WoW achievement: ‘To All the Squirrels…’
Among the many achievements that players can pursue in World of Warcraft, some are focused not just on battle prowess or exploration, but also on interacting with the world in whimsical and unexpected ways. One such example is the beloved achievement series, “To All the Squirrels…”. While far from epic or heroic in the traditional sense, these achievements encourage players to slow down, take in the sights, and show virtual affection to Azeroth’s smallest inhabitants.
TL;DR
The “To All the Squirrels…” series in World of Warcraft is a collection of lighthearted achievements that require players to /love various critters scattered across different zones. Though simple in concept, they’re hard to complete without a guide due to the scattered locations and the sometimes rare spawns of these tiny creatures. These achievements are ideal for completionists, collectors, or those who enjoy the lighter side of the game. Completing them can also be surprisingly relaxing and a refreshing break from combat and dungeon runs.
What are the ‘To All the Squirrels…’ Achievements?
A staple in the World of Warcraft achievement system, this series tasks the player with performing the emotive /love command on a wide variety of critters found across Azeroth. These aren’t just limited to squirrels — the list includes animals like chickens, deer, rabbits, and even unusual ones like turkeys and baby octopuses.
The original version of the achievement, “To All the Squirrels I’ve Loved Before”, was introduced in Wrath of the Lich King and includes a list of critters found in the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor. Since then, with the release of new expansions and continents, Blizzard has added updated versions of the achievement for newer regions such as Northrend, Pandaria, Draenor, Broken Isles, Kul Tiras, Zandalar, and Shadowlands.
How the Achievement Works
To complete these achievements, the player must:
- Seek out a specific list of critters named in the achievement.
- Select them with a click or tab target.
- Type /love in the chat window while the critter is selected.
This interaction registers in your achievements tab and checks off that animal from the list. Once all required critters are loved, the achievement is complete. A successful /love will often elicit a heart animation above your character’s head, adding to the charm of this task.
Note: The critters are specific. Loving a “Deer” doesn’t substitute for a “Fawn”. The name must exactly match the list in the achievement.
Why People Love This Achievement
While not offering significant rewards such as mounts, pets, or titles, this achievement is often praised by the community for its charm and simplicity. For players grinding end-game content, participating in rated PvP, or running endless dungeons, the “To All the Squirrels…” achievements offer a peaceful detour — and, at times, a completionist compulsion that drives them across the entire game world.
The quirky nature of the achievement also celebrates the rich biodiversity that the developers have sprinkled into the environment. It reminds players that every corner of Azeroth holds a bit of unexpected personality, sometimes in the form of a small frog hopping by a swamp, or a crab scuttling along a beach.
Variations by Expansion
The achievement exists in different forms, each tied to a specific continent or expansion pack. Here are some of the more notable versions:
- To All the Squirrels I’ve Loved Before (Classic zones)
- To All the Squirrels Who Shared My Life (Northrend)
- To All the Squirrels Who Cared for Me (Cataclysm zones)
- To All the Critters I’ve Loved Before (Pandaria)
- Draenor Safari Critters (Draenor version)
- …And They All Lived (Shadowlands)
Each of these updates tends to follow the same premise but utilizes unique and sometimes exotic critters from the new expansion environments. Some, like “…And They All Lived”, sometimes mix the classic /love command with pet battle elements, offering layered experiences and sometimes added challenges.
Tips for Completion
Completing any of the “Squirrels” achievements can be daunting without preparation. Here are some tips to make your journey smoother:
- Use a checklist: There are websites and addons (such as TomTom and HandyNotes) that can help mark critter locations.
- Check locations during off-peak hours: Some critters have limited spawn points and may be killed or phased out in busy areas.
- Be patient: Some animals like the Alpine Chipmunk or Baby Octopus are relatively rare and might require multiple visits or multiple server hops.
- Read the fine print: Expansions after Cataclysm include phasing and world scaling, which may affect critter visibility. Zoom out the camera or use ground-targeting macros to find small animals.
Fun Facts and Community Love
Due to the endearing nature of this achievement, many players fondly recall their journeys to find that last elusive squirrel. It has even become an inside joke within the community, symbolizing the lighter, almost therapeutic side of the game.
More than once, players have unknowingly completed part of the achievement without realizing it, simply because they stopped to admire a critter and shared some love spontaneously. “To All the Squirrels…” stands as a testament to the depth of interaction Blizzard designed into the game world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Where do I find the complete list of critters for the achievement?
A complete list can be found by clicking the achievement in your in-game interface. For thorough and updated information, using sites like Wowhead or setting up HandyNotes with the correct plugin can help mark locations on your map.
Q: Do I need to be a specific class or level to complete the achievement?
No. Any class and level can complete the achievement. That being said, higher-level mount speed and access to flight paths make the task quicker.
Q: Are these critters hostile or dangerous?
Nope! Critters involved in this achievement are non-hostile and generally cannot be attacked (unless you accidentally AoE them). They’re meant to be cute and peaceful!
Q: What rewards do I get for finishing it?
There are no gameplay rewards like titles or pets tied directly to these achievements; the reward is purely achievement points and personal satisfaction.
Q: Can two players love the same critter or will one have to wait?
Critters can be loved multiple times by multiple players. They don’t despawn or vanish when someone uses the emote, though if they’re in a busy area they may be killed or despawned naturally — so speed can help.
Q: Does pet battling certain critters count toward the achievement?
No, only the /love emote will tick off a critter from the list. Some critters involved may also be pet battle pets, but battling them is unrelated to this achievement.
Conclusion
In a game full of epic boss battles, complex lore, and sprawling dungeons, World of Warcraft‘s “To All the Squirrels…” achievement series stands out as a gentle reminder of the world’s quiet beauty. It’s not about power, loot, or leveling up — it’s about affection, exploration, and the joy of noticing the little things in life. Whether you’re a veteran player with thousands of logged hours or a casual weekend adventurer, this collection is well worth pursuing for a little slice of heartwarming whimsy.