This article is a copy of "Major Cities," an official article from the World of Warcraft Community Site. This article overviewed the major cities and capitals in World of Warcraft prior to Cataclysm. The original article is no longer available, but it can still be viewed through online archives (see below).
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In addition to small towns, forts, and outposts there are 6 major cities in the world of Azeroth. Each of the major cities represents the capital and a major hub for the races that inhabit them. The cities are all radically different from each other in themes and appearances. More than just a collection of buildings with NPCs standing around, the cities will serve as a place for adventuring, shopping, training, socializing, and much more.
City Highlights
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- Many quests to be found - Some quests can be completed in the city, while others will send you outside into the world. Minor quests can involve assisting local shop owners or working to stabilize the lands around the city, and grander quests can involve political treachery or even helping to quell an uprising. Much of your time could be spent unfolding the twisted tales that run through each race's capital city.
- Banking - Banks provide places to store the hard-earned relics and treasures that you gain throughout your adventures in World of Warcraft. Each city features a banking center that links to many of the other banks located around the world, so you'll never be too far from your valuables.
- Adventure areas - Despite all the utilitarian purposes of cities, there are still many treacherous places within their darker, more-confined districts. While exploring these areas, you could very likely come across long-lost family catacombs, ancient sewers, or perhaps a secret society bent on rekindling arcane, malevolent powers.
- Player-vs.-player combat areas - Players thirsty for a bit of friendly competition can try out their swords and spells on each other in the combat arenas located in the cities. What better way to hone one's skills than against a fellow player?[1]
- Themed districts - Cities are divided into sections that are based on the NPCs, buildings, and shops found in those sections. For example, in Stormwind players can find the Mage's District, Trade District, Warrior District, Religious District, and many more. Each district is distinct from the others, so after some exploration, you will begin to know which district you're in just by your immediate surroundings.
- Auction Houses - Sell your items or search for items for sale via the automated auction house. Auctioneer NPCs can be found in in Orgrimmar, Undercity, and Thunder Bluff for Horde player-created auctions and are a part of the same Auction House. Alliance players will find Auction Houses in Ironforge, Stormwind City, and Darnassus. Some non-faction based Auction Houses are located in Tanaris, Everlook, and Booty Bay.[2]
- Mail - Players can send and receive in-game mail through World of Warcraft's postal system. Every inn has a mailbox that players can right click on in order to access mailbox functionality. [3]
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- Transportation hubs - Thanks to their easy accessibility, cities also serve as central transportation hubs. Once you have located the appropriate merchant in each city and at various outposts in the region, you will be able to travel to and from cities on the backs of winged beasts such as Gryphons and Windriders, for a small fee of course. Intercontinental travel, such as aboard a Zeppelin, is also available in and around some of the major cities.
- Taverns - Discuss and celebrate your conquests with your tavernmates! Or, relax with friends over a mug of ale and some good gossip. Taverns are great places to find folks looking for work, as well. Sometimes bounties are posted outside of taverns for those brave enough to undertake such deeds.[1]
- Meet famous and powerful people - Cities are also home to some of the more famous characters in the world of Azeroth. For instance, players familiar with the Warcraft series will immediately recognize Tauren chieftain Cairne Bloodhoof, who can be found presiding over the Tauren city of Thunder Bluff.
- Lots of shopping - Cities abound with merchants and shops that will cater to your every need. Weaponsmiths, armorers, alchemists, and master trainers are just a few of the many tradesmen you'll encounter within each city's fortified walls.
- Class headquarters - Many of the character classes make their bases of operations in cities. These central locations are good places to go to train your character and to occasionally pick up new quests or missions.
- Battlemasters - Battlemasters are usually the fastest and easiest way to enter battlegrounds. Located in major cities, battlemasters for each of the battlegrounds will be found conveniently standing near one another, which also allows you to easily switch between battlegrounds.[3]
Alliance Cities
Horde Cities
Neutral Cities
Notes
- The city highlights were revised in July or August 2006 to remove the Taverns and PvP sections, and add a section on the Auction House.
- The city highlights were revised again in November 2008 where it was moved to it's own subpage and added sections on Mail, and Battlemasters.
- The Exodar, Silvermoon City, and Shattrath City were added in November 2008.
- Dalaran City was added in December 2008