Which Version of World of Warcraft Should You Play in 2024?

World of Warcraft is a colossal franchise that has shaped the gaming industry like few others. With its vast amount of content and rich history, there’s no other MMO out there that offers such a sprawling, immersive experience. However, such variety can be a bit confusing. Whether you’re a newbie looking to step into Azeroth for the first time or a veteran returning after a long break, you’re probably wondering what WoW looks like today and which version is the right one for you to dive into. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! 

In this article, we’ll break down all the current WoW versions, so you can make an informed decision about where to start or continue your journey in Azeroth. Before we begin, though, we’d like to give a shoutout to our friends over at WowVendor. They’ve got a fantastic range of WoW boosting services to suit any need and budget. Whether you’re after a quick level boost or looking to conquer high-key Mythic+ dungeons, WowVendor has you covered. So, don’t hesitate — check out their deals and jump into WoW with an edge!

Exploring World of Warcraft Versions in 2024

Retail WoW

Retail refers to the current version of the game with its latest expansions. Right now, we’re in the final weeks of Dragonflight that’s about to pass the torch to The War Within on August 26th, kicking off the first chapter of the upcoming Worldsoul trilogy.

Dragonflight itself is considered one of the game’s standout expansions. The devs cut back on much of the grindy, repeatable content, instead focusing on story development, overworld activities, and new features. With 20 years of content packed into the game, there’s almost an endless stream of things to explore in Retail, from leveling dungeons and Mythic+ challenges to raids available in multiple difficulties and tons of toys, mounts, pets, and achievements to collect. 

However, this wealth of content can also be Retail’s biggest downside, especially for newcomers. With so much history and lore, it can be overwhelming to figure out what to focus on, particularly in these last moments of Dragonflight as we gear up for The War Within.

WoW Classic

In 2019, WoW Classic was released as a remake of the original 2004 game. Except for a few tweaks and tunes, the devs aimed to preserve everything in its original form, allowing players to experience WoW as it was many years ago. Following the timeline of Vanilla expansions, we first got the revamped version of The Burning Crusade, followed by Wrath of the Lich King, which led us to Cataclysm Classic.

Cataclysm Classic

Cata was met with a lot of controversy when it first launched and remains divisive even now. Many familiar zones were drastically changed, giving the game a fresh yet polarizing feel. On the flip side, classes became more dynamic with new abilities and revamped talent trees. The expansion also introduced lots of new features like the Guild Progress System, new race/class combos, reworked stats, new PvP opportunities, and more. Heroic dungeons are now easier in their post-nerf state, but raids are in a really good spot with more balanced mechanics and difficulty. Overall, Cata Classic strikes a great balance between content pacing and a healthy challenge without overwhelming you with too much at once. 

With a couple more phased updates planned for this year, the story is set to end in January 2025, so you’ve got plenty of time to dive in and explore everything the expansion has to offer.

Season of Discovery

Season of Discovery is WoW Classic’s second seasonal server, launched in November 2023. It’s updated in phases, with Phase 4 having dropped in July 2024, and Phase 5 slated for release in fall. 

While based on Vanilla, SoD introduces new leveling brackets and a fresh meta with each update. A major focus is placed on adding new content to the base game to offer players a slightly different experience. There are tons of new abilities thanks to the rune engraving system, lots of fresh PvE content, profession updates, and new PvP events for you to conquer. Leveling is much faster and more streamlined compared to Vanilla, allowing you to jump into the endgame without the grind, and trust us — there’s plenty to enjoy once you get there.

Classic Era

When the reimagined WoW Classic transitioned to The Burning Crusade, Blizzard decided to separate the core game from the expansions, creating standalone Classic Era servers permanently locked in Classic’s Phase 6 with all the content from Molten Core to Naxxramas available. Classic Era doesn’t receive new updates, but the server populations are still fairly healthy. If you want to experience the base game and soak in that cozy, old-school Classic feel — or perhaps try it out for the first time — this is a great place for you to start. You can jump in at any time without worrying about missing out on anything, but on the downside, the in-game economy may be tough for new players, especially when it comes to earning gold. 

Classic Hardcore

For those seeking an extra challenge, there’s Classic Hardcore where your character has only one life. If you die, you’ll have to start from scratch, losing all your progress and loot. If you want to keep playing, there’s an option for a free character transfer to Classic Era servers, but on Hardcore, your character’s death means going back to square one. For those looking for an even tougher experience, there’s also the Self-Found mode, where you must craft and find everything yourself without access to mailboxes or the Auction House.

Classic Hardcore is a perfect test of skill for veteran players. However, we don’t recommend starting with this version if you’re new to WoW, as it demands significant time and effort, with the risk of losing all progress at any moment.