Gnoll

Gnolls
Hogger, chieftain of the Riverpaw pack
Faction/Affiliation	Gnoll groups, Independent, Blackrock clan, Defias Brotherhood, Scourge, Southsea Freebooters, Venture Company
Character classes	Hunter, Necromancer, Rogue, Shaman, Warrior (Gladiator) Assassin, Brute, Overseer, Poacher, Warden Barbarian, Healer, Scout
Racial leader(s)	See below
Racial mount	Hyena
Homeworld	Azeroth
Area(s)	Eastern Kingdoms, Kalimdor, Northrend, Dragon Isles
Language(s)	Common
Organization(s)	Clans, Packs, Tribes

Gnolls are a warlike race of vicious but simple-minded hyena-like humanoids who dwell mainly in the Eastern Kingdoms, Kalimdor, and the Dragon Isles. They are spread into various packs, tribes, and clans. Brutish and belligerent, gnolls value strength above all else.

History

Circa 10,000 BDP, when the Maruuk Centaur arrived in the Ohn'ahran Plains on the Dragon Isles, they discovered they were not alone; gnolls were already lurking in the shadows and setting their snares. The centaur' ohuna, soaring overhead, watched their migration. The gnolls fought with fury and hatred, acting as if they had nothing to lose. The centaur lost many, but they lost more. Eventually, the Maruuk pushed the gnolls from the plains.

Around 2,700 BDP, gnolls were among the threats that early human settlers faced in Tirisfal Glades.

During the Gurubashi civil war, around 1,500 BDP, gnoll packs near the Gurubashi trolls in Stranglethorn Vale were attacked and captured by the Hakkari to use in ritual sacrifices in the name of their god.

The Gnoll War

Main article: Gnoll War

75 years prior to the First War, the Redridge pack was led by Garfang. Garfang had spent years conquering the other gnoll packs in the surrounding regions until he had an entire army of vicious raiders at his command. The gnolls began launching vicious attacks on Stormwind City itself, but only as a distraction—while the city soldiers were busy holding off the gnoll attacks, farmsteads in Westfall would burn. The numbers of raiders attacking the capital were so great that the kingdom could not afford to send troops to protect the outer agricultural areas, and these events would come to be referred to as the Gnoll War.

In order to stop the Redridge packlord, King Barathen Wrynn and a small party of elite knights rode east to the Redridge Mountains, where Garfang's camp was located. The camp had been left exposed and undefended; the packlord had sent nearly all of his raiders to attack the capital but had not accompanied them himself; like other gnolls, Garfang preferred to let others do his hard work for him. The battle between the king's knights and Garfang and his personal guards lasted for a full day and night until King Barathen himself sank his blade into the packlord's neck. With Garfang's death, the gnolls fell to infighting. Though several new self-proclaimed packlords arose, none had Garfang's cunning, and before long the gnolls had decimated their own numbers, allowing King Barathen to further decimate what remained of the gnoll packs. Though pockets of gnolls would remain in the distant corners of the kingdom, they would never again rise to become a major threat to Stormwind.

The Third War

This section concerns content related to Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos or its expansion The Frozen Throne.

Snarlmane the Bloodgorger (far left) and some of the gnolls residing near the arcane observatory.

Around the time of the Third War in 20 ADP, bands of gnolls were encountered in battlefields in various parts of Lordaeron: the Arathi Highlands, near the Lordaeron coast, on the Darkspear Islands, near a Blackrock orc village in southern Strahnbrad, in the outskirts of Andorhal, in the forested borderlands of Quel'Thalas, in the outskirts of the elves' capital of Silvermoon, in the outskirts of Dalaran, along the banks of the River Arevass in Silverpine Forest and more.

Notably, while on his mission to stop the spreading of the Plague of Undeath, Prince Arthas Menethil of Lordaeron defeated a pack of gnolls close to Strahnbrad. The half-starved gnolls had pillaged a farmhouse, stealing livestock and kidnapping a young boy, who was rescued by the prince.

After the Third War, Prince Kael'thas and his blood elf troops encountered a large number of gnolls, including a number of gnoll overseers and a gnoll warlord, led by Snarlmane the Bloodgorger, in the arcane observatory on the northwestern shore of Lordamere Lake, which the elves had been sent to repair on orders from Grand Marshal Garithos so the Alliance could spy on the Scourge forces in the east.

