WoW Patch 11.1.5: Horrific Visions Return and Nerubians Won't Stop
Patch 11.1.5 "Nightfall" launched April 22, because apparently killing Queen Ansurek just made the nerubians angrier. After Undermine's goblin capitalism, we're back to bugs and Old God nostalgia with Horrific Visions making their triumphant return.
Nightfall: Hourly Spider Panic
Every hour on the hour, western Hallowfall gets swarmed by Sureki nerubians having a collective meltdown over their dead queen. It's Time Rifts but with a lot more legs.
The event lasts 10-15 minutes unless players actually participate, then it's faster. Because nothing motivates like a timer that judges your efficiency. Split into task forces, clear spiders, push them back, collect rewards and finish daily or weekly quests. There is also a new faction you can grind Renown with, up to 10 levels.
Horrific Visions 2: Electric Boogaloo
Starting May 20, N'Zoth's greatest hits return. Corrupted Stormwind and Orgrimmar are back for players who missed BFA or have Stockholm syndrome.
One to five players can experience these "illusions" that are a very strong catch up mechanic. The transmog's are quite nice for those who want to collect, and for hardcore collectors there are also new (and old) mounts, toys, and more then enough tentacles.
The corruption mechanic returns too, but this time around it comes as a head enchant with two tiers. A pretty nice power benefit to have for just a few hours of gameplay, but not the difference to turn a heroic raider into a mythic raider of course.
Flame's Radiance: Another Rep Grind
Join Hallowfall's Arathi in their spider-squashing club. Gain ranks, get buffs that only work in two zones, and earn a tabard that changes appearance as you progress.
Rewards include:
- Armor sets (spider-themed, obviously)
- Delver's Dirigible recolor
- Mailbox toy shaped like a lynx
- Weapons that'll be obsolete next patch
Dastardly Duos: Partner Content
June 3 brings two-player PvE challenges. It's Mythic+ for people who can only tolerate one other person. Altopugh multiple sources report its only for 2 people, groups of bigger sizes have been noticed to be able to join as well. Slowly we are figuring out the "duos" part was about the bosses, not the players. Its a fun new system, with a decent amount of achievements, transmogs and a mount and pet to collect if you want to have a go at that.
Winds of Mysterious Fortune
20% XP buff for levels 10-79 because Blizzard knows you're leveling your 47th alt. Available April 22 - May 20.
Reputation gains also boosted to help those who want to finish up The War Within and Dragonflights reps at double the speed.
UI Updates: Cooldown Manager
New cooldown tracking system for available in the main UI, which is a great addition to the big changes they made at the start of Dragonflight (and almost every patch since).
The .5 Patch Reality
Nightfall delivers exactly what you expect from a .5 patch: Something old (Horrific Visions), hourly events (Nightfall), catchup mechanics (gear everywhere), and quality of life updates.
The Sureki nerubian story continues their post-Ansurek breakdown, which is more character development than most raid bosses get. Hallowfall gets more relevance after being the expansion's best zone narratively.
Meta Impact
Horrific Visions gear trivializes current content for alts. Nightfall becomes the new AFK spot while waiting for raid. Dastardly Duos either revolutionizes small-group content or dies faster than Torghast.
The real winners are of course Transmog, mount and pet farmers. But for those who do not care about that, there is some time to kill with the Nightfall scenario and Horrific Visions.
Worth Your Time?
If you missed Horrific Visions, they're worth experiencing. Nightfall provides mindless spider-killing between raids. The XP buff helps level that new Earthen you'll abandon at 80.
It's filler content wearing a fancy hat, but at least it's well-produced filler. The hourly schedule means you can optimize your spider murder hobo around real life.
Patch 11.1.5 runs until 11.1.7. Plenty of time to collect everything and still have some down time to poay other games. It's a .5 patch arfter all!
