In World of Warcraft, all Alliance or Horde races have their skills and stories that affect the game’s story and affect how you play. In this overview, we researched the active and passive abilities of all the races in both factions (including Allied Races). It will help you understand how these abilities match up with each race’s background story and how they affect your gameplay.
Earthen
The Earthen, a new race in WoW The War Within, is a titan-forged race made of living stone. They were created by the Titanic Keepers to help shape the subterranean regions of the world during the ordering of Azeroth. Most of the Earthen became mortal creatures of flesh and blood known as dwarves after succumbing to the curse of flesh.
Both the Alliance and Horde can have Earthen characters. They have a special ability called Titan-Wrought Frame that makes them better at being a tank. It boosts the armor gained from equipped items by 10%.
The Dracthyr
The Dracthyr, a new race in WoW Dragonflight, is a mix of dragons and humanoids. They were created by Neltharion, also known as Deathwing. After being hidden away for a long time, they’ve woken up and are trying to figure out where they fit in the world now.
Dracthyr is linked to a playable class Evoker. They have abilities that show their dragon side and their smart human side. Their skills are split into three types:
- Devastation: it uses elemental powers like fire and lightning to attack enemies,
- Preservation: it focuses on healing and helping teammates.
- Augmentation: use the essence of the Black and Bronze dragonflights to amplify the abilities of nearby allies.
They also have passive abilities that make them move better, like gliding and flying faster. Because they’re connected to dragons, they have special tactics in battles that mix strong attacks with smart moves.
Pandarens
The Pandaren, who come from the peaceful World of Warcraft island of Pandaria, are famous for their calm and intelligent ways. What’s cool about them is they can choose to join either the Horde or the Alliance, unlike most races who are stuck with one side.
Their main skill, Quaking Palm, can stun an enemy, showing off their martial arts skills. They also have passive abilities like Epicurean, which makes food buffs better, Gourmand, which helps them cook better, and Inner Peace, which makes resting more helpful.
WoW Alliance Races
Humans
Humans are one of the most versatile races in WoW, known for their adaptability and resilience. They are well-balanced for almost any class, making them popular for players who value flexibility.
Active Skills:
- Will to Survive: This ability is a cornerstone of Human resilience, allowing them to break free from any stun effect. It’s precious in PvP situations, where escaping control effects can turn the tide of battle.
Passive Skills:
- The Human Spirit: Humans gain a bonus to their secondary stats, making them slightly more effective in their chosen roles, whether dealing damage, healing, or tanking.
- Diplomacy: This skill increases reputation gains with all factions by 10%. It’s beneficial for players who engage in extensive PvE content, as it speeds up the process of unlocking various rewards and content gated behind reputation levels.
Dwarves
Dwarves, the stout and sturdy denizens of the mountains, are known for their toughness and affinity with the earth and stone.
Active Skills:
- Stoneform: This ability grants Dwarves a temporary boost to their defenses, reducing all damage taken by 10% and removing poison, disease, curse, magic, and bleed effects. It’s beneficial in PvP and situations where players face multiple debuffs.
Passive Skills:
- Might of the Mountain: Dwarves receive a bonus to critical strike damage and healing, enhancing their performance in roles that rely on critical hits.
- Explorer: Dwarves have an increased proficiency in Archaeology, finding additional fragments and completing artifacts faster than other races. This skill is more of a quality-of-life benefit for those interested in the Archaeology secondary profession.
- Frost Resistance: They have an innate resistance to Frost damage, reducing the damage from such sources.
Night Elves
Night Elves, the ancient and mystical denizens of Azeroth, are known for their connection to nature and the arcane.
Active Skills:
- Shadowmeld: This ability allows Night Elves to slip into the shadows, becoming invisible to enemies. It’s a powerful tool for avoiding combat or setting up ambushes and is particularly useful for classes like Hunters and Rogues.
Passive Skills:
- Touch of Elune: This unique passive provides a bonus to Haste during the night and a bonus to Critical Strike during the day, offering a dynamic way to enhance their combat effectiveness depending on the time.
- Quickness: Night Elves have a passive increase to their dodge chance, making them slightly more elusive in combat. This trait is beneficial for classes that rely on agility and evasion.
- Wisp Spirit: In the unfortunate event of death, Night Elves transform into a wisp, increasing their movement speed by 50% while dead. This ability helps them return to their corpse more quickly.
- Nature Resistance: They have an inherent resistance to Nature damage, reducing the damage taken from such attacks.
Gnomes
Gnomes, the pint-sized geniuses of Azeroth, are known for their technological prowess and intellectual acumen.
