TL;DR
- WotLK Classic launches in 2022 with Death Knight class and Inscription profession
- No Dungeon Finder system preserves classic social experience and community bonds
- Content releases in five phases from Naxxramas to Icecrown Citadel
- Level 70 boost available for one character per account (excluding Death Knights)
- Achievements and personal arena ratings replace fixed team systems
The wait is over! Blizzard has confirmed World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Classic will launch during 2022, bringing back one of the most beloved expansions in MMORPG history.
Originally released in 2008, Wrath of the Lich King represents the second major expansion following The Burning Crusade. However, this Classic version won’t include every feature from the original WotLK, creating a more authentic old-school experience than many veterans might recall. This comprehensive guide covers all the essential details about new classes, professions, system changes, and content release plans. Some information referenced comes directly from official Blizzard sources.

Death Knight: WoW’s First Hero Class
The Death Knight introduces WoW’s inaugural hero class, available to both Alliance and Horde factions with a level 55 starting point. Unlike other classes, you can create a Death Knight without meeting any prerequisites, and this powerful class will become accessible during the Pre-Patch period on Classic realms.
Strategic Tip: Plan your Death Knight’s profession choices carefully since they start at level 55 with existing skill points. Many experienced players recommend pairing Death Knights with gathering professions initially to maximize gold earning potential.
Inscription: The New Profession Revolution
Inscription enables crafters to produce glyphs that modify character abilities, along with scrolls, Darkmoon cards, vellum, and various off-hand tomes that enhance specific attributes. This profession includes milling as its gathering component – a process that converts herbs into base materials, functioning similarly to disenchanting for enchanters or prospecting for jewelcrafters.
Common Mistake: New inscriptionists often underestimate the herb requirements for leveling. You’ll need approximately 1,800-2,200 herbs to reach maximum skill level, so start collecting materials early.

Dungeon and Raid Landscape Transformation
Blizzard will reintroduce all dungeons and raids that appeared throughout the original expansion’s patch cycle. The journey progresses from Azjol-Nerub to the epic Ulduar, ultimately building your forces to confront the Lich King himself at Icecrown Citadel. This period also established the 10-player and 25-player raid formats that significantly altered raiding dynamics.
Dungeon Finder: Deliberately Absent
One of the most significant departures from modern WoW is the exclusion of the Dungeon Finder tool. Blizzard confirmed the original automated grouping system won’t be included, citing community feedback that emphasized the importance of social connections in the Classic experience.
Pro Tip: Join active guilds and server communities early to establish reliable dungeon groups. The absence of Dungeon Finder typically increases group formation time by 15-25 minutes but often results in more successful and communicative runs.
Level 70 Boost Service
Blizzard will offer a Level 70 Boost, raising the level cap to 80, enabling players to dive directly into WotLK content without progressing through TBC first. This service is restricted to one boost per account and cannot be applied to Death Knight characters.
Arena System Modernization
Arena Teams are being replaced by Personal Arena Ratings, responding to PvP community preferences for flexible individual ratings rather than fixed team commitments.
Achievements: New Progression Tracking
The Achievements system makes its Classic debut, providing players with additional rewards and recognition for their in-game accomplishments and exploits.
Several key questions concern the player community. Here’s our analysis based on available information.
WotLK Classic Content Phase Structure
The content release schedule for Classic WotLK has generated significant discussion within the community. Most speculation points toward a five-phase rollout as follows:
Phase 1: Naxxramas, The Eye of Eternity, The Obsidian Sanctum
Phase 2: Ulduar
Phase 3: Trial of the Crusader, Onyxia’s Lair
Phase 4: Icecrown Citadel
Phase 5: The Ruby Sanctum
Preparation Strategy: Focus gearing efforts around each phase’s primary raid. Phase 1 typically lasts 4-6 months, giving casual players ample time to prepare for subsequent content.
Character Transfer Process Explained
Players should understand Blizzard’s approach to transitioning from TBC to WotLK Classic. When The Burning Crusade initially launched, players could choose between remaining in original Classic or migrating to TBC.
For this new expansion, Blizzard production director Patrick Dawson indicated that few current TBC players prefer staying in that expansion. Consequently, we anticipate no option to retain characters in TBC, with all existing TBC players transitioning to WotLK Classic, including transfer of TBC Classic gold to the new expansion.
Release Timing and Speculation
The most frequent question concerns WotLK Classic’s launch date. Blizzard confirms a 2022 release but hasn’t announced specific timing.
Since the original WotLK launched on November 13, 2008, many analysts project Wrath of the Lich King Classic will release around November 2022. The community awaits official confirmation.
Continue monitoring our WotLK Classic news section for the latest developments and updates. WotLK Classic gold becomes extremely valuable during early stages, and our services will be available immediately upon release.
Action Checklist
- Research Death Knight class mechanics and optimal talent builds before creation
- Stockpile herbs for Inscription leveling (aim for 2,000+ various types)
- Decide which character to use your Level 70 Boost on, considering class viability and personal preference
- Join active server communities and guilds to prepare for dungeon groups without Finder
- Study Phase 1 raid mechanics (Naxxramas, Eye of Eternity, Obsidian Sanctum)
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