by Byron Mudry on Nov 27, 2008
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Quick Reference: Zone Level Chart | Instance Level Chart
Regular Zones: Levels 1 to 10 | Levels 11 to 20 | Levels 21 to 30 | Levels 31 to 40 | Levels 41 to 50 | Levels 51 to 60
Burning Crusade Zones: Level 60 to 63 | Level 64 to 67 | Level 68 to 70
Wrath of the Lich King Zones: Level 70 to 73 | Level 74 to 77 | Level 78 to 80
The Storm Peaks are a large mountain range along the northern edge of Northrend. The mountains in the zone are huge and snow covered. They are also quite rugged making the zone difficult to navigate unless the player has a flying mount. This contributes to it being a level 77-80 zone. While you may be able to complete some of the quests without a flying mount, you will not be able to get to all of them.
The zone was once home to the might Titans and may have been where they created much of the life on Azeroth. When they left though, the races migrated south, leaving only a few behind, including the Giants. The giants now control most of the zone, although they are few in number.
There are several faction camps in the zone, including the goblin camp of K3 that you reach as you enter the zone. The camp itself has many entertaining quests as you attempt to assist the goblins. Two such quests are getting supplies to the centre of a mine field, and collecting mammoth meat. The first one has you being bounced all over with explosions, while the second is completed with even larger explosions. Both are very entertaining.
As you move north in the zone you have to complete various quests that eventual lead you to being able to earn faction rep with the giants at Dun Niffelem. The rewards from this faction include the new Northrend shoulder enchants and should be completed by all players.
Other zones around the Storm Peaks include Icecrown to the west and Grizzly Hills and Crystalsong Forest to the south.
The mighty Titan city of Ulduar can be found far to the north in this zone. The instance houses two instances that you will want to check out for their scenary if for no other reason. Patch 3.1 will also see the addition of a raid to the instance hub.
You can find guides for these (and other) instances on our Wrath of the Lich King Instance Guide page.
For miners you are able to find and collect Saronite and Titanium ore in this zone. For players collecting herbs, you can find Lichbloom and Icethorn throughout the zone.
The zone of Icecrown is a mountain area covered by glacier ice. The whole zone is flooded with the Scourge as it is the home of the Lich King. The Lich King rules the zone from Icecrown Citadel which dominates the landscape. Anywhere in the zone that is not covered in ice, has giant fortifications built that look like the Black Gate from the Lord of the Rings movies. The structures are huge and imposing.
Almost nothing can survive long against the Scourge in the zone, and the only settlements are along the edge of the zone. The exception to this is that both Horde and Alliance have created giant air ships which fly over the zone. They use these flying platforms as bases of operation to allow access to the zone. This is where you will find many of the quests in the zone.
Icecrown is the highest level zone in the game and meant for levels 78-80. It is not uncommon to find level 80 elites in groups in this zone, and a flying mount is a necessity for getting around successfully.
Other zones around the Storm Peaks include Icecrown to the west and Grizzly Hills and Crytsalsong Forest to the south.
Icecrown houses the fortress of the Lich King himself and as such will at some point in the future hold the end game raid for the Wrath of the Lich King Expansion. Currently however there are no instances in the zone.
You can find guides for these (and other) instances on our Wrath of the Lich King Instance Guide page.
For miners you are able to find and collect Saronite and Titanium ore in this zone. For players collecting herbs, you can find Lichbloom and Icethorn throughout the zone.
Quick Reference: Zone Level Chart | Instance Level Chart
Regular Zones: Levels 1 to 10 | Levels 11 to 20 | Levels 21 to 30 | Levels 31 to 40 | Levels 41 to 50 | Levels 51 to 60
Burning Crusade Zones: Level 60 to 63 | Level 64 to 67 | Level 68 to 70
Wrath of the Lich King Zones: Level 70 to 73 | Level 74 to 77 | Level 78 to 80