Active Skills:
- Escape Artist: This ability allows Gnomes to break free from any immobilization or movement speed reduction effect. It’s a valuable skill in both PvP and PvE, providing an escape from potentially deadly situations.
Passive Skills:
- Expansive Mind: Gnomes have increased mana/energy/focus/runic/rage pools, making them ideal for classes that rely heavily on it.
- Nimble Fingers: This ability increase haste stat, beneficial for caster and healing classes.
- Engineering Specialization: They receive a bonus for their Engineering skill, reflecting their innate affinity for technology and invention.
- Arcane Resistance: Gnomes have a natural resistance to Arcane damage, reducing damage from such sources.
Draenei
Originating from the planet Argus, the Draenei fled their homeworld to escape the corruption of the Burning Legion. They are known for their strong connection to the Light and their harmonious relationship with technology and magic.
Active Skills:
- Gift of the Naaru: This ability reflects the Draenei’s connection to the Light, allowing them to heal themselves or allies over time. It’s a versatile, helpful skill in both combat and support roles.
Passive Skills:
- Heroic Presence: Increases the chance to hit, which is beneficial for all classes, especially in precise combat scenarios.
- Gemcutting: A bonus to the Jewelcrafting skill, reflecting their craftsmanship and affinity for gems.
- Shadow Resistance: They have an inherent resistance to Shadow damage, reducing the damage taken from such sources.
WoW Worgen
The Worgen are a race of werewolf-like creatures originally from the kingdom of Gilneas. Their transformation into Worgen was the result of a curse, which now grants them both human intelligence and the ferocity of a wolf.
Active Skills:
- Darkflight: This ability allows Worgen to move rapidly for a short time, enhancing their mobility in combat and exploration.
Passive Skills:
- Viciousness: Increases critical strike chance, beneficial for damage-dealing classes.
- Aberration: Provides resistance to Nature and Shadow damage, reflecting their resilience against the wild and the dark.
- Two Forms: Allows Worgen to switch between their human and Worgen forms, primarily a cosmetic feature but also useful for role-playing.
Void Elves
Void Elves are former Blood Elves exiled for delving into the dangerous powers of the Void. They have mastered these dark energies, using them to enhance their abilities and manipulate the fabric of reality.
Active Skills:
- Spatial Rift: A teleportation ability that showcases their mastery over the Void, allowing them to manipulate space for strategic positioning.
Passive Skills:
- Entropic Embrace: Occasionally empowers their abilities with Void energy, enhancing their damage or healing output.
- Preternatural Calm: Reduces the pushback suffered while casting spells, making them more effective spellcasters under pressure.
- Ethereal Connection: Reduces the cost of Void Storage and Transmogrification, reflecting their close ties with ethereal traders and the Void.
Lightforged Draenei
The Lightforged Draenei are battle-hardened veterans of the Army of the Light. Having fought the Burning Legion across the cosmos for millennia, they bring their zealous dedication and formidable Light-infused powers to the Alliance.
Active Skills:
- Light’s Judgment: Calls down a strike of Holy energy, dealing AoE damage to enemies in the targeted area. It’s particularly effective in battles against groups of foes.
Passive Skills:
- Forge of Light: Grants a bonus to Blacksmithing skill, including the ability to summon an anvil and forge, reflecting their history of warfare and weapon crafting.
- Demonbane: Increases experience gained from killing demons, a nod to their long history of battling the Burning Legion.
- Holy Resistance: Reduces Holy damage taken, symbolizing their deep connection to the Light.
Dark Iron Dwarves
The Dark Iron Dwarves, once notorious for their seething aggression and dark mysticism, have a tumultuous history. Originally part of the dwarven clans in Ironforge, they were led astray by the sorcerer-thane Thaurissan, which eventually led to the summoning of Ragnaros the Firelord and the creation of Blackrock Mountain, their home.
Active Skills:
- Mole Machine: This unique ability reflects their deep connection with the earth, allowing them to transport themselves to different locations throughout Azeroth. It adds significant utility for travel and exploration.
Passive Skills:
- Dungeon Delver: Increases their movement speed while indoors, a nod to their affinity for underground environments.
- Fireblood: Removes all poison, disease, curse, magic, and bleeding effects and increases their primary stat by an amount based on the number of effects removed. This ability is a reflection of their resilience and mastery over fire and earth.
- Forged in Flames: Reduces physical damage taken, symbolizing their hardened nature.
- Mass Production: Provides a boost to Blacksmithing, with additional items created when forging.
