Leveling guide [Handbook]

Level 1 – 10 (12)

When starting out there is no better place than your starting zone. There is no point in going anywhere else, leveling will be super quick and the 10 -15 first levels shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours. The Quests are also very linear and self-explanatory.

Horde:

• Goblin – Kezan / Lost Isles until level 12
• Orc and Trolls – Durotar until level 10.
• Blood Elves – Eversong Wood until level 10
• Tauren – Mulgore until level 10
• Undead – Trisfal Glades until level 10
• Pandaren – Wandering Isle until level 10 

Alliance:

• Worgen – Gilneas City / Gilneas until level 12
• Draenei – Azuremyst Isle until level 10
• Dwarves and Gnomes – Dun Morogh until level 10
• Humans – Elwynn Forest until level 10
• Night Elves – Teldrassil until level 10
• Undead – Trisfal Glades until level 10
• Pandaren – Wandering Isle until level 10 

Level 10 – 20
After finishing your starting zone, choices will start to open up and you get to travel a bit. But if you want to level as fast as possible I would advise you to go to a zone near your starting zone. Time spent traveling is time wasted, and because leveling will still be extremely fast there is really no point in going too far.

Westfall Level 10 – 15
Westfall is a good zone for humans to go to after Elwynn forest. The instance the Deadmines (15 -20) is also in this zone, so if you can get a group together it’s a good run to get some starting gear and fast XP.

Azshara Level 10 – 20
Mostly a horde zone, Azshara is good for leveling as it’s close to Orgrimmar and can be combined with leveling in the Barrens and Ashenvale.

Bloodmyst Isle Level 10 -20
Bloodmyst Isle is the next zone up for Draenei who are finishing up their starting zone.

Darkshore Level 10 -20
Darkshore is a good place for Horde characters to level in their 20’s. There are a lot of quests here and it connects with Ashvale where you can go when you finish up.

Ghostlands Level 10 -20
Ghostlands is the place to go if you are a Blood Elf that’s finished in Eversong Woods, as the two zones are connected.

Loch Modan Level 10 – 20
Dwarves and Gnomes can move on to Loch Modan after finishing up in Dun Morogh.

Northern Barrens Level 10 – 20
One of the most famous zones in WoW, for both its legendary chat channel and for being a good leveling zone. Most Orcs, Trolls and Tauren will find their way here after their starting zone. All other horde characters should consider traveling to Orgrimmar and then to the Barrens to level. Loads of quick quests here, and the Wailing Caverns instance.

Silverpine Forest Level 10 – 20
Undead characters can start doing quests here after finishing up their starting area. Shadowfang Keep is also located in this zone.

Ruins of Gilneas Level 14 – 16
This zone is connected to both the Worgen Starting Area and Silverpine Forest.

Redridge Mountains Level 15 – 20
This zone is located next to Elwynn Forest, and is ideal to move on to after / when leveling in Westfall.

Instances :

I start using the Dungeon Finder as soon as I can. Just combine using the Dungeon Finder for groups while doing quests elsewhere. You get fast XP and good gear in turn making leveling faster. In the early levels most players are decked out in Heirloom gear, and you will blast through instances in no time.

• Ragefire Chasm Level 15 – 21
• Deadmines Level 15 – 21
• Wailing Caverns Level 15 – 25
• Shadowfang Keep Level 16 – 26

Level 20 -40
Now that you are level 20, a few more choices will open up for you. Some of the previous zones will take you into one of the ones below, and cutting down traveling time is still important to level fast. Some zones like Ashenvale and especially Stranglethorn is worth traveling to as the leveling here is very quick.

Ashenvale Level 20 – 25
Ashenvale is a very good leveling zone for both factions with tons of quests and some good rewards. The instance Blackfathom Deeps is also located here with some good quests and will provide quick XP if you do a run or two.

Duskwood Level 20 -25
Duskwood is primarily a Alliance zone and provides some good leveling. It’s a good place to go after Redridge Mountains as it lies right next to it and some quests cross over.

Hillsbrad Foothills Level 20 – 25
Primarily a horde zone after the cataclysm. Hillsbrad provides horde characters in their 20’s with a lot of quests.

Wetlands Level 20 -25
Mostly a Alliance zone, some decent XP here.

