Timeline (World of Warcraft)

This page follows the in-game timeline from the release of World of Warcraft through present day as it applies to the players.

(After all,  What A Long, Strange Trip It's Been!)

Important

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TL;DR version

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• Vanilla (Content time: 26, 24, 23 months)
  • 2004-11-23 (November 23): North America, Australia and New Zealand.
  • 2005-01-18 (January 18): Korea
  • 2005-02-11 (February 11): Europe
• The Burning Crusade (Content time: 22 months)
  • 2007-01-16 (January 16): Global
• Wrath of the Lich King (Content time: 25 months)
  • 2008-11-13 (November 13): Global
• Cataclysm (Content time: 22 months)
  • 2010-12-07 (December 7, 2010): Global
• Mists of Pandaria (Content time: 26 months)
  • 2012-09-25 (September 25): North America and Europe
  • 2012-09-27 (September 27): Korea and Taiwan
• Warlords of Draenor (Content time: 21 months)
  • 2014-11-13 (November 13, 2014): Global
• Legion (Content time: 22+ months)
  • 2016-08-30 (August 30, 2016): Global
• Battle for Azeroth (TBA)
  • Announced at BlizzCon 2017
  • August 13, 2018: America
  • August 14, 2018: Remaining Global
• Classic (TBA)
  • Announced at BlizzCon 2017
  • ​​​​​​August 26, 2019 : Global
•  ShadowLands (TBA, 2020)
   

2001

September 2 - World of Warcraft announced at London ECTS 2001.

2004

The original login screen. This was the longest-running login screen, being the login for two years and one month.

Early in the year - World of Warcraft Beta testing

November 4 - World of Warcraft Release Date announced. [1]

November 23 - World of Warcraft launches in North America, Australia and New Zealand.

• Starting level cap is 60
• Only Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor available at launch.
• Starting races:
  • Alliance: Human, Dwarf, Night Elf, Gnome
  • Horde: Orc, Troll, Undead, Tauren
• Starting classes:
  • Alliance & Horde : Druid, Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior
  • Alliance only : Paladin
  • Horde only : Shaman
• Starting professions:
  • Gathering : Herbalism, Mining, Skinning
  • Production : Alchemy, Blacksmithing, Enchanting, Engineering, Leatherworking, Tailoring
  • Secondary : Cooking, First Aid, Fishing
• Starting Instances :
  • Dungeons : Ragefire Chasm, Deadmines, Wailing Caverns, Shadowfang Keep, Blackfathom Deeps, The Stockade, Gnomeregan, Scarlet Monastery, Razorfen Kraul, Uldaman, Scholomance, Razorfen Downs, Stratholme, Zul'Farrak, Temple of Atal'Hakkar, Blackrock Depths
  • Raid : Onyxia's Lair, Molten Core

November 24 - WoWWiki launched

December 3 - WoWWiki first archived at Web.Archive.org (Internet Archive)

December 18 - Patch 1.2.0

• Maraudon added

2005

The first ever legendary item drop.

What is World of Warcraft?.

January 18 - World of Warcraft launches in South Korea

February 11 - World of Warcraft launches in Europe

March 7 - Patch 1.3.0

• Dire Maul added
• Introduction of World Bosses :
  • Azuregos
  • Lord Kazzak

March 23 - The first legendary item ever to appear to players in the game drops, [Talisman of Binding Shard]. It is immediately hotfixed out of the game.

April 8 - Patch 1.4.0

• PvP Honor System

May - The Leeroy Jenkins video becomes popular

June 7 - Patch 1.5.0

• Battlegrounds introduced
  • Warsong Gulch
  • Alterac Valley

July 12 - Patch 1.6.0

• Blackwing Lair added
• Darkmoon Faire added

September 13 - Patch 1.7.0

• Zul'Gurub added
• Arathi Basin battleground added
• Stranglethorn Fishing Extravaganza
• Corrupted Blood begins as the result of a glitch in Zul'Gurub

October 28–29 - BlizzCon 2005 (the first BlizzCon)

• Burning Crusade announced

October 10 - Patch 1.8.0

• Corrupted Blood fixed
• New World Bosses :
  • Dragons of Nightmare : Lethon, Emeriss, Ysondre and Taerar
  • Abyssal High Council : Baron Kazum, High Marshal Whirlaxis, Lord Skwol and Prince Skaldrenox

November 16 - World of Warcraft is featured in a question on the game show Jeopardy!

