First off, thank you for those that hearted this post, it made it so much more worth doing for your support!
Next, I can’t believe I need to clarify this, this challenge is not brand new as it’s a remake of one I wrote on retail as Hawilem and then revised as Dazzlebell. After it got two videos covering it from my favourite Youtuber Nixxiom I’ve been considering this Classic rewrite for a while.
It is not meant to be, or beat, the Iron Man challenge. It’s meant for groups of players and friends to do something together which is what Classic is all about.
The WoW classic Barbarian/s Challenge
After the original challenge for retail got some attention from my favourite Youtuber/Streamer Nixxiom about a year ago I’ve been itching to revise it for Classic World of Warcraft.
The first version of the challenge was by far the best version but sadly my first version of the challenge was lost with the forum format switch. I’ve also changed a lot about the rules and classes to better fit with Classic WoW’s group-centric experience.
Before I state the rules I would like to be clear about something. This is not meant to be taken to Endgame content. If you reach 60 then you’ve completed the challenge. If anyone below says something along the lines of ‘This is not viable’ then just know it isn’t meant to be. This is likely a very dumb idea but if you have fun doing it then don’t worry about it.
The Rules
You must wear leather armour, no exceptions
No Auction House
No Twinking eg. Sharing gold or items between characters or from friends who aren’t doing the challenge
No Helmets at all
No EXP boosts
No being boosted
No Grouping with Non-Barbarian Players
No Raid Groups under level 60
No Hearthstone (delete it asap)
No Portals
What’s Changed for Classic?
Grouping
To be blunt, playing this challenge solo will be very difficult but I understand that in Classic you need to group up with people even when you’re playing the game correctly. Too that end you can play in a full group but only if the players adhere to the class rules further below and are actively doing the challenge. If a member of the group dies, that’s it they’re dead and cannot rejoin on that character.
Since boosting is not allowed you cannot go back and help your previous team mate level up again. However, if you meet someone who is doing the challenge and is either the same or 2 levels below the highest level in your group then they can be added. In this way old teammates can be added back so long as they didn’t get boosted but, depending on the teams level, this could be a lot of work for the once deceased.
Group play is very dedicated. If you have a full group then it would be unfair to level up and complete quests when everyone else is not playing at the time.
My advice to anyone doing the group challenge is have a set day to quest with and level up these characters and try not to deviate from it. You can come on alone to level up professions however as this will make you more useful.
Skinning requires you to kill things which does give you exp so try and not do too much. What’s most important is being on the same quests as your group.
Dungeons
If you think a group of leather wearing barbarians can run a dungeon then by all means go for it. Just remember that if anyone dies then they’re dead for good. Retreat is an option! Solo players can temporarily join a Barbarian Group to do a Dungeon and in this way you might even find a permanent group.
Guilds
A small Clan can do a lot but a large one can do even more. I think having a Barbarian Challenge guild will be good in Classic since they don’t offer the bonuses that Retail gives players. This can be roleplayed as a larger tribe or an alliance of clans.
With a guild, people doing the challenge can better group up for quests simply too hard to do alone even when playing normally. That being said, you cannot form a raid group with players under level 60.
Talents and Builds
I won’t tell you how to build your character so long as you adhere to the equipment rules overall. Class building in WoW is not static like in Retail and your creativity is highly encouraged. I look forward to people creating their own ‘Barbarian Challenge’ builds and sharing them.
Races
As far as Solo players go, any race will do but since Alliance can’t be Shaman in Classic I think Horde fit this challenge best and even then I can only see Orc, Troll and Tauren being the best fits. I don’t want to add Druid as a Barbarian Class as their culture is more about preserving the wilds rather than living off it.
Barbarian Classes
The revised edition of the challenge allowed more classes and so I’ve decided to allow those three classes again.
Warrior
So Warrior is your bread and butter class. While you cannot wield anything other than a 2 handed weapon it isn’t against the rules to build a 2H Protection warrior if you so desire so that you can better play in a group. You can have as little or as many warriors as you like.
Hunter
Attacking from range is a nice boon and a pet is incredibly handy to have. When playing in a group it will be your job to deal with fleeing mobs to ensure the group isn’t fighting more than they can handle. You can only use bows and 2H weapons. You may only have 1 Hunter
Shaman
In classic WoW a Healer is invaluable to any group. To that end you may have only 1 Shaman in your group. Whether you choose to heal outright or be a mix of healing and damage is up to you. You may only have 1 Shaman.
Class Equipment Rules
Warrior - Leather Armour and 2H Weapons only
Hunter - Leather Armour, Bows and 2H Weapons only
Shaman - Leather Armour though weaponry is up to the Shaman and what they need to best heal or DPS
The Group Dynamic
Kicking Players from the Group
As a group you must adhere to some rules regarding whether or not you can remove someone from the party.
You can/must kick someone for:
- Deliberately pulling tons of mobs to get the group killed. If you survive then by all means kick that player.
- Breaking any of The Rules regarding equipment or how to play.
- Skinning something they didn’t have loot permission on (maybe give them 2 or 3 warnings)
- A player dies
You cannot kick someone for:
- Beating the leader in a duel
- You cannot kick the old leader but he is free to leave and bring whoever wishes to join him.
- Making suggestions to the leader
- Skinning an animal they could loot
Group Roleplay on an RP Server (Or wherever)
This is entirely optional but I like this idea. You’re party is more than just a collection of friends and you can optionally choose to Roleplay a little during your adventures. Here are some ideas.
- You’re group is part of a larger clan (Guild). You must adhere to the clan rules where possible though the group leader has absolute authority when away from the Clan.
- Someone must be the leader. It doesn’t matter what class the leader is but they must be chosen in any way you see fit be it through a vote, a duelling contest or whatever you imagine so long as nobody dies.
- The Leader is in charge when away from the Clan. Their word is law so if he tells you to do something then you must do it be it from where to level or if you can go to cities or towns to resupply. If you don’t like his rules then duel him for the right to lead, bear with it or just simply leave the group.
- Maybe you find a fantastic piece of loot and decide to duel for the right to use it?
- Maybe the leader gets the lions share?
- Maybe the leader has the job of deciding who gets what?
Professions
If you plan on playing solo then you must choose Skinning and Leatherworking but there are other options for groups. One big rule for skinning is you can only skin what you can loot. If another player looted a pig then only they have permission to skin it unless they say otherwise. The fate of any other skinnable corpses killed by, say, an alchemy shaman is decided by the leader.
- Shamans can pick Herbalism and Alchemy to provide useful potions and emergency healing.
- Warriors may use Mining and Blacksmithing to forge better 2H weapons (Not armour)
- Hunters can only use Skinning and Leatherworking but can also become the designated armourer of the group.
Each class may use all the secondary professions. If a solo player joins a group permanently they can choose to learn a new profession if possible but if that player decides to return to solo then they must also relearn Skinning and Leatherworking.
That’s about all I have for this challenge. If you want to add to it or suggest a change then comment below. Most importantly, have fun doing this.