Phasing

Summary

Phasing is a world design technique introduced in the Wrath of the Lich King expansion.

The process allows certain players to view certain phases of the world environment depending on what place they are in certain quest lines. Most often changes in world phase are triggered by turning in certain quests.

For example, in the Death Knight Starting Zone of Ebon Hold, players move through three different world phases while completing the Starting Experience's epic quest chain. After completing certain quests, the player returns to the area of Death's Breach to find it completely different from how it looked during previous quests: NPCs have changed position, certain buildings are now destroyed, etc.

Only players that are in the same phase of the world can see each other. If a player currently completing quests in phase 1 of an area is standing next to a player who is involved in phase 2 or 3, they cannot see or /speak to each other, though that can still communicate using private tells and global chat channels.

At times, phasing only effects an area's mobs. This can, at times, make it seem that players are fighting thin air.

Phasing in the Death Knight Starting Experience
Havenshire Farms: Phase 1	Havenshire Farms: Phase 2

Current Phased World Areas

Here is a list of the world zones or areas that currently employ phasing:

• Ebon Hold: The instanced Death Knight Starting Experience consists of three main phases in which the entire zone gradually comes under the control of the Lich King.
• Nesingwary's Base Camp in Sholazar Basin: In this area players must complete a series of quests before they can access the area's flight path.
• The Argent Vanguard in Icecrown Glacier: Players complete a series of quests for Tirion Fordring, building up the Argent Crusade's offensive against the Scourge.
• Angrathar the Wrath Gate in Dragonblight: An epic quest chain concerning the Dragonflights and the Scourge Plague in this area phases not only the Angrathar area, but also Undercity and Shattrath, at times spawning demons and Alliance NPCs within the Horde capitol which can only be seen and fought by players currently in that phase.
• Shadow Vault in Icecrown Glacier: Players complete a series of quests that unlock the Shadow Vault's flight path.