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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBreakfast Topic: Exploring the World of Warcraft
by Lesley Smith 
Apr 17th 2009 at 8:00AM
So when I rolled my druid, the day before the expansion hit, I was determined to see as much as this beautifully crafted world as I could. Yes, I essentially had a death wish. I was exploring Outland with an honour guard of my guildies at level 10 (and hearthed in Shattrath), I ran through the Arathi Highlands at level thirty, swam through Un'Goro Crater in my forties and was pushing the boundaries of Shattrath by my fifties.
However along the way I found some amazing places: the crystal filled cave at Marshal's Refuge, the boughs where the Dragons of Nightmare can occasionally be found, the first time you run into Azuregos in Azshara, the Twin Colossals of Feralas -- well the eastern one at any rate. Then when I got my flying mount I really started exploring properly.Nagrand alone is full of nooks and crannies and I adore the beauty of Crystalsong Forest.
So come on, readers, I want to know if you've explored all the hidden places of Azeroth and Outland. Do you have any favourites? You do? Great, be sure to tell us about them in the comments box.
Filed under: Breakfast Topics
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 6)
Chips Apr 17th 2009 10:46AM
Well the only place I liked about barrens is a lift to the 1K Needles and the place where bugs started to build their lair. I just looooved the idea that if WoW was changing over time we would get a mini Silithus there or at least Ungoro or Tanaris (take that filthy Orcs) :)
Colin Apr 17th 2009 8:26AM
When I first started out I remember coming out of Mulgore and reading the sign post outside of Taurajo. Crossroads one way, Thousand Needles the other. Crossroads I had heard of, but not Thousand Needles. It might not be the most exciting zone quest wise, but I still love the beauty of all those spires. And it's a ton of fun if you have slow fall.
Another place I really enjoy , and I know I'll be in the minority here, is Desolace. Again not really thrilling on the quest side, but I find the Kodo Graveyard and Ghostwalker Post so interesting.
Zorganist Apr 17th 2009 8:36AM
I quite like Desolace, the Kodo Graveyard's just so cool, especially when you're a ghost. I rolled Alliance though, so the first time I set foot near Ghostwaler Post I was killed by guards. Dang.
Gristor Apr 17th 2009 9:53AM
I really love Desolace! I remember I had a great feeling going there from Charred Vale (another of my favourite places): when you enter those zones (I'm Ally so I was really far from home) you feel you are already entering the epic part of the game... No more Elwynns, no more Westfalls and so on... You are entering forbidden territory! I LOVED IT!! Just GREAT!
Zorganist Apr 17th 2009 8:29AM
My favourite's probably the Caverns of Time, what with the buildings embedded in the walls, the frozen segment of Stratholme and the wacking great hourglass in the middle of the thing. Not to mentionm the sky in that place.
rosencratz Apr 17th 2009 8:30AM
There's a small boat, laden with guns and such on top of a mountain near wintergarde keep. I often hang out there to cook, log off and wait for raid times.
It's just an odd sight really.
I love mostly anywhere in Howling Fjord though tbh.
NoTomorrow Apr 17th 2009 8:34AM
Blades edge mountains for me (at least at 70). I loved flying around all the impaled dragons and stuff there.
Before that, I'd say seeing thunder bluff for the first time. It was amazing to me.
Nehala Apr 17th 2009 8:37AM
I just loved everything in the Un'goro crater, but particularly finding all the crystals. I think Sholazar Basin has taken Un'goro's place in my heart, though. I love everything in that zone.
Hasteur Apr 17th 2009 8:36AM
Ironforge Airport anybody?
Personally I like Ogri-la the best.
Microtonal Apr 17th 2009 8:36AM
My favorite old-world zone is probably Felwood. The Hinterlands is nice, too. In Outland, I'd go with Nagrand, although nothing there ever *really* thrilled me in terms of visual appeal alone.
With Wrath, I've fallen completely in love with the Grizzly Hills. I grew up just outside of Washington, DC, and GH really reminds me of taking trips out to the Shenandoah Valley. And sometimes I go to GH just to sit there and listen to that lovely Appalachian fiddle music looping over it.
In general, I've been really impressed with the visual design of Northrend, even after working through it with four different toons.
Virginian Apr 17th 2009 9:45AM
OMG! A fellow Virginian! I know that area well. Blue Ridge Parkway is beautiful. I grew up in Blacksburg.
RyuHakubi Apr 17th 2009 1:27PM
Bah, he's not a Real Virginian, he's one o' dem NoVa Yankees! Though at least he has the decency to know proper music when he hears it. ;-D
Now you, you get real Virginian credit. Blacksburg ain't that *exciting* a place, but it is near some beautiful territory, and the parkway's gorgeous in the fall...
God, I miss the Blue Ridge. :-(
foodlion Apr 17th 2009 5:28PM
I too love the Grizzly Hills and its awesome soundtrack. It really does remind me of the Blue Ridge Mtns. Which speaking of, I can almost see out my window!!!
Gotta love ol' VA.
lolsloth Apr 17th 2009 8:37AM
the most beautiful zone by far is Azshara :d its just a shame almost no one gets the chance to pay it a visit anymore... Do It!! especially the cliff spot in the south east next to the statue thats a pair of legs ;)
Gristor Apr 17th 2009 10:02AM
I still believe the zone will get some love when the Maelstrom expansion is out ;)
Akuun Apr 17th 2009 8:38AM
even with the ease of travel today i sometimes take the long routes and walk it anyway because i love azeroth so much! :D
Marveen Apr 17th 2009 8:41AM
Once took my priest (Levitate ftw!) on a fishing trip around Kalimdor. Followed the coast from Theramore to Desolace.. and found some interesting things at the end of the world.. :)
Also was a nice trip to go fishing from Stormwind to Menethil - but that was before they finished building the Stormwind Harbour.
Alanid Apr 17th 2009 8:43AM
I already had most of the areas finished for the explorer title and tabard when achievements kicked in, pre-TBC i used to explore everywhere, and it was really fun to do so on my human paladin. The downside being that when im lvling an alt i've seen most places before anyways. Starting horde alt soon, looks to be fun ^^
Alanid Apr 17th 2009 8:45AM
also thought i'd add, that pre-TBC i went and swam all the way from the hinterlands up behind quel'thalas, ofc it didnt exist, much like Gilneas it was just ocean. However eventually i did find some elven ruins, much like there is in azshara. I also remember finding a little shed behind stormwind... good times.
Mike Apr 17th 2009 9:07AM
Lol, i think i found those same ruins. On my hunter at about level 32 i tried to swim from Tirisfal Glades to the Ghostlands. I was confused when i got to Tranquillen and i was still swiming. Of courses i didnt realize at the time that it wasnt really there and was part of a different instance. But i did find some cool tower way out there. In hindsight i should have kept swimming and got the Hinterlands flight point but i thought swimming down until i died would be more fun. Those were the days...