Everything You Need To Know About All World of Warcraft Races

World of Warcraft offers players a diverse selection of races, each with their own traits, lore, and more. From the noble Humans of the Alliance to the fierce Orcs of the Horde, every WoW race offers different gameplay avenues, powerful buffs, and individual strengths.

About Races in World of Warcraft

The race you choose in World of Warcraft grants your character special racial perks that can make their journey through Azeroth, the Dragon Isles, and beyond easier. While your specific class is what determines your exact fighting style—whether that’s melee, ranged, or magic—your character’s chosen race will have some bearing on your proficiency with certain professions, including resistance to certain elemental factors.

Races in World of Warcraft are split into two main factions: Alliance and Horde. This influences PvP, as Alliance and Horde are age-old enemies. There are also two Neutral races that can choose to join either Alliance or Horde after their race-specific initial tutorials have been completed.

Like most MMOs, World of Warcraft has a fabled history, complete with rich lore and storylines, no matter which expansion you decide to delve into. Your race can also impact your starting zone; for example, Pandaren characters can choose to begin their journey at the Shang Xi Training Grounds while the Undead rise again at Deathknell. 

There are currently 24 different races in World of Warcraft, including all Allied Races, which need to be unlocked by completing each Allied Races’ respective quest line.

Tip

Allied Race quests can be started at the Stormwind or Orgrimmar Embassy for Alliance or Horde.

Below, we’ve compiled a complete list of all playable races in World of Warcraft as of the latest expansion Dragonflight. Hopefully, this information makes your decisions on the Character Creation screen a little easier! We’ve included a brief description of each race, their racial passives, racial mounts, and race-locked classes.

Alliance Races in World of Warcraft

There are six Alliance races in the game.

Human

The human kingdom of Stormwind forms the backbone of the Alliance. Its citizens hold fast to the principles of honor and justice as they defend their settlements, and the Alliance, against any aggressors.

• Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Paladin, Monk, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Horse

Humans have been a solid staple in World of Warcraft, even in its early days. As a basic but reliable pick, Humans are a great all-rounder race for beginner players who want something simple. The noble Humans aren’t the most exciting race in WoW by any means, but they are adaptable, easily fitting into any class or profession due to their lack of specialization.

Humans in World of Warcraft have three race-specific traits: 

• Diplomacy (Passive): Gain 10% bonus Reputation with other in-game factions, whether that’s via completing quests, slaying monsters, or engaging with world events. 
• The Human Spirit (Passive): Get a 2% bonus on all secondary stats, including Haste, Critical Strike, Mastery, and Versatility, from all sources, whether via accessories, ally buffs, or temporary stat-boosting potions. 
• Will to Survive (Active): Upon activation, removes any crowd-control abilities like stuns with immediate effect (3-minute cooldown). 

Draenei

Fleeing the ruined world of Outland—the shattered remains of the planet once known as Draenor—the mysterious Draenei crash-landed on Azeroth, where they pledged their loyalty to the Alliance.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Paladin, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Shaman, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Elekk

Draenei are an astral and mysterious race introduced in WoW’s first expansion, The Burning Crusade, in 2007. They placed their faith and loyalty to the Alliance, vowing to destroy their enemy, the Burning Legion.

Their abilities and four racial traits come through the Blessed Light:

• Shadow Resistance (Passive): Reduces Shadow damage taken by 1%.
• Heroic Presence (Passive): Increases Strength, Agility, and Intellect (scales with current level).
• Gemcutting (Passive): Jewelcrafting skill increased by 10.
• Gift of the Naaru (Active): Heals the allied target (or yourself) by 20% of their health over five seconds (3-minute cooldown).

Based on the Gift of Naaru and Heroic Presence racial traits, Draenei are more predisposed to excelling at Tank and Support roles when queuing for Dungeons and Raids, such as Paladin or Priest. 

