World of Warcraft Follower Dungeons Guide
Follower Dungeons are an innovative feature introduced to the World of Warcraft universe, designed to enhance the dungeon experience for players. These dungeons allow for any vacant spots in a player’s party to be automatically filled with Non-Player Characters (NPCs), ensuring that players can embark on dungeon adventures without the need for a full group of real players. This addition is particularly beneficial for DPS (damage per second) players who may face lengthy queue times when using the Looking for Group tool. Follower Dungeons made their debut with the game’s patch 10.2.5, offering a new way to navigate the challenges of Dragonflight dungeons.
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Are WoW Follower Dungeons worth doing?
Follower Dungeons in World of Warcraft have been introduced as a valuable tool for players, particularly for those playing damage-dealing (DPS) characters who are looking to level up from 60 to 70 without engaging in quests in the outside world. While questing or running dungeons with other players may be more efficient for leveling, Follower Dungeons offer a relaxed alternative that can be quite enjoyable when you have some spare time.
These dungeons are not only a means to gain experience for an alt character but also provide an opportunity to acquire gear for new max-level characters, complete dungeon-run quests, or farm specific items or glyphs from bosses. An added advantage is the elimination of concerns about being paired with a group that is either too fast-paced or toxic, as the NPCs will leave the party if the player dies, only to reappear once the player respawns.
However, it’s important to note that there is a cap on how many Follower Dungeons one can run daily, with a limit of 10 per day. When using a full party of NPC companions, players can expect to receive about 80 percent of the experience points they would earn in a group with other players.
The rewards from Follower Dungeons include typical Normal dungeon leveling gear, which improves as players level up, maxing out at Explorer loot at level 70. For characters at 3/8 on the upgrade track, this translates to an item level of 421, providing a pathway to gear up alts that may be lagging behind.
Given these benefits and limitations, Follower Dungeons are a worthwhile addition for players looking to level up and gear up in a more controlled and potentially less stressful environment.
How to start a WoW Follower Dungeon and what they reward
To begin a Follower Dungeon in World of Warcraft, players can utilize the Looking for Group tool, which has been a staple feature for organizing dungeon runs. The process is straightforward: players simply select Follower Dungeons from the drop-down list in the upper right corner of the tool’s interface. This presents a list of available Dragonflight dungeons, with the exception of Dawn of the Infinites, allowing players to select the ones they wish to queue for.
Follower Dungeons are set to Normal difficulty and can accommodate parties of one to four players, with NPCs filling in the remaining roles. To participate in these dungeons, players must meet certain requirements:
| Level Requirement | Item Level Requirement | Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Level 60 | 180 item level | Normal dungeon leveling gear, maxing out at Explorer loot (421 item level) at level 70 |
It’s important to note that while Follower Dungeons offer a unique and convenient way to experience dungeon content, there is a limitation on the number of runs a player can complete daily, which is capped at 10. This ensures a balanced approach to leveling and gearing up through this method.
Your new roster of NPC friends includes familiar faces
When embarking on a Follower Dungeon, players will be joined by a cast of NPC characters that may already be familiar to those who have completed the Exile’s Reach starting experience. These NPCs fill the essential roles needed for a balanced dungeon party, ensuring that players have support regardless of their class or specialization.
- Captain Garrick, a protection paladin, serves as the tank. She is adept at holding aggro and positioning mobs for optimal group combat.
- Meredy Huntswell, a fire mage encountered during the Alliance Exile’s Reach campaign, provides utility by conjuring a refreshment table at the dungeon’s start.
- Shuja Grimaxe, an enhancement shaman, steps in for mage players, ensuring that the group has access to Heroism/Bloodlust buffs.
- Crenna Earth-Daughter, a restoration druid, takes on the role of healer, keeping the party’s health topped up.
- Austin Huxworth, a beast mastery hunter, contributes to the party’s damage output. Shuja will replace him if a hunter is already present in the group.
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Your NPCs can help you learn dungeon mechanics
In World of Warcraft’s Follower Dungeons, NPCs are not only companions in battle but also serve as guides to help players understand and navigate dungeon mechanics. Upon starting a dungeon, players are granted a new ability called Dungeon Assistance, which can be toggled on or off. When activated, NPCs take the lead, pulling enemies and providing instructions on how to handle various dungeon mechanics, effectively acting as a tutorial group.
The AI behavior of these NPCs is sophisticated, with programming tailored to the specific mechanics of each dungeon. They prioritize targets, dispel debuffs, and react to mechanics in a manner akin to a well-coordinated player group. While their interrupt abilities may not be perfect, their healing capabilities and the forgiving nature of Normal-difficulty dungeons contribute to a smooth and educational experience.
Players who prefer a faster pace can influence the NPCs’ pulling speed by initiating combat with the next group of enemies, prompting the NPCs to quickly engage. However, excessive pulling or failure to avoid harmful effects can lead to player death, at which point the NPCs will temporarily leave the party until the player respawns.
This system of NPC assistance not only enhances the learning curve for new and returning players but also provides a more relaxed environment for those looking to practice their skills without the pressure of a live group.
(Image credit: Blizzard)
