The lore and history of World of Warcraft is filled with many interesting heroes and villains. Some of these characters have spanned decades of games in the Warcraft series. One of these characters, Arthas Menethil, has one of the most tragic backstories in the franchise.
Since Warcraft: Orcs and Humans released in 1994, the series has become a huge fantasy franchise, with video games, novels, and even a movie adaptation. Although he was introduced in the 2000 Warcraft novel, Of Blood and Honor, Arthas Menethil first appeared in a video game when Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos released in 2002. He most recently appeared in the remaster, Warcraft III: Reforged. His character was well-received in Warcraft 3, and Arthas Menethil has gone on to be one of the most popular characters in the Warcraft franchise.
In Warcraft III, Arthas Menethil is very different than how he'd eventually appear in World of Warcraft. He is the crown prince of Lordaeron and a promising young paladin who becomes a member of the Knights of the Silver Hand. In the earlier Warcraft game, Arthas is a heroic leader, commanding armies against the undead Scourge. However, his story takes a more tragic turn once he is tempted by Ner'zhul, the Lich King, to take up the cursed sword Frostmourne.
How Arthas Menethil Became The Lich King In World Of Warcraft
Arthas Menethil's tragic story within the Warcraft franchise only gets worse as time goes on. The crown prince eventually gives into this temptation and takes up Frostmourne, becoming one of Ner'zhul's most powerful death knights. Arthas even leads the Scourge against his own people. Arthas murders his own father, the King of Lordaeron, and destroys the kingdom in the name of the Lich King. Eventually, Arthas merges with Ner'zhul and becomes the new Lich King himself, thus taking control of the Scourge and becoming one of the most famous villains in World of Warcraft history.
In Wrath of the Lich King, the second expansion for World of Warcraft, Arthas Menethil (as the Lich King) serves as the primary antagonist and a raid boss. In that game, he is eventually defeated and the title of Lich King passes on to someone else. Since then, the character has appeared in other Warcraft media, including Hearthstone and Heroes of the Storm.
Despite his classic fall-from-grace story arc, Arthas Menethil remains one of the most popular characters in the Warcraft franchise. From Warcraft III to World of Warcraft, Arthas Mentethil (and his stint as the Lich King) are both incredibly memorable.