World of Warcraft is the type of game you amass serious hours in over the years. We’re talking well into the thousands, all thanks to the many World of Warcraft expansions that keep things interesting.
First released in 2004 by Blizzard Entertainment, World of Warcraft went on to become the powerhouse in the MMORPG genre — the staple of which all other MMOs are measured against.
To date, World of Warcraft has expanded its world via nine expansions. You have The Burning Crusade (2007), Wrath of the Lich King (2008), Cataclysm (2010), Mists of Pandaria (2012), Warlords of Draenor (2014), Legion (2016), Battle for Azeroth (2018), Shadowlands (2020), and Dragonflight (2022).
But which are the best World of Warcraft expansions and why should you invest time and money into the MMORPG in 2020? Let’s dive in and find out!
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How Much Does World of Warcraft Cost in 2023?
As of right now, over on the Blizzard Shop, you can purchase the World of Warcraft: Complete Collection, which includes every expansion to date, including Shadowlands.
If you want the absolute full experience, however, you’ll have to shell out a little more dough for Dragonflight. For the most recent expansion, you’ll pay $49.99 for the Base Edition, $69.99 for the Heroic Edition, or $89.99 for the Epic Edition. The Epic Edition offers the full expansion content, 500 Trader’s Tender, a Level 60 Character Boost, Tangled Dreamweaver Flying Mount, Murkastrasza Pet, Timewalker’s Hearthstone Effect, Diadem of the Spell-Keeper Head-slot Transmog, Wings of Awakening Back-slot Transmog in 5 color variants, and 30 days of subscription time.
If you’re serious about MMORPGs and want the definitive experience, the Complete Collection is a must-buy. You’ll get your money’s worth many times over with its numerous expansions and many thousands of quests to complete.
What Are the Best World of Warcraft Expansions?
With eight to sift through, finding the best expansion for World of Warcraft is no simple task for the layman. Thankfully, you have us to handle the dirty work. Here are the top expansions to invest your time and grind a new character today!
Wrath of the Lich King
Touted as one of the greatest expansion packs of all time, Wrath of the Lich King (2008), remains one of the favorites for most players.
The story of the expansion pack focused on the mythic Lich King, Arthas Menethil, who threatens Azeroth in a bid for power. Your goal is simple: take down the Lich King. The pack introduced non-stop action-packed quests and cutscenes that enraptured everyone for years.
Burning Crusade
World of Warcraft’s first expansion pack, The Burning Crusade, remains near the top of the list when it comes to the MMOs best expansions. Released in 2007, Burning Crusade added two new races to the game: Blood Elves and Draenei. It also included new areas to explore, new weapons to collect, and raids, such as Black Temple and Fury of the Sunwell.
The most memorable part of The Burning Crusade was its challenge, though. It was a tough one to grind, and many players found the grind more rewarding, as you worked for every new level and item you gained. These days, WoW is dumbed down and simplified for the masses.
Legion
Unlike both Wrath of the Lich King and The Burning Crusade, which enraptured fans with their content and breadth of lore, Legion is in the top three because of it’s technical improvements to the MMORPG.
When Legion launched in 2016, fans were more than a little excited. Blizzard promised a new hero class — the Demon Hunter — an increased level cap, a new zone, artifact weapons, and more. The artifact weapons were particularly fun to level and enhance as your character grew in strength.
The complex breaking point of Legion is, however, its story. Blizzard included so much lore that, at times, players were forced to sit and read or watch cutscene after cutscene. It grew tedious to many who wanted a fast-paced leveling experience.
Which World of Warcraft expansions earned your game time over nearly two decades? If you have a favorite, let us know in the comments below!