• None of the three players knew the answer.

November 23 - WoW Insider launches.

2006

The Characters of South Park in Make Love, not Warcraft. L to R: Stan, Kyle, Cartman, Kenny.

January 3 - Patch 1.9.0

• The Ruins of Ahn'Qiraj added
• The Temple of Ahn'Qiraj added
• Gates of Ahn'Qiraj event begins
• Faction-Linked Auction Houses

January 23 - Medivh-US becomes the first server to open the Gates of Ahn'Qiraj

March 28 - Patch 1.10.0

• High-Level Armor Set Upgrade Questlines
• Quest Experience to Gold Conversion at Level 60
• Weather Effects
• Linked Flight paths

April - The "-50 DKP/More dots" Onyxia Wipe Animation becomes popular.

June 20 - Patch 1.11.0

• Keyring
• Naxxramas added

July 7 - Wowhead website launched

August 22 - Patch 1.12.0

• Cross-Realm Battlegrounds
• World PvP Objectives

September 11 - Burning Crusade announced to be released on January 16, 2007

October

• Beta begins for Burning Crusade
• World of Warcraft Trading Card Game released

October 4 - The TV show South Park features a Warcraft-themed episode, Make Love, not Warcraft.

December 5 - Patch 2.0.1

• Looking for Group Interface Tool
• PvP Arenas

December 14 - Burning Crusade cinematic trailer released

2007

The World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade login screen debuted with patch 2.0.1 and was the game login screen for one year and 11 months.

January 9 - Patch 2.0.3

• Dark Portal Opens event
  • Kruul begins attacking places in Azeroth

January 16 - The Burning Crusade expansion released

• Level cap raised to 70
• Outland added
• Draenei and Blood Elf races added
• Paladin for Horde and Shaman for Alliance classes added
• Eye of the Storm battleground added
• Jewelcrafting profession added
• Hellfire Citadel, Coilfang Reservoir, Auchindoun, Tempest Keep, Escape from Durnholde Keep and Opening the Dark Portal dungeons added
• Karazhan, Gruul's Lair, Magtheridon's Lair, Serpentshrine Cavern, The Eye and Battle for Mount Hyjal raids added
• Doom Lord Kazzak and Doomwalker world bosses added

May 22 - Patch 2.1.0

• The Black Temple added

August 3–4 BlizzCon 2007

• Wrath of the Lich King expansion announced

September 27 - Patch 2.2.0

• Voice chat introduced.

October - Toyota's Four Wheels of Fury commercial airs, featuring a fictional truck mount ingame.

November 13 - Patch 2.3.0

• Zul'Aman added
• Guild Banks
• Mudsprocket quest hub added to Dustwallow Marsh

November 20 - Blizzard advertises World of Warcraft on television with ads featuring William Shatner and most notably Mr. T talking about his Night Elf Mohawk.

2008

In July 29, 2008 a magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck near Blizzard's offices, causing them to post a message on their login screen about the effect on their in-game and telephone support.

The World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King login screen. This login screen debuted in patch 3.0.2

January - World of Warcraft gets to 10 million subscribers globally

March 25 - Patch 2.4.0

• Isle of Quel'Danas added
• Magister's Terrace added
• Sunwell Plateau added
• The Shattered Sun Offensive begins.

April 3 - Proudmoore-US becomes the first server to complete the Shattered Sun Offensive

July - Beta begins for Wrath of the Lich King

August 21 - Wrath of the Lich King cinematic released.

