Warcraft Rumble
- For information on the in-universe game, see Warcraft Rumble Machine.
- "Rumble" redirects here. For the enchanted tiki, see Rumble (tiki). For the earth elemental, see Rumble (elemental).
| Warcraft Rumble | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) |
Blizzard Entertainment Incubation |
| Publisher(s) | Blizzard Entertainment |
| Director(s) | Tom Chilton |
| Engine | Unity |
| Platforms | Android, iOS, iPadOS, Windows |
| Release |
November 3, 2023 (Mobile) December 10, 2024 (Desktop) |
| Latest release | 12.0.0 (March 19, 2025) |
| Genre(s) | Mobile action strategy, Tower Defense, Real-time strategy |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
Warcraft Rumble is a free-to-play mobile action strategy game announced by Blizzard Entertainment on 3 May 2022 as Warcraft Arclight Rumble,[1][2] where players build armies with their heroes and villains from Warcraft and battle it out in scenarios designed to test their tactical wits.
Announced at Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct, Warcraft Rumble was released on PC on 10 December 2024 as a beta.[3]
Basic gameplay
Modes include the single player campaign, dungeons, and raids. Players can engage in these modes in co-op, and battle against other players in PvP.[4] It is primarily a PvE game, and the game's campaign represents a number of locations from World of Warcraft, including Elwynn Forest, Duskwood, and Westfall. 70 PvE maps will be available at launch, each of which has a boss with a specific mechanic that players must find a way around.[5] Certain modes only become available after the player has retrieved enough Onyxia Sigils.[6]
The game also has a quest system, which involves playing old maps to gain experience for specific units.[6] The game's dungeon mode is a 3-map gauntlet with a single army. For every map, the player gets to pick one new relic. The relic has various properties, and can provide a troop-wide buff, such as increasing certain units' speed or health. After each successful dungeon is cleared, the dungeon will level up. Dungeons will only be available for a certain amount of time. Dungeons are also the only means of obtaining Valor, which is an in-game resource used to upgrade leaders.[6]
Warcraft Rumble has been compared to the tower defense genre, but in the words of the developers, it is more of a tower offense game.[4]
A match will generally consist of the following aspects:
- 1: Deployment: Use gold reserves to deploy minis on the battlefield. The player gains gold passively over time.
- Extra gold can be gained by deploying a miner to harvest Gold Veins, and by having minis attack treasure chests to open them.
- 2: Capture: Capture objectives such as guard towers and meeting stones, then use them to deploy minis closer to the objectives.
- 3: Conquer: The player's minis will march toward the enemy barracks to take it down.
Monetization
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Warcraft Rumble uses a free-to-play model. It has been stated that it is not a "gacha game," and will not have loot boxes. Players will be able to purchase any unit they choose either with their own money or through in-game coins, known as Arclight Coins. The units can be bought in bundles.[5] Levels are purchased using in-game coins.[6] Coins can be earned through just by playing the game or can be purchased via the store tab or from the Battle.net Shop.
The game will not have NFTs.[5]
Minis
- Main article: Warcraft Minis
There are over 65 Warcraft minis to collect, including leaders, rank-and-file troop minis and spells. Different minis have different advantages in combat—flying troops are effective against infantry, siege troops deal additional damage to guard towers, etc. Each unit is classified as either ranged, melee, or flying, and the three form a rock-paper-scissors system.[5] Generally, flying beats melee, melee beats range, and range beats flying.[7]
Each season will introduce a brand new mini whether it is a leader mini, a troop mini or a spell mini. The seasons work on a 6 week cycle.
Families
Warcraft Rumble minis have six families, each of whose leaders specialize in a certain area:
Alliance: Alliance leaders support defense, healing, and stealth tactics, as well as heavy use of spells.
Horde: Horde leaders encourage building momentum through earning additional gold, fast attacking troops, and enemy control with area of effect stuns.
Beast: Beast leaders can disable enemy defenses, helping the player's forces quickly overwhelm the enemy. Others specialize with using a flurry of fast troops to swarm the enemy.
Blackrock: Blackrock leaders reward the player for fielding heavy-hitting flying troops and searing elemental magic users.
Undead: Undead leaders use powerful necromancy on the battlefield, allowing them to summon endless armies.
Cenarion: The Cenarion playstyle, includes sustain, control, duality, and defense.
