Ever since its release in 2004, World of Warcraft has been a juggernaut not just in the MMO realm, but gaming as a whole. Over the course of time, Blizzard has released nine expansions with three more announced, Classic servers, and a seasonal model for Classic.
It’s a game that many of us grew up with and I struggle to think of many other titles that have run this long with this level of commitment from its developer. So, strap on those nostalgia goggles, and let’s look at the highlights for each World of Warcraft expansion.
World of Warcraft & its expansions
World of Warcraft (2004)
- Level Cap: 60
- Raids
- Molten Core
- Onyxia’s Lair
- Blackwing Lair
- Zul’gurub
- Ruins of Ahn’Qiraj
- Temple of Ahn’Qiraj
- Naxxramas
The Burning Crusade (2007)
- Level Cap: 70
- Raids
- Gruul’s Lair
- Magtheridon’s Lair
- Karazhan
- Serpentshrine Cavern
- Tempest Keep
- The Battle for Mount Hyjal
- Black Temple
- Zul’aman
- The Sunwell Plateau
- The Eye
- New Zone
- Outland
- New Races
- Blood Elves (Horde)
- Draenei (Alliance)
- Additional Features
- Flying mounts
- Arena PvP
- Jewelcrafting
- Paladin and Shaman available for each faction
Wrath of the Lich King (2008)
- Level Cap: 80
- Raids
- Naxxramas
- The Obsidian Sanctum
- Vault of Archavon
- The Eye of Eternity
- Ulduar
- Trial of the Crusader
- Onyxia’s Lair
- Icecrown Citadel
- Ruby Sanctum
- New Zone
- Northrend
- New Class
- Death Knight
- Additional Features
- Inscription
- Achievements
- Barbershop
Cataclysm (2010)
- Level Cap: 85
- Raids
- Baradin Hold
- The Bastion of Twilight
- Blackwing Descent
- Throne of the Four Winds
- Firelands
- Dragon Soul
- New Zone
- The Maelstrom
- New Races
- Goblins (Horde)
- Worgen (Alliance)
- Additional Features
- New race and class combos
- Archeology
- Transmog
Mists of Pandaria (2012)
- Level Cap: 90
- Raids
- Mogu’shan Vaults
- Heart of Fear
- Terrace of Endless Spring
- Throne of Thunder
- Siege of Orgrimmar
- New Zone
- Pandaria
- New Race
- Pandaren (Alliance, Horde)
- New Class
- Monk
- Additional Features
- Pet Battles
- Talents overhaul
Warlords of Draenor (2014)
- Level Cap: 100
- Raids
- Highmaul
- Blackrock Foundry
- Hellfire Citadel
- New Zone
- Draenor
- Additional Features
- Garrison
- Updated character models
Legion (2016)
- Level Cap: 110
- Raids
- The Emerald Nightmare
- Trial of Valor
- The Nighthold
- Tomb of Sargeras
- Antorus, the Burning Throne
- New Zones
- Broken Isles
- Argus
- Allied Races
- Void Elves (Alliance)
- Lightforged Draenei (Alliance)
- Nightborne (Horde)
- Highmountain Tauren (Horde)
- New Class
- Demon Hunter
- Additional Features
- Artifact Weapons
- Class Halls
- Mythic+ Difficulty
- Zone Scaling
Battle for Azeroth (2018)
- Level Cap: 120
- Raids
- Uldir
- Battle for Dazar’alor
- Crucible of Storms
- The Eternal Palace
- Ny’alotha, the Waking City
- New Zones
- Kul Tiras
- Zandalar
- Allied Races
- Kul Tiran (Alliance)
- Mechagnome (Alliance)
- Dark Iron Dwarves (Alliance)
- Mag’har Orcs (Horde)
- Zandalari Trolls (Horde)
- Vulpera (Horde)
- Additional Features
- Heart of Azeroth
- Island Expeditions
- Warfronts
Shadowlands (2020)
- Level Cap: 60
- Raids
- Castle Nathria
- Sanctum of Domination
- Sepulcher of the First Ones
- New Zone
- Shadowlands
- Additional Features
- Covenants
- Torghast
- Additional character options
- Timewalking campaigns
Dragonflight (2022)
- Level Cap: 70
- Raids
- Vault of the Incarnates
- Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible
- Amidrassil, the Dream’s Hope
- New Zone
- Dragon Isles
- New Race
- Dracthyr (Alliance, Horde)
- New Class
- Evoker
- Additional Features
- Dragonriding
- Talents overhaul
The War Within (2024)
- New Zones
- Isle of Dorn
- The Ringing Deeps
- Hallowfall
- Azj-Kahet
- Allied Race
- Earthen
- Additional Features
- Delves
- Warbands
- Hero Talents
- Dynamic Flying
World of Warcraft Classic & its expansions
Nostalgia is a hell of a thing. That coupled with some players believing that WoW was better in previous expansions led to Blizzard officially releasing servers specifically dedicated to previous versions of the game. Starting with Vanilla, Classic has now encompassed two expansions with Cataclysm on the way.
- World of Warcraft Classic (2019)
- Burning Crusade Classic (2021)
- Wrath of the Lich King Classic (2021)
- Cataclysm Classic (2024)
Season of Discovery (2023)
As if World of Warcraft “Retail” and Classic weren’t enough, Blizzard introduced Season of Discovery. This spin on Classic utilizes runes to modify how existing classes work, like being able to make a Warlock who can tank.
Season of Discovery is staggered with the initial release going up to level 25 and culminating in a reworked Blackfathom Deeps serving as a 10-player raid. Phase 2 will bring the cap up to 40 and has Gnomeregan as the endgame raid.
