Highlights

  • The dragon Aspects in World of Warcraft sacrificed their immortality and power to defeat Deathwing and save Azeroth.
  • The dragons have been restored to their former glory with the return of their legendary power and a new team of Aspects.
  • The unity and deep connection between the dragonflights is the key to their strength and the protection of Azeroth.

The planet of Azeroth in World of Warcraft is one that faces numerous dangers. From Old Gods to demons and elemental lords, there seems to be no end to the foes intent on her destruction. But even more determined are Azeroth’s guardians, especially the dragons.

Each of the five dragonflights in World of Warcraft protects one of Azeroth’s aspects: earth, life, time, nature, or magic. Hence, the leaders of these flights are known as Aspects themselves. Along with immortality, these special dragons were blessed with incredible power by the Titan Keeper called Tyr. But as time stretched on, their unity would be put to the test.

wow df alexstrasza wrathion nozdormu ysera merithra kalecgos
Related
World of Warcraft: Why None of the Dragon Aspects Have Mates

The dragon Aspects in World of Warcraft each have long and tragic histories, and unfortunately, many of them have lost their loved ones.

How WoW's Dragon Aspects Lost Their Power

Because of his connection to the earth, the Black Aspect, Neltharion, was uniquely vulnerable to the corruption of the Old Gods, and his reckless ambition only hastened his madness. Eventually, he became Deathwing, twisted by corruption and hellbent on wreaking untold havoc across Azeroth. His once noble purpose turned to darkness, and Azeroth would break apart before his rage.

During the events of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, the Aspects had to band together to destroy their former brother. To do this, they used an ancient artifact called the Dragon Soul, into which they channeled all their aspectral power. Nozdormu, Kalecgos, Alextrasza, and Ysera gave up their immortality to save the world from Deathwing, and since then, they’ve been Aspects in name only.

How Saving Amirdrassil Restored The Dragon Aspects

Fast-forward to World of Warcraft’s ninth expansion, Dragonflight, and the dragons have finally returned to their ancestral home of the Dragon Isles. They are called to defend Azeroth from the Primal Incarnates, enormous proto-drakes who spurned the Titan’s gifts and instead embraced the elements. Their power rivals that of the Aspects themselves, so defeating them was no easy feat.

The Fall of the Primal Incarnate Fyrakk

The most recent Primal Incarnate to fall was Fyrakk the Blazing, who sought to take all the power within the sapling World Tree, Amirdrassil. This tree was not just a font of potent nature magic but also held the power of Ardenweald and the Shadowlands, infused with the souls of hundreds of perished night elves. What’s more, as the tree grew mature within the Emerald Dream, its roots ventured deep into Azeroth’s crust, imbuing it with even more life energy.

Only once Fyrakk had been killed and the threat of annihilation gone, did the Aspects realize how important Amirdrassil was. The World Soul within Azeroth, an infant Titan, had seen fit to restore the Aspects’ legendary power. This time, a pure magic flowed through them, an unsolicited appreciation for the dragons’ efforts. The dragons learned that it was their deep connection to one another that made them strong, and repairing the rifts between the dragonflights was the key.

World of Warcraft's New Team of Aspects

Now there are six Aspects, the last being Vyranoth, who, despite not being a true dragon, has been given the same trust as the others. The new Black Aspect is Ebyssian, whose compassion and humility won him the respect of his kin. The Green Aspect is now Merithra, as her mother, Ysera, was killed in World of Warcraft: Legion. Ysera did return for a short while, but her soul is tied to the Shadowlands, and she is confident that Merithra will make a fine Aspect.

And so, Azeroth’s draconic guardians have been restored to their former glory, even exceeding it. The lessons they’ve learned have carried them through countless trials, and now, more than ever, Azeroth needs her protectors. The War Within has revealed some news for the planet and its inhabitants, and with the Void looming ever closer to its prize, the Aspects will need to be vigilant. But with the might and unity of the dragons restored, Azeroth is stronger than ever before.