wow Patch 8.2: An Introduction to Essences

[Stan 5,239]

In Patch 8.2, all Azerite powers will be unlocked instantly and the progression will shift into Essences that empower your Heart of Azeroth. Learn more about Essences in our Heart of Azeroth Essence guide!

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Components
• Ranks
• Heart of Azeroth Slots
• All Essences

Introduction 

We expect a big overhaul to the Heart of Azeroth in Rise of Azshara. As a result, Azerite powers will be unlocked instantly and progression is shifting to the neckpiece itself. You will be collecting Essences to gain active abilities and passives. You can find more details in the official preview.

Components 

All Essences have two components:

• Major Power Component: Mostly active abilities that are added directly to your spellbook. Note that there are some exceptions and for some Essences, the Major Power can be a passive effect.
• Minor Power Component: All minor powers are passive effects.

Ranks 

All Essences have four ranks, with the final one being of Legendary quality and purely cosmetic. You currently don't need to earn the previous rank to level them up, so you can learn a Rank 3 Essence immediately, before learning Ranks 1 & 2.

• Rank 1 [Azeroth's Undying Gift] provides an ability based on your role (tank, damage dealer, healer). 
• Rank 2 [Azeroth's Undying Gift] & Rank 3 [Azeroth's Undying Gift] enhance your Essence's Major & Minor Powers in some way.
• Rank 4 [Azeroth's Undying Gift] adds a flashy visual to the spell that will make you stand out.

Heart of Azeroth Slots 

The plan for Patch 8.2 is to have a single major slot and two minor slots. The second minor slot unlocks at Heart of Azeroth Level 65. An additional major slot will be added later in Battle for Azeroth.

Major Slot

• If you insert an Essence into the slot, you will benefit from both its Major & Minor Powers.

Minor Slot

• Only the Minor Power of an Essence will work when inserted in this slot.

Note: You can't insert two of the same Essences into the Heart of Azeroth.

All Essences 

Here's a list of all Essences as of Patch 8.2 Build 30262.

2. Azeroth's Undying Gift

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Claim a weekly PvP War Chest in Season 3 or later.	Azeroth's Undying Gift	Azeroth's Undying Gift	Azeroth's Undying Gift	Azeroth's Undying Gift
2	Reach 1000+ rating then claim your next weekly PvP War Chest in Season 3 or later.	Azeroth's Undying Gift	Azeroth's Undying Gift	Azeroth's Undying Gift	Azeroth's Undying Gift
3	Collect Burgeoning Battlefield Furor from your weekly War Chest.	Azeroth's Undying Gift	Azeroth's Undying Gift	Azeroth's Undying Gift	Azeroth's Undying Gift
4	Reach Gladiator in the week then claim your next weekly PvP War Chest in Season 3 or later.	Azeroth's Undying Gift	Azeroth's Undying Gift	Azeroth's Undying Gift	Azeroth's Undying Gift

3. Sphere of Suppression

Swirling with heavy arcane energies, giving you a greater feeling of control.

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Complete the quest "Storming the Battlefields."	Suppressing Pulse	Sphere of Suppression	Suppressing Pulse	Sphere of Suppression
2	Vendor - Marshal Gabriel - Ashvane Docks Boralus Vendor - Xander Silberman - Mugambala	Sphere of Suppression	Sphere of Suppression	Suppressing Pulse	Sphere of Suppression
3	Collect Coalescing Blood of the Vanquished from PVP Island Expedition, Brawl, BG, and Epic BG Wins.	Sphere of Suppression	Sphere of Suppression	Suppressing Pulse	Sphere of Suppression
4	PVP Island Expeditions, Battlegrounds and Brawl wins in Season 3 or 4.	Sphere of Suppression	Sphere of Suppression	Suppressing Pulse	Sphere of Suppression

4. Worldvein Boon

When Sargeras wounded Azeroth at the end of the third Burning Legion invasion, Azerite began to bleed from the planet.

