List Of WoW Expansions In Order: Discover Azeroth's Full Saga

Have you ever wondered about the incredible journey World of Warcraft has taken since its beginnings? It's a vast game, really, with a story that keeps growing and changing. For many players, new and old, keeping track of every single chapter can be a bit of a challenge. That's why knowing the list of WoW expansions in order is quite helpful, you know, for anyone who wants to understand the game's rich history or just catch up on what they might have missed.

Each expansion has brought something fresh to the world of Azeroth, adding new places, characters, and big challenges. From icy wastes to burning worlds and even the shadowy afterlife, players have explored so many different settings. It's almost like reading a long series of books, with each one building on the last, shaping the overall story of this very popular online game.

So, if you're curious about how the story unfolded, or just want to remember the good old days, this guide is for you. We'll go through each major update, one by one, helping you see the full picture of World of Warcraft's amazing past and present. It's a pretty big adventure, after all, and knowing the sequence makes it all make more sense.

Table of Contents

• The Foundations: Classic WoW
• The Burning Crusade (2007)
• Wrath of the Lich King (2008)
• Cataclysm (2010)
• Mists of Pandaria (2012)
• Warlords of Draenor (2014)
• Legion (2016)
• Battle for Azeroth (2018)
• Shadowlands (2020)
• Dragonflight (2022)
• The War Within (Coming Soon)
• Frequently Asked Questions About WoW Expansions

The Foundations: Classic WoW

Before any expansions came out, there was World of Warcraft Classic. It launched way back in 2004, setting the stage for everything that followed. This first version introduced players to the world of Azeroth, with its two main sides: the Alliance and the Horde. Players picked a race, a class, and began their adventures, completing tasks, exploring dungeons, and fighting against other players. It was a very different experience back then, a bit slower paced, but it laid the groundwork for the huge game we have today. You could say, it was the very start of it all, really, building the community and the initial stories.

The Burning Crusade (2007)

Released in January 2007, The Burning Crusade was the very first big addition to World of Warcraft. This expansion took players through the Dark Portal into Outland, a shattered world that was once Draenor. It brought in two new playable races: the Blood Elves for the Horde and the Draenei for the Alliance. Players could also fly on mounts for the first time in certain areas, which was a huge deal. The main bad guy was Illidan Stormrage, and players fought against the demonic Burning Legion. It was a pretty exciting time, honestly, opening up so many new places to see and things to do.

Wrath of the Lich King (2008)

November 2008 saw the arrival of Wrath of the Lich King, which many players remember very fondly. This expansion sent players to the icy continent of Northrend to face off against the dreaded Lich King, Arthas Menethil. It introduced the game's first hero class, the Death Knight, which started at a higher level than other characters. The story was quite dramatic, focusing on the fight against the Scourge and their leader. People often talk about how good the storytelling was in this one, and it's easy to see why. It truly felt like a grand struggle, you know, against a powerful foe.

Cataclysm (2010)

Cataclysm came out in December 2010 and changed Azeroth in a big way. The evil dragon Deathwing burst forth, reshaping the original continents and destroying many familiar zones. This meant that the old world was completely updated, giving returning players a fresh experience even in places they thought they knew well. Two new races were added: the Goblins for the Horde and the Worgen for the Alliance. It was a rather bold move, changing so much of the game world, but it brought new life to older areas. It was, in some respects, a complete overhaul of what people knew.

Mists of Pandaria (2012)

Released in September 2012, Mists of Pandaria introduced the mysterious continent of Pandaria and the Pandaren race, who could choose to join either the Alliance or the Horde. This expansion had a strong focus on discovery, martial arts, and the growing conflict between the two main factions. It also brought in the Monk class, which could heal, tank, or deal damage. The look and feel of Pandaria were very different from previous settings, with a distinct Asian-inspired style. It was a bit of a departure, perhaps, but many found its themes quite refreshing.

