Wolf

Wolves are carnivorous, furry, canine beasts that often run in packs. Wolves encountered in the wilderness are typically hostile and attack characters that approach them too closely. They can howl loudly enough to be heard for miles.^[1]

Wolves are indigenous to many parts of Azeroth. They live on every known continent and have a wide variety of subspecies and social habits. Although most are hostile toward anyone who trespasses on their territories, a few unique dire wolf packs have befriended the Horde in recent years. These cunning and ferocious creatures have found an especially welcome home among the orcs, who admire their endurance and keen survival instincts.^[2]

They live in Elwynn Forest, the Hinterlands, Mulgore, Duskwood, Silverpine Forest, Tirisfal Glades, Dun Morogh, Felwood, Burning Steppes, Ashenvale, Feralas, the Western Plaguelands, Blackrock Spire, and Shadowfang Keep.

Draenor gave rise to its own separate species of wolves that developed independently on that world. Many survived Draenor's destruction and transformation into Outland and can be found in Hellfire Peninsula, Terokkar Forest, and Blade's Edge Mountains.

Wolves are skinnable.

The dire wolf was once thought to be extinct except in the far north. It is highly sought by those preparing for winter.^[3] Similarly, another species of dire wolf found on Draenor, the [Smoky Direwolf], is believed to reside mostly in the north and hates weddings.^[4]^{[Note 1]}

Wolves and the Horde

An orc and his wolf

A wolf in Warcraft III

The wolves of the Horde are befriended, not domesticated,^[5] and are a major symbol of the Horde, especially to the orcs. Long ago, the orcs tamed the large and swift wolves of Draenor. These massive canines came to be the orcs’ chosen companions as well as their favored method of transportation. The wolves’ unflinching temperament made them especially well-suited for battling large prey. When the orcs became more warlike and invaded Azeroth, their wolves were bred for size and stamina so they could bear armored riders into battle. Dire wolves remain the favored mounts for orc fighters and can be purchased in the Valley of Honor in Orgrimmar.^[6] They serve as guards, scouts, pets, and partners. The large cousins of the wolf, the worgs, are used as the orc mount.

Orcs and other Horde shamans hold them in high regard. They can speak to them and summon spectral wolves, and some serve a giant wolf spirit.^[7] According to Takrik Ragehowl, this "Lo'Gosh" is simply another name for the great white wolf Ancient the night elves call "Goldrinn". The attire of orc shaman often feature wolves, especially headgear in the form of wolf heads.

The frost wolves in Alterac followed the Frostwolf clan from Draenor.^[8] Two giant wolves, Duros and Drakan, guard their chieftain.

For a brief time, many orcs would declare themselves "hungry like an Orgrimmar wolf." Some blood elves still use the phrase ironically.^[9] Black War Wolves are prized by Orgrimmar guards for their keen sense of smell.^[10]

At Warchief Hellscream's command, Horde trainers began raising wolves to thrive in the shock and ferocity of sustained combat.^[11] The Kor'kron use only the mightiest wolves for their mounts, bedecking them in armor that would break the backs of lesser creatures.^[12]

Known species

A Highland Worg.

Corrupted types:

Spells

Shaman can change their form into a ghost wolf, allowing them to travel faster.
Spirit wolves are ghostly wolves summoned by shaman to help them in combat.

In the RPG

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

As a mount

Epic wolf mount

Main article: Wolf mounts

Wolves are sold by Ogunaro Wolfrunner located in Orgrimmar. Freka Bloodaxe the Orgrimmar Quartermaster in Icecrown also sells two unique wolves.

Several new wolf mounts were also introduced in Warlords of Draenor.

As a companion pet

[A Tiny Infernal Collar] is a reward from [40] A Fel Puppy Of My Own.
[Cinder Pup] is a reward from the rare garrison mission Fiery Friends.
Fjord Worg Pup can be captured in pet battles on the Isle of Spears in the Howling Fjord.
[Frostwolf Pup] can be purchased from Beska Redtusk <Frostwolf Orcs Quartermaster> in Warspear at a cost of 1000 and 2000 upon reaching Revered with the Frostwolf Orcs.
[Frostwolf Ghostpup] is a rare Draenor Clans Archaeology artifact.
[Lost Netherpup] can be purchased from Tiffy Trapspring/ Giada Goldleash at the Pet Menagerie at a cost of 200 Pet Charm.
[Tito's Basket] is rewarded from [Raiding with Leashes II: Attunement Edition].
[Void-Link Frostwolf Collar] is a rare drop from Thrall's Corrupted Chest in the Vision of Orgrimmar.
[Worg Carrier] drops from Quartermaster Zigris in Lower Blackrock Spire.

As a hunter pet

Type
Ferocity
Diet

Abilities
Basic	Special	Exotic	Bonus

Human hunters start with a Wolf pet.
Coyotes are also part of the wolf family of hunter pets.

In Warcraft III

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

Creep units:

Two wolves are summoned by Far Seer's Feral Spirit spell, different wolves are summoned depending on the level of the spell:

Spirit Wolf - at level 1
Dire Wolf - at level 2
Shadow Wolf - at level 3

Raiders, Far Seers and Thrall ride wolf mounts.

Notes

^ Both of these are references to George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels and/or its TV adaptation, HBO's Game of Thrones.

The Lord of the Clans novel originally told that the frost wolves were native to the mountains of Alterac and only befriended the Frostwolf clan after their arrival.^[14]