During the Plaguelands civil war, Sylvanas Windrunner used one of her banshees to possess the leader of a gnoll group in the Plaguelands, also called Snarlmane, to make him aid her against the Dreadlord Insurgents.

World of Warcraft

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

Hogger and the Riverpaw pack.

In the years after the Third War, the Riverpaw pack, led by Hogger, became an ominous threat to Stormwind, raiding farms and human villages throughout Elwynn Forest. Many speculated that the gnolls had conspired with another force, which was equipping them with weapons, tactical leadership, and magic. The pack enslaved a kobold clan from the Redridge Mountains, making them take over and mine gold in the various mines in Elwynn Forest and Westfall. The Riverpaw were also active in great numbers in Westfall, where it was revealed they were working with the Defias Brotherhood.

In the Redridge Mountains, the Redridge pack was prowling the canyons north of Lakeshire. They were led by Yowler and were snatching the horses of stable master Verner Osgood whenever the animals strayed from the safety of the stables. Furthermore, the pack hijacked the caravan carrying a shipment requested from Stormwind City by Foreman Oslow for the reconstruction of the Everstill Bridge. The Shadowhide clan led by Lieutenant Fangore could also be found in Galardell Valley. They were being controlled by the dark mage Morganth, who resided atop the Tower of Ilgalar.

In Tirisfal Glades, the undead Rot Hide gnolls were roaming around Garren's Haunt and exhuming corpses from the Mass Grave. The corpses were being sent to Fenris Isle in Silverpine Forest, where their leader, the necromancer Thule Ravenclaw, planned to use them to bolster the Scourge's undead armies. In Silverpine, other than on the island, the Rot Hide were also found in the Dead Fields.

In the Wetlands, the Mosshide tribe had lived peacefully for many years, but their population growth eventually broke this balance, leading to them stamping flat the Mosshide Fen's vegetation and clear-cutting wood near the Dwarven gate of Dun Algaz, which prompted Rethiel the Greenwarden to take action against them.

In the Hillsbrad Foothills, the Mudsnout gnolls had moved into Nethander Stead after it was abandoned. They were known to grow Mudsnout Blossoms, which are toxic to living things but provide a restorative boost to the undead.

Wildpaw Ridge before the avalanche.

In Alterac Valley, the Wildpaw tribe could be found. They were a nuisance to the Horde forces at Frostwolf Village. They once controlled a large swath of land known as Wildpaw Ridge, but a huge avalanche buried it, killing most of their population.

On the other side of the Great Sea in Kalimdor, the Palemane gnolls had settled in Mulgore. The gnolls showed disrespect for the tauren's attempts to communicate and were ruthlessly slaying the wildlife of Mulgore without restraint.

In Feralas, the indigenous Woodpaw clan posed a threat to Camp Mojache, as well as other inhabitants in the region, as they had been spreading and becoming more savage because of the Zukk'ash silithid in the Writhing Deep to the south, who they were also fighting against.

The Burning Crusade

This section concerns content related to The Burning Crusade.

During the Invasion of Outland in 26 ADP, the Blackpaw clan took over the Underlight Mines in the Ghostlands, carrying Underlight Ore which could only be found in those mines.

Wrath of the Lich King

This section concerns content related to Wrath of the Lich King.

During the war against the Lich King in 27 ADP, the Savage Hill gnolls had become an increasing menace in the Snowblind Hills of the Storm Peaks, creeping closer to the goblin town of K3 and stealing vital parts and supplies.

Cataclysm

This section concerns content related to Cataclysm.

Following the Cataclysm in 28 ADP, the Riverpaw pack was still active in Elwynn and Westfall and was once again working with the Defias Brotherhood. Hogger, however, was captured and sent to the Stormwind Stockade. The Riverpaw in Westfall, on the other hand, continued to cause trouble for the humans of the region. There, they had made the Dust Plains their unofficial capital and were led by Jango Spothide. Eventually, Hogger attempted a prison break with his followers.

In the Redridge Mountains, the town of Lakeshire had been facing a sudden and alarming increase in the Redridge pack's activity. The Blackrock clan had "wised up," joining forces with the gnolls and planning an attack on the town. The gnolls were also receiving Ettin Control Orbs from the Blackrocks, which allowed them to control the Canyon Ettins.

