Lore ·
Warcraft Story Recap Before WoW Forever: The Three Wars
Three wars shaped the Azeroth you enter in WoW Forever: the orcs' invasion of Stormwind, the Alliance's war against the Horde, and the war against the Scourge and the Burning Legion. Together they run from the opening of the Dark Portal (year 0) to the Battle of Mount Hyjal (year 21). Forever is set a few years after the last of them, so knowing these three stories explains almost every ruin and grudge you will meet.
Quick answer: First War (years 0 to 5): the Horde conquers Stormwind. Second War (5 to 6): the Alliance of Lordaeron defeats the Horde. Third War (20 to 21): the Scourge and the Burning Legion destroy Lordaeron, Dalaran and Quel'Thalas before they are beaten at Mount Hyjal.
The First War (years 0 to 5)
The orc warlock Gul'dan, working with the Burning Legion, drove the Horde through the Dark Portal. Draenor, the orcs' homeworld, was dying, and the Legion's blood-curse bound the clans. The corrupted human Guardian Medivh helped open the portal, and the orcs arrived in the Black Morass.
Horde raiders devastated Stormwind's farms and towns. The other human kingdoms refused to send help. Anduin Lothar led the knights of Stormwind in a fighting retreat and then a surprise flank attack that broke the first siege of Stormwind Keep. Lothar and Khadgar killed Medivh, which exposed Gul'dan's role, and Orgrim Doomhammer took the Horde from Warchief Blackhand.
The Horde took Stormwind in the second siege, after King Llane was assassinated, and razed the city. Lothar led the survivors north to Lordaeron.
The Second War (years 5 to 6)
Lothar's warning led to the Council of Seven Nations and the Alliance of Lordaeron, with Lothar as Supreme Commander. Warchief Doomhammer attacked Khaz Modan but failed to take Ironforge or Gnomeregan, then landed a fleet in Hillsbrad after the Battle of Zul'Dare.
The Knights of the Silver Hand helped the Alliance hold at Hillsbrad Foothills. The Horde hit Quel'Thalas, where a Sunwell-powered shield protected Silvermoon, and then withdrew south. The Alliance won at the Burning Steppes, though Lothar died and Turalyon took command. The red dragonflight, enslaved in Grim Batol by the Dragonmaw clan, was part of the Horde's strength.
The Alliance won. The Dark Portal was destroyed on the Azeroth side, Stormwind was reclaimed, and most surviving orcs were driven out or placed in internment camps.
The Third War (years 20 to 21)
Years after the Second War, a plague of undeath began spreading through the north of Lordaeron, and Arthas's investigation led him to the necromancer Kel'Thuzad. Kel'Thuzad led the formation of the Scourge, an army of undead that attacked the kingdom. Prince Arthas Menethil, once a paladin, became one of its leaders. The Burning Legion, led by Archimonde the Defiler, followed.
The war ended with a mortal victory at the Battle of Mount Hyjal in Kalimdor, but the cost was huge. Lordaeron, Dalaran and Quel'Thalas were destroyed, the Sunwell and Nordrassil were badly damaged, and the high elves were nearly wiped out. Illidan Stormrage was freed, and the blood elves emerged as a people.
Where Forever picks up
WoW Forever is set in the first year of World of Warcraft, a few years after the Third War, and it follows its own timeline. The lore primer explains the setting in more detail. Blizzard has announced new storytelling on Mount Hyjal, where the new raids open on December 9, so the end of the Third War is also where Forever's newest story happens.
Each war leaves a mark you can visit:
- First War: Stormwind's rebuilt walls and the memory of its fall.
- Second War: the Alliance itself, the dwarven strongholds and the orc internment history.
- Third War: the Ruins of Lordaeron, the City of Dalaran dungeon and the Forsaken of the Undercity.
For the full story of what happened to the human kingdom, read What Happened to Lordaeron? and the story of Arthas Menethil.
Learn the story while you play
You do not need to memorize any of this. The free Lore Forever add-on shows readable background for the place you are standing in, and narrates stories where recorded. The optional Willo Windows companion lets you ask questions out loud. Both are fan-made.
Frequently asked questions
How many wars are there before WoW Forever?
Three major ones: the First War (years 0 to 5), the Second War (5 to 6) and the Third War (20 to 21), counted from the opening of the Dark Portal.
Do I need to know the three wars to play WoW Forever?
No. Quests explain what you need. This recap just makes ruins, factions and quest givers easier to place.
Who won each war?
The Horde won the First War, the Alliance won the Second War, and the mortal races won the Third War at a huge cost.
Is the Third War the same as Warcraft III?
Yes. The Third War is the story told in Warcraft III, including the Scourge, the Burning Legion and the fall of Lordaeron.
Does WoW Forever retell these wars?
No. Forever happens afterwards, in the first year of World of Warcraft, and follows its own timeline.
Sources
Reviewed October 23, 2026. Years are counted after the opening of the Dark Portal. Lore Forever and Willo are fan-made and are not affiliated with Blizzard Entertainment.