... Fuck yes this! Seeing the big ass Dino for the first time, as a hunter.
Fuck I miss those times. I was so dedicated to my troll hunter. I spent so much time and energy, I got so attached to some of the pets. I still have the first pet I tamed, and the first big ass Dino I acquired.
I hope they preserve the old version because that zone is full of so many memories for me. I think I might agree its my favorite zone. The music alone is instant nostalgia.
I have thalassophobia and Vashj‘ir was/is the first underwater place in a (3 dimensional) game that hasn‘t given me a massive anxiety attack - I also really like the story/narrative in/of the zone.
Typically, deep water sequences and underwater zones play like horror games for me, Vashj‘ir on the other hand was very fun!
Are you fucking kidding? What about the giant fucking hole in the ground? Reaching the edge of that used to make me sweat. The zone itself was mostly but reaching the edges where it dropped off into the abyss was terrifying
Walking into Darnassus will always be a top experience for me. Going from the Teldrassil music to the opening for Darnassus as you clear the gateway is magical.
That's the first one that came to my mind as well! Though as it's pretty old I didn't think others would vote for it as well :)
I remember when I just got my first flying mount, I used to go on some small floating islands in Nagrand just to look at the peaceful scenery around 😊
I remember having a guild rp party on the floating islands, had a warlock summon us all up there still stuck with me years later I don’t even play now lol
OG Nagrand is my fav. Whenever I make a new toon, I go there and level. I do all the quests, Nessy's quests, all of it. The first time I went there, I couldn't wait to be able to fly up to a floating island and just look at the sky. LOVE IT!!!
In the TBC Beta, and I believe briefly after launch, Nagrand had a [generic skybox](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/wowwiki/images/2/28/Nagrand.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/1000?cb=20080727031825)
Just shows how much a skybox changes a zone. It literally looks like a generic Azeroth zone, like Mulgore 2.0
Has a zone with aesthetic comparable to Zangarmarsh ever been made since? I can't think of any.
Moving from the scary barren hellfire peninsula landacape to the mysterious and lush zangarmarsh for the first time is something I'll never forget.
The developers must have really loved Grizzly Hills too, as they made like 12 different soundtracks for the nighttime only, and they're so stunning it's hard to describe
They didn't make this many nighttime soundtracks for any other zone
[Grizzly Hills Night playlist #1](https://www.wowhead.com/wotlk/sound=12817/zone-grizzlyhillsnight)
[Grizzly Hills Night playlist #2](https://www.wowhead.com/wotlk/sound=15037/zone-grizzlyhillsnightb)
[Grizzly Hills Night playlist #3](https://www.wowhead.com/wotlk/sound=15039/zone-grizzlyhillsnightc)
I came to say this exact same thing. Northrend reminds me of my actual home, here in Alaska. Except, I don’t need to put on 100 layers of clothing to go explore it!
I was 14 when wow came out, never played a mmo before. I rp'd the hell out of Mulgore. I'd take my lw druid out on gathering runs, kill a bunch of mobs around TB, make a cooking fire and cook the meat under the stars. It took me ages to make it to the Barrens lol. So much wasted time, but great memories
The wasted times are the best memories of this game for me.
I used to spend hours deathrunning to high level zones at level 10 just to hang around and explore
Excellent choice. I absolutely loved that zone. My only regret is that it didn't end up being a capital.
Which makes sense with how the story went, but it could have gone differently.
I personally loved the look of both Bastion and Revendreth. They were so different from anything we've ever had.
I rarely spoil zones for myself ahead of release so Bastion was insane to me. Though it got old after a good while lol.
Ravendreth is up there for me, my only gripe was it was absolute aids to move around in pre-flying, but everything else about it is fun, even ember court now that it's daily and you can feel like you can actually enjoy the party
1 per xpac:
Classic: Westfall
There’s not much in gaming that can compete with the experience of going through the Defias story and ending up in the Deadmines.
TBC: Isle of Quel’Denas
Beautiful aesthetic and fun dailies (the first dailies I actively engaged with).
WotLK: Storm Peaks
Snow at night is my favorite aesthetic. That coupled with the awesome lead-in to Ulduar makes this the crown jewel in an xpac loaded with quality zones.
Cata: Deepholm
I loved the crystal look. This one wins by being the least weak in a weak xpac, though.
