Zones

The new zones

Zephras Isle

The Skyborne's island home, held aloft in Skywall and falling apart when you arrive (ForeverDB lore). Blizzard's What's Next recap says Skyborne pick a faction at character creation: Horde Skyborne can be Shaman, Alliance ones Mage, and both can be Warriors, Hunters, Rogues or Druids. You can leave at any level. Alliance boats sail to Dalaran, where a Skyborne-only portal goes to Stormwind; Horde boats land at Skywatcher Plateau on the Mulgore–Desolace border, with no portal on to Orgrimmar (Method). The zone has eight rares (Rare spawns).

The Riverglades

A frontier of rivers, grasslands and trade routes about the size of Stranglethorn Vale, according to Blizzard's leveling video as reported by ForeverDB. Its flight paths are Powderfuse Port for both factions, Farholde Keep for the Alliance and Rog'mar for the Horde. The Brotherhood of the Horse (Alliance), the Bolder'ok ogres (Horde) and the goblins of Powderfuse each offer reputation. It holds the Krol'dok Stronghold dungeon (40–45) and an ogre fighting ring, the Bloodmasters' Ring. Method notes that for the Horde, the Tanaris boat is one of the easier ways into the central Eastern Kingdoms. Sources place it slightly differently: east of the Burning Steppes (ForeverDB), between Redridge and the Burning Steppes (Icy Veins zones page), or between Redridge, the Burning Steppes and the Swamp of Sorrows (Icy Veins overview).

Shen'dralas

Blizzard describes a long-hidden valley tied to the Shen'dralar of Dire Maul, the old elven city of Eldre'Thalas and the centaur tribes of the region. Wowhead says its quests send you to Razorfen Downs and Maraudon. Its exact position varies by source: between Mulgore and Desolace (Blizzard, Wowhead), between Desolace and Feralas (Icy Veins' zones page), or between all three (ForeverDB). It was above the beta cap, so nobody has played it yet.

Mount Hyjal

Sealed by Malfurion's druids for five years and open for the first time since the Third War, according to Blizzard's leveling video (ForeverDB). Players work with the Guardians of Hyjal and the Barkskin furbolgs. The client names places such as the Summit of Eternity, the Tainted Foothills and the Shrine of Aviana. Hyjal Summit, the 20-player raid, sits at the peak near Nordrassil; the 10-player Barrow Deeps lies beneath, with entrances from Hyjal, Winterspring and Blackmaw Hold (Dungeons and raids).

Darkspear Islands

Blizzard's battleground article describes a 15-versus-15 map: four capture points earn points over time, and a flag in the middle can be carried to one of your bases for more. First to 2,000 wins. The Darkspear Raiders (Horde) and the Theramore Expeditionary Force (Alliance) sell reputation gear, and Exalted unlocks a short quest for a faction tabard. The client has a "Call to Arms" week for it (ForeverDB events).

Changes to old zones

• New dungeons in familiar places: the Hall of Thanes under Ironforge, the Ruins of Lordaeron above the Undercity, the Excavation Site above Whelgar's Excavation in the Wetlands, a restored Dalaran in the Alterac Mountains, the Drowned City off Stranglethorn, Alcaz Prison in Dustwallow Marsh, Blackmaw Hold behind a sealed gate in Azshara and the Shaper's Terrace in Un'Goro (Blizzard).
• New areas confirmed in the client (ForeverDB): Whispering Forest west of Deathknell in Tirisfal, and New Avalon in the Eastern Plaguelands. Icy Veins found that New Avalon sends players back to Light's Hope Chapel, so it isn't open.
• Travel: Stormwind gains a harbour with a boat to Auberdine; a one-way boat loops Auberdine, Menethil and Southshore; boats link Menethil and Theramore, and Feathermoon Stronghold and the Forgotten Coast; the Horde gets an Orgrimmar to Grom'gol zeppelin (Method). ForeverDB counts 22 new flight paths and five new boat, zeppelin and airship routes (ForeverDB).
• Things not open yet: a rebuilt Manor Mistmantle in Duskwood, which a developer hinted at on Blizzard's podcast, and instance portals that lead nowhere at Bael Modan (Barrens), the Rustmaul Dig Site (Thousand Needles), by Farholde Keep (Riverglades) and on the Wetlands mountain farm (Icy Veins). Gilneas is visible from Silverpine and Hillsbrad behind waters patrolled by level 63 elites; anything about its future is speculation.
• Battlegrounds: a winter version of Warsong Gulch (ForeverDB).
• Looks: Blizzard mentions flowing rivers in Elwynn Forest, mist over Darkshore and moonlight in Ashenvale; the updated graphics are optional (Wowhead).

What comes later

Blizzard's roadmap promises more raids, dungeons, world content and quests, Hardcore, and a revamped iconic raid, with no dates. Blizzard has also said that datamined models are not a guide to what's coming (forum post).