SoD in WoW: Phase 2: What Can We Expect?

Chicks Gold is once again back to update you on the antics of the gaming world, and with this week's article, we've got a very exciting topic! Season of Discovery phase 2 is just on the horizon, and we're sure you're just as ready as we are to dive into the new content; however, the question looming over everyone's heads is, what can we expect on February 8th? Fortunately for our readers, we have scoured the web to find you the answers you need! Let's dive into it. 

What Is SoD in WoW?

Seasons of Discovery was introduced to the game on November 30th, 2023, as a way for Blizzard to offer players more content in an expansion-style update without leading to an actual expansion. The developers have decided to drop the content in four phases, and the third and fourth installments will drop later this year, introducing even more content and further max-level caps. However, right now, the question on everyone's mind is what is happening in SoD WoW phase 2? So, let's check out the first update for this phase. 

Word of Warcraft Season of Discovery Phase 2: New Content

Gnomeregan Raid Dungeon 

The first thing to get ready for is the new up-and-coming Gnomeregan Raid Dungeon. Similarly to the Black Fathom Deeps, this will be a 10-player raid with six bosses to challenge your skills. The existing five bosses have been reworked to offer new challenges, and a sixth new boss has been introduced to provide some brand-new content. The Gnomeregan Dungeon will also bring a new world buff, which is all the more reason to get into this exciting second phase. 

Alongside this Raid testing skills, offering reworked bosses new rewards and new class sets being up for grabs (rewards adjusted for level 40 players), you'll also be able to partake in a new profession quest chain. This can lead you to new materials that allow for the crafting of even more powerful items.

To ensure that the playing field was as even as possible for all players, whether high or low level, Blizzard has also adjusted the weekly lockout timer, meaning there will now be two lockouts when SoD WoW phase 2 begins. These Raid resets will take place on February 13th and 20th with regularly scheduled maintenance; the purpose of this is to aim to allow leading level 40 players to take on the action immediately and allow lower level players to get up to speed. 

Updates to Bosses 

When you enter into the Dungeon, you'll notice some differences to the arenas themselves and, in some cases, the actual boss. Here's what we know to expect so far: 

Grubbis - There's now a chance for radiation bents to come into play during an encounter, so stay alert.

Crowd Pummeler 9-60 - This boss has actually moved to a new part of the Dungeon; the new encounter will now take place on a raised platform in front of a crowd!

Mekgineer Thermaplugg - His arsenal now includes a new mechanical suit. 

Loot Updates

From what Blizzard has announced, the new loot drops in SoD WoW phase 2 will give a nod to some previously existing items, some of which are considered staples in the Dungeon; things like Automatic Crowd Pummeler that will allow players to collect only one that can be used repeatedly as a quality-of-life improvement. Check out the new items below:

• Bonk-Maestro's Handguards 
• Domesticated Attack Chicken
• Mechanostrider Muffler
• Wirdal's Hardened Core
• Gear Mender's Grace
• Automatic Crowd 
• The Necro-Gnomicon 

It has also been stated that the following additional items will be up for grabs: 

• Trogg Transfigurator 3000
• Aragriar's Whimsical World Warper
• Radiant Ray Reflectors 

Another benefit of the WoW Classic SoD phase 2 update is that any players having difficulty getting their hands on some long-awaited pieces can now get armor piece token drops to help build up the set pieces they're missing. So, for example, if you're unable to get the boots you need for your armor, the new tokens can be used to purchase the item from the vendor. 

Dungeon Updates 

SoD in WoW phase 2 will also be bringing players new skill books to the 5-player Dungeon drops from a number of creatures. These are quality-of-life improvements and will not take up rune slots. Instead, they will assist players with addressing issues such as short Aura duration (Paladin Blessing), totem control (Shaman), or part of manipulating combo points (Rogues). 

Check out some examples: 

Testament of Enhanced Blessings 

• Class: Paladin 
• Use: Teaches Enhanced Blessing
• Soulbound: Yes 
• Type: Unique

Revelation of Totemic Projection 

• Class: Shaman 
• Use: Teaches Totemic Projection 
• Soulbound: Yes 
• Type: Unique

Manual of Redirect 

• Class: Rogue 
• Use: Teaches Redirect 
• Soulbound: Yes 
• Type: Unique

Ability Updates for Runes 

Another feature that we're all itching to get our hands on in SoD WoW phase 2 is the new Rune update! On your journey to level 40, there are a few new Runes to keep your eyes peeled for, so let's take a look at what's up for grabs:

Druid Runes 

Eclipse - This SoD WoW phase 2 Rune is a fan favorite from some past expansions in other WoW installments that have been brought back for the SoD update. With the use of this Rune, players can increase the critical strike chance for their new two Wrath abilities by 30%. In turn, your Wrath increases the critical strike chance when you next use Starfire by another 30%; this will make each effect stack up to 4 times.  