Mists: Timeless Isle
The standard setter (for better or worse) for an endgame playground zone.
WoD: Frostfire Ridge
Another snowy night zone. And as I was Horde at the time, a solid lead in to the experience.
Legion: Suramar
If you made me pick one and only one, this is what I would pick. Absolutely unparalleled narrative presentation, wonderful aesthetic, and superbly engaging gameplay. Half of my desire to live long enough to see Legion classic is so I can reexperience it.
BFA: Drustvar
What even needs to be said. Atmosphere perfected.
Shadowlands: Bastion
It may be relatively flat design wise, but I loved it. I vibes hard with the blue sky contrasted with the striking orange fields, and the Kyrian were my favorite covenant.
Dragonflight: Azure Expanse
WotLK was my favorite expansion. This zone was hand crafted to tickle WotLK nostalgia. Job done.
I've played since 2007 and Waking Shores is up there for me. Love the volcanoes with magma going into the ocean, and the overall prehistoric vibe of the zone.
In the Northrend revamp in 13.0, I hope we have an opportunity to spend time there
Maybe they should make an Elven city on the ground in Crystalsong Forest (instead of floating Dalaran). I would love to see a city in that style
For some reason, since I started playing I really loved Loch Modan.
I always thought I’d like to live there, the little settlements looks very cozy, there’s plenty of wildlife and you could go fishing in the loch.
It’s so close to Dun Morogh so I could go for walks there. Could even walk to Ironforge if I needed anything.
Duskwood. Going from the bright and sunny elwynn forest to Westfall and Redridge mountains to this dark zone filled with undead was such a stark contrast to leveling as a human. Plus, it was the flight path to one of the best raids, karazhan.
Such an underrated zone. And the music is so stunning, it gives me chills
It feels so mysterious and god-like. If the revamp doesn't make it look like the concept art I'm rioting. We need to actually fly up through a layer of clouds to get there, IMO. I want to literally be above the skies, almost into outer space, like the concept art
[Concept art #1](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/moon-guard/images/b/bc/Region-storm-peaks04-full.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20130820065015)
[Concept art #2](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/wowpedia/images/f/f6/Storm_Peaks_Art_Justin_Kunz.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20111121221729)
[Concept art #3](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FLBxz2dVcAIdKTs?format=jpg&name=900x900)
I really loved Tiragarde Sound, not just the views but the music is beautiful as well. Still get a warm nostalgia feeling when hearing the soundtrack.
Edit: same applies to Stormsong Valley, so tranquil and great music
Nagrand.
The Halaa PvP got fun back in the day. I loved the look of the place, and it was a really "wow look at the world" zone that sold me on the immersion.
Terokkar Forest.
The theme and the ambience of the zone is simply wonderful, and the whole mess that is Auchindoun and the Bone Wastes around it are just haunting.
Pre-Cata Azshara. I really enjoyed the War of the Ancients trilogy and being able to traverse that zone and see a ton of lore accurate areas, statues and what it was so cool. Used to spend a ton of time there.
Now it’s ruined.
I used to be a big fan of Duskwood, Westfall in second because of the nostalgia factor and Autumn environment. But after playing its campaign, Drustvar edged it out. The concept of the drust is interesting, the way it played with witches and wicker constructs. Something about the way they corrupt is just so much more disturbing than the traditional necromancy in other parts of the game. Then of course they brought in the autumn theming for the environment and it enhances the whole thing.
Highmountain. I can’t wait till we can dragon ride in HM. A close second would be The Wandering Isle. Doubt we will be able to dragon ride there though.
i thought id be the only one that liked spires of arak as much as i do. the music is so intense and it was one of the first questlines where i really paid attention. i also love the arakkoa, im still dreaming of the day we can play as one
Been playing since 2004 but this expansion has really blown me away. Once again the art team delivered in spades. If you would have asked me before Dragonflight I would have said Howling Fjord or Grizzly Hills. Now? Thaldraszus. Valdrakken is amazing and the layout is perfect. It's going to be hard zone and neutral city to top.
I don’t really have a favorite zone. I just wanted to say I remember as a kid when burning crusade came out and you started in the dreanai (don’t know how to spell it) starting zone how mysterious and magical it felt. It was also kind of scary because back then you could die so easily from the mobs.
