I write this more to try to understand it myself than explain how it works to others. Besides, I have no clue since I’m not in beta and all my informations come from reading the forums.

Basically there will be two alternate advancement paths available in the expansion and accessible starting from level 30:
– You can go through a number “champion quests” (PvE) starting solo and ending in more difficult dungeons requiring at least a full group.
– You can progress through five “champion levels” by gaining specific experience points through both PvE and PvP. Each level requires the exact same amount of xp points.

Both these alternative paths grant you a “champion weapon” at the end so that you can choose the path you like more. This means that the PvE content available in the expansion is absolutely optional.

The champion quests (first advancement path) are divided into three chapters:
– Chapter 1: run errands around the realm
– Chapter 2: clean an instanced dungeon and kill the final boss mob
– Chapter 3: clean another dungeon and five different bosses – plus find and kill the demon of the realm

The champion weapons, between the other statistics, have two usable effects that must be unlocked. Completing the second chapter grants you the champion weapon, but with the two effects locked. To unlock them you need to complete the two parts of the third chapter and become “Champion of the realm”.

While each champion level (second advancement path) grants:
– level 1: one subclassing point – a title – advanced horse
– level 2: one subclassing point – a title – first saddlebag
– level 3: one subclassing point – a title – second saddlebag
– level 4: one subclassing point – a title – third saddlebag
– level 5: one subclassing point – a title – fourth saddlebag – Champion weapon

In this case the champion weapon is given to you completely unlocked if you achieve champion level 5.

It should be evident that the full access to the other features like horses, subclassing and saddlebags happens only with the second advancement path, which involves RvR and is the main purpose of the game, so the natural drift of every players. Completing the quests will still give you champion experience to progress through the levels and you can continue getting more PvE exp to gain the five levels.

The positive is that the PvE “grind” is optional if you like RvR. And the RvR is optional if you like the PvE grind. Best is playing both if you are eclectic like I am.

This digression leaves out the subclassing system, other possible PvE drops and content, different types of horses, craftable armor for horses and possible vendor items available in the armory and throne room. Maybe more.

EDIT: There’s a guide on the herald explaining all the various horse types. I add here the informations needed and missing from that page.

Horse types and requirements:
– Basic: level 35 + 350 gold + specific horse quest
– Advanced: level 45 + 1 platinum
– Champion Level 1: CL1 + 2 platinum
– Champion Level 2: CL2 + 3 platinum
– Champion Level 3: CL3 + 6 platinum
– Champion Level 4: CL4 + 8 platinum
– Epic: CL5 + 15 platinum + epic horse quest

All the horses from advanced to epic have the same speed and can be used in RvR zones (but never in combat), no other differences beside the more or less “badass” look. The basic horses are slower, cannot be used in RvR zones and are available to all players even without the expansion.

Particularly funny (or scaring) are the Ku Klux Klan horses.
I wonder if they go: OOoOooooOOOOoOOoOooOOo