How Do I Open the Zandalar Portal?
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Opening the portal to Zandalar, the continent home to the Zandalari trolls, is a key step for players venturing into Battle for Azeroth content in World of Warcraft. The process differs slightly based on whether you’re playing a Horde or Alliance character. In essence, the key to unlocking the portal lies in progressing through the War Campaign and introductory quests for each faction. It also depends on if you are a returning player.
For Horde characters, the path is relatively straightforward. After arriving in Dazar’alor for the first time, you’ll be given a series of introductory quests by the Zandalari royalty. These quests involve establishing a Horde embassy within the city. Crucially, you’ll need to reach the quest “Speaker of the Horde.” Completing this quest will unlock the portal room in Dazar’alor and enable access to the War Campaign. Note that recent changes implemented in Patch 10.1.5 now direct Horde characters to the Zuldazar pier instead of the portal room in the Great Seal when using the portal from Orgrimmar. So, if your goal is to access the portal room itself, you’ll need to work through those initial quests.
Alliance characters do not receive a direct portal to Zandalar from Stormwind initially. Instead, they access Zandalar zones by establishing footholds through the Alliance War Campaign questline, located in Boralus. These footholds allow you to travel to the various zones of Zandalar by boat. After progressing through the campaign and setting up at least one foothold, you’ll have access to a permanent method to revisit the zone by boat.
Once the initial setup is complete for either faction, you can use the portal room in Orgrimmar (for Horde) or the established footholds (for Alliance) to move freely between Azeroth and Zandalar.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of accessing Zandalar and the portal:
How do I start the initial quest to go to Kul Tiras/Zandalar?
For Alliance characters, the starting quest for Kul Tiras is obtained from Anduin in Stormwind City. You’ll then need to check in with Jaina at the ship in Stormwind. If you’ve unlocked the alt skip, you can utilize that to expedite this initial process. Once you complete the quest where you select a zone to level, you will unlock the teleport option on the nearby ship.
For Horde players, the initial quest to go to Zandalar is offered in Orgrimmar. It usually triggers automatically after completing some initial quests in the city. You will be directed to speak with Nathanos Blightcaller.
Where is the portal to Zandalar?
Once you have begun the quest chain and made your first trip to Zuldazar, you can return to Zandalar using one of these methods:
- Horde: The portal is located in the Portal Room (also called the Pathfinder’s Den) in Orgrimmar. It’s located just inside the main gate, on the left side as you enter the city.
- Horde: By taking the boat from the Echo Isles in Durotar.
- Alliance: By using the footholds you established during the war campaign questline in Boralus.
Is there a portal to Zuldazar from Valdrakken?
There is no direct portal to Zuldazar from Valdrakken. However, you can take the M+ portal to Nazmir in Valdrakken and then travel south from there. Alternatively, you could also take the Tuskar boat in the Azure Span which may eventually get you to Vuldun, from where you could walk to the other zones. But that’s more circuitous. For Horde characters, it’s much easier to use the Orgrimmar portal or the boat from the Echo Isles.
How do I get from Stormwind to Zandalar?
Alliance characters travel to Zandalar from Boralus. Initially, you need to complete the introductory quests and establish a foothold in one of the three zones in Zandalar. This will allow access to boats that you can use to travel to Zandalar. Once a foothold is established, you can use the established transports in the port. There is no portal directly from Stormwind for Alliance players.
What level can you go to Zuldazar?
Zuldazar is a zone designed for characters from level 10 to 50. This makes it accessible for leveling characters and those engaged with Battle for Azeroth content.
How do I fly around Zandalar?
Flying in Zandalar, Kul Tiras, and other BFA zones was previously gated behind the Azeroth Pathfinder, Part Two achievement. However, as of Patch 10.1, the requirement to complete the Pathfinder achievement has been removed and players can now fly in all zones without this requirement.
Why are there no NPCs in Zuldazar?
If you are missing NPCs or the scrapper in Dazar’alor, it is likely due to a phasing issue stemming from starting the Zandalari Troll allied race questline. Completing that questline will return the city to its normal phase and NPCs will reappear.
How do I start Zuldazar forever?
The Zandalar Forever! achievement is obtained by completing all major lore storylines within the Zuldazar zones, ending with The Final Seal quest. Start the quest chain by first completing A Royal Occasion then continue the quest series. You can track your progress using the Battle for Azeroth Attunement Tracker.
How do I get to Zandalar after a faction change?
After a faction change, the connection to Zandalar may be broken. You need to re-unlock the portal by completing a short quest chain that is similar to the first time you unlocked the portal. Horde characters can pick up the quest “Mission Statement” from Nathanos Blightcaller in Orgrimmar to get started.
How do I return to Zuldazar?
You can return to Zuldazar through the previously mentioned methods:
- Horde: Utilize the portal in the Portal Room in Orgrimmar, or take the boat from the Echo Isles.
- Alliance: Utilize your established footholds and related transport options in Boralus.
For Horde characters, you can also speak to Swellthrasher in Anyport, who can provide a ride back to Zuldazar.
Can you fly in Zandalar now?
Yes! As of Patch 10.1, flying in Zandalar (and Kul Tiras) is no longer gated behind the Pathfinder achievement. You can fly anywhere in the zone as long as you have purchased flying in the first place.
How do you unlock Zandalar in Shadowlands?
The method for unlocking the Zandalari Trolls allied race involves completing the storylines and related quest achievements for each of the three zones on Zandalar (Zuldazar, Vol’dun, Nazmir). Focus on the “Zandalar Forever!” achievement.
Where is the portal room in Orgrimmar?
The Portal Room in Orgrimmar, also known as the Pathfinder’s Den, is located just inside the main gate of the city. Look for a doorway on your left side as you enter the city, and descend the stairs. You’ll find the portal room at the bottom of the stairs.
What expansion is Zandalar from?
Zandalar was introduced as one of the main continents in the Battle for Azeroth (BFA) expansion.
Is Zandalar forever account-wide?
Yes, the “Zandalar Forever!” achievement is indeed account-wide. This means that progress made on one character will count towards the achievement on your other characters.
Conclusion
Accessing the portal to Zandalar requires progressing through the initial quest lines for the Battle for Azeroth content and participating in the War Campaign. For Horde, the portal is in Orgrimmar, and the initial path is focused around establishing an embassy in Dazar’alor. For Alliance, footholds must be established before access is made available to the boat system. By following the steps outlined in this article and consulting the FAQs, you’ll be well on your way to exploring Zandalar and its many adventures.