WoW fans caught off guard by how soon the next update arrives celebrate the exorcism of one of the MMO's biggest recent demons

Blizzard Entertainment has revealed that World of Warcraft: Dragonflight's Embers of Neltharion patch goes live next month, sparking a community reaction of 'holy crap, that fast?' 

Patch 10.1, if we're getting technical with it, introduces a new zone called Zaralek Caverns, which will be another area to explore with fresh faces to meet. You're also getting more open-world content in the form of Fyrrak Assaults that sees dragon-like foes attempt to gather resources at Suffusion Camps in the Azure Span and Ohn'ahran Plains – they'll succeed, too, if you let them. 

In a more historic move for the MMO, Blizzard is introducing cross-faction guilds, allowing you to join a group with anyone regardless of their faction allegiance. All it leads to is conveniences like shared chat and guild repairs, but there's something more sentimental in play given that the Horde vs Alliance rivalry has been core to WoW since launch. 

Embers of Neltharion's release date has caught plenty in the community off guard, but in a good way. The positive response is equally influenced by frustrations over Shadowlands and delight with Dragonkeep, but everyone is more or less saying the same thing.

"Even earlier than I expected," one says. "Can't believe people thought they were going to sit on it until July!"

Another adds: "Way sooner than I thought. [Blizzard] is really on top of its game with this expansion". 

To unpack the sentiment a tad, Shadowlands prompted criticism over its update cadence and time-gating mechanics, leading to a slog through content that rumbled on over longer periods than fans were used to. The influence of the COVID-19 lockdown on game development is worth bearing in mind, though it appears to be another issue Dragonflight remedies regardless. Alongside more accessible storytelling and a cool new class, Blizzard is keeping Dragonflight's post-expansion updates moving steadily.

In consideration of the speed at which we are receiving new content... from r/wow

We’ve still got plenty to see from Dragonflight, though some fans are discussing where the expansion places alongside other greats like Legion and Wrath of the Lich King. In short, pretty closely, though some reckon Legion remains undefeated, if only slightly. 

World of Warcraft’s Embers of Neltharion patch releases May 2. Whether it continues Dragonflight’s hot streak, though, remains to be seen.

Recently, a World of Warcraft player completed a 200-day grind to max level without even setting foot on the game's tutorial island.