Every World of Warcraft Expansion, Ranked

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Over the past two decades, World of Warcraft has remained an essential component of my gaming experiences. From my initial ventures through Elwynn Forest to my current journeys in Undermine, this game has consistently been with me throughout my gaming journey.

Over the last five years approximately, I’ve had the opportunity to experience almost every World of Warcraft expansion, both the contemporary retail version and the Classic remakes that allow me to relive different expansions.

As a gamer, I gotta admit that not all games in this series are created equal. Yet, every new addition manages to introduce unique and engaging concepts that keep things feeling fresh and exciting.

So, with that in mind, let’s rank every World of Warcraft expansion from worst to best.

11.
Shadowlands

Lockdown

Initially, Shadowlands launched successfully with a memorable debut raid at Castle Nathria. However, the peak of excitement was reached at this point; unfortunately, things only went south from there in terms of expansion content.

As a gamer, I’ve got to admit, grinding through the Mythic+ dungeon pool was cool at first, but after running them for what felt like an eternity throughout the expansion, it just got old. It makes perfect sense why they introduced a fresh pool of dungeons in Shadowlands’ last season – variety is the spice of life!

The main reasons why Shadowlands is considered the worst World of Warcraft expansion are twofold. Primarily, it’s due to an abundance of poorly thought-out design decisions that negatively impact gameplay. For instance, being bound to covenants often led to frustration, and the systems in place were essentially a repetitive power-up grind, although it came with a fresh aesthetic.

Subsequently, the narrative of the game became illogical, tarnishing cherished characters and instances from Warcraft’s history without any satisfying resolution. It seemed unnecessary for The Jailer to be the one who crafted the Helm of Domination and Frostmourne, but he did so, manipulating events covertly since the beginning.

10.
Warlords of Draenor

The Drums of War

The timeless Warlords of Draenor is poised to be an enormous success due to its unwavering emphasis on epic raids, each boasting remarkable quality and lasting no more than a year at most. Regrettably, the initial release of WoD didn’t sustain for a full year, which was less than ideal—although it wasn’t the most significant issue.

In Warlords of Draenor, garrisons were standout elements that catered exceptionally well to the individual needs of players. With their garrison providing all necessary amenities, one might wonder why anyone would consider leaving such a self-sufficient sanctuary.

Playing with friends turned out to be the key factor that transformed an unpleasant game expansion into a more enjoyable experience for me. Initially, I found myself parted from my familiar guild and feeling like a freshman in a new social circle. Consequently, I endured a frustrating solo journey through this expansion.

Playing with friends might not have turned Warlords into an exceptional expansion, but undeniably, it could have added to its quality.

9.
Battle For Azeroth

Corrupted

One issue I have with Battle For Azeroth is the abundance of story content. Not only are we thrust into The Fourth War, but it also serves as an expansion focused on Old Gods, as N’Zoth plays a significant role in the final content update.

Speaking of that topic, the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) storyline also unfolds across two expansions. While the endgame content varies in quality, the raids are generally satisfactory. However, certain Mythic+ dungeons such as Freehold and MOTHERLODE stand out as among the best the game has ever offered.

In Battle For Azeroth, there is a significant issue with power systems that have been borrowed. The need to accumulate Azerite for your Heart of Azeroth feels like a tedious task. It can be incredibly aggravating to repeatedly gather Azerite to enhance your character’s abilities, as it seems unnecessary given the effort required. However, I will concede that it is an improvement over the system used in Legion. Nevertheless, I can’t help but wish this aspect of the game didn’t exist at all.

It seems that you’re asking why Battle for Azeroth (BFA) stands out among the other expansions. The reason lies in the highly successful gameplay systems introduced in its final patch, particularly Corruption on gear and Horrific Visions. Corruption provides a dynamic way to enhance endgame equipment, while Horrific Visions continue to be enjoyable today, even earning a return in the upcoming 11.5 patch.

8.
Dragonflight

Pilot Some Wings

In many ways, Dragonflight served as a reset to the World of Warcraft experience.

The Dragon Aspects make their comeback, having mostly receded following the Cataclysm and the advent of the era of mortals. It appears that our management of Azeroth has not been as effective as we thought.

In Dragonflight, they reintroduced the classic talent system, allowing players to select various skills tailored to their character’s class and specialization. Notably, Blizzard ensured that each choice made a significant impact on gameplay, ensuring it was more than just an illusion of choice.

One notable addition that Dragonflight has brought is the exciting feature called Dragonriding. With this, we can swiftly glide across skies at breathtaking speeds, making it an ideal mode of transportation and a delightful pastime for exploring Azeroth. Occasionally, engaging in airborne races adds to the fun! This type of casual content has been long awaited by World of Warcraft players.

7.
The War Within

The Current Expansion

Progressing through The World Within expansion, things are going smoothly for the most part; however, we’ve encountered a major issue at stage 11.1.5 – it’s a total mess.

Blizzard has really taken the time to hear players’ thoughts, implement popular aspects from Dragonflight, and tackle the issues we raised.

As a gamer, diving into this game feels like stepping into the opening act of an epic trilogy. The visual splendor of its zones is nothing short of breathtaking, and the content is perfectly balanced for newcomers. Plus, it’s cleverly designed to get you equipped swiftly, making sure you’re ready for whatever adventures await in the expansions to come.

