In the heart of Azeroth, my latest adventure in The War Within expansion began. I started with an epic leveling journey. This past week has been a whirlwind of excitement as I dove headfirst into World of Warcraft: The War Within. For those who know me, WoW has been my gaming love affair since its inception. Every new expansion feels like coming home. This time, I decided to document my journey by streaming it live on Twitch. It had been over a year since my last stream. I shared the highs and lows of leveling my main healer—a Holy Priest—from level 70 to 80.

Leveling with Friends (and Strangers) on Twitch

The journey began with my first stream, where I tackled the grind from 70 to 73. Holy Priests have always held a special place in my heart. There’s something incredibly satisfying about keeping your team alive amidst the chaos of battle. As I quested my way through the beautiful, war-torn landscapes of Azeroth, my Twitch chat buzzed with excitement and advice. Some viewers suggested a faster path: dungeons.

Enter the dungeon grind. Once I hit level 71, I took my chat’s advice. I plunged into the world of random dungeon groups—better known as “pugs” in WoW lingo. If you’ve ever played WoW, you’ll know that pugging is a mixed bag. It’s like a box of chocolates—you never know what you’re going to get.

Livestreaming on Twitch was a fun way to go through the leveling phase with my Holy Priest. Don’t forget, you can watch my livestream directly on my website through the Stream page.

The Dungeon Crawl: Thrills, Spills, and “I Can’t Heal Stupid”

I’ve always enjoyed dungeons in WoW. The challenge of healing, the fast-paced action, and the camaraderie (or lack thereof) make for an exciting experience. But healing a pug group? That’s a whole different story. I had some decent groups where everything went smoothly, and we breezed through the dungeons like a well-oiled machine. Then there were the… less-than-stellar groups.

You know the type. Tanks who think they’re invincible, pulling entire rooms of mobs without a second thought to the healer (that’s me!) trying desperately to keep them alive. DPS players who, despite all warnings, stand in fire or other environmental hazards. Then they blame the healer for their demise. I have a phrase I often use in these situations: “I can’t heal stupid.” And trust me, it came in handy more than once during this leveling spree.

But hey, that’s all part of the fun, right? It’s these unpredictable moments that make WoW the game we love. Every dungeon run is a new adventure, whether it’s smooth sailing or a complete disaster.

The Final Push to 80 and What’s Next

After a marathon Sunday stream, I pushed my priest from 73 to 79. I was so close to the coveted level 80. I could taste it. But exhaustion got the better of me, and I decided to call it a night. The next morning, I logged in, determined to finish what I started. And I did! The grind from 79 to 80 was tough, but the feeling of accomplishment was worth every second.

Now that I’m level 80, the real fun begins—gearing up for the next big challenge. My Holy Priest is ready to tackle heroic dungeons, gear up, and prepare for Mythic+ dungeons and raiding. The thrill of healing a raid, of knowing that your actions are keeping the group alive, is something I’ve missed. I used to be sought after by top guilds pushing for World Firsts. While that was an incredible experience, I’m not sure I’m ready to jump back into that level of commitment.

World Firsts? Maybe Not This Time…

Do I want to participate in a World First Raid Progression? Yes and no. The idea of achieving a World First is incredibly tempting. There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of being at the forefront of the game’s most challenging content. But it’s also incredibly time-consuming. Right now, my life is full of other important responsibilities—my kids, school, and everything in between.

For now, I’m content with enjoying the game at my own pace. I am sharing the journey with my Twitch community. I am also rediscovering the joy of healing in WoW. Who knows what the future holds? Azeroth is full of surprises, and I’m ready for whatever comes next.

So, if you’re a WoW player, join me on Twitch for my next adventure. Or, if you’re just curious about what all the fuss is about, come along as well. Whether it’s conquering dungeons, gearing up for raids, or just exploring the vast world of Azeroth. There’s always something new to discover. There is always something new to discover. And who knows? Maybe you’ll catch the WoW bug too!