World of Warcraft
The ultimate test of skill, coordination, and endurance has officially begun in World of Warcraft as Blizzard announced on March 5, 2025 that the Race to World First competition for the Liberation of Undermine raid is now underway.
The Ultimate Goblin Showdown
The race pits the world's most elite guilds against each other in a heated competition to be the first to defeat Chrome King Gallywix, the final boss of the raid who awaits players in his opulent stronghold within the Gallagio.
This newest raid continues World of Warcraft's long tradition of end-game PvE content that challenges players to master complex mechanics, perfect their rotations, and coordinate flawlessly as a team to overcome increasingly difficult encounters.
When Does the Real Race Begin?
While the raid has officially opened, the true competition for Mythic difficulty supremacy hasn't quite started yet. According to community feedback, top guilds are currently engaged in an intensive preparation phase, running multiple "split runs" through Normal and Heroic difficulties.
One player from a competitive raiding guild noted: "We still have 3-4 days of normal/heroic non-stop split runs before it starts." This preparation strategy is typical for serious contenders, as they use these runs to maximize gear acquisition before tackling the significantly more challenging Mythic difficulty.
The Path to Victory
For those unfamiliar with the Race to World First format, guilds progress through multiple difficulty tiers:
- Normal difficulty: The entry-level challenge
- Heroic difficulty: A significant step up in complexity
- Mythic difficulty: The ultimate test where the actual race happens
The competition truly heats up when guilds transition to Mythic difficulty, where encounters are dramatically more complex and demanding. Viewers can typically follow the action through livestreams as top guilds broadcast their progression attempts.
The Stakes and Prestige
While there's no official prize from Blizzard for winning the Race to World First, the prestige and recognition within the World of Warcraft community is immense. Top guilds often secure sponsorships and generate significant viewership during these events, which have evolved into major esports spectacles over the years.
The Liberation of Undermine raid features a total of nine boss encounters, culminating in the showdown with Chrome King Gallywix. Each encounter presents unique challenges that will test different aspects of raid coordination, individual player skill, and strategic planning.
Community Anticipation
The announcement has generated significant excitement in the World of Warcraft community, with players eager to see which guild will claim the coveted World First title. While some players jokingly claim early victories (one forum poster humorously claimed their guild was "already 9/9 Mystic"), the serious contenders are methodically preparing for the challenge ahead.
For those interested in following the race, numerous community sites and Twitch channels will be broadcasting progression attempts over the coming days, providing commentary and analysis as guilds push toward the ultimate goal of defeating Chrome King Gallywix before anyone else.
The Liberation of Undermine represents the latest chapter in World of Warcraft's endgame content, continuing the MMO's nearly two-decade tradition of challenging raid content that brings players together in pursuit of glory, loot, and bragging rights.