Deviate creature

Deviate Terrortooth in the Overgrowth.

Deviate creatures exist where the corruptive powers of the Wailing Caverns spread out, such as the Overgrowth and several oases in the Barrens where mutated fish can be found.

Background

World of Warcraft

This section concerns content related to the original World of Warcraft.

When Archdruid Naralex descended into his nightmare in 25 ADP, a strange breed of creatures emerged. They have otherworldly properties. According to Nalpak, they are evil in nature and their existence causes great pain to the earth.

Mebok Mizzyrix discovered a substance called Wailing Essence, and theorized that it was the cause of the strange plants and animals in the Barrens. The essence gathered in ectoplasmic creatures.

Cataclysm

This section concerns content related to Cataclysm.

Since the Cataclysm in 28 ADP, the Southern Barrens has formed the Overgrowth and within it the Emerald Nightmare. Not only did the Nightmare cause the jungles to grow rapidly but changed many creatures in the area into deviate creatures.

Legion

This section concerns content related to Legion.

Main article: Wailing Critters

By the time of the third invasion of the Burning Legion in 32 ADP, corruption continued to flourish in the Wailing Caverns since Naralex's awakening. Some deviate critters had survived, and they were now growing and multiplying in numbers. An Adventurer went there to cleanse the caverns.

Battle for Azeroth

This section concerns content related to Battle for Azeroth.

During the Fourth War in 33 ADP, Azerite flowed through the Wailing Caverns in tremendous quantities, which caused the deviate animals of the Overgrowth to act strangely.

Known deviate creatures

The Overgrowth

• Deviate Plainstrider
• Deviate Terrortooth

Wailing Caverns

• Deviate Faerie Dragon
• Deviate Adder
• Deviate Coiler
• Deviate Coiler Hatchling
• Deviate Creeper
• Deviate Crocolisk
• Deviate Dreadfang
• Deviate Guardian
• Deviate Lasher
• Deviate Lurker
• Deviate Moccasin
• Deviate Python
• Deviate Ravager
• Deviate Shambler
• Deviate Smallclaw
• Deviate Slayer
• Deviate Stalker
• Deviate Stinglash
• Deviate Venomwing
• Deviate Viper
• Deviate Fish (item)

The subject of this section did not make it out of the beta stages.

• Deviate Thundersnout

In the RPG

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

This magic infuses creatures that dwell in or near the caverns, but has no permanent effect on temporary visitors. Studies of this area attempt to identify the source of the deviate magic, but all attempts thus far have ended in failure. Creatures that live most of their lives in the Wailing Caverns gain the use of a spell-like ability for as long as they continue to dwell in or near that area. A deviate creature radiates an aura identical to its spell-like ability’s effect. A deviate black ooze with a mirror image ability bears a faint illusion aura, even if the mirror image is not active. The identify spell can determine a deviate creature’s spell-like ability, although most will not sit still long enough for this spell to be cast. Dispel magic has no effect on a deviate creature’s spell-like ability until it is used, in which case resolve the dispel effect normally.