All WoW expansions in chronological order: Updated for 2025
Release date, key features, and more. Discover all WoW expansions and upcoming ones right here!
Table of Contents
- World of Warcraft or Vanilla WoW
- 1st expansion: The Burning Crusade
- 2nd expansion: Wrath of the Lich King
- 3rd expansion: Cataclysm
- 4th expansion: Mists of Pandaria
- 5th expansion: Warlords of Draenor
- 6th expansion: Legion
- 7th expansion: Battle for Azeroth
- 8th expansion: Shadowlands
- 9th expansion: Dragonflight
- 10th expansion: The War Within
- Post-The War Within expansions
Key takeaways
- As of 2025, WoW has 10 expansions, each adding new content, races, classes, changes to the level cap, gameplay, and more.
- Major expansions like Wrath of the Lich King and Legion are highly praised for story and gameplay improvements.
- Recent expansions, such as Shadowlands and Dragonflight, sparked mixed reactions, with Dragonflight receiving more positive feedback.
- The War Within is more well-received than Shadowlands and Dragonflight.
- After The War Within are two expansions: Midnight and The Last Titan.
“How many WoW expansions are there in 2025?” It’s a question both long-time veterans and new players alike are interested in. As of 2025, World of Warcraft has released 10 expansions. Each introduced new zones, stories, features, and unforgettable experiences.
From the early days of Vanilla WoW to the upcoming The Last Titan, the game has grown and evolved with every chapter, keeping millions of players engaged across the years. Below, you’ll find a complete chronological list of all WoW expansions, along with a brief overview of what each one brought to the game.
Note
This guide is constantly updated, so you’ll always be in the loop whenever a new expansion is announced or released.
World of Warcraft or Vanilla WoW
- Release date: November 23, 2004
- New features:
- First introduction of Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor, along with their associated continents, races, and classes.
- Open-world gameplay with optional quests and exploration
- Level cap: 60
Commonly known as Vanilla WoW, this was the foundation of the entire franchise. After 4–5 years of development and extensive testing, Blizzard delivered a groundbreaking MMORPG that gave players unprecedented freedom to explore Azeroth, level up, and forge their own path. It laid the groundwork for everything that followed.
1st expansion: The Burning Crusade
- Release date: January 16, 2007
- New features:
- Flying mounts were introduced. However, they were restricted to the Outland.
- Two new playable races: Blood Elves for the Horde and Draenei for the Alliance
- New dungeons and raids
- Level cap: 70
The Burning Crusade was World of Warcraft’s first expansion. The Dark Portal reopened, unlocking access to the shattered world of Outland.
Players were excited to explore new zones, experience fresh storylines, and take on tougher challenges. The expansion was widely praised for its engaging content and gameplay, marking the beginning of WoW’s evolution beyond Azeroth.
2nd expansion: Wrath of the Lich King
- Release date: November 13, 2008
- New features:
- New continent: Northrend
- First-ever hero class: Death Knight
- Iconic raid: Icecrown Citadel
- Level cap: Increased to 80
Wrath of the Lich King is still considered one of the greatest expansions in World of Warcraft history. Its epic storyline centered around the rise and fall of the Lich King, Arthas Menethil. This expansion is also home to some of the most iconic moments in gaming history.
For many players, WotLK represents the golden age of WoW. Rich narrative. Improved graphics. Phenomenal soundtracks. Enhanced gameplay mechanics. Everything has come together and etched its place in legend.
3rd expansion: Cataclysm
- Release date: December 7, 2010
- New features:
- Massive world changes after Deathwing’s return
- Two new playable races: Worgen (Alliance) and Goblins (Horde)
- Major updates to class mechanics, talent trees, character stats, and the guild system
- New features: Looking for Raid (LFR) and transmogs.
- Level cap: Increased to 85
In Cataclysm, the former leader of the Black Dragonflight—Deathwing the Destroyer—shattered Azeroth, leaving the world forever changed. Players set out to defeat the Worldbreaker and heal the wounds left in his wake.
The expansion introduced sweeping changes to gameplay systems and zone redesigns. While Cataclysm sparked mixed reactions in the community, it still holds a special place in the hearts of many fans.
4th expansion: Mists of Pandaria
- Release date: September 25, 2012
- New features:
- New playable race: Pandaren (available to both Alliance and Horde)
- New class: Monk
- New continent: Pandaria
- New features: Challenge Modes, Scenarios, and Pet Battles
- Revamped talent system
- Level cap: Increased to 90
Mists of Pandaria introduced the hidden continent of Pandaria, known for its rich lore, stunning landscapes, and strong Asian-inspired themes. Players explored new zones, met the peaceful Pandaren race, and uncovered the island’s ancient secrets. The storyline eventually led to an epic clash with Garrosh Hellscream, the former Warchief of the Horde.
While many players praised Mists of Pandaria for its music, visuals, and storytelling, others found the Asian aesthetic and Pandaren race to be misplaced. They considered it a rip-off from ‘Kung Fu Panda.’ But in reality, the Pandaren actually existed in Warcraft III long before the movie’s arrival on the silver screen.
