The launch of World of Warcraft Season of Discovery (SoD) brought a surge of excitement, drawing players back to Azeroth to explore a revamped vanilla experience. However, as the initial rush subsides, questions arise about the long-term health of different server types, particularly those designated as “Medium Population.” For players invested in these realms, understanding the trajectory of server populations is crucial for a sustainable and enjoyable gameplay experience throughout Season of Discovery.
The Tale of Two Server Types: Full vs. Medium Population in SoD
Currently, a stark contrast exists between “Full” and “Medium Population” servers within Season of Discovery. Servers like Crusader Strike exemplify the “Full” category, boasting massive player counts, sometimes necessitating multiple layers to accommodate everyone, even during off-peak hours. In stark comparison, servers such as Chaos Bolt and Lava Lash, labeled as “Medium Population,” host significantly smaller communities. In fact, these medium pop servers can be as small as 10% the size of their full counterparts in terms of active players.
While a smaller population might seem concerning, it’s important to acknowledge that even these “Medium” servers currently rivaled the size of healthy realms during original Vanilla and The Burning Crusade expansions. With an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 active raiders on each, Chaos Bolt and Lava Lash provide a functional and active environment for now.
The Inevitable Tide: Population Decline in World of Warcraft
The critical factor to consider is the inherent lifecycle of any World of Warcraft expansion or seasonal content. WoW experiences its population zenith at the launch of new content. Season of Discovery, like previous iterations, has likely already reached its peak player base. Historically, player numbers tend to gradually decline as the initial novelty wears off and players complete their immediate goals or move on to other games.
This natural attrition poses less of a threat to “Full” servers. Starting with populations exceeding 50,000 raiders, these servers possess a substantial buffer. Even a significant population drop, potentially down to 10,000 by Phase 4, would still sustain a vibrant and healthy server environment.
However, the situation is more precarious for “Medium Population” servers. If we assume their current 4,000-6,000 player peak, a proportional decline could lead to critically low numbers as Season of Discovery progresses through its phases. By the time level 60 content in Phase 4 arrives, these servers could potentially dwindle to under a thousand active players each.
Risk Assessment: The Future of Medium Pop SoD Servers
For players deeply invested in servers like Chaos Bolt or Lava Lash, these population trends should raise concerns. These servers were, in essence, a reactive measure. Chaos Bolt, for example, was created as a response to the overwhelming demand on Crusader Strike at launch. While necessary, the delayed opening and initial perception as a secondary option meant Chaos Bolt never had the opportunity to establish a player base comparable to the “Full” servers.
The risk is not immediate. Medium population servers are currently playable and enjoyable. However, the long-term forecast suggests a potential decline to a point where the server experience becomes negatively impacted by a lack of active players for group content, economies, and general community interaction.
A Proactive Strategy: Building Your Backup Plan
Despite the potential risks, players currently enjoying “Medium Population” servers can take proactive steps to mitigate future issues. The recommendation is not to abandon your current characters immediately, but to consider creating an alternate character (an “alt”) on one of the high-population SoD realms.
Utilize the time before Phase 2 to level this alt to level 25. As you progress your main character on your medium pop server through Phase 2 to level 40, dedicate time to also level your alt to 40 before Phase 3. Continue this parallel leveling strategy throughout Season of Discovery.
This approach provides a crucial backup plan. Should your “Medium Population” server experience a significant population decline later in SoD, you will have a ready-to-play character on a healthier server, ensuring continued access to a thriving game environment.
Server Merges: A Low Probability Scenario
While server merges might seem like a potential solution to declining populations, it is unlikely Blizzard will implement them for Season of Discovery. The seasonal nature of SoD suggests a more hands-off approach to long-term server management. It is plausible that “Medium Population” servers could, unfortunately, become less populated over time, potentially even becoming “graveyards” where characters remain but the active community dwindles.
Therefore, taking personal responsibility and creating a backup plan through an alt character on a “Full” server is the most pragmatic approach for players concerned about the long-term viability of “Medium Population” realms in Season of Discovery.