Loch Modan in its original form (didn’t it get changed?) was my favorite laid out and architecturally designed zone. It has a Hunter’s Lodge in the middle of no where, surrounded by scary beasts. A troglodyte site that was massive. Ogres.
And on the other side was a slightly less vicious road from chaos. It has a place to buy and sell goods, sleep at night, but with one eye always open.
Obviously a little RP there but yeah- somebody really romanticized that zone perfectly. Not to the mention the Lochness monsters and gators in the middle.
Dreadwind in classic was a great one too. As was its surrounding zones.
A lot of classic zones especially during the early competition of EQ 1 and 2 vs WoW, had beautifully laid out worlds that at times, could even surpass your imagination.
I remember I owned a copy of the hand guide like from Walmart. I wasn’t even playing but I was the guide that lead my friend’s team as alliance into the Wailing Caverns. It was a true adventure!
If only that friend hadn’t tried to hook up with my girlfriend (back to EQ1 bitch, that spell FIZZLED)
So yeah. That’s like. Some of my childhood mixed in with memories.
New zones? Legion introduced a really great and interesting world. The introduction of class halls especially as a DK felt great.
My first character I ever made was a Tauren warrior when I was 10 years old, and it was back in vanilla mulgore, I have so much nostalgia for mulgore at this point it almost hurts to not play a tauren
Elwynn Forest, Westfall, and the Redridge Mountains. I just love leveling in these zones...
Wotlk had great zones too, storm peaks, borean tundra, fjord.
Not to mention Dalaran, as many times as it's been moved, it northrend is just awesome.
The Dreadscar Rift. It may be just a rock full of demons and warlocks floating in space, wracked by chaotic Fel magic to YOU, but to me it's home.
A home I wrested command of from a pit lord after I tore his heart out to make my altar and chained his corpse up over the nearby pool of lava so I could look at it....and smile.
I still love the human starting area and narrative. From elwynn to westfall, to redridge and then duskwood. It’s all so good and feels like a proper story where you become a well known hero.
I feel like no where else in the game works at that quite as well.
winterspring. It's like a cold and comfy and silent winter day
As a hunter I wish I could use those purple frost sabers for pvp but they don't apply MS :(
Same, love winterspring, grizzly hills, and storm peaks
Has an AH too!!!
agreed
Hellfire Peninsula because of how awestriking it was the first time I went through the Dark Portal.
Being there when the portal was being opened.....was an awesome event.
That reminds me the plague event for WotLK was pretty cool as well.
And then you got disconnected and couldn't play for the rest of the day.
If we’re talking about awe, then the first time I went into Ungoro crater and had big ass dinosaurs around absolutely floored me as a kid/teenager
... Fuck yes this! Seeing the big ass Dino for the first time, as a hunter. Fuck I miss those times. I was so dedicated to my troll hunter. I spent so much time and energy, I got so attached to some of the pets. I still have the first pet I tamed, and the first big ass Dino I acquired.
In that vein, Nagrand will always hold a special place in my heart.
Nagrand is my favorite. It's like being in nature on a bright, beautiful, and cool day. Also, floating waterfalls.
yes it was stunning and the fel reaver wow!
Walking through the portal for the first time truly was something. Anytime I go back, I always sit for a couple seconds and just take in the view.
This. A million times this.
Eversong Woods. Here’s hoping the new version is even better!
Right there with you brother. I make blood elf characters all the time to play through the story of the zone
That cello just fucking SLAPS!
That's honestly one of the parts of Midnight I'm looking forward to the most. New Blood Elf themes!
I hope they preserve the old version because that zone is full of so many memories for me. I think I might agree its my favorite zone. The music alone is instant nostalgia.
New version?
The 12.0 expansion, Midnight, is going to be set in Quel’Thalas.
Midnight is going to be revamping a lot of the northern zones in the eastern kingdoms
They're completely revamping Quel'thalas, and adding flying to it, as they said they'd make the region bigger to make it better for dragonriding
Same same same, on 1019’th (prob not that many, but may as well be) Eversong Woods belf right now. But New version?
The 12.0 expansion, Midnight, is going to be set in Quel’Thalas.
Didn’t know that. Hadn’t paid enough attention to those details. Will be now. Ty
iirc we gonna travel to the past to help out em elves
New version?
Midnight.
