Hunter races

Taz'dingo, a troll hunter and his raptor pet.

This article lists the races that are able to become hunters, along with the lore behind each.

Alliance

Tracker Gallen, a night elf hunter.

Human

During the First War, the archers of Stormwind used their skill in the crossbow to deal death on the Orcish Horde from a distance. The ability to launch their deadly rain of missiles from a distance makes them a force not to be discounted. Sometime during the Second War, Nathanos Marris became the first ever human ranger lord among the high elven Farstriders.

The humans of Kul Tiras also have hunters among their ranks. In the dark forests of Drustvar, House Waycrest has a long tradition of using falconry to train birds of prey. On the mainland, hunting appears to be common amongst both the nobility and common folk of Boralus, as Lord Aldrius Norwington hosts each year the Norwington Equestrian and Hunt Festival, inviting all hunters to participate at the Norwington Estate. The Outriggers are skilled monster hunters who specialize in taking down the largest and deadliest of beasts that threaten Boralus.

Dwarf

Commonly, dwarven hunters are called mountaineers and are seen guarding their homeland of Khaz Modan. The brave dwarven riflemen have faithfully protected their realm for hundreds of years. Using the legendary single-shot "Blunderbuss Long Rifles", their riflemen are excellent marksmen and can shoot both land-based and airborne opponents.

The Dark Iron dwarves also have hunters among their ranks, typically with hunting dogs known as Bloodhounds. Houndmaster Grebmar is one such hunter.

Gnome

After the events on the Broken Shore, High Tinker Mekkatorque has commanded his people to get outfitted and ready for battle—any way they know how. Long at the forefront of cutting-edge technology in Azeroth, the inventive gnomes were finally ready to break out the big guns. Their propensity for things that go "bang" and knack for high-tech weapons like rocket launchers, high-powered rifles, and death rays made them perfect candidates for hunting down prey.

The mechagon mechagnomes can also become hunters, but there is no further information on this subject.

Night elf

Traditionally, night elf women served their people as warriors, hunters, and protectors. They are also very adept with the bow, with many female huntresses archers who ride atop hippogryph and nightsaber companions. The first rank of the Sentinel army is comprised of archers; these brave warrior women are expert marksmen and use the concealing forests of Kalimdor to their advantage. Their lightning-quick ambushes are legendary - for few warriors can match the speed and cunning of the proud Archers. The "way of the hunter", though seemingly less well-known, is just as ancient and venerable as that of the druid and Sentinel. According to Ayanna Everstride of Aldrassil, training as a night elf hunter involves taming beasts to aid them in battle, using a bow with unerring accuracy, and respecting the lands both at home and beyond, and all hunters are expected to respect nature as not something bent to their will, but a power stronger than their very existence.

Draenei

In draenei society, the Rangari are a organization of scouts and hunters, whose role is mostly to gather valuable intelligence about the lay of the land, using it for their people's advantage. Founded on Draenor, they were tasked to explore the unfamiliar world in search of resources—and threats—that might impact the draenei's future. Their greatest hunters would also hunt the mighty talbuks as a show of skill.

Worgen

Worgen are natural hunters with a propensity to hunt. Before being infected, they would also hunt alongside their mastiff companions in their kingdom of Gilneas.

Void elf

Before being transformed into void elves in Telogrus Rift, some of Magister Umbric's followers were blood elven rangers.

Lightforged draenei

Lightforged draenei can also become hunters, among them, Baraat the Longshot acted as a lieutenant under Captain Fareeya.

Horde

Landon Dunavin, a Forsaken hunter.

Orc

Orcs start their hunter/warrior training at the age of six years old. On their homeworld of Draenor (and alternate Draenor), several clans have been observed being hunters. The Frostwolf Orcs typically tame, ride, and fight alongside frost wolves. The Warsong clan's raiders tame the brown wolves of Nagrand. Meanwhile, the majority of the Thunderlord Clan seem to be hunters. Their fiercest warriors can tame and ride clefthooves. Their chieftain, the Iron Wolf, had a pet rylak named Chilltongue. Some powerful Thunderlords, such as Hatock the Gronnmaster, were even able to find ways to break semi-intelligent giants to their will, such as gronn and gronnlings.

Jungle troll

Among the most ancient races of Azeroth, trolls learned to not only survive, but to thrive in the wilderness of the world. Considered by many to be the greatest hunters of Azeroth, trolls tamed mighty dinosaurs with the blessing of Grimath, and sometimes their dinomancers even weave powerfull voodoo magics into their beasts to make them even more deadly and obedient.

The cunning headhunters are trained from birth to hunt, track, and trap the most dangerous beasts in the wilds and possess the uncanny ability to regenerate lost health. Capable of hurling their deadly spears at distant enemies, troll headhunters provide invaluable cover fire for the other warriors of the Horde. Like all trolls, headhunters can regenerate lost health over time. This racial ability makes the trolls fearsome opponents and often allows them to spring back into combat even though they’ve suffered grievous wounds.

Parying to the mighty loa, most of whom are animal-like wild gods, such as Kimbul, Har'koa, Halazzi, and many others, troll hunters tend to copy the way their gods hunt. They act like true predators, using little to no clothing that allows them to hide their presence, killing weak prey in a swift yet cruel manner, while showing respect only to those that are strong.

