The World of Warcraft: Classic is reliving its glory days with the re-release of the game's most popular expansion. The Lich King has returned, and the denizens of Azeroth must face his icy wrath. Although Northrend is generally thought of as an area for characters level 70 and up, players can venture there as early as level 68 and find quests intended for their level. Each faction member follows their own path to Icecrown, with the same ultimate goal but different motives.
Most Horde players will find themselves in the western region known as the Borean Tundra, but some routes lead to the eastern coast and Howling Fjord. Which region draws each character might depend on their race, with the Forsaken dominating the Fjord and the Orcs holding the Tundra.
Regardless of the player's choice, there are plenty of quests in either region that are great introductions to the lore and history of Northrend as players grind their way to level 80. Or maybe folks just want to get out there and blow things up, which is also fun.
Borean Tundra
The zone on the western side of the continent of Northrend is where most Horde players end up first. The transportation that leaves from Orgrimmar goes to Warsong Hold, a massive Horde fortress in the center of the zone. There's a nice mix of early quests here that are great for grinding experience points, along with transport options within Northrend and back to Azeroth.
Taking Back Mightstone Quarry
This is an ideal quest to start with and no doubt designed with that in mind. It's confined to a small area, in this case, the small quarry right outside the Hold's front door, and consists of killing a series of large bugs. Easy enough, and possible to do a few other similar quests at the same time, such as freeing workers trapped in webbing or destroying bug eggs.
Follow the whole quest chain to grind some generous experience points. Then grab the quests inside the hold to venture to more quests on the coast or towards the eastern plains.
Too Close For Comfort
Any quest that players can use as a handy breadcrumb trail when traveling in a new place is helpful. Not only does it give the character a nice experience boost just for making a short trip, but Herbalists and Miners can farm their way there after maxing out their training to the new higher levels by visiting the trainers in Warsong Hold. This quest has the added benefit of guiding the character north towards some new and exciting areas.
To Bor'Gorok Outpost, Quickly!
Another quest that sends players to a far-flung settlement, Bor'Gorok Outpost is twice as far out as Amber Ledge, near the border with Shalozar Basin. Like other areas in Azeroth like Un'Goro Crater, Shalozar Basin is verdant and tropical, great for fishing along with grinding.
It's an easy quest that leads into one of the continent's most interesting zones. The Basin is also home to a special type of murloc tribe, the Oracles, and gaining an exalted reputation with them means the possibility of a shiny new mount.
Howling Fjord
Howling Fjord is the zone closer to where Arthas Menethil made landfall during the Warcraft 3 campaigns. Players arrive here from the zeppelin tower in Tirisfal Glades, the home of the Forsaken, and most of the Horde cities and settlements here have that same undead aesthetic. Characters here take orders from the undead and fight against humans and wildlife.
The Offensive Begins
Horde and Alliance are vying for control of this coastline, and as soon as the character touches down in Veangeance Landing they'll be sent to defend it. After a few initial quests, there's a quest to check in with an NPC at one of the nearby lifts.
This quest leads to the character ascend to the rolling hills of the Fjord's countryside to fight on yet another front against the Vrykuls. These are the enemies that both factions are fighting in Howling Fjord.
Northern Cooking
Part of visiting Northrend is getting Mastery in professions, and one of the first NPCs players run into when they reach Vengeance Landing is the Cooking Trainer, Thomas Kolichio. He has several new recipes available plus a quest, "Northern Cooking."
Thomas has a simple request for five pieces of chilled meat. It sounds easy, even modest for the usual quota-type quest, but the player has to venture into the plains of Howling Fjord before they can kill the type of wildlife that drops this item. Complete this quest and learn a new recipe on top of getting some exploration done.
Test At Sea
Bombing quests are always fun and easy, and the quirk that makes this even more fun is that instead of fire or oil, the players get to cover the ships in a fog of lethal plague.
This quest also gives the player the chance to fly through the fjord and get a better look at the impressive view. It's also thrilling as the first flight most players take in Northrend before getting the New Agamand or Winterhoof flight path.
New Agamand
Remember that creepy place in Tirisfal Glades called Agamand Mills? New Agamand is the other Horde settlement in Howling Fjord that lies to the west, just a stone's throw away from the Alliance outpost of Valgarde, and this quest takes the city's name. Use the trip to grind those gathering skills up since most players are still walking at this point anyway.
This is one of those simple delivery quests that's really intended to guide the player further into the zone, but for those that care about lore, this research the player is helping with eventually leads to the Battle of Angrathar the Wrathgate.
Classic World of Warcraft is currently available on PC.