With World of Warcraft: The War Within expansion already here, less experienced players wonder which WoW expansion is most worth playing for faster leveling up and from which one they should start their adventures.

Ten expansions are a lot – understandably, many experienced and novice MMORPG players don’t know how to begin their playtime with WoW.

Since Blizzard enjoys dividing the lore of Azeroth into separate chapters, it’s even harder to grasp all the plot the game has to offer. Luckily, our list of WoW expansions may be the ideal recipe for resolving that matter.

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What to Choose?

We recommend playing World of Warcraft expansions in the order listed below if you want to experience the entire Azeroth story the way players have been doing since day one of the game’s existence.

Your progression may be slower, but it’s definitely more rewarding. If you already have at least one level 60 character, you can use the Chromie Time option. Reach level 10, go to Stormwind or Orgrimmar (the Horde and Alliance capitals), and find Chromie near the embassy.

This way, you can play the expansions in any order you want but know that Warlords of Draenor offers the fastest progression. Now, let’s see what each expansion has to offer!

Guide on World of Warcraft Expansions in Release Order

1. The Burning Crusade

Released in 2007, The Burning Crusade is the first expansion in World of Warcraft history. The title increases the level cap from 60 to 70, introduces a new location – Outland, and presents new dungeons and raids.

The story follows a world where the Horde and Alliance are trying to rebuild reality after defeating the Burning Legion (Azeroth’s nemesis), whose last invasion occurred in the Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos game.

Careful exploration reveals a portal to the ruined Outland, where players work hard to defeat the Burning Legion. In addition to this crucial location, the expansion introduces flying mounts, one new profession, and two legendary races – the Draenei on the Alliance and the Blood Elves on the Horde side.

2. Wrath of the Lich King

Released a year after The Burning Crusade, Wrath of the Lich King sees the undead Scourge, under the command of the Lich King, attacking the peaceful Azeroth.

It’s time for the Alliance and Horde to gather their forces and venture into the treacherous realm of Northrend to eliminate the threat once and for all.

World Of Warcraft
Wrath of the Lich King

Wrath of the Lich King belongs to the best and most exciting expansions in World of Warcraft history. The title introduces hundreds of new quests, over a dozen dungeons, nine raids, and two new zones (including the continent of Northrend).

But what makes it revolutionary is the new hero class, the Death Knight, available to both sides of the conflict. When choosing the Death Knight, players start at level 55 (provided they already have at least one level 55 character in their account) and can play as a DPS or tank.

Furthermore, the expansion increases the level cap from 70 to 80, delivers an Inscription as a new profession, and the Death Knight is available to every race in the game.

PvP fans should especially enjoy this title, as Northrend introduces a land dedicated solely to this combat style, Wintergrasp. Moreover, this is the first expansion to feature a barber for changing the character’s appearance.

3. Cataclysm

When the ancient dragon, Deathwing, awakens from the long slumber, his unimaginable power unleashes a series of cataclysms, transforming Azeroth into a completely new place.

Darkshore and the Thousand Needles in Kalimdor are flooded, the Barrens split in two, Auberdine is devastated, and the Horde takes over Ashenvale.

There are also new zones to explore, like Deepholm, Tol Barad, Mount Hyjal, Uldum, the Twilight Highlands of Kezan, the underwater city of Vashj’ir, and Gilneas City.

World Of Warcraft
Cataclysm

All these changes come with more innovations, like two new races – the Worgen on the Alliance side and the Goblins on the Horde side.

Players can level up to 85, and the character progression system is more intuitive. There are also new race-class combos, including Undead Hunter, Troll Druid, Tauren Paladin, Orc Mage, Blood Elf Warrior, Tauren Priest, Dwarf Mage, Dwarf Shaman, Human Hunter, Gnome Priest, and Night Elf Mage.

The most significant change is that with the release of Cataclysm, players could begin flying over all of Azeroth – including locations destroyed by Deathwing, which added to the adventurous side of the whole game.

4. Mists of Pandaria

As the conflict between the Horde and the Alliance intensifies, both factions reach a mysterious island that may soon become their new battlefield.

The fight on the Great Sea leads them to a new location, Pandaria, inspired by classic Japanese fantasy. The place is home to the Pandaren – a fearless humanoid panda-like race.

World Of Warcraft
Mists of Pandaria

Pandaren is a new playable and the first neutral race in the history of World of Warcraft available to both the Alliance and the Horde. In addition, the expansion introduces a new class – Monk (playable as a healer, DPS, or tank).

The maximum level limit increases to 90, and the five zones of the new continent offer a perfect chance to embark on exciting adventures, especially since the new location is brimming with secrets and combat opportunities.

There is also expanded PvP content, an improved talent system, new scenarios, dungeons and raids, new mounts, and, most importantly – the Pokemon-inspired pet battle system.

5. Warlords of Draenor

After the turbulent events on Pandaria, orc chief Garrosh Hellscream finds himself imprisoned, from which he escapes to travel back in time to Draenor – the former home of the orcs now known as Outland.

This move creates an alternative timeline in which the Alliance and Horde must join forces with the Iron Horde to save the day.

World Of Warcraft
Warlords of Draenor

In addition to the new land of Draenor and the increased level cap to 100, Warlords of Draenor introduces a revolutionary possibility of building and managing a garrison.

