Durotar
holds not only the grand Horde city of Orgrimmar (see the
changes to Org in href="http://www.tentonhammer.com/wow/editorials/orgrimmar_makeover"
target="_blank">WoW: Before and After - Orgrimmar
Gets a Makeover) but also the
starting zone for both Troll and Orc races. This small zone has packed
a powerful punch in the lives of many Horde players as many started
their WoW careers here, and many Alliance players  found
themselves waging world PvP outside of Orgrimmar’s gates. As
such I was more than a little excited to get my first look at the
changes that Cataclysm has brought to the zone.


style="width: 484px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89400">



Starting out at probably one of the best known places in Durotar, the
gates of Orgrimmar, it’s easy to see that much has changed.
The gates themselves are under construction, being built bigger
and  fiercer than ever.


style="width: 512px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89416">



The zeppelin towers that once stood outside are gone, having been moved
inside the city proper. Alliance wishing to hitch rides on these flying
machines will now have a much more difficult task in front of them.


style="width: 512px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89402">



 However, the zeppelin towers removal are the least of the
changes that can be found here. The area itself has been renamed the
Dranosh’ar Blockade and is literally unrecognizable from the
landscape we know now. The empty fenced in area  (does anyone
know what it was for?) just to the west of Orgrimmar’s gates
is gone. In it’s place a large Horde building has been
erected that appears to be the base of command for the other activities
occurring outside the city.


style="width: 513px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89407">



Rocktusk Farm still stands, however, it has been abandoned by Rhinag
the Troll and the management of the farm has been handed off to an Orc
farmer. The swine that were once kept neatly in the pen here have
broken free and are now wild and wander about the area. Apparently the
Orc farmers’ skills in swine raising leave something to be
desired.  


style="width: 513px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89425">



Just outside Rocktusk Farm the Orcs are hard at work. Tents have been
erected and blacksmiths are hard at work forging weapons while other
orcs prepare for war by taking aim at carefully set up targets with
their bows. Some of which are much better at actually hitting the
target than others.


style="width: 600px; height: 375px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89401">



Jaggedswine Farm on the other hand is still standing and apparently
prospering. While no overseer can be found, the once empty swine pen is
overflowing with large and small swine alike. The once meager building
here has also gotten a very Garroshesque upgrade.


style="width: 513px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89408">



Just outside Jaggedswine Farm Garrosh has made use of every spare bit
of space by making this the new construction place for huge catapults
and other engines of war.


style="width: 600px; height: 375px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89399">



To better allow travel a new road has been constructed that runs to the
east along Orgrimmar’s walls.


style="width: 515px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89414">



Taking this road, players will find along the way a new watchtower has
been erected to help aid in Orgrimmar’s defenses.


style="width: 513px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89417">



Continuing on to Skull Rock players will find that Garrosh is taking
care of business when it comes to the Burning Blade cult that claimed
this cave as their own. Battles between Burning Blade warriors and
Kor’kron Deathbrigers rage just outside the cave, however as
of yet these brave warriors have yet to infiltrate the inner sanctum.


style="width: 509px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89429">



The main reason for finally clearing out Skull Rock becomes apparent as
players make their way to the shore. Here where once was empty
shoreline along Bladefist Bay a small port has arisen giving Orgrimmar
close and valuable access to the sea. A large ship sits in port loaded
with explosives and by talking to Commander Thorak players find that a
new landmass has arisen and the Horde is determined to make it theirs.
If this happens, Stormwind’s defenses will be greatly
weakened.


style="width: 511px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89394">


style="width: 600px; height: 375px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89395">


style="width: 600px; height: 375px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89396">



South from this new port players will find that the NPC Margoz and his
tent still remain out in the middle of nowhere. Margoz has gained some
company in the form of another Orc named  Vek’nag.


style="width: 515px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89414">



The main road through Durotar still leads directly through Drygulch
Ravine and despite changes throughout the rest of the zone this area
remains untouched. Even the annoying harpies remain. One small addition
is the NPC Tednug and his loyal pet Scratchfever that now wander up and
down the ravine.

style="width: 513px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89398">
style="width: 517px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89397">


style="width: 600px; height: 375px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89432">



At the end of the ravine lies Razor Hill, however, players are in for a
let down here. Absolutly nothing, and I mean nothing, has changed here.
In fact it may make you look and check if you are actually playing the
expansion at all. I personally was expecting at least a Garrosh
makeover.


style="width: 516px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89424">



While hardly noticeable, Razor Hill has seen some new additions,
including a Mage trainer, Druid trainer, and Profession trainer all for
the benefit of new players in the zone. A flight master has also been
added to allow for easier travel throughout Durotar.