September 15 - Wrath of the Lich King release date announced to be November 13, 2008

October 10 - 11 - BlizzCon 2008

October 14 - Patch 3.0.2

• Achievements
• Inscription
• Barbershop
• Several changes were made to the gameworld to prepare for Wrath of the Lich King:
  • The original Naxxramas removed
  • Dalaran removed
  • Alliance boats rerouted
  • Stormwind Harbor added
  • New Horde Zeppelin Towers

October 23

• The Zombie Infestation heralds the start of the Second Scourge Invasion

November 10

• The Scourge begin regular attacks on Stormwind City and Orgrimmar

November 13 - Wrath of the Lich King expansion released

• Level cap raised to 80
• Northrend added
• Death knight class added
• Inscription profession added
• Strand of the Ancients battleground added
• Utgarde Keep, Nexus, Azjol-Nerub, Violet Hold, Gundrak, Culling of Stratholme and Ulduar dungeons added
• Obsidian Sanctum, Archavon and The Eye of Eternity raids added
• Naxxramas revamped to level 80

November 23 - All players logging in are awarded Baby Blizzard Bear and  WoW's 4th Anniversary

2009

"Game Fuel". Wild berry for Alliance, citrus cherry for Horde

During the countdown to the Battle.net merger, Blizzard offered a companion pet to accounts that merged before the deadline.

April 14 - Patch 3.1.0

• Ulduar raid added
• Argent Tournament added
• Dual Talent Specialization

Late April - a player is banned for exploiting the game after using a mistakenly-mailed Game Master artifact called [Martin Fury].

May 15 - The Mountain Dew Game Fuel Choose Your Side promotion begins.

August 4 - Patch 3.2.0

• Crusaders' Coliseum added
• Koralon added
• Isle of Conquest battleground added
• Instance Lock Extension

August 20 - The Mountain Dew Choose Your Side promotion ends.

August 21–22 - BlizzCon 2009

• Cataclysm expansion announced.

September 2 - Faction Change service offered.

September 22 - Patch 3.2.2

• Onyxia's Lair revamped to level 80

October 12 - Announcement that all World of Warcraft accounts must be merged with Battle.net accounts.

October 27 - Race Change service offered

November 11, 12 - The deadline passes for account mergers with Battle.net for US, EU players.

November 22 - All players logging in are awarded Onyxian Whelpling and  WoW's 5th Anniversary

December 8 - Patch 3.3.0

• Frozen Halls added
• Icecrown Citadel raid added
  • The Lower Spire is open at release.
• Cross-Server Instance grouping
• Improved Dungeon Finder

2010

Due to societal censorship issues in China, bones are covered up, as with this Forsaken. This led to the need for a massive graphical editing for Wrath of the Lich King to be approved.

January 5 - The Plagueworks of Icecrown Citadel opens.

January 19 - The Crimson Hall of Icecrown Citadel opens.

February 2 - Patch 3.3.2

• The Frostwing Halls, the final wing of Icecrown Citadel, opens.
• The Lich King encounter is implemented.

February 12 - The People's Republic of China approves Burning Crusade for release.

May 3 - The Friends & Family phase of the World of Warcraft: Cataclysm alpha begins.

June 22 - Patch 3.3.5 in North America.

• Real ID is implemented.

June 30 - Closed Beta for World of Warcraft: Cataclysm begins.
Patch 3.3.5 in Europe.

• The Ruby Sanctum opens.

July 6 - Blizzard announces their intention to have Real ID names visible when posting on the official forums. This resulted in a massive outcry against the idea, based primarily on concerns about privacy issues and potential harassment.

July 9 - Due the overwhelming flood of criticism, Blizzard rescinds their plan to put Real ID names on the official forums.

August 10 - The People's Republic of China approves a heavily edited Wrath of the Lich King for release.

September 7 - The first in-game events leading up into the Cataclysm expansion begin, with Operation: Gnomeregan ( Alliance) and Zalazane's Fall ( Horde).