5th expansion: Warlords of Draenor
- Release date: November 13, 2014
- New features:
- Garrison system: build and customize personal war camps
- New raid systems: Flexible and Mythic
- Level cap: Increased to 100
Warlords of Draenor let players step into an alternate reality, revisiting the orcish homeworld with a fresh perspective. The Garrison system became a central feature, allowing players to manage their own base, send followers on missions, and develop professions.
While the expansion’s launch content and Garrison were well-received, it faced criticism over the limited endgame activities. Still, many fans appreciated the nostalgic story and the chance to explore a reimagined Draenor.
6th expansion: Legion
- Release date: August 30, 2016
- New features:
- New playable hero class: Demon Hunter
- New continent: Broken Isles
- Introduction of Artifact Weapons, central to both lore and gameplay
- Class Halls replaced Garrisons, focusing on class-specific storylines and progression
- PvP improvements, including unique PvP talents for all classes
- New World Quest system for dynamic endgame content
- Level cap: Increased to 110
Legion plunged players into a massive war against the Burning Legion’s demonic forces. It brought World of Warcraft back to life with deep storytelling, exciting new mechanics, and a strong focus on class identity. The Broken Isles became the main continent for exploration, while Artifact Weapons took center stage in both lore and gameplay.
Even in 2025, Legion is widely praised and considered one of WoW’s best expansions. It reignited player interest, drawing both new and returning adventurers back to Azeroth.
7th expansion: Battle for Azeroth
- Release date: August 14, 2018
- New features:
- New allied races added for both factions
- Two new continents to explore: Kul Tiras and Zandalar
- War Campaign system
- Heart of Azerite system
- Warfront PvP Event
- Horrific Vision challenge
- Level cap: Increased to 120
Battle for Azeroth focused on the escalating war between the Alliance and Horde, delivering stunning visuals and an immersive leveling experience. While many players enjoyed the fresh zones and new allied races, the expansion received mixed reviews due to concerns about the story and a shortage of endgame content.
8th expansion: Shadowlands
- Release date: November 23, 2020
- New features:
- New starting zone: Exile’s Reach
- Covenant System
- Torghast Challenge
- Legendary Crafting
- Catalyst System
- Introduction of cross-faction grouping for the first time
- New mount crafting system called Protoform Synthesis
- Level cap: 60. First level squish that reduced max level from 120 to 60
Shadowlands started strong with fresh content and bold changes, including cross-faction grouping. Players journeyed to the afterlife, experiencing new realms with a plethora of new content. However, later patches faced criticism for their direction in lore and storytelling quality.
Many fans felt Shadowlands had great potential that wasn’t fully realized, leading to mixed feelings despite the promising start.
9th expansion: Dragonflight
- Release date: November 28, 2022
- New features:
- New continent: The Dragon Isles
- New playable race and class combo: Dracthyr Evoker (a race with its own unique class)
- Introduction of Dragonriding, a new aerial movement system with customizable flying mounts
- Trading Post
- Revamped talent system for more player customization
- Level cap: Increased to 70
Dragonflight brought players back to Azeroth’s ancient roots through the rediscovery of the Dragon Isles. The introduction of Dragonriding was a phenomenon. It added a fresh, exciting way to explore the skies.
Dragonflight was praised for refreshing core gameplay and offering content that appeals to both new and veteran players. While the storytelling wasn’t outstanding, it wasn’t the worst either. Overall, Dragonflight was a safe expansion that set the stage for the upcoming Worldsoul Saga.
10th expansion: The War Within
- Release date: September 3, 2024
- New features:
- New continent: Khaz Algar, located deep beneath Azeroth
- New playable race: Earthen (Alliance and Horde)
- New system: Warbands – account-wide progression for alts
- Introduction of Delves – scalable solo or group adventures
- New Hero Talent trees for class customization
- Dragonriding turned into Skyriding
- Horrific Visions Revisited
- Level cap: 80
And here we are at the latest WoW expansion in 2025. The War Within is the first chapter of the Worldsoul Saga trilogy, launching players into a brand-new subterranean world filled with ancient secrets and rising threats from the Old Gods.
Early impressions suggest The War Within could mark a strong new era for World of Warcraft. So far, it’s been better received than Shadowlands and even Dragonflight. With just a few patches left before Midnight arrives, we’re close to seeing how The War Within truly lands.
Post-The War Within expansions
After The War Within, two expansions are coming: Midnight and The Last Titan. Details are still limited, but here’s what we know so far.
Midnight
- Release date: Unknown
- New features:
- Level cap: Unknown
As the second chapter of the epic World Soul trilogy, Midnight plunges players into a battle against the Void. Players will return to the iconic lands of Quel’Thalas in the Old World, facing a grave threat as the dark Void aims to snuff out the Light of the Sunwell.
For more information, be sure to check out our complete overview here:
The Last Titan
- Release date: Unknown
- New features: Unknown
- Level cap: Unknown
WoW: The Last Titan is the third and final chapter of the epic World Soul trilogy. It brings players back to Northrend, focusing on Ulduar and the Titans’ return to Azeroth. Players will uncover a deep conspiracy that spans Azeroth’s history and learn the true nature of the Titans.
For more information, be sure to check out our complete overview here:
What are your favorite WoW expansions? What do you think will unfold next? Let us know all about it in the comments!
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