Meanwhile, the Shadowhide clan had fallen under the control of a new master, Grand Magus Doane. Doane was, in fact, the black dragon Darkblaze in disguise, who turned out to be the one behind the Blackrock invasion of Redridge.

The Rot Hide gnolls had been mostly routed from Silverpine Forest, though they could still be found in the Tirisfal Glades.

The meeting between the Mosshide gnolls, their Tunnel Rat minions and the Bluegill murlocs.

Also during this period, parts of the Mosshide tribe moved to Loch Modan, where they took control of the Tunnel Rat kobolds, who in turn made the Stonesplinter troggs work for them using magic. They also brought the Bluegill murlocs along, with whom they planned to form an alliance and take over the Loch from the dwarves. Back in the Wetlands, the Mosshide gnolls there were being hunted and captured by the Dark Iron clan and made to do their bidding. They stole a shipment of Ironforge Ingots that were part of the Royal Treasury.

In the Western Plaguelands, the Redpine tribe had recently moved back into the region. They had lived in the area years ago but left when the Plague of Undeath arrived. The gnolls began causing some trouble to the Argent Crusade lumberjacks based out of the Northridge Lumber Camp and appeared to be preparing for an attack. Another group of Redpine, near Taelan's Tower, had started practicing necromancy with the help of supplies given to them by Magus Bisp.

The Palemane were still active and causing trouble in Mulgore. And so were the Woodpaw in Feralas, both to the people in Camp Mojache and also to the Sentinels, which caused them to enter their lands and build a covert camp there.

Mists of Pandaria

This section concerns content related to Mists of Pandaria.

During the invasion of Pandaria in 30 ADP, when the Zandalari Invaders attacked the Zouchin Province in Kun-Lai Summit, they brought the Blackmane Mercenaries along. The gnolls led by Captain Ripflesh plundered the fishing village in Zouchin Strand and killed most of the pandaren living there.

Fourth War and aftermath

This section concerns content related to the Warcraft novels, novellas, or short stories.

After the Battle for Lordaeron in 33 ADP, the Rot Hide disappeared from Garren's Haunt and the Mass Graves.

Following the Fourth War in 34 ADP, the Riverpaw were still causing trouble for the Westfall Brigade, who were keeping them at bay but could not get them to go away.

In Kalimdor, the Palemane gnolls in Mulgore were reported to be still an active threat to the tauren. Meanwhile, the Woodpaw gnolls were still locked in a tug-of-war between them, the yetis, the silithid, and the Horde forces in Feralas. The constant Woodpaw raids, especially on Camp Mojache and Camp Ataya, had pushed the Horde in Feralas to the brink.

Dragonflight

This section concerns content related to Dragonflight.

Decatriarch Wratheye, leader of the Brackenhide and master of decay magic.

During the war against the Primalists in 40 ADP, after the rediscovery of the Dragon Isles, the Brackenhide clan became a force to be reckoned with in the Azure Span. Led by Decatriarch Wratheye, they harnessed the power of decay, threatening the local tuskarr, with whom they had fought for generations, and the entire region. They were gathering and spreading the rot from their home in Brackenhide Hollow as well as Brackenhide Outskirts and Brackenhide Brambles. Meanwhile, their attacks on the tuskarr had become more frequent and vicious.

In the Brackenhide Waterhole, the Gnawbone, Duskpaw, and Stormfang gnolls had gathered under the Brackenhide banner. Posing another great threat to the Span. While in Creektooth Den, a gnoll calling themselves Mon-Ark sought to take charge of the Brackenhide gnolls there and lead them away from the decay and back to the old ways.

The Brackenhide also spread their decay magic to the Shadepaw pack in the Big Tree Hills, which turned the tribe from a nuisance to the tuskarr into a serious danger.

Further to the east, the Darktooth tribe in Darktooth Pond and the Snowhide tribe in the Upper Frostlands had not been touched by the decay yet, but they were still a danger. The Darktooth were ambushing tuskarr caravans and taking prisoners while the Snowhide were attacking the tuskarr in Grimtusk's Hideaway.

The War Within

This section concerns content related to The War Within.

Gnolls in the Arathi Highlands assisted ogres and kobolds in their attack on the Alliance and Horde settlements. They raided Hammerfall, claimed High Perch, and assaulted the gates of Stromgarde Keep. Many of them were defeated by Thrall, Jaina Proudmoore, and adventurers.

