Warrior races

Lionar, an orc warrior.

This article lists the races that are able to become warriors, and the lore and speculation regarding each. As of The War Within, every playable race may follow the path of the warrior.

Alliance

Fallingstar, a night elf warrior.

Human

Among the Early humans, the Alteraci were a tribe of courageous warriors that inhabited the slopes of the Alterac Mountains. They were considered uncouth and savage by humans from other regions.

The knights are traditionally powerful noble horse-mounted human warriors. For centuries, they have been the bane of many enemies of humanity, and proved to be a decisive factor in many battles, particularly in the Gnoll War and during the Great Wars. Wading into combat astride their noble warhorses, the knights are renowned for cutting bloody swathes through enemy ranks. Their speed and mobility mark them as some of the most versatile warriors of the Alliance.

Even the lowly peasant, the most humble of origins for humans, can learn to use both a pick and an axe for their own defense if threatened. Ever since the Second War, human peasants and farmers were roused by tales of the orcish atrocities in Stormwind during the First War to train themselves as rag-tag militias should their towns be attacked.

The people of Stromgarde have a long history of warfare against the trolls, thus their warriors are well prepared to engage in open combat with all enemies of humanity. Their former, Thoras Trollbane, was known as one of the greatest warriors the world of Azeroth has known, and his people loved him as his enemies feared him.

On the battlefields, the knights of Lordaeron represented the fiercest fighting force in the Alliance armies. Astride great warhorses, these honorable and just warriors served as a symbol of order to the peoples of Lordaeron in dark and chaotic times.

The region of Drustvar produces most of the Admiralty of Kul Tiras's ore as well as some of its toughest warriors.

Dwarf

The mountain kings are the mightiest dwarven warriors of Khaz Modan, wielding both enchanted warhammers and battle-axes. These fierce fighters live to test themselves against worthy opponents. Dedicated to safeguarding the Alliance that saved their kingdom during the Second War, the mountain kings can be counted upon to rally behind any banner that stands between freedom and the ever-looming shadow of evil.

The ritual of Gwyarbrawden—in which participants vow to go to any length to avenge each other's deaths—is foremost among their warriors, but it is a part of dwarven society that very few outsiders know about. An old ascension ceremony for dwarven kings involved drinking from a rune-covered chalice and a "sword dance" done by female dwarven warriors. This performance, part ritual and part mock battle, apparently evolved from bloody duels fought during less sophisticated times in dwarven history.

Gnome

Gnomes can be warriors, but there is no further information on this subject.

Night elf

In night elf society, most women serve as warriors, hunters, priestesses, or a combination thereof. Thousands years ago, the night elves' greatest soldiers were bestowed the Elune' fury through dangerous rituals, and these Night Warriors secured Ancient Kalimdor for the Kaldorei Empire. After the War of the Ancients, the Sentinels quickly came to be considered the elite fighters among their kin, and favored the moonglaive as a weapon of choice. During the Third War, the orc Grommash Hellscream described the night elven women as fighting with unmatched savagery, to the point he saw them as the perfect warriors.

Draenei

In draenei society, most paladins and warriors hold the title of Vindicator, who already served as a police force on Argus. Among the draenei's most elite warriors who followed the naaru Xe'ra to wage war on the Burning Legion, many draenei warriors were infused with the essence of the Holy Light and became Lightforged in the Army of the Light. The souls of their greatest warriors may be called upon for one final service as they stand on the precipice of the afterlife, inhabiting one of the armored vigilants, the eternal protectors of their civilization.

Worgen

Being former humans of the kingdom of Gilneas, worgen warriors are as common as any nation of the Seven Kingdoms. Unlike savage worgen fighting with teeth and claws, many Gilnean worgen are seen wearing plate and mail, armed with steel swords and polearms. During the Ashenvale war, the worgen soldiers proved themselves as fearsome warriors in battle, tearing through the Horde's soldiers with primal ferocity and sending their enemies fleeing in terror. After Gilneas was inducted into the Alliance, the Gilneans vowed to fight for their faction and to die for it if need be.

Horde

Nok'tal the Savage, a troll warrior.

Orc

By the age of six years old, orcs start their hunter/warrior training. Their 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. The marauding, wolf-riding raiders are once considered to be the most honored warriors of the Horde. These mighty warriors carry hefty warblades into combat and rely greatly upon the cunning and ferocity of their faithful dire-wolf mounts to defeat their enemies.

An orc warrior clapping someone's wrist is a sign of their approval.