Dwarf

The bold and courageous dwarves are an ancient race descended from the earthen—titan-forged beings of living stone. Hailing from the mighty city of Ironforge, Dwarves will always be courageous defenders of the Alliance.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Paladin, Warlock, Shaman, Death Knight, Monk
• Racial Mount: Ram

As seen in most fantasy games (like Baldur’s Gate 3), Dwarves excel in mining, blacksmithing, and hand-to-hand melee combat. Carrying the might of the mountain on their shoulders, Dwarves are a versatile race that is suited to all of their available classes. 

What they lack in stature, they more than makeup for in their strength, as seen in their four racial attributes.  

• Explorer (Passive): Dwarves find additional fragments when looting archaeological finds and survey faster than other archaeologists.
• Might of the Mountain (Passive): Critical Strike bonus damage and healing increased by 2%.
• Frost Resistance (Passive): Reduces Frost damage taken by 1%.
• Stoneform (Active): Removes all Poison, Disease, Curse, Magic, and Bleed effects and reduces all physical damage taken by 10% for eight seconds (2-minute cooldown).

Considering their Stoneform racial active trait, they are perfect in the Tank role as Warriors, Death Knights, or Paladins at the forefront of battle where debuffs like Poison, Curse, and Bleed are all rife. 

Gnome

The clever, spunky, and oftentimes eccentric gnomes present a unique paradox among the civilized races of Azeroth. Their boundless creativity and ingenuity is rivaled only by their commitment to the Alliance’s cause, tasked with supplying them with weapons and designs for combat.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Monk, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Mechanostrider

Combining great intelligence with a degree of eccentricity, Gnomes are a fan-favorite race among WoW players, primarily due to their hilariously tiny stature. 

Despite their size, Gnomes have plenty of racial bonuses up their sleeves—standing at five—as outlined below: 

• Expansive Mind (Passive): Maximum resource increased by 5%.
• Arcane Resistance (Passive): Reduces Arcane damage taken by 1%.
• Engineering Specialist (Passive): Engineering skill increased by 15.
• Nimble Fingers (Passive): Haste increased by 1%.
• Escape Artist (Active): Escape the effects of any immobilization or movement speed reduction effect (1-minute cooldown). 

As brilliant mastermind inventors, Gnomes are best suited to the Engineering profession due to their passive racial bonus. Due to their Haste and maximum resource increase, spellcaster classes like Warlocks, Mages, Monks, and Priests work well on Gnomes. 

Night Elf

The Night Elves are amongst the oldest races in Azeroth, this ancient people saw the world nearly sundered by their own reckless use of magic. Forsaking the primal magics of their past, the elves then went on to live harmoniously with nature, joining the Alliance and finding common goals alongside younger races of Humans, Dwarves, and Gnomes.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunger, Mage, Druid, Rogue, Priest, Monk, Demon Hunter, Death Knight, Warlock
• Racial Mount: Nightsaber

Famed for their innate understanding of the arcane, Night Elves are blessed with incredible stealth and agility using their connections to the natural world. Their five racial characteristics reflect the standard nature of a Night Elf: 

• Nature Resistance (Passive): Reduces Nature damage taken by 1%.
• Touch of Elune (Passive): Increases Haste by 1% during the night. Increases Critical Strike by 1% during the day.
• Quickness (Passive): The chance to dodge melee and ranged attacks is increased by 2%, and your movement speed is also increased by 2%.
• Wisp Spirit (Passive): Transform into a wisp upon death, increasing speed by 75% (instead of the default 50%) when returning to your body.
• Shadowmeld (Active): Activate to slip into the shadows, reducing the chance for enemies to detect your presence. Lasts until canceled or upon moving. Any threat is restored versus enemies still in combat upon cancellation of this effect (2-minute cooldown).

Night Elves are profoundly spiritual and protective of nature, worshiping the moon goddess Elune and revering the natural world. As such, they have an insider connection to “nature” classes like Druids, Priests, and Hunters. Their racial active Shadowmeld also makes them the perfect Rogue, able to slip into the shadows for surprise attacks. 

