How to Unlock Your Garrison in Warlords of Draenor: A Comprehensive Guide

The Garrison is a cornerstone feature of the World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor expansion, offering players a customizable hub, a base of operations, and a source of resources. Unlocking it is an integral part of the early gameplay experience, and this guide will walk you through exactly how to do it.

The Core Process: Unlocking Your Garrison

To unlock your Garrison in Warlords of Draenor, you must first meet a few fundamental prerequisites. You must be at least level 90 and have completed the Draenor introduction quests. Once these conditions are met, the Garrison unlock process begins in either Shadowmoon Valley for the Alliance or Frostfire Ridge for the Horde.

Alliance: Shadowmoon Valley

For Alliance players, the questline leading to the Garrison starts in Shadowmoon Valley. After completing the introductory quests that bring you to Draenor, you’ll be guided to the location where you will begin building your Garrison, known as Lunarfall. The first few quests will walk you through the initial phases of setting up your Garrison, making it your central hub as you progress through the expansion.

Horde: Frostfire Ridge

For Horde players, the journey to your Garrison begins in Frostfire Ridge. Like the Alliance, you will need to complete the introductory Draenor quests before starting the questline that leads to building your base. Your Garrison, named Frostwall, will become your primary base of operations as you explore the harsh landscapes of Draenor.

Garrison Basics

Once unlocked, your Garrison will function as a personalized area that can be upgraded and customized. Here are the key elements:

• Town Hall: Located at the heart of your Garrison, the Town Hall is essential for starting Garrison missions, managing followers, and upgrading your base.
• Outposts: As you quest through different zones, you can build Outposts that give you access to mission tables and other benefits.
• Garrison Resources: You will need these to construct and upgrade buildings in your Garrison, acquire them through various means like completing quests and missions, killing rare enemies, and from the chest located near your Town Hall.

Garrison Levels

Your Garrison has three levels, each unlocking new buildings, features, and customizations.

Level 1

This is the base Garrison you build during the initial questline. It provides access to core features such as the Town Hall and a few initial building plots.

Level 2

To upgrade to level 2, you will need to complete the questline leading up to Bigger is Better (Alliance) / Bigger is Better (Horde), and spend 200 Garrison Resources. This upgrade will unlock additional building plots and other benefits.

Level 3

To reach level 3, you’ll need to complete the achievement Filling the Ranks, which requires you to get 20 garrison followers to level 100. Acquiring level 100 followers does not count; they must reach that level by completing missions and gaining experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to the Garrison in Warlords of Draenor, providing additional insight and clarity.

1. Where is my Garrison located?

Your Garrison is located in Frostfire Ridge (Frostwall) for the Horde and Shadowmoon Valley (Lunarfall) for the Alliance. It’s fixed in place and cannot be moved.

2. How do I start a Garrison mission?

The most common way to start a mission is through the Town Hall. Access the mission table at the center of your Garrison. Mission tables are also available at Garrison Outposts in other zones.

3. How do I unlock the Garrison Shipyard?

The Garrison Shipyard is unlocked after the patch 6.2 update. You must have a Level 3 Garrison and complete the questline initiated by Garrison Campaign: War Council. This questline will lead you to constructing either the Lunarfall Shipyard or Frostwall Shipyard.

4. How do I unlock the Garrison Fishing Shack?

The Fishing Shack can be unlocked at level 94, provided that your Garrison is level 2. You need to complete the Looking For Help (Alliance / Horde) quest chain.

5. Where can I learn Draenor Fishing?

You need the Fishing Guide to Draenor, which drops from fishing in Draenor or from mobs, increasing your skill cap to 700. Each zone has a unique fish, as well as the Draenor coast.

6. How do I recruit Nat Pagle to my Garrison?

You need a Level 3 Garrison and 700 Fishing skill. Catch a special fish that initiates the quest, Luring Nat. Complete the quest at The Anglers to recruit Nat to your Garrison.

7. How do I get Garrison Resources?

Resources are generated over time. Collect them from the chest near your Town Hall. Rare mobs drop Garrison Resources and certain quests and missions reward them. Upgrading the Mill will increase passive generation.

8. What is the questline for the Shipyard?

The questline involves two short chains: visiting the Iron Docks to find a shipbuilder and establishing a base in Tanaan Jungle.

9. How do I upgrade to a Level 2 Garrison?

Complete the questlines culminating in Bigger is Better (Alliance/Horde). This costs 200 Garrison Resources.

10. How do I upgrade to a Level 3 Garrison?

To unlock the level 3 blueprints, complete Filling the Ranks, which requires you to get 20 garrison followers to level 100.

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

Use the portal in the portal room to the PvP zone in Draenor, then fly to your Garrison location.

12. How do I get my Garrison Hearthstone?

Follow the initial questline at the beginning of the expansion. Specifically, you will get the Garrison Hearthstone after completing the quests at the beach and the surrounding area which involves killing a large Gronnling boss.

13. How do I visit another player’s Garrison?

Go to your Garrison Town Hall with the player you wish to visit. Form a party, and have the visitor right-click on the leader’s portrait, and select “visit leader’s garrison.”

14. How do I get to my Garrison in Tanaan Jungle?

First, build a Level 1 Shipyard. You must be level 100 and have a Stage 3 Garrison. This requires 150 Garrison Resources and 150 gold.

15. Can I get a Garrison at level 60?

Yes, you can, although the content is optimized for level 90 and above. Check the Hero’s Call board in your capital city, or head directly to the Dark Portal in the Blasted Lands if the board does not offer the quest.

Conclusion

Unlocking the Garrison in Warlords of Draenor is a straightforward process once you understand the requirements. By starting your journey at level 90, completing the initial Draenor quests, and following the prompts in either Frostfire Ridge (Horde) or Shadowmoon Valley (Alliance), you will soon establish your own personalized base of operations, setting the stage for all of the content the expansion has to offer. This comprehensive guide and FAQ should leave you well-equipped to begin your Garrison journey.