Troll

See also: Troll berserker

Troll warriors rarely think about self-defense, wearing little to no armor, instead these troll berserkers rely on their natural toughness, agility, and regeneration. They prefer to make an enemy think about it, unleashing their primal fury on their foes. Though there are not many pure warriors among trolls, they usually combine it with their hunting and throwing skills or some dark voodoo rituals. Though it would be foolish to underestimate their close-range capabilities, as most trolls can lift another troll with one hand, and even break leather and scale armor with their bare hands.

Some of the greatest warriors of troll kind are the mighty dire trolls, collosal even in comparion to their tall troll bretheren, these brutes are either born this way, or choose to transform themselves laters in life using either magical or alchemical means, which shortens their lifespan, decreases their intellect, and only a select few are capable to evade those side effects, and even gain the ability to transfrom back to their previous form.

Troll headhunters are cunning warriors trained from birth to hunt, track, and trap the most dangerous beasts in the wilds, and possess the uncanny ability to regenerate lost health. In times of war, however, headhunters relish turning their mighty spears on the enemies of the horde without hesitation. Capable of hurling their deadly spears at distant enemies, troll headhunters provide invaluable cover fire for the other warriors of the horde.

Tauren

The tauren chieftain are tauren warriors leading their tribes in daily life as well as in battle. Ceremoniously adorned with the ancient totems of their tribes, they uphold the honor and simplicity of the proud tauren culture. When roused by battle, the gigantic chieftains employ enormous halberds that are capable of tearing through solid trees with one mighty swipe. During the Third War, they saw an opportunity to help the orcs return to their traditional roots, providing a strong example of honor and courage through all tauren warriors.

Forsaken

As most of them are former human, many Forsaken remained warriors even in death, and can be found among the ranks of the Deathguards and Dreadguards.

Blood elf

The blood elven armies of Quel'Thalas have many warriors among their ranks. The spellbreakers are elven warriors trained to disrupt and contort magical energies.

Goblin

Though goblins often rely on ogres and hobgoblins for muscle, it is not uncommon for goblins to practice the ways of the warrior. Many are known as bruisers and enforce the rules of goblin towns such as Booty Bay and Gadgetzan. In a big city like Gadgetzan, adaptation is key to their job, as the warring factions come up with new ways to slow each other down. And as the bruisers improve their weaponry and training, they have to cut off their free time.

During the War of the Ancients, the orc Broxigar understood just how dangerous goblins could be, especially when there was more than one. He described them as cunning and quick, their wiry frames able to dart past a larger opponent with ease. One could not trust a goblin to do no harm unless that goblin was dead.

Nightborne

The nightborne warriors have primarily been seen combining both arcane magic and the martial arts, though many have also been seen simply using mundane weapons. The Duskwatch employed many warriors as the primary peace-keeping force in Suramar City. Powerful magical swordsmen are sometimes called "spell-fencers" or spellblades. Aside from normal swords, some use large double-bladed swords wielded with one hand, usually with a shield in the other, that can be used to channel magic.

Vulpera

Vulpera can be warriors, but there is no further information on this subject.

Other races

Grug the Bonecrusher, an ogre warrior.

Ankoan

The ankoan are an ancient species of deep-sea warriors that traverse the deepest and most dangerous parts of the ocean.

Gnoll

Gnolls are brutish and belligerent creatures who value strength over everything else. They are fierce and formidable in battle, but are not the most intelligent of races. Gnolls have been employed as mercenaries, but their penchant for vicious fighting and their limited intelligence require constant supervision.

High elf

The high elven armies of Quel'Thalas were comprised of a great number of warriors who fought to protect their realm from various threats, such as the Amani Empire or the Scourge. Their late high king, Anasterian Sunstrider, was described as a powerful fighter wielding the legendary runeblade Felo'melorn.

Ogre

Most ogres focus on the path of the warrior. During the Second War, Warchief Doomhammer's respect for the ogres grew to the point that he created his own elite guard of ogre warriors. These ogres were loyal to him and him alone, admiring Doomhammer's strength and courage, seeing him as a small ogre himself. He, in turn, had come to respect their strength and relied upon their support. He knew they would die for him if necessary, and was surprised to realize he would give his life for them as well.

Pandaren

Most pandaren warriors are part of the "Blackguard" discipline in the Shado-Pan. Their warriors must answer to the Blackguard master, and the master's blade tests the blade of each and every Shado-Pan, including the ones guarding their walls, such as the Serpent's Spine. The mighty brewmasters travel the world in search of exotic ales and the finest brewed spirits. These affable warriors rarely seek out danger or trouble, preferring instead to spend their time concocting new and tasty beverages for any brave enough to imbibe them.

Quilboar

As quilboar are fiercely loyal to their tribe and will defend their territory with reckless ferocity, their warriors are highly prized in quilboar society.

