The history of World of Warcraft’s dragons dates back to Warcraft 2, where Alexstrasza and Deathwing first appeared. Over the following 20 years, Warcraft has refined the lore of these magnificent creatures through various games, expansions, and books. World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, its upcoming expansion pack, is bringing a draconic focus back by exploring the Dragon Isles: their long-lost ancestral homeland.
Most World of Warcraft fans think of the five major dragonflights when they consider dragons, and understandably so. The Black, Blue, Bronze, Green, and Red dragonflights were charged with the protection of Azeroth, and have been both allies and adversaries over the years. However, World of Warcraft has established several minor dragonflights over its history; some of which may play a role in the upcoming expansion.
The Chromatic Dragonflight
The Chromatic dragonflight is the first non-major flight to appear in World of Warcraft. These dragons are the product of twisted science experiments by Deathwing, and later his son Nefarian, to create a dragonflight with the strength of the major flights. The project was largely unsuccessful - Nefarian was only able to create a few living specimens, most of which were slain alongside him during the Blackrock Spire raids.
Few Chromatic dragons have appeared since vanilla World of Warcraft. A small number appeared in Blackwing Descent in Cataclysm, where Deathwing raised Nefarian as an undead dragon. Chromatus - a massive five-headed chromatic dragon - was animated and subsequently defeated in the Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects novel. A similarly named Chromitus appeared during Battle for Azeroth’s Island Expeditions alongside a group of Black dragons, but has yet to be referenced again. While it is unlikely this defunct flight will return, it could happen if Dragonflight brings back Chromatus as a villain.
The Netherwing Dragonflight
The Netherwing dragonflight traces its origins back to Outland. During Warcraft 2, Deathwing sequestered some Black dragon eggs on Draenor before its destruction. When the world shattered and became Outland, the eggs absorbed massive amounts of energy from the Twisting Nether, changing them completely. These dragons found themselves cut off from their kin, and were forced to fend for themselves in a hostile land.
Though some can be hostile, Netherwing dragons are fully sentient, intelligent, and bereft of the madness of their sire, Deathwing. Players aid the Netherwing dragonflight leader, Neltharaku, and befriend his flight enough to collect them as mounts in Burning Crusade. Unfortunately, the Netherwing dragonflight has hardly appeared since. That said, the Black dragonflight is being reformed via Wrathion and Sabellian - the latter of whom lived on Outland for many years. It is possible the Netherwing dragonflight could follow him to Azeroth in the future to seek a new home among their estranged kin.
The Twilight Dragonflight
The Twilight dragonflight was a perfected version of the Chromatic dragonflight helmed by Sintharia, prime consort of Deathwing and mother of Nefarian. These dragons were created by magically imbuing the powers of Netherwing dragons into dragon eggs. Twilight dragons are dangerous, vampiric creatures who feed on magical energy. They first appeared in Wrath of the Lich King, and returned as major antagonists in Cataclysm under Deathwing and Battle for Azeroth as servants of the Old God N’Zoth.
Though Twilight dragons have been almost exclusively villainous, the end of Battle for Azeroth had Wrathion purify at least one Twilight dragon egg of its corruption similar to what was done during Cataclysm. It is possible players could see this or other Twilight dragons restored in the future, possibly joining the Black dragonflight as it rebuilds itself after years of madness.
The Infinite Dragonflight
The Infinite dragonflight is composed of future members of the time-manipulating Bronze dragonflight, its leader Murozond being the future version of the Bronze Aspect Nozdormu. These dragons seek to change history by altering the past, and have appeared in time-traveling dungeons during Burning Crusade, Wrath of the Lich King, and Cataclysm - the latter in which Murozond was slain.
The Infinite dragonflight returned during the War Crimes novel to help release Garrosh Hellscream, but has sparsely appeared since. However, they are returning in force during Dragonflight. Infinite dragons meddle in quests throughout the Thaldraszus zone, as well as in at least one of World of Warcraft’s new dungeons. Many fans speculate that Murozond will be a major antagonist in Dragonflight - perhaps by showing the corruption of Nozdormu.
The Primalists and Elemental Dragonflights
Dragonflight is introducing a new group of dragons into the mix: The Primalists. These primordial leviathans are a group of proto-dragons who have feuded with the Aspects since the latter were empowered by the Titans, and despise them and their followers. Led by the Aspect-like Primal Incarnates, the Primalists are masters of the elements and idolize the proto-dragon Galakrond of World of Warcraft infamy..
The Primalists and the Primal Incarnates act as major antagonists and raid bosses for Dragonflight, though they are new to World of Warcraft. However, several other elemental dragons have shown up in the past. Stone and Storm dragons are mysterious creatures found in Skywall and Deepholm, the elemental planes of Air and Earth respectively, and who are said to share a common origin. While these dragons probably won’t appear in Dragonflight directly, World of Warcraft may explore the connection between dragons and the elements via the Primalists.
Storm Drakes
The Storm Drakes are a group of lightning-aspect dragons who live on the Broken Isles. Despite the similar name to the Storm dragons of Skywall, they are not the same beings. Several broods of Storm Drakes exist: the Thorignir brood, lead by Thrymjaris, allied itself with the Titan Keeper Odyn. The brood of Nithogg opposes them.
Though they have not appeared outside of Legion, they could still appear in Dragonflight - especially with their connection to the elements and the Titans of World of Warcraft. The Thorignir brood could easily ally with the major dragonflights and join the hierarchy, or Nithogg’s brood could ally with the similarly-minded Primalists. In any sense, there is evidence these elusive drakes could appear on the Dragon Isles.
There are other dragons who appear in World of Warcraft’s history as well: zombie dragons, undead frost and ember wyrms, and nightmare-corrupted dragons. However, these dragons lack organization, and mostly come in loose, independent, or defunct groups. That said, World of Warcraft can bring back these or any minor dragonflights back - or introduce new ones - at any time, and Dragonflight would be the perfect time to do so.
World of Warcraft is available now on PC. The Dragonflight expansion is set to launch later this year.