Looking forward to EP very much for that reason. The culling of stratholme was the most memorable mission of the Reign of Chaos campaign for me.
Just one? Oh my god, will try (even if I will probably change idea in 5 minutes from this post).
If I have just to choose one I would say Barrens. I know, it's a cliche, but there are so many things to do in there that it has a ton of replayability.
From an aesthetic point of view, I would say Mulgore by far: I could roll on those plains for a month :D
Also, this. Moving to Thousand Needles always gave a feeling of actually "growing up", leaving the Barrens where you did spend most of your childhood and now moving to uncharted areas where you are on your own.
You said it better than I did. Once in 1k Needles I always felt the game started doing less handholding with the questing hubs.
There are so many good ones, but if I had to pick a couple, I'd have to say Eastern Plaguelands and Winterspring, for vastly different reasons.
EPL, because of a lot of what Fnonk said. The zone contains quite a few epic quest chains (Darrowshire, Tirion Fordring) and the final raid zone of the game, along with one of the best dungeons in Stratholme.
Winterspring, because it's my favorite zone in the game.
Ashenvale. Stonetalon a close second.
Coming from Horde side I've always enjoyed the feeling of finally venturing out of the Barrens into contested territory, and these are the first zones where I always had to watch my back while leveling.
Yes, STV is much worse when it comes to the lurking threat, but in that case there's so much PvP that you're almost desensitized, whereas in Ashenvale and Stonetalon there were bouts of tranquility that would lull you into a false sense of security.
Duskwood. Spooky forest with undead and worgen? Yes please.
Stranglethorn Vietnam is the greatest zone imo.
I also like 1000 Needles but there's too few PvP going on because of the lack of Alliance quests/FP.
Eastern Plaguelands, it's the perfect high-level zone because of how dangerous it feels. There are elites on the road, your only real quest hub is this worn down church that looks like it'll break down any minute, and on the Horde side even your primary quest giver despises you, you're really just not welcome in this place.
All of the above + eerything is dead or dying, good pvp, fun quests. It where I hit 60 on my 1st toon :mrgreen:
I hate to say it, but PvE wise I guess the Barrens? The zone is memed on a lot but I think for most Horde players from back then, no other zone left this kind of impression and mark on you. The size, the quests (makriks wife anyone?), the big level range, stupid zhevra hoofs and raptor heads, Alliance raiding crossroads. You spent hours and days there. THIS is the zone where you made your first steps towards other players and finding your rythm. It is also the one zone that is NEVER empty.
I hate to say it, but PvE wise I guess the Barrens? The zone is memed on a lot but I think for most Horde players from back then, no other zone left this kind of impression and mark on you. The size, the quests (makriks wife anyone?), the big level range, stupid zhevra hoofs and raptor heads, Alliance raiding crossroads. You spent hours and days there. THIS is the zone where you made your first steps towards other players and finding your rythm. It is also the one zone that is NEVER empty.
Yeh spot on dude, Barrens is actually really efficient and lively - I love it.
I also like Hillsbrad as horde, call me a martyr.
Alliance: Elwynn Forest
Horde: The Barrens
Both: STV
Ashenvale without a doubt.
My dirty secret is that my favorite leveling zone of all time is the Cataclysm version of Stonetalon Mountains, but if we're only looking at vanilla, then Duskwood and Hillsbrad.
Probably Tirisfal but I think the hinterlands and searing gorge are severely underrated.
Ashenvale. Still remember the first time going there on my undead rogue and being in awe of the aesthetics and music, not to mention the banking possibilities! It's a proper fantasy settings imo
I like the Arathi Highlands. They're open so you can see really far, and the mob density isn't super annoying, except in Stromgarde, but I liked having that sudden "whoa, this place is dangerous" feeling, kinda like Jintha'alor in Hinterlands.
STV so I can bully as many people as possible
STV has it all; great scenery, a plethora of quests, huge and dense landscape, and a constant anxiety due to the ever looming threat of dealing with the opposing faction on a whole new scale from any previous zone. On private servers this is different; it is STVietnam, but I don't factor those unrealistic experiences into my opinion.
:confused: Elwynn Forest.
Brings back so many good memories of getting lvl 10 and rerolling because I was never satisfied with my class when i was a 9-year-old.
Favorite Leveling zone is propably Tanaris. All my toons go there to do the Wastewanderer / Pirate quests because its a very reliable level or two.
By the feel and style I am gonna go with Duskwood or EPL, always liked them for the brooding atmosphere.