October 4 - Cataclysm release date announced to be December 7, 2010

October 7 - World of Warcraft reaches 12 million players

October 12 - Patch 4.0.1

• Cataclysm Launcher Update
• Reforging
• Complete talent and ability overhaul for all classes
• Removed from game: Emblems, Badges, Marks of honor

October 17 - World of Warcraft Cataclysm cinematic trailer released.

• Parts of the trailer were aired on television in the second quarter of the Dallas Cowboys/Minnesota Vikings football game on the same day. The commercial asked "Where will you be when the Cataclysm begins"

October 22-23 - BlizzCon 2010

November 16 - Patch 4.0.3

• Preparation for the Shattering
• Few visible changes

November 23 - Patch 4.0.3a The Shattering

• Hundreds of achievements, items, NPCs, and quests added or updated
• Most Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor zones changed
• New class and race combinations made available

December 7 - Cataclysm expansion released

• Level cap raised to 85
• Goblin and Worgen races added
• New level 80+ zones added
• Tol Barad World PvP zone added
• Archaeology secondary profession added
• Throne of the Tides, The Stonecore, Vortex Pinnacle, Lost City of The Tol'vir, Halls of Origination and Grim Batol dungeons added
• Blackrock Caverns, Deadmines and Shadowfang Keep dungeons updated to level 80+
• Argaloth, Bastion of Twilight, Throne of the Four Winds, Blackwing Descent and Occu'thar raids added

2011

January 27 - Blizzard files complaints with the online service PayPal in an effort to make payment difficult for gold sellers.

February 8 - Patch 4.0.6

• Class balance changes

April 26 - Patch 4.1.0

• Re-opening of Zul'Aman and Zul'Gurub as level 85 heroics
• Class design changes
• Profession trainers filled out in capitals

June 28 - Patch 4.2.0

• Firelands is added
• New Molten Front daily quest zone
• New Avengers of Hyjal faction
• Dungeon Journal
• The 10-day Free Trial is replaced by the new World of Warcraft Starter Edition

October 21-22 - BlizzCon 2011

• Mists of Pandaria announced

November 20 - WoW's 7th Anniversary

• Players receive a in-game mail with Celebration Package attached

November 29 - Patch 4.3.0

• New and improved Raid Finder
• Introduction of Transmogrifiers
• New and improved Darkmoon Faire plus new zone: Darkmoon Island
• End Time is added
• Well of Eternity is added
• Hour of Twilight is added
• Dragon Soul is added

2012

Note: This is a generic section stub. You can help expand it by clicking  Edit to the right of the section title.

March 20 - Mists of Pandaria closed beta announced.

March 21 - Mists of Pandaria closed beta opens with Patch 5.0.1.

March 29 - First of several waves of beta invites to primarily Annual Pass subscribers.

May 24 - Non-Annual Pass players who expressed interest in Mists of Pandaria beta on their Battle.net account start getting beta invites.

July 25 - Mists of Pandaria release date announced to be September 25, 2012.

August 28 - Patch 5.0.4 on live servers. Systems pre-release patch and most of the expansion all in one.

• Account-wide achievements, mounts, and pets
• All races available to all players
• Area of Effect looting
• BattleTag support
• Massive class changes
  • Specialization and talent revamp
• Tons of new items
• Some profession updates
  • New battlegrounds and revamped dungeons
• Cross-realm zones

September 13 - Patch 5.0.5 on live servers.

• Technically the patch that will be running when the expansion is enabled, but mostly bug fixes.

September 17 - World Event: Attack on Theramore Isle

• Available to level 85 characters for 1 week before expansion release

September 25 - Mists of Pandaria expansion released in North America and Europe.