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Complete the quest "Azerite for the Alliance" // "Azerite for the Horde" and the Mysterious Treasure Map Mission rewarded.	Worldvein Boon	Worldvein Boon	Worldvein Boon	Worldvein Boon
2	Combine fragments of Zem'lan's Lost Treasure Map from Island Expeditions, then complete the mission "Lost Treasure of the Pirate King".	Worldvein Boon	Worldvein Boon	Worldvein Boon	Worldvein Boon
3	Recruit a captain follower and complete the mission chain starting with "A Disturbing Rumor".	Worldvein Boon	Worldvein Boon	Worldvein Boon	Worldvein Boon
4	Mysterious Treasure Map missions.	Worldvein Boon	Worldvein Boon	Worldvein Boon	Worldvein Boon

5. Essence of the Focusing Iris

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Complete a dungeon at Mythic Level 4 or higher in Season 3 or later.	Focused Azerite Beam	Essence of the Focusing Iris	Focused Azerite Beam	Essence of the Focusing Iris
2	Complete a dungeon at Mythic Level 7 or higher in Season 3 or later.	Focused Azerite Beam	Essence of the Focusing Iris	Focused Azerite Beam	Essence of the Focusing Iris
3	Combine Focused Life Anima from your Grand Challenger's Bounty.	Focused Azerite Beam	Essence of the Focusing Iris	Focused Azerite Beam	Essence of the Focusing Iris
4	Complete achievement "Keystone Master" in Season 3 or later.	Focused Azerite Beam	Essence of the Focusing Iris	Focused Azerite Beam	Essence of the Focusing Iris

6. Purification Protocol

With the corruption in Uldir being eliminated, MOTHER was tasked to research ways to repair Azeroth.

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Rustbolt Resistance - Honored.	Purifying Blast	Purification Protocol	Purifying Blast	Purification Protocol
2	Rustbolt Resistance - Revered.	Purifying Blast	Purification Protocol	Purifying Blast	Purification Protocol
3	Rustbolt Resistance - Exalted.	Purifying Blast	Purification Protocol	Purifying Blast	Purification Protocol
4	Rustbolt Requisition Crates earned through Paragon reputation.	Purifying Blast	Purification Protocol	Purifying Blast	Purification Protocol

7. Anima of Life and Death

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Complete a dungeon at Mythic Level 4 or higher in Season 3 or later.	Anima of Death	Anima of Life	Anima of Death	Anima of Life
2	Complete a dungeon at Mythic Level 7 or higher in Season 3 or later.	Burning Embrace	Burning Embrace	Anima of Death	Anima of Life
3	Complete achievement "Keystone Master" in Season 3 or later.	Anima of Death	Burning Embrace	Anima of Death	Anima of Life
4	Combine Focused Life Anima from your Grand Challenger's Bounty.	Anima of Death	Burning Embrace	Anima of Death	Anima of Life

8. Touch of the Everlasting

Time is not important. Only life is important.

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Defeat Queen Azshara - Normal.	Touch of the Everlasting	Touch of the Everlasting	Touch of the Everlasting	Touch of the Everlasting
2	Defeat Queen Azshara - Heroic.	Touch of the Everlasting	Touch of the Everlasting	Touch of the Everlasting	Touch of the Everlasting
3	Combine Aqueous Reliquaries from Queen Azshara.	Touch of the Everlasting	Touch of the Everlasting	Touch of the Everlasting	Touch of the Everlasting
4	Defeat Queen Azshara - Mythic.	Touch of the Everlasting	Touch of the Everlasting	Touch of the Everlasting	Touch of the Everlasting

12. The Crucible of Flame

A raging fire is a force of massive destruction, and the bringer of new life.

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Complete the quest "MOTHER Knows Best" in the Chamber of Heart.	Concentrated Flame	Ancient Flame	Concentrated Flame	Ancient Flame
2	Reach Heart of Azeroth level 54 then complete the quest "In Darkness, I Dream" in the Chamber of Heart.	Concentrated Flame	Ancient Flame	Concentrated Flame	Ancient Flame
3	Reach Heart of Azeroth level 58 then complete the quest "Investigating the Highlands" in the Chamber of Heart.	Concentrated Flame	Ancient Flame	Concentrated Flame	Ancient Flame
4	Raise your Heart of Azeroth to max level, then complete the quest "Heart of Azeroth: Essential Power" in the Chamber of Heart.	Concentrated Flame	Ancient Flame	Concentrated Flame	Ancient Flame

13. Nullification Dynamo

The inside feels completely void of energy and matter, yet heavy.

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Rustbolt Resistance - Honored.	Empowered Null Barrier	Null Barrier	Empowered Null Barrier	Null Barrier
2	Rustbolt Resistance - Revered.	Null Dynamo	Null Dynamo	Empowered Null Barrier	Null Dynamo
3	Rustbolt Resistance - Exalted.	Null Dynamo	Null Dynamo	Empowered Null Barrier	Null Dynamo
4	Rustbolt Requisition Crates earned through Paragon reputation.	Null Barrier	Null Dynamo	Empowered Null Barrier	Null Dynamo

14. Condensed Life-Force

The Heart of Azeroth is capable of maipulating Azerite in ways never thought possible.

