The story background
Players last visited Northrend in the Warcraft III expansion, when Arthas Menethil fused with the spirit of Ner'zhul to become the Lich King, one of the most powerful entities in the Warcraft universe. He now broods atop the Frozen Throne, deep in Icecrown Citadel, clutching the rune blade Frostmourne and marshaling the undead armies of the Scourge. In Wrath of the Lich King, the greatest champions of the Alliance and the Horde will do battle with the Scourge amid Northrend's howling winds and fields of jagged ice, and ultimately face the Lich King himself.
New Continent Northrend
Northrend is the icy northern most continent of Azeroth. Formed during the War of the Ancients, and initially introduced in Warcraft III, players will be returning to it in The World of Warcraft Expansion: The Wrath of the Lich King.
The first area of Northrend the players will go is the Howling Fjord, a region of grasslands overlooking massive cliffs at the southeastern edge of the continent. This, along with the Borean Tundra, is the front line of the war against Arthas, and players will come face to face with his minions as soon as they set foot on Northrend. Eventually, as players progress further, they will explore the Grizzly Hills, Dragonblight, and more.
Level Cap to 80
An increase in the level cap to 80
As if new classes, worlds, cities, dungeons, mounts, and professions weren't enough, the expansion will also enhance the game with a wide number of small innovations. Now you can go to the following places to level your character up to 80.
Northrend will consist of the following zones:
Howling Fjord: 68-72
Borean Tundra: 68-72
The Dragonblight: 71-75
Zul'Drak: 73-76
Grizzly Hills: 74-76
Azjol-Nerub: 74-78
Sholazar Basin: 75-78
The Storm Peaks: 77-80
Icecrown Glacier: 77-80
Lake Wintergrasp
Players can start from two different zones: Howling Fjord & Borean Tundra.
First Hero Class Death Knight
The death knight combines martial prowess with dark, necromantic energies. Players might be familiar with the death knight from previously released Warcraft games -- most recently, in the campaigns for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and the Frozen Throne expansion, the former paladin Arthas became a death knight and wreaked havoc across Azeroth and Northrend before fusing with the spirit of Ner'zhul to become the Lich King. The death knight is the first hero class in World of Warcraft; once certain criteria are met, players will unlock the ability to create a new death knight character, which will begin play at a high experience level. The death knights you will be able to play are no longer allied with the Lich King; instead, they have joined forces with the Horde or the Alliance to fight against Arthas.
New Inscription Profession
Inscription will be a profession which enhances/alters spells and abilities. It will also create new items. For example it can alter the cooldown or increase the crit-rate of specific spells. Inscription will not be like alchemy or enchanting, it will create scrolls. The upgrades themselves won’t be too powerful so that Blizzard doesn’t have too much balance issues.
PVP(Siege Weapons and destructible buildings)
A new non-instanced PvP zone, Lake Wintergrasp, will contain Siege Weapons, destructible buildings and multiple objectives with lasting effects. Players on Normal realms will automatically be flagged for PvP when entering this zone. The objectives will be spread out all over the map, so it will not just be capture the flag. Siege Weapons will be based on the classic siege weapons from earlier Warcraft games such as Meat Wagons, Steam Tanks etc. They will be tied to specific objective or events rather than being items owned by the player and while they will be movable, they won't be a fast way to travel so people will have to fight around them.
New Character-Customization Options
Transform your hero's look with new character-customization options, including new hairstyles and dances.
Yes! WLK will introduce new Dances and the ability to change your hair style for already existing and new characters. Current plans are that there will be a barbershop inside the game where you can pick a hair style and try it out before getting the final cut. Facial hair, hair colour, earrings and even tattoos are currently planned. Dances can be learned in a dance studio.
New Dungeons
Utgarde Keep is most likely to have several wings which will feature heroic versions as well.
The Nexus will consist of a level 70 Ice Cavern Instance, a level 80 instance and a 25 man raid instance against Malygos which will most likely be a short raid instance akin to Onyxia or Gruul.
Ulduar is the Iron Dwarf instance revealing information about the Dwarven creation story - This is accessible to both Horde and Alliance.
New Races of Northrend
Taunka – An ancient offshoot of the Tauren, who have a considerably different outlook on the world.
Tuskarr – The Nomadic Fisher Walrus men make a return from Warcraft III.
Iron Dwarves – There is a great deal to be discovered about the dwarven creation story in Ulduar
Naga – Pursuing their material interests further in Northrend.
Vrykul – The ancient giant vikings of the Howling Fjord.
Furbolgs – The Furbolgs live in the city of Grizzlemaw in Grizzly Hills.
Nerubians – The Nerubian spiderlords are related to the silithid of Silithus and are followers of the Old Gods in Northrend.
New talents and skills
The skill limit will be raised to 400 (450 for professions). New talents (up to 51-point tier).