Arathi Highlands Level 25 – 30
Arathi Highlands is an excellent leveling zone for both sides. And if you like PvP you can get some quests here for the Arathi Basin battleground so you can PvP while you level for a while.

Northern Stranglethorn Level 25 – 30
Northern Stranglethorn is a legendary zone, the quest XP here is great and leveling is fast. There are usually a lot of people here, and you will probably be killed a few times if you are on a PvP server.

Stonetalon Mountains Level 25 – 30
Good place to move on to from Ashenvale or the Barrens. Quick XP and quite a few quests.

Cape of Stanglethorn Level 30 – 35
When questing in Northern Stranglethorn you will eventually move towards the Cape of Stranglethorn. It’s pretty much the same zone.

Desolace Level 30 – 35
Good and quick leveling for both factions. The Maraudon instance is also here.

Hinterlands Level 30 – 35
The Hinterlands provides some good XP for both factions.

Southern Barrens Level 30 – 35
Southern Barrens is a very good leveling zone for characters of both factions in their early 30’s. And can be combined easily with leveling in Duswallow Marsh.

Dustwallow Marsh Level 35 – 40
Good zone for both factions. Right next to Southern Barrens which is in the same level range.

Feralas Level 35 -40
Great leveling zone for both classes. A bunch of quests and a great all around zone. The Dire Maul instances are located here.

Western Plaguelands Level 35 – 40
Filled with the undead of the Scourge, the Western Plaguelands provides some good leveling for both factions.

Instances :

Continue to use the Dungeon finder, especially after picking up a good few quests for the various zones. Groups with a lot of heirloom items will still blast through instances in no time.

• Blackfathom Deeps Level 20 – 30
• The Stockade Level 20 – 30
• Gnomeregan Level 24 – 34
• Scarlet Monastery: Library Level 29 – 39
• Razorfen Kraul Level 30 – 40
• Maraudon: The Wicked Grotto Level 30 – 40
• Scarlet Monastery: Armory Level 32 – 42
• Maraudon: Foulspore Cavern Level 32- 42
• Maraudon: Earth Song Falls Level 34 – 44
• Scarlet Monastery: Cathedral Level 35- 45
• Uldaman Level 35 – 45
• Dire Maul: Warpwood Quarter Level 36 – 46

Level 40 – 60
The next leg of the leveling journey is level 40 – 60. Leveling will slow down a bit now but knowing what zones to hit up will make it a lot easier. I also suggest you gear up at around level 40 by either doing instances or getting some gear of the AH.

Eastern Plaguelands 40-45
After finishing up in Western Plaguelands you can move on to the Eastern Plaguelands. Some of the quests will send you there anyway.

Thousand Needles 40-45
Thousand Needles was flooded during the cataclysm and is now a 40 – 45 zone. It is a good leveling zone for both Factions.

Badlands 45-48
The Badlands is a desert zone with good quests for both factions. The instance Uldaman is also located here.

Felwood 45-50
The corrupted forest of Felwood was made into a 45-50 zone with Cata and is a fairly good leveling zone for both factions.

Tanaris 45-50
Tanaris is one of the best leveling zones for your late 40’s. Tons of quests and fast leveling.

Searing Gorge 48-50
Searing Gorge provides players with some quick and easy XP.

Burning Steppes 50-52
Decent zone for early 50’s leveling.

Un’Goro Crater 50-55
The Un’Goro Crater is a relatively small zone with a selection of quests for both factions.

Winterspring 50-55
Winterspring is a very good zone for leveling in your low to mid 50’s. Good amount of quests and grinding areas.

Swamp of Sorrows 52-54
Used to be mostly a horde zone, but after Cataclysm this zone is a viable option for both factions.

Blasted Lands 54-58
This zone was revamped for Cataclysm and is a very good leveling zone. It has a lot of quests and good areas to level up.

Scarlet Enclave 55-58
This is the starting Area for Death knights and is only a viable leveling option for Death Knights.

Deadwind Pass 55-60
Deadwind Pass is a tiny zone mostly inhabited by Ogres. Not many quests but good for grinding.

Silithus 55-60
Silithus is a great zone for both factions and is one of the best zones to level in when in your late 50’s.