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Defeat Queen Azshara - Normal.	Guardian of Azeroth	Condensed Life-Force	Guardian of Azeroth	Condensed Life-Force
2	Defeat Queen Azshara - Heroic.	Guardian of Azeroth	Condensed Life-Force	Guardian of Azeroth	Condensed Life-Force
3	Combine Aqueous Reliquaries from Queen Azshara.	Guardian of Azeroth	Condensed Life-Force	Guardian of Azeroth	Condensed Life-Force
4	Defeat Queen Azshara - Mythic.	Condensed Life-Force	Condensed Life-Force	Guardian of Azeroth	Condensed Life-Force

15. Engine of Ceaseless Progress

Mysterious power surges through the Heart of Azeroth that occasionally flares up into a magnificent glowing light.

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Complete the quest "Drowning the Horde" from Crafticus Mindbender in Mezzamere. Complete the quest "Drowning the Alliance" from Dazzerian in Newhome.	Engine of Ceaseless Progress	Engine of Ceaseless Progress	Engine of Ceaseless Progress	Engine of Ceaseless Progress
2	Vendor - Crafticus Mindbender - Mezzamere Vendor - Dazzerian - Newhome	Engine of Ceaseless Progress	Engine of Ceaseless Progress	Engine of Ceaseless Progress	Engine of Ceaseless Progress
3	Vendor - Crafticus Mindbender - Mezzamere Vendor - Dazzerian - Newhome	Engine of Ceaseless Progress	Engine of Ceaseless Progress	Engine of Ceaseless Progress	Engine of Ceaseless Progress
4	Warmode Bounty Targets in Nazjatar.	Engine of Ceaseless Progress	Engine of Ceaseless Progress	Engine of Ceaseless Progress	Engine of Ceaseless Progress

17. The Ever-Rising Tide

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Ankoan - Honored. Unshackled - Honored.	The Ever-Rising Tide	The Ever-Rising Tide	The Ever-Rising Tide	The Ever-Rising Tide
2	Ankoan - Revered. Unshackled - Revered.	The Ever-Rising Tide	The Ever-Rising Tide	The Ever-Rising Tide	The Ever-Rising Tide
3	Ankoan - Exalted. Unshackled - Exalted.	The Ever-Rising Tide	The Ever-Rising Tide	The Ever-Rising Tide	The Ever-Rising Tide
4	Ankoan Supply Caches earned through Paragon reputation. Unshackled Salvage Crates earned through Paragon reputation.	The Ever-Rising Tide	The Ever-Rising Tide	The Ever-Rising Tide	The Ever-Rising Tide

18. Artifice of Time

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Complete the quest "Storming the Battlefields."	Standstill	Artifice of Time	Standstill	Artifice of Time
2	Vendor - Marshal Gabriel - Ashvane Docks Boralus Vendor - Xander Silberman - Mugambala	Artifice of Time	Artifice of Time	Standstill	Artifice of Time
3	Collect Coalescing Blood of the Vanquished from PVP Island Expedition, Brawl, BG and Epic BG Wins.	Artifice of Time	Artifice of Time	Standstill	Artifice of Time
4	PVP Island Expeditions, Battlegrounds and Brawl wins in Season 3 or 4.	Artifice of Time	Artifice of Time	Standstill	Artifice of Time

19. The Well of Existence

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Rustbolt Resistance - Honored.	The Well of Existence	The Well of Existence	The Well of Existence	The Well of Existence
2	Rustbolt Resistance - Revered.	The Well of Existence	The Well of Existence	The Well of Existence	The Well of Existence
3	Rustbolt Resistance - Exalted.	The Well of Existence	The Well of Existence	The Well of Existence	The Well of Existence
4	Rustbolt Requisition Crates earned through Paragon reputation.	The Well of Existence	The Well of Existence	The Well of Existence	The Well of Existence

20. Life-Binder's Invocation

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Complete a dungeon at Mythic Level 4 or higher in Season 3 or later.	Life-Binder's Invocation	Seed of Eonar	Life-Binder's Invocation	Seed of Eonar
2	Complete a dungeon at Mythic Level 7 or higher in Season 3 or later.	Life-Binder's Invocation	Life-Binder's Invocation	Life-Binder's Invocation	Seed of Eonar
3	Combine Focused Life Anima from your Grand Challenger's Bounty.	Life-Binder's Invocation	Life-Binder's Invocation	Life-Binder's Invocation	Seed of Eonar
4	Complete achievement "Keystone Master" in Season 3 or later.	Life-Binder's Invocation	Life-Binder's Invocation	Life-Binder's Invocation	Seed of Eonar