As an avid fan, I must admit that while The War Within offers a lot of engaging content, its dungeon design is an aspect that could use some improvement. It seems Blizzard has opted for a more linear approach to dungeons, which unfortunately diminishes the excitement of the Mythic+ experiences compared to those from earlier games. If they could enhance this aspect and eliminate time gating, we’d be well on our way to an even better gaming experience.

6.
Wrath of the Lich King

Nostalgia

Back in the day, there was nothing like diving into the captivating world of World of Warcraft, and let me tell you, the high point for me was during the Wrath of the Lich King expansion. Every step I took felt like it had been leading up to this grand adventure: trekking through the chilly landscapes of Northrend, storming Icecrown Citadel, and facing off against Arthas – it doesn’t get any better than that!

In the course of the expansion, Blizzard went to great lengths to ensure players experienced The Lich King’s influence directly, even during leveling. Some players had expressed concerns about the antagonists in The Burning Crusade feeling distant, so Blizzard worked hard to make Arthas a familiar figure. While some might say he was over-exposed, I’d rather not dwell on that point.

Despite all the good things Wrath did, it didn’t age gracefully. The initial raids were underwhelming, marked by a rehash of an overly simple Naxxramas. The process of acquiring gear is also problematic, making players run both 25 and 10-player versions of the raid just for a shot at their top equipment.

It seems evident that during the era of Wrath, Blizzard was still finding their footing, resulting in an overall experience that might be more fondly remembered if it were relegated to history.

5.
Cataclysm

Destroyer of Worlds

One effective method of rephrasing in a natural, easily comprehensible manner is: How can you succeed a legendary villain known throughout history? By introducing another who surpasses them in power!

Introducing Deathwing significantly transformed the familiar landscape of Azeroth, paving the way for Blizzard to revamp certain areas that desperately required an overhaul. However, these changes have been met with mixed reactions as they impacted what made those zones so endearing in the first place. The response to The Shattering was both positive and negative.

Cataclysm offers captivating endgame content, although some encounters may not hold up as well over time. The raids represent a significant improvement in quality compared to the past, and while I grumbled about the challenging mechanics of Tier 11 on occasion, it wasn’t nearly as problematic as I initially thought.

The Cataclysm expansion, unlike how I recall it, has matured quite gracefully and performs admirably in connecting the designs from the “Classic” World of Warcraft era to the contemporary one.

4.
Legion

Nostalgia Redux

Following the letdown from Warlords of Draenor, Blizzard reintroduced the Burning Legion and popular figure Illidan Stormrage, which garnered widespread acclaim.

Or:
After the setback of Warlords of Draenor, Blizzard resurrected the Burning Legion and fan-favorite character Illidan Stormrage to much praise.

Indeed, I’ve found myself grappling with the issue of buried power and the rollercoaster ride of randomness when it comes to acquiring my legendary gear in Legion. Yet, amidst these challenges, there’s an undeniable charm that keeps me hooked, making it one of the most cherished World of Warcraft expansions for countless gamers like myself.

Legion offered an experience that brought back the charm of classic World of Warcraft, with the addition of Mythic+ dungeons, epic raids, engaging world quests, immersive zones, and numerous incentives for open-world exploration, making it feel like the game we once adored.

As Legion Remix approaches, we’ll relive all the fantastic aspects of the expansion once more. For those who didn’t get to enjoy it the first time, they’re in for a real treat!

3.
Vanilla World of Warcraft

Home

Back in the day, there were definitely parts of Vanilla World of Warcraft that haven’t held up so well over time. For instance, the endgame content isn’t as challenging as it once was, and coordinating 40-person raids can be a real headache! But let me tell you, WoW wasn’t like this back then – it was something else entirely, an experience I still cherish to this day.

Back in the day, playing World of Warcraft wasn’t all about reaching the end goal or regularly raiding Molten Core, nor was it about spending long hours daily on PVP grind. Instead, the main attraction lay in discovering the land of Azeroth alongside familiar faces and new acquaintances.

Indeed, it was a distinct era back then, an epoch we can hardly recapture given the 2019 reintroduction of Classic WoW seems to suggest. It appears that numerous individuals prioritize optimizing their performance in a two-decade-old video game rather than enjoying it for its original charm.

A better approach might be to pace yourself, unwind, and stray from the usual routes. Unveil the hidden mysteries that lie ahead.

2.
Mists of Pandaria

Why Do We Fight?

At launch, the reception towards Mists of Pandaria was far from universally positive. Many players found themselves displeased with the game’s evolution after Cataclysm.

After trying it out, they found themselves eating a slice of humility pie. The mists are brimming with enough content that will keep you engaged throughout the expansion. Yes, your usual endgame activities are present, but there’s a twist: challenge mode dungeons, pet battles, and farms to manage have been added. And let’s not forget about the Timeless Isle too!

One primary factor that makes us nostalgic about Mists of Pandaria is the exceptional balance among classes, showcasing top-tier design. This setup offers an array of choices, ensuring not only high performance but also enjoyable gameplay. That’s why I can’t wait to revisit Mists of Pandaria Classic; it presents another opportunity to relive and appreciate what many consider the zenith of World of Warcraft’s class design.

Oh, and the raids are all incredible, too, as we just experienced during MoP Remix.

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2025-05-04 17:40