After a somewhat rocky launch that was easily summed up as QueueCraft 2014, World of Warcraft's fifth expansion, Warlords of Draenor, is now back to a more reasonable standard as I head into the first "real" levelling zone of Draenor, Frostfire Ridge.

Frostfire Ridge serves as not only Draenor's Horde-themed zone, but also as an introduction to one of the expansion's most touted features: Garrisons. Offering sanctuary for your champion but also as a means to building your forces in preparation for the Iron Horde invasion, garrisons are by far one of the most addictive parts of this expansion, and rightfully so with its Warcraft focus.

It became quite clear early on just how influential the garrison system will be in Blizzard's overall strategy for Warlords of Draenor. Not only does my garrison feel personal, but I also need it for gaining specific resources, or better yet resources that I would typically have to compete for in the outside world.

For more on garrisons and also the levelling experience that the harsh winterlands of Frostfire Ridge held, check out the second entry in the on-going World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor review.