World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King

World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King (abbreviated as WotLK, WLK, or Wrath) is the second expansion for World of Warcraft. It was officially announced on 3 August 2007 during BlizzCon 2007. The expansion primarily takes place in Northrend, where players engage in a war against the undead Scourge, led by the Lich King. Key Features of the Expansion The expansion introduced Northrend, a new continent where players could reach the new level cap of 80. It also introduced the Death Knight, the game’s first hero class. In addition, new PvE and PvP content was added, such as raids and dungeons. No new playable races were introduced, though many new NPC races were added. Public beta opt-ins started on 3 July 2008, with the beta beginning on 17 July. Blizzard announced that the game had gone gold on 10 October, with discs being manufactured for sale. The game was released to the public on 13 November 2008. For the first time, the regular version of the game (as opposed to the Collector’s Edition) was available on a single DVD. The expansion was offered in two editions: the Standard Edition and the Collector’s Edition. On 13 September 2012, it was integrated into the base World of Warcraft package, granting all subscribers access to the content and features of the expansion at no additional cost. ----Lore of Wrath of the Lich King For years, the heroes of the Alliance and Horde fought against various evils across Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms, battled the Burning Legion in Outland, and faced internal conflicts. However, a greater threat was silently preparing in the icy continent of Northrend. The Lich King, Arthas Menethil, emerged from Icecrown Citadel to claim Azeroth as his own. Now, heroes of both factions gather in Northrend to stand against the malevolent Lich King, who seeks to scour all life from the world. ----Northrend Northrend is a large, icy continent located to the north of Azeroth. It's about half the size of the Eastern Kingdoms but larger in length and width than Outland. While most of the continent is covered in snow and ice, there are areas like the Howling Fjord and Sholazar Basin that are not frozen over. Players can use flying mounts in Northrend once they reach level 77 and obtain the Cold Weather Flying skill. Blizzard wanted to ensure players would experience the hard work they put into the landscape, rather than simply flying over it. ----Zones in Northrend Players can choose between the two main starting zones, Howling Fjord and Borean Tundra, which feature introductory content for level 68+. These zones provide ample quest XP regardless of which one players choose. Both zones contain dungeon wings designed for players at level 70 and 80. ----Zones List:

Howling Fjord (68-72, now 10-30)
Borean Tundra (68-72, now 10-30)
Dragonblight (71-74, now 15-30)
Grizzly Hills (73-75, now 15-30)
Zul'Drak (74-77, now 20-30)
Sholazar Basin (75-78, now 20-30)
The Storm Peaks (76-80, now 25-30)
Crystalsong Forest (77-80, now 25-30)
Hrothgar's Landing (77-80, now 25-30)
Icecrown (77-80, now 25-30)
Wintergrasp (77-80, now 25-30) (Outdoor PvP)
Dalaran (Sanctuary) ----Factions and Organizations Wrath of the Lich King features a variety of new factions, including the Kirin Tor, Blue Dragonflight, and Wyrmrest Accord. There are also several new organizations, including the Horde Expedition and Alliance Vanguard, each with its unique storyline and characters. The Kirin Tor moved its capital, Dalaran, to Northrend to fight against the blue dragonflight and the undead Scourge. Malygos, the leader of the Blue Dragonflight, declared war on all spellcasters in Azeroth due to their reckless use of magic, and the Kirin Tor oppose his efforts to drain all magic from the world. Meanwhile, Alexstrasza, the leader of the Red Dragonflight, called upon the Wyrmrest Accord to stop Malygos's rampage and protect Azeroth from the catastrophic effects of losing all magic. ----Dungeons and Raids The expansion also added a variety of new dungeons and raids, providing both casual and hardcore players with new content to explore. Some key dungeons include:
Utgarde Keep: A dungeon in Howling Fjord where players battle the vrykul, a Viking-like race loyal to the Lich King.
The Nexus: A dungeon in Coldarra, where players fight the blue dragonflight.
Drak'Tharon Keep: A dungeon located between Grizzly Hills and Zul'Drak, filled with the undead forces of the Drakkari.
Vault of Archavon: A raid dungeon in Wintergrasp, featuring several powerful bosses. ----PvP Content Wrath of the Lich King introduced new PvP experiences, including the Wintergrasp zone, where factions can engage in massive battles. Players fight for control of the Wintergrasp Fortress, which offers rewards like Stone Keeper's Shards, used to purchase powerful gear. Additionally, new battlegrounds like Strand of the Ancients and Isle of Conquest were introduced, each offering unique mechanics and large-scale PvP combat. ----Hero Classes: The Death Knight One of the most exciting additions in this expansion was the introduction of Hero Classes, with the Death Knight being the first. Death Knights start at level 55 and begin their journey with a unique questline that details their defection from the Lich King’s service. Death Knights are a versatile class, capable of performing as both damage dealers and tanks. They use a unique rune system, where their abilities are powered by six runes of various types (blood, frost, unholy), which regenerate over time. ----Professions: Inscription A new profession, Inscription, was introduced in Wrath of the Lich King. This profession allows players to create glyphs that enhance their abilities, as well as scrolls and other paper items. Inscriptions could be used to modify spells and create unique items that benefit players in various ways. ----This overview provides a snapshot of the key features and content introduced in Wrath of the Lich King, a beloved expansion that remains a favorite among many World of Warcraft players to this day.