King of the Jungle - Charges your Tiger's Fury through an increase of all physical damage you inflict by 15% while also instantly providing you 60 energy. To balance things out, Tiger's Fury now has a 30-second cooldown. 

Paladin Runes

Sheath of Light - This Rune will increase your spell power when using a Melee weapon to inflict damage. Additionally, this will make your critical heals apply additional heal over time on a target. 

Guarded by the Light - Using this Rune will cause Melee weapon hits to restore mana over time. Unfortunately, this benefit is balanced out by reducing the amount healed by Flash of Light, Holy Shock, and Holy Light to be halved. 

Hunter Runes

Melee Specialist - This WoW SoD phase 2 Rune grants a passive ability that reduces the cooldown of Raptor Strike, allowing it to be triggered instantly. Additionally, each use of Raptor Strike will have a chance to avoid the cooldown period altogether. This Rune itself will also negate the cooldown for Mongoose Bite. 

Trap Launcher - This will allow you to lay traps within 40 yards of your current location and will allow traps to be placed in combat. This Rune also causes fire-based and frost-based traps to have separate shared cooldowns. 

Warrior Runes 

Rallying Cry - This is considered a defensive ability that can be activated to increase all party and raid members within a 40-yard radius of detonation. 

Blood Surge - This Rune allows for some of your abilities to make your next Slam instant and the Rage cost to be negated. 

Rogue Runes 

Shuriken Toss - Allows you to throw a Shuriken at an enemy and deal damage to the intended target, as well as up to 4 additional foes nearby. 

Master of Subtlety - Causes any attacks made while stealthed and for a short time after to inflict additional damage. 

Priest Runes 

Mind Spike - Blasts your enemy with Shadowfrost damage and applies a debuff to increase the critical strike chance when next using Mind Blast; the debuff can be stacked up to three times.

Pain Suppression - Another fan-favorite from previous expansions in other WoW Classic expansions. This ability can be cast on a friendly target and will significantly reduce the damage they take while increasing their resistance to Dispel mechanics for a short period. 

Warlock Runes 

Invocation - When refreshed, some damage over time effects with less than 6 seconds remaining will deal instant damage to your target. This will be equal to one tick of the spell's periodic damage, allowing you to avoid stressing about refreshing DoT spells at the ideal time. 

Dance of the Wicked - This Rune triggers a buff that will increase your and your pets' dodge chance whenever either of you deal a critical strike. Additionally, you will gain 2% of your maximum mana when this takes place. 

Mage Runes 

Missile Barrage - Allows Arcane Blast, Frostbolt, and Fireball spells a chance to reduce the channeled duration of the next Arcane Missile spell you cast by half; this, in turn, reduces the mana cost to 0 and causes missiles to be fired every 0.5 seconds.

Chronostatic Preservation - This is an excellent new spell that will allow you to store some of your arcane, frost, and fire energy for later usage. However, this energy can only be stored for a short period before combusting and expiring, though you can use this energy to heal a friendly target. 

Shaman Runes  

Maelstrom Weapon - This SoD WoW phase 2 Rune causes damage dealt with melee attacks a chance to reduce casting time when you next use the following spells by 20%, with the cast reduction can stack up to five times:

• Lava Burst
• Lightning Bolt 
• Chain Lightning 
• Lesser Healing Wave 
• Healing Wave 
• Chain Heal 

Spirit of the Alpha - This is an almost opposite effect Rune from the Blessing of Salvation and can cast a 30-minute buff on a friendly target, increasing the threat generated by said target. 

Two-Handed Mastery - When using a two-handed weapon to strike an enemy, you will gain 30% attack speed with the weapon for 10 seconds.

Each class has at least two new Runes to enhance gameplay and bring a new twist to all interactions. However, as World of Warcraft Classics' SoD phase 2 update is yet to hit the game, it's speculated that Blizzard may throw in a few extras. 

Player Vs. Player Updates 

In the second phase of Season of Discovery in World of Warcraft, a new PvP event has been introduced. The new event is titled 'The Blood Moon' and will bring its fair share of mayhem to the Stranglethorn Vale. The Blood Moon will shine over the zone, casting a skin-crawling red fog across the land. After some careful consideration from Blizzard following phase one's Ashenvale PvP event, this upcoming event in SoD WoW phase 2 will be set to take place on a far more predictable schedule, allowing users to participate in the event with ease. 

The event will take place every three hours, lasting 30 minutes in the Stranglethorn Vale. Throughout the event, killing other players will earn you currency that you can then trade for various rewards. It's also worth noting that while this event can be entered in a raid-like group setting, the Blood Moon will punish those who do so. If you're looking to avoid the conflict altogether, you can speak with the Zandalari Emissary and opt out of the event; this will mean you're unable to get any of the rewards from this event, and general PvP rules will apply. 