Warlords of Draenor (2014)

November 2014 brought Warlords of Draenor, which sent players back in time to an alternate version of Draenor, the homeworld of the Orcs, before it was shattered into Outland. The main goal was to stop the Iron Horde, a powerful group of Orc clans. This expansion introduced Garrisons, personal bases that players could build and customize, offering a new way to interact with the game world. While the setting was familiar in some ways, the story was fresh and focused on big, powerful figures. It was, you know, a different kind of time-travel adventure.

Legion (2016)

Legion arrived in August 2016 and brought the Burning Legion back as the primary threat. Players traveled to the Broken Isles and took on the role of powerful champions, wielding Artifact Weapons that grew in strength alongside them. The Demon Hunter, a new hero class starting at a high level, was also introduced. This expansion was widely praised for its engaging story, challenging content, and the feeling of being a true hero fighting against overwhelming odds. It was a really intense period for the game, with a lot of action and big moments, you might say.

Battle for Azeroth (2018)

Released in August 2018, Battle for Azeroth put the focus back on the long-standing conflict between the Alliance and the Horde. Players explored new continents: Kul Tiras for the Alliance and Zandalar for the Horde. It introduced Allied Races, different versions of existing races that players could unlock and play. The expansion also featured Island Expeditions and Warfronts, new types of content. The story was very much about the faction war, which, you know, is a core part of the game's identity, and it got pretty heated.

Shadowlands (2020)

Shadowlands launched in November 2020 and took players to the afterlife itself. The veil between life and death was torn, and players journeyed through different realms of the Shadowlands, forming Covenants with powerful factions there. This expansion explored themes of death, destiny, and the cosmic forces that shape the universe. It was a very different kind of setting, moving away from Azeroth for a while to tell a broader story. It was, arguably, a rather unique step for the game, exploring something completely new.

Dragonflight (2022)

Dragonflight, which came out in November 2022, brought players back to Azeroth, specifically to the Dragon Isles, the ancestral home of the dragons. This expansion aimed for a more "back to basics" feel, focusing on exploration, adventure, and the return of the dragonflights. It introduced a new playable race and class combination, the Dracthyr Evoker, which could switch between humanoid and dragon forms. Dragonriding, a new way to fly with a lot of player control, was also a big hit. It's the most recent chapter in the story, as of late 2024, and it's been a fun return to the familiar world, you know, with a fresh twist.

The War Within (Coming Soon)

Looking ahead, the next big expansion is called The War Within, announced for a release sometime in 2024. This will be the first part of a new storyline called "The Worldsoul Saga," which aims to tell a grand narrative over several expansions. It will take players deep beneath the surface of Azeroth, exploring new underground zones and facing new threats. This is, apparently, going to be a very big story for the game's future, so it's something to look forward to. You can learn more about The War Within on the official World of Warcraft site, if you're curious.

Frequently Asked Questions About WoW Expansions

How many WoW expansions are there?

As of late 2024, with Dragonflight being the latest released, there have been ten major World of Warcraft expansions. The War Within will be the eleventh when it arrives. It's a pretty good number, actually, showing how much the game has grown over time.

What was the first WoW expansion?

The very first expansion for World of Warcraft was The Burning Crusade, which came out in January 2007. It took players to the shattered world of Outland and introduced new races and areas. It was, you know, a big moment for the game's development.

Is Dragonflight the latest WoW expansion?

Yes, Dragonflight, released in November 2022, is currently the most recent World of Warcraft expansion available to play. The next one, The War Within, is coming soon, so it's the current one until then. You can find more details about it on this page.

So, there you have it, the full list of WoW expansions in order, from the very first journey beyond the Dark Portal to the current adventures in the Dragon Isles and what's coming next. Each one has added a new layer to Azeroth's rich history, offering countless hours of exploration and excitement. What's your favorite chapter in this grand saga? Perhaps you have a special memory from one of these big updates? We'd love to hear about it!