Worgen

Behind the formidable Greymane Wall, a terrible curse transformed many of the human stalwart citizens of the isolated kingdom of Gilneas into lupine beasts known as the Worgen. Unable to cure their affliction, Worgen eventually learned to control their ferocity thanks to the Night Elves. They now stand ready to unleash the beast to aid the Alliance’s cause.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Druid, Monk, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Mountain Horse

Worgens embrace their curse with open arms. Their shapeshifting capabilities give them an edge to fight tooth and claw in battle. 

Note

When creating a Worgen character, you can also customize the Human form, as well as the Worgen form.

Due to their complexity, Worgens have seven different racial traits to aid them on their adventures through WoW: 

• Viciousness (Passive): Increases critical strike chance by 1%.
• Flayer (Passive): Skinning skill increased by 15 and allows you to skin 0.5 seconds faster.
• Aberration (Passive): Reduces Shadow and Nature damage taken by 1%.
• Darkflight (Active): Activates your true form, increasing movement speed by 40% for 10 seconds (2 minute cooldown). 
• Two Forms (Active): Transform between Human and Worgen forms, reverting to Worgen form in combat. This ability is purely cosmetic (1.5-second cooldown)
• Running Wild (Active): Drop to all fours to run as fast as a wild animal. Provides a speed increase equivalent to a ground mount (1.5-second cooldown).
• Calm the Wolf (Active): Activate to control your Worgen instincts and automatically assume Human form when you leave combat.

The Worgen are well-suited for classes that benefit from increased Critical Strike chance and enhanced mobility. Rogues, Hunters, and Warriors are particularly effective. They can leverage the Worgen’s racial traits to maximize their combat potential as damage dealers in a Dungeon or Raid. 

Alliance Allied Races in World of Warcraft

There are five Alliance Allied races in the game.

Kul Tiran

Kul Tiras was founded by fearless explorers who sailed uncharted waters in search of adventure. As a key member of the Alliance of Lordaeron, the Kul Tiran navy dominated the seas of Azeroth with its legendary fleet. But after years of turmoil and hardship, the kingdom grew isolated and vulnerable to dark influences. Thanks to the help of brave heroes, House Proudmoore has been restored, and Kul Tiras is poised to fight alongside the valiant Alliance once more.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Paladin, Monk, Death Knight, Shaman
• Racial Mount: Kul Tiran Charger

Kul Tirans are one of the World of Warcraft races introduced in the Battle for Azeroth expansion. They are a specific breed of Humans from the seafaring nation of Kul Tiras and are brawnier than their mainland cousins. 

Kul Tirans have a rich culture deeply tied to the sea, with an aesthetic that combines rugged wilderness survival and maritime culture, as shown by their five racial traits: 

• Brush it Off (Passive): Increase Versatility and regenerate a portion of damage taken.
• Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Passive): Reduce Frost and Nature damage taken by 1%. 
• Jack of All Trades (Passive): Increases skill in every profession by 1%.
• Child of the Sea (Passive): Hold your breath underwater for longer and swim faster.
• Haymaker (Active): Punch an enemy, stunning and knocking them back (2.5 minute cooldown).

Due to their roots within nature and the sea, Kul Tiran are best suited to classes like Druid. The Versatility bonus from Brush It Off enhances all roles (DPS, Tank, Healer). At the same time, Haymaker is a good form of crowd control with a relatively short cooldown. 

Lightforged Draenei

For untold millennia, the Army of the Light waged war against the Burning Legion throughout the Twisting Nether. The Draenei most committed to their long crusade underwent a ritual to become Lightforged, infusing their bodies with the very essence of the Holy Light. After finally achieving victory on Argus, the Lightforged Draenei are now dedicated to protecting Azeroth from rising threats and helping the Alliance.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Paladin, Monk, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Lightforged Felcrusher

Lightforged Draenei are a subrace of the Draenei who have undergone a sacred ritual to become infused with the Light, granting them enhanced abilities and a fervent dedication to fighting the Burning Legion and other threats. As such, their racial skills are tied to the essence of the Holy Light: 

• Demonbane (Passive): Experience gained from killing demons increased by 20%.
• Light’s Reckoning (Passive): Erupt with Holy Light upon death. Deals lethal Holy damage to enemies within eight yards and heals nearby allies.
• Holy Resistance (Passive): Reduces Holy damage taken by 1%.
• Light’s Judgment (Active): Call down a strike of Holy energy, dealing Holy damage to enemies within five yards after three seconds (2.5 minute cooldown).
• Forge of Light (Active): Summon a Forge of Light, enabling Blacksmithing. Blacksmithing skill increased by 10.

