So, we’re finally going to Undermine.
Honestly, it feels like a decade of forum theories just manifested into reality. Blizzard basically decided that since we’ve spent so much time in the dirt with Nerubians, it’s time to spend some time in the neon-soaked, oil-slicked tunnels of the goblin capital. Patch 11.1—officially titled Undermine(d)—landed on February 25, 2025, and it’s a lot.
If you haven’t logged in yet, or you’re just coming back to see what the fuss is about, the vibe has shifted. Hard. We’ve traded the high-fantasy titan halls for industrial grit, corrupt cartels, and a motorized vehicle system that’s honestly faster than any mount you’ve ever used.
The Big One: D.R.I.V.E. and Your New G-99 Breakneck
Forget flying. At least for a bit. In Undermine, you’re grounded, but not in the way you were back in Warlords of Draenor.
Blizzard introduced the D.R.I.V.E. system (Dynamic and Revolutionary Improvements to Vehicular Experiences). It’s basically a customizable goblin hotrod called the G-99 Breakneck. People were worried about a "no-flying" zone, but this thing goes 3x to 5x faster than a regular ground mount. It’s actually faster than Skyriding at max tilt if you hit your boosts right.
You get it pretty early from a goblin named Nanny Talullah. The coolest part isn't just the speed; it’s the customization. You can swap out engines (the Pozzik is a beast for acceleration), wheels (like the 22H Slicks), and even the horn sound. It’s got a drift mechanic—hold spacebar to slide around corners—and that builds up your turbo meter.
It feels more like Mario Kart than World of Warcraft, which sounds weird on paper, but in the tight, messy streets of Undermine, it just works.
Choosing Your Cartel: It’s Not Shadowlands 2.0
I know what you're thinking. "Oh great, another Covenant choice."
Relax. It’s not like that. There is zero player power tied to which cartel you pick. You aren't losing 10% DPS because you liked the Steamwheedle aesthetic more than the Venture Co.
Every week, you pick one of the four major cartels to represent:
- Bilgewater: Led by Gazlowe. Lots of tinkering and explosives.
- Steamwheedle: Led by Marin Noggenfogger. Focuses on high-end alchemy.
- Blackwater: Led by Baron Revilgaz. Shipping and "luxury" vacations (if you consider a goblin beach luxury).
- Venture Co.: Surprisingly, we’re working with them now, managed by Grimla Fizzlecrank.
You switch your allegiance weekly. It basically just changes which world quests you see and what kind of rewards you're farming. It’s much more chill than the systems we’ve had in the past.
The Liberation of Undermine Raid
Season 2 officially kicked off on March 4, 2025, and with it came the Liberation of Undermine raid. It’s an 8-boss run through the "Gallagio" casino and the surrounding streets.
The boss fights are genuinely unhinged. You’ve got Rik Reverb, a DJ goblin who uses sound waves to knock you around, and The One-Armed Bandit, which is literally a giant slot machine. The final encounter is Chrome King Gallywix. He’s in a massive mech (obviously), and the fight is a chaotic mess of gold, fire, and cannons.
If you’re looking for the meta-defining loot, pay attention to the Gallagio Loyalty Rewards Club. It’s a new renown-style track specifically for raiders that gives you extra perks and cosmetics as you clear the place.
Major Class Shake-ups in the wow 11.1 patch notes
Blizzard went heavy on the talent reworks this time around.
Hunters had a wild ride on the PTR. Originally, Marksmanship was going to lose pets entirely for a "Lone Wolf" fantasy with a weird spectral eagle. The community hated it. Blizzard actually listened and added the Unbreakable Bond talent, so MM hunters can still use their regular pets. Also, you can now change your pet's spec (Ferocity/Tenacity/Cunning) in the stable via a dropdown. Finally.
Mages are seeing a huge Fire resurgence. Frostfire Bolt is back in a big way. The buffs to the Frostfire hero talent tree make it way more viable for single-target encounters. It’s super mobile and feels great to play.
Tanks across the board got a 20% damage buff. Blizzard realized tanks were falling behind the DPS curve, and in high-key Mythic+, it was becoming an issue.
Priests also got some love (or pain, depending on who you ask). Holy Priests saw a lot of 2-point nodes compressed into 1-point nodes, making the tree feel a bit less cramped. Disc Priests lost Rapture as a baseline button—it's been replaced by a reworked Evangelism that heals for a massive chunk based on your Atonements.
New Dungeons and Mythic+ Rotation
Season 2 isn't just Undermine stuff. We’ve got a new dungeon called Operation: Floodgate located in the Ringing Deeps. Some reckless goblins are trying to blow a dam, and you have to stop them before they drown the Earthen.
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The Mythic+ pool for Season 2:
- Operation: Floodgate (The new one)
- Cinderbrew Meadery
- Darkflame Cleft
- The Rookery
- Priory of Sacred Flame
- The MOTHERLODE!! (BFA throwback)
- Theater of Pain (Shadowlands throwback)
- Operation: Mechagon Workshop (BFA throwback)
Having The MOTHERLODE!! back in a goblin patch is perfect. Just be ready for the trash packs; people always forget how many mobs are in that place.
Actionable Steps for Your First Week
If you're just jumping into 11.1, don't get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of neon and noise.
- Prioritize the Campaign: You need to finish the "License Not Required" questline immediately. You want that G-99 Breakneck as soon as possible because running through Undermine on foot is a nightmare.
- Check the D.R.I.V.E. Garage: Look for "hidden" parts in the world. The default engine is okay, but finding the Pozzik or the GNZ Airmaster makes a massive difference in how the car handles.
- Set Your Cartel: Go talk to the representatives in the main hub. If you aren't sure who to pick, Bilgewater is a safe bet for the first week to get your feet wet.
- Update Your Addons: Blizzard added a feature to the game menu that shows which addons are eating your CPU. If your frames are dropping in the new city, hover over the game menu button and see what's lagging you out.
This patch is definitely a pivot from the serious "end of the world" vibes of early The War Within. It’s messy, it’s fast, and it’s very goblin. Just watch out for the explosions. There are a lot of them.