How to Start Shadowlands in Dragonflight and Get the Oribos

World of Warcraft has progressed each year as new expansions are launched. If you want to experience Shadowlands after coming back to Dragonflight, the first question to ask would be how to start. While a bit complex compared to when Shadowlands first came out, it is still easy to follow. This guide ensures you get to Oribos to step into the Shadowlands. dragon-1

If your focus is PvP in the Shadowlands expansion, consider using a WoW PvP boost to help you get geared up quickly. Shadowlands has special PvP vendors, and good equipment will benefit battlegrounds and arena matches. You will experience a greater difference in your performance with rank and competitive gear whether you play random battlegrounds or ranked arenas.

How to unlock the Shadowlands Questline

Before heading to Oribos, you must first unlock the Shadowlands quest line. New and returning players might not realize that there is a quest available. To have it visible, perform the following steps.

Achieve Level 50. Only characters at level 50 and above can use Shadowlands features. If you are currently at lower than level 50, try to focus on leveling up.
Take a trip to Aorgrimmar or Stormwind. When you reach level 50, head to your faction’s capital city.
Accept Shadowlands: A Chilling Summons from Highlord Bolvar. There is an automatically assigned quest you should receive called Shadowlands: A Chilling Summons. If you can’t look for this quest, talk to Highlord Bolvar Jeansrend in Stormwind for Alliance and Orgrimmar for Horde; you can find him at the city's core.
Get to the Maw. If you haven’t noticed yet, just follow the quest, and you will get to Icecrown, where you can enter the Maw.

Getting to Oribos

Oribos is the central hub of Shadowlands. Once you start the quest line, you'll reach Oribos through the Maw intro. Here’s how:

Complete the Maw Intro Scenario – This is mandatory for first-time characters entering Shadowlands. You will follow Bolvar Fordragon and help rescue key NPCs.
Step Through the Oribos Portal – After finishing the intro, you'll be transported to Oribos.
Unlock the Oribos Portal in Your Capital – Once in Oribos, you can return using portals in Stormwind or Orgrimmar. These are found in the portal rooms of both cities.

The first time you arrive in Oribos, you will notice that it differs from other main hubs like Dalaran or Shattrath. Oribos is a floating city in the heart of Shadowlands, serving as a meeting point between realms. It has a unique layout home to important vendors, trainers, and faction leaders.

Skipping the Maw Intro

If you have already completed the Maw intro on one character, you can skip it on all. Talk to Bolvar Fordragon at the start of the quest line and choose the skip option. This will immediately take you to Oribos. Skipping the intro saves time, especially if you plan to level multiple characters in Shadowlands. The intro is engaging the first time but can feel repetitive if you’ve done it before.

What to Do in Oribos

Oribos serves as the main hub for Shadowlands content. Once you're there, you should:

Pick a Covenant (Kyrian, Necrolord, Night Fae, or Venthyr) when you reach level 60.
Visit the PvP vendors if you're focusing on battlegrounds and arenas.
Unlock flight paths and set your hearthstone in Oribos.
Continue the Shadowlands campaign, or jump into dungeons and raids.
Speak with various NPCs to unlock additional content like The Maw and Torghast.
Complete daily and weekly quests to earn reputation and resources.

The city of Oribos has multiple floors. The main floor contains essential services, while the upper floors house faction leaders and portals to Covenant zones. The Ring of Fates is where you will find professional trainers, while the Ring of Transference leads to flight points and teleportation areas.

Alternative Ways to Reach Oribos

If you have already been to Oribos, there are multiple ways to get back:

Capital City Portals – Use the Oribos portal in Stormwind or Orgrimmar.
Dalaran Hearthstone – If you’re in Dalaran (Legion version), you can use its portal room to reach Oribos.
Mage Portals – Mages can create a portal to Oribos for themselves and others.
Teleport Items – Some items from Shadowlands allow teleportation to Oribos, such as the Eternal Traveler’s Hearthstone.
Using a Summoning Stone – If you are grouped with other players, they can summon you to Oribos using the Summoning Stone.

Troubleshooting: If You Can’t Start Shadowlands

If you don’t see the Shadowlands quest, check the following:

Ensure You Are Level 50+ – The quest won’t appear before this level.
Check Quest Logs – If your log is full, abandon unnecessary quests to make room.
Visit Bolvar Fordragon Manually – Sometimes, you must manually pick up the quest from him.
Check Chromie Time Settings – If you're using Chromie Time for leveling, turn it off to start Shadowlands.

Exploring Shadowlands Beyond Oribos

Once you're settled in Oribos, you can explore the four main Shadowlands zones:

Bastion – Home of the Kyrian, filled with bright landscapes and floating islands.
Maldraxxus – The Necrolords’ domain, full of undead warriors.
Ardenweald – A mystical forest ruled by the Night Fae.
Revendreth – A gothic realm where the Venthyr reside.

Each zone offers unique quests, dungeons, and rewards. Your Covenant choice will impact your gameplay and abilities, so choose wisely. Covens also grants access to special conduits, mounts, and cosmetics that reflect the theme of the faction you join.

Shadowlands PvP and Endgame Activities

For those into PvP, Shadowlands has a ton to offer. There are rated PvP matches, battlegrounds, and events focused on PvP in the overworld. The PvP vendors in Oribos sell honor and conquest gear, which can be upgraded for better stats. If you want to get into competitive PvP quickly, boosting services and premade groups will make many of the best gear obtainable remarkably fast. In Shadowlands, beyond PvP, you can also push yourself in Torghast, a tower with no end. Here, you can farm Soul Ash, which is used to craft legendary items. These items are incredibly important for PvE and PvP to increase your character's combat effectiveness.

Conclusion

Shadowlands is now easier to start up in Dragonflight than ever before. All you need to do is reach level 50, take the quest, and follow the story. Your place of operations will be in Oribos, where you can jump straight into dungeons, raids, and PvP. If you are returning to Shadowlands or it is your first time, there is plenty to do and enjoy. If you have good gear and a decent Covenant with a basic understanding of Oribos, you should be able to tackle any challenges waiting for you in the Shadowlands.