Instances :

• Dire Maul: Capital Gardens Level 39 – 49
• Razorfen Downs Level 40-50
• Dire Maul: Gordock Commons Level 42-52
• Stratholme: Main Gate Level 42-52
• Zul’Farrak Level 44-54
• Stratholme: Service Entrance Level 46-56
• Blackrock Depths: Detention Block Level 47-57
• Temple of Atal’Hakkar Level 50-60
• Blackrock Depths: Upper City Level 51-61
• Lower Blackrock Spire Level 55-65
• Upper Blackrock Spire Level 55-65
• Hellfire Peninsula Level 58-63

Hellfire Peninsula is the first zone you get to when stepping through the dark portal. Both the Alliance and the Horde have several settlements and quest hubs in the zone. Leveling is quick here, so stay until around level 62-63 then move on to Zangarmarsh.

Zangarmarsh Level 60-64
The next zone after Hellfire Peninsula is the Mushroom forest of Zangarmarsh to the west. Like all of Outland it has plenty of quests for both factions and leveling is generally quick and easy.

Terokkar Forest Level 62-65
Terokkar is a viable option for players finishing up in Zangarmarsh. Most of the time I tend to skip this zone and go straight to Nagrand at around level 63 – 64.

Nagrand Level 64-67
After Zangarmarsh you should move on to Nagrand. The zone have quite a few good quests, and if your zone holds Halaa you will get some advantages like more quest givers and turn ins. The zone is good leveling until around level 66 – 67.

Blade’s Edge Mountains Level 65-68
Blade’s Edge Mountains provided some good XP and leveling for both factions. But I usually head over to Wrath of The Lich King zones at around level 67 – 68.

Netherstorm Level 67-70
Netherstorm is a good zone for leveling but consider moving to a Wotlk zone before finishing up and leveling all the way to 70 here. The same goes for Shadowmoon Valley below.

Shadowmoon Valley Level 67-70

Instances :

• Hellfire Citadel: Hellfire Ramparts Level 57-67
• Hellfire Citadel: The Blood Furnace Level 59-68
• Coilfang Reservoir: Slave Pens Level 60-69
• Coilfang Reservoir: The Underbog Level 61-70
• Auchindoun: Mana-Tombs Level 62-71
• Auchindoun: Auchenai Crypts Level 63-72
• Caverns of Time: Escape from Durnholde Keep Level 64-73
• Auchindoun: Sethekk Halls Level 65-73
• Coilfang Reservoir: The Steamvault Level 67-75
• Auchindoun: Shadow Labyrinth Level 67-75
• Hellfire Citadel: Shattered Halls Level 67-75
• Tempest Keep: The Mechanar Level 67-75
• Tempest Keep: The Botanica Level 67-75
• Caverns of Time: Opening the Dark Portal Level 68-75
• Tempest Keep: The Arcatraz Level 68-75
• Magisters’ Terrace Level 68-75
• Howling Fjord Level 68-72

Along with Borean Tundra, the Howling Fjord is the starting zone in Northrend. Both zones are viable from around level 68 and combining questing in both zones can be very efficient.

Borean Tundra Level 68 – 72
Borean Tundra is one of the two starting zones of Wotlk and is one of the first areas you will visit. Go here at around level 68, then move on at around 72.

Dragonblight Level 71-74
The Dragon graveyard of Dragonblight is a big zone in the middle of Northrend. There are quite a few quest hubs here and a lot of quests to do. Hit up this zone after finishing up in Borean Tundra and Howling Fjord.

Grizzly Hills Level 73-75
After finishing up in Dragonblight move on to Grizzly Hills. Tons of quests and good places to level.

Zul’Drak Level 77-78
At around level 77 it’s a good time to hit up Zul’Drak. Mostly inhabited by Trolls, this zone has plenty of quests and areas to level in for both factions.

Sholazar Basin Level 78-80
The Sholazar Basin is a dense jungle. The quest here should take you to level 80, but if you still have a ways to go you can combine leveling here with some of the zones below.

Icecrown Level 77-80
Has a few good leveling locations with some quests.

Storm Peaks Level 77-80
Also a viable leveling location for your late 70’s with some good quests.