Kul Tirans
The Kul Tirans, stalwart and robust seafarers from the island nation of Kul Tiras, are known for their naval prowess and rich maritime culture. Their society is structured around a strong naval force, adept shipwrights, and a deep-seated fear of witchcraft and the sea, as seen in their folklore.
Active Skills:
- Haymaker: A powerful ability that punches an enemy, stunning them and knocking them back. It epitomizes the brawny nature of Kul Tirans and their straightforward approach to conflict.
Passive Skills:
- Brush It Off: Increases Versatility and provides a healing effect based on damage taken, showcasing their resilience and ability to endure.
- Child of the Sea: Allows them to swim faster and hold their breath longer, a reflection of their seafaring heritage.
- Jack of All Trades: Boosts all trade skills, representing their Versatility and resourcefulness.
- Rime of the Ancient Mariner: Reduces Frost and Nature damage taken, a nod to their life spent braving the harsh seas.
Mechagnomes
The Mechagnomes are a race of gnomes who have embraced technology to the extent that it has become a part of their very being. Originating from the high-tech, mechanized city of Mechagon, they seek to perfect themselves through mechanization, led by their king, Mechagon.
Active Skills:
- Hyper Organic Light Originator: Projects images of the Mechagnome to distract enemies, further emphasizing their use of technology in combat.
Passive Skills:
- Combat Analysis: Increases their primary stat the longer they stay in combat, symbolizing their analytical and adaptive approach to combat situations.
- Mastercraft: Grants a skill increase to all professions, indicative of their superior engineering and crafting skills.
- Emergency Failsafe: Heals them when their health drops to a low point, a manifestation of their advanced technological augmentations designed for self-preservation.
- Skeleton Pinkie: Allows them to open locks, a quirky yet practical application of their mechanical modifications.
WoW Horde Races
Orcs
Orcs, hailing from the world of Draenor (now known as Outland), have a complex history marked by war, shamanistic traditions, and struggles against demonic corruption. Once enslaved by the Burning Legion, they broke free and eventually found a home in Azeroth.
Active Skills:
- Blood Fury: This skill boosts the Orc’s attack power and spell power for a short period, reflecting their ferocity in battle.
Passive Skills:
- Hardiness: Orcs have a reduced stun duration, a testament to their toughness and resilience.
Undead (Forsaken)
The Forsaken, or Undead, are former humans of Lordaeron who were raised from the dead by the Lich King. Having broken free from his control, they now seek to find their place in a world that views them with distrust and fear.
Active Skills:
- Will of the Forsaken: Grants immunity to Charm, Fear, and Sleep effects, embodying their liberation from the Lich King’s control and their unyielding spirit.
Passive Skills:
- Cannibalize: Allows them to regain health by consuming the corpses of nearby humanoid or undead enemies, a macabre yet effective survival tool.
- Shadow Resistance: Offers increased resistance to Shadow magic, a nod to their dark origins.
- Touch of the Grave: Provides a chance for their attacks to drain health from their enemies and heal themselves, adding a vampiric twist to their combat abilities.
Tauren
Tauren are large, bovine-like creatures known for their peaceful nature, shamanistic culture, and deep respect for nature and the Earth Mother. They are native to the plains of Kalimdor and are among the most stalwart allies of the Horde.
Active Skills:
- War Stomp: Stuns nearby enemies, a skill that echoes the Tauren’s connection to the earth and their physical might.
Passive Skills:
- Endurance: Increases their health pool, representing their natural resilience and robust constitution.
- Cultivation: Provides a skill boost to Herbalism and a quicker herb gathering speed, reflecting their harmony with nature.
- Nature Resistance: Offers increased resistance to Nature magic, a testament to their affinity with the natural world.
- Brawn: Increases critical damage and healing, useful for damage dealing and healing classes.
Trolls
With their rich and ancient culture, Trolls are one of the oldest races in Azeroth. They come from a variety of tribes, each with its distinct customs and beliefs, but are best known for their shadowy voodoo practices and fierce warrior spirit.
Active Skills:
- Berserking: Increases their attack and casting speed, representing their wild and untamed nature in combat.
Passive Skills:
- Regeneration: Trolls regenerate health more quickly than other races and continue to do so even in combat, reflecting their incredible vitality and survival instincts.
- Beast Slaying: Provides a bonus to experience gains from killing beasts, showcasing their prowess as hunters and trackers.
- Da Voodoo Shuffle: Reduces the duration of movement-impairing effects, a nod to their agility and nimble footwork, likely inspired by their dance-like ritual movements.
Blood Elves
Blood Elves, originally High Elves, changed their name to honor their fallen kin after the Scourge invasion decimated their kingdom of Quel’Thalas and the Sunwell, their source of magic. Known for their elegant architecture and a strong affinity for magic, they eventually joined the Horde, seeking allies in their struggle.
Active Skills:
- Arcane Torrent: Disrupts nearby enemies with a blast of Arcane energy and silences them briefly. For mana-based classes, it also restores some mana. This ability reflects their deep connection to arcane magic.
Passive Skills:
- Arcane Acuity: Increases their critical strike chance, enhancing their effectiveness in precision-based combat roles.
- Arcane Affinity: Provides a bonus to the Enchanting profession, a nod to their magical prowess.
- Arcane Resistance: Reduces the damage taken from all magical sources, a testament to their inherent arcane resilience.
Goblins
Goblins are known for their cunning business acumen and love for explosives and technology. Originally from the island of Kezan, they were forced to flee due to a volcanic eruption caused by the Cataclysm. Goblins are resourceful, opportunistic, and known for their neutral trading hubs until they officially joined the Horde.
Active Skills:
- Rocket Jump: Allows Goblins to leap forward, reflecting their innovative and slightly reckless use of technology.
- Rocket Barrage: Launches a rocket at an enemy, dealing damage. This skill showcases their affinity for explosives.
Passive Skills:
- Time is Money: Increases their attack and casting speed, symbolizing their fast-paced, efficiency-driven lifestyle.
- Best Deals Anywhere: They always receive the best possible gold discount, regardless of faction standing, emphasizing their knack for negotiation.
- Pack Hobgoblin: Calls in their personal bank assistant indicate their entrepreneurial spirit and resourcefulness.
- Better Living Through Chemistry: Increases Alchemy skill and the effectiveness of their potions, a nod to their love for experimentation.
Nightborne
The Nightborne, hailing from the ancient night-elven city of Suramar, isolated themselves behind a magical barrier for thousands of years. During this time, they evolved into a distinct race, deeply infused with the arcane magic of the Nightwell. They joined the Horde after being liberated from the oppressive rule of the Legion-aligned Elisande.
Active Skills:
- Arcane Pulse: Damages and slows nearby enemies directly due to their inherent arcane power.
Passive Skills:
- Ancient History: Increases Inscription skill, referencing their long history and affinity for magical writings.
- Magical Affinity: Increases magical damage, symbolizing their deep connection to arcane energies.
- Cantrips: Allows them to conjure up an Eldritch Manafiend, providing a convenient mana source.
- Arcane Resistance: Reduces the damage taken from Arcane spells, a trait developed over centuries of exposure to the Nightwell.
Highmountain Tauren
Highmountain Tauren, natives of the Broken Isles, are descendants of the ancient Tauren hero Huln Highmountain and are known for their antlered horns. They are deeply connected to the land and revere the spirits of earth, river, and sky. They allied with the Horde during the events of the Legion expansion.
Active Skills:
- Bull Rush: Charges forward, knocking down enemies in their path. This skill reflects their connection to the powerful beasts of their mountainous homeland.
Passive Skills:
- Mountaineer: Increases Versatility, highlighting their adaptability and resilience.
- Rugged Tenacity: Reduces damage taken, a trait developed due to their harsh living conditions.
- Pride of Ironhorn: Increases Mining skill and allows them to mine faster, a nod to their mining tradition.
- Waste Not, Want Not: Provides a chance to gather additional meat and fish, a skill honed by living in harmony with their environment.
Mag’har Orcs
The Mag’har Orcs are an uncorrupted version of the Orcs, hailing from an alternate timeline, Draenor (the world that would become Outland). They avoided the demonic corruption that befell their counterparts in the main timeline. The term “Mag’har” aptly means “uncorrupted” in Orcish.
Active Skills:
- Ancestral Call: Boosts a random secondary stat for a short duration. This skill reflects the Mag’har Orcs’ connection to their ancestors and their unyielding spirit.
Passive Skills:
- Open Skies: Increases mounted speed, a tribute to the open plains of Draenor and their nomadic lifestyle.
- Savage Blood: Reduces the duration of Poisons, Diseases, and Curses, symbolizing their resilience and hardiness.
- Sympathetic Vigor: Increases pet health, a nod to their bond with the creatures of Draenor.
Zandalari Trolls
The Zandalari Trolls are an ancient and powerful troll empire hailing from Zandalar, the oldest known city in Azeroth. They are characterized by their deep connection to the Loa, powerful primal gods, and their formidable navy.
Active Skills:
- Regeneratin’: Rapidly heals themselves over a short period, reflecting the trolls’ renowned regenerative abilities.
- Embrace of the Loa: Allows them to choose a Loa to receive a specific blessing, demonstrating their unique bond with these primal deities.
Passive Skills:
- City of Gold: Increases gold earned from creatures, a nod to the immense wealth and opulence of the Zandalari empire.
- Pterrordax Swoop: Calls a pterrordax to reduce their falling speed, a unique trait showing their connection with these ancient creatures.
Vulpera
Vulpera are cunning fox-like nomads from the deserts of Vol’dun on Zandalar. Known for their resourcefulness and adaptability, they are survivors, making the most out of their harsh environment. The Vulpera joined the Horde, seeking protection against external threats and to ensure their freedom.
Active Skills:
- Bag of Tricks: Uses a trick on an enemy to damage them or on an ally to heal them, showcasing their cunning and Versatility.
- Make Camp: Set up a camp at an outdoor location where they can return to using “Return to Camp,” a skill reflecting their nomadic and resourceful lifestyle.
Passive Skills:
- Nose For Trouble: Reduces the damage taken from the first strike by an enemy, a trait developed from living in a dangerous environment.
- Alpaca Saddlebags: Increases the total amount of goods they can carry, a practical ability for their wandering lifestyle.
- Fire Resistance: Offers increased resistance to fire damage, a necessity in the scorching deserts of Vol’dun.
Conclusion: What WoW Race To Choose?
Selecting the best races for each role in World of Warcraft can be subjective, as it often depends on personal preference and playstyle.
If your character becomes your perfect avatar in the gaming world, your experience will undoubtedly be enriched. After all, the joy of the game often lies in how much you connect with your character, whether it be through their appearance, backstory, or the unique abilities they bring to your adventures.
Moreover, racial skills in WoW retail are decently balanced, meaning there’s no definitive “meta” race that outperforms others in every aspect. This balance allows for greater freedom in choosing a race based on personal preference rather than purely on competitive advantage.
However, considering the racial abilities and how they can benefit specific roles, here are the top 5 choices for each faction and role:
Best Horde Races (Top-5)
DPS:
- Troll: “Berserking” increases attack and casting speed.
- Orc: “Blood Fury” boosts attack power and spell power.
- Blood Elf: “Arcane Torrent” can be useful for mana classes.
- Goblin: “Rocket Barrage” and “Time is Money” for increased speed.
- Mag’har Orc: “Ancestral Call” for a boost in secondary stats.
Tank:
- Tauren: “War Stomp” for stunning enemies and “Endurance” for increased health.
- Highmountain Tauren: “Bull Rush” for crowd control and “Rugged Tenacity” for reduced damage taken.
- Blood Elf: “Arcane Torrent” for resource management.
- Nightborne: “Arcane Pulse” for slowing and damaging enemies.
- Zandalari Troll: “Regeneratin’” for rapid self-healing.
Healer:
- Tauren: “War Stomp” can be used defensively in healing situations.
- Blood Elf: “Arcane Torrent” for mana regeneration.
- Troll: “Berserking” for faster casting in critical moments.
- Zandalari Troll: “Embrace of the Loa” for various buffs, including healing.
- Nightborne: “Magical Affinity” for increased magical damage and healing.
Best Alliance Races (Top-5)
DPS:
- Void Elf: “Entropic Embrace” for increased damage and “Spatial Rift” for positioning.
- Dark Iron Dwarf: “Fireblood” for the increased primary stat.
- Night Elf: “Shadowmeld” for ambushes and evasion.
- Lightforged Draenei: “Light’s Judgment” for AoE damage.
- Human: “The Human Spirit” for versatile stat increase.
Tank:
- Night Elf: “Shadowmeld” for evasion and “Quickness” for increased dodge.
- Dwarf: “Stoneform” for damage reduction and debuff clearing.
- Dark Iron Dwarf: “Fireblood” for increased primary stat and debuff clearing.
- Worgen: “Darkflight” for mobility and “Viciousness” for critical strikes.
- Kul Tiran: “Haymaker” for crowd control and “Brush It Off” for increased Versatility and self-healing.
Healer:
- Draenei: “Gift of the Naaru” for additional healing.
- Night Elf: “Quickness” for survivability and “Shadowmeld” for emergencies.
- Human: “The Human Spirit” for a versatile stat increase.
- Void Elf: “Spatial Rift” for positioning and “Entropic Embrace” for occasional healing boost.
- Lightforged Draenei: “Demonbane” for increased experience against demons, useful in specific PvE encounters.
It’s important to note that your skill and comfort with a race or class can often outweigh the benefits of racial abilities, and the game is well-balanced so that all races can be successful in all roles. Moreover, keep in mind that you can always use the race change service from Blizzard and refresh your gameplay.
