Journey to the Frozen North: A Comprehensive Guide to Reaching Northrend from Kalimdor
So, you’re ready to brave the icy winds and face the Lich King himself? Excellent! Getting from the sunny shores of Kalimdor to the frozen wastes of Northrend in World of Warcraft can seem a little daunting at first, especially with the number of ways you can achieve this. But fear not, intrepid adventurer! This guide will break down the simplest, most direct routes for both Alliance and Horde players.
The most straightforward way to reach Northrend from Kalimdor is by taking a boat from Auberdine (Darkshore) to Stormwind Harbor. Once in Stormwind, find the ship on the northernmost dock heading to Valiance Keep in the Borean Tundra. This is the most common method for Alliance players. Horde players will need to travel to the Eastern Kingdoms and take a Zeppelin to Northrend.
Key Departure Points and Transportation Methods
Let’s delve a little deeper into the specific options available:
Alliance: The Auberdine-Stormwind-Valiance Keep Route
- Step 1: Head to Auberdine: Auberdine is located in Darkshore, a zone that experienced significant changes during the Cataclysm expansion. If you’re a low-level character, you might need a higher-level friend or a character that is capable of surviving the journey, to escort you here.
- Step 2: Take the Boat to Stormwind: Once in Auberdine, look for the boat that travels to Stormwind Harbor. This is a direct route between the two locations.
- Step 3: Find the Northrend-Bound Ship: Upon arriving in Stormwind Harbor, head to the northernmost dock. There you’ll find a ship clearly marked to be heading to Valiance Keep in the Borean Tundra, Northrend. Make sure you board the Kraken, the icebreaker ship. Don’t get this one confused with any other ship that stays in the harbor.
- Step 4: Enjoy the Voyage! The ship will take you directly to Valiance Keep, where you can begin your Northrend adventures.
Horde: Zeppelin from Eastern Kingdoms
The Horde path to Northrend from Kalimdor is a bit more indirect, as you’ll first need to travel to the Eastern Kingdoms.
- Step 1: Take a Zeppelin from Orgrimmar to the Undercity: In Orgrimmar, locate the Zeppelin towers outside the city walls. Take the Zeppelin headed to the Undercity in the Eastern Kingdoms.
- Step 2: Travel to Tirisfal Glades: Once you land, you’ll be close to the Undercity.
- Step 3: Take the Zeppelin to Northrend: You need to find the zeppelin tower outside of the Undercity and locate the zeppelin to Grom’arsh Crash-Site.
- Step 4: Arrive in Northrend: The zeppelin will take you to Grom’arsh Crash-Site in the Borean Tundra, where you can begin your quests.
Alternative Transportation Options
While the above routes are the most common, several alternative methods exist to reach Northrend:
- Mage Portals: If you have a friendly Mage who can conjure a portal to Dalaran (Northrend), that’s by far the fastest option. Make sure they are in the Northrend Dalaran for the portal to work.
- Portal Rooms: After the Dragonflight update, Portal rooms were added to both Stormwind and Orgrimmar with a direct path to Dalaran in Crystalsong Forest, Northrend.
- Summoning Stones: While not a direct method, you can use Summoning Stones near dungeons in Northrend if you have a group of players willing to summon you.
Level Requirements
While you can technically travel to Northrend at any level by boarding the boat, you won’t be able to accept quests until you reach level 68. It’s generally recommended to wait until level 68 before making the trip, as you’ll level faster through Northrend content than you would in Outland. In fact going to Northrend as soon as you hit 68 is highly advisable, as you will be getting higher XP from the Lich King quests than you would from equivalent TBC quests, and therefore 68-70 is much faster in Northrend than in Outlands.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I go to Northrend before level 68?
Yes, you can physically travel to Northrend before level 68 by taking the boat or zeppelin. However, you won’t be able to access any quests or level effectively until you reach level 68.
2. Is it faster to level in Outland or Northrend at level 68?
Generally, leveling in Northrend at level 68 is faster than leveling in Outland. The quest experience in Northrend is typically higher, and the content is designed for that level range.
3. Where do I catch the boat to Northrend as Alliance?
The boat to Northrend for Alliance departs from the northernmost dock in Stormwind Harbor. It travels directly to Valiance Keep in the Borean Tundra.
4. Where do I catch the Zeppelin to Northrend as Horde?
For the Horde, the primary zeppelin to Northrend departs from outside the Undercity to Grom’arsh Crash-Site in the Borean Tundra.
5. Do I need Cold Weather Flying to travel in Northrend?
While you don’t need Cold Weather Flying to physically reach Northrend, you’ll need it to fly within Northrend once you reach level 77. You can purchase this skill in Warsong Hold (Horde) or Valiance Keep (Alliance) in the Borean Tundra.
6. What is the best starting zone in Northrend?
For most players, the Borean Tundra is considered the better starting zone, as it’s where the boats and zeppelins typically drop you off. The quests are straightforward and guide you through the initial content. Howling Fjord is a good alternative if you’re looking for something different, but it might be slightly more challenging.
7. Is there a portal to Northrend from Orgrimmar or Stormwind?
Yes, after the Dragonflight update, Portal rooms were added to both Stormwind and Orgrimmar with a direct path to Dalaran in Crystalsong Forest, Northrend.
8. Can a Mage portal me to Northrend?
Yes, a Mage can portal you to Dalaran in Northrend if they are of appropriate level and know the corresponding portal spell.
9. What level do I need to be to do quests in Northrend?
You need to be level 68 to accept and complete quests in Northrend.
10. What is the difference between Borean Tundra and Howling Fjord?
Borean Tundra is generally considered more beginner-friendly with a focus on technology and Murlocs, while Howling Fjord features Vrykul, towering cliffs, and a Viking theme.
11. Can I use a flying mount in Northrend at level 68?
No, you will need to get to level 77 and purchase Cold Weather Flying to be able to use your flying mount in Northrend.
12. How do I get back to Kalimdor from Northrend?
You can take the same boats and Zeppelins in reverse to return to Kalimdor from Northrend. Also you can use Portal rooms in Orgrimmar or Stormwind to return to Kalimdor.
13. Where is the Dark Portal located?
The Azeroth side of the Dark Portal is located in the Blasted Lands in the Eastern Kingdoms.
14. Is there a portal to Kalimdor from Stormwind?
Yes, there is a portal in Stormwind that leads to Nordrassil in Mount Hyjal in Kalimdor, but you need to complete the quest “As Hyjal Burns” to unlock it.
15. What are some good resources for learning more about World of Warcraft?
You can explore resources such as Wowhead, Icy Veins, and the official World of Warcraft website for guides, news, and community discussions. Also, you can check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for resources related to gaming and learning.
Reaching Northrend is the start of a new adventure, where many dangers and triumphs await! Follow these directions, and you will be one step closer to facing the Lich King. Good luck on your adventures in the frozen lands!