WoW Raid Guide

Raids are one of the most exciting aspects of World of Warcraft, captivating players with epic battles, rich lore, and unique rewards. In this WoW raid guide, I’ll take you through everything you need to know about raids, their significance, and their evolution throughout the history of the game. We'll cover all WoW raids extensively, providing a detailed list of WoW raids in order, as well as exploring WoW raids by expansion.

What Is a Raid in WoW?

Simply put, a raid in WoW is a large-scale, cooperative PvE (Player vs Environment) event. Unlike smaller groups (parties) that usually consist of up to five players, raids involve 10, 20, 25, or even 40 players battling together against powerful enemies known as bosses. Raids are particularly desirable due to their challenges, strategic depth, and rewarding loot, making them a cornerstone of the WoW experience.

Raids are popular not just for their rewarding loot, but also for the thrill of facing epic challenges, the deep immersion in WoW’s rich storytelling, and the unique sense of prestige that comes with overcoming difficult bosses. Players greatly value raids because they provide an opportunity to demonstrate skill, precision, and strategic thinking. Moreover, the necessity for coordinated teamwork and communication creates a powerful sense of camaraderie and community, enhancing the overall gaming experience and leading to lasting friendships and memorable moments.

WoW Raids by Expansion

When exploring WoW raids by expansion, it’s clear how raids have evolved, becoming increasingly sophisticated and integral to WoW’s storytelling. Each expansion brings new raids that offer unique challenges and rewards, reflecting the expansion’s overarching storyline and themes.

Understanding the historical context of raids through each expansion helps players appreciate the progression and significance of raid content in WoW. This structured overview provides valuable insights into the gameplay evolution and complexity of raids over time.

Classic WoW (2004-2006)

• Molten Core (Patch 1.1, November 7, 2004) - A fiery dungeon featuring Ragnaros.
• Onyxia's Lair (Patch 1.1, November 7, 2004) - Home of the black dragon Onyxia.
• Blackwing Lair (Patch 1.6, July 12, 2005) - Fortress of Nefarian, featuring dragonflight experiments.
• Zul'Gurub (Patch 1.7, September 13, 2005) - Troll city raid culminating with Hakkar the Soulflayer.
• Ruins of Ahn'Qiraj (AQ20) (Patch 1.9, January 3, 2006) - Smaller Qiraji raid with six bosses.
• Temple of Ahn'Qiraj (AQ40) (Patch 1.9, January 3, 2006) - Epic raid ending with Old God C'Thun.
• Naxxramas (Patch 1.11, June 20, 2006) - Floating necropolis with Kel'Thuzad as the final boss.

The Burning Crusade (2007-2008)

• Gruul's Lair (Patch 2.0, January 16, 2007) - Battle against Gruul the Dragonkiller.
• Magtheridon's Lair (Patch 2.0, January 16, 2007) - Encounter the pit lord Magtheridon.
• Karazhan (Patch 2.0, January 16, 2007) - Haunted tower with diverse magical encounters.
• Serpentshrine Cavern (Patch 2.0, January 16, 2007) - Face Lady Vashj in her watery domain.
• Tempest Keep (Patch 2.0, January 16, 2007) - Battle Kael'thas Sunstrider and his minions.
• Battle for Mount Hyjal (Patch 2.1, May 22, 2007) - Historical battle from Warcraft III.
• Black Temple (Patch 2.1, May 22, 2007) - Illidan Stormrage's stronghold.
• Zul'Aman (Patch 2.3, November 13, 2007) - Troll city with challenging timed encounters.
• The Sunwell Plateau (Patch 2.4, March 25, 2008) - Face Kil'jaeden and save Azeroth.

Wrath of the Lich King (2008-2010)

• Naxxramas (Patch 3.0, November 13, 2008) – Revamped necropolis raid.
• Obsidian Sanctum (Patch 3.0, November 13, 2008) – Face Sartharion and his drakes.
• Eye of Eternity (Patch 3.0, November 13, 2008) – Defeat blue dragon Malygos.
• Ulduar (Patch 3.1, April 14, 2009) – Titan-themed city with hard modes.
• Trial of the Crusader (Patch 3.2, August 4, 2009) – Gladiator-style arena battles.
• Onyxia's Lair (Patch 3.2.2, September 22, 2009) – Anniversary update of Onyxia.
• Icecrown Citadel (Patch 3.3, December 8, 2009) – Final battle with the Lich King.
• Ruby Sanctum (Patch 3.3.5, June 22, 2010) – Battle Halion of the black dragonflight.

Cataclysm (2010-2012)

• Baradin Hold (Patch 4.0, December 7, 2010) – Prison of powerful creatures.
• Bastion of Twilight (Patch 4.0, December 7, 2010) – Face Cho'gall and his minions.
• Throne of the Four Winds (Patch 4.0, December 7, 2010) – Confront Al'Akir in Skywall.
• Firelands (Patch 4.2, June 28, 2011) – Battle against Ragnaros in the elemental plane.
• Dragon Soul (Patch 4.3, November 29, 2011) – Final confrontation with Deathwing.

