Grunt

For the pre-patch 2.0 PvP title, see Grunt (Legacy). For the Rated Battlegrounds title, see [Grunt].

Orc grunt in Warcraft III: Reforged.

Grunts are the basic warriors of the Horde and the orcish clans. They are typically equipped with mighty axes and battle-worn armor.

Grunts appeared as units on the orc or Horde side in Warcraft, Warcraft II and Warcraft III. They are the classic counterpart to human footmen but are stronger than them in Warcraft III. They do, however, cost much more. In all the strategy games they are voiced by Bill Roper.

First War

This section concerns content related to Warcraft: Orcs & Humans.

Main article: Grunt (Warcraft I)

Grunts were the first level of warrior in the service of the orc's armies. Trained for close combat, these soldiers made excellent fodder for wading through human forces. Use of the axe and shield was their specialty, and they were hearty fighters with a taste for blood.^[1]

Grunt concept art, among other units.
Concept art
In-game unit

Second War

This section concerns content related to Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness or its expansion Beyond the Dark Portal.

Main article: Grunt (Warcraft II)

Those orcs who distinguished themselves enough in the arts of war to be trained as grunts epitomized the merciless spirit of the Horde. Equipped with mighty axes and battle-worn armor, they were prepared to fight to the death. Devoted to the Horde and to their clans, the grunt lusted for battle - wanting nothing more than to wade into the field of carnage and die a bloody death surrounded by the bodies of his fallen enemies.^[2]

Veteran grunts were sometimes put at work in blacksmith shops due to their understanding of the value of strong steel.^[3] Some grunts were also former raiders, degraded to being footsoldiers after their ranks were disbanded by Orgrim Doomhammer.^[4]

In-game unit
Manual art
Manual art
Cinematics model
On the title screen.
Orc victory screen.
Human defeat screen.
Old Horde races by Chris Metzen.
Footman vs Grunt by Chris Metzen.
"Rolled a Crit" by Chris Metzen.

Third War

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

Main article: Grunt (Warcraft III)

Grunts are the first and last line of the Horde's defense. These powerful fighters arm themselves with mighty battle-axes and display all of the savagery and cunning of their race. In past generations, grunts were characterized by their depravity and brutality. But now, under the visionary leadership of Thrall, the grunts more closely resemble their savage, yet noble ancestors.^[5]

In-game unit in Warcraft III.
Cinematics model
'Warcraft III orc campaign menu background.
Grunt fighting the Alliance.
Warcraft III concept art.
Concept art
Concept art
Orc grunt by Samwise Didier.
In-game unit in Warcraft III: Reforged.
Grunt unit icon in Reforged.
Reforged cinematic model.
Grunt facing a footman in the Reforged cinematic.
Reforged Horde unit model (on the left).
Warcraft III: Reforged concept art.
More Reforged concept art.

Chaos Grunt and Fel Orc Grunt are red skinned orc grunts that are campaign only units.

Warcraft III unit icon.
Warcraft III in-game unit.
Reforged unit icon.
Reforged in-game unit.
Reforged concept art.

World of Warcraft

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

Grunts are now commonly used as guards in orcish Horde cities and towns such as Orgrimmar and Razor Hill, but also in other orcish settlements throughout Azeroth, Outland and alternate Draenor.
In vanilla, grunts were missing their signature horned helmets. There was a grunt armor set during the alpha complete with a helmet,^[6] but for some reason it did not make into the final release. The Orc Grunts used as pawns in the Karazhan Chess Event lack helms entirely. The Horde Grunts of the Battle for Mount Hyjal event wear a horned helmet, albeit with a different design. The Warsong Armor transmog set finally came with an horned helmet, and some Warspear grunts also wear unique helmets.
The armor of the Horde grunts was made heavier during the War against the Lich King to combat the cold weather of Northrend.
Orc marines are a force of specialized grunts.

