Arcanist

For the mage set, see Arcanist Regalia.

Arcanists are a type of mage wielding arcane magic. Mages of the arcane are diviners of secrets, balancing the ebb and flow of incredible mystic energies. Unparalleled skill is required to manipulate the volatile forces of the universe. These practitioners push their magical knowledge to its very limits—often to the brink of their own exhaustion, and at great risk to the world around them. Those who master this craft are capable of releasing a barrage of unrelenting power upon their enemies, drawing upon replenishing energies to maintain their assault for as long as the battle demands.^[1]

Background

According to The Old Wizard's Almanac, a rare few of dwarves have been known to dabble in arcane activities and gnomes are remarkably adept arcanists. Pound for pound, they are some of the most potent casters the world has ever known. On the other hand, orcs tend to be poor arcanists and few tauren experimented with the arcane.

At the time of the Kaldorei Empire, the Highborne Shen'dralar were Queen Azshara's most revered arcanists,^[2] charged with the storage and safekeeping of her most precious tomes.^[3]

Among the Timewalkers, the Weavers are arcanists who specialize in chronomancy. Only they can repair damage to the timeways, open temporal portals, and other such tasks.^[4]

Zandalari trolls wielding arcane magic are called "arcanitals".^[5]

Notable

Main article: Arcanist NPCs

First Arcanist Thalyssra
High Arcanist Savor
Grand Arcanist Dimitri
Arcanist Arman
Arcanist Delaris
Arcanist Delath
Arcanist Doan
Arcanist Druk'rog
Arcanist Elleryn
Arcanist Kel'danath
Arcanist Nozzlespring
Arcanist Rathaella
Arcanist Taelis
Arcanist Valdurian
Arcanist Valtrois
Arcanist Vandril
Arcanist Xu
Arcanital Mara'kah
Andaris Narassin <First Arcanist of the Duskwatch>
Bo'ja <"Arcanist Absolute">
Magus Bisp^[6]

In the RPG

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

Arcanist class icon in WoW: The RPG.

Human arcanist artwork in the RPG.

Arcane magic is a volatile and inebriating drug, pure power distilled and channeled through the body to create arcane effects. Many races wield arcane power carelessly, disregarding the lessons of the past. The arcanist class encompasses all users of arcane magic — those who seek power without regard for consequences, and those who think arcane can be handled responsibly; each arcane spellcaster chooses a distinct path. Those who wish to manipulate arcane magic often choose between the way of the mage, necromancer, or warlock. Each path specializes in a particular kind of magic, which reflects the nature and practice of the arcane arts on Azeroth. In a world forged in war and beset by pervasive evils such as the Scourge and the Burning Legion, arcanists have gradually come to excel in specific areas of arcane magic. What Azeroth's arcanists lack in versatility, however, they more than make up for in the abilities they acquire and the powers they wield within their chosen paths.

Dwarves, gnomes, high elves, blood elves, humans, trolls, and Forsaken are all capable of becoming mages. The dark path of the necromancer is rarely taken. Humans and the Forsaken practice this black art, while most other races seem not to have the stomach for such magic. Warlocks are uncommon. Some exist among the Forsaken, outcast gnomes, or humans and orcs foolish enough to toy with the forces of demonic energy. The few remaining high elves who are warlocks have long since become blood elves. Arcanists can have the best of intentions, and while mages mostly tend to be from the good and lawful alignments, necromancers and warlocks tend to come from the more unsavory levels of morality.

Arcanists are found among all of the affiliations, regardless of their practices, in both the Horde and the Alliance. Warlocks are far more common in the Alliance, surprisingly enough — the fact that the use of arcane magic is so prevalent in the Alliance possibly allows for such reckless practices. Still, mages are far more common in the Alliance, outnumbering warlocks immensely. Necromancers are almost unheard of until someone encounters one.^[7]