Can You Get to Draenor Without a Garrison? A Comprehensive Guide

The short and direct answer is yes, absolutely! You can indeed access Draenor in World of Warcraft without establishing a Garrison. While the Garrison was a central feature of the Warlords of Draenor expansion, it is not a mandatory requirement for exploring the world, completing quests, or participating in content there. Many players might find themselves wanting to bypass the Garrison storyline entirely or access Draenor on alternate characters without repeating the introductory quests. This article will break down how you can do this and answer common questions about accessing the world of Draenor.

Getting to Draenor Without a Garrison Introduction

The Warlords of Draenor expansion initially leads players through an introductory sequence that culminates in the establishment of their personal Garrison, a customizable base of operations. This sequence is tied to a specific questline that starts near the Dark Portal. However, the game provides multiple avenues to travel to Draenor, making the Garrison introductory questline optional.

Methods to Reach Draenor Without Building a Garrison

1. The Dark Portal Method: The classic method to reach Draenor is still viable. You can pick up the quest “The Dark Portal” from the Hero’s Call Board in Stormwind (for Alliance) or the Warchief’s Command Board in Orgrimmar (for Horde). Alternatively, if the quest is not available on the boards, you can head directly to the Dark Portal in the Blasted Lands. There, you’ll find Archmage Khadgar who will provide the initial quest to enter Draenor. By abandoning the questline after arriving, you will be free to explore without constructing a Garrison.

2. Ashran Portals: Both Stormwind and Orgrimmar have portals to Ashran, a PvP zone located in Draenor. These portals are found in their respective portal rooms. Once in Ashran, you can fly to other zones within Draenor. Note that to use the portal, you have to be level 10 and have previously visited Draenor.

3. Chromie Time: A great alternative for leveling characters is to use Chromie Time, which allows you to experience old expansions at your level. Talking to Chromie in your faction’s capital city and choosing the Warlords of Draenor Timewalking Journey will send you to Khadgar in front of the Dark Portal. Similar to the first method, you can abandon the questline after arriving in Draenor, completely bypassing the Garrison introduction. This method also allows for quicker and more efficient leveling in Draenor.

4. Garrison Hearthstone or Other Teleports: If you have previously established a Garrison on any character on your account, you can use the Garrison Hearthstone, Admiral’s Compass, or even a normal hearthstone set at a Draenor Inn to get there directly. This method is most efficient for alts who want to quickly access Draenor.

Why Bypassing the Garrison Can Be Beneficial

Many players prefer to bypass the Garrison introduction for several reasons:

• Alternate Characters (Alts): Players often want to level alternate characters more quickly through questing and exploration in Draenor without having to complete the introductory sequence again.
• Focus on Content: Some players may only be interested in the lore, questing, or dungeons and raids of Draenor and don’t want to manage a Garrison.
• Avoiding the Garrison System: The Garrison system, while novel at the time, is not universally enjoyed. Bypassing it allows players to experience Draenor without that aspect of the game.
• Leveling Efficiency: Using Chromie Time combined with the option to abandon the introductory quest provides a very streamlined way to level through Draenor content, particularly for level 10-60 characters.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Accessing Draenor

1. Is there a portal to Draenor?

Yes, there are several portals to Draenor. The main portals are in the portal rooms of Stormwind (Alliance) and Orgrimmar (Horde), leading to Ashran. Additionally, the Dark Portal in the Blasted Lands serves as an entry point.

2. How do I get to Draenor for the first time?

For the first time, you can pick up the quest “The Dark Portal” from the Hero’s Call Board in Stormwind or the Warchief’s Command Board in Orgrimmar. If you don’t see it, travel to the Dark Portal in the Blasted Lands to find Khadgar.

3. Is there a portal to Draenor Horde side?

Yes, the Horde can take the Ashran portal located in the Orgrimmar Portal Room.

4. Is there a portal to Draenor Alliance side?

Yes, the Alliance can take the Ashran portal located in the Stormwind Portal Room.

5. Is there a way to skip the Warlords of Draenor intro?

Yes, you can skip the initial quests by using Chromie Time to choose the Warlords of Draenor campaign and then abandoning the initial quests once you arrive in Draenor. You can also bypass by directly accessing Draenor through the Dark Portal and abandoning the questline there.

6. Can you skip to Blackhand (the final boss in Blackrock Foundry)?

Yes, if you have completed the Blackrock Foundry raid on Mythic difficulty, you can skip to Blackhand on all difficulties on that character. If you have completed it on Normal, you can skip only in Normal difficulty.

7. Is Warlords of Draenor considered a “bad” expansion?

Opinions on the expansion vary greatly. Many players found the launch buggy, and the Garrison system and rushed content schedule were criticized. However, others appreciate some aspects like the updated character models, the new storylines, and the gameplay elements introduced.

8. How do I get a Draenor Garrison?

You can still get a Garrison by following the questline you receive after going through the Dark Portal. You’ll need to complete the introductory sequence, which involves building your Garrison.

9. What is the “Secret of Draenor” in Engineering?

The Secret of Draenor Engineering is a crafted item used to purchase Engineering recipes from vendors in your Garrison and Ashran.

10. Who opened the portal to Draenor?

The Dark Portal was reopened by the demon Lord Kazzak, who used an unknown artifact. The Portal in the Warlords of Draenor timeline was opened by Garrosh Hellscream.

11. How do I get to my Garrison from Orgrimmar or Stormwind?

Go to the portal room in either Stormwind or Orgrimmar. Take the portal to Ashran, and from there, fly to your Garrison. Or, if you have access to it, use a Garrison Hearthstone or the Admiral’s Compass.

12. How do I get to Hellfire Peninsula from Orgrimmar?

There is a portal to Hellfire Peninsula in the Mage Quarter of Undercity. You can reach Undercity through the portal atop the western zeppelin tower in Orgrimmar.

13. What expansion is Draenor from?

Draenor is from the Warlords of Draenor expansion.

14. Why is Draenor named after the Draenei?

The Draenei named the planet Draenor, which means “Exiles’ Refuge” in their tongue. The native orcs, who had no specific name for the planet, adopted the Draenei term.

15. How do you get the Garrison Hearthstone fast?

You can obtain the Garrison Hearthstone by doing the first few introductory quests upon entering Draenor, which includes speaking to Thrall and killing a large Grunnling boss. This leads to the construction of your Garrison and rewards you with the Garrison Hearthstone. If you chose to skip the Garrison intro, this will not be available to you until you start the Garrison storyline at some point.

Conclusion

Accessing Draenor without building a Garrison is entirely feasible, and it offers more flexibility for players who wish to bypass the introductory quests or focus on specific aspects of the expansion. Whether through Chromie Time, the Dark Portal, or using portals to Ashran, there are various ways to explore this world. The choice ultimately rests on your individual preferences and gameplay goals. With these methods and information, you can confidently navigate the world of Draenor and engage with its content on your own terms.