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Roadmap — Wiki · WoW Wrath of the Lich King

How Wrath of the Lich King Classic unlocked, phase by phase, from the pre-patch in August 2022 to the Ruby Sanctum in January 2024, and the original 2008–2010 patches it follows.

  • Released · Out now
  • Announced · Confirmed by Blizzard
  • Planned · A window, not a date
  • Delayed · Moved back
  • Unconfirmed · Not officially dated

Wrath of the Lich King Classic phases

Wrath of the Lich King Classic, 2022–2024.

  1. World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King logo

    Pre-patch

    Released

    Death Knights, Inscription and achievements arrive, and fresh realms open.

    Class and gameplay changes
    Death Knight

    Patch notesInscription

    Sources: Blizzard: Wrath Classic pre-patch now live · Warcraft Wiki: Wrath of the Lich King Classic

  2. World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King logo

    Pre-launch event

    Released

    The Zombie Infestation spreads through the cities; the Scourge Invasion follows on 13 September.

    Sources: Blizzard: Wrath Classic pre-patch now live · Warcraft Wiki: Wrath of the Lich King Classic

  3. A vrykul forge hall in Utgarde Keep, lit by a furnace shaped like a snarling face

    Launch: Northrend

    Released

    Northrend opens with the level cap raised to 80.

    Dungeons
    Utgarde Keep · The Nexus · Azjol-Nerub · Ahn'kahet: The Old Kingdom · Drak'Tharon Keep · The Violet Hold · Gundrak · Halls of Stone · Halls of Lightning · The Oculus · Utgarde Pinnacle · The Culling of Stratholme
    PvP
    Wintergrasp

    Utgarde KeepThe Wyrmrest AccordKnights of the Ebon BladeStrand Of The Ancients

    Sources: Blizzard: Wrath Classic pre-patch now live · Warcraft Wiki: Wrath of the Lich King Classic

  4. A giant spider before the webbed halls of Naxxramas

    Phase 1: Naxxramas

    Released

    The first raids open; Arena Season 5 starts with the weekly reset of 4–5 October.

    Raids
    Naxxramas · The Eye of Eternity · The Obsidian Sanctum
    PvP
    Arena Season 5

    Patch notesNaxxramasThe Obsidian SanctumThe Eye of EternityVault of ArchavonPvP: arenas

    Sources: Blizzard: Wrath Classic pre-patch now live · Warcraft Wiki: Wrath of the Lich King Classic

  5. A titan hall in Ulduar around a figure of glowing blue light

    Phase 2: Secrets of Ulduar

    Released

    Patch 3.4.1 (17 January) brings the content; Ulduar and the Titan Rune Dungeons open on 19 January.

    Raids
    Ulduar
    Dungeons
    Titan Rune Dungeons: Defense Protocol Alpha
    Also
    Guild calendar events

    Patch notesUlduar

    Sources: Warcraft Wiki: Wrath of the Lich King Classic

  6. The Crusaders' Coliseum, a domed arena hung with faction banners

    Phase 3: Call of the Crusade

    Released

    Patch 3.4.2 (20 June) opens the Argent Tournament and moves Onyxia's Lair to level 80; the Trial of the Crusader raids follow on 22 June.

    Raids
    Trial of the Crusader · Onyxia's Lair (level 80)
    Dungeons
    Trial of the Champion · Titan Rune Dungeons: Defense Protocol Beta
    PvP
    Arena Season 7 · Isle of Conquest
    Also
    Argent Tournament

    Patch notesTrial of the CrusaderTrial of the ChampionOnyxia's LairArgent CrusadeIsle Of Conquest

    Sources: Warcraft Wiki: Wrath of the Lich King Classic

  7. Icecrown Citadel's spires glowing green above its dark courtyard

    Phase 4: Fall of the Lich King

    Released

    Patch 3.4.3 (10 October) opens the Frozen Halls and the Random Dungeon Finder; Icecrown Citadel opens on 12 October with all twelve bosses.

    Raids
    Icecrown Citadel
    Dungeons
    The Forge of Souls · Pit of Saron · Halls of Reflection · Titan Rune Dungeons: Defense Protocol Gamma
    Also
    Random Dungeon Finder · Collections interface

    Patch notesIcecrown CitadelThe Forge of SoulsPit of SaronHalls of ReflectionThe Ashen Verdict

    Sources: Warcraft Wiki: Wrath of the Lich King Classic

  8. A glowing portal in the red dragonflight's sanctum under a crimson sky

    Phase 5: The Ruby Sanctum

    Released

    The Ruby Sanctum opens beneath Wyrmrest Temple.

    Raids
    The Ruby Sanctum

    The Ruby Sanctum

    Sources: Warcraft Wiki: Wrath of the Lich King Classic

Original Wrath of the Lich King

Wrath of the Lich King, 2008–2010.

  1. World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King logo

    Patch 3.0.2: Echoes of Doom

    Released

    New talents, Inscription, achievements and the Barber Shop arrive before launch.

    Patch notes

    Sources: Warcraft Wiki: Wrath of the Lich King

  2. A giant spider before the webbed halls of Naxxramas

    Launch

    Released

    Northrend opens with Death Knights, level 80 and the first raids.

    Raids
    Naxxramas · The Obsidian Sanctum · The Eye of Eternity · Vault of Archavon
    PvP
    Wintergrasp · Strand of the Ancients

    NaxxramasVault of Archavon

    Sources: Warcraft Wiki: Wrath of the Lich King

  3. A titan hall in Ulduar around a figure of glowing blue light

    Patch 3.1: Secrets of Ulduar

    Released

    Ulduar, the Argent Tournament and dual talent specialization.

    Raids
    Ulduar

    Patch notesUlduar

    Sources: Warcraft Wiki: Wrath of the Lich King

  4. The Crusaders' Coliseum, a domed arena hung with faction banners

    Patch 3.2: Call of the Crusade

    Released

    The Crusaders' Coliseum and the Isle of Conquest.

    Raids
    Trial of the Crusader
    Dungeons
    Trial of the Champion
    PvP
    Isle of Conquest

    Patch notesTrial of the CrusaderIsle Of Conquest

    Sources: Warcraft Wiki: Wrath of the Lich King

  5. Onyxia rising above adventurers on a cavern ledge

    Patch 3.2.2: Onyxia Returns

    Released

    Onyxia's Lair is rebuilt for level 80 for the fifth anniversary.

    Raids
    Onyxia's Lair (level 80)

    Patch notesOnyxia's Lair

    Sources: Warcraft Wiki: Wrath of the Lich King

  6. Icecrown Citadel's spires glowing green above its dark courtyard

    Patch 3.3: Fall of the Lich King

    Released

    Icecrown Citadel, the Frozen Halls and the cross-realm Dungeon Finder.

    Raids
    Icecrown Citadel
    Dungeons
    The Forge of Souls · Pit of Saron · Halls of Reflection

    Patch notesIcecrown Citadel

    Sources: Warcraft Wiki: Wrath of the Lich King

  7. A glowing portal in the red dragonflight's sanctum under a crimson sky

    Patch 3.3.5: Defense of the Ruby Sanctum

    Released

    The Ruby Sanctum and Real ID.

    Raids
    The Ruby Sanctum

    Patch notesThe Ruby Sanctum

    Sources: Warcraft Wiki: Wrath of the Lich King

Reviewed 2026-10-18.