GameTimeline

Release & story order

Warcraft timeline

Blizzard's Warcraft universe from Orcs & Humans (1994) through World of Warcraft and every major expansion to Midnight (2026). Release lists RTS chapters and each WoW expansion as one row—no individual raid tiers. Story follows the same Azeroth saga order; Classic re-releases and Reforged share slots with originals. Card games (Hearthstone) and mobile (Rumble) stay FAQ-only.

Updated August 2026

Pick your path:

WoW expansions RTS + WoW Worldsoul Saga Full release list Story order

Where to start

Pick WoW modern for MMO-only from vanilla through Midnight, RTS + WoW for the full Blizzard saga from Warcraft III, or Latest only for The War Within → Midnight catch-up.

  • Chromie Time and boosts skip older expansions—Essentials is lore order, not leveling route
  • Classic Season servers reuse expansion rows—same story slots
  • Midnight is live as of March 2026—check Battle.net for current season

Release order

When Blizzard shipped each RTS chapter and WoW expansion in the US—Warcraft (1994) through Midnight (March 2, 2026). Each WoW expansion is one row; seasonal patches and raid tiers are not separate entries.

  • MMO-only 2026 → start at The War Within or Midnight with Chromie Time—RTS optional
  • Full saga → RTS Warcraft III + TFT → WoW through Midnight
  • Classic replays → same story slots as original launch rows—FAQ
  • Hearthstone / Warcraft Rumble → optional—not listed as titles
Story order tips

Azeroth main saga: RTS Reign of Chaos → The Frozen Throne → World of Warcraft through Midnight. Same order as Release for the MMO arc; RTS chapters I–II optional prehistory.

  • RTS foundation → Reign of Chaos → The Frozen Throne before WoW if you want Arthas context
  • WoW arc → vanilla → Burning Crusade → … → Midnight
  • Skip Orcs & Humans / Warcraft II unless completionist—FAQ summarizes
  • On Story order, expansion finales may be hidden—reveal when ready

Timeline

0/16 played

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Warcraft: Orcs & Humans

    Warcraft: Orcs & Humans

    PCMacRTSMainline

    Warcraft: Orcs & Humans (1994) opens Azeroth—the First War between Stormwind and the Horde that Blizzard still references in every expansion loading screen.

    Overview
    Real-time strategy on grid maps with peasant economies and hero-less skirmishes—Blizzard's fantasy answer to Dune II that seeded the entire IP.
    In-game setting
    Earliest canonical beat—Stormwind's fall sets up Warcraft II. No shared save with later games.
    Should you play it?
    Retro lore archaeology only. Modern WoW players can skip and start at Warcraft III or jump straight to World of Warcraft—FAQ covers gaps.
    Release date
    US November 23, 1994 (PC); Mac port followed. Available via GOG/Battle.net bundles—not required hardware for 2026 WoW.
  2. Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness

    Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness

    PCMacRTSMainline

    Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness (1995) continues the Second War—naval tiles, oil economies, and the fall of Lordaeron that define classic RTS nostalgia.

    Overview
    Introduced fog of war refinements, naval combat, and campaign missions that still read cleanly on modern remasters.
    In-game setting
    Bridges to Warcraft III through Alliance/Horde aftermath. Spin-off card games (Hearthstone) are unrelated order.
    Should you play it?
    Optional before Warcraft III unless you want every cinematic beat. Beyond the Dark Portal expansion stays FAQ-only—same war epilogue.
    Release date
    US December 9, 1995. Remastered in Warcraft I & II Remastered (2024)—buy remaster over floppy-era discs.
  3. Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos

    Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos

    PCMacRTSMainline

    Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (2002) is the WoW prerequisite—Arthas, Thrall, Tyrande, and the Burning Legion invasion that every MMO quest giver still mentions.

    Overview
    Hero units, creep camps, and four asymmetric factions taught the MOBA genre (DotA grew from its editor). Cinematic quality leap before World of Warcraft.
    In-game setting
    Direct prequel to World of Warcraft vanilla—Arthas's fall and Archimonde's defeat anchor later expansions.
    Should you play it?
    Required if you want RTS context before WoW. Many MMO-only players watch recap videos instead—acceptable but you lose Culling of Stratholme weight.
    Release date
    US July 3, 2002. Reforged (2020) replaces original client—controversial launch but same story slot.
  4. Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne

    Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne

    PCMacRTSExpansionMainline

    Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne (2003) finishes the RTS arc—Illidan, Blood Elves, Naga, and Arthas claiming the Frozen Throne.

