Accessing Northrend: A Comprehensive Guide
What is Northrend?
Northrend is one of the most iconic continents in the vast world of Warcraft, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Located in the frozen wilderness of the north, it serves as the primary hub for the Wrath of the Lich King expansion, a pivotal chapter in the game’s storyline.
Minimum Level Requirement
Before delving into the world of Northrend, players must ensure they meet the minimum level requirement of 68. This threshold allows adventurers to access the continent, initiate quests, and tackle its numerous challenges.
Modes of Transportation
As there are no direct teleports to Northrend, travelers must rely on three primary modes of transportation: Stormwind Harbor, Orgrimmar, and Kalimdor.
From Stormwind Harbor
From the Stormwind Harbor in Auberdine (Darkshore, Kalimdor), travelers can board the Kraken, an icebreaker ship that sails north to Valiance Keep, located in the Borean Tundra of Northrend.
From Orgrimmar
Henceforth, Horde players must head to the Zeppelin tower on the east side of Valley of Spirits (Orgrimmar) to board zeppelins bound for Thunderbluff and Borean Tundra.
From Kalimdor
Kaldi players can travel directly to the Menethil Harbor in The Wetlands to find zeppelins transporting to Howling Fjord, another important destination in Northrend.
Sub-Zone Access
When accessing Northrend from each of these modes of transportation, players will typically start in one of these four sub-zones:
| Sub-Zone | Start Location |
| Borean Tundra | Valiance Keep |
| Borean Tundra | Old Hugo’s Hillock |
| Howling Fjord | Menethil Harbor |
| Howling Fjord | Tindrem |
Alternative Entrance
For those in possession of a portal: Dalaran – Northrend, mages can create a portal in the Dalaran, Crystalsong Forest, providing a more direct, although potentially more expensive, mode of transportation.
Why Should I Access Northrend?
Northrend offers:
- Higher XP Earns: Quests and monsters in Northrend offer faster experience gains, particularly from level 68-70.
- Enhanced Storyline: Immerse yourself in the pivotal storyline of the Lich King expansion, interacting with iconic characters and regions.
- New Gear and Items: Acquire fresh gear, items, and mounts to enhance your adventuring experience.
In conclusion, accessing Northrend involves meeting the minimum level requirement of 68, relying on various modes of transportation, and understanding sub-zones and alternative entrance methods. By doing so, you’ll unlock new quests, gear, and opportunities to engage with this unforgettable continent in the Warcraft universe.