World of Warcrafthas brought back its popular limited-time in-game event,Plunderstorm, for a second round, offering all new cosmetics, mounts, pets, and other rewards for swashbuckling players to get their hands on. The pirate-themed battle royale game mode is active now, starting on January 14 and running until February 18. An activeWorld of Warcraftsubscription is required to access the event, and it must be selected from theWoWgame menu prior to logging in due to it being a separate game version. Players will use limited-time, ready-to-play characters for the event.
Many players have been upset that although there are many new rewards this year, many of them are simply recolored versions of things from the2024Plunderstormevent. Despite this,Plunderstormhas still been met with excitement as many players enjoy the game mechanics and the chance to earn these rewards. All rewards earned are account-wide and there are some available for both Retail and Classic versions ofWorld of Warcraft. Not everything is the same as 2024 either, such as the new Plunder currency and impressive new rewards in the mix.
10Players Don’t Need To Have Experience With WoW
A Good Entry For Battle Royale Fans From Other Games
It can be hard to want totry playingWoWfor the first timeafter it has been out for twenty years and seen numerous expansions and changes.The PvP focus ofPlunderstormand many of its game mechanics are, admittedly, very different from playing the normal versions ofWoW, yet it can still be a good chance for new players to dip their toes in and see the world. Getting a feel for controls, seeing the world and getting to run around in a bit of it, these are all things that can still be experienced inPlunderstorm.
With the current popularity of battle royale games such asFortniteandPUBG: Battlegrounds, thePlunderstormevent may be a good entry toWorld of Warcraftfor players who are coming from those gaming worlds. Plus, they can have a chance to play with some of their friends inWoWat least for a bit.
9Play In Solos Or Duos To Have Fun With Friends
Trios Is No Longer An Option, But Practice Mode Is
A heavily requested Practice Lobby has been added toPlunderstormthis year.The practice lobby gives players a chance to test out spellsto familiarize themselves with them, reset key bindings, and simply get used to controls before being dropped into the middle of chaos. Additionally, when players do jump into a game, they can choose their drop location rather than landing at any random location.
Although anyone can queue for the game solo, there is also an option to play in duos, teamed with a friend. Unfortunately, the trios option which had been added in 2024’sPlunderstormevent has been removed at this time to make way for the practice mode instead.
8WoW-Based Battle Royale Is A Diversion From Traditional WoW
Unique Gameplay Mode From The Typical WoW Experience
It is a simple fact thatPlunderstormis not for everyone, but it can be fun to try something new in the world of Azeroth. It is such a departure from the wayWorld of Warcraftis typically played that not only are there a lot of things that the devs are still trying to smooth out, but many players are simply not fans of a battle royale environment.The event is entirely PvP basedand even if someone wants to try to play without attacking other player characters, they will still inevitably be drawn into combat.
Plunderstormis not for everyone, but it can be fun to try something new in the world of Azeroth.
As long as someone already has aWarcraftsubscription, there is no additional cost involved in trying the event, and because characters are ready-made, it is easy to dive in. It is not for everyone, but it is stilla fun alternative to check out while thePlunderstormevent is active.
7Earn Rewards Account-Wide To Use On Main Characters
Both Retail And Classic WoW Have Rewards
Rewards that are gained inPlunderstormby purchase through the Plunderstore areautomatically unlocked for modernWorld of Warcraftcharactersand will be able to be accessed from the Collection menu for any of those characters. This includes all mounts, transmogs for gear and outfits, and even the adorable return of Pirate Pepe. So, playing a bit ofPlunderstormto get some of the special rewards would then make them available for all characters in the retail, modernWoW.
Sadly, while there are rewards that can be unlocked forWoW Classic, it appears that 2025 does not have any new rewardsfor these players. All official statements from Blizzard are clear to mention that rewards are unlocked for modernWoW, with no mention ofWoW:Cataclysm Classicor any other version ofWoW Classicanywhere in the posts.
6New Plunder Currency Lets Players Work Towards The Rewards They Want
No More Renown Track For Plunderstorm
In the 2024 version ofPlunderstorm, players had to grind for renownin order to unlock rewards, and then they were limited to what was next on the renown track. This time around, developers have made it much more player-friendly by adding a temporary currency called Plunder that players are gaining instead of renown. Using this currency,players can go to the Plunderstore and exchange their Plunder for whichever rewards they want to get, allowing people to focus on their favorite items.
Being killed inPlunderstormdoes not make a player lose any acquired plunder.