The Lightforged Draenei are thematically and mechanically best suited to “holy” classes, such as Paladins or Priests. Their connection to the Holy Light provides additional healing and damage capabilities, improving their effectiveness as both Tanks and DPS. Both of these classes utilize the Damage-Over-Time or DoT mechanic, to chip away at the enemy. 

Dark Iron Dwarves

Known for their fiery tempers and fierce determination, Dark Iron Dwarves have a turbulent history with the other clans. The Alliance seeks a united Dark Iron clan to harness the power of Azerite and aid their struggle against the Horde.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Paladin, Shaman, Monk, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Dark Iron Core Hound

Dark Iron Dwarves are a playable subrace of Dwarves introduced in the Battle for Azeroth expansion. Known for their passionate demeanor and mastery over both fire and the forge, Dark Iron Dwarves hail from the depths of Blackrock Mountain to aid the Alliance in its cause. They have five racial-specific traits, outlined below: 

• Dungeon Delver (Passive): While indoors, move 4% faster.
• Forged in Flames (Passive): Reduces damage taken from Physical attacks by 1%.
• Massive Production (Passive): Items crafted by Blacksmithing are created twice as quickly.
• Mole Machine (Active): While outdoors, summon a Mole Machine that tunnels through the earth (30-minute cooldown). 
• Fireblood (Active): Removes all poison, disease, curse, magic, and bleed effects and increases your primary stat by 100 for each effect removed. Lasts eight seconds (2-minute cooldown).

Due to their Fireblood racial active ability, Dark Iron Dwarves excel in the frontlines, able to cleanse themselves of any debuffs hindering them. This means classes like Death Knight, Warrior, and Paladin are perfect ports of call for any Dark Iron Dwarf WoW player. 

Mechagnome

A pioneer group of Gnomes set out on a quest to improve both their bodies and minds, experimenting with ancient technology to reverse the Curse of the Flesh and become living machines. They now work alongside their fleshy counterparts to support the Alliance’s cause.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Monk, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Mechagon Mechanostrider

After facing the perils of full mechanization, Mechagnomes found the ideal balance between flesh and steel to create highly durable living beings. Using their ingenuity, they use their five racial attributes to perfect their mechanical augmentations: 

• Combat Analysis (Passive): Gradually get stronger while in combat.
• Mastercraft (Passive): Function as a personal set of crafting tools for professions.
• Emergency Failsafe (Passive): Automatically heal yourself when your health drops to a low life total.
• Skeleton Pinkie (Passive): Open locked chests.
• Hyper Organic Light Originator (Active): Summon decoys of yourself to distract foes (3-minute cooldown). 

Mechagnomes are a versatile and resilient race, well-suited for classes that benefit from increased primary stats over time and enhanced survivability. Rogues, Warriors, and Hunters are particularly strong choices, leveraging the Mechagnomes’ natural racial abilities to boost their effectiveness in combat. 

Void Elf

Harnessing the immense power of the Void without succumbing to madness, Void Elves are renegade former Blood Elves who are attempting to train and control the shadows within them and pledge their new powers to the Alliance.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Monk, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Starcursed Voidstrider

Void Elves, originally Blood Elves, were exiled for delving into the forbidden powers of the Void. Children of the Void, or Void Elves, were rescued and guided by Alleria Windrunner, who helped them control their newfound powers to benefit the Alliance. Here are all their racial traits: 

• Chill of Night (Passive): Reduces Shadow damage taken by 1%.
• Entropic Embrace (Passive): All abilities have a chance to empower the character with the essence of the Void.
• Ethereal Connection (Passive): Reduces the cost of Void Storage and Transmogrification by 50%.
• Preternatural Calm (Passive): All spell casts are not delayed by taking damage.
• Spatial Rift (Active): Rip a rift in space and time. Reactivate this ability to teleport through the rift (3-minute cooldown). 