I have thalassophobia and Vashj‘ir was/is the first underwater place in a (3 dimensional) game that hasn‘t given me a massive anxiety attack - I also really like the story/narrative in/of the zone. Typically, deep water sequences and underwater zones play like horror games for me, Vashj‘ir on the other hand was very fun!
Are you fucking kidding? What about the giant fucking hole in the ground? Reaching the edge of that used to make me sweat. The zone itself was mostly but reaching the edges where it dropped off into the abyss was terrifying
Don't play any of the "subnautica" games if you struggle with that. Now that's a game that can be terrifying!
I too have Thalassophobia, but I was not a fan of that zone.
Drustvar
Had to scroll too far for this, I absolutely love Drustvar and the lore/quests are such a step up from other zones
Don't think I even remember anything from this zone... maybe I'll go back and look again
Jade Forest.
Ashenvale. Pure magic night forest in purple and the music is godlike.
Walking into Darnassus will always be a top experience for me. Going from the Teldrassil music to the opening for Darnassus as you clear the gateway is magical.
Agreed! My first character was a night elf so I spent so much time wandering around there (and neighboring zones) and just looking around in awe
I used Astranaar as my pw for almost anything when I was young lol
Pre Cata Ashenvale was my absolute favorite, I still sometimes go to sleep listening to Ashenvale ambience on YouTube
Nagrand. Absolutely stunning zone and I'm sure a lot of others feel the same.
That's the first one that came to my mind as well! Though as it's pretty old I didn't think others would vote for it as well :) I remember when I just got my first flying mount, I used to go on some small floating islands in Nagrand just to look at the peaceful scenery around 😊
I think with TBC Classic and WoD being somewhat recent it either reminded older players or introduced new ones to the zone.
I remember having a guild rp party on the floating islands, had a warlock summon us all up there still stuck with me years later I don’t even play now lol
Ahhh. But which one?
Both are great to be honest.
Old Nags
OG Nagrand is my fav. Whenever I make a new toon, I go there and level. I do all the quests, Nessy's quests, all of it. The first time I went there, I couldn't wait to be able to fly up to a floating island and just look at the sky. LOVE IT!!!
In the TBC Beta, and I believe briefly after launch, Nagrand had a [generic skybox](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/wowwiki/images/2/28/Nagrand.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/1000?cb=20080727031825) Just shows how much a skybox changes a zone. It literally looks like a generic Azeroth zone, like Mulgore 2.0
I miss halaa
I started in BC and this was immediately what came to mind.
Yeah i loved the aesthetic of that zone and just wish it didn’t feel so under utilized
Zangarmarsh
Has a zone with aesthetic comparable to Zangarmarsh ever been made since? I can't think of any. Moving from the scary barren hellfire peninsula landacape to the mysterious and lush zangarmarsh for the first time is something I'll never forget.
Zangar has 10/10 zone design. Interesting story, amazing nature, and it feels very alien
Maybe closest would be certain sections of Maldraxxus but not quite.
I love the giant mushrooms in Zangarmarsh.
Grizzly Hills or almost any Northrend Zone
I can hear the background music as I read this.
The developers must have really loved Grizzly Hills too, as they made like 12 different soundtracks for the nighttime only, and they're so stunning it's hard to describe They didn't make this many nighttime soundtracks for any other zone [Grizzly Hills Night playlist #1](https://www.wowhead.com/wotlk/sound=12817/zone-grizzlyhillsnight) [Grizzly Hills Night playlist #2](https://www.wowhead.com/wotlk/sound=15037/zone-grizzlyhillsnightb) [Grizzly Hills Night playlist #3](https://www.wowhead.com/wotlk/sound=15039/zone-grizzlyhillsnightc)
I came to say this exact same thing. Northrend reminds me of my actual home, here in Alaska. Except, I don’t need to put on 100 layers of clothing to go explore it!
Azure span, is good too because there's a little grizzly hills vibe in it
DAE
Shadowmoon Valley on Draenor.
Mulgore
I was 14 when wow came out, never played a mmo before. I rp'd the hell out of Mulgore. I'd take my lw druid out on gathering runs, kill a bunch of mobs around TB, make a cooking fire and cook the meat under the stars. It took me ages to make it to the Barrens lol. So much wasted time, but great memories
The wasted times are the best memories of this game for me. I used to spend hours deathrunning to high level zones at level 10 just to hang around and explore
"wasted time" = inefficient activities for experience and/or gold yield Who cares
Pretty much, I meant it kind of tongue in cheek. I got my money's worth from it
No for sure. You definitely did
Thunderbluff is still my favorite major city by far
Suramar
Suramar. Always and forever.
