Originally released on January 16, 2007, World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade marked the first official expansion for Blizzard’s MMORPG phenomenon WoW. Breaking sales records with over 2.4 million copies sold on its release day, this expansion introduced players to a new world—Outland—while expanding the game’s content with new races, dungeons, and PvP systems. As Azeroth was threatened by demonic forces, players took the fight beyond the Dark Portal to battle Illidan Stormrage and the Burning Legion itself.
The Burning Crusade – Official Trailer
What’s New in The Burning Crusade?
Two New Playable Races
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- Blood Elves (Horde): Once High Elves, now addicted to magic and aligned with the Horde. Their capital city is Silvermoon, and their mount is the hawkstrider.
- Draenei (Alliance): Noble exiles from Argus, now settled in the Exodar. Their racial mount is the elekk.
These races unlocked previously faction-exclusive classes—Paladin (for Horde) and Shaman (for Alliance).
Level Cap Raised to 70
Players could now push beyond level 60, unlocking powerful new abilities and gear. With level 70 came access to new dungeons, flying mounts (restricted to Outland), and epic-level raid content.
PvP Overhaul
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- Arena System: Teams could engage in 2v2, 3v3, and 5v5 combat for rankings and seasonal rewards.
- New Battleground – Eye of the Storm: A capture-point style map combining objectives and flag-based gameplay.
- Outdoor PvP Zones: Locations like Hellfire Peninsula and Terokkar offered capture objectives and regional buffs.
Flying Mounts
At level 70, players unlocked the ability to fly in Outland. While limited to the new zones, this changed the pace of travel and exploration significantly.
Plot Overview
The Burning Legion Returns
Led by the demon lord Kil’jaeden and his agents, the Burning Legion invades Outland. Doom Lord Kazzak reopens the Dark Portal, prompting Azeroth’s forces to launch an expedition to stop the invasion at its source.
Illidan Stormrage and the Black Temple
Illidan the Betrayer controls much of Outland, including the Black Temple. Once allies like Kael’thas and Lady Vashj turn rogue, Illidan finds himself cornered by rebel factions and Azerothian heroes. Eventually, players storm the Black Temple and defeat Illidan with the help of Maiev Shadowsong and Akama.
Zul’Aman and the Return of Zul’jin
With the focus on Outland, the troll warlord Zul’jin prepares his own revenge from Zul’Aman, summoning animal gods and preparing to strike both Horde and Alliance. Players intervene and defeat him in one of the expansion’s later raid updates.
Fury of the Sunwell
In the final chapter, Kael’thas returns to Silvermoon and attempts to summon Kil’jaeden into Azeroth using the Sunwell. The Shattered Sun Offensive is formed, and with help from Kalecgos and Anveena, players prevent the demonic incursion—at a great cost.
New Classes & Faction Synergy
The Burning Crusade rebalanced faction dynamics:
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- Blood Elf Paladins filled the void of holy warriors in the Horde.
- Draenei Shamans brought spiritual strength to the Alliance.
This allowed each faction to have access to both Paladins and Shamans for the first time, reshaping PvP and raid compositions.
PvP Tournaments & Arena Rise
The introduction of the Arena system helped establish World of Warcraft as a legitimate eSport:
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- Blizzard-sponsored Arena Seasons with rewards and global ladders.
- Third-party events like the World Series of Video Games (WSVG).
- BlizzCon 2007 featured its first official Arena World Championship.
Legacy and Impact
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- Redefined faction identity and class balance.
- Elevated WoW’s eSports and PvP landscape.
- Introduced flying mounts and a new world to explore.
- Set the foundation for more complex, layered expansions like Wrath of the Lich King.
Even today, The Burning Crusade is fondly remembered for its high-stakes raids like Karazhan, Black Temple, and Sunwell Plateau. It remains one of the most influential expansions in MMO history.
The Burning Crusade FAQ
When did The Burning Crusade release?
January 16, 2007.
What level can you reach in TBC?
The level cap was raised from 60 to 70.
Can Horde play Paladin in The Burning Crusade?
Yes, Blood Elves introduced Paladins to the Horde.
What’s the new world in this expansion?
Outland—a shattered realm with new zones like Nagrand, Zangarmarsh, and Shadowmoon Valley.
Who is the final boss of The Burning Crusade?
The final raid features Kil’jaeden at the Sunwell Plateau. Illidan is the major antagonist in earlier raids.
Conclusion
World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade was more than just an expansion—it was a bold leap forward for the MMORPG genre. With its rich lore, legendary characters, and groundbreaking gameplay systems, it reshaped Azeroth forever. Whether exploring Outland, fighting in arenas, or confronting the Betrayer himself, players experienced a new golden age of WoW that still echoes in current expansions.
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