Summary
World of Warcraft: Classic - Season of Discoveryhas officially begun Phase 4, raising the character level cap to 60 and making a few other additions and fixes. One of the unique features of this version ofWoWis the use of special items called Runes. Players can use these to improve their skills and talents, or add new abilities that complement their unique build.
These runes have been available since Phase 1 and were intended and designed for characters up to level 25, which is why they’re ideal for the leveling process. A few of them have been replaced in Phase 4, but still exist under slightly different names.
Ice Lance
Mage, Level 2
This Rune is an incentive to go for Ice Mage, at least at first, and there is a popular opinion that the Ice Mageis the best leveling choicegoing all the way back to Vanilla Classic. The early glove enchantment that casters get is often one that improves their spell power and gives them a better damage output.
To get this rune, the Mage trainer has a quest to kill a certain local enemy until an item drops called “Spell Notes,” which teaches them this simple but effective new Frost spell. It’s also a nice complement to another later Rune, Enlightment, which enchants the Mage’s chest piece with an ability that increases spell damage and helps regenerate mana.
In the spirit of Mage lore, the Runes for this class need to be studied, deciphered, and decoded. The Mage needs to have the Arcane Intellect buff active in order to learn this spell.
Explosive Shot
Hunter, Level 5
This glove enchantment provides a useful AoE effect, along with increasing the damage of the character’s initial attack. Explosive Shot is the second glove enchantment that low-level Hunters will find. The other is Chimera Shot, which relies more on poison and damage over time.
The choice between these two runes gives the Hunter a chance to decide on their future build. Hunters didn’t get other options for class roles in Season of Discovery, but they can still choose what kind of DPS fighter they want to be for the endgame.
Victory Rush
Warrior, Level 2
Victory Rush is similar to the Charge ability, which is also an important component in the warrior toolbox. However, this Rune is an improvement because it restores some health as opposed to generating Rage. Warriors don’t have healing spells, and at this level, access to potions for buffs and health, along with the ability to cook special food, is minimal.
Anything that gives a Warrior an edge when it comes to their initial attacks and health regenerationis a superior skill, and luckily, warriors can get this one early in the game. Victory Rush blends nicely with either the Tank or DPS role currently available to Warriors, so it’s ideal regardless of the planned endgame build.
Quick Draw
Rogue, Level 8
Rogues can also be Tanks in Season of Discovery,and this is one of the early blocksin that specific build. At lower levels, Quick Draw can help with battlefield management by pulling enemies and slowing them down. Later on, it draws aggro for those who decide to level a Tank.
DPS Rogues can use this attack to gain combo points, which can be used for extra, special attacks. This passive enchant goes on the Rogue’s chest piece, saving an open space on the action bar, which is another important advantage.
Haunt
Warlock, Level 2
Haunt is one of the best Runes for Warlocks of both the Tank and DPS persuasion, regardless of where they are in the level grind. At early levels, it not only gives the Warlock yet another deadly DoT spell, but also restores their health upon death.
Combine this with other abilities that include Life Tap, andthe Warlock doesn’t need to stopto eat or drink. This is one of the reasons Warlocks remain a popular class. Now that they can also be Tanks, expect to see them in dungeons more often.
The more damage the Warlock does to the target, the more health is returned to them. This makes Haunt one of the foundational Runes for the Warlock Tank build. Using it on several targets simultaneously, and timing when they fall, is one way to restore the Tank’s health and give the healer time to regenerate mana.
Homunculi
Priest, Level 6
Some abilities are equal parts entertaining and useful. If that’sa measure of the best leveling Runes, then Homunculi might be among the best in the game. It’s similar to the classic Mage spell Mirror Image, because it creates several copies of the caster that attack enemies with simple melee weapons.
The Prophecy of a Desecrated Citadel is a scroll that drops from certain enemies in each starting area, and the choice of possible foes is different for each class. Night Elves, for example, will slay various types of imps or demons for the drop. Meanwhile, the Forsaken kill members of the Scarlet Crusade. Unlike the Mage spell, however, the copies of the Priest are miniature. It doesn’t affect their abilities, but it is more fun.
The ability to learn this Rune requires the help of a Priest of another race, who can give you a unique Meditation buff from the one you already have. The Priest must have two active Meditiation buffs to learn the Homunculi Rune.
