The race to reach the maximum level in World of Warcraft‘s latest expansion, The War Within, has concluded with an astonishing record. A dedicated player, known as Monkeylol, reached level 80 in just over an hour after the expansion’s early access became available. This remarkable achievement has not only set a new benchmark for speed leveling but also sparked excitement and competition within the WoW community.

The Early Access Rush

Early access for The War Within began on August 22, offering players who pre-purchased the Epic Edition a head start in exploring the new content. As soon as the gates of Khaz Algar opened at 3 PM PDT, players were eager to dive into the leveling campaign, gain reputation with the Renown factions, and reach the new level cap of 80. However, few anticipated that the race to max level would conclude so quickly.

At precisely 4:01 PM PDT, just one hour and one minute after the early access began, Monkeylol reached level 80, marking the fastest leveling achievement in the expansion’s early access period. His approach combined efficient questing, strategic pet battle turn-ins, elite farming, and dungeon runs, allowing him to outpace the competition and secure the world first.

A Close Race: Competitors and Strategies

Although Monkeylol’s achievement was impressive, the race was far from easy. Renowned World of Warcraft speed leveler Shiekrunner was hot on his heels, reaching level 80 at 4:07 PM PDT—just six minutes behind. Shiekrunner’s strategy involved exploiting a hyperspawn in the Blood Elf Heritage questline, demonstrating that different approaches could yield similarly rapid results.

Other players weren’t far behind either. A team from the hardcore WoW raiding guild Echo hit max level in approximately an hour and a half, showcasing the variety of tactics players employed to climb the ranks as quickly as possible.

Leveling Made Easier: What This Means for Players

The rapid leveling in The War Within highlights how accessible the new expansion’s content is for players aiming to reach max level quickly. This ease is further amplified for players with multiple characters, as each additional max-level character provides a passive experience boost, capping at a 25% bonus after the fifth character.

For players eager to hit level 80 before diving into the endgame content, following strategies like those used by Monkeylol might be worth considering. Whether it’s through efficient questing, strategic dungeon runs, or even creative exploits, there are numerous ways to power through the levels in record time.

Final Thoughts

As the full release of The War Within looms on August 26 at 3 PM PDT, players worldwide are gearing up to explore the new content at their own pace. While some may choose to immerse themselves in the rich storytelling and lore, others will undoubtedly aim to replicate the speed and efficiency demonstrated by players like Monkeylol.

No matter the approach, World of Warcraft continues to captivate its audience with fresh challenges and the thrill of competition. The race to level 80 in The War Within has set the stage for what promises to be an exciting expansion, filled with opportunities for both hardcore and casual players alike.

Also Read: