Classes & races
Races of Azeroth: History of the Alliance and Horde Peoples
Azeroth is home to dozens of peoples, but in the WoW Classic (Vanilla 1.12.1) era players can choose from eight playable races split between two warring factions — the Alliance and the Horde. Each race has its own history, racial abilities and starting path. This page is a guide to the lore of these peoples; follow the linked articles for the full chronicle of each.
Race affects not only appearance but also racial abilities and available classes. Before rolling a character, read the Best Race for Class guide.
◆Alliance Races
The Alliance is a union of peoples bound by honor, order and the Light.
| Race | Homeland | In brief |
|---|---|---|
| Humans | Stormwind, Elwynn Forest | A young but ambitious people, heart of the Alliance |
| Dwarves | Ironforge, Dun Morogh | Heirs of the earthen giants, masters of runes and steel |
| Night Elves | Teldrassil, Ashenvale | An ancient druidic people, guardians of nature |
| Gnomes | Gnomeregan, Ironforge | Brilliant inventors robbed of their home |
Read: History of Humans · History of Dwarves · History of Night Elves · History of Gnomes.
◆Horde Races
The Horde is not an empire of evil but a union of outcasts seeking their place: honor, survival and freedom.
| Race | Homeland | In brief |
|---|---|---|
| Orcs | Orgrimmar, Durotar | Warriors freed from the demonic blood curse |
| Tauren | Thunder Bluff, Mulgore | Peaceful nomads, children of the Earth Mother |
| Trolls | Durotar, Darkspear Isles | Ancient voodoo hunters of the Darkspear tribe |
| Undead | Undercity, Tirisfal Glades | The Forsaken, broken free from the Scourge |
Read: History of Orcs · History of Tauren · History of Trolls · History of the Forsaken.
How the Races Tie Into World History
The fates of these peoples are woven through a chain of great wars. The War of the Ancients and the Sundering shaped the night elves; the First and Second Wars pitted humans against orcs; the Third War and the Fall of Lordaeron birthed the Forsaken and brought the Horde to Kalimdor. Full timeline: History of Azeroth.
◆Begin Your Own Story
Choosing a race is the first step of your adventure. Create a WowX5 x5 account, pick the people that speaks to you and write your name into Azeroth's chronicle.
FAQ
?How many playable races are in WoW Classic?
Classic offers 8 races: Alliance — humans, dwarves, night elves and gnomes; Horde — orcs, undead (Forsaken), tauren and trolls.
?Which race is best for my class?
It depends on the role: each race has unique racial abilities. See the 'Best Race for Class' guide for a full breakdown.
?Can I play neutral races?
No. In the Vanilla era only the 8 listed races are available. Goblins, high elves and others remain NPCs.
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