Dragonflight: Return to the Forbidden Reach

Blizzard has posted a preview of the Forbidden Reach, a returning zone coming in Patch 10.0.7.

Originally Posted by Blizzard (Source)

With the defeat of Raszageth secured, a new opportunity to seek out and find answers about the dracthyr Evokers and their history arises within the Forbidden Reach. This max-level experience introduces new bosses and objectives, additional storms, new loot, and more.

Welcome to Morqut Village on the Morqut Islet

Every adventure in a new land has a starting point, and yours will begin on the Morqut Islet. You’ll find a variety of vendors and quest givers ready to send you on your first adventures within the Forbidden Reach.

You’ll want to keep your eye out for treasures and Bonus Objectives as you explore the mysteries of the Forbidden Reach. You never know what intriguing new items you’ll find and who will want to reward you for them.


Faction Envoys

Choose between the Dragonscale Expedition, Iskaara Tuskarr, Maruuk Centaur, and Valdrakken Accord to help each day to earn a 10% reputation increase for that faction. Envoys will occasionally offer quests for extra reputation and Elemental Overflow to spend at the Envoy traders for new rewards such as four new Dragonriding customizations, the Buckie battle pet, and the Noble Bruffalon mount.


New Treasures

Zskera Vault

The game is afoot and there’s treasure to be found in the Zskera Vault. Players will be able to enter a randomized treasure room to seek out the puzzles, monsters, and mysteries within. Each vault is unique to your character and available to complete until the next weekly reset. You’ll also be able to undertake a new vault quest each week from black dragon Voraxian, which will lead you through some long-buried history.

Keys Please

Pathfinder Jeb and Pathfinder Tacha will help you start your foray into the vault and provide your first 6 Zskera Vault Key but to gain access to more doors within the vault, you’ll need to search more of the Forbidden Reach to find them.

Each door within the vault will require its own key to gain access. Keys are Bind on Account so can be easily used by your alternate characters to continue your progress through the Vaults.

The Onyx Annulet and Primordial Stones

When you first venture into the Zskera Vaults, you’ll discover a quest for an “Unusual Ring.” Delivering the ring to Researcher Imareth at Morqut Village will reward you with the Onyx Annulet. An experiment by Neltharion, you can infuse the Annulet with the power of the elements by socketing up to three Primordial Stones. These Primordial Stones can be found as you discover treasures in the vaults. Every combination provides new and interesting synergies between them allowing you to create interesting outcomes to aid you through the Forbidden Reach and beyond.

Here are two examples:

Humming Arcane Stone
Primordial Stone
Item Level 405-425
Binds when picked up
Unique Equipped
Humming Arcane Stone
Equip: Dealing Magic damage has a chance to fire Arcane missiles for each Primordial Stone family you have equipped, each dealing Arcane damage.

Storm Infused Stone
Primordial Stone
Item Level 405-424
Binds when picked up
Unique-Equipped
Storm Infused Stone
Equip: Critically striking an enemy has a chance to shock them and 2 nearby enemies, dealing Nature damage.

Primordial Stones can be crushed into fragments and repurposed into an item to upgrade your favorite stones (through your local jewelcrafter.) You can also use these fragments to purchase newer stones from Researcher Imareth. While you can’t buy specific stones, they come in families, so that you can target the ones you want.

Don’t worry about losing the Primordial Stones you’ve socketed. They can be swapped out for other stones without being destroyed.


New Event: Mega-Storm

The impact of Raszageth’s escape is still keenly felt near her prison, and Primal Storms consisting of the varying elements, continue to besiege the area outside her prison. Completing these storm events rewards adventurers with upgraded storms gear. You’ll also accumulate Elemental Overflow as you engage with the Forbidden Reach’s mysteries and creatures. Elemental Overflow can be exchanged for gear on the Morqut Islet or Mythressa in Valdrakken.


New Dragonriding Races

Take to the skies and soar through six new races within the Forbidden Reach. You’ll also gain access to some new Dragonriding abilities along the way. Be prepared for a little danger as you make your way through the courses—the sky is not yours alone.


New Pet Battles

Meet up with a Pet Battlemaster in the Forbidden Reach to undertake a new challenge and gain some new battle pets along the way.


Adventure Awaits

You just never know who you’ll meet as you travel through the Forbidden Reach. Proceed with caution or you may meet your fate with some of the dangerous denizens who have set up in the Reach.

Whether the Zskera Vaults and their mysteries call to you, learning more about the mysterious dracthyr Evoker, or facing challenging new foes, we look forward to seeing you in the Forbidden Reach.