New players can embark on their journey in the modern version of WoW, which offers a vast world and rich lore, although the extensive content can complicate story progression.

World of Warcraft is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary, marked by active expansions in both modern and Classic versions, including the ongoing Worldsoul Saga and the upcoming Mists of Pandaria Classic expansion.

The modern version of World of Warcraft, often referred to as retail, includes all expansions and is currently experiencing The War Within expansion, which leads into the highly anticipated Midnight expansion.

To ease this transition, the newly launched Anniversary Realm servers are recommended for new players, as they provide a less overwhelming experience and allow for gradual learning of the story while engaging with other newcomers.

These Anniversary Realm servers, part of the Warcraft 30th Anniversary event, offer a fresh start with quality-of-life improvements and the chance to progress through expansions.

For those seeking a greater challenge, World of Warcraft Classic Hardcore servers introduce a unique difficulty where players must restart upon character death.

In contrast, Classic Era servers, based on the original 2004 game, do not progress beyond the vanilla content, which can create a mixed atmosphere of crowded and empty starting areas.

Meanwhile, the Season of Discovery in Classic WoW offers unique twists and rotating content, although its complexity may not be suitable for newcomers.

However, newcomers may feel overwhelmed due to the game's extensive 20-year history and the variety of versions available, including both modern and Classic realms.

Additionally, Classic progression servers, starting with Cataclysm Classic, enable players to experience the game as it was during previous expansions, albeit with some minor quality-of-life enhancements.