These are exciting times for many a World of Warcraft player, as the Wrath of the Lich King expansion draws ever closer to its expected launch. Aside from the prospect of facing off against Arthas himself, we've also got an entirely new continent to look forward, bristling with new factions and challenges that will surprise even those who think they've seen all the game can offer.

QJ.Net's three-part Everything You Need to Know (EYNTK) feature for WotLK will give you just a glimpse of what to expect when the expansion arrives, and should ensure you won't be so lost when you first set foot in Northrend. A winter wonderland, it is not.

The first part of the EYNTK will cover some of the changes that already made it to the live servers to ensure that preparing for the expansion is easier. We will also cover a brief backgrounder of the Alliance and Horde's landing points on the frozen continent, and of the various regions you can expect to trek through. Before we get started on the game proper though, here is a quick look at WotLK's technical side:

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Technical specs:

Based on what we know so far, WotLK is expected to have similar system requirements as WoW's previous expansion, The Burning Crusade (TBC). The artwork for WotLK will be vastly different however, focusing on a darker gothic fantasy feel as compared to TBC's high fantasy theme. Generally speaking, WotLK's ice caves are using a new shading system.

On the more technical side of matters, the developers are looking into reevaluating their calculations for distances, line of sight and collision to address existing bugs and exploits with spell mechanics. Lake Wintergrasp's expected volume of player traffic in particular has caused the devs to improve their game engine.

While these details may hint that you'll want to start preparing your PC with some possible upgrades, how exactly is Blizzard preparing the live servers for the expansions debut? That leads us to the next section:

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Changes already in the live realms:

 

On the gameplay side of things, Blizzard implemented a couple of changes that ensure we'll be good and ready when the expansion arrives. For lower level characters, the level requirement for the apprentice riding skill has been decreased from 30 to 40.

 

This should speed up our travel time between our favorite levelling spots, in turn helping us get to the higher levels sooner than before. Just be prepared to cough up a total of 45 gold: 35g for the trainer, and another 10g for the mount.

Blizzard has also implemented some tweaks for the progression from level 60 to 70. Players within this level range will find their grind to be moving along quicker than before. This tweak is currently being used to a limited extent in the live servers, but is already in full swing in the WotLK beta.

Stormwind City also has a new harbor under construction. Once completed, the harbor is expected to replace the Menethil-Auberdine route most players take from Kalimdor to reach the Easter Kingdoms. In short, you won't have to slog it through the Wetlands anymore. Kalimdor's Auberdine port is expected to have a direct route to Stormwind Harbor. For now though, the harbor is just a teaser of what's to come.

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Coming soon to a server near you:

Once WotLK arrives, Blizzard will be adding some more new places to the existing map of Azeroth:

 

 

Stormwind Harbor (completed)

Once the harbor area is completed, Alliance players will be able to travel to two areas in the Northrend continent: Valgarde in the Howling Fjord, and Valiance Keep  in the Borean Tundra. It will also server as the new arrival point for players traveling from Kalimdor to the Eastern Kingdoms.

Acherus: The Ebon Hold (Eastern Plaguelands)

The Scourge necropolis that serves as the starting area for WotLK's new Death Knight class. Formerly the Lich King's stronghold, it now servers as the headquarters of the Ebon Blade faction.

 

Undercity

Much like their Alliance counterparts, the Horde will receive new Zeppelin flight paths to two Northrend settlements: Vengeance Landing in the Howling Fjord, and Warsong Hold in the Borean Tundra. Unlike Stormwind however, there are currently no external changes to Undercity's appearance.

Dalaran (Alterac Mountains)

Dalaran's former spot near the Alterac Mountains will contain a crater where the city used to be, surrounded by purplish smoke. Members of the Kirin Tor will be at the site to explain what's happened.

 

Now that we’ve covered the sort of changes you can expect to find in the current areas, we’ll be moving on to discussing the new Northrend continent, currently expected to be at least comparable in size to TBC’s Outlands.

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Hell frozen over:

 

A land of bitter cold, Northrend is a stark contrast to the hellish scenery of the Outlands. Even before Ner’Zhul’s arrival, it was already an icy wasteland, where only the hardiest of creatures survive. With the Lich King’s transformation, the landscape was made even more forbidding with the arrival of the undead scourge, and the numerous factions that now fight for its control.

On a related note, WotLK will indeed allow you to bring in flying mounts, though you won't be able to use them until level 77, leaving you to enjoy much of the geography on foot. Moving on, each faction will have their own respective landing points:

Alliance settlements:

 

Valgarde (Howling Fjord)

Ever wondered about the fate of Arthas' expedition after his return to Lordaeron? It turns out they've managed to survive getting stranded by their ex-leader, and have built a thriving settlement that will serve as your first stop in Northrend.

Valgarde gets its name from Captain Luc Valonforth, one of the founders. He's the footman many of you will remember accompanying Arthas for the earlier part of Warcraft 3.

