World of Warcraft: Ultimate Visual Guide
Author(s)	DK Publishing, Anne Stickney
Pages	200
Publisher(s)	DK Publishing, Inc.
Publication date	September 30, 2013
Format(s)	Hardcover
Retail price	US: $30.00
ISBN 10	1465414444
ISBN 13	978-1-4654-1444-1

The World of Warcraft: Ultimate Visual Guide is an official Warcraft timeline book of events, locations, and characters that have made up the game since its release. It contains stunning artwork and even some previously unknown lore.

It is succeeded by an updated version.

Description

For decades, the war between the Horde and the Alliance has raged on in the fantasy world of Azeroth. Millions of players have chosen a faction and fought alongside one another in Blizzard Entertainment’s critically acclaimed massively multiplayer online role-playing game, World of Warcraft® — and since its release in 2004, the game has grown to become the most popular subscription-based MMORPG on the planet.

From Blizzard^[1]

Created in close collaboration with Blizzard, World of Warcraft®: Ultimate Visual Guide explores the major characters, key locations, and epic history of this battle-scarred realm, and will capture any adventurer’s imagination with its breadth of detail. Players will find a treasure trove of game knowledge, as the book delves deep into the series’ lore and even goes be yond the game, giving readers a peek at the behind-the-scenes development of Blizzard’s vivid fantasy world. This detailed guide is the perfect companion for any adventurer, Alliance or Horde.

Credits

Characters

Notes

• It includes a full timeline of events in Warcraft history leading up to patch 5.2.
• There isn't as many "behind the scenes" information as the book description implied.

Retcons, discrepancies, and mistakes

Retcons

• The timeline put the events of The Frozen Throne to Year 22. Previously, it was year 21.^[2]
• In previous lore, the wisps destroyed Archimonde during the Third War, causing the World Tree Nordrassil to explode.^[3][4] The book states that the wisps surrounded Archimonde^[5] and caused the tree to explode. The force of the blast then obliterated Archimonde.^[6]
• Malfurion Stormrage said that Archimonde wanted the energies of the world tree.^[7] The same was said by Matoclaw in Cataclysm.^[8] The UVGs later changed it to ripping Nordrassil in order to access the second Well of Eternity.
• Kezan was depicted to be located northeast of the Isle of Thunder. World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1 later changed its position to being northwest of it.

Inconsistencies

• While the Wolfheart book stated that Tyrande will find an innocent member of the Watchers to lead them and that Jarod Shadowsong will lead a new security force composed from the members of the Sentinels, UVG says that Jarod leads the Watchers which is a security force.
• It says that Dalaran was formerly ruled by the magocracy of the Kirin Tor. The Council of Six, the ruling council of archmages, never stopped ruling Dalaran as seen in Wrath of the Lich King, Tides of War and Legion. It was also confirmed by Sean Copeland.^[9]
• Although Baine Bloodhoof no longer leads the Bloodhoof Village according to Ahmo Thunderhorn, he is still listed as the leader of the village.
• Prophecy about Liadrin is said to be a naaru prophecy. In the game, A'dal said that the prophecy was foretold by Velen.^[10]
• Despite being killed in a quest, Arnak Grimtotem is not stated to be deceased.
• Drek'Thar was born blind, yet other accounts state that he was blinded later in life.
• On page 74, it says that Gul'dan compelled Garona to murder Llane Wrynn. However, Gul'dan was in coma at the moment and it was the warlocks of the Shadow Council who controlled Garona.
• Arthas Menethil is said to have disbanded the Silver Hand during the Third War which clashes with at least 4 sources.
• The order of events of the First War entry doesn't seem to go chronologically. It has the order: Medivh's death, Llane Wrynn's assassination, Durotan's death, Blackhand's death.
• Ash'alah is referred to as both a nightsaber (page 89) and a frostsaber (page 90).
• Wrathion is listed as Deathwing's son though Dave Kosak previously stated that the former Aspect is not his biological father.
• Lilian Voss was stated to be deceased but Dave Kosak had revealed that she was actually "alive" at the moment.
• The book says that when Sylvanas took control of the city of Lordaeron, she renamed it to the Undercity. However, the Undercity is the name of the underground complex beneath the city. Moreover, the name Undercity was used long before the Third War.
• The isle(s) of the Darkspear tribe is mentioned with both, singular and plural. It also says that it is located in the Great Sea while previously it was stated to be in the South Sea.

