How To Get To Icecrown Citadel

This article is about the structure. For the raid known in-game as "Icecrown Citadel", see Icecrown Citadel (instance). For the 5-player instances, see Frozen Halls.

Icecrown Citadel

Icecrown Citadel by Peter Lee
Leader(s)	None
Formerly	Lich King Bolvar Lich King Arthas^† Lich King Ner'zhul^†
Government	Autocracy
Race(s)	Scourge Undead nerubian Frost vrykul
Affiliation(s)	Scourge, Knights of the Ebon Blade
Formerly	Ashen Verdict, Burning Legion
Location	Icecrown, Northrend
Status	Active

Icecrown Citadel is the greatest fortress of the Scourge and the last bastion of the dread Lich King. Located in the frozen wastes of Icecrown on the continent of Northrend, the Citadel is built around the Frozen Throne that once held the spirit of Ner'zhul until he joined with Arthas Menethil to become the new Lich King. Constructed from saronite, the Citadel is inhabited by some of the strongest and vilest of the Lich King's minions - a great army of the living dead standing between their dark master and those who seek to destroy him.

1 History
- 1.1 Wrath of the Lich King
- 1.2 Legion
- 1.3 Shadowlands
2 In the RPG
3 Notes and trivia
4 Gallery
- 4.1 Artwork
- 4.2 Warcraft III
- 4.3 Wrath of the Lich King
- 4.4 Shadowlands
5 Videos
6 Patch changes
7 References
8 External links

History

When Kil'jaeden hurled the Lich King into the mortal world, Ner'zhul's prison of ice, known as the Frozen Throne, slammed into the icy spire of Icecrown Glacier. As the Lich King expanded his influence, the Scourge and the dreadlords built Icecrown Citadel.^[1] ^[2] ^[3] Arthas Menethil and Illidan Stormrage wrestled for the control of the citadel. As Illidan was defeated, Arthas shattered Ner'zhul's prison and merged with the Lich King. Death knights like Thassarian and Koltira Deathweaver were here, training until the Lich King awoke and commanded his subjects to invade the Light's Hope Chapel.^[4]

At the start of the war against the Lich King, Trag Highmountain defended Taunka'le Village in Borean Tundra from an Anub'ar attack. The undead tauren fell into their tunnels and continued through them, emerging in Icecrown, with the Icecrown Citadel looming above him.^[5] Fighting his way through the Scourge, he soon entered it and clashed with the Lich King. As he was trying to control him, the Lich King blasted Trag out of the citadel.^[6]

Wrath of the Lich King

Icecrown Citadel as it appears in-game post 3.3.2

Icecrown Citadel dominates Northrend - visible from farther away than nearly any other structure and home to the greatest army of undead in the known world. Inside dwells the Lich King - a tyrant with nearly godlike power over his tireless, seemingly infinite subjects - and the will to bring Azeroth to its knees.

An assault on the mighty citadel is among the most dangerous undertakings in the history of Azeroth - and the most pivotal. The legendary heroes Highlord Tirion Fordring of the Argent Crusade and Highlord Darion Mograine have joined forces to lead the charge through Icecrown's fortified gates, and both the Horde and Alliance have sacrificed lives - indeed, whole battalions - to get this far. They dare not fail. The Lich King's reign must end. ^[7]

Icecrown Citadel is a massive structure located on the Dragonblight-Icecrown border. Its southern entrance, Angrathar the Wrathgate, is surrounded by the Court of Skulls, and flanked by Fordragon Hold and Kor'kron Vanguard. The fortified northern entrance to Icecrown Citadel, surrounded by the Court of Bones, is found in the mountains of southern Icecrown. It is surrounded by gigantic ramparts and massive, blade-like spires, the towers are an imposing landmark of the Icecrown skyline, emitting a beacon of light from its pinnacle.