This event will also not entail any PvP objectives in Stranglethorn Vale events, and you'll also need to keep your eyes peeled for the Chosen of the Blood Loa, who is quite the force to be reckoned with, killing all who cross their path. 

PvP Rewards 

In SoD in WoW phase 2, there are, of course, rewards to be obtained for the hard work you put in in the Blood Moon arena; but what are they, and how do we get them? As mentioned, you will receive currency for your efforts, which can then be spent on new rewards. To spend this currency, you'll need to head to the merchant just outside of Gurubashi Arena; here, you can get your hands on class-specific item rewards such as Emberblood Seal and the Sanguine Skullcrusher. 

Remember, until February 8th, when the second phase of SoD takes hold, these factors are subject to change, and there could be so much more up for grabs, so don't look away for too long.

New Mounts 

Another introduction in Season of Discovery phase 2 is the two new faction agnostic mounts that players can obtain from their participation in the event. Each of these mounts will have interesting new appearances, and there will also be new quests that can help with earning Arathi Basin's reputation, though this event will not have an associated world buff. 

Additional Updates to PvP

Alongside all of the exciting SoD WoW phase 2 events and updates mentioned above, there will also be some upcoming adjustments to matchmaking. Blizzard has taken into consideration the frustration solo players experience when trying to match against existing groups but also wants to ensure that there isn't too much impact on queueing. So, to find a middle ground, it has been decided that players in groups of five or less will have a higher chance of matching with the same size-appropriate groups; the same will apply to those in groups of six or more, connecting these teams to better-fitting opponents. However, to ensure the queueing in-game is not too impacted, this rule will be dismissed if the queues begin to build, and you and your team will be paired with the first available opposing team. 

Updates to Professions in SoD WoW Phase 2

Since the first phase of SoD had such a positive response to professions, Blizzard is building and expanding upon these for the upcoming phase. Players will now be able to discover approximately twenty new recipes across all of the non-gather professions; this will include some of the following:

• Leatherworking 
• Engineering 
• Enchanting 
• Alchemy
• Blacksmithing 
• Tailoring 

Each of the professions will be capped at 225 in this phase, and we can expect to see professional specializations in the third phase of Season of Discovery. Similarly to the first phase, you can embark on an epic quest chain adventure to access these attributes. 

Recipes

Recipes will have some new materials within them that players can find on their journey throughout the game to trade with other users. This will allow for the creation of the items needed most; check out some of the recipes below: 

• Rad-Resistant Scale Hood 
• Reflective Truesilver Braincage
•  Cneuro-Linked Arcano-Filament Monocle 
• Innovation 
• Mildly-Irradiated Rejuvenation Potion 

Say Goodbye to GDKP Runs 

Blizzard has stated that another thing you can expect from SoD WoW phase 2 is the lack of GDKP runs. They have acknowledged the benefits for those players who choose this as a convenient way of obtaining much-needed gear, and while they appreciate this fact, they have also recognized the concerns around the structures of guild traditions and the social aspect within the game. So, to further push the boundaries of this experimental Season of Discovery, Blizzard has removed these runes from the second phase release date. 

The Season is Just Beginning!

Though some of our readers may be disheartened as SoD in WoW phase 2 is already just around the corner, and the first phase is well and truly underway, there is still time to join in on the excitement. Though many players will be well on their way to the level cap, to give newcomers a fighting chance, Blizzard offers a 50% experience buff for those between level 1 and 25. You will also be able to encounter an experience increase within Blackfathom Deeps Raid Dungeon once it is cleared. So, if that's not an exceptional reason to dive into the action, we don't know what is!

SoD WoW Phase 2 FAQ

When Will Season of Discovery Phase 2 Get Underway? 

Players eager to get into the heart of the action can expect the adventures to commence on Thursday, February 8th, at 4 pm EST (9 pm GMT). So, get your set up ready and prepare for an outstanding season!

What Is the Level Cap for SoD WoW Phase 2?

As those of you who are already deep into the Season of Discovery journey will know, the phase one level cap sits at level 25; with the upcoming phase, it will rise to level 40. As of phase three, you can expect to reach level 50, and with the final phase, players will be able to hit an impressive level 60. 

Are You Ready for What's to Come?

Now that you know what's to come in SoD WoW phase 2, are you ready? Don't worry if not; Chicks Gold has the amenities to assist you in preparing for the upcoming journey through Azeroth. Get your hands on some outstanding items, build your bank on our currency page, or even get yourself a brand new account to bypass all of that grind! However you choose to get ready for the upcoming excitement, trust us to assist. In the meantime, why not check out one of our other World of Warcraft Classic guides in our blog section? Refresh your memory and skills for the impending raids, dungeons, and PvP sessions. We'll be back at the same time next week with another phenomenal guide to see you through your gaming endeavors.