Warcraft started as a strategy game and quickly evolved into one of the most expansive and popular gaming franchises of all time, particularly with World of Warcraft, the RPGMMO. This is the Warcraft timeline.
What’s on the Warcraft Timeline?
This is the unofficial Warcraft timeline that includes the main games, the novels, the comics, and the 2016 feature film and its tie-ins. This timeline also includes many of the short stories that can be found online.
Many of these stories take place over multiple eras, but we keep to the house rule that a story is placed on the timeline based on where it ends, and we do not split up the media. This makes the timeline easier to follow and read. So with that said, we hope you enjoy this timeline and reading order for all of the Warcraft stories in chronological order.
Where to Start?
There are a number of good places to start with the Warcraft franchise, and it’s not an exact science. In large part, it will depend on your tastes. If you’re a fan of strategy games, we recommend Warcraft III, which has recently been remastered. But if you’re an MMO fan, start with World of Warcraft. In both cases, we don’t recommend you read the books or comics until you’re familiar with at least one of these games.
The film is another good place to start for those who don’t want a heavy time commitment, but keep in mind that the film does not fully represent the expansive scope of the franchise, nor will it represent the joy you may or may not have with the games themselves.
# | Get It | Name | Media | Author/Director | Date | Time | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Warcraft Saga | Comic Issue | Chris Metzen | 2014-08-01 | Prehistory | Collected in World of Warcraft: Annual 2015 | |
2 | Death From Above | Short Story | Robert Brooks | Unknown | -13,000 | Found online. | |
3 | The First Guardian | Comic Issue | Louise Simonson | 2009-09-01 | -2,600 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 5 | |
4 | A Warrior Made, Part 1 | Comic Issue | Christie Golden | 2009-06-16 | -45 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 4 | |
5 | A Warrior Made, Part 2 | Comic Issue | Christie Golden | 2009-09-01 | -45 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 5 | |
6 | Blackhand | Comic Issue | Robert Brooks | 2014-10-10 | -45 | Found online. | |
7 | Blood and Thunder | Comic Issue | Raphael Ahad | 2015-03-05 | -45 | Found online. | |
8 | Family Values | Comic Issue | Aaron Sparrow | 2008-11-11 | -1 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 2 | |
9 | Warcraft: Orcs and Humans | Game | Bill Roper | 1994-11-23 | 0 | ||
10 | The Last Guardian | Novel | Jeff Grubb | 2016-11-15 | 0 | ||
11 | Warcraft: Bonds of Brotherhood | Graphic Novel | Paul Cornell | 2016-06-07 | 0 | ||
12 | Durotan | Novel | Christie Golden | 2016-05-03 | 0 | ||
13 | Warcraft | Film | Duncan Jones | 2016-06-10 | 0 | ||
14 | Warcraft: The Official Movie Novelization | Novel | Christie Golden | 2016-06-07 | 0 | ||
15 | Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness | Game | Chris Metzen | 1995-12-09 | 6 | ||
16 | Tides of Darkness | Novel | Glenn Rane | 2007-08-28 | 6 | ||
17 | Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal | Game | Duane Stinnett | 1996-05-16 | 8 | ||
18 | Beyond the Dark Portal | Novel | Aaron Rosenberg | 2008-06-24 | 8 | ||
19 | Day of the Dragon | Novel | Richard A. Knaak | 2001-02-01 | 10 | ||
20 | Unbroken | Short Story | Micky Neilson | Unknown | 10 | Found online. | |
21 | Road to Damnation | Short Story | Evelyn Fredericksen | Unknown | 10 | Found online. | |
22 | Of Blood and Honor | Short Story | Chris Metzen | 2006-10-24 | 19 | ||
23 | Lord of the Clans | Novel | Christie Golden | 2016-11-15 | 19 | ||
24 | Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos | Game | Nicholas S. Carpenter | 2002-06-25 | 20 | ||
25 | Vol'jin: The Judgement | Short Story | Brian Kindregan | Unknown | 20 | Found online. | |
26 | Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne | Game | Nicholas S. Carpenter | 2003-06-01 | 22 | ||
27 | The Sunwell Trilogy | Graphic Novel | Richard A. Knaak | 2007-10-16 | 23 | ||