Physiology

From the Dragonflight art book.

Gnolls are hyena-like humanoids. They possess short snouts, sharp spiky teeth, and pointed ears. Naturally heavily muscled, they have powerful hind legs capable of explosive leaps. While capable of walking upright, they frequently drop to all fours to increase speed or to track scents, especially in dense terrain. Gnoll males and females alike are somewhat shorter than the human average. Some of the larger gnolls, such as Jaggal of the Woodpaw, can reach near 6 feet in height.

Gnolls have a signature cackling laugh, a rising hyena-like call that ends in heavy panting. They pant heavily when excited, similar to a dog. They also produce growls, rumbles, low whines, and bark-like sounds used to communicate various emotions such as fear, excitement, and aggression.

They exhibit a sharp sense of smell, frequently employing it to detect danger, locate prey, or follow the tracks of allies and enemies.

Gnolls are not very bright by the standards of civilized races. However, there is animal cunning among them, and some are more perceptive than expected. They have been described as being as resilient as they are brutish and stupid. They can endure heavy blows and remain capable of fighting.

Gnolls can have heterochromia, such as Hackle, a gnoll with a light-blue eye and a dark-brown eye.

Culture

A camp of gnolls in the Azure Span.

Brutish and belligerent, gnolls value strength above all else. They are organized into packs, tribes, or clans, the terms being interchangeable. Gnoll pups grow into warriors. Warriors grow into alphas: the biggest, strongest, and most ruthless members that claw their way to dominance. And above them all stand the ones who rule: a matriarch when one exists, and the brute, the war leader and champion, who enforces the clan's will with teeth and club. Leadership changes are often violent, and disputes can erupt if the brute or matriarch is seen as weak.

Gnolls who fail to provide for or defend the clan are called "runts"; such individuals may be exiled or killed if they cannot prove themselves. If an exiled runt tries to return, they will be killed and eaten by the tribe. It is also a common tradition that when a gnoll dies, the members of their clan devour the body.

They wear ragged wool or leather clothing and crude iron armor pieces. Some individuals wear ear piercings, feathers, or metal rings. Others decorate themselves with trophies taken from kills or battles. The Woodpaw gnoll Sivet, for example, wore a necklace of severed fingers and ears.

Gnolls love to let others do the hard work for them.

Food

Gnolls are omnivorous hunters. Their common prey includes horses, boars, deer, bears, and squirrels, depending on habitat and scarcity. They also readily eat yeti meat, which they consider similar to bear meat, but refuse to eat ogre flesh, describing it as "rancid." Hard-boiled chicken eggs pickled in brine are considered delicacies.

The Grimtail gnolls produce smoked and dried foods—most notably their boar jerky and preserved rockscale cod, which are apparently quite popular with the quilboar, tauren, and centaur alike. The Woodpaw also make boar jerky and ale. Furthermore, gnoll cooks are capable of more elaborate dishes as well, such as Karrion's Dragonbreath Chili.

Relations

The Woodpaw feasting with the Feral Scar yetis.

Some gnoll groups, such as the Riverpaw pack and Mosshide tribe, have been known to enslave kobolds.

Abandoned gnoll pups in the Azure Span sometimes roll into tuskarr settlements. The tuskarr are wary but tolerant, so long as the pups are kept fed. Eventually, the pups leave, either to find their own kind or hunt alone.

Though most clans are not open to trading, those who are require a show of strength and respect before trading can begin, often through combat with a chosen representative or the clan leader. These fights can lead to friendly relations afterward, where gnolls and outsiders may feast and laugh together. Some gnolls maintain long-term diplomatic relationships when profitable.

Gnolls are susceptible to being controlled through magic. There are at least a few known cases. A Kirin Tor mage once gained the favor of a gnoll clan leader in Redridge by performing a simple spell. For a day, the gnoll was very friendly to the sorcerer, until he forgot the trick and sent hunters after him. The warlock Morganth made the gnolls of the Shadowhide clan his servants. The Grand Magus Doane also enslaved them after him.

Gnolls have been known to join organizations such as the Southsea Freebooters and the Venture Company.

Warfare

Although fierce and formidable in battle, gnolls are not the most intelligent of races. They may fight each other over absurd matters such as "whose shadow is larger." It has often been stated that the gnolls would be quite a fearsome race if they ever stopped tearing each other to pieces long enough to organize themselves into an army. Gnolls have been employed as mercenaries, but their ferocity and limited discipline require constant oversight.