21. Vitality Conduit

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Defeat Queen Azshara - Normal.	Vitality Conduit	Vitality Conduit	Vitality Conduit	Vitality Conduit
2	Defeat Queen Azshara - Heroic.	Vitality Conduit	Vitality Conduit	Vitality Conduit	Vitality Conduit
3	Combine Aqueous Reliquaries from Queen Azshara.	Vitality Conduit	Vitality Conduit	Vitality Conduit	Vitality Conduit
4	Defeat Queen Azshara - Mythic.	Vitality Conduit	Vitality Conduit	Vitality Conduit	Vitality Conduit

22. Vision of Perfection

You can learn more about the Essence here.

Dream of the future, concentrate on the moment.

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Complete Operation: Mechagon.	Vision of Perfection	Vision of Perfection	Vision of Perfection	Vision of Perfection
2	Obtain and complete the Perfectly Timed Differential Blueprint from King Mechagon.	Vision of Perfection	Vision of Perfection	Vision of Perfection	Vision of Perfection
3	Combine Progression Sprockets from King Mechagon.	Vision of Perfection	Vision of Perfection	Vision of Perfection	Vision of Perfection
4	Complete the achievement 'Keep DPS-ing and Nobody Explodes', then complete Operation: Mechagon.	Vision of Perfection	Vision of Perfection	Vision of Perfection	Vision of Perfection

23. Blood of the Enemy

Your Heart of Azeroth seethes with anger.

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Complete the quest "Storming the Battlefields."	Blood of the Enemy	Blood of the Enemy	Blood of the Enemy	Blood of the Enemy
2	Vendor - Marshal Gabriel - Ashvane Docks Boralus Vendor - Xander Silberman - Mugambala	Blood of the Enemy	Blood of the Enemy	Blood of the Enemy	Blood of the Enemy
3	Collect Coalescing Blood of the Vanquished from PVP Island Expedition, Brawl, BG and Epic BG Wins.	Blood of the Enemy	Blood of the Enemy	Blood of the Enemy	Blood of the Enemy
4	PVP Island Expeditions, Battlegrounds and Brawl wins in Season 3 or 4.	Blood of the Enemy	Blood of the Enemy	Blood of the Enemy	Blood of the Enemy

25. Aegis of the Deep

Imbues you with the protection of the elements.

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Ankoan - Honored. Unshackled - Honored.	Aegis of the Deep	Aegis of the Deep	Aegis of the Deep	Aegis of the Deep
2	Ankoan - Revered. Unshackled - Revered.	Aegis of the Deep	Aegis of the Deep	Aegis of the Deep	Aegis of the Deep
3	Ankoan - Exalted. Unshackled - Exalted.	Aegis of the Deep	Aegis of the Deep	Aegis of the Deep	Aegis of the Deep
4	Ankoan Supply Caches earned through Paragon reputation. Unshackled Salvage Crates earned through Paragon reputation.	Aegis of the Deep	Aegis of the Deep	Aegis of the Deep	Aegis of the Deep

27. Memory of Lucid Dreams

An empty mind is a wasted tool.

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Complete the quest "A Brief Respite." Complete the quest "Down into Nazjatar."	Memory of Lucid Dreams	Lucid Dreams	Memory of Lucid Dreams	Lucid Dreams
2	Vendor - Speaker Utia - Mezzamere Vendor - Atolia Seapearl - Newhome	Memory of Lucid Dreams	Lucid Dreams	Memory of Lucid Dreams	Lucid Dreams
3	Vendor - Speaker Utia - Mezzamere Vendor - Atolia Seapearl - Newhome	Memory of Lucid Dreams	Lucid Dreams	Memory of Lucid Dreams	Lucid Dreams
4	Vendor - Speaker Utia - Mezzamere Vendor - Atolia Seapearl - Newhome	Lucid Dreams	Lucid Dreams	Memory of Lucid Dreams	Lucid Dreams

28. The Unbound Force

Destructive forces swirl around violently, waiting to be released.

Rank	Source	Major Power Desc	Minor Power Desc	Major Power Actual	Minor Power Actual
1	Ankoan - Honored. Unshackled - Honored.	The Unbound Force	The Unbound Force	The Unbound Force	The Unbound Force
2	Ankoan - Revered. Unshackled - Revered.	The Unbound Force	The Unbound Force	The Unbound Force	The Unbound Force
3	Ankoan - Exalted. Unshackled - Exalted.	The Unbound Force	The Unbound Force	The Unbound Force	The Unbound Force
4	Ankoan Supply Caches earned through Paragon reputation. Unshackled Salvage Crates earned through Paragon reputation.	The Unbound Force	The Unbound Force	The Unbound Force	The Unbound Force

Everything we know about Essences in Patch 8.2.

