The Ultimate Guide to Getting to Dalaran in Legion

Reaching the iconic floating city of Dalaran is a pivotal moment for any Alliance or Horde adventurer looking to influence the course of the Legion invasion. This bastion of magic, suspended above the Broken Isles, serves as a central hub for the war against the Burning Legion. However, unlike previous iterations of the city, accessing it in the Legion expansion requires navigating specific protocols and understanding the new geography of the world.

The process has been streamlined compared to older versions, yet it remains a critical gate that every player must pass through. It is less about a single "quest" and more about completing a chain of prerequisites that prove your readiness to stand among the Kirin Tor. This guide breaks down the exact steps required to unlock the portal, ensuring you can ascend to the Violet Citadel without unnecessary delay.

Prerequisites: Level and Reputation

Before you can even think about the flight path, you must ensure your character meets the minimum requirements. First and foremost, you need to be level 110. This is non-negotiable; the threats within the Broken Isles demand the power that only reaching the maximum level provides.

Secondly, and often overlooked by new players, is your reputation standing with specific factions. You must achieve "Honored" status with either the Alliance (if playing as Alliance) or the Horde (if playing as Horde) in the Argent Crusade or Silver Covenant depending on your faction. This reputation is usually gained through grinding daily quests in the starting zones of the Broken Isles, so patience is key.

Completing the Introductory Quest Chains

Once you arrive in the Broken Isles via the main story quest, you will be directed to meet key figures who will introduce you to the conflict. You must complete the initial zone's main questline, which typically involves securing a foothold and dealing with the immediate demonic presence. This usually culminates in a mission to meet Prophet Velen in the Temple of Vindicaar.

Velingate serves as the direct gateway to the Dalaran portal. Before you can interact with the teleportation nexus, you must finish the quest chain leading up to him. This ensures you understand the gravity of the situation and are formally inducted into the war effort before being granted access to the city of magic.

Securing the Portal: The Velingate Teleporter

After successfully completing the primary storyline quests in the Broken Isles, a new quest marker will appear on your map directing you to the Velingate. This location is typically found in the Cathedral of the Light in Stormheim for Alliance players, or the Temple of the Forgotten in Val'sharah for Horde players.

Interacting with the Velingate is the final step in the unlocking process. Accept the quest to return to Dalaran, and upon turning it in, the city will permanently unlock on your map. This is not merely a cinematic; it is a permanent faction flag that allows you to traverse the Twisting Nether to the Violet Citadel instantly.

Navigating the New Travel Map

With Dalaran unlocked, you will notice a significant change in your world map. A new icon representing the Dalaran portal will appear, usually located near the Maw or the central hub of the Broken Isles. Selecting this icon initiates a loading screen where you traverse the Nether, a visually stunning shortcut that bypasses the physical travel across the sea.

This portal is a one-way trip to Dalaran, but it is bidirectional. Once you are in Dalaran, you can use the central portal to return to the Broken Isles instantly. This function is vital for retrieving gear, purchasing supplies, or taking a break from the frontline chaos without wasting travel time.

Strategic Advantages of Dalaran

Understanding how to get to Dalaran is only half the battle; knowing why it is essential will motivate you to keep the portal active. Dalaran is a neutral hub where you can access class-specific trainers, reputation vendors for the Kirin Tor, and the crucial Legion Invasion world bosses.

Furthermore, many of the legendary quests for artifacts and conduits begin in Dalaran. The city is the nerve center of the Alliance and Horde operations, housing figures like Archbishop Benedictus and Lor'themar Theron. Establishing a routine of visiting the city frequently will accelerate your progression through the endgame content significantly.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, players encounter issues where the portal fails to unlock. If you are level 110 and have completed the Velingate quest but the portal does not appear, double-check your reputation with the relevant faction. Being "Respected" or lower will block the teleportation option, requiring you to grind a few more dailies.

Additionally, ensure that you have completed the zone-specific main story quests. The game will sometimes gate the Velingate quest behind unfinished business in the zones of Azsuna, Suramar, or Highmountain. Revisit these zones if the quest givers are not speaking to you.

Maintaining Your Access

Once the portal is unlocked, it remains active for your character permanently. You do not need to repeat the process on a new expansion or re-roll. However, if you delete the character that unlocked the portal, a new character on the same account will have to go through the unlocking process again.

Keep the spirit of the Kirin Tor alive by utilizing the hub. The journey to Dalaran is a rite of passage, and mastering this travel mechanic is the first step towards becoming a true hero in the fight against the Burning Legion.