    Overview
    Expansion campaigns that split heroes across continents—Maiev hunts Illidan while the Scourge consolidates Northrend.
    In-game setting
    Last RTS chapter before World of Warcraft (2004). Sets up Lich King status quo for Wrath of the Lich King callbacks.
    Should you play it?
    Mandatory RTS finale before WoW fiction clicks. Never skip if playing the RTS path—base Reign of Chaos alone ends mid-crisis.
    Release date
    US July 1, 2003. Bundled in Reforged and Battle Chest listings.
  5. World of Warcraft

    World of Warcraft

    PCMacMMORPGMainline

    World of Warcraft (2004) launches the MMO era—vanilla Azeroth from Elwynn to Molten Core, the game that turned the RTS cast into a living server.

    Overview
    Quest hubs, 40-player raids, and faction identity at launch scale. Classic re-releases (2019+) are the same story slot—FAQ, not duplicate rows.
    In-game setting
    Story continues through every expansion row below—one continuous Azeroth timeline on Story tab.
    Should you play it?
    WoW-only path starts here. RTS optional. Newcomers in 2026 usually begin at latest expansion (Midnight) with Chromie Time—FAQ explains catch-up.
    Release date
    US November 23, 2004. Still on Battle.net; Classic seasonal rules vary.
  6. The Burning Crusade

    The Burning Crusade

    PCMacMMORPGExpansion

    The Burning Crusade (2007) opens the Dark Portal—Outland, Illidan's Black Temple, and Blood Elf/Draenei hero classes.

    Overview
    First expansion—flying mounts in Outland, heroic dungeons, and raid tiers that set WoW's seasonal cadence for decades.
    In-game setting
    Illidan raid payoff from The Frozen Throne. Leads into Wrath Northrend arc.
    Should you play it?
    Sequential for lore completionists replaying the whole saga. Modern players skip via boost—see FAQ.
    Release date
    US January 16, 2007.
  7. Wrath of the Lich King

    Wrath of the Lich King

    PCMacMMORPGExpansion

    Wrath of the Lich King (2008) is Arthas's Northrend campaign—Death Knight hero class, Icecrown Citadel, and the franchise's most cited villain arc.

    Overview
    Phasing tech, dungeon finder prototype culture, and Ulduar/Hardmode raid design that fans still benchmark.
    In-game setting
    Closes Lich King saga started in Warcraft III. Story tab anchor for undead plot.
    Should you play it?
    Fan-favorite expansion—worth a Classic replay. Essential context for Shadowlands Bolvar threads.
    Release date
    US November 13, 2008. Wrath Classic (2022) replays same story.
  8. Cataclysm

    Cataclysm

    PCMacMMORPGExpansion

    Cataclysm (2010) remakes the old world—Deathwing breaks Azeroth, underwater Vashj'ir, and redesigned starter zones.

    Overview
    Global zone revamp plus Archaeology profession—first expansion to rewrite vanilla geography.
    In-game setting
    Sets up faction war tensions that Mists and Battle for Azeroth later amplify.
    Should you play it?
    Replay for Deathwing raid nostalgia; skip on modern catch-up unless completionist.
    Release date
    US December 7, 2010.
  9. Mists of Pandaria

    Mists of Pandaria

    PCMacMMORPGExpansion

    Mists of Pandaria (2012) detours to Pandaria—monk class, serene zones, and a Garrosh corruption arc that ends in a faction civil war.

    Overview
    Scenario content, pet battles, and tonal shift toward character-driven faction politics.
    In-game setting
    Garrosh's fall is prerequisite emotional context for Warlords of Draenor.
    Should you play it?
    Often praised standalone—good Classic replay. Leads directly into Warlords time-travel premise.
    Release date
    US September 25, 2012.
  10. Warlords of Draenor

    Warlords of Draenor

    PCMacMMORPGExpansion

    Warlords of Draenor (2014) time-skips to an alternate Draenor—Garrisons dominate endgame while Gul'dan escapes to set up Legion.

    Overview
    Garrison meta-system and raid-lite outliers; story controversial but Gul'dan stinger is mandatory for later expansions.
    In-game setting
    Alternate timeline—not main universe Draenor. Gul'dan's return launches Legion.
    Should you play it?
    Shorter expansion—many speed-run the campaign for Gul'dan bridge only.
    Release date
    US November 13, 2014.
  11. Legion

    Legion

    PCMacMMORPGExpansion

    Legion (2016) brings the Burning Legion's full invasion—Artifact weapons, Demon Hunters, and Broken Isles zone design praised as a WoW high point.

    Overview
    Class halls, world quests, and Mythic+ cadence that modern WoW still inherits.
    In-game setting
    Illidan returns; Argus raid closes Second Legion invasion storyline.
    Should you play it?
    Strong solo replay value. Sets up Sargeras sword wound that Battle for Azeroth explores.
    Release date
    US August 30, 2016.
  12. Battle for Azeroth

    Battle for Azeroth

    PCMacMMORPGExpansion

    Battle for Azeroth (2018) reignites Horde vs Alliance war— island expeditions, Warfronts, and Old Gods corruption under the sea.