The game does not force players to choose one family. Players can choose their leaders (and units) from all six to form a varied army.[5]
Experience
Minis can gain experience (or XP) to level up, increasing their stats by 110% of their previous level. Experience comes from a variety of sources:
- Obtaining a mini will automatically grant it experience.
- XP Boosts in the G.R.I.D. and on minis in daily offers and special offers can grant bonus XP to purchased minis.
- After each battle, one participant mini will receive a small amount of XP. This happens whether the battle ended in victory or defeat.
- The daily offers section of the shop can grant a small amount of XP to a random mini in your collection every four hours.
- Tomes of Experience present a series of choices between two minis in your collection, each time allowing you to pick which one to give XP to.
- Quests offer a choice between three minis in your collection. After a mini is picked, a battle begins against a random boss you've faced before. Achieving victory will grant XP to the chosen mini.
- Quest battles can grant the usual post-battle XP to a mini that participated. This mini can be different from the one chosen to receive quest XP.
Increasing your collection level increases future XP gains from all sources, up to level 50.
XP earnings are capped at 50,000 XP per day. New mini acquisition, Tomes, and XP boosts from the G.R.I.D. count toward this limit but are not restricted by it.
Rarity
Minis come in common, uncommon, rare, epic, and legendary rarities. Higher rarity grants bonus levels and unlocks talents for a mini. Minis generally appear in the store at common rarity, but they can sometimes appear at a higher rarity for a higher price.
Additionally, minis can be upgraded after they're obtained. This requires specific resources:
| Rarity | Star Points | Arc Energy | Cores |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | 1[note 1] | - | - |
| Uncommon | 3 (total 4) | 500 | - |
| Rare | 10 (total 14) | 2,000 | Rare Core |
| Epic | 25 (total 39) | 8,000 | Epic Core |
| Legendary | 25 (total 64) | 20,000 | Legendary Core |
- Star Points are earned by acquiring duplicates of a mini. Star Points are not shared; each mini has its own count.
- Obtaining a higher-rarity duplicate of a mini will grant the total number of Star Points normally needed to reach that rarity. For example, acquiring a rare duplicate will grant 14 Star Points.
- Arc Energy is earned by defeating dungeon bosses, as well as some campaign bosses. Star Points beyond 64 are also converted into Arc Energy: Troop Star Points convert to 225 Arc Energy, and leader Star Points convert to 300.
- Rare Cores can be obtained from daily rewards or by completing heroic zones.
- Note
- ^ This represents obtaining a mini at common rarity for the first time. It's essentially a single "copy" of the mini.
PvP
- Main article: Season (Rumble)
Victory Points
- Earned upon completion of a PvP match, regardless of victory or defeat.
- Wins and win streaks will reward additional points.
- Are never taken away due to a loss.
- Seasonal, resetting every season to be earned again.
- Rewards may change each season.
Honor
- At the end of each season, there will be a rank placement and associated rank rewards.
- Ranks including Top 1 and Top 100.
- Ranks 1 through 100 are not tracked in-game.
- Ranks beyond 100 are tracked in-game with the Honor rank system.
- All Leaders can contribute to Honor rating. Matchmaking is not based on which Leader is chosen.
