Lore ·
What Was the Third War? Plague, Archimonde and the Fall of Lordaeron
The Third War was the conflict, placed by Warcraft Wiki in the years 20 and 21 after the Dark Portal opened, that began when the Plague of Undeath tore through Lordaeron and ended when Archimonde was destroyed at Mount Hyjal. World of Warcraft: Forever (WoW Forever) is set in the first year of the original game, a few years later, so its ruined kingdoms, its Forsaken and its Alliance remnant are all products of this war.
Quick answer: The Lich King's Scourge destroyed Lordaeron and Quel'Thalas, the Scourge's theft of the Book of Medivh from Dalaran let the demon Archimonde into the world, and the Alliance, Horde and night elves together destroyed him at Mount Hyjal. The war left Lordaeron and Dalaran in ruins and the high elves nearly extinct.
Tirisfal Glades and the Ruins of Lordaeron above the Undercity are what remains of a fallen kingdom. Everything the first year of the game takes for granted, from the Forsaken to the broken Alliance, traces back to this war.
Key facts
- Years: 20 and 21 after the Dark Portal; Warcraft Wiki says the events started in October
- Cause: the Lich King and the Burning Legion's plan, with Kel'Thuzad spreading the plague (Warcraft Wiki, Blizzard Watch)
- Turning points: Stratholme, the fall of Quel'Thalas, Dalaran's destruction, Mount Hyjal (Warcraft Wiki, Engadget)
- Final battle: Mount Hyjal, where Archimonde died (Warcraft Wiki, Engadget)
- Results: Lordaeron, Dalaran and Quel'Thalas destroyed; Stormwind became the Alliance's leader (Warcraft Wiki)
How did the Third War begin?
Warcraft Wiki says Kil'jaeden bound Ner'zhul's spirit to armor so that he became the Lich King, who took control of Northrend and had Kel'Thuzad spread the Plague of Undeath through Lordaeron. Blizzard Watch's "Know Your Lore: The Third War" says the plague was seeded into the granaries of Andorhal, which fed half the northern towns, and that King Terenas heard rumors but was more worried about Thrall's orcs. Read Scourge and the Plague of Undeath Explained.
What did Arthas do in the Third War?
Warcraft Wiki says Prince Arthas ordered Uther and the paladins to destroy Stratholme; when Uther refused, Arthas disbanded the Knights of the Silver Hand and went to the town to slaughter it himself. Blizzard Watch says Mal'Ganis taunted Arthas to follow him to Northrend. Warcraft Wiki says Arthas found Muradin there, took the cursed blade Frostmourne, returned to Lordaeron and killed his father, Terenas. Warcraft Wiki's Scourge page adds that Arthas then invaded Quel'Thalas, defiled the Sunwell and resurrected Kel'Thuzad as a lich. Read The Story of Arthas Menethil and The Story of Kel'Thuzad.
How did the Burning Legion reach Azeroth?
A stolen book opened the door. Warcraft Wiki says the Scourge stole the Book of Medivh from Dalaran, that Kel'Thuzad used it to summon Archimonde, and that Archimonde's first act was to destroy Dalaran. Engadget's "Know Your Lore: Archimonde the Defiler" agrees that Medivh's tome was among the artifacts Arthas gave Kel'Thuzad, and says Archimonde destroyed Dalaran before sending the Legion against Lordaeron. Read The Burning Legion Explained.
How did the Third War end at Mount Hyjal?
Orcs and humans had crossed the sea to Kalimdor, where Engadget's third Third War installment says Thrall's orcs allied with the Darkspear trolls and the tauren and Jaina Proudmoore's humans settled the coast. Warcraft Wiki says Archimonde planned to take control of the second Well of Eternity under the World Tree Nordrassil, and that the Alliance, Horde and night elves together defeated the Legion and killed him at Mount Hyjal. Warcraft Wiki credits Malfurion with using the Horn of Cenarius to call ancient spirits that destroyed the Defiler and the World Tree; Engadget's Archimonde profile says Malfurion had the forest's wisps channel the Well of Eternity's full power into Archimonde at once and does not name the horn. Warcraft Wiki says the price of victory was the night elves' immortality. Read The Story of Malfurion Stormrage and Mount Hyjal.
What did the Third War leave behind in WoW Forever?
The war's survivors are the cast of the first year, which Lore Forever's timeline guide places a few years later. Warcraft Wiki says the Forsaken and blood elves rose from the ashes of Lordaeron's destroyed kingdoms, and that Stormwind emerged as the Alliance's new leader. Read The Forsaken Explained and The Story of Garithos. The free Lore Forever add-on shows readable zone and quest background as you play, and the optional Willo voice companion can answer lore questions; both are fan-made.
What is not confirmed yet
- Blizzard has not said how much Third War lore appears in WoW Forever's quest text.
- Sources differ on the mechanism of Archimonde's death: Warcraft Wiki credits the Horn of Cenarius, Engadget's Archimonde profile describes wisps and does not name the horn.
- Blizzard Watch's installment covers only the war's opening.
Frequently asked questions
What was the Third War in Warcraft?
The Third War was the conflict of 20 and 21 years after the Dark Portal, in which the Scourge destroyed Lordaeron and the Burning Legion invaded before being defeated at Mount Hyjal.
How did the Third War start?
It began when Kel'Thuzad spread the Plague of Undeath through Lordaeron on the Lich King's orders, according to Warcraft Wiki. Blizzard Watch says Andorhal's infected grain, which supplied half the towns in the north, spread it.
Who won the Third War?
The mortal races won. Warcraft Wiki calls it a mortal victory, with the Legion's primary command structure nearly destroyed at Mount Hyjal, though Lordaeron, Dalaran and Quel'Thalas were destroyed.
How did Archimonde die?
Archimonde died at Mount Hyjal. Warcraft Wiki credits the Horn of Cenarius calling ancient spirits, and Engadget's Archimonde profile describes wisps feeding him the Well of Eternity's power.
How long after the Third War is WoW Forever set?
WoW Forever is set in the first year of the original game, a few years after the Third War, per Lore Forever's own timeline guide. Warcraft Wiki dates the Third War to years 20 and 21 after the Dark Portal opened.
Who was Arthas in the Third War?
Arthas was Lordaeron's prince who went to Stratholme to slaughter the town, took Frostmourne in Northrend, killed his father Terenas and invaded Quel'Thalas, according to Warcraft Wiki.
Sources
Reviewed October 27, 2026. Lore Forever and Willo are fan-made and are not affiliated with Blizzard Entertainment.