Mistakes

• On page 80, Dagran Thaurissan II is listed as Magni's grandnephew and Brann's grandson. It should be reversed.
• When speaking about Rommath, it says that "Garithos learned the arts of siphoning magic."
• Malygos is not listed as deceased in Sindragosa's entry.
• While Liam Trollbane is listed as Danath's grandfather, he is not listed as a relative to Galen.
• Lorewalker Cho's ancestors are not listed in his entry.
• Darion Mograine is listed as deceased in Alexandros's and Renault's entries, it should be undead as with Galen's status in Danath's entry.
• Despite several previous sources stating that the Icecrown Citadel was constructed after Ner'zhul the Lich King was sent to Northrend, the guide states that the Citadel was only constructed after Arthas Menethil became the Lich King.^[11] World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3 however backs up the original sources.
• Velen was stated to be an eredar rather than a draenei.^[12] The second book corrected it.^[13]
• Bolvar Fordragon is listed as deceased.
• The revealing of Katrana Prestor's true identity is listed under the Year 25. According to The Comic, it happened shortly before the events of Wrath of the Lich King. World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3 reinforces the Comic version, hinting that the UVG description is not accurate.
• On page 14, Cairne Bloodhoof is depicted on the picture but Baine is assigned to it. The second volume corrected it.
• Grommash Hellscream is listed as aligned with only the old Horde and not the new Horde.
• Shakuun Runetotem is not listed as deceased. This was fixed in the updated version.
• Durotar was established right after Thrall and the Horde arrived to Kalimdor, before Medivh convinced Kalimdor's defenders to unite. In previous sources, Durotar was established after the Third War. World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3 reinforces the older sources hinting that the UVG descriptions are inaccurate.
• The title of Benedictus Voss is listed as Archbishop, it should be High Priest. This was corrected in the updated version.
• In the index of the book, Mannoroth is listed as Mannoroth the Defiler, which is likely an oversight since the title is more associated with Archimonde.
• In the index of the book, Nekros Skullcrusher is called Nekros Skullcatcher which is likely an oversight.
• In the index of the book, Terenas Menethil II is written as Terenas Manethil II which is likely a typo.
• In the index of the book, Tichondrius is written as Tichondrious which is likely a typo.

References

External links

v e Warcraft books Type Art Atlas Comic Magazine Manga Manual Novel Novella RPG Short story Strategy guide Binding & format Audiobook Digital Hardcover Paperback Guide books Warcraft Orcs & Humans Secrets & Solutions Tides of Darkness The Strategy Guide Beyond the Dark Portal Secrets & Solutions The Magic of Azeroth The Dark Saga Game Secrets Battle.net Edition Prima's Strategy Guide Reign of Chaos Strategy Guide Battle Chest The Frozen Throne Strategy Guide Battle Chest World of Warcraft WoW Strategy Guide WoW Strategy Guide, Second Edition WoW Battle Chest Guide WoW Dungeon Companion WoW Dungeon Companion 2 WoW Dungeon Companion 3 WoW Bestiary The Burning Crusade Strategy Guide The Burning Crusade Battle Chest Guide Wrath of the Lich King Strategy Guide Cataclysm Signature Series Guide Mists of Pandaria Signature Series Guide Limited Edition WoW Beginner's Guide 2013 Warlords of Draenor Signature Series Guide Cookbooks The Official Cookbook Gift Set New Flavors of Azeroth Gift Set World of Warcraft Diary Lore Ultimate Visual Guide Updated and Expanded Annual 2015 World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1 Volume 2 Volume 3 Volume 4 Grimoire of the Shadowlands and Beyond Exploring Azeroth The Eastern Kingdoms Kalimdor Northrend Pandaria Islands & Isles The Dragonflight Codex A is for Azeroth: The ABC's of World of Warcraft Innkeeper's Tavern Cookbook