• Level cap raised to 90.
• Continent of Pandaria added.
• Pandaren race added.
• Monk class added.
• Pet Battle System
• Scenario system
• Stormstout Brewery, Temple of the Jade Serpent, Mogu'Shan Palace, Shado-pan Monastery, Gate of the Setting Sun and Siege of Niuzao Temple dungeons added
• Scarlet Halls, Scarlet Monastery and Scholomance dungeons revamped
• Mogu'Shan Vaults, Heart of Fear and Terrace of Endless Spring raids added
• A Brewing Storm, Arena of Annihilation, Brewmoon Festival, Crypt of Forgotten Kings, Greenstone Village, Theramore's Fall and Unga Ingoo scenarios added
• Salyis's Warband and Sha of Anger world bosses added

September 27 - Mists of Pandaria expansion released in Korea and Taiwan.

November 27 - Patch 5.1.0

• New world PvP conflict and factions
• Brawler's Guild
• Item Level Upgrades
• Battle pet upgrade system
• New Scenarios:
  • A Little Patience
  • Assault on Zan'vess
  • Dagger in the Dark
  • Domination Point
  • Lion's Landing

2013

March 5 - Patch 5.2.0

• New Daily Quest Hub: The Isle of Thunder
• New Raid: Throne of Thunder
• Legendary Quest continues
• New World Bosses:
  •  Nalak, the Storm Lord
  •  Oondasta
  • New World Boss System
• New scenarios
• Sunsong Ranch farming improvements

May 21 - Patch 5.3.0

• New Battleground: Deepwind Gorge
• New Arena: The Tiger's Peak
• New Scenarios:
  • Battle on the High Seas
  • Blood in the Snow
  • Dark Heart of Pandaria
  • The Secrets of Ragefire
• Heroic Scenarios
• Quest Campaign: Escalation
• XP needed for level 85 - 90 reduced by 33%.

August 14 - Blizzard trademarks "The Dark Below".

• The concept of "The Dark Below" is not new to WoW, previously mentioned here: http://www.wowwiki.com/Dark_Below. With speculation over the past few months about the possibility of a Burning Legion expansion, players are convinced we will soon be descending into the dark depths of Azeroth!

September 10 - Patch 5.4.0

• New Area: Timeless Isle
• New Raid: Siege of Orgrimmar
• Legendary Quest continues
• Flexible Raid Difficulty
• Proving Grounds
• Connected Realms
• Redesigned Arena System
• New World Bosses:
  • August celestials: Chi-Ji, Niuzao, Xuen and Yu'lon
  • Ordos

November 2013 - Blizzard trademarks "Warlords of Draenor".

• MMO Champion reported that "Warlords of Draenor" was trademarked in New Zealand, Australia, the USA, and EU! It is highly speculated that this will be the next expansion.

November 8 - World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor announced.

• Blizzard announces at BlizzCon 2013 the next expansion for the series "Warlords of Draenor." (references in page)
  • Announcement trailer is released revealing new zones, new character art, level cap raise to 100, one free level 90 to everyone, garrisons and much more. (references in page)
  • No new races, classes or professions announced, reporters say Blizzard said there would be no new hero class, leaving speculation to a possible new regular class.

December 10 - Patch 5.4.2

• In-game shop

2014

August 14 - Warlords of Draenor release date announced to be November 13, 2014.

October 14 - Patch 6.0.2 on live servers.

November 7 - 8 - BlizzCon 2014

November 13 -

Warlords of Draenor expansion released in North America and Europe.

• Level cap raised to 100.
• Continent of Draenor added.
• Garrisons added.

December 2 -

• New Raid: Highmaul opens with Normal and Heroic difficulties available.

2015

February 3 -

• New Raid: Blackrock Foundry opens with Normal and Heroic difficulties available.
• World boss  Rukhmar becomes available in Spires of Arak.

June 23 -

• New Raid: Hellfire Citadel opens with Normal and Heroic difficulties available.
• New Zone: The rest of Tanaan Jungle opens for exploration.

August 6 -

• Legion expansion announced at gamescom 2015.

November 6 - 7 - BlizzCon 2015

2016

April 18 - Legion release date announced to be August 30, 2016.

