What Order Should I Play WoW Expansions? A Comprehensive Guide

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The question of which order to play World of Warcraft (WoW) expansions is a common one, especially for new players or those returning after a long break. The short answer is: there isn’t a single, definitive “correct” order, but there are several viable approaches, each with its own benefits. Technically, the release order of expansions is: Classic, Burning Crusade (BC), Wrath of the Lich King (WotLK), Cataclysm, Mists of Pandaria (MoP), Warlords of Draenor (WoD), Legion, Battle for Azeroth (BFA), Shadowlands, and Dragonflight. However, the way the game works now, thanks to features like Chromie Time, allows for much more flexible progression.

Understanding the Current WoW Landscape

Before we dive into specific orders, it’s crucial to understand how modern WoW handles leveling.

Level Squish: With the Shadowlands expansion, the game underwent a level squish. The maximum level was reduced to 60, and the leveling process was streamlined.
Chromie Time: This feature allows players to choose which expansion’s content they want to experience while leveling from 10 to 60. This means you’re no longer forced to play through expansions in a strict, sequential order.
New Player Experience: New players now begin their journey in a unique introductory zone, then are automatically guided into the Battle for Azeroth content.
Access to Content: A WoW subscription grants access to all previous expansions up to level 60, regardless of when you subscribed or what expansions you own.

Recommended Play Orders

Here are a few popular approaches to playing WoW expansions:

The Chronological Story Order (With Caveats): This approach involves playing the expansions in the order they were released, starting with the original Vanilla zones (even though the original Vanilla content was largely overhauled in Cataclysm). You’d then progress through Burning Crusade, Wrath of the Lich King, and so on.
- Pros: Immerses you in the unfolding narrative of WoW, experiencing each expansion as it was originally released.
- Cons: Vanilla content is now vastly different, and some older expansions can feel dated in terms of gameplay and quest design compared to the newer ones.
The New Player Experience (BfA First): As new players are guided into Battle for Azeroth, this is a perfectly good entry point. This expansion has been reworked to be very beginner-friendly. You then use Chromie Time to experience other expansions.
- Pros: Designed with new players in mind; easy to understand questing and gameplay.
- Cons: You miss out on some lore and character development that occurred in earlier expansions until later.
The “Greatest Hits” Order: This approach focuses on playing the most critically acclaimed expansions, often considered the “best” ones, in whatever order you want with Chromie Time. Many players start with Wrath of the Lich King, as it is often hailed as one of the greatest.
- Pros: Lets you experience the expansions known for their engaging stories, gameplay, and atmosphere.
- Cons: Could lead to a less coherent narrative if not approached with some planning.
The Leveling Efficient Approach: With this option you will start in Battle For Azeroth because the new player experience will take you there. Once you hit level 60 you can now jump into Dragonflight if you have purchased the current expansion, or explore the previous areas. This is also the most efficient for leveling to the current cap.
- Pros: Very quick leveling experience, and gets you to current content quickly.
- Cons: Can feel like you’re missing context to the story.

Deciding What’s Right for You

Ultimately, the “best” order is the one that best suits your personal preference. Do you want to experience the entire story in the order it unfolded? Do you want to jump straight into the most polished and engaging content? Are you just trying to get to max level as quickly as possible?

No matter the order you choose, use Chromie Time to play through the expansions. This allows for flexible leveling and exploration. Don’t feel constrained by any specific order. Experiment and see what you enjoy most!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I Play Through All the Expansions in WoW?

Yes! With a subscription or purchased game time, you have access to all content up to level 60, including all the maps and quests from previous expansions.

2. What’s the Best WoW Expansion?

Wrath of the Lich King is frequently cited as the best, often considered the “golden age” of WoW. However, personal preferences vary.

3. Which WoW Should I Start With?

Battle for Azeroth is often recommended for new players due to its beginner-friendly design, which is the route the new player experience will take you. You can then use Chromie Time to experience other expansions.

4. Does WoW Have a Main Storyline?

While there is no single main questline that runs through the entire game, each area generally has its own main questlines (chapters), plus plenty of sidequests.

5. Is WoW the Most Played Game of All Time?

While WoW has a massive player base, games like Fortnite have recorded more hours played.

6. What’s the Easiest Class to Start With in WoW?

The Havoc Demon Hunter is often regarded as one of the easiest classes to learn and play. Other beginner-friendly classes include Fury Warrior, Retribution Paladin, and Hunter.

7. What’s the Best Leveling Class in WoW?

For Classic Hardcore leveling, Hunter and Mage are considered the most powerful and safest classes.

8. What’s the Most Popular Class in WoW?

Currently, Druid is the most popular class, followed by Paladin and then Hunter.

9. What’s the Least Popular WoW Expansion?

Based on Metacritic scores, Battle for Azeroth is the least popular expansion. Keep in mind however that Metacritic scores do not reflect personal enjoyment.

10. Can I Mix Dominion Expansions?

Yes, you can mix cards from any Dominion sets freely. This is not relevant for WoW, as World of Warcraft is a MMORPG and not a card game.

11. Is WoW Worth Playing in 2023?

Yes, WoW is still considered very worthwhile, offering a vast world to explore and a lot of content.

12. What’s the Rarest Class in WoW?

Currently, Rogue and Shaman are the rarest classes, each making up 7% of the population.

13. What’s the Hardest Class to Play in WoW?

Discipline Priest, Monk Brewmaster, Arcane Mage and Shadow Priest are generally considered among the most difficult to master.

14. What’s the Best Solo Level Class in WoW?

Hunter, Warlock, Demon Hunter, Monk and Warrior are considered among the best classes for solo gameplay.

15. How Long Can You Play WoW Without Paying?

You can play WoW for free up to level 20. To go past level 20 and enjoy the game fully, you’ll need a subscription or game time.