Notable grunts

Types

Den Grunt - Durotar
Razor Hill Grunt - Durotar
Orgrimmar Grunt - Orgrimmar
Warsong Grunt - Ashenvale
Splintertree Raider - Ashenvale
Stonetalon Grunt - Stonetalon Mountains
Blackrock Grunt - Redridge Mountains
Dragonmaw Grunt - Wetlands
Hammerfall Grunt - Arathi Highlands
Grom'gol Grunt - Stranglethorn Vale
Stonard Grunt - Swamp of Sorrows
Kargath Grunt - Badlands
Orgrimmar Legion Grunt - Silithus
Might of Kalimdor Grunt - Silithus
Scarshield Grunt - Blackrock Spire
Firebrand Grunt - Blackrock Spire
Bleeding Hollow Grunt - Hellfire Peninsula
Shattered Hand Grunt - Hellfire Peninsula
Thrallmar Grunt - Hellfire Peninsula
Mag'har Grunt - Hellfire Peninsula
Stonebreaker Grunt - Terokkar Forest
Thunderlord Grunt - Blade's Edge Mountains
Orc Grunt - Karazhan
Horde Grunt - Battle for Mount Hyjal
Shadowmoon Grunt - Black Temple
Conquest Hold Grunt - Grizzly Hills
Warsong Hold Grunt - The Storm Peaks
Off-Duty Grunt - Orgrimmar
Orgrimmar Defender - Ragefire Chasm
Gunship Grunt - Gilneas
Mountainfoot Grunt - Azshara
Valormok Grunt - Azshara
AWOL Grunt - Azshara
Hellscream Grunt - Ashenvale
Grol'dom Grunt - Northern Barrens
Rageroar Grunt - Southern Barrens
Desolation Grunt - Southern Barrens
Krom'gar Grunt - Stonetalon Mountains
New Kargath Grunt - Badlands
Stonard Warrior - Swamp of Sorrows
Stonard Defender - Swamp of Sorrows
Cavern Grunt - Abyssal Depths
Baradin Grunt - Tol Barad
Fallen Grunt - Tol Barad
Axebite Grunt - Twilight Highlands
Rok'nah Grunt - Theramore's Fall
Brawl'gar Arena Grunt - Brawl'gar Arena
Garrosh'ar Grunt - The Jade Forest
Twinspire Grunt - The Jade Forest
Sha-Touched Grunt - Shrine of Two Moons
Dominance Grunt - Krasarang Wilds
Bloodhilt Grunt - Lion's Landing
Kor'kron Grunt - Durotar
Kor'kron Grunt - Siege of Orgrimmar
Dragonmaw Grunt - Siege of Orgrimmar
Dragonmaw Elite Grunt - Siege of Orgrimmar
Ironmarch Grunt - Blasted Lands
Black Iron Grunt - Upper Blackrock Spire
Blackrock Grunt - Tanaan Jungle & Frostfire Ridge
Iron Grunt - all over Draenor
Grom'kar Grunt - all over Draenor
Iron Horde Grunt - Shadowmoon Valley
Gul'var Grunt - Shadowmoon Valley
Frostwall Grunt - Frostwall
Frostwolf Grunt - Frostfire Ridge
Warspear Grunt - Ashran
Vol'jin's Pride Grunt - Talador
Garrison Grunt - Talador
Axefall Grunt - Spires of Arak
Shattered Hand Grunt - Spires of Arak
Mok'gol Grunt - Nagrand
Wounded Grunt - Tanaan Jungle
Vol'mar Grunt - Tanaan Jungle
Bleeding Grunt - Hellfire Citadel

As a companion pet

[Dutiful Gruntling] is rewarded to Horde players from [Honor Level 5], or can be bought for 500 from vendors if Level 5 has been achieved on the account.

Quotes

Notes and trivia

Grunts are allowed to wear additional armor items on top of their uniforms, so long as they earned them fair and square. An example of which is a pit lord's finger armor, repurposed as a thigh guard by Morka Bruggu, who had helped to slay it during the Legion's third invasion.^[7]
In Warcraft: Orcs & Humans and Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, it is a rank you can achieve.

Gallery

World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft alpha grunt model.
Vanilla-era grunt armor.
Vanilla-era grunt armor with helmet.
Blue grunt armor (Hammerfall)
Green grunt armor (Grom'gol)
Orange grunt armor (Barrens)
Warlords of Draenor-era grunt armor.
Warlords of Draenor-era grunt armor with helmet.
Warlords of Draenor-era grunt armor with helmet.
Thrallmar Grunt
Bleeding Hollow Grunt
Shattered Hand Grunt
Warsong Offensive grunt
Baradin Grunt
Frostwolf Grunt
Mag'har Grunt

Cinematic stills and art

On the Battle for Azeroth Horde wallpaper.
Battle for Azeroth promotional art.
"Battle for Azeroth" by Astri Lohne Sjursen.
"For Lordaeron" by Glenn Rane and Cole Eastburn.
"A Lion Among Wolves" by Samwise Didier.
On the cover of The Art of Blizzard Entertainment.

Others

Most skeletal orcs in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne look similar to Warcraft III grunt units.
Grunt car in Azeroth Grand Prix in Warcraft III.
"Orc Grunt" in the Trading Card Game.
Orgrimmar Grunts in the TCG.
On the TCG card Hunter's Mark.
On the TCG card Track Humanoids.
Cowardly Grunt in Hearthstone.
Gold Road Grunt in Hearthstone.
Scrappy Grunt in Hearthstone.
Watchful Grunt in Hearthstone.
Provoke in Hearthstone.
Urk from the Hearthstone animated shorts looks like a grunt.
Orc minions in the Hearthstone animated short Hearth and Home look like grunts.
Horde melee minions and prison guards from the Alterac Pass battleground in Heroes of the Storm look like grunts but with a shield.
A different orc grunt model made for Warcraft III Reforged then the one that is in-game.
BlizzCon 2019 grunt statue.
Warsong grunt in Warcraft Arclight Rumble.
Grunt action figure
A grunt on the cover of Computer Gaming World.