Michael A. Appel 
The story of World of Warcraft‘s dragons dates back to Warcraft 2, where Alexstrasza and Deathwing first appeared. Over the next 20 years, Warcraft has refined the lore of these magnificent creatures through various games, expansions, and books. World of Warcraft: Dragonflightits next expansion pack, brings back draconic focus as you explore the Dragon Islands: their long-lost ancestral homeland.
More World of Warcraft fans think of the top five dragonflights when considering dragons, and it’s understandable. The black, blue, bronze, green, and red dragonflights were tasked with protecting Azeroth and have served as both allies and adversaries over the years. However, World of Warcraft established several lesser dragonflights throughout its history; some of which could play a role in future expansion.
The Chromatic Dragonflight
The Chromatic Dragonflight is the first non-major flight to appear in World of Warcraft. These dragons are the product of twisted science experiments by Deathwing, and later his son Nefarian, to create a draconic flight with the force of the major flights. The project was largely unsuccessful – Nefarian was only able to create a few living specimens, most of which were killed alongside him during the Blackrock Spire raids.
Few chromatic dragons have appeared since vanilla World of Warcraft. A small number appeared in Blackwing Descent in Cataclysm, where Deathwing raised Nefarian as an undead dragon. Chromatus – a massive five-headed chromatic dragon – was brought to life and then defeated in the Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects novel. A Chromitus with the same name has appeared during Battle for Azeroth Island Expeditions alongside a group of Black Dragons, but has yet to be referenced. While this missing flight is unlikely to return, it could if Dragonflight brings back Chromatus as a villain.
The Netherwing Dragonflight
The draconic flight of the Netherwing has its origins in Outland. During Warcraft 2, Deathwing sequestered Black Dragon Eggs on Draenor before its destruction. When the world shattered and became Outland, the eggs absorbed massive amounts of twisting nether energy, changing them completely. These dragons found themselves cut off from their loved ones and were forced to fend for themselves in a hostile land.
Although some may be hostile, Netherwing dragons are fully sentient, intelligent, and devoid of the madness of their father, Deathwing. Players aid the leader of the Netherwing dragonflight, Neltharaku, and befriend his flight enough to collect them as mounts in Burning Crusade. Unfortunately, the Netherwing dragonflight has barely appeared since. That said, the Black Dragonflight is being reformed through Wrathion and Sabellian – the latter having lived in Outland for many years. It is possible that the Netherwing dragonflight will follow him to Azeroth in the future to seek a new home among their distant relatives.
The Twilight Dragonflight
The Twilight Dragonflight was a perfected version of the Chromatic Dragonflight led by Sintharia, Deathwing’s first wife and mother of Nefarian. These dragons were created by magically imbuing the powers of the Netherwing dragons into dragon eggs. Twilight dragons are dangerous vampiric creatures that feed on magical energy. They first appeared in Wrath of the Lich King and returned as major antagonists in Cataclysm under Deathwing and Battle for Azeroth as servants of the Elder God N’Zoth.
Although the Twilight dragons were almost exclusively evil, the end of Battle for Azeroth required Wrathion to purify at least one Twilight dragon egg of its corruption similar to what was done during Cataclysm. It’s possible players will see this or other restored Twilight Dragons in the future, perhaps joining the Black Dragonflight as it rebuilds after years of madness.
The Infinite Dragonflight
The Infinite Dragonflight is made up of future members of the time-manipulating Bronze Dragonflight, its leader Murozond being the future version of the Bronze Aspect Nozdormu. These dragons seek to change history by altering the past, and have appeared in time-traveling dungeons during Burning Crusade, Wrath of the Lich King, and Cataclysm – the latter in which Murozond was slain.
The Infinite Dragonflight returned during the War crimes novel to help free Garrosh Hellscream, but has appeared little since. However, they come back strong during Dragonflight. Infinite dragons meddle in quests throughout the area of Thaldraszus, as well as at least one of the World of Warcraft new dungeons. Many fans believe that Murozond will be a major antagonist in Dragonflight – perhaps showing the corruption of Nozdormu.
Primalists and Elemental Dragonflights
Dragonflight introduces a new group of dragons into the mix: the Primalists. These primordial leviathans are a group of proto-dragons who have rivaled the Aspects since the latter were empowered by the Titans, and despise them and their followers. Led by the Aspect-like Incarnate Primordials, the Primalists are masters of the elements and idolize the proto-dragon Galakrond of World of Warcraft infamy..
Primalists and Primal Incarnates act as major antagonists and raid bosses for Dragonflight, though they are new to World of Warcraft. However, several other elemental dragons have appeared in the past. Stone and Storm Dragons are mysterious creatures found in Skywall and Deepholm, the Elemental Planes of Air and Earth respectively, and share a common origin. Although these dragons probably won’t appear directly in Dragonflight, World of Warcraft can explore the connection between dragons and the elements via the Primalists.
Storm Drakes
The Storm Drakes are a group of lightning-like dragons that live on the Broken Isles. Despite the similar name to the Storm Dragons of Skywall, they are not the same beings. Several broods of Storm Drakes exist: Brood Thorignir, led by Thrymjaris, allied with Titan Keeper Odyn. The Brood of Nithogg opposes this.
Although they haven’t appeared outside of Legion, they could still appear in Dragonflight – especially with their connection to the Elements and Titans of world of warcraftyou. The Brood of Thorignir could easily ally with the main dragonflights and join the hierarchy, or the Brood of Nithogg could ally with the like-minded Primalists. In every way, there is evidence that these elusive drakes could appear on the Dragon Islands.
There are other dragons that appear in World of Warcraft story too: zombie dragons, undead frost and ember wyrms, and nightmare-corrupted dragons. However, these dragons lack organization and mostly occur in loose, independent, or extinct groups. That said, World of Warcraft can bring back these or any minor flights – or introduce new ones – at any time, and Dragonflight would be the perfect time to do so.
World of Warcraft is now available on PC. The Dragonflight expansion is expected to launch later this year.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23928204/1242112758.jpg)