With the Preternatural Calm passive, Void Elves excel at spell-caster and magic classes, including Mage, Priest, Warlock, and Monk, to wield the arcane without interruption through taking damage. Their enhanced mobility with Spatial Rift is also a great escape mechanism perfect for Rogues and Hunters. 

Neutral Races in World of Warcraft

There are two Neutral races in the game.

Pandaren

Long shrouded in mystery, the enigmatic race of the Pandaren have now revealed themselves to the world. Pandaren who follow the Path of the Tushui believe that there is a moral certainty to the world: one correct path of right and wrong have pledged themselves to the Alliance, while the Pandaren who follow the Path of the Huojin have joined the Horde’s forces.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Warlock, Monk, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Dragon Turtle

The Pandaren are one of the few Neutral World of Warcraft races. Introduced in the Mists of Pandaria expansion, they can choose to be either Horde or Alliance. 

Known for their balanced way of life, deep connection with nature, and mastery of martial arts, their five racial traits reflect this: 

• Epicurean (Passive): Increases the stat benefits from food by 100%.
• Gourmand (Passive): Cooking skill increased by 15.
• Inner Peace (Passive): Earn twice as much rested experience.
• Bouncy (Passive): Take 50% less falling damage.
• Quaking Palm (Active): Strikes the target with lightning speed, incapacitating them for four seconds, and turns off your attack.

The Pandaren are a peaceful, wise, and strong people from the mystical land of Pandaria, and they work well with all their available classes. Popular class picks include Hunter, Monk, Priest, and Shaman. 

Dracythyr

Created by Neltharion the Earth-Warder, the essence of dragons was combined with the adaptability of the mortal races to create an elite soldier capable of switching from a draconic form to humanoid form. Long in a magical stasis, they are now awakening to a new threat within the Dragon Isles.

• Available Class: Evoker 
• Racial Mount: Vorquin

Like Pandaren, Dracythyr are one of the two World of Warcraft races that can choose between Alliance or Horde at the start of the game. They were introduced in the most recent expansion, Dragonflight. Being draconic creatures, they can fly and glide to a small extent. 

• Awakened (Passive): Increases Mastery by 2.5%.
• Discerning Eye (Passive): Increases Perception by 50. Perception increases the radius of tracking Mining and Herbalism nodes, and the chance of finding additional rare materials when gathering.
• Familiar Skies (Passive): Fly 20% faster on continents that you have fully explored.
• Principles of Soaring (Passive): While Soaring through the air, pointing yourself toward any given direction sends you in that direction. Pointing yourself downward grants more momentum. Evening out can transfer that momentum forward.
• Wing Buffet (Active): With a powerful flap of your wings, you knock away enemies in front of you (1.5-minute cooldown). 
• Tail Swipe (Active): Lash out with your tail, knocking enemies within six yards into the air (1.5-minute cooldown).
• Glide (Active): Instant cast. Reduces falling speed.
• Soar (Active): Muster your strength and launch into the air; cooldown begins after landing (5-minute cooldown).
• Visage (Active): Switch between your Dracthyr and Visage forms. Your Visage puts your party at ease, significantly increasing out-of-combat health regeneration. Chosen Identity also lets you automatically switch to Visage outside combat or after Soaring.

With their nine racial traits, they only have one class to choose from: the Evoker.

Horde Races in World of Warcraft

There are six Horde races in the game.

Blood Elf

Blood Elves, or Children of the Blood, are deeply connected to magic, having previously drawn their powers from the Sunwell. After its destruction, they turned to alternative sources of magical energy to sate their arcane addiction. They have found a place for themselves within the Horde.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Paladin, Monk, Demon Hunter, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Hawkstrider

Blood Elves descended from the regal High Elves; they have a deep and intricate connection to Arcane magic. This is another of the World of Warcraft races that have joined the Horde to reclaim their strength and secure their future. The four racial traits of Blood Elves highlight their Arcane affinities:

• Arcane Affinity (Passive): Enchanting skill increased by 10.
• Arcane Resistance (Passive): Reduces Arcane damage taken by 1%.
• Arcane Acuity (Passive): Increases critical strike chance by 1%.
• Arcane Torrent (Active): Remove 1 beneficial effect from all enemies within 8 yards and restore 3% of your Mana (1.5-minute cooldown). 