Maps
Zones
 |
Zone | |
Boss |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Elwynn Forest | 0 |  Goldtooth
|
| 1 |  Mother Fang
| ||
| 2 |  The Dockmaster
| ||
| 3 |  Morgan the Collector
| ||
| 4 |  Hogger
| ||
| 5 | Westfall | 5 |  Vultros
|
| 6 |  Old Murk-Eye
| ||
| 7 | Marshal Redpaw
| ||
| 8 |  Foe Reaper 4000
| ||
| 9 |  The Dreadnaught
| ||
| 10 | Duskwood | 10 |  Ghoulia
|
| 11 |  Mor'Ladim
| ||
| 12 | Morbent Fel
| ||
| 13 |  Blind Mary
| ||
| 14 |  Abercrombie
| ||
| 15 | Stranglethorn Vale | 15 |  Jin'do the Hexxer
|
| 16 |  King Mukla
| ||
| 17 |  King Bangalash
| ||
| 18 |  Jin'rokh the Breaker
| ||
| 19 | Baron Revilgaz Fleet Master Seahorn
| ||
| 20 | The Barrens | 20 |  Gazlowe
|
| 20 |  Charlga Razorflank
| ||
| 20 |  Geaulieu
| ||
| 20 |  Hezrul Bloodmark
| ||
| 21 |  Grommash Hellscream
| ||
| 24 | Ashenvale | 24 |   Draaka
|
| 24 |  Tideress
| ||
| 24 |  Branch Snapper
| ||
| 24 |  Maiev Shadowsong
| ||
| 26 |   Raene Wolfrunner
| ||
| 29 | Darkshore | 29 |  Murkdeep
|
| 29 |  Lunaclaw
| ||
| 29 |  Onu, Ancient of Lore
| ||
| 29 |  Shadowclaw
| ||
| 31 |  Lady Vespira
| ||
| 34 | Thousand Needles | 34 |  Na'shala the Sandweaver
|
| 34 |  Rok'Alim the Pounder
| ||
| 34 |  Grenka Bloodscreech
| ||
| 34 |  Magatha Grimtotem
| ||
| 36 |  Cairne Bloodhoof
|
|
Zone | |
Boss |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | Lordaeron | 39 |  Chef Audrey
|
| 39 |  Son of Arugal
| ||
| 39 |  Bloodmage Thalnos
| ||
| 39 | Herod
| ||
| 41 |  Inquisitor Whitemane
| ||
| 44 | Hinterlands | 44 |  Vilebranch Hexx
|
| 44 |  The Reak
| ||
| 44 |  Grimungous
| ||
| 44 |  Elder Torntusk
| ||
| 46 |  Falstad
| ||
| 49 | Dustwallow Marsh | 49 |  Goreclaw the Ravenous
|
| 49 |  Tabetha
| ||
| 49 | Darkmist Broodqueen
| ||
| 49 |  Jaina Proudmoore
| ||
| 51 |  Emberstrife
| ||
| 54 | Un'Goro Crater | 54 | Tar Tyrant
|
| 54 | Uhk'loc U'cha
| ||
| 54 |  Blazerunner
| ||
| 54 |  The Crystal Shaper
| ||
| 56 |  Devilsaur Queen
| ||
| 59 | Winterspring | 59 |  Ursius
|
| 59 |  Kashoch the Reaver
| ||
| 59 |  Shy-Rotam
| ||
| 59 |  Azurous
| ||
| 61 |  General Colbatann
| ||
| 64 | Plaguelands | 64 |  Gish the Unmoving
|
| 64 |  Araj the Summoner
| ||
| 64 |  Tirion Fordring
| ||
| 64 |  Ramstein the Gorger
| ||
| 66 |   Baron Rivendare
| ||
| 69 | Blackrock Mountain | 69 |  Volchan
|
| 69 |  Omnotron
| ||
| 69 |  Emperor Thaurissan
| ||
| 69 |   Rend Blackhand
| ||
| 71 |  General Drakkisath
| ||
| 74 | Moonglade | 74 |  Brumeran
|
| 74 |  Starblaze and Omnuron
| ||
| 74 |  Brightwing
| ||
| 74 |  Cenarius
| ||
| 76 |  Ysera
| ||
| 100 | Onyxia's Lair | 100 |  Onyxia
|
Dungeons and raids
| Dungeon/Raid | |
Bosses |
|---|---|---|
| Blackfathom Deeps | 30 | |
| Dire Maul | 30 |
|
| Deadmines | 30 | |
| Gnomeregan | 30 | |
| Scholomance | 30 | |
| Molten Core | 100 |
|
Sieges
Sieges, introduced with Season 6 and patch 6.0.0, are new co-op content that players can join in with another guildmate. The schedule for sieges switches with a raid after a off-week. For example, a siege week will be followed up with an off week, a raid week, a off week, then back to a siege week.[8]
|
Zone | Min Level | Boss |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | Stormwind | 17-18 (22†) | General Marcus Jonathan
|
| 18-19 (22†) | Innkeeper Allison
| ||
| 19-20 (22†) | Highlord Bolvar Fordragon
| ||
| Ironforge | 17-18 (22†) |   The Thief Catchers
| |
| 18-19 (22†) |  Mekkatorque
| ||
| 19-20 (22†) | Magni Bronzebeard
|
† Players above this level will be synced down.