July 19 -

• Legion systems pre-expansion, Patch 7.0.3 is released on US realms, implementing the new transmogrification system and abilities/talents revamp.
  • Legion Invasions happen around Azeroth

August 30 -

• Legion expansion released globally
  • Level cap increased to 110
  • New continent: The Broken Isles
  • Demon Hunter class added
  • Artifact Weapons for all classes and specializations
  • Order Hall for each class
  • Emerald Nightmare raid throughout Azeroth

October 25 -

• Legion first major patch, Patch 7.1 "Return to Karazhan" is released on US realms.
  • Return to Karazhan dungeon (level 110)
  • Nightfallen Insurrection quest campaign
  • New world quests and mounts
  • Trial of Valor raid in Helheim

2017

January 10

• Legion interim patch, Patch 7.1.5 "The Nighthold" is released on US realms.
  • The Nighthold raid opens
  • Mists of Pandaria Timewalking Dungeons
  • Return of Brawler's Guild
  • Micro-holidays!

March 28

• Legion second major patch, Patch 7.2 "The Tomb of Sargeras" is released on US realms.
  • Ironically, the Tomb of Sargeras raid is not open.
  • Broken Shore reopens with Assault on the Broken Shore, Armies of Legionfall quests and world quests, Legion Assaults on the Broken Isles, and many new rare mobs on the Broken Shore.
  • Cathedral of Eternal Night dungeon on Broken Shore (part of Tomb of Sargeras complex) opens
  • Flying available in Broken Isles for those who completed appropriate achievements

June 13

• Legion second interim patch, Patch 7.2.5 is released on US realms.
  • New Micro-holidays: Auction House Dance Party!, Great Gnomeregan Race, and the Moonkin Festival
  • The Trial of Style
  • The Deaths of Chromie scenario
  • Tomb of Sargeras raid on Broken Shore opens June 20

August 29

• Legion third major patch, Patch 7.3 "Shadows of Argus" is released on US realms.
  • Argus (former home of the Draenei) open for exploration and questing, with 3 zones:
    • Antoran Wastes
    • Krokuun
    • Mac'Aree
  • New World Quests on Argus
  • New Dungeon: Seat of the Triumvirate, with 4 bosses
  • New Raid: Antorus, The Burning Throne, with 11 bosses incl. Varimathras and Aggramar
  • New Feature: Invasion Points, new events and world bosses
  • New Feature: Netherlight Crucible, further enhancing your Artifact Relics.
  • New Feature: Vindicaar Matrix Core, special powers usable on Argus, if related quest chains completed.
  • Updated Professions with new recipes and materials native to Argus.
  • Changes to Artifact Knowledge, simplifying the enhancement of your Artifact Weapon, for new and alternate characters.
  • Class Changes

... and more.

2018

Note: This is a generic section stub. You can help expand it by clicking  Edit to the right of the section title.

This section concerns content that is out-of-date. Reason: Needs patch info.

January 30

• Battle for Azeroth pre-order begins.
  • Boost to level 110
  • Early access to some Allied races ( Highmountain tauren, Lightforged draenei, Void elves, and Nightborne)

July 17

• Battle for Azeroth pre-patch.
  • Artifact Weapons retired.
  • Mage Tower (Broken Shore) artifact weapon appearances no longer unlockable
  • First Aid profession removed from game entirely, largely rolled into  Tailoring with some recipes moved to  Alchemy

August 13 - 14

• Battle for Azeroth announced release dates (Aug 13 for Americas and 14 for remaining Global).
  • Boost to level 110
  • Stat squish
  • Access to remaining Allied races ( Dark Iron dwarf, Mag'har orc)
  • New sub-continents: Kul Tiras, Zandalar
  •  [Heart of Azeroth] and related Azerite armor upgrade mechanics replace retired Artifact Weapons
  • Island Expeditions

See also

• Pre- Timeline (RTS)
• Circa pre- Timeline (WoW site 2004)
• Circa pre- Timeline (WoW site 2007)
• Circa pre- Timeline (WoW site 2010)
• Circa Timeline
• Timeline (unofficial)