 

Valiance Keep (Borean Tundra)

The Alliance stronghold located on the Western portion of Northrend. Points of interest here include a cool-looking steamship and the Valiance Expedition, the Alliance's main army on this frozen continent. Rumor has it the expedition is under the command of King Varian Wrynn, aka Lo'Gosh from the ongoing WoW comics.

 

Horde settlements:

Vengeance Landing (Howling Fjord)

Your first stop on the Eastern region of Northrend. Vengeance landing will serve as the staging ground of the Forsaken's race's Hand of Vengeance faction. Your "welcoming party" involve helping fend off an Alliance attack.

 

Warsong Hold (Borean Tundra)

The Orc stronghold on the Western edge of Northrend. Garrosh Hellscream will be moving from his post in Nagrand to to Warsong Hold to oversee Horde operations in this barren wasteland.

 

Neutral territory:

Dalaran (Sanctuary)
The Kirin Tor have moved operation up to Northrend, literally. Dalaran will serve as Northrend's answer to Outland's Shattrath City, being a neutral region that welcomes both Alliance and Horde members. Dalaran will be moving near Northrend's Dragonblight region.

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Northrend, Ho!

Now that you've properly resupplied and hearthed at the closest inn, we will now discuss each of the regions that Northrend has to offer. They're arranged according to your level progression, so you won't accidentally step into some imminent mob ganking.

Howling Fjord (level 68-72)

The Southeastern edge of Northrend made famous by Daggercap Bay, where Arthas and his 5,000-man expedition first arrived. Aside from being one of the two areas you will first arrive in, the Howling Fjord is also home to the Utgarde Keep dungeon.

 

Borean Tundra (68-72)

The southwestern edge of Northrend. Barren even compared to the rest of the continent, the Borean Tundra is home to the Tuskarr capital of Kaskala, although the Drakkari trolls, Nerubians, and the naga also litter the featureless landscape.

The Nexus instance will be found in this area, along with Coldarra island, home of Malygos, Dragon Aspect of Magic. Travel between the Howling Fjord and the Borean Tundra is made possible by a giant turtle.

 

Dragonblight (71-75)

A once-fertile valley where weakened members of the dragon flights brood come to die. The region is mostly home to what remains of the nerubian race, along with a small community of Icemist tauren.

Dungeons to be found in this region include Azjol-Nerub, Naxxramas, and the Chamber of Aspects. Dragonblight’s plentiful supply of bones also served as a source of Frost Wyrms for the scourge forces during the events of Warcraft 3.

 

Zul'Drak (73-76)

Home to Northrend’s fierce Drakkari ice trolls. The trolls themselves have recently gone insane due to their constant battles against the scourge, and will kill any intruder that dares step in their land.

Brave adventurers can find the Gundrak and Drak'Tharon Keep instances in this area – the latter was where Prince Arthas stayed during his search for Frostmourne.

Grizzly Hills (74-76)

Home to the Grizzlemaw furbolgs. Grizzly Hills is one of the more pleasant areas in Northrend with its plentiful trees and clean air, and abundant supply of wild animals for hunting. Its beauty comes at a price however, with word going about that the Venture Co. will be making camp here to deforest the land.

Sholazar Basin (75-78)

On a continent defined by permafrost and snow, Scholazar is an anomaly. The land is a virtual tropical paradise surrounded by lush greenery and hot springs.

While the Scourge’s corruption hasn’t quite touched Scholazar, constant feuds between the Oracles (the next evolution of Murlocs) and the Wolvar (a sentient race of wolves) will keep any passing players busy during their stay.

 

The Storm Peaks (77-80)

True to its name, the Storm Peak mountain range is dangerous place for travelers with its treacherous paths and powerful, unpredictable winds. The Storm Giants take up residence in this region, living in the former Titan city of Ulduar.

 

Icecrown Glacier (77-80)

Located on the northernmost tip of Northrend, the Icecrown Glacier is the very seat of power of the Lich King. Expect the place to be crawling with the scourge, with an estimated (undead) population of at least 250,000 creatures. The end-all dungeon for this region is the Icecrown Citadel, where you epic battle against the Lich King awaits.

Crystalsong Forest

According to past legend, the forest gained its crystalline state during the Blue Dragonflight's against the Black Dragonflight in ancient times. One of the blue dragons, in a fit of desperation, attempted to cast a spell to turn his foes into stone.

The spell was accidentally amplified by the lingering magical energies from the recently deceased Blue Dragonflights in the battle, and turned almost the entire forest intro crystal.

Lake Wintergrasp (World PvP)

Located between the regions of Sholazar Basin, the Borean Tundra, The Dragonblight, and Icecrown Glacier, Northrend’s largest lake will server as WoW’s very first non-battleground world PvP area, even on PvE servers. The lake is about the size of the Westfall region, and will feature siege weapon warfare.

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That sums it up for part one of our Wrath of the Lich King EYNTK. Keep in touch as we ready part two, which will offer a rundown on the new dungeons and the new PvP mechanics that are expected to be implemented. Can you say Steam Tanks?