The Post-‘Frozen Throne’ Plot of the Warcraft Universe

The Warcraft universe has expanded far beyond the events of Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, with numerous expansions and changes to the lore. This article provides an in-depth overview of the major plot developments post-The Frozen Throne, from The Burning Crusade to the current state of the game.

The Burning Crusade (2007)

Setting: Outland, the shattered world.

Key Events: After defeating the Burning Legion, the dark portal reopened, allowing heroes from Azeroth to venture into Outland. Players faced remnants of the Legion, led by Illidan Stormrage, and the Blood Elves, who sought to harness the power of the Sunwell.

Wrath of the Lich King (2008)

Setting: The frozen realm of Northrend.

Key Events: The Lich King, Arthas Menethil, rose to power, leading a massive Scourge invasion. The player geared up to face this new threat, culminating in a raid on Icecrown Citadel. Arthas faced his ultimate defeat here.

Cataclysm (2010)

Setting: Post-Cataclysm Azeroth.

Key Events: The return of the corrupted Dragon Aspect, Deathwing, caused unprecedented upheaval. New zones were introduced, the leveling experience was revamped, and conflicts between the Alliance and the Horde became more significant.

Mists of Pandaria (2012)

Setting: The newly discovered continent, Pandaria.

Key Events: The expansion introduced the Pandaren and their culture, explored the Sha manifestations of negative emotions, and delved into the conflict between the Alliance and the Horde over control of Pandaria's resources.

Warlords of Draenor (2014)

Setting: Alternate-timeline Draenor.

Key Events: Heroes traveled to an alternate version of Draenor to stop the Iron Horde, led by Garrosh Hellscream. The story explored the history of the Orcs and introduced the concept of alternate realities.

Legion (2016)

Setting: The Broken Isles and Argus.

Key Events: The Burning Legion launched a massive invasion of Azeroth. Players united to combat this threat, culminating in a final confrontation on Argus, the Legion's homeworld. Iconic characters, including Illidan Stormrage, returned in this expansion.

Battle for Azeroth (2018)

Setting: Various regions of Azeroth.

Key Events: The conflict between the Alliance and the Horde reignited, leading to a full-scale war. New continents, Kul Tiras and Zandalar, were introduced, and themes of nationalism and the consequences of war were explored. Sylvanas Windrunner rose as a central antagonist.

Shadowlands (2020)

Setting: The Shadowlands, the realm of the afterlife.

Key Events: Players explored the realms of the afterlife, confronting the Jailer who sought to reshape the cosmos. The expansion delved into themes of death, the afterlife, and the consequences of past actions, with significant lore implications for the entire Warcraft universe.

Dragonflight (2022)

Setting: The Dragon Isles.

Key Events: The return of the Dragonflights, reclaiming their ancestral home. The expansion focused on the legacy of dragons, introduced the new playable race Dracthyr, and the ongoing story of Azeroth's recovery from previous conflicts.

Current State (as of August 2023)

The lore continues to evolve, with ongoing developments in the game, including new quests, characters, and conflicts. The relationships between the Alliance and the Horde remain complex, and the repercussions of past events continue to shape the world.

This overview highlights the major expansions and plot developments in the Warcraft universe after The Frozen Throne, showcasing how each expansion builds on the previous lore, adding depth and new storylines to the rich tapestry of the Warcraft world.