Mists of Pandaria (2012-2014)

• Mogu’shan Vaults (Patch 5.0, October 2, 2012) – Explore the ancient Mogu secrets.
• Heart of Fear (Patch 5.0, October 30, 2012) – Face the Mantid queen.
• Terrace of Endless Spring (Patch 5.0, November 13, 2012) – Protect Pandaria's sacred waters.
• Throne of Thunder (Patch 5.2, March 5, 2013) – Defeat the Thunder King.
• Siege of Orgrimmar (Patch 5.4, September 10, 2013) – Confront Garrosh Hellscream.

Warlords of Draenor (2014-2016)

• Highmaul (Patch 6.0, December 2, 2014) – Ogre city raid in Draenor.
• Blackrock Foundry (Patch 6.0, February 3, 2015) – Industrial stronghold of the Iron Horde.
• Hellfire Citadel (Patch 6.2, June 23, 2015) – Final battle against Gul'dan's forces.

Legion (2016-2018)

• Emerald Nightmare (Patch 7.0, September 20, 2016) – Purify corruption from the Emerald Dream.
• Trial of Valor (Patch 7.1, November 8, 2016) – Odyn's ultimate test of heroes.
• Nighthold (Patch 7.1.5, January 18, 2017) – Battle Gul'dan in Suramar.
• Tomb of Sargeras (Patch 7.2, June 20, 2017) – Seal the Legion's portal.
• Antorus, the Burning Throne (Patch 7.3, November 28, 2017) – Defeat the Legion at its source.

Battle for Azeroth (2018-2020)

• Uldir (Patch 8.0, September 4, 2018) – Old God experiments threaten Azeroth.
• Battle of Dazar'alor (Patch 8.1, January 22, 2019) – Alliance vs Horde battle.
• Crucible of Storms (Patch 8.1.5, April 16, 2019) – Discover N'Zoth’s dark plans.
• Eternal Palace (Patch 8.2, July 19, 2019) – Queen Azshara’s underwater fortress.
• Ny'alotha (Patch 8.3, January 14, 2020) – Face the Old God N'Zoth directly.

Shadowlands (2020-2022)

• Castle Nathria (Patch 9.0, December 8, 2020) – Vampire-themed raid in Revendreth.
• Sanctum of Domination (Patch 9.1, July 6, 2021) – Challenge the Jailer’s forces.
• Sepulcher of the First Ones (Patch 9.2, March 8, 2022) – Uncover the universe's origins.

Dragonflight (2022-2025)

• Vault of the Incarnates (Patch 10.0, December 12, 2022) – Battle primal dragons.
• Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible (Patch 10.1, May 9, 2023) – Fight ancient draconic powers.
• Amirdrassil, the Dream’s Hope (Patch 10.2, November 14, 2023) – Protect the new World Tree from threats.

The War Within (2024-2025)

• Nerub’ar Palace (Patch 11.0.5, September 17, 2024) – Face threats deep beneath Azeroth.
• Liberation of Undermine (Patch 11.1, February 25, 2025) – Fight to free the underground city of Undermine.

WoW Raids in Order

Here's a comprehensive chronological list of WoW raids in order, from the earliest to the most recent:

This comprehensive list of WoW raids helps both new and veteran players understand the development of raid encounters, facilitating a better appreciation of the game's extensive PvE history.

Conclusion

If you're looking to efficiently overcome challenging raid content, consider using a WoW Raid Boost service to enhance your gameplay experience. A popular option among players currently is the Liberation of Undermine Boost, which can significantly streamline your path to obtaining valuable rewards.

Raids have always been a pivotal component of the WoW community, providing players with engaging content that tests their skills and fosters deep connections within the community. These large-scale battles against powerful adversaries require teamwork, strategy, and dedication, making them highly significant events for players. Successfully completing raids not only provides tangible rewards but also enhances players' reputations, highlighting their skills and determination.

Over the years, raids have evolved dramatically - from relatively straightforward encounters to complex, lore-rich challenges deeply integrated into the game's storytelling. Modern raids often feature multiple difficulty levels, diverse mechanics, and intricate boss encounters that require precise coordination and advanced tactics. This evolution has significantly impacted gameplay, encouraging players to continually adapt, innovate strategies, and improve their skills.

For those new to raiding or looking to enhance their experience, I highly recommend starting with simpler raids to learn basic mechanics before progressing to more challenging content. Joining a guild or community dedicated to raiding is immensely beneficial, as it provides support, guidance, and a social environment conducive to improvement and enjoyment. Always remember to communicate openly with your teammates and be patient—mastering raids is a rewarding journey that builds skills and lasting friendships.

FAQ

Stay in touch

Don't miss out on special deals exlusive to Discord users⚡

Service request Join Discord

Change Log

• 17.03.2025 - WoW Raid Guide published.