Despite the mixed initial reception,World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandariahas become more beloved with time. The race of Pandaren was intricately interwoven into the lore. Pandaria became a regular player in Warcraft story, while the continent also became a source of lore for ancient beings such as Old Gods or Titans. With the ongoingMoP Remixand the potential prospect ofMoPclassic, the expansion is receiving some deserved attention.
One aspect of Pandaria that is almost universally acclaimed is the art direction of the zones. The writers had to show a land shrouded by mists for thousands of years and convey a culture vastly different from most others already introduced in the expansive world of Azeroth. Each Pandaria zone shares a common thread of a mysterious, unclaimed land, yet each has a unique atmosphere and style worth celebrating.
9Isle Of Thunder
Lei Shen’s Domain
A later zone added in patch 5.2, Isle of Thunder is one of the darkest zones in Pandaria and the only one that doesn’t have any cultural influence from Pandaren. It is overtaken by Mogu andtheir Zandalari allies, making it an enemy Stronghold that the protagonists will have to infiltrate and conquer.
The atmosphere of the zone is grim and dire, as the players will inevitably encounter enemies at nearly every point of their journey. There are withered forests and ancient ruins to explore, all of which lead to the pinnacle of the zone, a castle called Throne of Thunder, a large raid where the powerful Lei Shen resides.
8Timeless Isle
An Anomaly
The last zone to be added inMists of Pandaria, Timeless Isle, is an addition from 5.4. It is a unique zone as it has a complete lack of day/night cycle, which is in line with its nature as an island beyond time. This is the place where multiple forces unite to prepare for the Siege of Orgrimmar, such as the Alliance, Horde, and Pandaren, who act to balance the warring factions.
The zone itself is very beautiful, as it is filled with forests and grasslands with many unique animals to see. It feels like a fusion of Jade Forest and Townlong Steppes, which slightly diminishes its uniqueness, but it still does a good job conveying the overall spirit of Pandaria and its people, supported by the presence of the celestials there.
7Townlong Steppes
The War-Torn Lands
Ever since arriving in Pandaria, the players have seen a peaceful land that, nevertheless, has some traces of darkness. First, it was the existence of sha, but then the Serpent’s Spine, a wall that separated Pandaren’s territory from hostile forces, was revealed. The higher-level zones are beyond this wall, with Townlong Steppes being the first.
It maintains the atmosphere of war and mutual destruction, as the player sees a conflict between Pandaren, Yaungol, and Mantid, which only gets worse with Sha’s influence. The zone has quite a few striking vistas to enjoy, such as the bog or the canyon with a hoard of amber inside, as well as the Temple of Niuzao, the celestial ox.
The Stronghold Of Fear
Dread Wastes is by far the most dangerous and unwelcoming place in all of Pandaria. It houses the Heart of Fear, the stronghold of mantid, who are the mortal enemies of the Pandaren. Large portions of the zone are corrupted by the sha, and the sky is almost clouded with darkness while hostile mantid swarm the land.
Nevertheless, the zone still possesses notable charm. It is very different from other Pandaria zones and serves as the culmination of foreshadowing in previous zones regarding the sha and the mantid. Due to its remoteness, it also houses a couple of small Pandaren villages that can offer a reprieve from the endless hordes of enemies.
5Krasarang Wilds
A Serene Jungle
A zone that is perhaps the most removed from civilization in all of Pandaria is Krasarang Wilds. Located south of the valley, the endless jungle houses many dangerous predators and intriguing ancient ruins. The elusive Red Crane cult is found to the south, though some of its members have been corrupted by sha.
Overall, the zone shows nature mostly untouched by civilization, apart from a few fishing villages of those who live in harmony with nature. The serene music and distant rays of sunlight that only occasionally shine through the giant trees support the atmosphere of a mysterious yet peaceful land. Krasarang Wilds is a perfect place for someone who seeks solitude.
4Kun-Lai Summit
Shado-Pan Seat
If the Valley of Four Winds and Jade Forest are the cultural heart of Pandaria, Kun-Lai Summit is the military center of the Pandaren. The vast mountains house the Temple of the White Tiger and the Shado-Pan Garrison, home to the defenders of Pandaria. The zone serves as an introduction to the Yaungol threat and the place wherethree dangerous sha, fragments of an old god Y’Shaarj, reside.
The zone consists of the tumultuous brown lowlands, but the most beautiful part is the majestic snowy peaks that rise above the ground, creating multiple pathways for Grummel caravans traveling around. There is also a remote province of Zhouchin, which is the only place in Kun-Lai that is lacking in snow and full of greenery on the sea’s shore.
3Vale Of Eternal Blossoms
The Heart Of Pandaria
Vale of Eternal Blossoms has remained mysterious for generations. It is a place that the last Pandaren Emperor, Shaohao, sought to find. In the end, it proved to be a very important location that was eventually overtaken by the Golden Lotus and suffered from occasional incursions from Mogu. It serves as the main max-level zone with multiple daily activities for players to undertake.
The Vale is colored in bright colors, especially gold. The lush forests are intertwined with the peak of Mogu architecture, now housing Pandaren factions such as the Lorewalkers. The zone truly feels like a paradise, and despite its destruction and corruption in patch 5.4 as a prelude to theSiege of Orgrimmar, it has been restored to its original state inBattle for Azeroth.
2Valley Of Four Winds
The Farmland
The second zone the players visit in this expansion is the Valley of Four Winds, which is a perfect example of Pandarian culture. After the player is separated from their faction associates, they meet up with a Pandaren named Chen Stormshout, someone who only arrived in Pandaria recently and is getting acquainted with it — along with the player.
The zone is a very serene and harmonious place. It consists ofmultiple farming settlementsthat span a vast valley. The players can glimpse how Pandaren gather silk and make alcohol. A large river flows through the southern part of the valley, showing the source of the ground’s fertility, which allows the land to stay as beautiful as it is.
1Jade Forest
Jewel Of Pandaria
The first zone the players see in Pandaria is the epitome of the continent’s beauty. Jade Forest is a lush, fertile land full of tall trees, lakes, and bamboo. It’s populated by diverse races such as Pandaren, Hozen, and Jinyu, some of which are willing to take sides in the conflict between Alliance and Horde on their shores. Both factions will play through unique questlines in this zone.
The zone is notable for being vast, incorporating multiple Pandaren villages, mostly situated on the surrounding hills. In the middle of the zone, there is a jade forest full of trees and sculptures made of pure jade. The south of the zone contains bamboo forests and multiple lakes, which are a wonder to explore.