Skeleton

Called forth from the grave by the insidious necromancers, skeletal warriors are mindless slaves of the Lich King's powers. These lumbering fighters are highly resilient and tireless. When operating in great numbers, skeleton warriors serve as an invaluable part of the Scourge's combat force.

In the RPG

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

Blood elf

Blood elf warriors are a standard class for blood elves in the RPG. Some blood elves become warriors (or scouts or hunters) — especially those seeking to be spell breakers, demon hunters, and rangers. In the aftermath of the Third War, Kael'thas took a group of the strongest blood elf warriors and spellcasters and joined the Alliance against the Scourge (most of these later joined him in Outland).

Dwarf

Ironforge dwarves in particular have a long tradition of combat training, and many dwarves train extensively with axe and hammer. Mountain kings are the elite of the Ironforge warriors, imposing fighters who tap into mystic powers to become true champions of their race. Another famous dwarven warrior is the Dwarf Sharpshooter.

Forsaken

Forsaken warriors in their previous life could be brave knights as well as cruel bandits, so their style can be very different.

Gnome

Every time someone makes a comment about how no gnome warriors exist, he runs the risk of being hamstrung the next time he is in a tense situation. These gnomes are the kind who deny that they are small, every other race is just too big. The gnomes that become warriors are fierce, but are often placed in defensive positions, guarding either artillery or battle magi. Being small is an advantage, making warrior gnomes difficult targets in the midst of melee.

Human

Warriors are common among humans. The most popular place for a human to be is in melee combat with a sword or mace in his or her hand. Footmen are warriors who serve as basic infantry in armies of the human nations. Comprising the bulk of the Alliance army, the footman is the heart of the war machine for elves, humans and dwarves. Fighting in close formation, they use proven tactical methods: advance slowly with shields raised, then draw swords and close to melee range. The grim, mud-slogging soldier initially appears to be a grizzled veteran, until you get a glimpse of his young face. His weapons and armor look worn, like they were scavenged from a battlefield. Footmen like to travel in small groups and form ranks. They are attuned to formation fighting and coordinate their attacks. They're capable of bringing down well-armored opponents. Aside from champions, the knight is the elite warrior of humanity, the best of the normal troops. They typically form ranks and charge to devastating effect on the battlefield.

Orc

Warriors are common among orcs. Orcs have a long history of warfare; their race has been battling various creatures for generations. In the past, many orcs embraced their demon-born bloodlust and became barbarians. In recent years, the orcs' discovery of their spiritual and shamanistic path traditions has allowed orcs to focus and refine their savagery. Many orcs still become barbarians, but the way of the trained warrior - becomes more and more common. The iconic orc warrior is garbed in chain mail or leather and plate. He carries a mighty battleaxe and wears a horned helmet. He crouches in a battle stance, axe at the ready, as he evaluates his opponent...then, with a fearsome yowl, he strikes in a blur. Such warriors can be found among the common grunt or the venerated worg riding raiders.

Quilboar

Quilboar males grow taller, heavier, and stronger than females. For this reason, only males take up the path of warrior. Females feel no resentment over this fact, and, indeed, the males do not see themselves as superior. Female quilboar possess such strong tribal instincts that most do not even desire to follow the males' path. On occasion, a female child displays such unnatural strength that the shaman deems her a man. She then trains as a warrior and lives in all ways like a male, even taking female mates. Tribal legend holds that such unions have occasionally produced an exceptional quilboar warrior (though no scholar has confirmed the tale), so there is little or no stigma attached to such situations. Quilboar warriors fight with a single-minded ferocity. Given a strong leader or an ancestral enemy, they will fight to the death, sacrificing themselves to destroy even one opponent. Quilboar warriors favor the flail, but they will make use of any weapon, even an impromptu weapon, that presents itself.

Tauren

Tauren warriors form the backbone of tauren military forces. These versatile warriors excel in melee combat, plus they can track, scout, and forage for food. A tauren warrior is wise enough not to lose his head in the heat of battle. He flanks with his allies, positions himself to make the best use of his Cleave feat, and obeys his superior's orders. A tauren warrior uses Power Attack to its fullest effect at the start of combat, but stops if he misses twice in a row. Even with the lowest totem-bearing warrior, tauren exemplify the Horde's strength, they are strong-willed and cunning.

Notes

• The warrior was the first class to be available to every race. However, The Burning Crusade added blood elves who did not have warrior as an option (though they did in early beta). With Cataclysm introducing blood elf warriors, the class was once again available to all races. The original limitation was due to a cap Blizzard set on the number of classes available to each race. Once they added more combinations of old classes and races in Cataclysm, this limit was lifted, and blood elves acquired warriors.