Icecrown Citadel is home to the final encounter in Wrath of the Lich King, featuring the Lich King as the final boss. Although players interact with Arthas numerous times during the expansion, including during an event at Angrathar the Wrathgate in the Dragonblight, the instance where the final battle against him will take place was not formally announced until nearly a year after the release of the expansion. The developers have stated that they feel it was a mistake to release Black Temple, wherein the Illidan encounter takes place, as soon as they did (a mere four months after the release of Burning Crusade). Their goal for Wrath of the Lich King was to ensure that Arthas did not become just another farm boss too soon before newer, more challenging content is released.^[8]

Icecrown Citadel received an exterior redesign in patch 3.3.0, with the opening of the raid instance inside; the central spire became much taller and more cylindrical, and a platform of ice was added at the spire's summit (where the Frozen Throne will be inside the instance).

Legion

This section concerns content related to Legion.

Several adventurers entered the halls of Icecrown in search of mighty weapons to fight the Burning Legion with.

Shadowlands

This section concerns content related to Shadowlands.

During the course of the Fourth War, the Four Horsemen brought corpses from across Azeroth to the Lich King. They were interred in the frigid storerooms beneath the citadel. When Sylvanas Windrunner abdicated her command of the Horde, the Lich King began to raise them into undeath as death knights. Although Bolvar sent the death knights away, he recalled other mindless Scourge toward the citadel.^[9]

After the defeat of the Lich King at Sylvanas' hands, as announced by King Terenas years earlier, the now-masterless Scourge began marauding all across Azeroth. Off the heels of yet another brutal war, the forces of Azeroth mounted a counterattack and assaulted the source at the Icecrown Citadel.^[10]

In the RPG

This section contains information from the Warcraft RPG which is considered non-canon.

From the name, one would assume Icecrown Citadel was an enormous fortress planted on the glacier, with thick walls, sturdy guard towers, and massive front gates. Not quite. Most of the Citadel lurks below the surface. The glacier is split, creating a deep fissure. Scourge forces lurk down there, and they have carved levels into either side of that massive split and created bridges, walkways and even solid floors across the gap. Not surprisingly, Icecrown Citadel is a cold, unforgiving place. It has no decorations, no furs or rugs, no fires, nothing to provide comfort or warmth. The Scourge creatures move silently from one problem to another, focused on their tasks. All manner of undead dwell here, including zombies, wraiths and beings composed of cold energy. At the bottom of the rift is the Frozen Throne, the heart of the Scourge and the Lich King's personal seat. This throne is the remains of the block of ice that first brought Ner'zhul to Azeroth, the same block that held him prisoner until Arthas freed the ancient orc shaman and merged with him. Arthas sits on the Frozen Throne.^[11]

Notes and trivia

A card back themed after Icecrown Citadel in *Hearthstone*.

A majority of sources, including the Warcraft III game manual and World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, state that the Citadel was built around the spire long before Arthas and Ner'zhul merged together. However, the Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne finale cinematic depicted the icy spire of Icecrown as naked under a dome of ice with no other structure around it except a gate (and possibly the walled obelisk plaza). Road to Damnation describes the Citadel's spire differently than what is seen in the game; with a path from the citadel downward through a series of halls and rooms, eventually reaching a huge cavern deep beneath the earth. In the center was the spire with the Frozen Throne. Also, the official [Shadowmourne] preview blog post stated that it was constructed after by stating that Frostmourne's likeness has even found its way into the architecture of Icecrown Citadel.^[12] Then the Ultimate Visual Guide and its updated version too stated that the Citadel was constructed after Arthas became the Lich King.^[13] ^[14]
- It is possible that there were two Citadels, one underground made of ice and one above ground made of Saronite. With this view, the main contradiction is the depiction seen in "Fate", which shows it already the modern version.
Torghast is the source of inspiration for the architecture of Icecrown Citadel.^[15]
The in-game architecture of Icecrown Citadel and the outlying Scourge fortresses bears a striking resemblances to artwork of Orthanc, Barad-dûr, and countless other dark citadels from The Lord of the Rings.
In Hearthstone, the Icecrown card back was rewarded for achieving Rank 20 in Ranked Season 5, which took place during August 2014. The flavor text reads: "In the frozen heart of Icecrown Citadel, a hero's mettle will be tested. Bring a parka."