28 | War of the Ancients: The Well of Eternity | Novel | Richard A. Knaak | 2004-04-01 | 23 | Frame story takes place here. | |
29 | War of the Ancients: The Demon Soul | Novel | Richard A. Knaak | 2004-11-01 | 23 | Frame story takes place here. | |
30 | War of the Ancients: The Sundering | Novel | Richard A. Knaak | 2005-08-01 | 23 | Frame story takes place here. | |
31 | A Cleansing Fire | Comic Issue | Evelyn Fredericksen | 2009-09-01 | 24 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 5 | |
32 | Cycle of Hatred | Novel | Keith R. A. DeCandido | 2006-02-01 | 24 | ||
33 | World of Warcraft | Game | Michael Chu | 2004-11-23 | 25 | ||
34 | The War Effort | Short Story | Unknown | 25 | Found online. | ||
35 | War of the Shifting Sands | Short Story | Micky Neilson | Unknown | 25 | Found online. | |
36 | The Thrill of the Hunt | Comic Issue | Troy Lewter | 2009-03-10 | 25 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 3 | |
37 | Bloodsail Buccaneer | Comic Issue | Dan Jolley | 2009-06-16 | 25 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 4 | |
38 | How to Win Friends | Comic Issue | Dan Jolley | 2008-08-12 | 25 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 1 | |
39 | Miles to Go | Comic Issue | Dan Jolley | 2008-11-11 | 25 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 2 | |
40 | An Honest Trade | Comic Issue | Troy Lewter | 2008-08-12 | 25 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 1 | |
41 | Warrior: Divided | Comic Issue | Grace Randolph | 2008-11-11 | 25 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 2 | |
42 | Warrior: United | Comic Issue | Grace Randolph | 2009-09-01 | 25 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 5 | |
43 | Shadow Wing, Vol. 1: The Dragons of Outland | Graphic Novel | Richard A. Knaak | 2010-06-01 | 26 | ||
44 | Shadow Wing, Vol. 2: Nexus Point | Graphic Novel | Richard A. Knaak | 2011-03-01 | 26 | ||
45 | World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade | Game | Michael Chu | 2007-01-16 | 26 | ||
46 | Rise of the Horde | Novel | Christie Golden | 2006-12-26 | 26 | Ends at this point in the timeline. | |
47 | The Journey | Comic Issue | Troy Lewter | 2008-08-12 | 26 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 1 | |
48 | Crusader's Blood | Comic Issue | Dan Jolley | 2009-03-10 | 26 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 3 | |
49 | I Got What Yule Needs | Comic Issue | Christie Golden | 2009-03-10 | 26 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 3 | |
50 | Blood Runs Thicker | Comic Issue | Tim Beedle | 2009-06-16 | 26 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 4 | |
51 | World of Warcraft - The Comic, Vol. 1 | Graphic Novel | Walter Simonson | 2008-08-12 | 26 | ||
52 | Night of the Dragon | Novel | Richard A. Knaak | 2008-11-18 | 27 | ||
53 | World of Warcraft - The Comic, Vol. 2 | Graphic Novel | Walter Simonson | 2009-09-01 | 27 | ||
54 | Arthas: Rise of the Lich King | Novel | Christie Golden | 2009-04-21 | 27 | ||
55 | World of Warcraft - The Comic, Vol. 3 | Graphic Novel | Walter Simonson | 2011-04-05 | 27 | ||
56 | World of Warcraft - The Comic, Vol. 4 | Graphic Novel | Walter Simonson | 2011-08-30 | 27 | ||
57 | Mage | Comic Issue | Richard A. Knaak | 2010-06-01 | 27 | ||
58 | In the Shadow of the Sun | Short Story | Sarah Pine | Unknown | 27 | Found online. | |
59 | Fallen | Comic Issue | Richard A. Knaak | 2008-08-12 | 27 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 1 | |
60 | Fear | Comic Issue | Richard A. Knaak | 2008-11-11 | 27 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 2 | |
61 | Fiend | Comic Issue | Richard A. Knaak | 2009-03-10 | 27 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 3 | |
62 | Fate | Comic Issue | Richard A. Knaak | 2009-06-16 | 27 | Collected in Legends: Vol. 4 | |
63 | World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King | Game | Brigitte Burdine | 2008-11-13 | 27 | ||
64 | Death Knight | Comic Issue | Dan Jolley | 2009-12-01 | 27 | ||
65 | Li Li's Travel Journal (parts 1-4) | Short Story | N/A | 2012-08-31 | 27 | Found online. | |