Among the greatest members of troll society are the shadow hunters, spiritual leaders of many troll tribes, they combine both the physical prowess and cunning of a true hunter together with the mighty magics of their loa, however, a troll can not simply become a shadow hunter of their own accord, instead they need to prove to all the loa of their tribe, that they deserve such honor.

Blood elf

In blood elf society, the Farstriders are in charge of the protection of the kingdom of Quel'Thalas and its people. They are led by the Ranger-General of Silvermoon Halduron Brightwing and are considered part of the sin'dorei government, along with the Magisters and the Blood Knights. With a deep respect for the law, the rangers that compose the Farstriders' ranks remain noble, traditional, and valiant protectors of blood elf society. A small organization named the Blood Hawks serves Quel'Thalas from Eversong, and its leadership reports directly to Ranger General Halduron.

Tauren

Every tauren, warrior or otherwise, seeks identity as both a hunter and as a child of the Earth Mother. Tauren, young or otherwise, seek to prove their bravery by setting themselves against the creatures of the wild. Hunting is a tauren's greatest honor; at times they hunt for food, at times for honor, and at times to earn the Earthmother's teachings. Hunters are important to the tribes as a strong part of tauren tradition and history, and are respected and revered if they serve their people well. Young gazelles quickly learn to flee when they hear the war cries of tauren hunters in Mulgore. They don't hear the good hunters, unfortunately. While mighty warriors defend the tauren's homes, shamans show the ancestors' past and druids discover the Earthmother's will, hunters learn many aspects of those roles and blend them together. They represent the heart of the tauren people, and are looked to for guidance and protection.

Goblin

Liza and Warpy, a goblin hunter and her pet, were seen as early as The Burning Crusade.

Forsaken

As the Forsaken were once humans, any proficiency they had in hunting most likely followed them in undeath. Their Banshee Queen, Sylvanas Windrunner, was an elven ranger prior to being raised into undeath by Arthas Menethil. During the Scourge invasion of Quel'Thalas, many Farstriders were raised as Darkfallen, prowling the lands as dark rangers for the Scourge. They were later freed from the control of the Lich King and joined Sylvanas among the Forsaken. On the other hand, Nathanos Blightcaller had recently been training a new generation of rangers, comprising of undead humans. These Forsaken hunters appear to favor the woodsman axe and the crossbow in contrast to the bow and arrow typically employed by their undead high elf counterparts. Like Nathanos, they sport a leather-looking outfit and optionally a hood and face mask.

Zandalari troll

The hunters of the Zandalari trolls are known as Predators, and the Zandalari Beast Ward is dedicated to raising powerful beasts in times of war. The Zandalari seem to primarily focus on raising dinosaurs as their companions, such as ravasaurs and direhorns. While Zandalari prefer to respect their animal companions, in times of desperation, they can forcibly control them with magic fetishes and blood rituals.

Nightborne

While they no longer possess the same, deep connection with nature as their night elf ancestors did, the nightborne are still capable hunters. They are typically seen keeping the manasabers and owls of Suramar as pets. Several of their hunters joined the Felborne, such as the Felborne Trappers and Nighthuntress Lexera, and used fel-corrupted wildlife to serve the Burning Legion. Nighthuntress Syrenne also joined the Unseen Path to oppose the Burning Legion.

Other races

High elf

During the Troll Wars, the high elves founded the order of rangers, in order to defend Quel'Thalas from the Amani trolls. Their pursuit of mastery in longbow, marksmanship, and scouting made them more rugged and even deadlier than the elven archers - traits for which they are greatly feared amongst their enemies. Although their numbers are few, their presence could change the course of the war if they are deployed wisely. They eventually formed the Farstriders, and their commander was given a unique, historic title: Ranger-General of Silvermoon. They have long been considered valiant and honorable elves who regarded the law with deep respect and faith. Indeed, they have long been considered the epitome of selfless dedication.

Pandaren

Among the Shado-Pan, the Wu Kao discipline is led by Master Hawkmaster Nurong; their pandaren agents work as the order's scouts, hunters, spies, and assassins.

Dracthyr

Neltharion employed many hunters in his army and had a great interest in beasts. With the awakening of more dracthyr, these beasts found a better fate as their companions rather than as his experiment.

Earthen

The earthen can become hunters, but there is no further information on this subject.

In the RPG

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

Orcs

Many orcs find the path of the hunt appealing due to their increasing closeness with the wilds; they have a particular affinity for wolves whom they treat as hunting partners.

Half-ogre

The mighty sons and daughters of Nath are natural hunters, having spent long years in the wilderness. They have a natural rapport with wild animals, and even those who are not hunters often enter battle with loyal, trained companions at their sides. They seek to discover the essence of combat through observing and mimicking wild beasts. Most half-ogre also become melee hunters; those who don't use massive composite longbows - something to which they can apply their great strength. The iconic half-ogre hunter emerges from the woods or desert on the eve of battle, silently taking their place next to their allies in the Horde. A great bear, lion, or wolf remains by their side, looking docile enough, but growling when others get close. The hunter hefts their axes and looks to the horizon. They breathe deep, savoring the smell of the land and preparing themselves for the conflict to come.

Forest troll

Forest trolls on Lordaeron were hunters. They taught the orcs to hunt.