    Overview
    Faction pride campaigns with twin continent stories; Azshara and N'Zoth raids link to Shadowlands.
    In-game setting
    Leads into jailor storyline—Sylvanas's choices echo through Midnight.
    Should you play it?
    Watch recap if skipping—Sylvanas arc matters for Shadowlands and Dragonflight.
    Release date
    US August 14, 2018.
  13. Shadowlands

    Shadowlands

    PCMacMMORPGExpansion

    Shadowlands (2020) sends heroes to the afterlife—covenant systems, Bastion/Maldraxxus/Revendreth, and the Jailer arc that reshaped death lore.

    Overview
    Torghast roguelite layer and level squish—controversial systems but major lore reveals for Sylvanas and Denathrius.
    In-game setting
    Sets up Worldsoul Saga—Anduin/Veiled Market threads continue in The War Within.
    Should you play it?
    Campaign-heavy; many players watch summary then jump to Dragonflight.
    Release date
    US November 23, 2020.
  14. Dragonflight

    Dragonflight

    PCMacMMORPGExpansion

    Dragonflight (2022) returns to Azeroth's Dragon Isles—dracthyr evoker class, dragonriding traversal, and Alexstrasza's legacy.

    Overview
    Crafting revamp and talent tree UI overhaul—modern onboarding friendly compared to older expansions.
    In-game setting
    Closes Dragon Aspects arc; transitions to underground/Worldsoul saga.
    Should you play it?
    Good 2024-era re-entry before The War Within if you skipped Shadowlands.
    Release date
    US November 28, 2022.
  15. The War Within

    The War Within

    PCMacMMORPGExpansion

    The War Within (2024) opens the Worldsoul Saga—Khaz Algar underground continents, delves, and the first chapter against Xal'atath's void schemes.

    Overview
    Delves solo/co-op content, Warbands account-wide progress, and deeper Earthen lore ties.
    In-game setting
    Direct prequel to Midnight—Anduin/Alleria arcs continue.
    Should you play it?
    Current saga chapter one—play before Midnight for full continuity. New players can start here with boost.
    Release date
    US August 26, 2024.
  16. Midnight

    Midnight

    PCMacMMORPGExpansion

    Midnight (2026) continues the Worldsoul Saga on Quel'Thalas—Void corruption, housing, and the Light vs Void war against Xal'atath.

    Overview
    Player housing, revamped UI, and endgame seasons (Curse of Ula'tek) extend the MMO live-service model.
    In-game setting
    Worldsoul Saga part two—sets up unannounced finale expansion. Neighbor: Diablo timeline.
    Should you play it?
    Latest expansion as of August 2026—end of current release list until the next chapter ships.
    Release date
    US March 2, 2026 worldwide launch (Epic Edition early access February 26, 2026).

FAQ

RTS vs WoW order, Classic/Reforged, catch-up boosts, spin-offs, and Worldsoul Saga placement.

Release order

Release order lists US launch dates for RTS games and each WoW expansion. Story order on this page follows the same main Azeroth saga sequence—RTS Warcraft III chapters then WoW expansions in fictional chronology. Alternate timelines (e.g., Warlords of Draenor) still sit in their launch rows; FAQ notes where they branch.

Active players: jump into Midnight (March 2026) with the level boost or Warbands catch-up Blizzard offers on Battle.net. Lore-first: play Warcraft III: Reforged campaigns → The Frozen Throne → watch recap or play Wrath Classic → resume at The War Within → Midnight. RTS-only: Warcraft III duo is enough before any WoW.

Story & lore

Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and The Frozen Throne are the only RTS chapters most WoW players need—they explain Arthas, Thrall, Illidan, and the Frozen Throne. Orcs & Humans and Warcraft II are optional 1990s prehistory. Many MMO players skip RTS entirely and use this timeline as a checklist after watching cinematics.

Classic & remasters

WoW Classic (2019+) and expansion Classic seasons replay the same expansion rows—no duplicate timeline entries. Warcraft III: Reforged (2020) replaces the 2002–2003 client for story purposes. Warcraft I & II Remastered (2024) covers the first two RTS chapters. Buy remasters instead of original discs when possible.

Optional & spin-offs

**Hearthstone**, **Warcraft Rumble**, and canceled mobile projects are **optional**—no continuous Azeroth campaign order on this page. They share art and characters but not one linear playthrough list. For dark-fantasy Blizzard siblings see the [Diablo timeline](/diablo).

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.