid-style takeback events.

This isn’t fantasy. Final Fantasy XI did it. Warhammer Online did it. Even Retail WoW has experimented with War Mode supply drops — but they’re too isolated to create a sense of urgency.

What Classic+ needs is faction-based zone progression that affects the economy, questlines, and travel routes. Make players care about EPL again. Let them win it — and lose it.

Mythic Dungeons Aren’t the Enemy

Ben raised the idea of Classic+ adopting Mythic+ style dungeons — and let’s be real: that’s a good take. Classic players don’t hate modern systems. They hate modern systems that kill social interaction.

Mythic dungeons in Classic could:

• Scale old content to 60 with new mechanics

• Encourage guild progression outside raid lockouts

• Bring back dungeons like Dire Maul and BRD in their full, sprawling glory

And if you really want to keep the vibe classic, make the rewards cosmetic, rep-based, or tied to profession crafting. Players will still grind it — and love it — as long as the world stays alive.

Will Blizzard Actually Pull This Off?

That’s the million-gold question. As Alth asked near the end of the episode: Are the devs building the game they want to play — or the one they’re told to build?

The truth is, Blizzard no longer owns the WoW dream. The players do. Turtle WoW, SoD, and Season of Mastery have proven there’s an audience for experimental design — as long as it respects the world we love.

If Classic+ is just Naxx with new textures, the community will move on. But if it's a real rework of the Classic experience — with smarter systems, dynamic world content, and progression that respects your time — it could become the most meaningful version of WoW ever released.

So… What Should Classic+ Actually Include?

Let’s go beyond what was said in the episode. Here’s a quick-hit list of what a truly bold Classic+ might offer:

• Zone control PvP systems with real economic and narrative consequences

• Dungeon scaling and daily XP runs with leaderboard progression

• Zone-based faction stories and updated questlines that evolve over time

• Profession-based progression that ties into world state (like crafting war supplies)

• Alt-friendly design with account-based unlocks and rested XP buffs

• Cosmetic and mount rewards from exploration and reputation, not just raids

• Updated graphics toggle (like Alth mentioned), but only if it fits the aesthetic

• Dungeon Finder only after you’ve discovered the dungeon in-world

And maybe most importantly — a dev team that plays the game with us, not just above us.

The Classic+ Future Is Still Unwritten

If you’re reading this, you probably care about Classic WoW more than most. So do the Gankers Podcast crew — and it shows. Episode 2 is full of sharp takes, grounded MMO logic, and a ton of heart. But we’ve only scratched the surface.

If Blizzard doesn’t deliver, the community will. But wouldn’t it be something if they actually listened this time?

🔗 Want more bold takes, episode breakdowns, and full discussions with players who actually play?
👉 Check out the latest episodes at www.gankerspodcast.com

🎧 Listen to Episode 2: Classic+ Reimagined now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

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