The basic flow of zones in World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is fixed. You start out in Bastion and finish up in Revendreth by following the main story, and if you choose to do the main story again, it’ll go the same way. But that’s an if indeed, because the Threads of Fate system that has gotten an official post outlining its mechanics lets you bypass the main storyline altogether for a more open experience.
When your second character completes the initial Maw questline (assuming your first character finished the first Covenant chapter), a choice will be offered as soon as you zone into Oribos allowing you to bypass the normal main story and instead level up via sidequests and world quests. Your character can also choose a Covenant to ally with immediately, meaning that you’ll be doing those sidequests and world quests with your final layout of abilities. It ensures that you don’t have the same linear experience every time, and variety is the spice of (after)life.