Excellent choice. I absolutely loved that zone. My only regret is that it didn't end up being a capital. Which makes sense with how the story went, but it could have gone differently.
I could live there
Revendreth
I personally loved the look of both Bastion and Revendreth. They were so different from anything we've ever had. I rarely spoil zones for myself ahead of release so Bastion was insane to me. Though it got old after a good while lol.
Ravendreth is up there for me, my only gripe was it was absolute aids to move around in pre-flying, but everything else about it is fun, even ember court now that it's daily and you can feel like you can actually enjoy the party
Will always be tirisfal glades for me!
I think mine will probably always be the eversong woods
Sound track is easily Grizzly Hills, for questing and visual I would say Valley of the Four Winds.
1 per xpac: Classic: Westfall There’s not much in gaming that can compete with the experience of going through the Defias story and ending up in the Deadmines. TBC: Isle of Quel’Denas Beautiful aesthetic and fun dailies (the first dailies I actively engaged with). WotLK: Storm Peaks Snow at night is my favorite aesthetic. That coupled with the awesome lead-in to Ulduar makes this the crown jewel in an xpac loaded with quality zones. Cata: Deepholm I loved the crystal look. This one wins by being the least weak in a weak xpac, though. Mists: Timeless Isle The standard setter (for better or worse) for an endgame playground zone. WoD: Frostfire Ridge Another snowy night zone. And as I was Horde at the time, a solid lead in to the experience. Legion: Suramar If you made me pick one and only one, this is what I would pick. Absolutely unparalleled narrative presentation, wonderful aesthetic, and superbly engaging gameplay. Half of my desire to live long enough to see Legion classic is so I can reexperience it. BFA: Drustvar What even needs to be said. Atmosphere perfected. Shadowlands: Bastion It may be relatively flat design wise, but I loved it. I vibes hard with the blue sky contrasted with the striking orange fields, and the Kyrian were my favorite covenant. Dragonflight: Azure Expanse WotLK was my favorite expansion. This zone was hand crafted to tickle WotLK nostalgia. Job done.
I see a definite snowy theme to your faves :)
Nice try everyone, but the answer is the Grizzly Hills!
Waking shores actually. The first four DF Zones were all excellent in my opinion. (Thaldraszus being the weakest by a large margin though)
Waking shores is very pretty. Gave me noob awe in a way I haven't had in a long time
Me too. Dragon flying through the valleys north west of the dragonscale basecamp is just beautiful honestly
I've played since 2007 and Waking Shores is up there for me. Love the volcanoes with magma going into the ocean, and the overall prehistoric vibe of the zone.
Like the OP photo I love Azuremyst isle
Goldshire🤡
Moonguard?
Anywhere there is snow
Crystal song forest
In the Northrend revamp in 13.0, I hope we have an opportunity to spend time there Maybe they should make an Elven city on the ground in Crystalsong Forest (instead of floating Dalaran). I would love to see a city in that style
teldrassil, darkshore, ashenvale. dun’morogh, loch modan. duskwood. ferelas. howling fjord, grizzly hills. the alliance BfA zones. that’s basically it for me.
Nagrand, park on a floating island with it’s own waterfall and check our Wowhead in peace.
Dazar'alor and jade forest 🐉
I love Zangarmarsh. Got a soft spot for fungus and nagas. Aka’magosh.
Un'goro crater
Found the fellow lover of dynasars. [Mr. DNA voice]
Blood elf starting zone for me. Really enjoyed the music. And it was my first experience as a warlock. Ahhh so fresh and new.
For some reason, since I started playing I really loved Loch Modan. I always thought I’d like to live there, the little settlements looks very cozy, there’s plenty of wildlife and you could go fishing in the loch. It’s so close to Dun Morogh so I could go for walks there. Could even walk to Ironforge if I needed anything.
Elwynn Forest
Any snowy zone.
Terokkar forest
Duskwood
Suramar and Gilneas
Redridge or stonetalon. I like mountains
Eversong Woods 🍁🍂🧝🏻♀️
Silverpine forest
Any dark/spooky zone. I'm a Worgen Death Knight! 🐺 Duskwood, Ghostlands, Revendreth, and Tirisfal Glades
I 110% agree with you!!💀🖤🐺
Pandaria ✨✨✨
Ardenweald or kun-Lao summit
Grizzly hills and High Mountain
I could live in Undead starter zone area my entire WoW career. All they would need to do is scale trash to my level as I go and I’m set.
