Introduction to Undermine
Undermine is a sprawling subterranean goblin metropolis introduced in Patch 11.1. It serves as a hub of commerce, innovation, and intrigue, dominated by four major goblin cartels:
Bilgewater Cartel: Renowned for their inventive prowess and explosive tendencies, they are now allied with the Horde
Steamwheedle Cartel: The oldest and most expansive cartel, involved in various industries across Azeroth, currently focusing on premium-grade alchemy
Blackwater Cartel: Initially pirates, they've transitioned into legitimate businesses, excelling in shipping and luxury vacations
Venture Co.: Known for aggressive resource acquisition, they supply essential materials for various industries
Players can align with these cartels, influencing their experience and rewards within Undermine. Each Cartel serves as its own Rep faction, while Undermine itself has a standalone Renown faction called the 'Cartels of Undermine' that each activity you do contributes towards. This works similarly to how, in Season 1, you could farm up rep for each leader in the Severed Threads renown faction, which also contributes to raising your total renown with the Severed Threads.
Renown System: Cartels of Undermine
Each week, players can align with one of the four cartels by signing a contract with Kaydee Racketring at the Incontinental Hotel. This alignment determines the World Quests available and the specific cartel reputation gained. The contract is Warband-bound and lasts until the weekly reset.
Renown is earned through:
World Quests: Grant 50 reputation with the Cartels of Undermine and 150 with the chosen cartel
Rare Mob Defeats: Provide 20 reputation with the Cartels of Undermine
Weekly Quests: Such as "Many Jobs, Handle It!" (complete 10 Shipping and Handling jobs), "Reduce, Reuse, Resell" (complete 3 S.C.R.A.P. jobs), and "Urge to Surge" (participate in a Surge Pricing event)
Cartel-Specific Quests: Offer additional reputation with the chosen cartel
Weekly Dungeon Quest: Available in Dornogal, granting 1,500 reputation
Renown Rewards
As players progress through renown levels, they unlock various rewards:
Renown 2: Access to Shipping and Handling jobs
Renown 3: Unlocks S.C.R.A.P. jobs
Renown 5: Allows purchase of profession recipes from Smaks Topskimmer at the Incontinental Hotel
Renown 10: Grants the Tabard of the Undermine
Renown 20: Awards the title "the Explosive" and an Enchanted Runed Undermine Crest for crafting high-end equipment
Daily and Weekly Activities
Undermine offers a plethora of activities to engage players daily and weekly.
S.C.R.A.P. Jobs
At Renown 3, players unlock S.C.R.A.P. (Salvage, Collect, Reuse, and Profit) jobs, involving excavating trash heaps scattered across Undermine. These jobs are initiated by speaking with the S.C.R.A.P. Heap NPCs at designated locations marked by trash icons on the map. During a 5-minute timeframe, players dig through trash to collect Empty Kaja'Cola Cans, encounter enemies, and can utilize boosts like special Kaja'Cola or hire S.C.R.A.P. Bots for faster digging. Completing a job yields a Dented Crate containing gold, Valorstones, and Resonance Crystals.
Renown Benefits for S.C.R.A.P. Jobs:
Renown 6: Increases shovel rate and access to Kaja'Cola X-Treme for additional benefits
Renown 11: Enables finding Gunk-Covered Thingies during S.C.R.A.P. jobs
Renown 14: Introduces a rare chance to uncover Vintage Kaja'Cola Cans while shoveling
Renown 16: Allows purchase of Kaja'Cola X-Treme Mega-Can and Multi-Pack of Kaja'Cola for stronger benefits
World Boss: The Gobfather
Undermine introduces a formidable world boss known as The Gobfather, located in the Demolition Dome arena in the northern part of the zone. This encounter offers players the chance to obtain high-level gear and other rewards on a weekly basis.
C.H.E.T.T. Tasks
The Concierge, Honored Employee, and Transaction Terminal (C.H.E.T.T.) is a unique system in Undermine that assigns players various tasks to earn Valorstones and reputation. Located on the second floor of the Incontinental Hotel, C.H.E.T.T. provides a list of eight tasks, each rewarding 10 Valorstones upon completion. Completing at least four tasks allows players to turn in the list for additional rewards, including a significant boost in Valorstones or reputation with a chosen cartel.
Rare Mobs and Treasures
Undermine is populated with numerous rare mobs and hidden treasures, offering players opportunities to obtain Valorstones, gear, and achievements. There are 21 unique rare mobs, some of which are tied to specific cartels or events, and 16 treasures scattered throughout the zone. Defeating rare mobs and collecting treasures contributes to achievements and provides valuable resources, including extra customization options for your D.R.I.V.E.
Surge Pricing Events
Surge Pricing is a dynamic event occurring hourly in Undermine, allowing players to earn additional rewards by completing Shipping and Handling jobs within a limited timeframe. Participants fill a progress bar by completing tasks, earning Valorstones, Resonance Crystals, crests, and gold upon successful completion.
D.R.I.V.E. System: Navigating Undermine
In Undermine, traditional flying mounts are disabled. Instead, players utilize the D.R.I.V.E. (Dynamic and Revolutionary Improvements to Vehicular Experiences) system, featuring the G-99 Breakneck vehicle. This customizable car offers rapid ground traversal and introduces unique mechanics such as drifting and boosting.
Acquiring the G-99 Breakneck
After completing initial quests in Undermine, players receive the quest "License Not Required" from Nanny Talullah at the Caddy Shack. Completing this quest grants access to the G-99 Breakneck, which is shared across all characters in the player's Warband.
Customization and Upgrades
Players can modify various aspects of the G-99 Breakneck, including paint color, engine performance, wheels, turbo systems, and horn sounds. Upgrades and customization options are obtainable through vendors, treasures, and rare enemy drops within Undermine. Adjustments allow for tailored driving experiences, such as improved acceleration, handling, or top speed.
Conclusion
Undermine offers a rich array of activities and systems designed to engage players in diverse gameplay experiences. From the innovative D.R.I.V.E. system and cartel affiliations to dynamic events and rare encounters, there is an abundance of content to explore and master. With tons of stuff to grind through, the Undermine is nothing short of a bounty for both min-maxers and achievement hunters alike. So grab your shovel, start digging through that S.C.R.A.P., and who knows, you might just find yourself something nice and shiny to stick on your fresh new ride!