Blizzard makes Cataclysm expansion pack part of World of Warcraft package

Attempts to get into World of Warcraft used to feel like a daunting affair, especially considering the fact that other than the base game itself, it has four expansion packs. Blizzard had earlier remedied it somewhat with its Battle Chest, which originally included the base game and the first expansion pack—The Burning Crusade. Some time after Cataclysm came out, Blizzard added Wrath of the Lich King to the Battle Chest. Now, a year after the release of Mists of Pandaria, Blizzard has renamed the Battle Chest to the World of Warcraft package, and has packed in Cataclysm into the set.

You are not prepared!

The package is going to make it to retail stores eventually, but is currently available online through Blizzard’s own online store for $19.99 (Rs 1,234 approx). Along with this, anyone who had earlier picked up the Battle Chest without any of the newer expansion packs now has access to all of the areas and character races and classes up to Cataclysm. Buyers will still have to pay $14.99 (Rs 925 approx) for the monthly subscription to continue playing after the first 30 days included in the purchase.

Mists of Pandaria is still available as a separate purchase which is needed to get to the current content. On the Blizzard online store, the expansion pack costs $39.99, which roughly translates to Rs 2,470. If you want to try the game out without committing to a purchase, you can try out the limited Starter Edition, which gives you access to 20 levels worth of content. Progressing beyond that requires purchase of the game.