The journey continued via the Deeprun Tram to Stormwind for class quests, followed by a return to WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Gold Ironforge. After reaching Enchanting 70, a Greater Magic Wand was crafted-though it couldn't be equipped until level 13. Once that milestone was hit, the wand became an instant power boost.

Further progress included completing the Blood Sausage and Mining Supplies quests. The grind was lengthy, but another level-up midway made the process smoother.

Obstacles and Perseverance

Not everything went smoothly. A sudden power outage interrupted gameplay deep within Stone Splinter Valley, though thankfully, no character deaths occurred. Once the connection was restored, the trogg quests were completed, and preparation began for the Hogger Raid, a massive community event that drew enormous participation.

Between larger events, the routine grind resumed. More crafting took place, resulting in Soft-Soled Wool Boots, the first Woolen Bag, and Heavy Woolen Gloves. With resources secured, the priest challenged Hogger solo at level 13-and emerged victorious without potions or backup, a testament to solid preparation and effective class play.

Wrapping Up the Week

Following the Hogger encounter, attention returned to Westfall for familiar territory: Harvest Golems, Defias mobs, and low drop-rate quests. Progress was slow but steady, eventually reaching level 15 and nearly level 16.

After one last set of turn-ins in Stormwind, level 16 was achieved-closing out another week of progress in the Hardcore Crafted Locked challenge. Despite a shorter session, key advancements were made: profession setups finalized, crafting chains established, and essential materials gathered for long-term goals.

With new stability and focus, the next phase promises more consistent updates and deeper content. The foundation for forging Sulfuras has been set-every ore mined, every bracer hammered, and every quest completed brings the challenge one step closer to its fiery endgame. Have enough WoW Classic Fresh Gold to help you complete the challenge.

World of Warcraft can feel overwhelming if you're just getting started-or coming back after years away. With so many versions, expansions, and acronyms floating around, it's easy to feel lost. Retail WoW, Classic WoW, Hardcore, Season of Discovery, Cataclysm Classic, and even anniversary events… where do you even begin?

This guide breaks everything down into simple steps so you can start your journey in Azeroth without confusion. We'll cover the free trial, subscriptions, choosing between Retail and Classic, making your first character, and what to expect from the game in 2025.

The Free Trial

World of Warcraft offers a free trial that lets you play up to level 20 with no expansions. While limited, it's a great way to test different classes, explore starter areas, and get a feel for the game.

With the trial, you can:

Level to 20 with any class or specialization.

Use the Dungeon Finder for early group content.

Try seasonal event bosses.

Experience Skyriding, the new dynamic flying system, which unlocks at level 10.

The downsides are big: no trading, no guilds, no Auction House, and very limited social features. The trial also doesn't work for Classic WoW. Think of it as a way to dip your toes in before subscribing.

Subscriptions and Expansions

A WoW subscription costs $15/month, with discounts for 3-, 6-, or 12-month plans. Longer subs often come with bonus mounts or pets, but if you're new, start with buy WoW Classic Fresh Gold just one month.