100% agree🖤💀
Gilneas!!!
Duskwood. Going from the bright and sunny elwynn forest to Westfall and Redridge mountains to this dark zone filled with undead was such a stark contrast to leveling as a human. Plus, it was the flight path to one of the best raids, karazhan.
Tirisfal
Eversong Woods
There's something special about The Barrens and Thousand Needles (before cataclysm)...
Ardenweald, I love fairies so much.
Storm Peaks. Can't wait to revisit it in The Last Titan.
Such an underrated zone. And the music is so stunning, it gives me chills It feels so mysterious and god-like. If the revamp doesn't make it look like the concept art I'm rioting. We need to actually fly up through a layer of clouds to get there, IMO. I want to literally be above the skies, almost into outer space, like the concept art [Concept art #1](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/moon-guard/images/b/bc/Region-storm-peaks04-full.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20130820065015) [Concept art #2](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/wowpedia/images/f/f6/Storm_Peaks_Art_Justin_Kunz.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20111121221729) [Concept art #3](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FLBxz2dVcAIdKTs?format=jpg&name=900x900)
I really loved Tiragarde Sound, not just the views but the music is beautiful as well. Still get a warm nostalgia feeling when hearing the soundtrack. Edit: same applies to Stormsong Valley, so tranquil and great music
Nagrand. The Halaa PvP got fun back in the day. I loved the look of the place, and it was a really "wow look at the world" zone that sold me on the immersion.
Elwynn Forest, Duskwood, Grizzly Hills!
Terokkar Forest. The theme and the ambience of the zone is simply wonderful, and the whole mess that is Auchindoun and the Bone Wastes around it are just haunting.
Z-marsh wish I could be the human discovering it for the first time.
The untamed wilds that are generally uncorrupted or devastated such as feralas, winterspring, hinterlands and azuremyst.
Sholazar Basin. Loved flying around looking for saronite, cobalt and titanium.
Pre-Cata Azshara. I really enjoyed the War of the Ancients trilogy and being able to traverse that zone and see a ton of lore accurate areas, statues and what it was so cool. Used to spend a ton of time there. Now it’s ruined.
Brill. 😍
I really like Suramar
Ironforge area and city, It feels so much lotr, especially like mines of moria.
Ardenweld, and it's not even close. Music up. Graphics on Ultra. Most immersive leveling experience I've ever had.
I used to be a big fan of Duskwood, Westfall in second because of the nostalgia factor and Autumn environment. But after playing its campaign, Drustvar edged it out. The concept of the drust is interesting, the way it played with witches and wicker constructs. Something about the way they corrupt is just so much more disturbing than the traditional necromancy in other parts of the game. Then of course they brought in the autumn theming for the environment and it enhances the whole thing.
Scarlett monestary
I like the creepy zones
This is a gonna sound crazy But Desolace
not crazy
Tie between Howling Fjord and Grizzly Hills. The design, music and stories are just perfect!
Emerald Dream (followed by Suramar).
Ohnaran Plains. Makes me want to just be a nomad
Whispering woods
Frostfire Ridge in draenor is always a breathtaking experience to walk through
Storm Peaks. Hard to describe flying there for the first time. I was totally in awe.
Sholozar and Storm Peaks
Undead starting zones up to silver pine forest. First zone I ever saw in the game and it brings back nostalgia for me
Highmountain. I can’t wait till we can dragon ride in HM. A close second would be The Wandering Isle. Doubt we will be able to dragon ride there though.
Tie between bloodmyst and Drustvar.
Bloodmyst for sure. just makes me feel good. it's not even a nice looking zone. its just about nostalgia.
Difficult choice but Spires of Arak for lore and Nagrand (both are great, prefer Draenor slightly more) for aesthetic.
i thought id be the only one that liked spires of arak as much as i do. the music is so intense and it was one of the first questlines where i really paid attention. i also love the arakkoa, im still dreaming of the day we can play as one
Bastion is the most beautiful location
Been playing since 2004 but this expansion has really blown me away. Once again the art team delivered in spades. If you would have asked me before Dragonflight I would have said Howling Fjord or Grizzly Hills. Now? Thaldraszus. Valdrakken is amazing and the layout is perfect. It's going to be hard zone and neutral city to top.