Leveraging the Blood Elf affinity for magic and restoring their natural resources, Mages, Paladins, and Warlocks are top choices, working well in a variety of Raid and Dungeon compositions to fit into any available role, whether it’s DPS, Tank, or Support. 

Orc

The orcs once lived as shamanic clans on the lush world of Draenor. Corrupted by Kil’jaeden, a demon lord of the Burning Legion, they invaded the world of Azeroth. Eventually able to free themselves from demonic influences, the orcs settled on Kalimdor, erecting their great capital Orgrimmar—from where they fight to find their place in the world they once came to conquer.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Shaman, Monk, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Wolf

Orcs are one of the original World of Warcraft races. They are a proud people with a deep warrior culture, as shown by their three current racial attributes: 

• Command (Passive): Damage dealt by Death Knight, Hunter, and Warlock pets increased by 1%.
• Hardiness (Passive): Duration of Stun effects reduced by an additional 20%.
• Blood Fury (Active): Increases attack and spell power temporarily (2-minute cooldown).

Orcs are natural-born leaders with a warrior’s spirit, meaning they excel in the frontlines in the Tank role as Warriors or Death Knights. Pets from Hunters or Warlocks deal more damage with the Command racial passive.

Tauren

The peaceful Tauren have long dwelled in Kalimdor, striving to preserve the balance of nature at the behest of their goddess, the Earth Mother. Once nomadic in nature, the wandering Tauren tribes have since united to fight for the Horde’s cause.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Paladin, Druid, Shaman, Monk, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Kodo

Tauren are a spiritual race deeply connected to the natural world. They are the original Druids of all the World of Warcraft races. Despite their peaceful disposition, Tauren are formidable warriors. They are key members of the Horde, contributing their strength and wisdom to the faction. Here are the Tauren racial traits to keep in mind:

• Endurance (Passive): Increases Stamina.
• Brawn (Passive): Critical strike bonus damage and healing increased by 2%.
• Cultivation (Passive): Herbalism skill increased by 15, and gathering time is faster.
• Nature Resistance (Passive): Reduces Nature damage taken by 1%.
• War Stomp (Active): Stuns up to five enemies within eight yards for two seconds (2-minute cooldown).

Goblin

The goblins’ craftiness and greed make them masters of mercantilism. Reforging old pacts with their one-time allies, the Goblins of the Bilgewater Cartel have been welcomed into the Horde. Honing their inherent cunning to a razor’s edge, the goblins hope to use their explosive inventions to rule the world – or at the very least own a profitable percentage of it.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Shaman, Monk, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Trike

No race is more cunning or street-smart than the Goblins of the Horde. With a purely capitalist society, Goblins have some interesting racial attributes that exemplify their materialistic nature and are one of the most popular World of Warcraft races:

• Time is Money (Passive): Gain a 1% increase to Haste.
• Best Deals Anywhere (Passive): Always receive the best discount regardless of faction standing.
• Better Living Through Chemistry (Passive): Alchemy skill increased by 15.
• Pack Hobgoblin (Active): Calls in a friend to gain bank access anywhere (30-minute cooldown).
• Rocket Belt (Active): Launches rockets at an enemy, dealing Fire damage (2-minute cooldown, shared with Rocket Jump).
• Rocket Jump (Active): Activates your rocket belt to jump forward (2-minute cooldown, shared with Rocket Belt).

Their combination of technological advancements, mobility, and cheap deals make Goblins an interesting racial pick for WoW players. They work best as Warlocks, Shaman, Mages, and Rogues to make the most out of their extra Haste.