The new location offers seven lands (including one PvP), the most legendary raids in WoW, and eight new dungeons. Moreover, the expansion significantly enhances the visuals, improves textures, and makes character models more realistic – a long-awaited change for long-time World of Warcraft fans!

6. Legion

Gul’dan, an orc shaman, flees Draenor to the Broken Isles – the ancient home of the Night Elves. Reaching the Tomb of Sargeras, he opens a portal to let through the Burning Legion, the Alliance’s and the Horde’s most dangerous enemy. Players must join forces to repel the threat before it’s too late.

World Of Warcraft
Legion

The Legion expansion introduces a new hero class, Demon Hunter, available exclusively to Night Elves and Blood Elves.

The race begins its progression at level eight and is playable as a tank or DPS. In addition, the title offers three new zones (Broken Isles – continent, Mardum, and the Shattered Abyss), raids and dungeons, an increase in the level cap to 110, PvP honor leveling, 36 customizable artifact weapons, and revolutionary graphical improvements.

7. Battle for Azeroth

The end of the Legion expansion leads to the appearance of a mysterious substance known as Azerite.

Since it is a valuable material, the Horde and the Alliance begin to fight over it despite the destruction their world has already experienced. Tragic events and bad decisions eventually result in the Fourth War.

World Of Warcraft
Battle for Azeroth

WoW: Battle for Azeroth offers an increase in experience levels from 110 to 120, two new continents (Kul Tiras for the Alliance and Zandalar for the Horde), and an improved PvP mode known as War Mode.

The title also introduces ten allied races – Highmountain Tauren, Nightborne, Mag’har Orc, Zandalari Troll and Vulpera for the Horde and Lightforged Draenei, Dark Iron Dwarves, Void Elves, Kul Tirans, Mechagnomes on the Alliance side. Another change is the Heart of Azeroth – a mysterious amulet that lets players use the Azerite potential.

8. Shadowlands

When Sylvanas Windrunner defeats the Lich King Bolvar Fordragon and shatters his crown, her actions open a portal to the Shadowlands directly above Icecrown Citadel.

The greatest heroes must now journey to this foreign land to stop the Sylvanas-Jailer alliance and defeat the Mawsworn army before the two worlds become one.

World Of Warcraft
Shadowlands

WoW: Shadowlands squishes the level cap from 120 to 60. The new Realm of the Dead arrives with five zones filled with new bosses, raids, dungeons, and secrets.

Also, all allied races and the Pandaren can now play as Death Knights. This expansion is a real treat for long-time World of Warcraft fans, as many familiar faces like Anduin Wrynn, Sylvanas, Thrall, and Bolvar Fordragon show up.

9. Dragonflight

It took 20,000 long years for the Dracthyr, an ancient dragonkin race, to awaken from the deep slumber. This moment aligns with the emergence of a new land on Azeroth – The Dragon Isles.

Now, both the Horde and the Alliance journey to the place to explore its secrets and decide its uncertain future.

World Of Warcraft
Dragonflight

Dragonflight is the ninth expansion, introducing a completely new race of Dracthyr – humanoid dragons.

The playable race arrives with the brand-new Evoker class, starting adventures on The Dragon Isles, consisting of four areas. But the best improvement of this expansion is definitely Dragon Riding, allowing players to ride on the backs of mighty beasts and customize their appearance.

In addition to all these changes, the title increases the level cap from 60 to 70, offers three new raids and eight dungeons, refines gameplay mechanics, and reveals many new locations to explore.

10. The War Within

The tenth expansion begins a Worldsoul trilogy, following the Harbinger of the Void as she gathers a Nerubian army to destroy Azeroth. The only path to stopping this threat lies through the new underworld realm of Khaz Algar, composed of four mysterious zones.

World Of Warcraft
The War Within

The War Within introduces a new allied race, the Earthen, carved from living stone by the Titans to help shape the world. It also increases the level cap from 70 to 80, adds Khaz Algar as a new location, and refines the familiar Dragon Riding system.

Players can also enjoy Delves, new endgame content, and try out the innovative account-wide Warband System.

The expansion adds Hero Talents and improved Professions for more character development variety. Since the storytelling belongs to the best in World of Warcraft history, this title is a must-play for any Azeroth lore enthusiast.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

  • Q: In what order should you play the expansions in World of Warcraft as a new player?

It depends entirely on your personal preferences. If you want to experience all of Azeroth’s lore, stick to WoW expansions in order described in the list above.

That way, you’ll be able to unlock all the improvements the game has seen over the years of its evolution, especially since the initial stage will take you through all of the Battle for Azeroth content anyway.

But at the end of the day, there’s no such thing as should. See where the adventure takes you and enjoy different things, even if it’s just boar-killing.

  • Q: Do I need all WoW expansions to play?

Since all the expansions before the current one represent free parts of the base game, you only need a subscription to play them. To play the most up-to-date version of World of Warcraft, purchase a subscription and the latest expansion.

Conclusion

World of Warcraft is a massive reality of stories, tragedies, and conflicts. Now that you know each of its expansions, you can freely customize your gameplay by following the chronological order or using the level-scaling Chromie Time after reaching level 60.

Just remember it’s all about fun, and you’re the one to decide how to play the game. You can even ignore our advice and just explore the higher-level lands to see what they offer (and possibly get killed, but that’s a small price for being a master explorer).

Source:

  • https://www.blizzard.com/en-us/
  • https://news.blizzard.com/en-gb