Gallery

Artwork

The Frozen Throne of the Lich King at Icecrown Citadel.
The Frozen Throne spire from the cinematic.
The gates of Icecrown Citadel as seen in the Wrath of the Lich King login screen.

Warcraft III

The Lich King, imprisoned at the top of the Frozen Throne.
The Lich King, sitting atop the shattered Frozen Throne.

Wrath of the Lich King

Icecrown Citadel as seen in game.
Icecrown Citadel as seen in game (closeup).
Left flank of Icecrown Citadel.
The top of Icecrown Citadel as seen from the balcony of the Violet Citadel in Dalaran.
The platform at the Citadel spire's summit.
Comparison of old and new Icecrown Citadel models.

Shadowlands

Entrance to Icecrown Citadel
Shadowlands login screen
Icecrown Citadel as seen in Dark Abduction

Videos

Wrath of the Lich King - Patch 3.3: Fall of the Lich King
Fall of the Lich King Ending

Patch changes

References

^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3
^ War of the Spider (History of Warcraft)
^ Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual#War of the Spider
^ Death Knight
^ Fiend
^ Fate
^ [1]
^ http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=138018&page=1
^ We Ride Forth, pg. 8 - 9
^ Blizzard Entertainment 2019-11-01. World of Warcraft: What's Next Panel Recap. Retrieved on 2019-11-02.
^ Lands of Mystery, pg. 108
^ Wowhead: Official Shadowmourne Preview!
^ Ultimate Visual Guide, pg. 170
^ Ultimate Visual Guide, Updated and Expanded, pg. 194
^ BlizzCon 2019: Deep Dive panel

External links

Wowhead
WoWDB

v e Subzones of Icecrown

	Aldur'thar: The Desolation Gate Argent Tournament Grounds Argent Pavilion The Argent Valiants' Ring The Aspirants' Ring The Alliance Valiants' Ring The Horde Valiants' Ring The Ring of Champions Silver Covenant Pavilion Sunreaver Pavilion Blackwatch The Bombardment The Breach The Broken Front Cathedral of Darkness Corp'rethar: The Horror Gate The Conflagration Rise of Suffering The Court of Bones The Crimson Dawn Crusaders' Pinnacle Deathspeaker's Watch First Legion Forward Camp The Fleshwerks Sanctum of Reanimation Icecrown Citadel The Frozen Halls Naz'anak: The Forgotten Depths Icecrown Glacier Ironwall Dam Ironwall Rampart Jotunheim Balargarde Fortress Battlescar Spire Death's Rise Halls of the Ancestors Kul'galar Keep Njorndar Village Savage Ledge Ufrang's Hall The Underhalls The Circle of Suffering Hall of Horrors Valhalas Malykriss: The Vile Hold Mord'rethar: The Death Gate The North Sea Onslaught Harbor The Crimson Cathedral The Hidden Hollow The Pit of Fiends Quel'Delar's Rest Scourgeholme The Shadow Vault Silent Vigil Sindragosa's Fall The Silver Blade Valley of Echoes The Argent Vanguard The Valley of Fallen Heroes Valley of Lost Hope Weeping Quarry Ymirheim Saronite Mines

	Undisplayed locations — Crusaders' Coliseum Orgrim's Hammer The Sea Reaver's Run The Skybreaker Vanguard Infirmary

Icecrown category

Instanced dungeons and raids

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World of Warcraft

Eastern Kingdoms	Blackrock Mountain Blackrock Depths Lower Blackrock Spire Upper Blackrock Spire Molten Core Blackwing Lair Deadmines Classic Gnomeregan Naxxramas Scarlet Monastery Scarlet Halls Monastery Graveyard Library Armory Cathedral Scholomance Classic Shadowfang Keep Classic Stormwind Stockade Classic Stratholme Main Gate Service Entrance Classic Temple of Atal'Hakkar Classic Uldaman Zul'Gurub

