What World of Warcraft Expansion Was in 2013?
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The short answer is: There wasn’t a new World of Warcraft expansion released in 2013. Instead, 2013 was the tail end of the Mists of Pandaria expansion, which launched in September 2012, and also the year that the next expansion, Warlords of Draenor, was announced at BlizzCon in November.
The State of World of Warcraft in 2013
2013 was a significant year for World of Warcraft (WoW) despite not having a major expansion release. Mists of Pandaria, the fourth expansion, was still in its full swing, offering players a wealth of content. The game was actively supported with patches and updates, maintaining its vibrant player base.
Mists of Pandaria: A Year of Updates
- Patch 5.2: The Throne of Thunder: This patch was released in March 2013 and introduced a new raid, the Throne of Thunder, a massive challenge set in a mogu citadel with powerful bosses and challenging encounters. It also expanded the story with new quests and lore about the Thunder King and his reign.
- Patch 5.3: Escalation: Released in May 2013, this patch focused on smaller-scale world events and questlines, particularly around the brewing conflict between the Horde and Alliance. It aimed to provide engaging content outside of traditional raiding.
- Patch 5.4: Siege of Orgrimmar: This significant patch launched in September 2013 marked the conclusion of the Mists of Pandaria story arc. It featured the Siege of Orgrimmar raid, a massive final confrontation with the corrupted Warchief Garrosh Hellscream, and brought significant changes to the lore of the game.
Announcement of Warlords of Draenor
The most important World of Warcraft event in 2013 was the announcement of the next expansion, Warlords of Draenor, at BlizzCon in November. This announcement generated considerable excitement amongst the player base, as it promised a return to the Warcraft lore origins on the planet Draenor, the home world of the orcs and draenei. It marked a significant shift from the Pandaria setting with the promise of new characters, storylines, and a drastically different environment. The announcement introduced characters such as Grommash Hellscream and Ner’zhul, setting the stage for an epic expansion.
2013 served as a bridge between two major expansions. It was a year where the narrative arcs of Mists of Pandaria reached their culmination and the players’ excitement was ignited by the unveiling of Warlords of Draenor. It was a year of significant story and anticipation, setting the stage for the next chapter in World of Warcraft.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to World of Warcraft expansions, their release dates, and other pertinent details:
1. What was the previous World of Warcraft expansion before Mists of Pandaria?
The expansion before Mists of Pandaria was Cataclysm, which was released in December 2010. Cataclysm dramatically reshaped the game world, altering many zones with the return of Deathwing.
2. When was Warlords of Draenor released?
Warlords of Draenor was released in November 2014, a year after its announcement at BlizzCon 2013. It sent players back in time to Draenor.
3. How many expansions are there for World of Warcraft?
There have been a total of nine full expansions for World of Warcraft, with an upcoming trilogy of expansions called the Worldsoul Saga. The current list of expansions in order of release is:
- The Burning Crusade
- Wrath of the Lich King
- Cataclysm
- Mists of Pandaria
- Warlords of Draenor
- Legion
- Battle for Azeroth
- Shadowlands
- Dragonflight.
4. Which is considered the best WoW expansion?
While it is subjective, many players and critics regard Wrath of the Lich King as the best expansion due to its engaging story, characters, and overall gameplay experience.
5. What is the least popular WoW expansion?
Based on Metacritic scores and general player sentiment, Battle for Azeroth is often regarded as one of the least popular expansions. Shadowlands and Dragonflight have also received mixed reviews among the community.
6. Do I need to buy all WoW expansions to play?
No, you do not need to buy every expansion separately. With a World of Warcraft subscription, you gain access to all previous expansions up to the current one, Dragonflight.
7. Is WoW Classic free to play?
No, WoW Classic is not free to play. It requires an active subscription or non-recurring game time. You don’t have to buy WoW Classic separately, as access to it is included with your subscription.
8. When did the Burning Crusade expansion come out?
The Burning Crusade, the first World of Warcraft expansion, was released in 2007. It introduced the Outland, new races, and many new features.
9. How many subscribers did World of Warcraft have at its peak?
World of Warcraft reached its peak of popularity with approximately 12 million subscribers around the year 2010.
10. Is World of Warcraft still popular?
Yes, World of Warcraft is still a popular MMO with an active and dedicated player base despite being launched in 2004. Regular expansions and content updates ensure its longevity.
11. What is the most popular class in World of Warcraft?
The Hunter is often cited as the most popular class in World of Warcraft due to its ease of leveling and gameplay, as well as its unique pet system.
12. What are the upcoming World of Warcraft expansions?
The next expansions for World of Warcraft will be a three-part series under the “Worldsoul Saga” banner: The War Within, Midnight, and The Last Titan. The War Within is slated for a 2024 release.
13. What was the 6.0 World of Warcraft expansion?
Patch 6.0.2 was the systems patch for the Warlords of Draenor expansion, introducing changes and system adjustments in preparation for the expansion’s release.
14. What was the first World of Warcraft raid?
The first World of Warcraft raid was Zul’Gurub, introduced in September 2005. The raid is famous for its “Corrupted Blood” pandemic.
15. Is Shadowlands free now?
Yes, accounts without Shadowlands that previously had any expansion tied to them will receive the Shadowlands Base Edition and a Level 50 Character Boost for free.