For many players, World of Warcraft Classic is the definitive MMORPG experience. A far cry from the modernized and simplified Shadowlands expansion, World of Warcraft Classic is difficult, complex, and there's little in-game guidance for quests and locations. It's a game all about discovery with rewards for players who delve a little below the surface.

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Among all the hundreds of questlines in World of Warcraft Classic, some stand out for their beautiful writing, their revealing plotlines, or their unique (and sometimes game-breaking) rewards. For fans returning to the 17-year-old MMO, several quests in the game reference later expansions, serving as prequels of events yet to come.

10 The Linken Questline (Level 47-56, Both)

The Linken questline is one of the most well-known pop-culture references in World of Warcraft Classic. It begins in Un'Goro Crater with a mysterious wrecked raft and takes the player through a questline full of The Legend of Zelda references. The quest chain itself has several steps named after classic Zelda quotes, like "It's Dangerous To Go Alone" and "It's A Secret To Everybody."

This quest is open to both the Alliance and Horde, but players will have to find the wrecked raft first (hint: directly southeast of Fire Plume Ridge).

9 Forbidden Knowledge (Level 30, Both)

Forbidden Knowledge is the final quest in The Star, The Hand, and the Heart quest chain, which begins in Ironforge or Undercity and takes the player to the Badlands. This quest is not particularly notable for its story or pop culture references, but rather for its unique and game-breaking reward.

Upon completing the quest, the player is given the Skull of Impending Doom, which increases movement speed significantly at the cost of health and mana. This is a particularly great item for PvP players, as it also breaks crowd control and only has a 5-minute cooldown.

8 Snapjaws, Mon! (Level 50, Horde)

This quest is available to Horde players only, and the reward for completion will make Alliance fishermen very jealous. Nat Pagle's Extreme Angler FC-5000 gives the user a +25 fishing skill while equipped, far greater than any other fishing rod in the game – and all the player has to do is kill 15 nearby turtles.

If fishing sounds like a fun way to pass the time in World of Warcraft Classic, consider picking up this quick quest on the east coast of The Hinterlands.

7 The Great Masquerade (Level 50, Alliance)

Considered one of the most iconic World of Warcraft Classic quests, The Great Masquerade is part of the Alliance attunement questline for Onyxia's Lair. Without spoiling the story, this quest brings the player into the inner circles of Stormwind royalty to uncover a devious plot against the city.

Players should be prepared for a fight and should make sure Stormwind Keep isn't under attack before beginning this questline. Otherwise, it will be much harder and more time-consuming to complete.

6 Lost In Battle (Level 14, Horde)

Lost In Battle, also known as the Mankrik's Wife quest, is a well-known Horde quest in The Barrens. Lost In Battle takes the player across the Barrens on a search for Mankrik's wife following a deadly battle.

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While it's a low-level quest, don't expect it to be easy; many fans say this quest is the reason Barrens chat became so chaotic back in the day. Play this storyline to experience one of the most referenced quests in World of Warcraft, and be prepared to search far and wide across one of the game's largest zones to find Mankrik's Wife.

5 The Legend of Stalvan Questline (Level 22, Alliance)

The Legend of Stalvan takes place all across the Alliance beginner zones, making for a quest that really hammers in the exploration aspect of World of Warcraft Classic. The quest starts in Duskwood but takes the player to Westfall, Elwynn Forest, Stormwind, and several smaller locales in each zone.

The Legend of Stalvan has amazing writing, an intriguing story, and rewards the player with a half-decent axe or ring upon completion. A small group is necessary for the last part of the quest chain, though, as Stalvan himself is a tough enemy.

4 Tirion Fordring's Prequel Questline (Level 52, Both)

The name Tirion Fordring might sound familiar to fans returning to World of Warcraft Classic, as he was the wielder of the legendary Ashbringer and Commander of the Argent Crusade during Wrath of the Lich King. Tirion Fordring's questline starts in the Eastern Plaguelands and serves as a prequel story to one of the game's most iconic heroes.

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Tirion's questline takes the player through a variety of areas throughout the Plaguelands, even into the Stratholme dungeon. Completing the quest chain rewards the player with a choice between several very powerful items, some of which are the best-in-slot for several classes.

3 Pamela's Doll (Level 50, Both)

Pamela's Doll, and the Battle of Darrowshire, is one of the most beautifully written quests available in World of Warcraft Classic. It starts in the south of the Eastern Plaguelands and tells a story of childish innocence, a family's mistakes, and ultimately a father's redemption.

The lore of World of Warcraft is intricate and complex, with many iconic storylines. Pamela's Doll still stands out as one of the few quests in the vanilla game that might make a player weep.

2 Sully Ballou (Level 25, Alliance)

Sully Ballou is one of the few quests in World of Warcraft Classic that references real-life events and history directly. The quest begins in the north of the Arathi Highlands on a corpse beneath a bridge and asks the player to return an unsent letter to the dead dwarf's wife in Ironforge.

The letter is particularly eloquent and moving, and it was based on the final letter Union Officer Sullivan Ballou wrote to his wife Sarah before his death one week later. It's a must-do quest for any Alliance player willing to spend the time to find the corpse.

1 Helcular's Revenge (Level 29, Horde)

This quest can be frustrating to complete, but the reward is unmatched. Helcular's Revenge is a horde-only quest that starts in the north of the Hillsbrad Foothills near Tarren Mill. The player is tasked to charge the Rod of Helcular, then re-animate the dead lich at full strength.

Helcular's gravesite is watched by guards, however, and most people will likely die a few times just to access the final part of the quest. Once Helcular is risen, though, players can just sit back and enjoy the show as the lich takes his vengeance upon Southshore guards and gamers alike.

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