Kalimdor	Ahn'Qiraj Ruins of Ahn'Qiraj Temple of Ahn'Qiraj Blackfathom Deeps Classic Dire Maul Maraudon Onyxia's Lair Ragefire Chasm Classic Razorfen Razorfen Kraul Classic Kraul Razorfen Downs Classic Downs Wailing Caverns Zul'Farrak

The Burning Crusade

Eastern Kingdoms	Isle of Quel'Danas Magisters' Terrace Sunwell Plateau Karazhan Zul'Aman

Kalimdor	Caverns of Time Escape from Durnholde Keep Opening the Dark Portal Battle for Mount Hyjal

Outland	Auchindoun Auchenai Crypts Mana-Tombs Sethekk Halls Shadow Labyrinth Black Temple Coilfang Reservoir Slave Pens Underbog Steamvault Serpentshrine Cavern Gruul's Lair Hellfire Citadel Hellfire Ramparts Blood Furnace Shattered Halls Magtheridon's Lair Tempest Keep Mechanar Botanica Arcatraz The Eye

Wrath of the Lich King

Kalimdor	Caverns of Time Culling of Stratholme Onyxia's Lair

Northrend	Azjol-Nerub Azjol-Nerub Ahn'kahet: The Old Kingdom Chamber of Aspects Obsidian Sanctum Ruby Sanctum Crusaders' Coliseum Trial of the Champion Trial of the Crusader Trial of the Grand Crusader Drak'Tharon Keep Gundrak Icecrown Citadel The Forge of Souls Pit of Saron Halls of Reflection Icecrown Citadel Naxxramas Nexus The Nexus Oculus Eye of Eternity Ulduar Halls of Stone Halls of Lightning Ulduar Utgarde Utgarde Keep Utgarde Pinnacle Vault of Archavon The Violet Hold

Cataclysm

Eastern Kingdoms	Baradin Hold Bastion of Twilight Blackrock Mountain Blackrock Caverns Blackwing Descent Grim Batol Zul'Aman Zul'Gurub

Kalimdor	Caverns of Time End Time Well of Eternity Hour of Twilight Dragon Soul Uldum Lost City of the Tol'vir Halls of Origination

Elemental Plane	Firelands Skywall Vortex Pinnacle Throne of the Four Winds Stonecore Throne of the Tides

Mists of Pandaria

Pandaria	Gate of the Setting Sun Heart of Fear Mogu'shan Palace Mogu'shan Vaults Shado-Pan Monastery Siege of Niuzao Temple Siege of Orgrimmar Stormstout Brewery Temple of the Jade Serpent Terrace of Endless Spring Throne of Thunder

Warlords of Draenor

Eastern Kingdoms	Upper Blackrock Spire

Draenor	Auchindoun Blackrock Foundry Bloodmaul Slag Mines Grimrail Depot Hellfire Citadel Highmaul Iron Docks Shadowmoon Burial Grounds Skyreach The Everbloom

Legion

Broken Isles	Black Rook Hold Cathedral of Eternal Night Darkheart Thicket Emerald Nightmare Eye of Azshara Halls of Valor Maw of Souls Neltharion's Lair Suramar City The Arcway Court of Stars The Nighthold Tomb of Sargeras Trial of Valor Vault of the Wardens Assault on Violet Hold

Eastern Kingdoms	Return to Karazhan

Argus	Seat of the Triumvirate Antorus, the Burning Throne

Battle for Azeroth

Kul Tiras	Crucible of Storms Freehold Operation: Mechagon Shrine of the Storm Siege of Boralus Tol Dagor Waycrest Manor

Zandalar	Atal'Dazar Battle of Dazar'alor Kings' Rest Temple of Sethraliss Uldir The Underrot

Kezan	The MOTHERLODE!!

Nazjatar	The Eternal Palace

Ny'alotha	Ny'alotha, the Waking City

Shadowlands

Exile's Reach	Darkmaul Citadel

Shadowlands	Castle Nathria De Other Side Halls of Atonement Mists of Tirna Scithe The Necrotic Wake Plaguefall Sanctum of Domination Sanguine Depths Spires of Ascension Tazavesh, the Veiled Market Theater of Pain Torghast, Tower of the Damned

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