Development
When making Arclight Rumble, the developers took inspiration from tower defense games.[4] The game's unit roster was decided on the need to make the characters to stand out on small phone screens. As such, each model needed an identifiable silhouette, as well as a color-coded palette. The developers consciously chose factions outside the Alliance and Horde, as they wanted representation from across the Warcraft universe.[5]
The game entered internal alpha in mid-2021.[9] As of May 2022, there are no apparent plans to port the game to consoles, or to develop an e-sports scene.[5]
Notes and trivia
- Early in development, the game was called "Project Gryphon."[10]
- The in-universe conceit for Arclight Rumble is that in taverns across Azeroth, a mysterious machine has been found, powered by gnomish technology and "arclight." The machine depicts (in)famous battlegrounds where animated figures do battle for the users' entertainment.[4]
- In the game's cinematic trailer, the users in question appear to be patrons of the Hearthstone inn, including Velaris, Urk, and a much older Ava.
- The game's original title formed the acronym "WAR" which could have been a reference to the franchise as a whole. Since the rename in August 2023, the title forms the "WR" acronym.
- Comparisons have been made between Arclight Rumble and Clash Royale. The developers have played a lot of the latter, but have stressed the differences of the former (elevation, leaders, and families).[5]
- The families themselves are relatively fast and loose with their definitions. The Alliance family encompasses basically any unit that comes from an alliance race, which leads to one of their leader units being Tirion Fordring; who is not part of the Alliance. Likewise, this leads to the Horde having Sneed, who was a member of the Defias. The Blackrock family doesn't exclusively refer to the clan, but instead the literal mountain, causing the Dark Iron clan, Blackrock clan, the fire elementals, and black dragonflight to all be working together; an exceptional irony considering most of these groups hate each other.
- On 8 August 2023, the game was rebranded to just Warcraft Rumble, dropping Arclight from the name.[2]
Speculation
|
This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.
|
A Burning Legion icon can be found in the files among the icons for the known unit families. The Legion may have been cut during development, or it may be a planned family for a future update.
Gallery
Alliance key art
Horde key art
Beast key art
Blackrock key art
Undead key art
Cenarion key art
Build a team
Command troops
Fight foes
Head to head battles
Eastern Kingdoms
Kalimdor
Alliance Leaders
Horde Leaders
Beast Leaders
Blackrock Leaders
Undead Leaders
Cenarion leaders
Molten Core key art
Concept art
Gryphon arcade
Miscellaneous
Original logo
Key art with the old logo
Hearthstone card back
Launch app icon (November 2023–January 2024)
Second app icon (February–April 2024)
Third app icon (April 2024–December 2024), Android only since May 2024
Fourth app icon for iOS/iPadOS only (May 2024–December 2024)
Current app icon (December 2024–present) for all three platforms, including desktop
Videos
References
- ^ Blizzard Entertainment 2022-05-03. Warcraft® Arclight Rumble™ Revealed!.
- ^ a b Joyous Chaos Unleashed! Warcraft Rumble Enters into a New Testing Phase. Blizzard Entertainment (2023-08-08).
- ^ PC Beta is Now Live!. Blizzard Entertainment (2024-12-10).
- ^ a b c d 2022-05-04, Developer Overview | Warcraft Arclight Rumble. YouTube, retrieved on 2022-05-04
- ^ a b c d e f g h 2022-05-04, Everything You Need to Know About Warcraft Arclight Rumble, According to its Developers. GamerBraves, retrieved on 2022-05-09
- ^ a b c d 2022-05-05, Warcraft Arclight Rumble Alpha First Impressions: A Good Start For Azeroth’s Arcades. GamerBraves, retrieved on 2022-05-12
- ^ 2022-05-18, Warcraft Arclight Rumble. Game Informer, retrieved on 2022-06-05
- ^ Get Ready to lay Siege to Stormwind!. Blizzard Entertainment (2024-05-15).
- ^ https://www.linkedin.com/posts/colincashin_warcraft-arclight-rumble-announcement-cinematic-activity-6927310882335064065-vzg1/?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web
- ^ Eric Browning on ArtStation - Warcraft Rumble (Project Gryphon) (2024-09-07). “When Warcraft Rumble was still titled "Project Gryphon" I was brought on as the Principle Artist.”
External links
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