Gnolls often favor surprise ambushes, coordinated howling charges, and scent-based tracking to flank or run down enemies.

Typically armed with clubs, spears, axes, and bolos, often decorated with iron spikes and barbs. Gnolls usually lack functional ironworks, so they highly value scrap iron, broken blades, and nails to forge into weapon barbs.

During the Third War, many gnolls encountered in Lordaeron were armed with crossbows. This remains true among gnolls of the Azure Span and the Woodpaw clan.

Magic

Brackenhide gnolls in Brackenhide Hollow using decay magic.

When they can be bothered to pay attention long enough, gnolls tend to focus on elemental shamanism. Decatriarch Wratheye of the Brackenhide clan discovered decay magic, a dark form of shamanism, which she then spread to the rest of her clan and nearby gnoll groups.

The Redpine tribe was learning necromancy through items supplied by Magus Bisp.

Gnolls consider portraits as a form of magic; portraits they like are considered "good magic," while an unfinished piece is considered "bad magic" and a bad omen.

Groups

A banner used by the gnolls in the Dragon Isles.

Eastern Kingdoms

Name	Leader	Location	Affiliation	Status
Blackpaw	Unknown	Underlight Mines, Ghostlands	Independent	Active
Drysnout	Unknown	Badlands	Independent	Unknown
Mosshide	Sagepaw  †	Mosshide Fen, Wetlands	Independent	Active
Mudsnout	Ro'Bark  †	Nethander Stead, Hillsbrad Foothills	Independent	Active
Redridge	Yowler  †	Redridge Canyons, Redridge Mountains	Independent Blackrock clan	Active
Redpine	Unknown	Redpine Dell, Western Plaguelands	Independent	Active
Riverpaw	Hogger  †	Hogger Hill, Elwynn Forest Dust Plains, Westfall	Independent Defias Brotherhood	Active
Rot Hide	Thule Ravenclaw  †	Garren's Haunt, Tirisfal Glades	Scourge	Unknown
Shadowhide	General Fangore  †	Redridge Mountains	Blackrock clan	Active
Wildpaw	Grimtooth  †	Wildpaw Cavern, Alterac Valley	Independent	Active

Kalimdor

Name	Leader	Location	Affiliation	Status
Grimtail	Cackle	Last Forest, Desolace	Independent	Active
Palemane	Snagglespear  †	Palemane Rock, Mulgore	Independent	Active
Woodpaw	Jaggal	Woodpaw village, Feralas	Independent	Active

Dragon Isles

Name	Leader(s)	Location	Affiliation	Status
Brackenhide	Decatriarch Wratheye Gnoll Mon-Ark	Brackenhide Hollow, Azure Span	Independent	Active
Darktooth	Chief Dead Eye  †	Darktooth Pond, Azure Span	Independent	Active
Duskpaw	Cracktooth  †	Brackenhide Waterhole, Azure Span	Brackenhide clan	Active
Gnawbone	Flayfist  †	Brackenhide Waterhole, Azure Span	Brackenhide clan	Active
Shadepaw	Kargpaw the Fetid  †	Big Tree Hills, Azure Span	Independent	Active
Snowhide	Frostbite  †	Snowhide Camp, Azure Span	Independent	Active
Stormfang	Bloodclaw  †	Brackenhide Waterhole, Azure Span	Brackenhide clan	Active

Other

Name	Leader	Location	Affiliation	Status
Blackmane	Captain Ripflesh  †	Zouchin Strand, Kun-Lai Summit	Independent	Active
Savage Hill	Gnarlhide  †	Storm Peaks	Independent	Active
Seapaw	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown

Notable

Sayge in Hearthstone.

Note: For the various group leaders, see above.