style="width: 513px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89422">


style="width: 518px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89418">



Leaving Razor Hill and moving west along the walls to the shore the
scene has changed greatly. The waters here apparently rose for a short
while, or a huge wave rocked the shores. Proof of this can be seen in
the wrecked ships and other debris that used to lie in the waters off
the coast of Durotar that have been swept ashore littering the
landscape. Dead fish dot the ground and new water elemental mobs roam
the area.


style="width: 517px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89413">


style="width: 512px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89420">


alt="" src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89421">


Razor Hill grunts have tried to clear the
area of the nasty elementals
but have failed miserably. Injured Orcs crying
out for help can be found scattered
almost everywhere.


style="width: 600px; height: 374px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89419">



Despite the devastation just outside Tiragarde Keep has remained in
tact. However, inside players will find that the Kul Tiras are gone and
members of the Northwatch Expeditionary Force have now claimed this
place as their own. Despite this change in ownership no changes in
appearance have been made here unless you count the dead Kul Tiras
bodies littering the ground. The Northwatch Expeditionary Force
apparently doesn’t know how to clean up after themselves.


style="width: 513px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89436">


style="width: 513px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89435">


style="width: 511px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89412">



In Sen’jin Village players may be expecting some big changes,
yet very little remains to be seen. Some new Trolls have shown
up  and a flight master has been added but considering the
Trolls should be in a frenzy of celebration after the defeat of
Zalazane Sen’jin is a little disappointing.


style="width: 514px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89427">


style="width: 515px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89428">



Don’t get discouraged though. If it’s change you
seek head down the small path that has appeared where a small hill once
stood. Here at the end of the path players will get their first glimpse
of the exciting changes they had hoped for. Standing tall and proud
across the water is Echo Isle. Once the wild and untamed stronghold of
Zalazane and other evil Trolls the Isle has been reclaimed and turned
almost overnight into a virtual Troll fortress. It appears that even
though the Trolls have reclaimed their homeland, the fight is not over,
as Naga have invaded the shores of the Echo Isles.


style="width: 513px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89426">


style="width: 511px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89403">


style="width: 600px; height: 375px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89404">


style="width: 600px; height: 375px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89405">


style="width: 600px; height: 375px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89406">



Moving back down the main shoreline of Durotar players will notice
Allaince ships in the distance. Alliance forces have gained landfall
and pitched tents where the Troll fishing trainer once stood. Players
may also notice that the centaurs have also seemingly vanished.


style="width: 511px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89392">



Alliance laborers haul huge boxes of supplies into what used to be
Kolkar Crag, now renamed Northwatch Foothold. Inside Northwatch
Foothold more Alliance tents can be found, as well has ballistas, and
more members of the Northwatch Expeditionary Force, the same group that
have taken over Tiragarde Keep.


style="width: 513px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89409">


style="width: 517px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89411">



Near the Crag lies the Valley of Trials, starting zone for both Orc and
Troll races. Like most of the starting zones this place has seen very
few changes. The only real notable change here is the addition of its
very own swine farm. Even lazy peons need bacon.


style="width: 509px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89437">


style="width: 507px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89439">


style="width: 515px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89438">



Moving back to Razor Hill and taking the road leading west into the
Barrens players will discover that the road has been destroyed. Here
the waters also rose, however, unlike on the other shore they never
went back down.


style="width: 509px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89423">



Once part of the Razormane Grounds this area has taken on a swampy
quality and has been fittingly renamed the Southfury Watershed.


style="width: 505px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89431">



The road leading into Durotar has been all but washed away, 
but the bridge crossing between the zones has proven to be made of
stronger stuff and remains in tact leaving a dry route for players
wishing to visit the Barrens.


style="width: 516px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89393">



Thunder Ridge, once home to great and mighty dinosaur like creatures
has met the same fate as the Razormane grounds. Water fills the Ridge
and the bodies of the unfortunate Thunder Lizards who were unable to
escape litter the bottom, now nothing more than food for the fish.


style="width: 514px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89433">


style="width: 511px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89434">



Just east of Thunder Ridge a battle of the elements is taking place at
a once deserted tent along the Southfury River. Here earth and water
elementals duke it out vying for dominance. What exactly they are
fighting for is unknown.


style="width: 518px; height: 640px;" alt=""
src="http://www.tentonhammer.com/image/view/89430">



This concludes our tour of Durotar, to share your thoughts on the
changes that can be found here join us on our forums!


To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our World of Warcraft Game Page.

Last Updated: Mar 29, 2016

About The Author

Amunet, also fondly known as Memtron, is an organic life form best known for its ongoing obsession with Blizzard Entertainment's numerous properties. To that end, Amu has authored hundreds (thousands?) of the most popular World of Warcraft guides, editorials, and Top 10 lists on the planet. When not gaming and writing, Amu is busy chasing after her three children in a perpetual loop of ongoing disaster.

Comments