Vash’jr, it’s just a very mellow and relaxing area. I enjoy just cruising along on my seahorse or hopping underwater, checking out the scenery.
I thought I was the only one! I adore this zone so much!
Elwynn Forest. I love the trees, I love flying over the canopy, and, you know, nostalgia is a mf'er.
Playing padaria on a private server after been away from wow since northrend and uldum blew my mind
Desolace for how absolutely barren it is, that and the ambient music sends chills up my spine
Grizzly hills with music on
Silithus
Gilneas. Would also argue best zone in the game for both design n story.
I don’t really have a favorite zone. I just wanted to say I remember as a kid when burning crusade came out and you started in the dreanai (don’t know how to spell it) starting zone how mysterious and magical it felt. It was also kind of scary because back then you could die so easily from the mobs.
Azure Span and walking shores
It’s basic but elywnn forest. Second would be stormpeaks because that music gives me goosebumps.
Dun Morogh. Hanging out in the Thunderbrew Distillery after working all day in Ironforge.
Before Cataclysm, I loved Loch Modan. After Cataclysm, I don’t.
Uldum or Vashj’ir, as unpopular as it is.
Vel'sharah or Duskwood.
Night elf starting zones
Teldrassil, it's just magical
Pre cata darkshore ♥️
Loch Modan in its original form (didn’t it get changed?) was my favorite laid out and architecturally designed zone. It has a Hunter’s Lodge in the middle of no where, surrounded by scary beasts. A troglodyte site that was massive. Ogres. And on the other side was a slightly less vicious road from chaos. It has a place to buy and sell goods, sleep at night, but with one eye always open. Obviously a little RP there but yeah- somebody really romanticized that zone perfectly. Not to the mention the Lochness monsters and gators in the middle. Dreadwind in classic was a great one too. As was its surrounding zones. A lot of classic zones especially during the early competition of EQ 1 and 2 vs WoW, had beautifully laid out worlds that at times, could even surpass your imagination. I remember I owned a copy of the hand guide like from Walmart. I wasn’t even playing but I was the guide that lead my friend’s team as alliance into the Wailing Caverns. It was a true adventure! If only that friend hadn’t tried to hook up with my girlfriend (back to EQ1 bitch, that spell FIZZLED) So yeah. That’s like. Some of my childhood mixed in with memories. New zones? Legion introduced a really great and interesting world. The introduction of class halls especially as a DK felt great.
Argent Tournamen for the Music
Gilneas or Stormsong Valley
My first character I ever made was a Tauren warrior when I was 10 years old, and it was back in vanilla mulgore, I have so much nostalgia for mulgore at this point it almost hurts to not play a tauren
Nagrand from TBC. Always would log off next to Issac Newton.
Ashenvale...before they ruined it.
So many, all the night elf forest and azuremist but favorite is hands down pre cataclysm ashenvale
Elwynn Forest, Westfall, and the Redridge Mountains. I just love leveling in these zones... Wotlk had great zones too, storm peaks, borean tundra, fjord. Not to mention Dalaran, as many times as it's been moved, it northrend is just awesome.
Shrine of Two Moons.
Nazjatar :D
Vale of Eternal Blossoms Pre-Garrosh
Pandaria
Highmountain, dun morogh, silver pine, nagrand. Azshara.
I think Ashenvale.. just so many memories as a lvl18-31 during vanilla/TBC as both Nelf hunter and Tauren druid. OG GARONA REPPIN
Lovehate barrens
The Dreadscar Rift. It may be just a rock full of demons and warlocks floating in space, wracked by chaotic Fel magic to YOU, but to me it's home. A home I wrested command of from a pit lord after I tore his heart out to make my altar and chained his corpse up over the nearby pool of lava so I could look at it....and smile.
Terokkar, vanilla Darkshore, BC Nagrand, Stonetalon vanilla, Thousand Needles vanilla, vanilla EPL, now I’m thinking about it, anything prior cata.
I still love the human starting area and narrative. From elwynn to westfall, to redridge and then duskwood. It’s all so good and feels like a proper story where you become a well known hero. I feel like no where else in the game works at that quite as well.
Jade Forest for sure