Name	Role(s)	Affiliation(s)	Location	Status
Garfang	Packlord of the unified Redridge gnoll tribes during the Gnoll War.	Redridge pack	Redridge Mountains	Deceased
Jango Spothide	Leader of the Riverpaw pack in Westfall.	Riverpaw pack, Defias Brotherhood	Dust Plains, Westfall	Killable
Ardo Dirtpaw	Controller of the Redridge ettins.	Redridge pack, Dark Horde	Rethban Caverns, Redridge Mountains	Killable
Maggot Eye	Leader of the Rot Hide graverobbers at Garren's Haunt.	Rot Hides, Scourge	Garren's Haunt, Tirisfal Glades	Killable
Meatball	Brawler's Guild gladiator.	Brawler's Guild	Bizmo's Brawlpub, Deeprun Tram; Brawl'gar Arena	Killable
Rotfang	Gladiator of Theldren.	Theldren	Ring of the Law, Blackrock Depths	Killable
Sayge	Darkmoon Faire fortune teller.	Darkmoon Faire	Darkmoon Faire, Darkmoon Island	Alive
Foreman Sharpsneer	Foreman of the Silver Stream Mine.	Mosshide tribe	Silver Stream Mine, Loch Modan	Killable
Snarlmane the Bloodgorger	Attempted to stop Kael'thas from repairing the last Arcane Observatory.	Independent	Lordamere Lake	Unknown
Snarlame	Gnoll leader controlled by Sylvanas during the Plaguelands civil war.	Independent	Tirisfal Glades	Unknown
Hackle	Woodpaw warrior and friend of Aramar Thorne.	Woodpaw clan	Unknown	Alive
Sivet	Future Woodpaw matriarch.	Woodpaw clan	Feralas	Alive
Gnaw	Former Woodpaw matriarch, succeded Greasefang.	Woodpaw clan	Feralas	Deceased
Greasefang	Former Woodpaw matriarch.	Woodpaw clan	Feralas	Deceased
Jawstretcher	Former Woodpaw brute, succeded Claw.	Woodpaw clan	Feralas	Deceased
Claw	Former Woodpaw brute.	Woodpaw clan	Feralas	Deceased
Taskmaster Whipfang	Venture Company worker in the Windshear Crag.	Venture Company	Windshear Crag, Stonetalon Mountains	Killable
Rira Hackclaw   Gashtooth   Tricktotem	A deadly warband among the Brackenhide.	Brackenhide clan	Brackenhide Hollow, Azure Span	Killable

In Warcraft III

This section concerns content related to Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos or its expansion The Frozen Throne.

Gnoll concept art for Warcraft III.

Gnolls are creeps that can be encountered in the Lordaeron Summer, Fall, and Winter tilesets. Notably, a gnoll named Snarlmane the Bloodgorger appears in Misconceptions leading a large group that included a Gnoll Warlord among its ranks. While another similarly named gnoll, Snarlmane, appears in The Dark Lady. A Gnoll Gold Miser appears in The Fires Down Below.

Unit name		Level	Hit Points	Mana	Armor	Attack	Range	Abilities
	Gnoll	1	240	-	0 (Flesh)	10-11 (Normal)	Melee	-
	Gnoll Poacher	1	240	-	0 (Flesh)	13-15 (Pierce)	50	-
	Gnoll Assassin	3	320	-	1 (Medium)	21-29 (Pierce)	50	Envenomed Weapon
	Gnoll Brute	3	400	-	1 (Heavy)	14-15 (Normal)	Melee	-
	Gnoll Warden	3	330	300	0 (Medium)	21-29 (Pierce)	50	Purge
	Gnoll Overseer	5	750	-	3 (Heavy)	24-27 (Normal)	Melee	Command Aura

In the RPG

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

In the Monster Guide.

Gnolls are known for their beastly cunning, their ferocious tempers, and their penchant for infighting. Though more intelligent than beasts, they tend to lack the finer reasoning of other sentient races. Gnolls make their home in Lordaeron in the Alterac Mountains and the Redridge Mountains, but they have spread throughout Azeroth, even to Kalimdor, where they compete with other aggressive humanoids for hunting grounds. Their tendency to challenge each other over petty matters (such as who is the tallest) prevents them from achieving any real unity and thus lessens their overall threat. This is fortunate, for their numbers are such that they could easily overrun other races of equivalent strengths. Occasionally, gnolls hire out as mercenaries, either as individuals or in small packs of two to five warriors.

Physiology

Gnolls are hyena-like humanoids standing about 7 feet tall. Gnolls of the same tribe tend to share a similar appearance, with either a reddish-brown, black, greenish-gray, or yellow mane. Eyes range in color from pale blue to bloodshot red and are typically small and close-set in the head. In wet conditions, they give off a distinctive musky odor.