66 | Pearl of Pandaria | Comic Issue | Micky Neilson | 2012-09-25 | 27 | ||
67 | Glory | Short Story | Evelyn Fredericksen | Unknown | 27 | Found online. | |
68 | Heart of War | Short Story | Sarah Pine | Unknown | 27 | Found online. | |
69 | Stormrage | Novel | Richard A. Knaak | 2010-02-23 | 27 | ||
70 | Shaman | Comic Issue | Paul Benjamin | 2010-09-28 | 27 | ||
71 | The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm | Novel | Christie Golden | 2010-10-19 | 27 | ||
72 | Cut Short | Short Story | Cameron Dayton | Unknown | 28 | Found online. | |
73 | Dark Riders | Comic Issue | Mike Costa | 2014-05-13 | 28 | ||
74 | Curse of the Worgen | Comic Issue | Micky Neilson, James Waugh | 2012-10-09 | 28 | Ends at this point in the timeline. | |
75 | Edge of Night | Short Story | Dave Kosak | Unknown | 28 | Found online. | |
76 | Seeds of Faith | Short Story | Valerie Watrous | Unknown | 28 | Found online. | |
77 | Fire and Iron | Short Story | Matt Burns | Unknown | 28 | Found online. | |
78 | World of Warcraft: Cataclysm | Game | Marc Messenger, Terran Gregory | 2010-12-07 | 28 | ||
79 | Bloodsworn | Comic Issue | Doug Wagner | 2014-08-12 | 28 | ||
80 | Trade Secrets of a Trade Prince | Short Story | Gavin Jurgens-Fyhrie | Unknown | 28 | Found online. | |
81 | As Our Fathers Before Us | Short Story | Stevie Nix | Unknown | 28 | Found online. | |
82 | Lord of His Pack | Short Story | James Waugh | Unknown | 28 | Found online. | |
83 | Wolfheart | Novel | Richard A. Knaak | 2011-09-13 | 28 | ||
84 | Prophet's Lesson | Short Story | Marc Hutcheson | Unknown | 28 | Found online. | |
85 | Blood of Our Fathers | Short Story | Dan Arey | Unknown | 28 | Found online. | |
86 | Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects | Novel | Christie Golden | 2011-07-19 | 28 | ||
87 | Charge of the Aspects | Short Story | Matt Burns | 2011-12-06 | 28 | Found online. | |
88 | Quest for Pandaria | Novel | Sarah Pine | 2012-09-24 | 30 | Found online. | |
89 | Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War | Novel | Christie Golden | 2012-08-28 | 30 | ||
90 | World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria | Game | Terran Gregory | 2012-09-25 | 30 | ||
91 | Li Li's Travel Journal (parts 5-11) | Short Story | N/A | 2012-08-31 | 30 | Found online. | |
92 | The Trial of the Red Blossoms | Novel | Cameron Dayton | 2013-02-15 | 30 | Found online. | |
93 | Bleeding Sun | Short Story | Matt Burns | Unknown | 30 | Found online. | |
94 | Dawn of the Aspects | Short Story | Richard A. Knaak | 2013-11-19 | 30 | Short story anthology connected by a frame story that ends here. | |
95 | Vol'jin: Shadows of the Horde | Novel | Michael A. Stackpole | 2013-07-02 | 30 | ||
96 | The Blank Scroll | Short Story | Gavin Jurgens-Fyhrie | Unknown | 30 | Found online. | |
97 | The Strength of Steel | Short Story | Raphael Ahad | Unknown | 30 | Found online. | |
98 | The Jade Hunters | Short Story | Matt Burns | Unknown | 30 | Found online. | |
99 | Over Water | Short Story | Ryan Quinn | Unknown | 30 | Found online. | |
100 | The Untamed Valley | Short Story | Robert Brooks | Unknown | 30 | Found online. | |
101 | War Crimes | Novel | Christie Golden | 2014-05-06 | 30 | ||
102 | Hellscream | Short Story | Robert Brooks | Unknown | 30 | Found online. | |
103 | Gul'dan and the Stranger | Comic Issue | Micky Neilson | 2014-08-07 | 31 | Found online. | |
104 | Code of Rule | Short Story | Ryan Quinn | Unknown | 31 | Found online. | |
105 | World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor | Game | Terran Gregory | 2014-11-13 | 31 | ||
106 | Apocrypha | Short Story | Matt Burns | Unknown | 31 | Found online. | |
107 | Illidan | Novel | William King | 2016-04-12 | 31 | ||
108 | Traveler | Novel | Greg Weisman | 2016-10-25 | 31 | ||
109 | Traveler: The Spiral Path | Novel | Greg Weisman | 2018-02-27 | 31 | ||
110 | Traveler: The Shining Blade | Novel | Greg Weisman | 2019-12-26 | 31 | ||
111 | World of Warcraft: Legion | Game | Tom Chilton | 2016-08-30 | 31 | ||
112 | Before the Storm | Novel | Christie Golden | 2018-06-12 | 31 |