Blizzard Entertainment have released a video detailing the changes coming before the new World of Warcraft expansion, Battle for Azeroth.

The expansion’s “pre-patch”, Patch 8.0, will be coming July 18th. Changes include:

• A “stat squish”- reducing numbers across the board for players and NPCs.
• Artifact weapons losing their traits, while said traits become available within certain classes. Artifacts now scale to your level and grow more powerful that way. The “Heart of Azeroth” and “Azerite Armor” coming in the new expansion are hinted at having similar levelling up mechanics to how Artifacts used to work.
• For professions, recipes have their own categories based on expansion, with their own progression. This means players don’t have to make “old gear” from prior expansions in order to level up in that profession to be able to make gear from later expansions.
• The First Aid profession is gone. Tailors now make bandages, and Alchemists make anti-venoms. For those who do not have access to either of those professions, it is recommended they “find a friend” or use the auction house to acquire the bandages and anti-venoms.
• As there are no longer PVP servers, the new “war mode” allows players to toggle PvP in any server as long as they are in Stormwind or Orgimmar. Players below max level can earn extra EXP, while max level players can earn extra rewards from World Quest.
• New Content and a Legion PvP post-season running exclusively until the expansion releases.

While not elaborated upon, the video also explains that “war fronts, island expeditions, allied races, new zones, dungeons and raids, new PVP arena maps, and some major updates to the Mythic Keystone system” are coming in the new expansion.

Additional information can be found in the video above, or in the full-run down by Blizzard below:

In the aftermath of Sargeras’ assault on Azeroth, tensions between the Alliance and the Horde are on the brink of erupting into all-out war. But before the storm begins, we’ve just announced that the Battle for Azeroth Pre-Patch will arrive on July 18.

To help players prepare for this pre-expansion update, we’ve released a Battle for Azeroth Pre-Patch Survival Guide video providing an overview of what’s in store. Watch it here.

The Battle for Azeroth Pre-Patch includes a variety of features and system changes that lay the groundwork for the upcoming expansion, including:

• Battle for Azeroth Class Updates: The arrival of the Pre-Patch will bring with it significant changes for many of the classes and specs in the game. Players will soon be able to start practicing with their updated spells and abilities, giving them an edge as they set out to Kul Tiras or Zandalar adventure in the expansion—and seek out even more power.
• War Mode and PvP Updates: With the arrival of the Pre-Patch, the long-awaited War Mode will be available. Players will be able to toggle War Mode on or off whenever they’re in Orgrimmar or Stormwind. When the mode is enabled, players can venture out into the world to engage in world PvP with other like-minded adventurers looking for a fight—no matter what realm they might be on. This update will also bring an arsenal of changes to PvP talents and the Honor system. Learn more.
• Players will be able to create and join cross-realm Communities, a new kind of social group that makes it easier to connect with and play alongside adventurers from your faction who share common interests. Learn more.
• And more! In the coming weeks, players will embark on a series of quests that tell the tale of the events leading up to the expansion—stay tuned for more. We’re also making changes to professions and other aspects of the game—check out the Survival Guide for the details.

World of Warcraft is out now for PC. The Battle for Azeroth expansion is out August 14th 2018.