Undead

Death offered no escape for the scores of Humans killed during the Lich King’s campaign. Having broken free from their master’s will, they now find their place among the Horde, in a world that despises their existence.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Monk, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Skeletal Horse

As former Humans that befell the Curse of the Undead, the Forsaken (also known as Undead) now seek to prove themselves to the Horde. They have five racial bonuses for players to consider, which work well as any spellcasting class like Mage, Warlock, or Priest within the DPS role:

• Touch of the Grave (Passive): Attacks and damaging spells have a chance to drain the target, dealing Shadow damage and healing for the same amount. Additionally, Undead players can breathe underwater indefinitely.
• Shadow Resistance (Passive): Reduces Shadow damage taken by 1%.
• Cannibalize (Active): When activated, it regenerates 7% of total health and Mana every 2 sec for 10 sec by consuming a corpse (2-minute cooldown).
• Will of the Forsaken (Active): Removes Charm, Fear, or Sleep effects (3-minute cooldown).

Troll

The proud Darkspear exiles were once on the brink of extinction when Warchief Thrall and his mighty Horde forces were driven into exile. These Trolls were welcomed into the Horde and found their place among other outcast races.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Druid, Shaman, Monk, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Raptor

Armed with fangs and tusks, the Trolls are a solid faction welcomed into the arms of the Horde. They work well as Hunters, Warlocks, and Warriors. They have five racial attributes suited to their wild nature:

• Beast Slaying (Passive): Experience gained from killing Beasts increased by 20%.
• Da Voodoo Shuffle (Passive): Reduces the duration of all movement-impairing effects by 20%.
• Regeneration (Passive): Health regeneration rate increased by 10%. 10% of total Health regeneration may continue during combat.
• Berserking (Active): Increases your melee, ranged, and spell Haste by 15% for 10 seconds (3-minute cooldown).

Horde Allied Races in World of Warcraft

There are five Horde Allied races in the game.

Nightborne

Isolated behind a protective barrier for 10,000 years, the elves of Suramar grew increasingly dependent upon the arcane magic of the Nightwell. To protect this font of power, the leaders of the Nightborne struck a bargain with the Burning Legion. After fighting for freedom from their demonic masters, the Nightborne seek allies in the Horde to help reclaim their place in the world.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Monk, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Nightborne Manasaber

An offshoot of Alliance Night Elves, the Nightborne are an ancient race that sealed themselves away for centuries. The time has come for them to join the fight, and in doing so, they chose the Horde as their faction. They maintained their affinity for the Arcane, making them poised as casters, as seen in their racial traits:

• Ancient History (Passive): Inscription skill increased by 5.
• Magical Affinity (Passive): Increases magical damage by 1%.
• Arcane Resistance (Passive): Reduces Arcane damage taken by 1%.
• Cantrips (Active): Conjure up an Eldritch Grimoire, allowing mail access for 1.5 minutes (10-minute cooldown).
• Arcane Pulse (Active): Deals Arcane damage to nearby enemies and reduces their attack speed by 50%—lasts 15 seconds.

Highmountain Tauren 

The Highmountain Tauren honor the spirits of earth, river, and sky. Though the Legion invaded their lands and sowed seeds of distrust between them, the tribes of Highmountain stand united once more to lend their strength to the Horde.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Druid, Shaman, Monk, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Highmountain Thunderhoof

The Highmountain Tauren tribes are as noble as their Kalimor kin. Their racial traits highlight their naturalistic temperament, making them perfect Warriors or Druids:

• Pride of Ironhorn (Passive): Mining skill increased by 15, and mining stones is faster.
• Mountaineer (Passive): Increases Versatility by 1%.
• Rugged Tenacity (Passive): Reduces damage taken.
• Waste Not, Want Not (Passive): Additional chance to loot extra fish and meat.
• Bull Rush (Active): Charges forward for one second, knocking enemies down for 1.5 seconds (2-minute cooldown).