Society

Gnoll society is organized entirely around might. The strongest and deadliest gnolls ascend in the tribal order to become the leaders, while the weaker gnolls soon become food for the rest. This lifestyle means the average gnoll tribe is always in a state of tension—the slightest sign of weakness in those leading can cause the tribe to turn upon itself in a frenzy of violence. It also prevents the gnolls from organizing for very long into anything more than a tribe. Gnoll society displays a limited specialization. Brutes are the largest and nastiest gnolls, made stronger by their privileged position in the food chain. Gnoll assassins are noted for their intelligence and use complex weapons such as bows and poisons. Gnoll poachers act as scouts and hunters for the gnoll tribes and use weapons taken from prey. Gnoll wardens have developed a magical connection with nature and use their powers to keep the other gnolls in line.

Gnolls are known for their habits as raiding marauders or hired soldiers. Though they have average intelligence, they are easily duped by promises of food or treasure. Rerjik Mashnose is a gnoll barbarian and shaman who serves Rumholt Thunderaxe as his right hand in Blackrock Mountain.

Gnolls do well as hunters or warriors. Their inborn aggression and decidedly cruel nature drive them to pursue their quarry for the sheer pleasure of the capture and, usually, the kill. Gnoll spellcasters tend to be shamans with strong elemental and warlike tendencies. Occasionally, a gnoll might join an adventuring party in pursuit of a common enemy. Sometimes a gnoll is ousted from gnoll society and must make their way in the world outside. Adventuring bands that value aggressive, persistent hunters and warriors may allow a gnoll to join them. Gnolls may take up with either the Alliance or the Horde, depending on which group has been their primary enemy. (More often than not, though, they join the Horde.) A few operate independently, hiring themselves out as mercenaries to the highest payer. Gnolls are strong-limbed and fierce, but they are poor planners with little forethought and deficient leadership qualities.

As carnivores, gnolls consider all creatures as food, including members of their own race. Hunger, not gold or magic, is what motivates them. They have no love for other races, preferring to eat rather than work with them. Any alliances made will last only as long as the gnolls are well-fed or are cowed with displays of force. Gnolls, being lazy and feral, have little natural industry. They are capable of limited crafting, but no metalwork. They do not mine or farm, relying instead on a nomadic existence and hunting.

Combat

Gnolls enjoy fighting—almost too much. They like to attack when they have the advantage of numbers, using group tactics and their physical strength to overwhelm and knock down their opponents. They show little discipline in battle unless they have a strong leader; at such times, they can maintain ranks and fight as a unit. While they do not usually prepare traps, gnolls do use ambushes and try to attack from a flanking position. They always take special care to seek the most favorable conditions possible (such as darkness, cover, or some other form of advantageous condition or terrain) when laying ambushes.

Gnolls prefer bludgeoning weapons, both because they are easy to create and because they can break bones open more easily; bone marrow is considered a delicacy. They typically wear scraps of hide as armor, though tougher gnolls may don armor taken from their prey.

Their tactics are blunt: if they outnumber an opponent, they attack; if outnumbered, they flee. Pack tactics are common, with multiple gnolls swarming a single foe. They are not courageous and will often run if a fight turns against them.

Languages

Gnolls speak Low Common, though some speak with a broken Common. Gnolls learn the languages of those they interact with. These are the languages spoken by the races most likely to interact with gnolls: Common, Darnassian, Orcish, Thalassian, and Zandali. A few gnolls knew Common as a primary language, or at least a broken Common. However, this appears to be uncommon in recent times.

Notes and trivia

• Brann Bronzebeard believes that the gnolls may be descendants of a hyena Ancient Guardian, though it is only a theory.
•  [Hogs' Studded Collar] is a reward from  [That's Whack!] at the Darkmoon Faire.
• Gnolls were at one point supposed to be part of the Mongrel Horde.
• Gnoll Wood is a six-player map made by Blizzard for Warcraft III.

Gallery

See also: Hogger#Gallery

• World of Warcraft
• 

  Classic gnoll.
• 

  Classic gnoll caster.
• 

  Classic armored gnoll.
• 

  Classic undead gnoll.
• 

  Classic undead gnoll caster.
• 

  Classic armored undead gnoll.
• 

  Dragonflight gnoll child.
• 

  Dragonflight gnoll.
• 

  Dragonflight armored gnoll.
• 

  Dragonflight gnoll caster.
• 

  Dragonflight gnoll shaman.
• 

  Dragonflight gnoll shaman with helm.
• 

  Dragonflight gnoll wearing a banner.
• 

  Dragonflight gnoll wearing multiple banners.
• 

  Dragonflight gnoll wearing a tuskarr skull.
• 

  Dragonflight undead gnoll.
• 

  Dragonflight armored undead gnoll.
• 

  Dragonflight decay gnoll.
• 

  Dragonflight decay gnoll caster.
• 

  Dragonflight armored decay gnoll.
• 

  Dragonflight decay gnoll shaman.