[Valhalen 1,484]

I think Blizzard is trying to make players care more for their Heart of Azeroth much like they did with Artifact Weapons.

[Kotaso 7]

52 minutes ago, Valhalen said:

I think Blizzard is trying to make players care more for their Heart of Azeroth much like they did with Artifact Weapons.

I really like their approach of doing so, hope more stuff like that comes.

[Arcnail 3]

4 hours ago, Valhalen said:

I think Blizzard is trying to make players care more for their Heart of Azeroth much like they did with Artifact Weapons.

I don't know, I think it's too little too late to be honest.

[Rag 16]

Have to say, a number of these seem a lot more promising than the initial reactions seemed to indicate. Some of these are going to change how some classes play fundamentally, and others go beyond simply push the button on CD. They also have a variety of ways to acquire them, with the legendary versions in particular seeming like a fun challenge. I hope they keep working on some of them to bring them in-line engagement wise but this seems like the start of a good system. As far as mid-expansion systems go at least.

[Stan 5,239]

11 hours ago, Arcnail said:

I don't know, I think it's too little too late to be honest.

We will still be a year away from the next expansion when 8.2 goes live and honestly, this is a big improvement over the system we have today. I just hope it won't be scrapped and replaced with a half-baked system beyond BfA, but rather built upon.

[elmurufdd 45]

vision of perfection looks amazing , the  rest make me sad . could care less about the extra visual effects seen that before in high school its called "busy work " something completely useless to keep ppl busy lol . i think last years blizzcon def proved they r out of touch with their player based and this cements it . come on 8.3 for the final fixes of this car crash of a xpac.

Edited May 4, 2019 by elmurufdd

[Yridaa 490]

This is really nothing compared to how much care they spent on artifact weapons' abilities and looks. There has never been an expansion that took that much care to making weapons look good (though of course there's always some better looking than others, eye of the beholder and all that.)

Have fun with this neckpiece that'll be thrown in the trash just like everything else before it come the next expansion. You won't even have amazing "artifact" transmog to compensate this time, though.

[Highfather 8]

On 5/3/2019 at 10:24 PM, Rag said:

Have to say, a number of these seem a lot more promising than the initial reactions seemed to indicate. Some of these are going to change how some classes play fundamentally, and others go beyond simply push the button on CD. They also have a variety of ways to acquire them, with the legendary versions in particular seeming like a fun challenge. I hope they keep working on some of them to bring them in-line engagement wise but this seems like the start of a good system. As far as mid-expansion systems go at least.

I can see arcane mage being OP AF with a couple of these. I'll let you guys figure out witch ones and yes I do think some classes will benefit more from these than others.

[Valks 2,375]

8 hours ago, Yridaa said:

This is really nothing compared to how much care they spent on artifact weapons' abilities and looks. There has never been an expansion that took that much care to making weapons look good (though of course there's always some better looking than others, eye of the beholder and all that.)

Have fun with this neckpiece that'll be thrown in the trash just like everything else before it come the next expansion. You won't even have amazing "artifact" transmog to compensate this time, though.

Agreed on the looks department. If we ignore the obvious difference in the visuals on armour sets, the artifact skins looked incredible in Legion compared to weapons in BoD. At least from a Mage perspective, the skins for the weapons looked amazing and I can't think of one that I didn't like. They also gave a whole new visual feel, if you look at Outlaw Rogue for example. 

I know they can't add visuals to the Heart in the same way they could the artifacts, but I'd love to see something that fits specs in particular, especially with tier sets having disappeared. You could have Azerite auras based on your spec and the level of your Heart, you could have wings, armour trims, etc.

There's plenty of possibilities, some obviously better than others, but I just think when they took away artifacts and class-specific sets at the same time, you immediately lost the visual "identity" of your spec. 

[Lawrenz 105]

Balancingwise i think this will be a nightmare. Artifact weapons in legion were better in that regard, since everything was classtailored.

Buuuut, i really like this approach of slowly upgrading additional procs and skills. You automatically build a little relationship to them and the names will probably stick with you. The best thing ist the last upgrade. No power gained, just style. The mage tower showed us, what people are willing to achieve with "just" a visual price in the end.

choose skills and procs to your liking -> upgrade them -> care for them -> achieve the visual upgrade

I wish they would have had stuff like this earlier in bfa, but i really like that it's coming. ?