This site makes extensive use of JavaScript.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser.
Classic Theme
Thottbot Theme
WotLK Guide: Northrend
WotLK Guide
FAQ
Northrend
Raids & Dungeons
PvP
Professions
Spells and Talents
Death Knight
Achievements
Miscellaneous
The icy continent of
Northrend
is located in-between the continents of Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms (appropriately, to the north) and features eleven zones.
Borean Tundra
(68 - 72)
The Borean Tundra is comprised of much barren land and expansive plains of ice. This is the location of the Tuskarr capital of Kaskala, the Horde outpost of Warsong Hold, and the Alliance settlement Valiance Keep. The Horde have allied with the native Tuskarr and assist in their efforts to defeat the naga who have taken over the nerubian Riplash Ruins, possibly also aided by the taunka, a gruff offshoot of the tauren. On the island of Coldarra, found off the coast of the Borean Tundra, players can find
The Nexus
dungeon.
Howling Fjord
(68 - 72)
The Howling Fjord, located at the southeastern part of Northrend, features many expanses of plains, hills and forested areas. This is the site of what was once the only city on the continent, the alliance town of Valgarde, which was founded by the Alliance races who were stranded on the continent by Arthas (as in the mission 'Dissension' in
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
). Recently, however, the Forsaken have constructed the city of New Agamand. In addition to the player character races of Human, Dwarf and Undead, travelers will also encounter Drakkari Ice Trolls, furbolgs, the walrus-like Tuskarr, and half-giant Vrykul. The Howling Fjord contains the
Utgarde Keep
dungeon.
Dragonblight
(71 - 75)
Dragonblight is the great graveyard of dragons, consisting of low hills, sharp cliffs, and miles and miles of dragon remains.The bones of the dragons are guarded by Malygos and the Blue Dragonflight from the peak of the ancient Titan city, which is now known as Wyrmrest Temple. It is here that players will battle Sartharion the Onyx Guardian inside the
Chamber of the Aspects
. Dragonblight is the new home of
Naxxramas
, as well as the
Azjol-Nerub
dungeon. At the north of the Dragonblight lies the entrance to Icecrown, Angrathar the Wrath Gate, which Alliance and Horde troops have set up to siege similar to that of their previous efforts on the Dark Portal.
Zul'Drak
(73 - 76)
Zul'Drak is the homeland of the Drakkari Ice Trolls, and their king Malakk, whom players will most likely encounter in the city of
Gundrak
, a 10/25-man raid instance. The land is full of life among ancient troll ruins, with encampments of Ice Trolls found nearly everywhere (similar to some areas of
Stranglethorn Vale
). It is here that tribes of the Drakkari nation battle among themselves.
Grizzly Hills
(74 - 76)
Grizzly Hills is the home of the polar furbolgs of Grizzlemaw, a city located inside the stump of their failed effort at a new world tree. In addition to the furbolg, Grizzly Hills is also the new home of Arugal and his legion of Worgen, and to Scourge forces located at another entrance to
Drak'Tharon Keep
. The zone is very thickly forested, with much wildlife - though the goblin Venture Trading Company have set up deforestation camps throughout the area. In addition to having both Alliance and Horde camps, the zone is rumored to also have a world PVP objective (similar to Halaa, perhaps) that will constantly be contested between the factions.
Sholazar Basin
(75 - 78)
Sholazar Basin is a lush, rich jungle environment similar to
Stranglethorn Vale
, and is protected from outside Scourge invasion. Not much is known about the area, though players will participate in a faction war between two new races, the
Wolvar
(a race of sentient wolverine-like creatures) and the
Oracles
(basically super-murlocs). Players will also find a familiar face deep in the jungle, the bloodthirsty explorer
Hemet Nesingwary
and a crew of his men, hunting the land - only this time, being fended off by a new organization known as D.E.H.T.A (Druids for the Ethical and Humane Treatment of Animals) who will stop at nothing to thwart Nesingwary's efforts at obtaining new trophies. There are no dungeons in Sholazar Basin.
Crystalsong Forest
(77 - 80)
The Crystalsong Forest is a thick, crystallized forest which has been transformed by the warring dragonflights. The zone was once a rich and lush forest, but as the Black Dragonflight ravaged the land, the Blue Dragonflight's defenses resulted in much loose magic which clinged to the once living forest and covered it in a solid, crystal skin. The zone has no real established settlements and is mainly populated by crystalline golems and green dragons.
The Storm Peaks
(77 - 80)
A former home to the Titans, the Storm Peaks are a dangerous "mountain" range populated by the Storm Giants and their golems, which reside in the ancient Titan city of
Ulduar
. Ulduar features a 5-man dungeon, the
Halls of Stone
, as well as a 10/25-player raid called
Halls of Lightning
. The mountains are not actually mountains, per se, but they are ice-covered cliffs and peaks cut away by the fierce winds, which have formed just as many navigable paths as they have violent peaks. This zone also houses the Temple of Storms, a mysterious area guarded by golems which was created by the Titans and is now populated by the giants.
Icecrown
(77 - 80)
Icecrown Glacier is an expansive glacier that has become part of the Northrend continent. The glacier is the location of the
Icecrown Citadel
, a citadel carved in a great rift in the glacier which was formed when
Kil'jaeden
cast Ner'zhul's crystal prison back into the world. The prison was shattered by Arthas, freeing Ner'zhul's soul and merging it with his own, making Arthas the new Lich King. The remnants of this prison now serve as his Frozen Throne, from which he commands the legions of Scourge forces. The glacier is a barren, icy wasteland completely overrun with undead. The Citadel itself is surrounded by four large obelisks that must be 'activated' in some way to access the Citadel itself and eventually face the Lich King, Arthas Menethil.
Dalaran
(Neutral Capital City)
The kingdom of Dalaran, which previously existed in World of Warcraft as nothing more than a giant, mysterious purple bubble found in the
Alterac Mountains
is being relocated to float above the continent of Northrend and will serve as a neutral capital city similar to
Shattrath City
in Outland. As such, it will not feature class trainers or an auction house but it will serve as a neutral 'sanctuary' for Horde and Alliance players. Blizzard has not yet stated what exactly will become of the area where Dalaran was once located in the Eastern Kingdoms.
Wintergrasp
(Outdoor PvP)
Wintergrasp is an expansive, frozen lake which is the largest on the continent. This zone will be entirely dedicated to world PVP content and feature totally new gameplay elements such as destructible buildings, siege weaponry and air combat. It will be similar to a battleground, though not instanced, so the sides may not always be even and the combat may not always be fair. PVP at the Lake will reward players for completing objectives with Honor and possibly Marks, and there will be a new currency similar to
Spirit Shards
that will be awarded from Northrend instances for your faction's dominance at Wintergrasp which can be used to purchase unique rewards. Lake Wintergrasp is intended to be an epic warzone with constant PVP action.
