Core hound

This article is about the race in general. For the Mount Hyjal mob, see Core Hound (Hyjal). For the Firelands mobs, see Core Hound (Firelands).

A core hound
A fel beast
A Dark Iron Core Hound a one-headed type of core hound

A core hound (also spelled corehound)^[1] is a quadrupedal fire elemental monster that originates in the Firelands of the Elemental Plane, and also live in the Molten Core. They are the vicious but faithful servants of the Firelord and his minions.

They come in two varieties, the much more common, and larger, two-headed variant, and the smaller one-headed variant. The latter are used by the Dark Iron dwarves as racial mounts.

The demonic fel green core hounds are also known as fel beasts or fel core hounds.^[2]^[3]^[4]

Description

A core hound has the appearance of a massive dog with one or two heads, with a mouth filled with rows of flaming teeth. Its body is covered with armored hide and the head is studded with bony spikes. A streak of flames runs down its spine from head to stubby tail.

Background

The oldest and most powerful of the core hounds is Magmadar, the alpha male and sire of the entire current pack. Every core hound can trace their lineage back to Magmadar.^[5]

Core hounds originate from the Firelands of the Elemental Plane, however, they also lived alongside their master Ragnaros in the Molten Core and recently started to invade Mount Hyjal. The largest is known is Magmadar, and Golemagg the Incinerator seems to treat them as pets. There is also a small captured one in upper Blackrock Spire known as the Beast, who has swallowed gnome explorer Pip Quickwit.

Core hound hide called [Core Leather] can be used to fashion armor and bags.

Notable

Types

One-headed type:

As a mount

Main article: Core hound mounts

[Core Hound Chain] is occasionally listed at the Black Market Auction House for the starting bid of 20,000. It was originally the reward for the Feat of Strength [Boldly, You Sought the Power of Ragnaros], available during WoW's 10th Anniversary celebration.
[Dark Iron Core Hound] is the Dark Iron dwarf racial mount, rewarded from [40-70] Dark Iron Dwarves.

As a companion pet

Core Hound Pup

Main article: Core Hound Pup

A [Core Hound Pup] is mailed out to the first character to logon on accounts that have a Battle.net Authenticator^[6] attached and Battle.net Phone Notifications enabled. It represents the authenticator as being the "guard dog" of your account.

As a hunter pet

Type
Ferocity - Exotic
Diet

Abilities
Basic	Special	Exotic	Bonus

Core Hounds are a family of exotic Ferocity pets, only tamable by Beast Mastery hunters starting at level 39.

Core Hounds, through use of their [Ancient Hysteria] ability, can increase melee, ranged, and spell casting speed by 30% for all party and raid members for 40 seconds. This makes them a good choice in raids when player-provided buffs such as [Bloodlust], [Heroism] or [Time Warp] are not available. They also have a special exotic ability, [Lava Breath], which reduces the target's casting speed by 10% for 10 seconds. They retain their signature roar when tamed, though the loudest is Chromaggus.

"Traditional" red core hounds can be found and tamed in Molten Core, Mount Hyjal or Blackrock Spire. However, other beasts lore-wise not related to core hounds also count toward this pet family:

Fel beasts can be found in Shadowmoon Valley or Tol Barad, but unfortunately only Uvuros knows [Ancient Hysteria].
The Drakeadon Chromaggus and the Chromehounds are also included in the core hound family and are thus tameable by hunters.
Players can travel out to Azuremyst Isle to easily tame The Kurken, a unique white wolven-styled "Nian".

Patch changes

Patch 6.0.2 (2014-10-14): [Lava Breath] replaced with [Double Bite]; [Molten Hide] added.
Patch 4.0.1 (2010-10-12): New pet ability added, [Ancient Hysteria].
Patch 3.1.0 (2009-04-14): Bonuses equalized.
Damage had a +10% bonus and now has +5% bonus.
Armor had no bonus and now has a +5% bonus.
Patch 3.0.2 (2008-10-14): Become tamable.

In the RPG

Core hound in the Monster Guide.

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

Core hounds use simple tactics, attacking the most obviously threatening target first. They will typically attempt an improved grab or bull rush to push their target into nearby lava. A core hound with flaming breath takes hold of a victim before using its flaming breath, thus preventing the victim from escaping the effect. Core hounds grow and gain power throughout their lives. Core hounds understand Kalimag but cannot speak.^[7]