Titles are awarded to players depending on how much Plunder they accrue, but the Plunder does not need to be spent to purchase the titles. For example, the “Lub and Plunder” achievement comes from collecting 2,500 Plunder and gives players the title reward: Landlubber.
5Exciting Spells To Play With As Things Are Found On The Map
Brand New Offensive And Utility Spells And Balance Changes
Getting spells inPlunderstormis done by finding them, as well as other abilities and upgrades, during gameplay of killing creatures and enemies, looting chests, and more. This year, there are four new spells added to the lineup to keep things interesting for returning players. Two offensive spells and two utility spells are all new this year.
Description
Aura of Zealotry
Offensive. Passively increase movement speed for your allies. Cast to consecrate the ground damaging enemies periodically. While in your consecration, gain enhanced movement speed and melee attacks.
Celestial Barrage
Offensive. Call down a barrage of moonbeams, damaging enemies. This spell can be empowered to greatly increase its range.
Call Galefeather
Utility. Call forth Galefeather to knock enemies back with heavy winds for a short duration.
Void Tear
Utility. Tear into the Void, placing a Void mark. Recast Void Tear to instantly return to the mark, damaging and slowing enemies. The recast can be performed instantly while casting any spell without interruption.
Also for 2025, some of the previous year’s spells have been better balanced by decreasing the cooldown times. There are also new controls for swapping spells and a list on the display in areas that have multiple spells available to find.
4All The New Cosmetics For Weapons Are A Lot of Fun
Including The Beautiful Plunderlord’s Stormridden Cutlass
Battle royale can be fun, buta lot of the reason to playPlunderstormcomes down to collecting all the cool cosmetic transmog rewardsthat are available in the Plunderstore. Numerous weapon transmog colorations have been added to 2025’s event. Whether someone wants to embrace the silliness of using the Swabbie’s Shovel as a staff or strike fear in the hearts of foes with the Plunderlord’s Stormridden Cutlass, these are some beautiful purple-themed cosmetics.
There are a total of 14 weapon cosmetics offered, six of which are new for 2025. Additionally, there are four gun cosmetics, one of which is new this time, and several wearable outfit transmog sets.
3Yes, The Plunderlord’s Stormridden Gear Is A Recolor, But It Looks Incredible
The Dark Purples And Backs Of Stormridden Gear Makes It Worth It
Many of the new and returning clothing transmogs are in high demand already, including everything from the Plunderlord’s Old Hat or Old Eye Patch to the full set of Plunderlord’s Stormridden Finery.The Stormridden set is a black and purple recolor of the returning Strapping set,which is primarily red and gold. Both of these sets are made up of eight pieces that are purchased individually from the Plunderstore.
Because the pieces of gear are purchased individually, if someone only wants a couple specific pieces they can pick and choose, although the entire outfit together is certainly an impressive look.
There are other gear transmogs available for purchase as well, including four cloak styles, several hats, and the Swabbie and Snazzy transmog sets that were available in the first round ofPlunderstorm.
2Available Pets Include A Recolor Of Glamrok And A Beautiful Purple Parrot
Five Pets Available With Three Returning, Including Glamrok
Ever since battle pets were added toWorld of Warcraft, many players have loved collecting the little friends. Particularly with being able to have a pet wander around behind the players character while they are walking through town or questing, they can add a lot of enjoyment, and be a fun way to show off to others when a rare or exceptionally impressive looking pet is owned.
Plunderstormhas three pet rewards returning from last year as well as two new ones added to the list.The popular Glamrok with its crown on its head has a recolored version called Sparklesnap this year which has already had many players eager to earn enough Plunder to purchase. Also a gorgeous purple parrot named Parley is new for 2025.
1New Mounts To Earn, Including The Plunderlord’s Midnight Crocolisk And Hooktalon
Five Mounts Available With Three Returning From Last Year
Although the Plunderlord’s Midnight Crocolisk is, again, a recolor of the Plunderlord’s Golden Crocolisk, it is still a beautiful mount.Continuing with the dark silvers and purples of this year’sPlunderstormevent, the mount features a dark crocolisk with silver coins along its back and luxury seating for its rider. Meanwhile, Hooktalon is a purple recolor of the Polly Roger mount, which was also brought back for this year’s event for players to collect the pair.
It would have been nice to see all-new rewards provided for this year’sPlunderstorm, but the recolor options are all pretty incredible on their own. Ultimately, as this is a limited-time event that does not have any real impact on the main characters that a player uses for theirWorld of Warcraftexperience, it is entirely optional and can be tried at no risk. But, earning some of these mounts and other rewards is a pretty good reason to keep going.