Instances :

• Utgarde Keep Level 67-68
• The Nexus Level 68
• Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom Level 70
• Azjol-Nerub Level 69
• Drak’Tharon Keep Level 71
• The Violet Hold Level 72
• Gundrak Level 73
• Halls of Stone Level 74
• Halls of Lightning Level 75
• The Oculus Level 75
• Caverns of Time: Culling of Stratholme Level 75
• Utgarde Pinnacle Level 75
• Trial of the Champion Level 75
• Forge of Souls Level 75
• Pit of Saron Level 75
• Halls of Reflection Level 75
• Mount Hyjal Level 80-82

The first zone you should hit up is Mount Hyjal. The zone is fairly large with some long quest lines and a lot of quests that will level you up to around level 82 pretty fast. Questing here can also be combined with questing in Vashj’ir if you want to switch it up a bit.

Vashj’ir Level 80-82
Vashj’ir is another 80 – 82 zone. I would recommend going to Mount Hyjal first as questing and leveling is a bit faster and easier there. Combining the two zones is also a viable choice.

Deepholm Level 82-83
At around level 82 after finishing up in Vashj’ir and Mount Hyjal you should move on to Deepholm. The zone is located underground and is filled with caves and tunnels. Traveling around can be a bit tedious but leveling is generally fast.

Uldum Level 83-84
At level 83 move on to Uldum. Uldum is a giant desert in Southern Kalimdor. You will spend some time traveling around the zone but there are a lot of quests.

Twilight Highlands Level 84-85
Twilight Highlands have some of the best and different quests in the game. Leveling from 84 – 85 doesn’t take long and if you haven’t done the quests to many times before they are really fun.

Instances :

• Throne of the Tides Level 80-82
• Blackrock Caverns Level 80-82
• The Stonecore Level 81-84
• Vortex Pinnacle Level 81-84
• Lost City of the Tol’vir Level 83
• Halls of Origination Level 83
• Grim Batol Level 84
• Jade Forest Level Level 85-86

Your first time in Pandaria you should head for Jade Forest as it’s the level 85 – 86 zone. It’s the only starting zone and the mobs and quests are the lowest level of the zones. Dawn’s Blossom has quests for both factions and portals and is the biggest quest hub. Bind here to have quick traveling routes to all of Azeroth. The Instance Temple of the Jade Serpent is also in this zone and is worth hitting up.

Valley of the Four Winds and Krasarang Wilds Level 86-87
After finishing up in Jade Forest you can move on to Valley of the Four Winds, questing here can be combined with Krasarang Wilds as both zones are the same level range. Some of the quests cross over the zones, and the zones are right next to each other.

Kun-Lai Summit Level 87-88
At around level 87 you can move on to Kun-Lai Summit. The zone is huge and leveling to level 88 is pretty quick and easy. The battles between the Horde and Alliance steps up here as they battle for hold of Pandaria.

Townlong Steppes / Dread Wastes / Vale of Eternal Blossoms Level 88-90

At level 88 you will have a few options for places to level. All these three zones have quests available for level 88 – 89 characters and are viable options for leveling. You can do these zones in any order and switch it up as you like.

Instances:

• Stormstout Brewery Level 85-87
• Temple of the Jade Serpent Level 85-87
• Mogu’Shan Palace Level 87-89
• Shado-pan Monastery Level 87-89

TIPS : Before you start with this guide,it might be smart to go over these tips as they will cut down on leveling time.

• Have a lot of bags, this saves a lot of time as you don’t have to go back and sell all the time.
• Stack up on consumables like potions, food and water. So you don’t have to go back and buy it and waste time.
• Join a guild that’s level 6 or higher to get the Fast Track perk that will give you 10 % increase in XP gain.
• Find the spec that’s the best at leveling for your class.
• Heirloom items will give you experience gain bonuses and will cut down leveling time tremendously.
• Loot or Don’t loot. If you are a rich player you probably won’t need to loot everything. I always have hundreds of thousands of gold so i almost never loot anymore since i prioritize leveling speed ahead of a few gold.
• Many player’s prefer to solo when leveling their characters, but consider using the dungeon finder or group up with friends or other players as it can yield a lot of quick XP.
• Getting a RAF account will award you with 3 x XP and leveling up to level 80 can be done in a few hours.