Vulpera

Clever and resourceful, the Vulpera have survived amidst the harsh desert of Vol’dun for generations. Despite their small stature, they are fierce and cunning in battle, bringing down any enemy foolish enough to underestimate them. Now full-fledged members of the Horde, their wagons have left the sands in search of adventure.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Shaman, Monk, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Caravan Hyena

Small yet mighty, the Vulpera are a cunning fox-like race that have made the Horde their home. The Vulpera society values resourcefulness and cleverness, constantly on the move. As such, all of their racial traits reflect this ideology:

• Alpaca Saddlebags (Passive): Increases the size of your backpack by 8 slots.
• Fire Resistance (Passive): Take less damage from fire.
• Nose for Trouble (Passive): Take less damage from the first strike inflicted by an enemy by a percentage of your maximum health.
• Bag of Tricks (Active): Use a trick on an enemy to damage them or an ally to heal them.
• Rummage Your Bag (Active): Change the contents of your Bag of Tricks.
• Make Camp (Active): Create an outdoor campsite at your current location.
• Return to Camp (Active): Teleport back to your established camp location (1-hour cooldown).

The Vulpera add unique strengths to the Horde, making them valuable allies. They are an under-picked race suited to a few classes, including Hunter, Rogue, and Warrior, who can benefit from on-the-spot healing from Bag of Tricks.

Zandalari Troll

The Zandalari Trolls ride dinosaurs into battle and have origins dating back to the early days of Azeroth. They have joined the Horde to fight off foes threatening their own borders.

• Available Classes:  Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Paladin, Druid, Shaman, Monk, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Zandalari Direhorn

The Zandalari Trolls are the oldest known Trolls residing in Azeroth, now lending their strength and resilience to the heroes of the Horde.

Zandalari Trolls have strong ties to their Loa spirits—ancient beings of great power—as shown by their four racial traits:

• City of Gold (Passive): Loot additional coins from monsters.
• Regeneratin’ (Active): Concentrate to heal yourself quickly over a short duration (2.5-minute cooldown).
• Embrace of the Loa (Active): Pray to a Loa God and gain their favor (5-day cooldown).
• Pterrordax Swoop (Active): Whistle for a Pterrordax to glide you toward the ground (15-minute cooldown).

The unique strengths and enhanced self-healing of the Zandalari Trolls mean they’re effective and versatile across all available classes, like Druid, Paladin, Shaman, Priest, and Hunter.

Mag’har Orc

For untold generations, the Orc clans of Draenor battled one another in endless war. But when Gul’dan offered them the blood of his demonic masters, the disparate tribes of Mag’har—the orcish word for “uncorrupted”—refused the dark bargain and banded together to drive out the Burning Legion. In the aftermath of the fall of Hellfire Citadel, the Mag’har pledged to one day repay Azeroth’s heroes. As war against the Alliance intensifies, the Horde calls upon the might of the Mag’har to seize victory.

• Available Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Priest, Warlock, Shaman, Monk, Death Knight
• Racial Mount: Mag’har Direwolf

The term “Mag’har” means “uncorrupted” in Orcish, reflecting their resistance to the demonic influences that befell many of their other kin. They now fight to preserve their way of life and protect their world from harm. They have joined the Horde’s forces, bringing their warrior’s spirit into the fray.

• Savage Blood (Passive): Reduces the duration of Poisons, Diseases, and Curses by 10%.
• Sympathetic Vigor (Passive): Increases the health of pets by 10%.
• Open Skies (Passive): Increases mounted speeds (ground, flying, underwater) by 10%.
• Ancestral Call (Active): Invoke the spirits of your ancestors, granting you power. A random secondary stat is increased for 12 seconds (2-minute cooldown).

Their racial attributes show that Mag’har Orcs are well-suited to classes that benefit from enhanced secondary stats and resistance to negative debuffs. Some popular class options include Hunters, Shamans, Death Knights, Monks, and Mages.

Carefully pair one of the many races and classes together to make a massive difference in your World of Warcraft playthrough. While there are no right or wrong answers, your race and class combination can make the difference when applying for Raids and high-level Mythic+ Dungeons. If you make a mistake during Character Selection with either your race or class, it’s not the end of the world. You can always pay a small fee to change class or race at any time during your playthrough.