• Concept art and showcases
• 

  Warlords of Draenor concept art of Mongrel Horde gnolls.
• 

  A Mongrel Horde gnoll.
• 

  Dragonflight concept art of a gnoll child.
• 

  Gnoll child Dragonflight model showcase.
• 

  Dragonflight gnoll concept art.
• 

  Gnoll models showcase.
• 

  Dragonflight concept art of a gnoll shaman.
• 

  Gnoll shaman model showcase.
• 

  Dragonflight gnoll weapons showcase.
• 

  Dragonflight unused dire gnoll concept art.

• Warcraft III
• 

  Gnoll concept art for Warcraft III: Reforged.
• 

  Gnoll and Gnoll Brute portrait in Warcraft III.
• 

  Gnoll and Gnoll Brute model in Warcraft III.
• 

  Gnoll portrait in Warcraft III: Reforged.
• 

  Gnoll model in Warcraft III: Reforged.
• 

  Gnoll Brute portrait in Warcraft III: Reforged.
• 

  Gnoll Brute model in Warcraft III: Reforged.
• 

  Gnoll Poacher and Gnoll Assassin portrait in Warcraft III.
• 

  Gnoll Poacher and Gnoll Assassin model in Warcraft III.
• 

  Gnoll Poacher portrait in Warcraft III: Reforged.
• 

  Gnoll Poacher model in Warcraft III: Reforged.
• 

  Gnoll Assassin portrait in Warcraft III: Reforged.
• 

  Gnoll Assassin portrait in Warcraft III: Reforged.
• 

  Gnoll Warden portrait in Warcraft III.
• 

  Gnoll Warden model in Warcraft III.
• 

  Gnoll Warden portrait in Warcraft III: Reforged.
• 

  Gnoll Warden model in Warcraft III: Reforged.
• 

  Gnoll Overseer portrait in Warcraft III.
• 

  Gnoll Overseer model in Warcraft III.
• 

  Gnoll Overseer portrait in Warcraft III: Reforged.
• 

  Gnoll Overseer model in Warcraft III: Reforged.
• 

  Snarlmane the Bloodgorger portrait in Warcraft III: Reforged.
• 

  Snarlmane the Bloodgorger model in Warcraft III: Reforged.
• 

  A Gnoll Hut portrait in Warcraft III.
• 

  A Gnoll Hut in Warcraft III.
• 

  A Gnoll Hut portrait in Reforged.
• 

• Trading Card Game
• 

  Gnaw
• 

  Soggypaw
• 

  Wanted: "Hogger"
• 

  Mind Soothe
• 

  Snaggle
• 

  Muzzle

Main article: Gnoll art on the Hearthstone Wiki

• Hearthstone
• 

  Ol' Barkeye
• 

  Snakeflinger Scalesnout
• 

  Shaky Zipgunner
• 

  Body Bagger
• 

  Goldshire Gnoll
• 

  Loyal Henchman
• 

  Rot Hide Gnoll
• 

  Tanglefur Mystic
• 

  Wildpaw Gnoll
• 

  Dread Deserter
• 

  Thirsty Drifter
• 

  Frostbite
• 

  Soul Barrage

• Other
• 

  Gangris Riverpaw action figure.
• 

  Sketches created for a book prop for the Warcraft movie, including a depiction of a gnoll.
• 

  Gnoll models used in the Alterac Pass battleground in Heroes of the Storm.
• 
• 

  Grimtooth portrait from Heroes of the Storm.
• 

  Gnoll Brute in Warcraft Arclight Rumble.
• 

  A gnoll in the Manual of Monsters alongside other races.
• 

  A withered gnoll in the Manual of Monsters.
• 

  Hackle, a male gnoll in Traveler.
• 

  Cackle, a female gnoll in Traveler.

Patch changes

• Patch 10.0.0 (2022-10-25): Model updated.