There is no single forced route — Midnight's leveling zones are level-scaled, so you can start in any of the new zones and finish at max level either way. The practical best order is to follow the main campaign chain first, since it unlocks flight, world content and reputation hubs fastest, then mop up the remaining zone afterwards for renown and gear.
That is the honest answer, and it is worth saying plainly because most "best zone order" advice for a new expansion is written before the expansion is fully live and quietly invents a route. What follows is the reasoning that actually holds up, plus how to check the real order in your own game client in about thirty seconds.
Why zone order matters less than it used to
- Zones scale to you. Since Legion, modern WoW expansion zones adjust to your level, so no zone is "too hard" if you take it second or third.
- The campaign is the spine. The main story quest chain moves you between zones in a set sequence anyway. Following it is the default and it is tuned to be the smoothest path.
- Flying is gated by the campaign, not by zone count. In recent expansions, unlocking expansion flight has been tied to completing the main story, so finishing the campaign early pays off across every other zone.
- Only alts get real freedom. On a first character the campaign is usually required in order; on alts you can typically skip it and pick zones freely, which is where "best order" genuinely becomes a choice.
The practical route for your first Midnight character
- Take the intro quest from your faction's board or the expansion prompt in your capital city.
- Run the campaign zone by zone without detouring. Do side quests only where they are on your path.
- Pick up every flight point you pass, even ones off the main road — they save more time than any routing trick.
- Finish the campaign to unlock expansion flying, then return for skipped side content at full speed.
- Only then chase renown, world quests and the remaining zone completion.
If you want the exact zone names and order for the current build, open the Adventure Guide in-game (Shift+J) or check your quest log's Campaign tab — it lists the chapters in order, and that list is authoritative in a way any article written ahead of launch is not.
Should I do all side quests as I go?
No — not on your first pass. Side quests give experience and a bit of gear, but the campaign gives more experience per minute and unlocks systems. Clear the campaign, unlock flying, then sweep side quests afterwards when you can travel in a straight line instead of running around cliffs.
Does zone order change for alts?
Yes, and this is where order genuinely matters. Once one character has finished the campaign, alts can usually skip it and go straight to whichever zone has the reputation, profession nodes or gear you actually want. Most players send alts to the zone tied to whatever renown track they are still grinding.
How long does the leveling campaign take?
Recent expansion campaigns have landed in the 8-15 hour range for an unhurried first playthrough, faster if you skip cutscenes and dialogue. Alts with campaign skips and rested experience typically finish in a fraction of that.
What should I do the moment I hit max level?
Gear up cheaply first: world quests, the weekly event, and whatever catch-up currency the patch hands out. Do not spend gold on gear in week one — the entry-level item level moves fast, and anything you buy early is replaced within days.
If you would rather skip the grind entirely, PewPewShop can help. Our vetted human players offer coaching and play-together progression help — leveling companions, Mythic+ score pushes, raid runs and route coaching from people who have already mapped the expansion. No bots, no cheats, and a long clean record. Most players come to us after the campaign, when they want to catch up to friends already clearing endgame content rather than repeat quests solo.